1726 results about "Cell culture" patented technology

Disclosed are devices for detecting the presence of a preselected analyte in a fluid sample. The devices comprise a substrate microfabricated to define a sample inlet port, and a mesoscale flow system that includes a sample flow channel extending from the inlet port. The mesoscale flow system further includes an analyte detection region in fluid communication with the flow channel comprised of a binding moiety for specifically binding the analyte. The detection region is constructed with a mesoscale dimension sufficiently small to enhance binding of the binding moiety and the analyte. The binding moiety may be immobilized in the detection region. The mesoscale detection systems of the invention may be used in a wide range of applications, including the detection of cells or macromolecules, or for monitoring reactions or cell culture growth.

The present invention relates to a novel method for the isolation or purification of immunoglobulins (a special class of proteins) from a solution containing immunoglobulins, e.g. hybridoma cell culture supernatants, animal plasma or sera, or colostrum. The method includes the use of a minimum of salts, such as lyotropic salts, in the binding process and preferably also the use of small amounts of organic solvents in the elution process. The solid phase matrices, preferably epichlorohydrin activated agarose matricees, are functionalised with mono- or bicyclic aromatic or heteroaromatic ligands (molecular weight: at the most 500 Dalton) which, preferably, comprises an acidic substituent, e.g. a carboxylic acid. The matrices utilised show excellent properties in a “Standard Immunoglobulin Binding Test” and in a “Monoclonal Antibody Array Binding Test” with respect to binding efficiency and purity, and are stable in 1M NaOH.

The invention provides methods for concentrating a macromolecule from a solution comprising the macromolecule and an organic polymer by first subjecting the solution to ultrafiltration to produce a first retentate solution, then adjusting the conductivity of the first retentate solution such that any protein precipitation induced by the organic polymer is essentially prevented to produce a second retentate solution, and then subjecting the second retentate solution to ultrafiltration. In a preferred embodiment, the conductivity is adjusted by diafiltration against water, suitable diluent or buffer. Preferably, the invention pertains to the concentration of solutions of native or recombinant proteins. The invention further pertains preferably to methods for the concentration of cell culture supernatant comprising a product protein and organic polymers of the Pluronic family of block co-polymers, and more preferably comprising Pluronic F-68 block co-polymer.

The present invention is a process for separating a target protein (such as a recombinant protein produced in a cell culture) from a mixture containing the target protein and contaminants (such as cell culture contaminants), by contacting the mixture with a hydrophobic adsorbent comprising branched hydrocarbon functional groups in an aqueous salt solution and collecting the unbound flow-through fraction containing the target protein. In one embodiment, the hydrophobic adsorbent may be a branched alkyl functional group. In another embodiment, the branched alkyl functional group has from 3 to 8 carbon atoms. In another embodiment, the branched alkyl functional group is a tertiary carbon atom, such as tert-butyl.

A number of novel improved microfluidic configurations and systems and methods of manufacture and operation. In one embodiment, three wells are used for independent cell culture systems in a cell culture array. In a second aspect, artificial sinusoids with artificial epithelial barriers are provided with just one (optionally shared or multiplexed) fluidic inlet and one (optionally shared or multiplexed) fluidic output, where the medium output also functions as a cellular input. A pneumatic cell loader combined with other components provides a fully automated cell culture system. Magnetic alignment of plate molds provides advantages and ease of molded manufacture.

A cell potential measurement apparatus, which uses a planar electrode enabling a multi-point simultaneous measurement of potential change arising from cell activities, is provided which can conduct measurements accurately and efficiently as well as can improve convenience of arranging measurement results. According to the configuration of the cell potential measurement apparatus of this invention, it includes an integrated cell holding instrument 1, which includes a planar electrode provided with a plurality of microelectrodes arranged in a matrix form on the surface of a substrate, a cell holding part for placing cells thereon, drawer patterns from the microelectrodes, and electric contact points for outside connections; an optical observation means 20 for optical observations of cells; a stimulation signal supply means 30 to be connected to the cell holding instrument for providing electric stimulation to the cells; and a signal processing means 30 to be connected to the cell holding instrument for processing an output signal arising from electric physiological activities of the cells. It is preferable that a cell culturing means 40 is also provided for maintaining a culture atmosphere of the cells placed on the integrated cell holding instrument.

Surface enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) and related modalities offer greatly enhanced sensitivity and selectivity for detection of molecular species through the excitation of plasmon modes and their coupling to molecular vibrational modes. One of the chief obstacles to widespread application is the availability of suitable nanostructured materials that exhibit strong enhancement of Raman scattering, are inexpensive to fabricate, and are reproducible. I describe nanostructured surfaces for SERS and other photonic sensing that use semiconductor and metal surfaces fabricated using femtosecond laser processing. A noble metal film (e.g., silver or gold) is evaporated onto the resulting nanostructured surfaces for use as a substrate for SERS. These surfaces are inexpensive to produce and can have their statistical properties precisely tailored by varying the laser processing. Surfaces can be readily micropatterned and both stochastic and self-organized structures can be fabricated. This material has application to a variety of genomic, proteomic, and biosensing applications including label free applications including binding detection. Using this material, monolithic or arrayed substrates can be designed. Substrates for cell culture and microlabs incorporating microfluidics and electrochemical processing can be fabricated as well. Laser processing can be used to form channels in the substrate or a material sandwiched onto it in order to introduce reagents and drive chemical reactions. The substrate can be fabricated so application of an electric potential enables separation of materials by electrophoresis or electro-osmosis.

The invention includes devices and methods for obtaining samples of blood or other bodily fluids with reduced levels of contamination. Fluid obtained from a subject may be contaminated by skin cells, bacteria, fungi, viruses, phages, their respective RNA, DNA, and / or other undesirable molecules, or disinfectants. A first amount of fluid is injected from the subject through an distal needle and a proximal needle penetrates a first portion of a device having a sequestration chamber with sub-atmospheric pressure therein. A first portion of the fluid, containing contaminants, is deposited into the sequestration chamber. The proximal needle is then moved through a second portion of the sequestration chamber and into a collection container. Because contaminants are removed from the sample, analysis and diagnosis of a subject's condition becomes more reliable and accurate. Additional devices and methods can be used to obtain relatively uncontaminated samples from cell culturing vessels.