Automated system configured to perform and methods for performing one or more slide processing operations on slides bearing biological samples. The system and methods enable high sample throughput while also minimizing or limiting the potential for cross-contamination of slides. The automated systems can include features that facilitate consistency, controllability of processing time, and/or processing temperature.

The invention relates to a system and micro monitor apparatus, a space-, time-, and cost-efficient device to concentrate, identify, and quantify organic compounds in gas environments. The invention further relates to a method centered on gas chromatography for identifying and quantifying organic compounds in gas environments, using air as the carrier gas, without the need for a compressed pre-bottled purified carrier gas.

The invention relates to a system and micro monitor apparatus, a space-, time-, and cost-efficient device to concentrate, identify, and quantify organic compounds in gas environments. The invention further relates to a method centered on gas chromatography for identifying and quantifying organic compounds in gas environments, using air as the carrier gas, without the need for a compressed pre-bottled purified carrier gas.

In biosciences and related fields, it can be useful to study cells in isolation so that cells having unique and desirable properties can be identified within a heterogenous mixture of cells. Processes and methods disclosed herein provide for encapsulating cells within a microfluidic device and assaying the encapsulated cells. Encapsulation can, among other benefits, facilitate analyses of cells that generate secretions of interest which would otherwise rapidly diffuse away or mix with the secretions of other cells.

Disclosed are compositions, methods, and kits for clearing tissue that preserve cellular morphology, reporter fluorescence, and epitope labeling which allow for quantitative phenotypic analysis of intact organs. The compositions include, for example, a compound of formula R.sup.1—C(X)—NR.sup.2R.sup.3, wherein R.sup.1 is alkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, amino, or alkylamino, X is O or S, and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently H, alkyl, or hydroxyalkyl, a salt thereof, or a combination thereof, and at least one non-ionic density gradient medium. Also disclosed are methods for clearing tissue comprising positioning a tissue in a tissue clearing composition and allowing a tissue clearing composition to permeate the tissue. Further disclosed are methods for visualizing tissue characteristics which involve fixing a tissue, staining the tissue, positioning the tissue in the tissue clearing composition and allowing the tissue clearing composition to permeate the tissue, and imaging the tissue utilizing a microscope or tissue scanning device.

Disclosed in one aspect is a method for performing a complete blood count (CBC) on a sample of whole blood by metering a predetermined amount of the whole blood and mixing it with a predetermined amount of diluent and stain and transferring a portion thereof to an imaging chamber of fixed dimensions and utilizing an automated microscope with digital camera and cell counting and recognition software to count every white blood cell and red blood corpuscle and platelet in the sample diluent/stain mixture to determine the number of red cells, white cells, and platelets per unit volume, and analyzing the white cells with cell recognition software to classify them.

A processing method for a volatile liquid using a pipette includes a low-volatility liquid suction step of sucking a low-volatility liquid that is less volatile than the volatile liquid through the suction/ejection port, an air suction step of sucking air through the suction/ejection port after the low-volatility liquid suction step, and a volatile liquid suction step of sucking the volatile liquid through the suction/ejection port after the air suction step.

A sample processing assembly for treatment of a sample on a substrate includes a mounting surface for the substrate and a closure body configured to releasably retain a cover member. The closure body is movable between an open position and a substantially closed position. When a substrate is placed in the assembly and the closure body is in the substantially closed position while retaining a cover member, a reaction chamber is formed for processing a sample. A cover member for use with the sample processing assembly is also provided.

A digital dispense system and methods for preparing samples for analysis. The digital dispense system includes a fluid droplet ejection system housed in a housing unit. The fluid droplet ejection system contains a fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge containing one or more fluids to be dispensed. A cartridge translation mechanism is provided for moving the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge back and forth over a sample holder in an x direction. A sample tray translation mechanism moves a sample tray back and forth beneath the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge in a y direction orthogonal to the x direction.