Abstract: A method of filling a liquid sample includes: supplying the liquid sample to a first well of a biochip; adhering a cover and the substrate of the biochip in a loop-shaped area surrounding the first well and plural second wells on the substrate; moving the liquid sample from the first well to the second wells through a space between the cover and the substrate by rotating the biochip around a rotation axis in a state in which the biochip is arranged such that a distance from any one of the second wells to the rotation axis in a vertical direction with respect to the rotation axis is longer than a distance from the first well to the rotation axis in the vertical direction with respect to the rotation axis; and sealing the first well and the second wells by adhering the cover to the substrate to thereby seal.

Abstract: Multi-well plate (1) comprising a plurality of wells (4), a frame (5) for holding the plurality of wells (4) in a defined arrangement, a support element (50) for contacting a surface when the multi-well plate (1) is placed on the surface, wherein at least one well (4) of the plurality of wells is elastically displaceable relative to said support element (50).

Abstract: A method of reading a plurality of encoded microvessels used in an assay for biological or chemical analysis. The method can include providing a plurality of encoded microvessels. The microvessels can include a respective microbody and a reservoir core configured to hold a substance in the reservoir core. The microbody can include a material that surrounds the reservoir core and facilitates detection of a characteristic of the substance within the reservoir core. Optionally, the material can be transparent so as to facilitate detection of an optical characteristic of a substance within the reservoir core. The microbody can include an identifiable code associated with the substance. The method can also include determining the corresponding codes of the microvessels.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing undesirable light emission from a sample using at least one photon producing agent and at least one photon reducing agent (e.g. dye-based photon reducing agents). The present invention further provides a method for reducing undesirable light emission from a sample (e.g., a biochemical or cellular sample) with at least one photon producing agent and at least one collisional quencher. The present invention also provides a method for reducing undesirable light emission from a sample (e.g., a biochemical or cellular sample) with at least one photon producing agent and at least one quencher, such as an electronic quencher. The present invention also provides a system and method of screening test chemicals in fluorescent assays using photon reducing agents. The present invention also provides compositions, pharmaceutical compositions, and kits for practicing these methods.

Abstract: A laboratory dish comprises an incubation container, containing cultured cells, for observation through a microscope, in which a partitioning member partitions an interior of the incubation container into a plurality of incubation chambers by substantially perpendicular walls. The partitioning member tightly fits to a bottom portion of the incubation container, thereby capable of retaining in separation a liquid inputted in each of the incubation chambers from liquids in the other incubation chambers. A cover member covers an upper portion of each of the incubation chambers partitioned by the partitioning member and tightly fitted to the partitioning member. A whole or part of the cover member is formed of a transparent member, and the upper portion of each incubation chamber is formed with an opening via which to input the liquid.

Abstract: The present invention provides simple and an accurate apparatuses for forming bilayer membranes by the contact of amphipathic monolayers. In one apparatus, amphipathic monolayers are brought into contact and fused by controlling the pressure of liquids introduced from microchannels forming an intersection containing a chamber. In another apparatus, the chamber includes a number of compartments and at least one construction portion. In this apparatus, a droplet is formed within each compartment and contact of amphipatic monolayers is accomplished by adjusting the size of the droplets.

Abstract: A sample holding device having a plurality of sample wells. A gutter surrounds the sample wells and is in fluidic communication with an overflow sample well. An upper surface of the device is sealed with a sealing film that fluidically isolates each sample well from each other and from the gutter and overflow well. The device is used to perform a most probable number (MPN) procedure.

Abstract: A microfluidic device and a method for measurement of biomaterials using the same. The microfluidic device includes a microfluidic structure including: a sample chamber which receives and accommodates blood; a reagent chamber which contains a luminescent reactant; a first detection chamber which contains a first material that is positively charged; a second detection chamber which is connected to the first detection chamber, and contains a second material having a boronate moiety; and at least one channel which connects the sample chamber, the reagent chamber and the first and second detection chambers.

Abstract: Certain embodiments disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, at least one of compositions, methods, devices, systems, kits, or products regarding rejuvenation or preservation of germ cells or gametes. Certain embodiments disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, methods of modifying germ cells or gametes, or methods of administering modified germ cells or gametes to at least one biological tissue.

Abstract: A microfluidic device and method for measuring a level of cholesterol therewith are provided. The cholesterol measurement apparatus includes a microfluidic device including a plurality of chambers and at least one channel through which the plurality of chambers are interconnected. The plurality of chambers include a reaction chamber which contains a capture binder, a buffer chamber which contains an elution buffer and is connected to the reaction chamber, and at least one detection chamber which contains a cholesterol measurement reagent and is connected to the reaction chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device comprising (a) a substrate having a surface and (b) an ordered array of posts over the surface, wherein the posts are capable of binding a protein or small molecule ligand, and wherein the pitch between adjacent posts is less than about 100 nm. The invention is also directed to methods for identifying the presence of an analyte in a fluid and to methods for measuring relative binding specificity or affinity between an analyte in a fluid and the posts, using the device of the present invention.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing polynucleotides (e.g., DNA) are disclosed. A processing region includes one or more surfaces (e.g., particle surfaces) modified with ligands that regain polynucleotides under a first set of conditions (e.g., temperature and pH) and release the polynucleotides under a second set of conditions (e.g., higher temperature and/or more basic pH). The processing region can be used to, for example, concentrate polynucleotides of a sample and/or separate inhibitors of amplification reactions from the polynucleotides. Microfluidic devices with a processing region are disclosed.

Abstract: An electrochemical immunosensor system with reduced interference, comprising: a first immunosensor that generates an electrochemical signal based on the formation of a sandwich between an immobilized antibody, a target analyte and a labeled antibody, wherein a portion of the signal arises from non-specific binding of the labeled antibody in the region of the first immunosensor, and a second immunosensor that acts as an immuno-reference sensor and generates a signal that is the same as or predictably related to the degree of non-specific binding which occurs in the region of the first immunosensor, and has an immunocomplex between an immobilized antibody and an endogenous or exogenous protein that is in the sample and that is not the target analyte.

Abstract: A method applying a biological specimen to an analytic plate by using an applicator device to apply a coating to the analytic plate and adhering the biological sample to the plate. The coating is substantially transparent, translucent or invisible, and is substantially flush with the surface of the analytic plate. The coating is preferably comprised of a polysiloxane, siloxane, silicone, a silane, a silicon fluid, or a combination thereof and optionally an acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a structure comprising a biological membrane and a porous or perforated substrate, a biological membrane, a substrate, a high throughput screen, methods for production of the structure membrane and substrate, and a method for screening a large number of test compounds in a short period. More particularly it relates to a structure comprising a biological membrane adhered to a porous or perforated substrate, a biological membrane capable of adhering with high resistance seals to a substrate such as perforated glass and the ability to form sheets having predominantly an ion channel or transporter of interest, a high throughput screen for determining the effect of test compounds on ion channel or transporter activity, methods for manufacture of the structure, membrane and substrate, and a method for monitoring ion channel or transporter activity in a membrane.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding cells. The apparatus comprises a mechanism for incubating cells having a dynamically controlled environment in which the cells are grown, which are maintained in a desired condition and in which cells can be examined while the environment is dynamically controlled and maintained in the desired condition. The apparatus also comprises an imaging mechanism for automatically determining the state of an individual cell of the cells over time. The imaging mechanism is in communication with the incubating mechanism.

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: An apparatus and method for thermal cycling including a pasting edge heater. The pasting edge heater can provide substantial temperature uniformity throughout the retaining elements during thermal cycling by a thermoelectric module.

Abstract: A static continuous flow mixer, with or without reaction, is provided with basic cells, which are individually provided with an individualized chamber (1). The basic cells are also provided with at least two connecting channels (2), at least two of them being oblique relatively to the resulting direction (x) of the flow in the mixer, and with at least two additional apertures (0) for connection with the exterior. The cells interconnect successively in the space, forming a network. The mixer promotes convective processes. The dimensions (Dj, li, di, ?), the geometry of the chambers (spherical or cylindrical) and of the channels (cylindrical or prismatic) may vary, as well as their quantity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for combining the output obtained from redundant sensor elements in a sensor array.

Abstract: A fast, multiplexed PCR system is described that can rapidly generate amplified nucleic acid products, for example, a full STR profile, from a target nucleic acid. Such systems include, for example, microfluidic biochips and a custom built thermal cycler, which are also described. The resulting STR profiles can satisfy forensic guidelines for signal strength, inter-loci peak height balance, heterozygous peak height ratio, incomplete non-template nucleotide addition, and stutter.

Abstract: Multiplexed analysis of molecular structures of samples. A plurality of sample wells is arranged on a substrate. A plurality of electrodes is fabricated on a first side of the substrate. The electrodes are disposed on the side of the substrate exposed to the sample wells. The electrodes include working electrodes, counter electrodes, and optionally include reference electrodes. At least two of the sample wells includes a plurality of working electrodes. The plurality of electrodes is configured to allow electrochemical analysis of the associated sample wells in a multiplexed fashion. The plurality of electrodes is electrically coupled to an interface to a sample analysis system. The interface to the sample analysis system can include contacts or connections. The sample analysis system controls a signal to the electrodes in a multiplexed fashion and performs the electrochemical analysis.

Abstract: A sample processing vessel may include a branch segment and at least two tracks. The at least two tracks may be fluidly isolated from one another by a permanent seal. The tracks may be segmented by breakable seals. The branch segment may be temporarily isolated from the tracks by breakable seal(s) and put in fluid communication with the tracks once those seal(s) are broken, such that fluid received by the branch segment is divided into portions that pass into both tracks.

Abstract: The invention provides kits and methods for detecting or monitoring the number of cells in sample. The cell comprises a cell surface associated protein (CSAP) comprising a cytoplasmic (cytosolic) and an extracellular (ecto) domain. The kit comprises: (i) a chromatographic device; and (ii) a CSAP-binding agent. The method comprises: (i) optionally contacting the sample with an agent capable of lysing or permeabilizing CSAP bearing cells; (ii) contacting the sample with a CSAP-binding agent that binds to the cytoplasmic domain of the CSAP; and (iii) directly or indirectly evaluating the level or presence of bound CSAP in the sample.

Abstract: A nucleic acid extraction kit, which enables the nucleic acid extraction operation to be accomplished safely without causing contamination, and in which the complex preparation of reagents and the disposal treatments that are performed before and after the nucleic acid extraction operation can be performed rapidly and simply, with the extraction performed in an automated manner. The nucleic acid extraction kit includes: a container including reagent wells that each store at least a reagent, a sample well into which a biological sample is introduced, a waste liquid well, and a collection well in which an extracted nucleic acid is collected, and an extraction filter cartridge equipped with an extraction filter for separating and extracting a nucleic acid from the biological sample, wherein the extraction filter cartridge is formed in a manner that enables the extraction filter cartridge to be supported on the waste liquid well and the collection well.

Abstract: The present invention relates to protein chips useful for the large-scale study of protein function where the chip contains densely packed reaction wells. The invention also relates to methods of using protein chips to assay simultaneously the presence, amount, and/or function of proteins present in a protein sample or on one protein chip, or to assay the presence, relative specificity, and binding affinity of each probe in a mixture of probes for each of the proteins on the chip. The invention also relates to methods of using the protein chips for high density and small volume chemical reactions. Also, the invention relates to polymers useful as protein chip substrates and methods of making protein chips. The invention further relates to compounds useful for the derivatization of protein chip substrates.

Abstract: The present invention includes but is not limited to a specimen collection device that includes a chamber capable of collecting a specimen, a specimen passage slot, a reservoir, a reservoir seal, and a test device. A sample or specimen added to the chamber flows through the specimen passage slot into the reservoir. Flow into the reservoir may be limited by the reservoir seal. The test device positioned within the reservoir detects the presence or concentration of an analyte within the sample or specimen.

Abstract: A method for in vitro drug screening can include: providing one or more cells in vitro; introducing a chemical to the one or more cells; introducing a mechanical strain to the one or more cells in the presence of the chemical; and determining whether or not the chemical has bioactivity with respect to the one or more cells under the mechanical strain. The mechanical strain can be implemented with a well plate defining a plurality of cell culture wells and having one or more flexible substrates associated with the well plate so that each cell culture well has a fluid tight flexible cell culture substrate.

Abstract: A titer plate and a method for detecting an analyte, and the use thereof are disclosed. According to at least one embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that a plurality of depressions and a biochip of the titer plate sposed adjacent thereto be surrounded by a wall in order to effectively prevent sample contamination when there is a high degree of spatial integration.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a cartridge for automatic measurement used in an automatic measuring device, capable of automatically performing measurement including heat treatment of a sample, and a measuring device using the cartridge. The present invention relates to a cartridge for use in measuring a component to be measured contained in a sample, comprising: at least a heat-treatment well for performing heat treatment of the sample; and a reaction well for reacting the component to be measured in the sample with a material specifically reacting therewith.

Abstract: A probe array substrate suitable for forming a probe array that has high packing density, that can hold sufficient amounts of probe molecules, and that has little variation in the amounts of probe molecules. A plurality of arrayed probe-holding portions are defined by recesses, and isolating grooves are formed between the adjacent probe-holding portions to prevent probe solutions introduced into the probe-holding portions from spreading to adjacent probe-holding portions. Inner surfaces of the probe-holding portions are made hydrophilic, whereas inner surfaces of the isolating grooves are made hydrophobic. Liquid-introducing protrusions are formed in the probe-holding portions.

Abstract: Provided is a device for capturing object, wherein a carrier which captures substances to be detected and is made to be dividable into plural portions, is placed with the plural dividable portions arranged in sections. The carrier includes a count analysis carrier and an identification analysis carrier respectively arranged in sections in a first dish half and a second dish half which are obtained by dividing a capturing dish.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of detecting a change in cell growth patterns.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to multiple coagulation test cartridges and methods of using such cartridges. In one embodiment the cartridge is a disposable single-use cartridge for use in evaluating blood clotting. The cartridge includes multiple containers, such as tubes, each of which includes one or more coagulation affecting substances. The containers can be pre-filled with substances in amounts suitable for use with a single patient's blood sample. The cartridge may include one or more containers, each of which has multiple sections, or volumes, each section storing a different coagulation affecting substance. In another embodiment the cartridge is used in a method for determining at least one appropriate coagulation affecting substance for modifying a patient's coagulation status using a multiple coagulation test system.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a microfluidic system for detecting a biological entity in a sample volume is provided. The microfluidic system may include: a chamber configured to receive the sample volume, wherein the chamber includes a detection region for detecting the biological entity; a first port in fluid communication with the chamber; and a second port including a filter in fluid communication with the chamber; and wherein a fluid provided to the first port or the second port flows between the first port and the second port through the chamber.

Abstract: An instrument is provided that can monitor nucleic acid sequence amplification reactions, for example, PCR amplification of DNA and DNA fragments. The instrument includes a multi-notch filter disposed along one or both of an excitation beam path and an emission beam path. Methods are also provided for monitoring nucleic acid sequence amplifications using an instrument that includes a multi-notch filter disposed along a beam path.

Abstract: The invention is a cell aggregation device comprising a hydrogel substrate having at least one, preferably a plurality, of cell-repellant compartments recessed into the uppermost surface. Each compartment is composed of an upper cell suspension seeding chamber having an open uppermost portion and a bottom portion, and one, or more than one, lower cell aggregation recess connected to the bottom portion of the upper cell suspension seeding chamber by a port. The diameter of the port may be fully contiguous with the walls of the chambers and walls of the recesses, or the diameter of the port may be more narrow than the walls of the chamber but fully contiguous with the walls of the recesses or more narrow than both the walls of the chamber and the walls of the recesses. The upper cell suspension seeding chambers are formed and positioned to funnel the cells into the lower cell aggregation recesses through gravitational force.

Abstract: Methods, materials, apparatus and systems are described for performing capillary flow assay. In one aspect, a system includes a sample collection unit to collect a sample liquid and a sample testing and storing unit to interface with the sample collection unit to test and store the collected sample liquid. The sample testing and storing unit includes a sample inlet shaped to receive the collected sample from the sample collection unit, and a sample well positioned below the sample inlet to retain at least a portion of the sample liquid. The sample testing and storing unit includes a sample housing unit to store a remainder of the sample liquid not retained in the sample well, and an analyte testing unit housing shaped to receive an analyte detecting unit to test a presence of a target analyte in the sample liquid.

Abstract: A samples storage system for pharmaceutical development in which the usable volumes of ultramicrotubes (384 tubes) are increased and smooth insertion and extraction of ultramicrotubes is possible irrespective of the positions of the ultramicrotubes. The samples storage system includes tubes in which samples are sealed and a storage rack for vertically accommodating a plurality of the tubes in a grid pattern. Each tube is of a rectangular hollow tubular cross-section and the intersect is tapered toward the bottom portion of the tube. Corner portions of the outer four side surfaces of the tubes are chamfered. The storage rack has engagement partition walls forming open-ended sections in a grid pattern inside the rack frame. The height of the walls is smaller than the length of the tube, and tube-supporting pins project vertically from the intersections of the grid.

Abstract: A system for identifying all of the known and unknown pathogenic or non-pathogenic organisms in a sample. A droplet generator creates droplets from the sample. The droplets constitute sub-nanoliter volume reactors containing the organism sized particles. A lysis device performs lysis of the organisms to release the nucleic acids. An amplifier amplifies the nucleic acids. A fractionater releases the nucleic acids from the droplets. A parallel analyzer identifies all of the known and unknown pathogenic or non-pathogenic organisms in the sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for performing binding assays. In particular, the invention relates to a centrifugal device for performing such assays. The invention also relates to a method of performing binding assays involving antigen-antibody binding, nucleic acid hybridization, or receptor-ligand interaction.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to improve the Boyden chamber used in cellular biological measurements, allowing quantitative optical microscopy of biological cells in situ without using fluorescent probes or optical staining. In the preferred embodiment, a thin porous membrane separating top and bottom reservoirs includes an array of precisely positioned micropores pores manufactured using a laser-based photo-machining (ablation) process. The membrane may be composed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate, polyimide, polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or other appropriate material. The pores formed in the membrane may have diameters in the range of 1 to 15 microns and spaced apart at a distance ranging from 10 to 200 microns. A plurality of upper and lower reservoirs may be provided to form a multi-well plate.

Abstract: Multi-well plates having contoured well designs allow multi-stage high throughput parallel assaying of ion channels or ion transporters. A well of a multi-well plate has a bottom region that is sized and shaped to simultaneous accommodate a sensing electrode and a pipette for delivering, e.g., test compounds, wash fluid, and optionally ligands. Such multi-well plates may be coupled with an instrument having a pipette head and an electrode plate. Such arrangement facilitates fluidic contact between cells and fluids provided via a pipette. It also facilitates washing of wells with buffers or other wash solutions to allow serial exposure of test cells to various reagents or other stimuli. Generally, the design allows control and test experiments to be performed on the same cell (or cells) in a single well.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for simultaneously detecting the activation state of a plurality of proteins in single cells using flow cytometry. The invention further provides methods and compositions of screening for bioactive agents capable of coordinately modulating the activity of a plurality of proteins in single cells. The methods and compositions can be used to determine the protein activation profile of a cell for predicting or diagnosing a disease state, and for monitoring treatment of a disease state.

Abstract: Device for the incubation of cells comprising a sterile or sterilizable, portable receptacle for enclosing in a contamination-proof manner at least one integrated and/or insertable culture vessel for accommodating cells with at least one closable opening for introducing and/or removing cells and/or culture medium and/or a culture vessel into and/or from the receptacle and at least one device for creating culture conditions in the receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a blood cell agglutination image determining method and a blood cell agglutination image determining apparatus capable of processing a blood sample in a short time and obtaining a reproducible determination result. Provided are a blood cell agglutination image determining method and a blood cell agglutination image determining apparatus for determining a blood sample to be positive or negative based on a blood cell agglutination image of a reaction between a blood sample and a reagent in a reaction container. The apparatus comprises: a rotation mechanism R for rotating a reaction container so that a bottom wall of the reaction container will turn outwards by centrifugal force; and an inclining apparatus 7 for inclining the reaction container so that a front part of the reaction container along the rotating direction will be downwards with respect to the vertical direction more than a back part thereof.

Abstract: An electrochemical immunosensor system with reduced interference, comprising: a first immunosensor that generates an electrochemical signal based on the formation of a sandwich between an immobilized antibody, a target analyte and a labeled antibody, wherein a portion of the signal arises from non-specific binding of the labeled antibody in the region of the first immunosensor, and a second immunosensor that acts as an immuno-reference sensor and generates a signal that is the same as or predictably related to the degree of non-specific binding which occurs in the region of the first immunosensor, and has an immunocomplex between an immobilized antibody and an endogenous or exogenous protein that is in the sample and that is not the target analyte.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems, devices, and methods for performing biological reactions. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of lipophilic, water immiscible, or hydrophobic barriers in sample separation, purification, modification, and analysis processes.

Abstract: A process for preparing a substrate having thereon sites reactive with the reactive groups of a molecular probe, the process comprising the steps of applying to the substrate surface a material comprising one or more reactive sites having an activated ethylenically unsaturated double bond of the formula I: wherein the substituents are defined in the specification and, in a further step, covalently binding the reactive group of the molecular probe to the activated ethylenically unsaturated double bond of the reactive sites having formula I.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to very large scale FET arrays for analyte measurements. ChemFET (e.g., ISFET) arrays may be fabricated using conventional CMOS processing techniques based on improved FET pixel and array designs that increase measurement sensitivity and accuracy, and at the same time facilitate significantly small pixel sizes and dense arrays. Improved array control techniques provide for rapid data acquisition from large and dense arrays. Such arrays may be employed to detect a presence and/or concentration changes of various analyte types in a wide variety of chemical and/or biological processes. In one example, chemFET arrays facilitate DNA sequencing techniques based on monitoring changes in hydrogen ion concentration (pH), changes in other analyte concentration, and/or binding events associated with chemical processes relating to DNA synthesis.