Abstract: A panel system includes a chassis holding one or more tray arrangements, which are each configured to receive one or more cassettes at two or more bays. The tray arrangements and cassettes cooperate to define a cassette sensor arrangement and a port occupancy sensor arrangement having separate interface points. The cassette sensor arrangement may include electronic memory storing physical layer information about the cassette. All active components of the port occupancy sensor arrangement are disposed on the tray while the electronic memories of the cassette sensor arrangement are stored on the cassettes.

Abstract: A method for detecting oxygen in a test sample is provided, the method involving exposing a test sample and a control sample to sensor compositions having a luminescent compound capable of generating a signal indicative of oxygen depletion. The method further involves determining the strengths of such signals for the test sample versus the control sample, and using the difference to determine whether oxygen in the test sample is being consumed.

Abstract: A UV-cross-linkable PVA-based polymer coating for cell culture that provides support for cell adhesion. The polymer coating may also contain bioaffecting molecules reversibly entrapped within the polymer coating that provides necessary nutrients to cell culture. Preferably, the UV-cross-linkable PVA-based polymer is PVA-SbQ.

Abstract: Solid substrates for cell culture are UV-cross-linked PVA-based hydrogel polymer particles. The particles are biocompatible with living cells and support cell adherence. Bioaffecting molecules may be reversibly entrapped within the particles. The particles are capable of forming self-assembled aggregates with cultured cells in aqueous suspension. Preferably, the PVA-based polymer is PVA-SbQ.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods used to detect metabolic activity of biological samples based on their ability to consume oxygen.