The present invention relates to compositions comprising magnetic particles, the methods of using these compositions in processing animal sperm, the resulting sperm and embryo products, and the methods of use of these compositions to increase the efficiency, efficacy and/or speed of cell processing and artificial insemination techniques.

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

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

A method for magnetic cellular manipulation may include contacting a composition with a biological sample to form a mixture. The composition may include a plurality of particles. Each particle in the plurality of particles may include a magnetic substrate. The magnetic substrate may be characterized by a magnetic susceptibility greater than zero. The composition may also include a chargeable silicon-containing compound. The chargeable silicon-containing compound may coat at least a portion of the magnetic substrate. The biological sample may include cells and/or cellular structures. The method may also include applying a magnetic field to the mixture to manipulate the composition.

A method for magnetic cellular manipulation may include contacting a composition with a biological sample to form a mixture. The composition may include a plurality of particles. Each particle in the plurality of particles may include a magnetic substrate. The magnetic substrate may be characterized by a magnetic susceptibility greater than zero. The composition may also include a chargeable silicon-containing compound. The chargeable silicon-containing compound may coat at least a portion of the magnetic substrate. The biological sample may include cells and/or cellular structures. The method may also include applying a magnetic field to the mixture to manipulate the composition.

Disclosed is a device for applying an electric field to a suspension of cells, comprising at least one chamber which comprises at least one internal space (40) for holding the suspension, the internal space (40) comprising at least two segments (41, 42), wherein each segment (41, 42) comprises at least one electrode (43, 44) and wherein neighboring electrodes (43, 44) are separated from each other by at least one gap (47) which is at least partially filled with an insulating material (46), and wherein the edges of the electrodes (43, 44) facing each other within the internal space (40) are rounded. Rounding the electrodes' edges facing a neighboring electrode results in a significant reduction of field gradients and thus even of the risk of arcing. Also disclosed is a method in which voltage is applied to at least one active electrode (43, 44) while the electrodes (43, 44, 45) or electrode segments next and/or opposite to the active electrode (43, 44) are set to ground potential. Setting neighboring electrodes that surround the active electrode to ground potential results in decreased scattering of the electric field within the internal space so that the electrically active area is locally limited and the field lines are focused near the active electrode and thus control of the process is enhanced.

Disclosed is a device for applying an electric field to a suspension of cells, comprising at least one chamber which comprises at least one internal space (40) for holding the suspension, the internal space (40) comprising at least two segments (41, 42), wherein each segment (41, 42) comprises at least one electrode (43, 44) and wherein neighboring electrodes (43, 44) are separated from each other by at least one gap (47) which is at least partially filled with an insulating material (46), and wherein the edges of the electrodes (43, 44) facing each other within the internal space (40) are rounded. Rounding the electrodes' edges facing a neighboring electrode results in a significant reduction of field gradients and thus even of the risk of arcing. Also disclosed is a method in which voltage is applied to at least one active electrode (43, 44) while the electrodes (43, 44, 45) or electrode segments next and/or opposite to the active electrode (43, 44) are set to ground potential. Setting neighboring electrodes that surround the active electrode to ground potential results in decreased scattering of the electric field within the internal space so that the electrically active area is locally limited and the field lines are focused near the active electrode and thus control of the process is enhanced.

In a method for producing transparent biological preparations for examination by light microscopy biological tissue is electrophoretically clarified in that the tissue is immersed in an aqueous alkaline electrophoresis solution and is exposed to an electric field in the electrophoresis solution. The electrophoresis solution contains a buffer base, the cations of which have a molecular weight of at least 50 Da, at a concentration of 5 to 100 mol/m.sup.3 and a non-ionic detergent at a concentration of 0.1 to 10% (w/v).

In a method for producing transparent biological preparations for examination by light microscopy biological tissue is electrophoretically clarified in that the tissue is immersed in an aqueous alkaline electrophoresis solution and is exposed to an electric field in the electrophoresis solution. The electrophoresis solution contains a buffer base, the cations of which have a molecular weight of at least 50 Da, at a concentration of 5 to 100 mol/m.sup.3 and a non-ionic detergent at a concentration of 0.1 to 10% (w/v).

A method of producing electrical power includes: a cathode having a porphyrin precursor attached to a substrate, and having a first enzyme, wherein the first enzyme reduces oxygen; an anode having a first region of an anode substrate and having a gold nanoparticle composition located thereon, and having a second region of the anode substrate having an enzyme composition located thereon, wherein the enzyme composition includes a second enzyme, wherein the first region and second region are separate regions; and a neutral fuel liquid in contact with the anode and cathode, the neutral fuel liquid having a neutral pH and a fuel reagent; and operating the fuel cell to produce electrical power with the neutral fuel liquid having the neutral pH and the fuel reagent.