Abstract: A method of screening for at least one biological entity of interest using a microfabricated device which has a top surface defining an array of microwells. A sample is loaded onto the microfabricated device such that at least one microwell of the array of microwells includes at least one cell and an amount of a nutrient. A membrane is applied to the microfabricated device to retain the at least one cell and the nutrient. A plurality of cells is cultured from the at least one cell in the at least one microwell of the array of microwells. The plurality of cells in the at least one microwell of the array of microwells are split into a first portion of the plurality of cells and a second portion of the plurality of cells. The plurality of cells is analyzed to determine a presence or absence of a biological entity of interest.

Abstract: A method of screening for at least one biological entity of interest using a microfabricated device which has a top surface defining an array of microwells. A sample is loaded onto the microfabricated device such that at least one microwell of the array of microwells includes at least one cell and an amount of a nutrient. A membrane is applied to the microfabricated device to retain the at least one cell and the nutrient. A plurality of cells are cultured from the at least one cell in the at least one microwell of the array of microwells. The plurality of cells is then analyzed to determine a presence or absence of a biological entity of interest.

Abstract: A method of screening for at least one biological entity of interest using a microfabricated device which has a top surface defining an array of microwells. A sample is loaded onto the microfabricated device such that at least one microwell of the array of microwells includes at least one cell and an amount of a nutrient. A membrane is applied to the microfabricated device to retain the at least one cell and the nutrient. Without furnishing additional nutrient to the microwells, the microfabricated device is incubated to grow a plurality of cells from the at least one cell in the at least one microwell of the array of microwells. The plurality of cells is then analyzed to determine a presence or absence of a biological entity of interest.

Abstract: A magnetic, selectively permeable metabolite transfer disk for the cell-free transfer of metabolites and other molecules produced by microbial colonies is described. The metabolite transfer disk is comprised of at least three layers including: (1) an adhesion layer; (2) a gel layer comprising agar or other cushioning gel matrix; and (3) a bottom surface comprising one or more fluid-permeable filters of variable pore size to enable the diffusion of small molecules into the gel while blocking passage of cells. A diagnostic transfer disk is also described that can be used for biochemical and microbial characterization. The diagnostic transfer disk is similar to the metabolite transfer disk with the added benefit of the top layer being transparent and indicator reagents being added to the disk for microbial characterization.

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: Animal cell colonies are picked up automatically by an apparatus having a picking head with a plurality of hollow pins and an integrated imager for capturing an image of adherent or non-adherent animal cell colonies held in liquid or semi-solid medium. Image processing identifies the locations of the animal cell colonies to be picked. Picking an animal cell colony is performed by aligning each of the hollow pins in turn with a target animal cell colony location, introducing the hollow pin into the medium, and aspirating the animal cell colony into the hollow pin. In the case of an adherent colony, the distal end of the pin is forced into oscillation to detach the animal cell colony prior to aspiration. The animal cell colony is dispensed into a well plate by increasing pressure in the fluid conduit.

Abstract: Animal cell colonies are picked up automatically by an apparatus having a picking head with a plurality of hollow pins and an integrated imager for capturing an image of adherent or non-adherent animal cell colonies held in liquid or semi-solid medium. Image processing identifies the locations of the animal cell colonies to be picked. Picking an animal cell colony is performed by aligning each of the hollow pins in turn with a target animal cell colony location, introducing the hollow pin into the medium, and aspirating the animal cell colony into the hollow pin. In the case of an adherent colony, the distal end of the pin is forced into oscillation to detach the animal cell colony prior to aspiration. The animal cell colony is dispensed into a well plate by increasing pressure in the fluid conduit.

Abstract: Animal cell colonies are picked up automatically by an apparatus having a picking head with a plurality of hollow pins and an integrated imager for capturing an image of adherent or non-adherent animal cell colonies held in liquid or semi-solid medium. Image processing identifies the locations of the animal cell colonies to be picked. Picking an animal cell colony is performed by aligning each of the hollow pins in turn with a target animal cell colony location, introducing the hollow pin into the medium, and aspirating the animal cell colony into the hollow pin. In the case of an adherent colony, the distal end of the pin is forced into oscillation to detach the animal cell colony prior to aspiration. The animal cell colony is dispensed into a well plate by increasing pressure in the fluid conduit.

Abstract: Animal cell colonies are picked up automatically by an apparatus having a picking head with a plurality of hollow pins and an integrated imager for capturing an image of adherent or non-adherent animal cell colonies held in liquid or semi-solid medium. Image processing identifies the locations of the animal cell colonies to be picked. Picking an animal cell colony is performed by aligning each of the hollow pins in turn with a target animal cell colony location, introducing the hollow pin into the medium, and aspirating the animal cell colony into the hollow pin. In the case of an adherent colony, the distal end of the pin is forced into oscillation to detach the animal cell colony prior to aspiration. The animal cell colony is dispensed into a well plate by increasing pressure in the fluid conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automated picking of animal cell colonies. A picking head comprising a plurality of hollow pins is provided. The apparatus has an integrated imager for capturing an image of adherent or non-adherent animal cell colonies held in liquid or semi-solid medium. Image processing identifies the locations of the animal cell colonies to be picked. Picking an animal cell colony is performed by aligning each of the hollow pins in turn with a target animal cell colony location, introducing the hollow pin into the medium, and aspirating the animal cell colony into the hollow pin. In the case of an adherent colony, the distal end of the pin is forced into oscillation to detach the animal cell colony prior to aspiration. The animal cell colony is dispensed into a well plate by increasing pressure in the fluid conduit.

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: An apparatus and method for automated picking of animal cell colonies. A picking head comprising a plurality of hollow pins is provided. The apparatus has an integrated imager for capturing an image of adherent or non-adherent animal cell colonies held in liquid or semi-solid medium. Image processing identifies the locations of the animal cell colonies to be picked. Picking an animal cell colony is performed by aligning each of the hollow pins in turn with a target animal cell colony location, introducing the hollow pin into the medium, and aspirating the animal cell colony into the hollow pin. In the case of an adherent colony, the distal end of the pin is forced into oscillation to detach the animal cell colony prior to aspiration. The animal cell colony is dispensed into a well plate by increasing pressure in the fluid conduit.

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: It is an object of this invention to provide a cell culture vessel which has a simple and convenient structure, can prevent the injury on the cells at the time of peeling, and accelerates the transportation of nutrients and discharge of waste materials. In order to solve the problem mentioned above, the cell culture vessel of this invention has protrusions having a corresponding diameter not smaller than 10 nm and not greater than 10 ?m and a height not smaller than 10 nm and not greater than 1 mm on the surface of the cell culture vessel. The protrusions make the culture fluid permeate into the under part of the cells, accelerate the supply of nutrients and discharge of waste materials, and makes the contact between the cells and the vessel as a point-contact and thereby prevents the cells from the injury which the cells undergo at the time of peeling.

Abstract: This invention provides an integrated circuit (IC) optical detector. The IC optical detector comprises a substrate and an IC. The substrate comprises a plurality of test sites defined thereon. The test sites comprise a surface suitably treated for coating of at least one test sample. The at least one test sample is capable of being changed by a reaction. The IC comprises at least one optical sensor array for simultaneously receiving and sensing optical signals from the test sites during operations Presence of at least one changed test sample at a test site changes the quantity of light directed through the test site. The change in quantity of light is detectable by the sensor array. The optical sensor array further converts the sensed optical signals to electrical signals. The IC automatically processes and outputs the electrical signals during operation. This invention further provides a method for detecting a specific sample within at least one test sample.

Abstract: A filtration based biological specimen collection and transfer device is provided. The filtration and transfer device comprises a tubular body with two axial ends, an annular flange disposed at one of the axial ends, and a biological specimen filter affixed to the outer surface of the annular flange. Preferably, the annular flange has disposed on its outer surface an annular ridge having a uniform height and forming a planar rim upon which the filter sits. Optionally, the annular flange comprises two mounting portions and the filter is bonded to each of those mounting portions. A method of collecting microscopic biological particles carried in a fluid is provided using the filtration and transfer device and a method of manufacturing the filtration and transfer device are also provided. A filtration based biological specimen collection and transfer system using the filtration and transfer device and a kit for use with filtration based biological specimen collection and transfer systems are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for culture is provided, which apparatus enables to increase the ratio of a culture medium solution to the number of cells while keeping the density of the cells at a high level and diminishing the absolute number of the cells. The apparatus comprises a container having at least one concave part and at least one member (x) selected from the group consisting of a gelatinous material, a sponge material, and a mesh material, wherein the member (x) is placed within the concave part of the container, has at least one hollow by which a part or parts of a surface of the container in the concave part is bared, and holds a solution containing culture medium components. Further, processes for preparing the apparatus, culturing methods that use the apparatus, a method for studying or observing an influence of a substance to be examined on cells or a piece of a tissue, a kit for making the apparatus, and a flat substrate for culture are provided.

Abstract: A lockable Petri dish is disclosed wherein the lid and base of the dish are provided with at least two pairs of locking members, each comprising a radial sheath and a sheath-engaging tab.

Abstract: A method and device for making different thickness of biofilms is disclosed. It comprises: (a) a pair of pentagonal dish including a dish bottom and a dish cover; (b) an internal thickness module having a number of protrusions of different heights or of the same height The method and device also offers a simple way for testing the effect of various biofilms on the adhesion and corrosion of different materials.

Abstract: Contact plates are provided including a base member and a lid. The base member has a sidewall extending circumferentially around a peripheral edge portion thereof to define a sample receiving area. The lid has a sidewall extending circumferentially around a peripheral edge portion thereof. A plurality of ribs extend from an inner surface of the sidewall of the lid. The ribs are configured to provide an interference fit engagement between the sidewall of the base member and the sidewall of the lid when the lid is attached to the base member.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a colony replicator transfer disk, a first side having a colony collecting substrate and a second side having a mechanism to attach the transfer disk to a stamping base. A substantially fluid impervious layer exists between the side and the second side of the transfer disk.

Abstract: The invention concerns a box consisting of a container (2) designed to contain a culture medium (14), for example an agar medium, and closed with a lid (4). The container comprises a bottom (6) forming a base and walls (8) connected to the bottom (6). The lid (4) is set on the container and comprises a peripheral sealing zone (22) consisting of a flat section recessed relative to the bottom (6) of the container (22). A concave inner seal (24) is sealingly fixed to the peripheral sealing zone (22) of the lid (4), so as to close the box (1) hermetically by enclosing the container (2) and so as not to expose the culture medium (14) when the inner seal (24) is removed. The invention is applicable to micro-organism culture.

Abstract: Contact plates are provided including a base member and a lid. The base member has a sidewall extending circumferentially around a peripheral edge portion thereof to define a sample receiving area. The lid has a sidewall extending circumferentially around a peripheral edge portion thereof. A plurality of ribs extend from an inner surface of the sidewall of the lid. The ribs are configured to provide an interference fit engagement between the sidewall of the base member and the sidewall of the lid when the lid is attached to the base member.

Abstract: Devices for the propagation or storage of microorganisms are described. Generally, the devices include first and second layers that are separable from each other. The first layer includes a gelling agent and microbial growth medium and the second layer comprising a galling agent. The devices further include an indicator and a corresponding inducer, each of which may be included in the first layer, second layer, or both.

Abstract: Collecting rods are pre-greased for use with a rotorod sampler. Multiple collecting rods are molded in one piece with a header to form a group. The collecting rods are attached to the header by thin gates so that they can be easily broken off for use. Multiple groups are combined into an assembly that is adhered to a container lid and dipped into a pre-greasing suspension to pre-grease the collecting rods. The container lid is attached to the rest of the container to enclose the pre-greased collecting rods for shipment.

Abstract: Contact plates are provided including a base member and a lid. The base member has a sidewall extending circumferentially around a peripheral edge portion thereof to define a sample receiving area. The lid has a sidewall extending circumferentially around a peripheral edge portion thereof. A plurality of ribs extend from an inner surface of the sidewall of the lid. The ribs are configured to provide an interference fit engagement between the sidewall of the base member and the sidewall of the lid when the lid is attached to the base member.