Abstract: Indicators for indicating the integrity of a seal of a sterilization container are provided. For example, a seal indicator may indicate whether the container is sufficiently sealed to prevent an ingress of contaminants into the container. If the container is sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is in one state and displays a first indicium, and if the sterilization container is not sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is in another state and displays a second indicium. Thus, the seal indicator undergoes a visible change in state when the sterilization container transitions from unsealed to sealed, such that the user may be assured that the container is properly sealed to maintain sterility of the articles post-sterilization. Further, the seal indicator undergoes a visible change in state if the seal is subsequently broken, to signal to the user that the seal and the sterility of the container interior has been compromised.

Abstract: A system and method for generating an incubated bacteria solution by heating a nutrient germinant composition and bacteria, including at least one species in spore form, to a preferred temperature a range of 35-50° C. for 2-60 minutes using exothermic chemical reaction heat. An incubated bacteria solution is preferably generated at or near a point-of-use in an aquaculture, agriculture, wastewater, or environmental remediation application. The nutrient-germinant composition comprises L-amino acids, optionally D-glucose and/or D-fructose, a buffer, an industrial preservative, and may include bacteria spores (preferably of one or more Bacillus species) or they may be separately combined for incubation. A first chemical contained in a pouch is activated by contact with a second chemical, water, or air in a flameless heater to initiate exothermic reaction to provide incubation heat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Petri dish comprising a dish body which comprises a bottom wall and a side wall which extends along an outer circumference of the bottom wall, the bottom wall and the side wall of the dish body form an upper opening space adapted to accommodate cultures; a dish lid adapted to cover the upper opening space from above the dish body, the dish lid comprises a top wall and a side wall which extends along an outer circumference of the top wall, wherein the dish body and the dish lid are two independent members that are detachable, and the side wall of the dish body is formed on the outer side thereof with a ring for gripping that extends circumferentially, and the ring for gripping having an outer diameter larger than that of the dish lid. The Petri dish according to the present invention has a simple structure. Through the ring for gripping on the dish body, the user can easily hold the dish body without accidentally dislodging the dish lid or sliding it off the dish body.

Abstract: Closure mechanisms and seal integrity indicators for sterilization containers are provided. For example, a closure mechanism comprising at least one handle and at least two arms is provided with a sterilization container lid to apply a more uniform or evenly distributed force to a container gasket. A container body defines an inner lip on which the gasket and lid are received such that the sealing interface is recessed within the container. Further, a seal indicator may indicate whether the container is sufficiently sealed to prevent an ingress of contaminants into the container. If the container is sufficiently sealed, the seal indicator is visible, but if not, the seal indicator is not visible. Thus, the seal indicator undergoes a change in state when the sterilization container transitions from unsealed to sealed, or vice versa, such that a user may ascertain whether the container is properly sealed to maintain the container's sterility.

Abstract: A locating method and system of determining a microorganism concentration of a fluid in a Petri dish is disclosed. The Petri dish includes a culture medium on which a seeding device is rotatable relative to the Petri dish. The seeding device distributes the fluid and includes at least one point of contact with the culture medium. The point of contact is associated with a contact zone.

Abstract: The incubation and detection device includes a heater, a detection surface with at least one receptacle including a growth medium, and a detection system. There is also a system for preventing the formation of condensation in the receptacle, which includes a temperature-control formed by temperature sensors, heaters, coolers, and management device capable of collecting and analyzing the information collected by the sensor and controlling the heater and cooler so as to generate the desired incubation temperature and permanently apply a temperature gradient to the surface of the receptacle.

Abstract: The invention generally provides devices and methods for sampling, detecting and/or characterizing particles, for example, via collection, growth and analysis of viable biological particles such as microorganisms. Devices and methods of the invention include particle samplers and impactors for collecting and/or analyzing biological particles in manufacturing environments requiring low levels of particles, such as cleanroom environments for electronics manufacturing and aseptic environments for manufacturing pharmaceutical and biological products, such as sterile medicinal products. Devices and methods of the invention incorporate an integrated sampler and impact surface, such as the receiving surface of a growth media, in a manner to minimize, or entirely eliminate, risks associated with user handling, such as the occurrence of false positive determinations due to contamination of the impact surface during particle sampling, growth or analysis processes.

Abstract: A container assembly such as a petri dish or a contact plate for use as a sampling device for microorganisms includes a base member, a lid and a locking mechanism that provides a secure locking engagement between the lid and the base member. The locking mechanism is designed such that does not lock except upon application of a specific intentionally applied compressive force, and which may be readily disengaged from locking engagement without the need for a rotational movement or torsional force.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nutrient medium unit for holding a filter of a filtration device, comprising a lower part that is filled with the nutrient medium and a lid, the latter having a fixing edge that protrudes into the lower part and that can be connected to an edge of the filter by means of an adhesive bond in order to remove said filter from the filtration device. The invention also relates to a method for the microbiological analysis of liquid samples, according to which a membrane filter is lifted off a filter support and laid on the surface of a nutrient medium that is situated in a lower part of a nutrient medium unit. The lower part is then covered by a lid, the latter being placed on the membrane filter lying on the filter support in such a way that a fixing edge located in the lid is connected to an edge of the filter by means of an adhesive bond. The lid and the attached filter are lifted off the filter support and placed on the dish-shaped lower part of the nutrient medium unit.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for obtaining from samples of rock of different natures, specifically chondrites, organic, metallorganic material or material of biological origin, and the materials themselves so obtained. In addition, the invention concerns their use in instrumentations exploiting their physical and physico-chemical properties, and fluorimetric methods to reveal such materials.

Abstract: A Petri dish includes a receptacle and a matching lid, which both have a shape of revolution and are each delimited by a bottom wall and at least one peripheral rim. This also includes fingers and complementary locking elements. The receptacle and the lid, when rotated relative to each other, are able to occupy three or four different positions, including at least a “first position” and an “intermediate position”. This dish is distinguished by the fact that the locking elements carry at least one blocking member which blocks the fingers in the “intermediate position” and which opposes the return to the “first position”.

Abstract: A cell culture dish, comprising: a dish with a bottom wall and a circumferential side wall standing upward from the same, a lid, which sits sealingly on the side wall in an aeration position, and means for holding the lid on the dish above the sealing position in an aeration position in which there is an aeration gap between side wall and lid, wherein these means are adapted to be overcome by pressing the lid and the dish together in order to bring the lid from the aeration position into the sealing position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bioreactor for methanizing biomass, a biogas plant having a plurality of such bioreactors, and a method for operating such a bioreactor. Because the elongated reactor vessel includes both a loading gate and an unloading gate that are arranged at opposite ends of the elongated reactor vessel, it is possible to remove consumed biomass, which is harmless in terms of epidemiologic hygiene and plant hygiene due to thermophilic process control during the fermentation, from the reactor vessel through the unloading gate and to transfer this consumed biomass directly to the composting process. The bioreactor thus has a “clean” unloading gate and an “unclean” loading gate.

Abstract: Provided are a container tray in which a position and orientation of a container is hardly displaced from a predetermined position and orientation; a tray base used together with the container tray; and an observation unit. The container tray 8 includes a mounting plate 81 having a mounting surface 811 on which the container is to be mounted, an elastic body 82, and a biasing mechanism 83, 842. The elastic body 82 is arranged on the mounting surface 811 of the mounting plate 81 around a mounting region R where the container is to be mounted. The biasing mechanism 83, 842 is capable of switching states between a biased state in which the elastic body 82 is biased inward by applying a pressing force to the elastic body 82 from outside and a bias released state in which the bias on the elastic body 82 is released.

Abstract: A flow chamber assembly for subjecting cells or other biological reagents to laminar flow conditions and methods of using the flow chamber assembly are provided herein. The flow chamber assembly includes a bottom plate having at least one well with a bottom surface adapted to receive the cells or biological reagents, a top plate having at least one flow protrusion positioned and shaped to fit into the well of the bottom plate and a sealing element positioned between the top plate and the bottom plate when the top plate and the bottom plate are attached. The flow chamber assembly is configured to allow for laminar flow of a perfusate across the cells or biological reagents along the bottom surface of the well of the bottom plate. The cells or biological reagents can be exposed to a predetermined level of shear stress.

Abstract: A testing device uses a selectively deformable substrate to capture and retain spherical beads for genetic experimentation. A method of fabricating the device is described in which a silicon substrate can be coated with a photosensitive, bio-compatible polymer for photolithographic patterning using a single mask exposure. The polymer is patterned with a matrix of wells, each well capable of expansion to accept placement of a bead in the well, and contraction to secure the bead in the well. The polymer can exhibit piezoelectric properties that cause it to respond mechanically to a selected electrical excitation.

Abstract: A nucleic acid amplification reaction vessel has a substrate, a cavity formed in the substrate, a cover plate for sealing the cavity, and a sample-injection inlet formed in the cover plate. The cavity includes a columnar structure connected to the cover plate or the substrate. The nucleic acid amplification reaction vessel allows fast temperature increase or decrease of sample liquid.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a culture medium device, which comprises a plate containing a solid-state or gel-state culture medium layer; a shield layer covering the culture medium layer; and a lid covering the plate. The shield layer is in a solid, gel or liquid state and contains sugar at a concentration of greater than 0% (w/w) and less than or equal to 0.1% (w/w). Via the shield layer containing a select composition, the present invention can reduce the affection of microbiological contamination and promote the yield and productivity of biomass in the process of inoculating and cultivating Polyporales.

Abstract: A dialysis cell is provided for the measurement of free thyroxine. The dialysis cell preferably includes a polyhedral housing including a top, a bottom and four sides. The dialysis cell is made up of a buffer portion and serum portion. The buffer portion includes a cavity and the serum portion includes a cavity which, when the buffer portion and serum portion are assembled together, form a central chamber. The central chamber is divided by a vertically aligned dialysis membrane held in place by two O-rings. Buffer is introduced into the dialysis cell's buffer portion through a buffer inlet extending from the dialysis cell's top side to the buffer portion's cavity. Similarly, serum is introduced into the serum portion through an inlet which extends from an opening formed on the dialysis cell's top to the serum portion's cavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inoculating at least one agar culture medium, contained in a Petri dish, with at least one sample likely to contain microorganisms. The method includes the steps of: providing at least one agar culture medium contained in a Petri dish; providing the sample likely to contain microorganisms in liquid form; performing at least one deposition of the liquid sample onto the lid of the Petri dish such that the liquid sample can be transferred from the lid to the agar culture medium; and spraying the liquid sample, initially deposited onto the cover, onto the agar culture medium by vibrating the Petri dish.

Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifuge for separating a sample into at least two components, comprising a chamber for receiving a sample to be centrifuged. According to the invention, the centrifuge further comprises a means for controlling the progress of the sample separation is located at the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a vessel for culturing cells which includes: a bottom including a base with an upwardly extending wall at least partially bounding the base of the bottom; a top including a base with a downwardly extending wall at least partially bounding the base of the top; a tubular neck with an opening defined therein; and, one or more shelves, wherein, each shelf includes a base with an upwardly extending wall at least partially bounding the base of the shelf. The upwardly extending wall of a first shelf adjoins the downwardly extending wall of the top with the first shelf being located intermediate the bottom and the top. The base of each of the shelves having at least one aperture formed therein. The bottom, the top and the one or more shelves collectively define an enclosed volume for culturing cells. The tubular neck extends from the vessel with the enclosed volume being accessible by the opening in the tubular neck.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a culture medium device, which comprises a plate containing a solid-state or gel-state culture medium layer; a shield layer covering the culture medium layer; and a lid covering the plate. The shield layer is in a solid, gel or liquid state and contains sugar at a concentration of greater than 0% (w/w) and less than or equal to 0.1% (w/w). Via the shield layer containing a select composition, the present invention can reduce the affection of microbiological contamination and promote the yield and productivity of biomass in the process of inoculating and cultivating Polyporales.

Abstract: A dish structure includes: (a) a bottom container having an outer cylindrical wall and a diametric base interconnecting the outer cylindrical wall; (b) a lid having an inverted cylinder provided with a downwardly extending cylindrical wall, the lid being sized so that the downwardly extending cylindrical wall associates with the outer cylindrical wall of the bottom container; (c) a frictionally-engagable member integral with the surface of the downwardly extending cylindrical wall of the lid; (d) a frictionally engagable member integral with the surface of the wall of the bottom container; and (e) at least one of the bottom container and the lid being formed of flexibly deformable synthetic plastic material, which is thin enough to have the characteristics of being flexibly deformable. By such structure the lid and bottom container base may remain loosely assembled (unlocked), or by user manipulation be tightly assembled into a reversibly locked configuration.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a culture plate, and in particular to a culture plate comprising a lid wherein the peripheral side wall of the lid is formed at least partially of at least one filter element made of a filter material. This enables lateral, uniform ventilation of the culture plate even in a stacked arrangement of the culture plate, avoiding at the same time significant loss of culture medium by evaporation.

Abstract: A disposable polymer container for manipulation of small specimens adapted to optimize heat transfer between an external heating element and specimens herein contained. In particular, this invention relates to the field of containers for Assisted Reproductive Technology hereunder In-vitro fertilization (IVF).

Abstract: A gel molding apparatus is adapted to be used in combination with a vessel that has a plurality of solution chambers, and includes a lid plate and a plurality of columns that project from a top surface of the lid plate. Each of the columns has a bottom side connected to the top surface of the lid plate, a top side opposite to the bottom side, and a well recessed from the top side for receiving a gel suspension and having a depth from the top side. A method for gel molding is conducted via the gel molding apparatus. A culture apparatus includes the vessel and the gel molding apparatus. A method for culture is performed through the culture apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus comprised of devices for simple, fast and cost-effective storage and plating of solid nutrient medium (SNM) for various uses in the field of microbiological analysis. The devices consist of a container which can be aseptically filled with SNM and equipped with a plunger to accurately press out needed amounts of the SNM; a cutting means to cut, hold and transfer SNM; a measuring means to measure the amount of SNM exiting the container; and a growth plate for storage of SNM, growth of microorganisms on SNM, and introduction of indicator substances to SNM for analysis of microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved flat package of petri dishes and method of producing the same for prolonging shelf life and preservation of sterility of the petri dishes. The flat package is comprised of an optically clear, high-barrier, moisture-, gas- and microbial-resistant pouch. A plurality of petri dishes located adjacent one another are placed in an interior cavity of the pouch, after which the pouch is vacuum-packed, optionally flushed with an inert gas and then heat sealed. The placement and immobilization of the petri dishes in the pouch allow for prolonged shelf life and preservation of sterility, greatly reduced breakage rates, and enhanced visibility of the petri dishes by a user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Petri dish, intended for receiving an agar culture medium for microorganisms, including a base receiving said culture medium and a lid capable of being positioned on the base, said base and said lid being substantially circular, said Petri dish being characterised in that the base includes at least one means intended to avoid the retraction of the culture medium, said means projecting and being positioned on the periphery of the base.

Abstract: A device (1) for housing a scientific sample comprising at least one sample well (2) and an on-board buffering substance (3) wherein the onboard buffering substance (3) at least partly surrounds the sample well (2). The on-board buffering substance (3) may be in the form of a matrix, such as a gel-like matrix. The device (1) may further comprise an insulating means. Also described is a substance for use in culturing and/or assaying a sample whereby the substance provides atmospheric and thermal buffering. The invention further provides a lid for a single-well or multi-well sample plate, the lid being configured to facilitate delivery of a sample through the lid into a well, and for sealing the well. The lid comprises moveable portions (52, 53) that have at least one orifice (54, 57) formed through the moveable portions (52, 53) such that a conduit is formed by alignment of the orifices (54, 57) of both the lid portions (52, 53).

Abstract: An assembly for culturing cells includes a housing defining a reservoir for containing cell culture media and an opening in fluid communication with the reservoir. The cell culture assembly further includes a filter valve assembly configured to sealingly engage the opening. The filter valve assembly includes a flexible membrane, a contiguous side wall, an end wall, and a microbial filter. The end wall has an opening and extends across one end of the side wall to form a major cavity within the side wall and the end wall. The flexible membrane has a slit spanning the membrane and is disposable within the major cavity such that the membrane sealingly divides the major cavity into (i) a chamber formed between the end wall and the membrane and (ii) a minor cavity formed by the membrane and a portion of the side wall. The minor cavity is in fluid communication with the reservoir.

Abstract: A petri dish includes a cover and base, the cover having at least one circular opening in the top of the cover. A number of securing members are connected to the underside of the cover around the opening to secure at least one filter under the opening, the filter(s) being used to prevent any contaminants from the air from entering the petri dish. A guard member such as a plastic disc is disposed under the filter(s) to prevent any oil in the base of the petri dish from contaminating the filter(s). A sealing member is provided on a peripheral edge of the base to seal the petri dish when the petri dish is closed.

Abstract: A dish for cell cultivation and microscopy is provided, comprising a ring and an outer ridge upwardly and axially protruding therefrom, wherein the ring is covered at its bottom side with a transparent membrane and, thus, forms a recess delimited by the inner side of the ring and the membrane, characterized in that the recess is filled with an adhesive filling. Alternatively, a dish for cell cultivation and microscopy is provided, comprising a base and an outer ridge protruding upwardly and axially at its rim, wherein the base and the outer ridge are made of a transparent plastic, the base together with the inner side of the outer ridge forms a recess filled with an adhesive filling, and the thickness of the base and the filling together is less than about 1 mm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a culture insert carrier, a culture insert and a culture system for culturing and testing of different kinds of cells, such as for example skin models. A culture insert carrier for supporting at least one culture insert in a culture tray having at least one well, wherein the culture insert carrier comprises a plane member with at least one opening for insertion of the at least one culture insert in such a way that the culture insert carrier supports the at least one culture insert in a position in the culture tray is provided. Further, a culture insert comprising a plurality of suspension elements including a first set of suspension elements and a second set of suspension elements, the suspension elements being adapted to suspend the culture insert in a plurality of vertical positions, including a first vertical position and a second vertical position, in relation to a frame is provided.

Abstract: A sample chamber of plastics has at least one receiving area for receiving a liquid, and includes an oleophobic layer in a predetermined surface area. The sample chamber includes a base plate and a cover plate firmly connected thereto. The oleophobic layer is disposed on a side of the base plate and the cover plate facing away from the receiving areas, and/or the sample chamber consists of a plastic body and the oleophobic layer is disposed on a side of the plastic body facing away from the receiving areas.

Abstract: A method and system for culturing cells, having a substantially airtight enclosure configured to culture cells. The method and system also have a first conduit configured to provide a reduced pressure to the substantially airtight enclosure and a second conduit configured to provide a culture media to the substantially airtight enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an exposure device for living cell cultures, the device having a medium chamber common to a plurality of cell culture chambers and medium directing means. The medium chamber, cell culture chambers and the medium directing means may be arranged so as to provide substantially contemporaneous medium exchange at the cell culture chambers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bioreactor (1) for cell and tissue culture for the mechanical stimulation and for perfusion of tissue or cell cultures, comprising an upper part (3) and a lower part (4) which is connected to said upper part (4) and which comprises a tissue culture chamber (8), wherein at least one distributor plate (12) is arranged in the tissue culture chamber (8), and a method for cultivating cells and tissues in the bioreactor (1).

Abstract: One or more cells can be cultured when confined in space by barriers. The distance between barriers can be comparable to the size of a cell to be cultured. The space between barriers can also be sufficiently small to allow control of cell properties or monitoring of the cell(s) cultured therein. The cell(s) may be confined completely or may be mobile between two opposing barrier surfaces. The gap between two opposing barriers may be sufficiently narrow to allow only a monolayer of cells to be cultured. A barrier can be transparent. The surfaces of the barriers may have one or more pre-selected characteristics that mimic the characteristics of a biological niche of the cells(s). The number of cells in a cell culture may be limited to permit control of properties of individual cells. The cultured cell(s) may be monitored, such as imaged, over a long period of time, using standard bright field or fluorescent imaging techniques.

Abstract: Assay chambers that include a form-in-place gasket between a substrate and a cover, and methods of forming such assay chambers, are described. The assay chambers may further be associated with an analysis site for analyzing a sample solution contained within the assay chamber.

Abstract: A device and method for providing portable biological testing capabilities free from biological contamination from an environment outside the device are provided. The device includes a portable housing. The device further includes a volume surrounded by the housing and sealed against passage of biological materials between the volume and the environment outside the device. The device further includes a culture medium within the volume. The device further includes one or more ports configured to provide access to the volume while avoiding biological contamination of the volume. The device further includes a valve in fluidic communication with the volume and the environment. The valve has an open state in which the valve allows gas to flow from within the volume to the environment outside the device and a closed state in which the valve inhibits gas from flowing between the volume and the environment.

Abstract: A culture chamber which cultivates a culture object by using a culture liquid has a culture space part which houses the culture object together with the culture liquid, an introducing part (an introducing port) which introduces the culture liquid into the culture space part, a discharging part (a discharging port) which discharges the culture liquid from the culture space part, and a flow arrangement part (a vertical wall, a small space part). The flow arrangement part is formed in a side of the introducing part of the culture space part, and causes a liquid flow, which reaches to the discharging part, to the culture liquid introduced into the culture space part from the introducing part by diffusing from inner wall surfaces of the culture space part toward a direction which intersects a virtual line connecting the introducing part and the discharging part.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for performing a chemical reaction using a microchip having at least one micro-channel. The device, which is a semiautomatic operating device for a microchip on which at least one micro-channel with a reagent inlet is formed, includes: a base which accommodates the microchip; a slider with injection inlets corresponding to the reagent inlets that reciprocally move parallel to the base; and a slider moving unit which selectively moves the slider to a first location at which the microchip is opened, after the injection inlet of the slider and the reagent inlet are aligned, and to a second location where the microchip is sealed by a bottom surface of the slider covering the reagent inlet.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a cell culture vessel which is simple in structure and easy to handle, and is capable of preventing damage to the cells when separated, promoting transport of nutrients and excretion of effete matter, and elevating the culturing efficiency improving effect by the structural features. In order to attain the above object, there is provided a cell culture vessel including a culture section provided with a plurality of projections having an equivalent diameter smaller than the cells to be cultured and the culture section side walls enclosing the culture section, wherein the distance between an arbitrary position on the culture section/side wall boundary line and the nearest projection is smaller than the diameter of the cells to be cultured. The effect of the projections in the vessel given to the cultured cells is enhanced.

Abstract: A cell culture dish, comprising: a dish with a bottom wall and a circumferential side wall standing upward from the same, a lid, which sits sealingly on the side wall in an aeration position, and means for holding the lid on the dish above the sealing position in an aeration position in which there is an aeration gap between side wall and lid, wherein these means are adapted to be overcome by pressing the lid and the dish together in order to bring the lid from the aeration position into the sealing position.

Abstract: A bioreactor and a method for growing engineered tissue provide facing surfaces in a vessel for containing cell-culture media. The facing surfaces are equidistant and define a gap therebetween while providing substrates for cell tissue growth. By maintaining conditions within the vessel conducive to cell tissue growth and moving the surfaces relative to one another within such cell culture media, tissue growing thereupon is subjected to physiological flow and shear stress, preferably through the use of oscillating motion, and engineered tissue is produced.

Abstract: A culture dish (1) comprising a basic structure (2) with a number of macro wells (4) for culturing oocytes and embryos, the culture dish further comprising a lid (3) with a movable part (8), the movable part (8) having an opening (11) adapted to the size of the macro wells (4), the movable part (8) being movable between a first position where all macro wells are closed by the lid (3) and further positions where for each further position (11) the opening (11) is aligned with one of the macro wells (4) to allow access to this macro well (4) through the opening (11) in the lid (3).

Abstract: A petri dish includes a cover and base, the cover having at least one circular opening in the top of the cover. A number of securing members are connected to the underside of the cover around the opening to secure at least one filter under the opening, the filter(s) being used to prevent any contaminants from the air from entering the petri dish. A guard member such as a plastic disc is disposed under the filter(s) to prevent any oil in the base of the petri dish from contaminating the filter(s). A sealing member is provided on a peripheral edge of the base to seal the petri dish when the petri dish is closed.

Abstract: A reference microplate is described herein which can be used to help calibrate and troubleshoot an optical interrogation system. In one embodiment, the reference microplate has a frame with an array of wells each of which contains an optical biosensor and each optical biosensor is at least partially coated with a substance (e.g., elastomer, optical epoxy). In another embodiment, the reference microplate in addition to having its optical biosensors at least partially covered with a substance (e.g., elastomer, optical epoxy) also has a controllable heating device attached thereto which is used to heat the optical biosensors.