Abstract: A cover (100) for a microtiter plate (190) comprises a lid, a rectangular elastomeric body (130) and a microporous filter (140). To allow growth of cells in a microtiter plate (190) with reduced vibrations while still ensuring that cross-contamination of the content of adjacent wells (191) is avoided, a cover (100) is provided wherein the elastomeric body (130) comprises a grid of grooves (330) for receiving an upper portion of the upright walls (193) of the microtiter plate (190), grooves (330) of the grid comprising angled longitudinally extending groove wall sections for contacting said upper portion of the microtiter plate (190), and wherein the elastomeric body (130) has a Shore A hardness between 20 and 90.

Abstract: An orbital shaker device (1) for biotechnological and/or biomedical applications comprises a frame (10), a platform (15) for receiving biotechnological and/or biomedical containers (50), eccentric couplings (13, 14) for allowing an orbital movement of the platform (15) relative to the frame (10), counterweight units (17, 18) for balancing the orbital movement, and at least one motor (19) for driving the eccentric couplings (13, 14). The device comprises two eccentric couplings (13, 14) arranged near respective opposite edges (27, 28) of the platform (15), while each counterweight unit (17, 18) is arranged approximately in the plane of the combined center of gravity of the platform (15) and the containers (50). Furthermore, both eccentric couplings (13, 14) are driven by the motor (19) or motors, either directly or indirectly. In this way, an optimal vibration compensation is achieved while allowing an imaging unit (40) to be mounted underneath the platform (15).

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of a hydroxymethylated terpene analog, for example (+) or (−) perillyl alcohol, which process comprises contacting a terpene analog having a terminal methyl group, for example D- or L-limonene, with a microbial cell, which microbial cell is capable of expressing a monooxygenase capable of terminal hydroxylation of an n-alkane.