Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile device system, comprising a hand-held device and a test kit for the mobile isolation of nucleic acids. The hand-held device comprises at least one sample block for inserting sample containers, a sample block holder with boreholes or recesses for accommodating the sample blocks, a device base with electronic control units for the sample blocks, a voltage source and a connection to the sample block holder, as well as a test kit for the isolation of nucleic acids. The hand-held device is characterized in that the sample blocks can be removed from the sample block holder and the sample block holder can be removed from the device base.

Abstract: Methods and devices for the interfacing of microchips to various types of modules are disclosed. The technology disclosed can be used as sample preparation and analysis systems for various applications, such as DNA sequencing and genotyping, proteomics, pathogen detection, diagnostics and biodefense.

Abstract: A method for lysing cells is disclosed. The method includes stirring cells with a magnetic stir element in the presence of a plurality of cell lysis beads at a speed sufficient to lyse the cells. Also disclosed is a device for lysing cells. The device includes a container having a magnetic stir element and a plurality of cell lysis beads disposed therein. The container is dimensioned to allow rotation of the magnetic stir element inside the container.

Abstract: The present invention describes an apparatus of Hydrodynamic cavitation, to be used as reactors to achieve tangible effect by producing tailored active cavities either transient or steady or both, in aqueous and non-aqueous media for intensification of the physical and chemical processes in homogenous and heterogeneous systems. An apparatus comprises of a cavity generator, cavity diverter and turbulence manipulator wherein the cavity generator/cavity diverter is a flow modulator of various shapes and sizes. A regime map of cavitation and a method to generate it, is presented to achieve the desired type of cavitation, required for specific targeted process intensification and then reactors are designed to achieve the predetermined process intensification. Regime map relates the maximum fluid velocity in cavity generator with the cavitation number, active and specific type of cavity fraction for several geometric designs of apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for pharmaceutical grade manufacture extrachromosomal nucleic acids from cell lysates using flotation to separate and eliminate undesired insoluble cellular debris including chromosomal DNA from the lysates. A gas is introduced to controllably generate bubbles that reduce the density of the cell debris and create a buoyant flocculent phase that can be readily separated from, and thus provide, a substantially clarified fluid lysate phase that is enriched in extrachromosomal DNA but substantially depleted of cellular proteins and chromosomal DNA.

Abstract: An apparatus for disruption of cells or viruses using a laser and magnetic beads includes a cell lysis chip including a sample inlet hole into which a sample and the magnetic beads are introduced, a vibrator fixing the cell lysis chip and transferring vibrations in a prescribed direction, a laser generator supplying the laser to the cell lysis chip and a controller controlling operations of the vibrator and the laser generator.

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: The present invention relates to methods and systems for the isolation of DNA on a microfluidic device and the subsequent analysis of the DNA on the microfluidic device.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for processing a biological sample that result in a physical change, such as reacting two molecules together to form a reaction product or for use in lysing viruses or biological cells for analysis using biological assay systems. As such, the present invention relates both to breaking apart biological species such as viruses and cells, as well as the formation of reactants from one or more reactive species. The sample has a volume in the range from about 1 microliter to 10 milliliters. The sample is processed by applying pressure, and either sonic energy or thermal energy to the sample, wherein the pressure achieved is usually at least 24 atmospheres, and the temperature of the sample is usually raised to at least 50° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sampling tube for collecting and processing a whole blood sample. The sampling tube contains a reagent for differential hemolysis of whole blood, wherein said reagent for differential hemolysis comprises a chemical for differential hemolysis and an anti-coagulant, and wherein said sampling tube is a ready-to-use and single-use sampling tube. It also relates to the use of said sampling tube in the processing of a whole blood sample for liquid chromatography and also to the use of a blood sample processed in such sampling tube in a liquid chromatography-based analysis.

Abstract: Lysing may include agitating a specimen in a chamber along with a medium that includes a particulate lysing material that has an affinity for a biological material. Lysing material may include beads or other material which may be coated that facilitates binding. The medium may include a fluid with a high salt or low pH level. The biological material may be eluted by lowering a concentration of salt or increasing a pH level. Lysing materials with two or more different affinities may be employed. Heating may be used. Lysing may be performed in a flow through apparatus.

Abstract: We have performed separation of bacterial and cancer cells from peripheral human blood in microfabricated electronic chips by dielectrophoresis. The isolated cells were examined by staining the nuclei with fluorescent dye followed by laser induced fluorescence imaging. We have also released DNA and RNA from the isolated cells electronically and detected specific marker sequences by DNA amplification followed by electronic hybridization to immobilized capture probes. Efforts towards the construction of a “laboratory-on-a-chip” system are presented which involves the selection of DNA probes, dyes, reagents and prototyping of the fully integrated portable instrument.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a rapid disruption of cells or viruses using micro magnetic beads and a laser are provided. According to the method and apparatus for a rapid disruption of cells or viruses using micro magnetic beads and a laser, cell lysis within 40 seconds is possible, the apparatus can be miniaturized using a laser diode, a DNA purification step can be directly performed after a disruption of cells or viruses, and a solution containing DNA can be transferred to a subsequent step after cell debris and beads to which inhibitors of a subsequent reaction are attached are removed with an electromagnet. In addition, by means of the cell lysis chip, an evaporation problem is solved, vibrations can be efficiently transferred to cells through magnetic beads, a microfluidics problem on a rough surface is solved by hydrophobically treating the inner surface of the chip, and the cell lysis chip can be applied to LOC.

Abstract: Presented herein are exemplary systems and methods for extracting lipids from a wet algal biomass. An exemplary method comprises lysing a wet algal biomass with an insoluble granular lysing agent to create a lysate, creating a lipid-rich phase in the lysate, and separating the lipid-rich phase from the lysate. An exemplary system comprises a lysing station for creating a lysate from a wet algal biomass and a separation station for creating and separating a lipid-rich phase from the lysate. According to further exemplary systems and methods, ultrasound may be used in place of or in addition to a lysing agent to lyse the wet algal biomass.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method of processing a biological fluid which comprises cellular components by heat treatment. The method is particularly useful for preparing biological samples for analyte detection. Further, the invention refers to a processed biological fluid comprising substantially quantitatively disintegrated cellular components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, whereby microbial cells are broken up and cellular components are separated and an apparatus suitable for carrying out the method. Preferably, the cells contain extra-chromosomal nucleic acids that are released and are further suitable for additional purification as required for any pharmaceutical or technical use.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated lab-on-a-chip device for carrying out a nucleic acid extraction process on a fluid sample containing cells and/or particles, the device comprising: (a) a sample inlet (1) for loading of a fluid sample, (b) a lysis unit (4) for lysis of cells and/or particles present in the fluid sample, (c) a reservoir of lysis fluid (7) for the lysis unit, (d) a nucleic acid extraction unit (5) downstream of the lysis unit, and (e) reservoirs of first washing buffer and eluant fluid (8, 9, 10) for the nucleic acid extraction unit, wherein the device further comprises (f) a mixing unit (6) downstream of the nucleic acid extraction unit, and (g) a source of mixing fluid (11) for the mixing unit. The reservoirs of lysis fluid, first washing buffer and eluant fluid may be provided parallel to one anther so that they may be actuated by a single pump.

Abstract: The inventive self-contained apparatus for isolating nucleic acid, cell lysates and cell suspensions from unprocessed samples apparatus, to be used with an instrument, comprises at least one input, and: (i) a macrofluidic component, comprising a chamber for receiving said unprocessed sample from a collection device and at least one filled liquid purification reagent storage reservoir; and (ii) a microfluidic component in communication with said macrofluidic component via at least one microfluidic element, said microfluidic component further comprising at least one nucleic acid purification matrix; and (iii) a drive mechanism on said instrument for driving said liquid purification reagent, through said microfluidic element and said nucleic acid purification matrix, wherein the only inputs to said apparatus are via said chamber and said drive mechanism.

Abstract: A sample collection apparatus which measures biological samples and can be used to provide the early detection of respiratory diseases, for example tuberculosis induced by the pathogen mycobacterium tuberculosis. The sample collection apparatus has a sample collection unit and a corresponding complementary reader unit. The collection unit collects a sample exhaled from the user through a collection vessel with an optical interrogation region. The sample is spread on the inside of the vessel over the interrogation region and subsequently analyzed. The test results are displayed via the reader unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optically induced cell lysis biochip, which comprises: an upper substrate made of a transparent, electrically conductive material; a lower substrate made of a transparent, electrically conductive material; a photoconductive layer formed under the lower surface of the upper substrate or on the upper surface of the lower substrate; and a chamber formed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate. When there is an electric potential difference between the upper and lower substrates, a light spot illuminated on the photoconductive layer can cause the impedance of the illuminated area to decrease, thereby causing the electric current to center on the illuminated area of the photoconductive layer. Further, the electric current flowing through the illuminated area can induce the cell lysis process of a target cell.

Abstract: Magnetic particles are distributed across a fluid flow by applied magnetic field to interact with a test substance in fluid. Alternatively or additionally, particles, which may be magnetic, are combined with cells and energy, e.g. ultrasonic energy, is applied to cause the particles to create a lysate. Alternatively or additionally, the size of a quantity of magnetic particles is assessed by its impact on the tuning mechanism of a controlled oscillator that is affected by the particles.

Abstract: A sonication apparatus is directed to a microfluidic-based system to automate differential extraction of specific cell types within a mixed sample. The microfluidic-based system includes a sonication module for selective cell lysis, separating means to eliminate centrifugation, high surface area pillar chip modules to purify DNA from a cell lysate, and microfluidic circuitry to integrate the steps in an automated platform.

Abstract: A standalone bench top laboratory instrument designed to disrupt, or lyse, cells, spores and tissue samples using ultrasonic energy. The lysing device is programmable, allowing the user control over the sample volume, sonication power level, and lysing duration in order to optimize lysing protocols for specific targets. Once a lysing protocol is entered, the device automatically lyses the sample according to the entered lysing protocol. The lysing device also provides a cooling feature, enabled by a heat exchanging sub-assembly, to prevent the sample from exceeding a maximum set temperature.

Abstract: The method includes the steps of generating a spatially and/or temporally localized electric field generated on the photoconductive surface, and selectively activating, guiding or porating targeted (excitable) cells at high throughput with high spatial resolution, applied for example to neurons, cardiac and muscle cells. The spatially and/or temporally localized electric field can be established using spatially and/or temporally patterning light with a diffractive element to generate the spatially localized electric field on the photoconductive surface which is sandwiched between two conductive surfaces and applying a selected voltage difference between the two conductive surfaces. The intensity of the light beam can be varied for different processes of activation, guidance or poration without causing cellular damage.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes an input port for inputting a particle-containing liquidic samples into the device, a retention member, and a pressure actuator. The retention member is in communication with the input port and is configured to spatially separate particles of the particle-containing liquidic sample from a first portion of the liquid of the particle containing fluidic sample. The pressure actuator recombines at least some of the separated particles with a subset of the first portion of the liquid separated from the particles. The device can also include a lysing chamber that receives the particles and liquid from the retention member. The lysing chamber thermally lyses the particles to release contents thereof.

Abstract: Oscillating angularly rotating a container containing a material may cause the material to be separate. Denser or heavier material may unexpectedly tend to collected relatively close to the axis of rotation, while less dense or light material may tend to collect relatively away from the axis of rotation. Oscillation along an arcuate path provides high lysing efficiency. Alternatively, a micromotor may drive an impeller removably received in a container. Lysing may be implemented in batch mode, flow-through stop or semi-batch mode, or flow-through continuous mode. Lysing particulate material may exceed material to be lysed or lysed material and/or air may be essentially eliminated from a chamber to increase lysing efficiency.

Abstract: New processes and equipment to isolate and purify nucleic acids on surfaces are provided. The invention focuses on processes which use surfaces, for example, porous membranes, on which the nucleic acids are immobilized in a simple manner from the sample containing the nucleic acids and can be released again by way of simple procedural steps, whereby the simple performance of the process according to the invention makes it possible to perform the processes specifically in a fully automatic manner. An additional aspect of the present invention focuses on binding the nucleic acids to an immobile phase, especially to a membrane, in such a way and manner, that they can be released without difficulty during an additional reaction stage from this phase and, if desired, can be used in other applications, such as restriction digestion, RT, PCR or RT-PCR, or in any of the suitable analyses or enzyme reactions mentioned in the disclosure.

Abstract: The systems and techniques of the present invention can also synergistically utilize mechanical disruption processes with the use of high hydrostatic pressure extraction, such as pressure cycling extraction techniques to achieve high yield of difficult to extract sample constituents without generating high shear stress or high temperatures.

Abstract: Stable compositions comprising a nucleic acid binding support material comprising a substrate with functional groups attached to the substrate; a lysing enzyme; a water dispersible matrix material; and a saccharide, methods of using the compositions, and products and devices which include the compositions are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of purifying recombinant virus propagated in animal cells. More particularly, it relates to a method for extracting virus from virus-infected cells that have been grown in culture in order to release virus and to apparatus for extracting virus from virus-infected cultured cells using the methods as described herein.

Abstract: A system and method for the automated extraction of nucleic acids from nucleic acids containing samples are disclosed. In the system, reagents provided in cavities of a reagent plate are transferred to samples accommodated in a process plate using a pipetting device comprising pipettes provided with disposable pipette tips for pipetting of the reagents to obtain sample-reagent mixtures, the sample-reagent mixtures accommodated in the process plate are incubated by an incubating device to release the nucleic acids; the released nucleic acids accommodated in the process plate are separated by a separating device and released to obtain extracted nucleic acids containing fluids; the extracted nucleic acids containing fluids are transferred to cavities of an output plate by disposable pipette tips; wherein each of the samples is assigned one-to-one to a cavity of the reagent plate, at least one of the disposable pipette tips and a cavity of the output plate.

Abstract: A centrifugal microfluidic device includes a substrate configured for rotation about an axis, the substrate having a start chamber disposed therein, the start chamber configured to hold a liquid. The device includes an output chamber disposed in the substrate and located radially outward of the start chamber. A fluid transfer channel connects the start chamber to the output chamber. A ventilation channel connects the output chamber to the start chamber, the ventilation channel connecting at one end to a radially inward portion of the start chamber and at an opposing end to a junction point on the output chamber. A vent hole is provided in the substrate that is operatively connected to the output chamber. The location of the junction between the ventilation channel and the output chamber is located radially outward with respect to the level of fluid in the start chamber so as to prevent cross-contamination.

Abstract: A cassette for preparing a sample is disclosed herein. The cassette includes a housing, which encloses the structures and the processes used to prepare the sample.

Abstract: A method for lysing prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells, or for simultaneous lysis of both, which includes at least three of the following: a mass of active, small-diameter beads corresponding to 50% or less than a mass of active, larger-diameter beads, and/or a total mass of lysing beads (consisting of a single type of bead or a mixture of smaller and larger beads) corresponding to between 50 and 100% of the total mass of the processed biological sample, and/or a lysis time of from 10 to 20 minutes, and/or seven or less non-lysing glass beads to drive the movement of the lysing beads, and/or from five to fifteen non-lysing iron beads to drive the movement of the lysing beads, depending on whether sonication, mechanical vortex centrifugation or magnetic vortex centrifugation is used.

Abstract: A microfluidic cartridge for isolating biological molecules having a capture chamber containing functionalized solid supports maintained in a fluidized state provides reduced pressure drops and bubble formation during microfluidic extraction. The cartridge may include an electric field lysis chamber and/or a chemical lysis chamber. The electric-field lysis chamber may comprise an electrically insulating structure arranged between two opposing planar electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a device, kit and method for pulsing a biological sample with a pulsing agent and subsequently stabilizing the biological sample so pulsed. The invention has application in the fields of medical diagnostics, particularly relating to immunity.

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: The present invention relates to a cartridge which can be positioned inside an air collection means and receive a means for recovering nucleic acids, said cartridge being substantially cylindrical and comprising a microorganism retaining zone, said retaining zone comprising microorganism lysis means. The invention also relates to a device for collecting microorganisms contained in the air and a device for microorganism lysis.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements to lyse a biological sample are described. The arrangements comprise a lysis tube containing the sample, one or more electromagnets generating a magnetic field, and one or more permanent magnets inside the lysis tube. The permanent magnets move and lyse the sample when a magnetic field is generated by the electromagnets.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, devices, and kits, which include an immobilized-metal support material comprising a substrate having a plurality of —C(O)O? or —P(O)(—OH)2-x(—O?)x groups bound to the substrate and a plurality of metal ions, My+, bound to the —C(O)O? or —P(O)(—OH)2-x(—O?)x groups; wherein M is selected from the group consisting of zirconium, gallium, iron, aluminum, scandium, titanium, vanadium, yttrium, and a lanthanide; y is an integer from 3 to 6; and x is 1 or 2, and to which microorganisms and polynucleotides bind, and which can be used for separating and optionally assaying microorganisms and/or a polynucleotide from a sample material are disclosed.

Abstract: A microfluidic cartridge includes a capture portion capturing target material on surfaces of nonmagnetic particles; and a separating portion separating target molecules from the target material captured on the surfaces of the particles. The microfluidic cartridge is mounted on an adaptor that is rotated by a rotating unit in order to separate a fluid including the target molecules from the particles through centrifugal force.

Abstract: A capture and purification apparatus is configured as a stand-alone apparatus or as part of a larger system. The capture and purification apparatus can be configured as a microfluidic cartridge that includes microfluidic circuitry and individually controlled valves. The microfluidic cartridge can be configured to function independently, or can be configured to be coupled to a separate instrument that provides the actuation to perform the capture and purification process. The capture and purification apparatus is configured as a volume-driven system that applies single-direction valves, a single fluid driving device, and fluid lines to control and discretely direct fluid flow within a full-loaded fluidic system. Such control enables various fluid sample processing techniques to be performed including, but not limited to, lysis, thermal cycling, and/or target analyte capture and purification, for example using a combination of ion-exchange chromatography and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC).

Abstract: A non-invasive method for the electroporation of cells contained in a substrate wherein the cells are placed in contact with carbon nanotubes and then said substrate is subjected to the action of two orthogonal pulsed electric fields generated by means of two pairs of electrodes in contact with said substrate according to a specific time sequence in such a way that, when a pair of electrodes is active, the other pair of electrodes is deactivated and vice versa. A device for performing electroporation according to this method.

Abstract: A device (100) for analysing a sample, the device (100) comprising a beam sensitive structure (101) adapted such that an electric property of a portion of the beam sensitive structure (101) is locally modified by a beam (102) impinging on the portion of the beam sensitive structure (101), and a sample accommodating unit (103) adapted for accommodating the sample, wherein the beam sensitive structure (101) and the sample accommodating unit (103) are arranged such that the local modification of the electric property of the portion of the beam sensitive structure (101) locally modifies the analysis of the sample in a corresponding portion of the sample accommodating unit (103), wherein the beam sensitive structure (101) comprises an organic photoconductor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rotary extraction container enabling to safely and simply perform extraction and separation of a target substance from a sample containing plural substances. Specifically, there is disclosed a rotary extraction container enabling to simply perform extraction and separation of a nucleic acid from a biological sample or from a bio-derived sample without any risk of infection, contamination or the like, which has conventionally required cumbersome operations and a large, expensive apparatus. Further, there is disclosed a method of identifying a cell species a method of detecting a gene and an automatic nucleic acid extractor using the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cell lysis or electroporation device comprising at least one pyroelectric material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for microfluidic DNA sample preparation. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and systems for the isolation of DNA from patient samples on a microfluidic device and use of the DNA for downstream processing, such as performing amplification reactions and thermal melt analysis on the microfluidic device.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for collection of a target material from a liquid sample comprising target species that contain the target material. The apparatus comprises a fluid flow conduit in communication with a filter medium having a pore size adapted to retain target species thereon and pass, as filtrate, lysate containing the desired target material. A lysing agent conduit communicates with the fluid flow conduit and delivers lysing agent to the filter medium to lyse the target cells thereby releasing the desired intracellular target material. The lysing agent may be recirculated through the filter medium for a sufficient time to permit sufficient quantity of lysate to circulate through the system for lysate collection and subsequent assay.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling acoustic treatment of a sample including a liquid. A processing volume in which the sample is acoustically treated may be controlled, e.g., by positioning a suitable element so as to reduce and/or eliminate a headspace at a sample/gas interface. An interaction between the acoustic energy and the sample may be controlled, e.g., by using an energy director positioned at least partially in the sample that helps to reduce splashing or other sample ejection that would otherwise occur.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions for isolating populations of nucleic acids from biological, forensic, and environmental samples. Also disclosed are methods for using these compositions as one-step formulations for killing pathogens, inactivating nucleases, and releasing polynucleotides from other cellular components within the sample, and stabilizing the nucleic acids prior to further processing or assay. The disclosed compositions safely facilitate rapid sample collection, and provide extended storage and transport of the samples at ambient or elevated temperature without contamination of the sample or degradation of the nucleic acids contained therein. This process particularly facilitates the collection of specimens from remote locations, and under conditions previously considered hostile for preserving the integrity of nucleic acids released from lysed biological samples without the need of refrigeration or freezing prior to molecular analysis.