Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for processing organic matter that is produced in a poultry farm. The organic matter produced by the plurality of birds is removed from one or more containers that house the plurality of birds. The method further includes treating a first amount of organic matter of the organic matter in a thermal processor to produce inorganic matter. Thereafter, the inorganic matter and a second amount of organic matter of the organic matter are consumed in one or more photo bioreactors for growing one or more photosynthesis organisms.

Abstract: A cell culture apparatus has four sections, including a cell culture chamber, refrigerator, control unit, and intermediate chamber. The cell culture chamber includes a culture vessel base as a holding member for holding and installing a culture vessel, a microscope for photographing a cell image within the culture vessel, and a drive base which has drive mechanisms such as a pump and a valve to be connected to a flow channel having a closed structure including a tank. With the drive base within the cell culture chamber as the center, the rotatable culture vessel is arranged in the horizontal direction and the refrigerator in which the culture medium base containing the cell fluid and culture medium is installed is arranged in the vertical direction. The arrangement configuration is space-saving and provides a short distance between the instruments.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an apparatus and method for measuring biomedical data and a measurement strip. The apparatus includes a plurality of detection units arranged within a strip reception area on a plane and spaced apart from each other, a measurement type determination unit for determining whether reactive portions are present in areas of the measurement strip corresponding to the plurality of detection units based on detection results obtained by the detection units and determining a type of measurement based on results of the determination, a biomedical data measurement unit for activating part or all of the detection units according to the type of measurement determined by the measurement type determination unit, and measuring the biomedical data using the activated detection units, and an output unit for outputting the measured biomedical data to an outside.

Abstract: The current invention concerns a method for determining the presence of a (pre)cancerous cell in a liquid cell sample, comprising the steps of: —suspending and preserving a cell sample obtained from a subject in a sample vial comprising a liquid medium, said liquid medium comprises means for labeling cells or epitope(s) on or in said cells; —obtaining data from said labelled liquid cell sample; and —determining the presence of said (pre)cancerous cells based on said obtained data; characterized in that said data comprises morphological data and biomarker data. In a further aspect, the invention relates to a liquid medium for fixing, preserving and labeling cells in a cell sample and a sample vial specifically designed to be used in conjunction with the current method.

Abstract: An automated method and system for treating one or more tissue samples disposed on slides, the system comprising: a controller, a plurality of slide treatment modules arranged to receive ones of the slides; at least one fluid dispensing robot configured by the controller to dispense a plurality of reagents to said ones of the slides received in the slide treatment modules via an output nozzle disposed on the at least one fluid dispensing robot to treat said one or more tissue samples respectively; and at least one pumping means for pumping said reagents to the output nozzle of the at least one fluid dispensing robot from a plurality of reagent containers comprising said reagents, wherein the at least one fluid dispensing robot is configured by the controller to dispense said reagents in a predetermined sequence for each of the slide treatment modules to treat the one or more tissue samples disposed on each of the slides independently.

Abstract: Provided are nanoscale devices suitable for multiplexed, parallel detection of multiple analytes and methods for fabricating such devices.

Abstract: Thin parylene C membranes having smooth front sides and ultrathin regions (e.g., 0.01 ?m to 5 ?m thick) interspersed with thicker regions are disclosed. The back sides of the membranes can be rough compared with the smooth front sides. The membranes can be used in vitro to grow monolayers of cells in a laboratory or in vivo as surgically implantable growth layers, such as to replace the Bruch's membrane in the eye. The thin regions of parylene are semipermeable to allow for proteins in serum to pass through, and the thick regions give mechanical support for handling by a surgeon. The smooth front side allows for monolayer cell growth, and the rough back side helps prevents cells from attaching there.

Abstract: There is provided an assay device comprising a lid and a base, said base comprising, a sample addition zone, a reaction zone and an absorbing zone, said components being in fluid connection and being part of a fluid passage leading from the sample addition zone to the absorbing zone, wherein: (a) a sample addition well is integrated in the lid, (b) the absorbing zone consists of an area on an non-porous substrate, having substantially perpendicular projections, said projections defining a volume, which together with the volume of the fluid passage defines the sample volume subjected to the assay, and (c) at least one filter is between the sample addition well and the sample addition zone. There is further provided methods for handling samples.

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising at least one test channel, which test channel comprises an upper test channel section with an upstream end and a sampling region at its upstream end and at least one reference channel, which reference channel comprises an upper reference channel section with an upstream end and a sampling region at its upstream end. The test channel and the reference channel comprise a merging region downstream to the upper test channel section and a common downstream channel section. The merging region and the common downstream channel section are arranged such that a reference liquid flowing from the upper reference channel section into the merging region will block a test liquid flow in the upper test channel section when the test liquid flow has not yet reached the merging section. The microfluid device may be used for detecting change of flow properties e.g. due to agglomeration, agglutination or viscosity change in a liquid preferably selected from water, urine, blood, or blood plasma.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for isolating one or more genetic elements encoding a gene product having a desired activity, comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalizing genetic elements into microcapsules; and (b) sorting the genetic elements which express the gene product having the desired activity; wherein at least one step is under microfluidic control. The invention enables the in vitro evolution of nucleic acids and proteins by repeated mutagenesis and iterative applications of the method of the invention.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for the processing (for example washing, incubation, etc.

Abstract: This invention relates to microfluidic chips for and their applications in acquiring sperms with high velocity and/or motility. The microfluidic chip comprises an inlet region, a first flow channel, a divergent channel, an optional block structure with rounded corners and one or more outlet region(s). The invention mimics sperm activation process in body and designs a microfluidic chip mimicking the activation process so that higher amount of populations and/or subpopulations of sperms with high motility can be acquired.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed herein to improve on and expand the range of electrical and electromagnetic frequencies used in therapeutic electro medical devices. The present invention uses electrical and electromagnetic frequency generators and detectors integrated with a live cell imaging system that provides feedback to the frequency generators using data derived from said imaging system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid collection device that can estimate the nucleic acid collection amount when collecting nucleic acids from a biological sample containing nucleic acids. The nucleic acid collection device comprises a sucking and discharging unit for sucking in and forcing out a sample containing nucleic acids, a collector for collecting the nucleic acids by sucking in and forcing out the sample using the sucking and discharging unit, a pressure measurer for measuring a discharging pressure when forcing out the sample and a sucking pressure when sucking in the sample, and measuring a differential pressure that is the difference between the discharging pressure and the sucking pressure, and an estimator for estimating the collection amount of nucleic acids collected based on the differential pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for investigating a molecule comprising a channel provided in a substrate, a metallic moiety capable of plasmon resonance which is associated with the channel in a position suitable for the electromagnetic field produced by the metallic moiety to interact with a molecule passing therethrough, means to induce a molecule to pass through the channel, means to induce surface plasmon resonance in the metallic moiety; and means to detect interaction between the electromagnetic field produced by the metallic moiety and a molecule passing through the channel. Methods of investigating molecules are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flow through system for quantifying a target component in a liquid. The flow through system comprises a flow-through device comprising a flow path comprising a marker section, a capture section downstream to said marker section, and at least two quantification sections. The marker section comprises a non-immobilized marker. The capture section comprises a capture zone with an immobilized capture agent, and the at least two quantification sections comprise a pre-capture quantification section placed downstream to the marker section and up stream to the capture section, and a post-capture quantification section placed downstream to the capture section. The system further comprises a quantification unit for each of said quantification sections. The quantification unit(s) being arranged to quantify marker containing components and/or particles passing through said respective quantification sections.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for generating autologous tissue grafts, the apparatus including a point of care SVF isolation unit that includes a tissue digestion chamber in fluid communication with a lipid separating chamber, whereby SVF cells are isolated without centrifugation; and a cell seeding chamber in fluid communication with the SVF isolation unit, said cell seeding chamber adapted to support a cell scaffold. Methods and materials for cell seeding, including through the provision of micro rough scaffold surfaces, are also provided.

Abstract: A sample container and filtration apparatus includes a sample container portion with an interior volume and a fluid path passing through a bottom wall. The sample container may also include a valve casing connected to and moveable relative to the sample collection portion between a first and second position. A valve secured to and moveable with the valve casing may close the fluid path of the sample collection portion when in a first position and open the fluid path when in a second position. The apparatus may also include a vacuum base coupling portion that is distal to the valve casing, and includes a filter membrane support surface for supporting a filter membrane.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods, compositions, and kits for enzymatic phosphorothioation of the sugar-phosphate backbone of nucleic acids. The invention allows for phosphorothioation of pre-existing nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for cultivation of algae, extraction of lipids and transesterification of the lipids to obtain biodiesel. The system comprises three sections, that is to say cultivation, extraction and storage and reaction. In the lipid extraction area there is an ultrasonic reactor wherein the external walls of the alga are ruptured together with those of the oil sac to permit the extraction of lipids in the transesterification area there is also an ultrasonic reactor which ruptures the molecules of the fluid which passes therethrough to accelerate the reaction and render it almost immediate.

Abstract: An actuator that includes an enclosure having a wall impermeable to a first solute and permeable to a solvent and containing, at least temporarily, a catalyst capable of promoting the transformation of at least one second solute into the first solute to vary the osmotic pressure in the enclosure; and a deformable chamber connected to the enclosure, the chamber being capable of increasing in volume under the action of the solvent moving from the enclosure into the chamber by osmosis or the enclosure being designed to be arranged in contact with the solvent, the chamber being capable of increasing in volume under the action of the solvent penetrating into the enclosure by osmosis.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method for immobilizing the SpA protein on the surface of a substrate with high density without causing dimerization. The following method solves the object. That is, the method for binding a protein to a surface of a substrate, comprising steps (A) to (B): step (A) of preparing said protein to the surface, step (B) of supplying said protein to the surface, wherein said protein consists of a Protein A or at least one domain of A to E of said Protein A, and said protein comprises C-terminal modified amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID:1(SFNRSEC).

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for detecting biomolecular binding events using gigahertz or terahertz radiation. The methods and systems use low-energy spectroscopy to detect biomolecular binding events between molecules in an aqueous solution. The detected biomolecular binding events include, for example, nucleic acid hybridizations, antibody/antigen binding, and receptor/ligand binding.

Abstract: Assay modules, preferably assay cartridges, are described as are reader apparatuses which may be used to control aspects of module operation. The modules preferably comprise a detection chamber with integrated electrodes that may be used for carrying out electrode induced luminescence measurements. Methods are described for immobilizing assay reagents in a controlled fashion on these electrodes and other surfaces. Assay modules and cartridges are also described that have a detection chamber, preferably having integrated electrodes, and other fluidic components which may include sample chambers, waste chambers, conduits, vents, bubble traps, reagent chambers, dry reagent pill zones and the like. In certain preferred embodiments, these modules are adapted to receive and analyze a sample collected on an applicator stick.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is described for seeding and culturing cells on a sample. The apparatus includes a chamber in which the volume of the chamber may be adjusted without compromising the seal or sterility of the chamber. The apparatus enables the seeding of cells in a reduced volume and culturing of cells in an increased volume. Further, the apparatus enables application of forces, strains and torques to a sample during seeding, culturing or transportation of the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a micro-chamber plate and a manufacturing method of the same, more precisely a micro-chamber plate facilitating real-time measurement and analysis of fluorescence obtained from the reaction of multiple reaction solutions containing primers or probes selectively binding to each corresponding gene without cross-contamination in order to analyze biological samples containing numbers of genes and a manufacturing method of the same.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring at least one bioprocess parameter utilizes a barrier that separates an external sensor from a culture medium. The barrier allows analytes to diffuse in and out of the culture vessel, thereby allowing the bioprocess parameter to be measured non-invasively by the external sensor.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a system and method for introducing a substance into cells. The system has an assembly including a plurality of elongate non-hollow nanoneedles forming a nanoneedle array or patch for delivering the substance into the cells, at least some of the nanoneedles have a non-uniform diameter with a wider upper end, a narrower lower end for penetration into the cells and a length from substantially 200 nm to 100 um. The lower end has a diameter from substantially 20-436 nm. Adjacent nanoneedles are spaced apart by substantially 5-50 um. The nanoneedles are made from a material selected from the group consisting of diamond, cubic boron nitride, carbon nitride, boron nitride, boron carbon nitride, metal borides and essentially boron materials, allowing the nanoneedles to maintain sufficient thinness and yet adequate rigidity during penetration. The nanoneedles are applied onto the cells grown on substrates at a preferred rate from 1 to 5 m/s.

Abstract: It has surprisingly been discovered that it is possible to stabilise biomolecules such as RNA, DNA and proteins in biological samples such as cells, tissues, biopsies and blood using deep eutectic solvents (DES). It has also been discovered that DES mixtures can be used to fix and preserve cell morphology in biological samples such as tissue blocks, cancer biopsies and whole blood. This invention describes methods to stabilise and preserve biomolecules, whole cells, tissues, blood and biological samples using DES mixtures.

Abstract: Methods of preparing assays and of assaying, using substantially self-contained, portable, user-initiated fluidic assay systems. Example assays include diagnostic assays and chemical detection assays. Diagnostic assays may include, without limitation, enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assays (ELISA), and may include one or more sexually transmitted disease (STD) diagnostic assays. An assay system may include one or more fluid chambers, one or more fluid paths amongst the fluid chambers and/or between the fluid chambers, a sample portion, and/or an assay portion. The assay system may include a fluid controller system to dispense fluid from the one or more fluid chambers, and a user-initiated actuator to control the fluid controller system. The fluid controller system may be configured to dispense fluids serially, and may be configured to mix a plurality of fluids. The user-initiated actuator system may include an external user-operated trigger mechanism.

Abstract: The present application provides apparatus (300, 400) and methods for determining the density of a fluid sample. In particular, it provides a sensor device which can be loaded with a fluid sample such as blood, and which further comprises at least one oscillating beam member or resonator (108, 109, 110). Exposure of the blood sample to clotting agents allows a clotting reaction to commence. The device allows the density of the sample fluid to be monitored with reference to the oscillation of the vibrating beam member, thus allowing the monitoring of the clotting of the fluid sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the detection of cardiac markers on a droplet actuator. An aspect provides a method of assaying a cardiac marker in a biological sample from a subject, the method including providing a droplet actuator, loading the biological sample and assay reagents on the droplet actuator, executing droplet operations to create sample droplets from the sample and reagent droplets from the reagents on the droplet actuator, and executing droplet operations using the sample droplets and reagent droplets to produce a detectable signal indicative of the quantity of the cardiac marker in the biological sample. Still other aspects are provided.

Abstract: Fluidic circuits and methods of using same are provided herein. In some embodiments, the circuit can direct different fluids to a common volume, such as a reaction chamber or flow cell, without intermixing or cross contamination. The direction and rate of flow through junctions, nodes and passages of the fluidics circuit can be controlled, for example, by the states of upstream valves, differential fluid pressures at circuit inlets or upstream reservoirs, or flow path resistances. Free diffusion or leakage of fluids from unselected inlets into the common outlet or other inlets at junctions or nodes can be prevented by the flow of the selected inlet fluid, a portion of which can sweep by the inlets of unselected fluids and exit the fluidics circuit by waste ports.

Abstract: A device for volumetric metering a liquid biologic sample is provided. The device includes an initial chamber, a second chamber, a third chamber, a first valve, a second valve and a third valve. The chambers are each configured so that liquid sample disposed in the respective chamber is subject to capillary forces. Each chamber has a volume, and the volume of the initial chamber is greater than the volume of either the second or the third chambers. The valves each have a burst pressure. The burst pressure of the first valve is greater than the third burst pressure. The first valve is in fluid communication with the second chamber. The second valve is disposed between, and is in fluid communication with, the initial chamber and the third chamber. The third valve is in fluid communication with the third chamber.

Abstract: Creating a tissue structure in vitro includes juxtaposing mandrels on a culture/perfusion device frame where the mandrels are spaced apart substantially parallel to each other and connecting the mandrels to tubes including an upstream tubes and downstream tubes. The upstream tubes are connected with an upstream manifold and the downstream tubes are connected to a downstream manifold. The frame and the mandrels are sterilized, coated and seeded with cells that multiply and form circular layers around each of the mandrels until the circular layers merge into a tissue structure which is subjected to a growth medium. The mandrels are extracted and the tissue structure is perfused.

Abstract: A microfluidic system for causing perturbations in a cell membrane, the system including a microfluidic channel defining a lumen and being configured such that a cell suspended in a buffer can pass therethrough, wherein the microfluidic channel includes a cell-deforming constriction, wherein a diameter of the constriction is a function of the diameter of the cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining one or more cellularly bound analytes in a liquid sample, said method being carried out using a device comprising: at least one feeding zone (5) for applying the liquid sample; a porous membrane (2) that is suitable for letting cellular components penetrate therethrough and includes at least one indicator zone on the membrane, said indicator zone being able to interact with the cellularly bound analyte and containing at least one binding element against the cellularly bound analyte; and at least one absorption area (3) on the membrane, which absorbs the liquid after the liquid has passed the indicator zones. The at least one indicator zone lies between the feeding zone (5) and the absorption area (3).

Abstract: Methods and microfluidic circuitry for inline injection of nucleic acids for capillary electrophoresis analysis are provided. According to various embodiments, microfabricated structures including affinity-based capture matrixes inline with separation channels are provided. The affinity-based capture matrixes provide inline sample plug formation and injection into a capillary electrophoresis channel. Also provided are methods and apparatuses for a microbead-based inline injection system for DNA sequencing.

Abstract: Illumination apparatus for illuminating growth plates in a biological growth plate (122) scanner are described herein, the apparatus including one or more illumination modules (140) for illuminating the front surface of the biological growth plate located (122) on a plate support surface (120) in the scanner. The illumination modules may include a plurality of light emitters (142), a homogenization cavity (141), an extraction element and a concentration element to (144), e.g., improve uniformity in the illumination delivered to the biological growth plate (122).

Abstract: This invention is in the field of medical devices. Specifically, the present invention provides portable medical devices that allow real-time detection of analytes from a biological fluid. The methods and devices are particularly useful for providing point-of-care testing for a variety of medical applications.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to PCR-based assays and compositions for use in molecular detection of viral, bacterial and parasitic infectious agents in body fluid or tissue samples, and in particular to multiplex assays, as well as to solid reagent compositions for use in such assays.

Abstract: Described are devices, systems, and methods for processing adipose tissue for reintroduction into a body. In some embodiments, adipose tissue is mixed with an additive prior to reintroduction.

Abstract: A well plate includes a including a top portion, a bottom portion and a membrane disposed between the top portion and the bottom portion. The top portion defines a sample well in fluid communication with an opening defined by the membrane and in fluid communication with a reservoir defined by the bottom portion. The well plate is configured to be used in a centrifugation process of a test sample including a sample material and a wash liquid. The test sample configured to be received within the sample well and the reservoir. The membrane configured to filter the wash liquid from the test sample during the centrifugation process such that the wash liquid can pass from the reservoir, through the membrane and can be captured within a collection chamber while the sample material remains within the reservoir.

Abstract: A tissue engineered model (TEM) structure, an apparatus and method for making a TEM structure, and methods of using a TEM structure are disclosed. In an embodiment, the TEM structure includes at least one TEM segment. Each TEM segment includes a frame defining a bounded area, the frame having a height, a first edge, and a second edge opposite the first edge, each of the first edge and the second edge defining a perimeter of the bounded area, and the height defining a distance between the first edge and the second edge; a membrane affixed to the first edge about a perimeter of the frame; and a solidified gel and cell matrix disposed within the bounded area within the frame, wherein the solidified gel and cell matrix substantially fills a volume defined by the bounded area and the height of the frame.

Abstract: Methods of assessing colorectal adenoma, probes, and a kit.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a device in the form of a microfluidic chip. In particular, various features are incorporated into the microfluidic chip for aligning and orienting sperm in flow channels, as well as for separating selected subpopulations of sperm.

Abstract: Methods of providing at least one reagent for use in a device for processing sample material, delivering at least one reagent to a device for processing sample material, and adding at least one reagent to at least one of the steps in a process for detecting or assaying a nucleic acid; a support film coated with a dry reagent layer; and a device for processing sample material having a support film coated with a dry reagent layer contained within at least one chamber of the device are disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides the description of an inexpensive and disposable handheld device for detecting Circulating tumor cells (CTC) in blood called a handheld CTC detector (HCTCD). The HCTCD is capable of detecting less than 1 CTC per milliliter. The HCTCD consists of a dense array of high aspect ratio freestanding metallic nanoneedles, functionalized with antibodies that integrated within a microfluidic device and selectively capture and count (using electrical signal detection) the CTCs. By selecting a right functionalization protocol for the nanoneedles array, the HCTCD can be used for selective capturing a variety of rare cells that are mixed in human fluids.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for microfluidic processing by programmably manipulating a packet. A material is introduced onto a reaction surface and compartmentalized to form a packet. A position of the packet is sensed with a position sensor. A programmable manipulation force is applied to the packet at the position. The programmable manipulation force is adjustable according to packet position by a controller. The packet is programmably moved according to the programmable manipulation force along arbitrarily chosen paths.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing RBC wherein electromagnetic stimulation such as applying an electrical current or magnetic field to the stored blood extends the viability or shelf life of the stored RBC.