Abstract: The present invention relates to solid supports that are used for the storage and further processing of biological materials. The invention is particularly concerned with solid supports which have at least one surface coated with a chemical that enhances the recovery of the biological material from the support. Methods of preparing and using the solid supports are also described.

Abstract: Methods of using a biological sample collection device comprising a collection portion and a body portion, the body portion including a holding portion for holding a biological sample storage medium, and a sample transfer means, such as a cover. The collection portion can be arranged in a first position separated from the body portion for collecting a sample, and in a second position at least partly between the sample transfer means and the holding portion, with the sample transfer means being operable to push the collection portion towards a position at which the holding means is arranged to hold the biological sample storage medium, enabling a sample held in the collection portion to be transferred to the latter.

Abstract: Biological samples, such as saliva, are commonly collected on a swab and subsequently transferred to an absorbent storage medium. Embodiments of the present invention provide a biological sample collection device 600 comprising a collection portion 620 and a body portion 610, the body portion including a holding portion 652 for holding a biological sample storage medium (618 FIG. 1), and a sample collection/transfer means. The collection portion 620 can be arranged in a first position shown in FIG. 4, separated from the body portion for collecting a sample. The device employs depressible latches (630, 640 FIG. 6) to control the movements of the collection portion.

Abstract: Methods of using a biological sample collection device comprising a collection portion and a body portion, the body portion including a holding portion for holding a biological sample storage medium, and a sample transfer means, such as a cover. The collection portion can be arranged in a first position separated from the body portion for collecting a sample, and in a second position at least partly between the sample transfer means and the holding portion, with the sample transfer means being operable to push the collection portion towards a position at which the holding means is arranged to hold the biological sample storage medium, enabling a sample held in the collection portion to be transferred to the latter.

Abstract: Methods of using a biological sample collection device comprising a collection portion and a body portion, the body portion including a holding portion for holding a biological sample storage medium, and a sample transfer means, such as a cover. The collection portion can be arranged in a first position separated from the body portion for collecting a sample, and in a second position at least partly between the sample transfer means and the holding portion, with the sample transfer means being operable to push the collection portion towards a position at which the holding means is arranged to hold the biological sample storage medium, enabling a sample held in the collection portion to be transferred to the latter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microfluidic device including a reagent supply apparatus comprising: a solid support 12 formed preferably from cellulose fibrous material having a porosity which allows liquid flow through the material; at least one generally dry reagent 16 stored on a surface of the support at a regent location or locations; the support further being suitable for storing biological sample material 17 in a dry state at a sample location or locations, spaced from the reagent location or locations.

Abstract: Methods of using a biological sample collection device comprising a collection portion and a body portion, the body portion including a holding portion for holding a biological sample storage medium, and a sample transfer means, such as a cover. The collection portion can be arranged in a first position separated from the body portion for collecting a sample, and in a second position at least partly between the sample transfer means and the holding portion, with the sample transfer means being operable to push the collection portion towards a position at which the holding means is arranged to hold the biological sample storage medium, enabling a sample held in the collection portion to be transferred to the latter.

Abstract: Methods of using a biological sample collection device comprising a collection portion and a body portion, the body portion including a holding portion for holding a biological sample storage medium, and a sample transfer means, such as a cover. The collection portion can be arranged in a first position separated from the body portion for collecting a sample, and in a second position at least partly between the sample transfer means and the holding portion, with the sample transfer means being operable to push the collection portion towards a position at which the holding means is arranged to hold the biological sample storage medium, enabling a sample held in the collection portion to be transferred to the latter.

Abstract: Methods of using a biological sample collection device comprising a collection portion and a body portion, the body portion including a holding portion for holding a biological sample storage medium, and a sample transfer means, such as a cover. The collection portion can be arranged in a first position separated from the body portion for collecting a sample, and in a second position at least partly between the sample transfer means and the holding portion, with the sample transfer means being operable to push the collection portion towards a position at which the holding means is arranged to hold the biological sample storage medium, enabling a sample held in the collection portion to be transferred to the latter.

Abstract: Biological samples, such as saliva, are commonly collected on a swab and subsequently transferred to an absorbent storage medium. Embodiments of the present invention provide a biological sample collection device comprising a collection portion and a body portion, the body portion including a holding portion for holding a biological sample storage medium, and a sample transfer means, such as a cover. The collection portion can be arranged in a first position separated from the body portion for collecting a sample, and in a second position at least partly between the sample transfer means and the holding portion, with the sample transfer means being operable to push the collection portion towards a position at which the holding means is arranged to hold the biological sample storage medium, enabling a sample held in the collection portion to be transferred to the latter. This provides an improved means of collecting a biological sample.

Abstract: Biological samples, such as saliva, are commonly collected on a swab and subsequently transferred to an absorbent storage medium. Embodiments of the present invention provide a biological sample collection device 600 comprising a collection portion 620 and a body portion 610, the body portion including a holding portion 652 for holding a biological sample storage medium (618 FIG. 1), and a sample collection/transfer means. The collection portion 620 can be arranged in a first position shown in FIG. 4, separated from the body portion for collecting a sample. The device employs depressible latches (630, 640 FIG. 6) to control the movements of the collection portion.

Abstract: A first aspect of the invention relates to an apparatus 100 for genotoxicological screening. The apparatus 100 comprises a processor 114 for analyzing images. The processor 114 is configured to provide an identifier module 115 for identifying target cells in an image and a dynamically modifiable classifier module 116 for classifying the identified cells in accordance with one or more phenotype, such as micronuclei, for example. The processor 114 is also configured to provide a scoring module 117 for assigning respective confidence measurements to the classified cells. Various aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used, for example, to provide for improved reliability and accuracy when performing automated high-throughput screening (HTS) drug assays.

Abstract: Biological samples, such as saliva, are commonly collected on a swab and subsequently transferred to an absorbent storage medium. Embodiments of the present invention provide a biological sample collection device comprising a collection portion and a body portion, the body portion including a holding portion for holding a biological sample storage medium, and a sample transfer means, such as a cover. The collection portion can be arranged in a first position separated from the body portion for collecting a sample, and in a second position at least partly between the sample transfer means and the holding portion, with the sample transfer means being operable to push the collection portion towards a position at which the holding means is arranged to hold the biological sample storage medium, enabling a sample held in the collection portion to be transferred to the latter. This provides an improved means of collecting a biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to solid supports that are used for the storage and further processing of biological materials. The invention is particularly concerned with solid supports which have at least one surface coated with a chemical that enhances the recovery of the biological material from the support. Methods of preparing and using the solid supports are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to solid supports that are used for the storage and further processing of biological materials. The invention is particularly concerned with solid supports which have at least one surface coated with a chemical mixture that enhances the recovery of the biological material from the support. Methods of preparing and using the solid supports are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to paper supports for neonatal screening that are used for the storage and further processing of biological materials. The invention is particularly concerned with paper supports which have at least one surface coated with a chemical that enhances the recovery of the biological material from the support. Methods of preparing and using the paper supports are also described.

Abstract: A first aspect of the invention relates to an apparatus 100 for genotoxicological screening. The apparatus 100 comprises a processor 114 for analysing images. The processor 114 is configured to provide an identifier module 115 for identifying target cells in an image and a dynamically modifiable classifier module 116 for classifying the identified cells in accordance with one or more phenotype, such as micronuclei, for example. The processor 114 is also configured to provide a scoring module 117 for assigning respective confidence measurements to the classified cells. Various aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used, for example, to provide for improved reliability and accuracy when performing automated high-throughput screening (HTS) drug assays.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and kits for determining the toxicity of an agent on a population of eukaryotic cells, particularly human cells. The cells may comprise a nucleic acid construct comprising a DNA damage induced response element operably linked to a sequence encoding a reporter gene. The multiplex methods and kits provide means for distinguishing between genotoxic and cytotoxic agents.