Abstract: The subject invention provides materials and methods for single-step detection of target molecules in a sample. The methods and assays of the subject invention employ a dye-displacement strategy, in which aptamers complexed with a cyanine dye for sensitive and rapid detection of targets of interest. In the presence of a target, aptamer-target binding liberates the non-covalently bound aptamer-binding dye, resulting in optical changes that can be observed spectrophotometrically or with the naked eye. The methods and assays of the subject invention enable the colorimetric detection of targets of interest regardless of their structure, sequence, target-binding affinity, and physicochemical properties of their targets.

Abstract: The invention encompasses methods for reducing the proportion of sperm cells with abnormal morphology, and unviable sperm cells, in a sperm cell population.

Abstract: Zebrafish are a powerful model for investigating cardiac repair due to their unique regenerative abilities, scalability, and compatibility with many genetic tools. However, characterizing the regeneration process in live adult zebrafish hearts has proved challenging because adult fish are opaque and explanted hearts in conventional culture conditions experience rapid declines in morphology and physiology. To overcome these limitations, we fabricated a fluidic device for culturing explanted adult zebrafish hearts with constant media perfusion that is also compatible with live imaging. Unlike hearts cultured in dishes for one week, the morphology and calcium activity of hearts cultured in the device for one week were largely similar to freshly explanted hearts.

Abstract: Provided herein are CasX:gNA systems comprising CasX polypeptides, guide nucleic acids (gNA), and optionally donor template nucleic acids useful in the modification of a SOD1 gene. The systems are also useful for introduction into cells, for example eukaryotic cells having mutations in the SOD1 protein or the SOD1 regulatory element. Also provided are methods of using such CasX:gNA systems to modify cells having such mutations and utility in methods of treatment of a subject with a SOD1-related disease.

Abstract: The compounds relate to zinc-sensitive fluorescent probes, compositions and methods utilizing the same. Such compounds provide an emission-ratiometric fluorescence response upon binding of an analyte. In some embodiments, compounds can be used for two-photon excitation microscopy or conventional fluorescence microscopy. The compounds described herein can also contain one or more functional groups to improve the emission-ratiometric fluorescence response.

Abstract: Transfer of genetic and other materials to cells is conducted in a hands-free, automated and continuous process that includes flowing the cells between electroporation electrodes to facilitate delivery of a payload into the cells, while acoustophoretically focusing the cells. Also described is a control method for the acoustophoretic focusing of cells that includes detecting locations of cells flowing through a channel, such as with an image analytics system, and modulating a drive signal to an acoustic transducer to change the locations of the cells flowing in the channel. Finally, an electroporation driver module is described that uses a digital to analog converter for generating an electroporation waveform and an amplifier for amplifying the electroporation waveform for application to electroporation electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detection molecules comprising at least one binding molecule, at least one linker and at least one label, and detection methods making use of same. The invention provides a high-throughput method for detection, isolation and/or identification of specific entities or cells.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices for use in transplanting cells. The devices can include a housing defining a cavity; and a support structure separating the cavity into a cell chamber and a reservoir chamber, wherein the support structure comprises a membrane for fluid communication between the cell chamber and reservoir chamber. The cell chamber can define a first opening comprising a microstructure containing an array of micro-channels, each having a diameter to facilitate growth of vascular tissues; and an array of micro-reservoirs, each having a diameter to facilitate housing of cell aggregates individually. The membrane can define a surface area that is at least 50% of a total surface area of the support structure. Methods of treating a subject for a disease condition, such as diabetes, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cell culture insert with a hollow cylindrical housing having an upper end-face opening delimited by an opening edge and a lower end-face base designed as a membrane, support feet being arranged on the base edge of the housing and/or on the base and at least one support arm. The legs protrude downward for supporting the housing on a support in a non-tipping manner with a small uniform spacing between the base and the support. The at least one support arm protrudes outwards at the opening edge and can be placed on an edge of a well plate in which a plurality of wells. The support arm is an edge hanging element, and for this purpose, has a support section that runs radially relative to the housing and a hanging section that runs from the support section downwards in the direction of the base of the housing.

Abstract: An inflammatory marker is calculated using a nonlinear function including, as variables, a parameter associated with an erythrocyte aggregation and another parameter associated with an erythrocyte density. The parameter associated with the erythrocyte aggregation is calculated based on a syllectogram measured from a blood specimen. The parameter associated with the erythrocyte density is measured from the blood specimen.

Abstract: The invention(s) cover systems and methods for target detection in a multiplexed and rapid manner. Embodiments of the system can include: a base substrate; and an array of sample processing regions defined at a broad surface of the base substrate, wherein each of the array of sample processing regions includes: a set of microwell subarrays arranged in a gradient by volumetric capacity between an upstream end and a downstream end of each respective sample processing region, and a boundary separating each respective sample processing region from adjacent sample processing regions. The system can support methods, with example implementation by an automated platform, for returning preliminary results from a subset of microwells of the samples processing regions, as well as results pertaining to specific and non-specific amplification, for multiple targets of a sample.

Abstract: Method for calibrating or monitoring performance of an optical measurement device that includes using a robotic arm to move a reference device having an optical reference material into a signal-detecting position of the optical measurement device. With the optical measurement device, detecting an emission emitted by the optical reference material of the reference device in the signal-detecting position. Then generating a reference signal representing a characteristic of the emission detected by the optical measurement device and comparing the reference signal to an expected reference signal for the emission to calibrate or monitor the performance of the optical measurement device.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing a cell aggregate containing a ciliary marginal zone-like structure by culturing a cell aggregate containing a retinal tissue in which Chx10 positive cells are present in a proportion of 20% or more of the tissue in a serum-free medium or serum-containing medium, each containing a substance acting on the Wnt signal pathway for only a period before the appearance of a RPE65 gene expressing cell, followed by culturing the “cell aggregate in which a RPE65 gene expressing cell does not appear” thus obtained in a serum-free medium or serum-containing medium, each not containing a substance acting on the Wnt signal pathway and so on.

Abstract: In order to cut a plurality of clumps having an approximately uniform shapes and approximately uniform dimensions out of a cell aggregate which has proliferated and appropriately eliminate contamination with fragments of different shapes or dimensions, when cutting the clumps of approximately uniform shape out of the cell aggregate which has proliferated, cutting lines along which the clumps of a specific shape are cut out are set such that the area of a peripheral part of the cell aggregate which is not cut by the cutting line exceeds the surface area of one of the clumps, and the cell aggregate is cut by irradiating with laser light in such a way as to trace the cutting lines.

Abstract: A blood sample collection and/or storage device includes a two-piece housing that encompasses a port at which a fingertip blood sample is collected at a sample port. After the sample is taken, the two-piece housing is moved to a closed position deposit the sample onto a storage membrane Embodiments of the device include a one or more capillaries with movable plungers that dispense fluid from the sample port onto the membrane as the housing is closed. A desiccant, which may be held in place by a backbone structure within the housing, is positioned adjacent the membrane. The housing may also be opened to access the stored sample for further processing.

Abstract: Organs-on-chips are microfluidic devices for culturing living cells in micrometer sized chambers in order to model physiological functions of tissues and organs. Engineered patterning and continuous fluid flow in these devices has allowed culturing of intestinal cells bearing physiologically relevant features and sustained exposure to bacteria while maintaining cellular viability, thereby allowing study of inflammatory bowl diseases. However, existing intestinal cells do not possess all physiologically relevant subtypes, do not possess the repertoire of genetic variations, or allow for study of other important cellular actors such as immune cells. Use of iPSC-derived epithelium, including IBD patient-specific cells, allows for superior disease modeling by capturing the multi-faceted nature of the disease.

Abstract: A battery device (100) is disclosed, comprising a plurality of cells (110), an enclosure (120) configured to accommodate cells when they are at least partly immersed in a thermal management liquid, and at least one flow unit (130) arranged within the enclosure to control a flow of the thermal management liquid through the enclosure. The at least one flow unit comprises a first electron (131) and a second electrode (132) that are arranged offset from each other and being connectable to a voltage source so as to affect the flow between the electrodes.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of fluorescence imaging and relates to a new near infrared (NIR) reactive oxygen species (ROS) sensor designed with controlled fluorescence on-off switching mechanism.

Abstract: A device for cancer screening and triage using an optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging system integrated with optical imaging probe is provided. Endoscopic OCT images are generated using the OCT system having a helical probe. The images are further analyzed to generate a depth resolved intensity OCT signal to classify the region of tissue into variable grades of dysplasia to guide the physician's biopsy or resection.

Abstract: A system for identification of bacterial cells in free solution in a sample. A sample handler is adapted to position the sample. A light source illuminates a large volume of the sample. An imager is located to receive light scattered from the sample. A computer it is coupled to receive data transmitted from the imager. A controller is coupled to send control signals to the sample handler and the computer. The imager processes the scattered light to form images of the bacteria and transmits bacteria image information to the computer, wherein the bacteria image information includes intensity values and position data for the bacteria images from which the computer determines the presence of bacteria.

Abstract: A method of inseminating an animal including flowing a stream of a population of sperm cells through a channel, differentiating the sperm cells into two subpopulations of X-chromosome containing sperm cells and Y-chromosome containing sperm cells, selecting a desired subpopulation, ablating an undesired subpopulation, and collecting both the subpopulations of sperm cells including the desired subpopulation and the ablated undesired subpopulation together, wherein the collected population of sperm cells is used to fertilize an egg.

Abstract: A forensic detector for remotely sensing a porphyrin-containing substance on a surface of an object is provided. The forensic detector includes an excitation light source for generating an excitation light beam, plural optical elements, one or more sensors for measuring a first and second radiation powers, and a computer processor. The excitation light beam has an excitation wavelength capable of exciting porphyrin to luminesce at a target wavelength centered between 665-675 nm. The first and second radiation powers are in non-overlapping wavelength regions of the object-originated light beam. The computer processor is configured to compute a SNR according to the first radiation power and a background noise power level, and to determine if the porphyrin-containing substance is present on the surface according to the SNR. The background noise power level is obtained from the one or more second radiation powers.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a luminescent particle comprising a nanoparticle of formula A1-xLnxVO4(1-y)(PO4)y??(I) in which A is selected from yttrium (Y), gadolinium (Gd), lanthanum (La), and mixtures thereof; Ln is selected from europium (Eu), dysprosium (Dy), samarium (Sm), neodymium (Nd), erbium (Er), ytterbium (Yb), and mixtures thereof; 0<x<1; and 0?y<1; characterized in that the nanoparticle on its surface has tetraalkylammonium cations in an amount such that said nanoparticle has a zeta potential, ?, of less than or equal to ?28 mV in an aqueous medium with a pH?5, more particularly with a pH?5.5, and with an ionic conductivity >100 ?S·cm?1. It also concerns a method for preparing such luminescent particles, a colloidal suspension of these particles, and the use thereof as a diagnostic agent, and also a diagnostic kit comprising such luminescent particles.

Abstract: In related-art methods of differentiating pluripotent stem cells into a desired cell type, there has not been established a differentiation induction method using human ES/iPS cells and being highly efficient. Many attempts have been made, including a stepwise differentiation induction method based on the control of culture conditions or the addition of, for example, various cell growth factors/differentiation factors to a culture solution, but the use of complicated culture steps is a big problem. A method of inducing differentiation into a desired cell type within a short period of time and with high efficiency by use of a pluripotent stem cell that actively undergoes cell differentiation, which is obtained by reducing an undifferentiated state of the pluripotent stem cell, has been developed, and thus the present invention has been completed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of creating a human blood-brain barrier (BBB) model from the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), wherein the BBB exhibits sustained transendothelial electrical resistances (TEER) over 2000 ?·cm2 for at least 3 days after seeding.

Abstract: Compositions and provided to induce cells of the inner ear to renter the cell cycle and to proliferate. In particular, hair cells are induced to proliferate by administration of a composition which activates the Myc and Notch. Supporting cells are induced to transdifferentiate to hair cells by inhibition of Myc and Notch activity or the activation of Atoh1. Methods of treatment include the intracellular delivery of these molecules to a specific therapeutic target.

Abstract: A method for illuminating a sample slice uses a light beam or a light sheet during single plane illumination microscopy (SPIM). The light beam or light sheet is deflected by an angle mirror having a first and second reflective surface reflecting a first and second portion of the light beam or light sheet, respectively, whereby the first and second portions of the light beam or light sheet spatially overlap one another after the deflecting. Alternatively, the light beam or light sheet is refracted by a refractive optical component comprising a first and second refractor surface refracting a first portion of the light beam or light sheet, respectively, whereby the first and second portions of the light beam or light sheet spatially overlap one another after the refracting.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a quantum dot and a manufacturing method for the same, and a luminescent material, a light-emitting element and a display device applying the quantum dot. The quantum dot includes a core and a shell layer. The core is at least one selected from the group consisting of a XII-XV group compound semiconductor nano-crystal, a XII-XVI group compound semiconductor nano-crystal, a XIII-XV group compound semiconductor nano-crystal and a XIII-XVI group compound semiconductor nano-crystal. The core contains a cadmium element and a selenium element. The shell layer contains a zinc element and a sulfur element. The shell layer encloses the core.

Abstract: The invention relates to the isolation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from a lipids containing biomass. The main characteristics of the method are that a suspension of cells containing PUFAs is obtained and the cells are optionally lysed. The suspension is concentrated and then incubated for at least an hour at a controlled temperature while adding a specific range of base equivalents to biomass and maintaining a moderate pH. The isolation of lipid may be performed in the absence of organic solvents and without the addition of salt.

Abstract: Low oxygen tension is a critical regulator of the developing or regenerating vasculature. The present invention is based on the determination that low oxygen tension during early stages of early vascular cell (EVC) derivation induces endothelial commitment and maturation of pluripotent stem cells. Inhibition of reactive oxygen species generation during the early stages of differentiation abrogates the endothelial inductive effects of the low oxygen environments. Methods of generating various types of cells from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are described, as well as compositions and methods of use thereof. In particular, generation of EVCs, bicellular vascular populations, early endothelial cells (ECs) and pericytes via culture in a low oxygen environment is described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for marking/tagging objects for identification. In particular, tagging objects with a nucleic acid taggant (genetic tag based merchandise authentication).

Abstract: The present invention features a neural organoid that recapitulates in vitro most characteristics of the brain (e.g., human), and methods of using this neural organoid to study disease and to identify therapeutic agents for the treatment of neurological diseases and disorders.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing magnetic beads together with molecular targets of interest from a fluid is described. A consumable bead collection probe is placed in a vessel containing magnetic beads suspended in the fluid. A magnet outside the vessel concentrates magnetic beads on a surface of the collection probe so they may be manipulated in and out of vessels during washing or processing steps without transferring the fluid into or out of a vessel. In a further embodiment, a vibrational source is attached to the collection probe such that, in combination with the magnet in a position external to the vessel, beads may be washed without releasing them from the collection probe.

Abstract: A sample observation device includes an imaging unit that images observation light generated due to irradiation with the planar light that is transmitted through a membrane filter and outputs fluorescent light image data, a partial image generation unit that specifies a first area corresponding to a first sample holding space and a second area corresponding to a second sample holding space in the fluorescent light image data, and generates first partial image data corresponding to the first area and second partial image data corresponding to the second area, an observation image generation unit that generates first observation image data and second observation image data on the basis of the partial image data, and an analysis unit that analyzes a sample on the basis of the first observation image data and the second observation image data.

Abstract: A size reduction in an optical system that detects a fluorescent photon is achieved. A photon detection operation of a photon detection unit (21) is controlled on the basis of timing of an irradiation operation of an excitation light source (50), and after excitation light emitted to a microfluidic channel (10) is switched off, a fluorescent photon generated by a target flowing in the microfluidic channel (10) is detected.

Abstract: A method to classify and identify microorganisms using the FTIR ATR technique.

Abstract: A cell transfer apparatus transfers cells from a dish in which the cells are held to a microplate where a plurality of wells are classified into a plurality of groups. The cell transfer apparatus includes a camera unit that captures an image of the dish with the cells being held in the dish, an evaluation unit that gives evaluation levels to the plurality of cells held in the dish, respectively, based on the image of the dish with reference to predetermined multiple-step evaluation level for the cells, an allocation processor that sets transfer destinations of the cells on the dish so that the cells equal in evaluation level are distributed evenly to the groups in the microplate, and a shaft controller that transfers the cells in accordance with the transfer destinations set by the allocation processor.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a microorganism in a fluid sample is disclosed. The method includes providing a fluid specimen within a specimen collection container having a sidewall defining an interior therein. The interior includes a mechanical separator adapted for separating the fluid sample into first and second phases within the specimen collection container and a sensing element capable of detecting the presence of a microorganism disposed therein. The method includes subjecting the specimen collection container to applied rotational force to isolate a concentrated microorganism region. The method also includes detecting by a sensing element the presence or absence of a microorganism within the concentrated microorganism region.

Abstract: Various embodiments of fluidic devices and methods of the present teaching can provide precision on-device loading of fluidic samples, and merging, mixing, and splitting of the fluidic samples, in illustrative embodiments as droplets, using pressures that can be provided by standard laboratory liquid handling equipment. Various embodiments of fluidic devices of the present teachings can provide on-device manipulation of accurate and precise fluidic volumes at the picoliter to nanoliter scale for each steps from fluidic sample loading to fluidic sample splitting. Various embodiments of fluidic elements of the present teachings, for example, but not limited by, various embodiments of fluidic traps of the present teachings, can have a constrained and measurable geometry, allowing for accurate and precise tuning of each fluidic sample volume throughout the on-device liquid handling process.

Abstract: Single dye fluorescent staining (with a membrane-associated dye such as FM 1-43 or FM 4-64) and the combination of differences in both intensity and spectral emission discriminate live from inactivated/dead bacteria and provides for rapid and accurate detection of live bacteria in mixed populations.

Abstract: A fiber optic analyte sensing needle 10 with a photoluminescent analyte-sensitive probe 70 nonadherently entrapped within the lumen 29 of the needle 20 between the distal tip 51 of a fiber optic filament 50 and the distal tip 21 of the needle 20. The probe 70 has unimpeded fluid communication with the external environment through a port 28 in the needle 20.

Abstract: A construct for detecting cellular membrane potential includes a nanoparticle operable as an electron donor; a modular peptide attached to the nanoparticle, the peptide comprising a nanoparticle association domain, a motif configured to mediate peptide insertion into the plasma membrane, and at least one attachment point for an electron acceptor positioned at a controlled distance from the nanoparticle; and an electron acceptor. The nanoparticle can be a quantum dot and the electron acceptor can be C60 fullerene. Emission correlates with cellular membrane potential.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and an imaging device for multi-color imaging using frequency-modulated illumination. The method comprises a step of providing electromagnetic radiation with a plurality of different wavelengths, comprising a step of modulating each wavelength with a different modulation frequency, a step of illuminating a target with the modulated electromagnetic radiation, in particular for excitation of a target, a step of sensing electromagnetic radiation emitted from the target, in particular the luminescence, more in particular the fluorescence, and a step of processing the data obtained in the step of sensing.

Abstract: An improved system, method and interface for automated rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) is disclosed which includes, in one aspect, a carrier population station comprising a workstation having a graphic user interface (GUI). The GUI accepts information from a lab technologist, including information related to a scope of testing to be performed on a microorganism containing sample. The GUI controls intelligent assignment of microorganism containing samples to test panels in a manner that maximize utilization of the test carrier by grouping together samples of similar tests scopes and advantageously testing those samples using one multiplexed test panel. Customizing workflow in accordance with test scope to facilitate parallel processing of multiple samples advantageously reduces laboratory waste, decreases test latencies, increases AST system throughput and efficiency, and thus lowers the costs to the AST lab.

Abstract: A multi-wavelength laser diode based optical sensor system capable of monitoring the dynamics and physiological changes of a microorganism culture in real-time. The microorganism culture from a microorganism production chamber is pumped to a flow chamber. Laser diodes emit light at certain wavelengths through the flow chamber, which is sensed by photodiodes. A laser control circuitry is operatively connected to the laser diodes and a signal conditioning circuitry is operatively connected to the photodiodes. A microprocessor reads and records voltage signals corresponding to the wavelengths. A data acquisition system converts said voltage signals into measurements of biological parameters, which are displayed on a graphical user interface and allow a user to monitor the measurements in real time.

Abstract: Our high phase sensitivity wide-field phase cancellation interferometry system allows single-shot, label-free optical sensing of neural action potentials via imaging of optical path length changes. Single-shot sensing and monitoring of single neurons within a neural network should lead to a more comprehensive understanding neural network processing, which is beneficial for the advancement in the field of neuroscience as well as its biomedical applications and impact. Our system cancels the phase profile of the resting neuron from the phase profile of the spiking neuron, improving the sensitivity by two orders of magnitude. Using a detector with an extremely large well depth and an appropriately biased interferometer increases the sensitivity by another order of magnitude, yielding a measurement that is three orders of magnitude more sensitive than those possible with other microscopes.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for diagnosing Niemann-Pick disease in a subject comprising a step a), wherein the step a) comprises detecting a biomarker in a sample from the subject.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods of fixing and staining rare cells. Further, disclosed herein are methods of identifying circulating tumor cells (CTC). In some embodiments, the method includes: imaging a cell sample to identify a cell of interest; determining a first pixel intensity of a stained nuclear area; determining a second pixel intensity of a background area; calculating a ploidy status of the cell of interest by subtracting the second pixel intensity from the first pixel intensity; and determining whether the cell of interest is a CTC based on the ploidy status. The method may be computer implemented, such that the method uses a machine learning algorithm to identify a feature; process the feature to extract a parameter of interest; analyze the parameter of interest; and when the parameter of interest is greater than or less than a predetermined threshold, classify the cell of interest as a CTC.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of using a cell-derived extracellular matrix derived in-vitro from cells isolated from amniotic fluid (AFC-ECM) for the maturation of immature cardiomyocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (immature hiPSC-CMs) in culture forming mature cardiomyocytes. Also disclosed herein is a cell construct comprising a monolayer of these mature cardiomyocytes on an AFC-ECM useful for cardiotoxicity and/or proarrhythmic screening assays of drug compounds. Also disclosed herein are methods for determining the cardiotoxicity and/or proarrhythmic effect of a drug compound in vitro using such cell constructs.

Abstract: A non-destructive iterative interferometric tomographic technique for imaging and reconstruction of phase objects as well as objects with complex permittivity and, particularly, to iterative optical diffraction tomographic (iODT) imaging and reconstruction of phase objects with high refractive index (RI) contrast, complex structures, and/or large optical path differences (OPDs) against the background, which cause multiple scattering, and applications thereof.