Abstract: A seed handling tool includes a handle connected to a working body. The working body includes a working surface, which further includes a plurality of seed retention points. A seed retention source is provided to allow the seed handling tool to pick up and retain seeds at the seed retention points. In some embodiments, the seeds may also be released from the seed retention points. A method for retaining a plurality of seeds by the seed handling tool includes moving the seed handling tool to a position where the working surface is adjacent to a plurality of seeds, and picking up and retaining seeds at a plurality of seed retention points fixed at the working surface. In some embodiments, the method may also include releasing the plurality of seeds from the seed retention points.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) configured to simultaneously sample a plurality of seeds is provided. The apparatus (100) may include a grinder (110) configured to grind each of the seeds of a first plurality of seeds to produce a powder comprising a plurality of seed particles. A sample container (142) may be configured to receive the powder. Further, a cleaning device may be configured to introduce a neutral media to the grinder (110) to substantially prevent cross-contamination with a second plurality of seeds, which may be ground thereafter. The apparatus (100) may further comprise a mixing device (150) configured to mix the powder. Thereby a sample portion of the powder may be tested for the presence of a genetically modified organism, or other tests may be conducted thereon. A related method for high throughput simultaneous sampling of a plurality of seeds is also provided.

Abstract: Seeds containing a genetic element of interest can be distinguished and sorted from a bulk sample of seeds. In certain embodiments, a marker is associated with at least some of the seeds containing a genetic element of interest, the seeds are excited using an photonic emitting device, and at least some of the seeds of the bulk sample are evaluated for the presence or absence of the marker and may be sorted based on the presence or absence of the marker. In certain embodiments, the marker is a red fluorescent protein marker. In certain embodiments, the red fluorescent protein marker is discernable when excited by a certain energy and the evaluating step comprises exciting the seeds containing a genetic element of interest with the certain energy and detecting an emission resulting at least in part from the exciting step.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention comprises associating a marker with at least some of the seeds containing a genetic element of interest of the bulk sample, exciting the seeds using an photonic emitting device, evaluating at least some of the seeds of the bulk sample for the presence or absence of the marker, and sorting the seeds containing a genetic element of interest based on the presence or absence of the marker. In various other embodiments, the method may comprise associating a red fluorescent protein marker with at least some of the seeds containing a genetic element of interest of the bulk sample, evaluating at least some of the seeds of the bulk sample for the presence of the red fluorescent protein marker using an evaluating device, and sorting the seeds containing a genetic element of interest based on the presence of the red fluorescent protein marker.

Abstract: An automated high throughput apparatus, method and system for seed sampling is provided. The seed sampling system includes an ablation subsystem having a controlled cutting path and a seed handling subsystem comprising a staging system having a plurality of seed staging positions for staging a batch of seed in a sequential manner, and a carrier system for simultaneously presenting seed staging positions at the cutting path for removing a sample portion from each seed in the batch. A method of this invention includes providing ablation means having a controlled cutting path, automatically staging a batch of seed at a plurality of staging positions in a sequential manner, simultaneously presenting the batch of seed at the cutting path, and removing a sample portion from each seed in the batch.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for selecting one or more seeds from a group of seeds based on a predetermined characteristic of the selected seeds are provided. In various embodiments, the seeds are selected from multiple containers of seeds and re-configured into a single container for later use. The apparatus includes an array of seed selectors that expel the selected seeds from the corresponding compartments through contact with the compartments. A transfer member then directs each expelled seed to a cavity of a collection tray or into an envelope or other receptacle. A controller may run operation of the apparatus and associate the selected seeds with the cavities and/or receptacle into which they are deposited. In this way, numerous seeds may be automatically selected substantially simultaneously or in rapid succession and re-configured in a short period of time and with limited user intervention.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) configured to simultaneously sample a plurality of seeds is provided. The apparatus (100) may include a grinder (110) configured to grind each of the seeds of a first plurality of seeds to produce a powder comprising a plurality of seed particles. A sample container (142) may be configured to receive the powder. Further, a cleaning device may be configured to introduce a neutral media to the grinder (110) to substantially prevent cross-contamination with a second plurality of seeds, which may be ground thereafter. The apparatus (100) may further comprise a mixing device (150) configured to mix the powder. Thereby a sample portion of the powder may be tested for the presence of a genetically modified organism, or other tests may be conducted thereon. A related method for high throughput simultaneous sampling of a plurality of seeds is also provided.

Abstract: A tissue culture device includes a container having one or more upstanding walls extending upwardly from a floor. The floor of the container has a media having nutrients or growth substances therein. A plurality of plant tissues are within the container compartment and are placed upon a screen between the plant tissues and the media. The screen is tamped downwardly onto the media so that the plant tissues can get nutrients from the media, and so that waste products are transferred into the media. The screen is also removable through the open end of the container so as to remove all of the plurality of the plant tissues from the container at once. The plant tissue device can then be placed in another container having any cultured media as needed for the correct maintenance, propagation and development of plant tissue in culture.

Abstract: A method is provided for extracting embryos from the kernels of an ear of corn. In various embodiments, the method includes receiving an extraction solution in a vessel, receiving at least a portion of an ear of corn in the vessel, the portion of the ear of corn including a plurality of kernels having embryos and intact pericarps, sealing the vessel, subjecting the sealed vessel to a vigorous shaking motion to create an embryo mixture, and collecting the embryo mixture. In some embodiments, embryos are separated from the embryo mixture.

Abstract: A method for distinguishing and sorting seeds containing a genetic element of interest from a bulk sample. In various embodiments, the present invention comprises associating a marker with at least some of the seeds containing a genetic element of interest of the bulk sample, exciting the seeds using an photonic emitting device, evaluating at least some of the seeds of the bulk sample for the presence or absence of the marker, and sorting the seeds containing a genetic element of interest based on the presence or absence of the marker. In various other embodiments, the method may comprise associating a red fluorescent protein marker with at least some of the seeds containing a genetic element of interest of the bulk sample, evaluating at least some of the seeds of the bulk sample for the presence of the red fluorescent protein marker using an evaluating device, and sorting the seeds containing a genetic element of interest based on the presence of the red fluorescent protein marker.

Abstract: A seed handling tool includes a handle connected to a working body. The working body includes a working surface, which further includes a plurality of seed retention points. A seed retention source is provided to allow the seed handling tool to pick up and retain seeds at the seed retention points. In some embodiments, the seeds may also be released from the seed retention points. A method for retaining a plurality of seeds by the seed handling tool includes moving the seed handling tool to a position where the working surface is adjacent to a plurality of seeds, and picking up and retaining seeds at a plurality of seed retention points fixed at the working surface. In some embodiments, the method may also include releasing the plurality of seeds from the seed retention points.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems for reconfiguring some or all content from one or more first containers into a second container are provided. In an example of the apparatus, the apparatus has a dispensing system having a dispenser to dispense content from one container into another, and a delivery system adapted to reconfigure the dispensed content from the one container into another container. In another example, a method includes dispensing selected contents from one container and reconfiguring the dispensed contents from the one container into another. In another example, the system includes a controller, a machine controlled by the controller, wherein the machine has a pair of container handlers, a content dispenser, and a content delivery system. The controller is adapted to control the machine using a selection criterion to operate the content dispenser to dispense selected content from one container to move with the delivery system into another container.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for selecting one or more seeds from a group of seeds based on a predetermined characteristic of the selected seeds are provided. In various embodiments, the seeds are selected from multiple containers of seeds and re-configured into a single container for later use. The apparatus includes an array of seed selectors that expel the selected seeds from the corresponding compartments through contact with the compartments. A transfer member then directs each expelled seed to a cavity of a collection tray or into an envelope or other receptacle. A controller may run operation of the apparatus and associate the selected seeds with the cavities and/or receptacle into which they are deposited. In this way, numerous seeds may be automatically selected substantially simultaneously or in rapid succession and re-configured in a short period of time and with limited user intervention.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems for reconfiguring some or all content from one or more first containers into a second container are provided. In an example of the apparatus, the apparatus has a dispensing system having a dispenser to dispense content from one container into another, and a delivery system adapted to reconfigure the dispensed content from the one container into another container. In another example, a method includes dispensing selected contents from one container and reconfiguring the dispensed contents from the one container into another. In another example, the system includes a controller, a machine controlled by the controller, wherein the machine has a pair of container handlers, a content dispenser, and a content delivery system. The controller is adapted to control the machine using a selection criterion to operate the content dispenser to dispense selected content from one container to move with the delivery system into another container.

Abstract: An automated high throughput apparatus, method and system for seed sampling is provided. The seed sampling system includes an ablation subsystem having a controlled cutting path and a seed handling subsystem comprising a staging system having a plurality of seed staging positions for staging a batch of seed in a sequential manner, and a carrier system for simultaneously presenting seed staging positions at the cutting path for removing a sample portion from each seed in the batch. A method of this invention includes providing ablation means having a controlled cutting path, automatically staging a batch of seed at a plurality of staging positions in a sequential manner, simultaneously presenting the batch of seed at the cutting path, and removing a sample portion from each seed in the batch.

Abstract: A tissue culture device includes a container having one or more upstanding walls extending upwardly from a floor. The floor of the container has a media having nutrients or growth substances therein. A plurality of plant tissues are within the container compartment and are placed upon a screen between the plant tissues and the media. The screen is tamped downwardly onto the media so that the plant tissues can get nutrients from the media, and so that waste products are transferred into the media. The screen is also removable through the open end of the container so as to remove all of the plurality of the plant tissues from the container at once. The plant tissue device can then be placed in another container having any cultured media as needed for the correct maintenance, propagation and development of plant tissue in culture.

Abstract: A method for distinguishing and sorting seeds containing a genetic element of interest from a bulk sample. In various embodiments, the present invention comprises associating a marker with at least some of the seeds containing a genetic element of interest of the bulk sample, exciting the seeds using an photonic emitting device, evaluating at least some of the seeds of the bulk sample for the presence or absence of the marker, and sorting the seeds containing a genetic element of interest based on the presence or absence of the marker. In various other embodiments, the method may comprise associating a red fluorescent protein marker with at least some of the seeds containing a genetic element of interest of the bulk sample, evaluating at least some of the seeds of the bulk sample for the presence of the red fluorescent protein marker using an evaluating device, and sorting the seeds containing a genetic element of interest based on the presence of the red fluorescent protein marker.

Abstract: A method for managing seed includes non-destructively sampling individual seeds to assist in providing evaluation data for each of the individual seeds, storing the evaluation data and seed identifiers associated with each of the individual seeds in a data store, selecting a subset of seed for planting at least partially based on the evaluation data, and planting the subset of seed. A system for management of seed on an individual seed basis includes an evaluation subsystem for evaluating individual non-destructively sampled seeds to provide evaluation data for the seeds, a selection subsystem for selecting a subset of the individual seeds at least partially based on the evaluation data, and a planting subsystem for planting the subset of individual seeds.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems for reconfiguring some or all content from one or more first containers into a second container are provided. In an example of the apparatus, the apparatus has a dispensing system having a dispenser to dispense content from one container into another, and a delivery system adapted to reconfigure the dispensed content from the one container into another container. In another example, a method includes dispensing selected contents from one container and reconfiguring the dispensed contents from the one container into another. In another example, the system includes a controller, a machine controlled by the controller, wherein the machine has a pair of container handlers, a content dispenser, and a content delivery system. The controller is adapted to control the machine using a selection criterion to operate the content dispenser to dispense selected content from one container to move with the delivery system into another container.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for useful sampling of seed, wherein viability is maintained, are disclosed. Seed from one generation in a plant advancement experiment is individually sampled by removal and collection of tissue from the seed using a hand-held and manually operated tool having one or more cutting edges. The tissue is then processed to derive one or more biochemical, genetic, or phenotypic characteristic of the seed before a decision is made whether to utilize that seed further in a plant advancement experiment or other plant research and development. In some embodiments of the method, the sampling is controlled to remove a useful amount of tissue for analytical purposes without significant effect on viability potential of the sampled seed. In some embodiments, the sampling is controlled to deter contamination of the sample. In some embodiments, the seed is held in pre-determined orientation to facilitate efficient and accurate sampling.