There is provided a dispensing unit capable of alleviating the load on a dispensing unit and other components at the time of a collision while maintaining the vibration-suppressing function. Also, an automated analyzer having this dispensing unit is provided. The dispensing unit has a dispensing probe, a drive mechanism, an arm member, a first probe holder, a second probe holder, a first support spring, second support springs, and vibration dampers. The second probe holder is supported to the first probe holder so as to be movable vertically and holds the dispensing probe. The second support springs bias the second probe holder against the first probe holder and in combination have a spring constant smaller than that of the first support spring. The vibration dampers are bridged from the arm member to the second probe holder.

An apparatus is provided for scanning and decoding barcodes in a tray or other container containing multiple items, such as tissue samples, that are identified with discrete barcodes. The apparatus includes an imager, a lighting system, and a processor. The imager is configured to capture images within a selectable field of view. At least a portion of a bulk sample container, which is configured to carry a plurality of sample/tissue containers, is positioned within the field of view. The lighting system is configured to evenly light the field of view. The processor is configured to receive the captured images from the imager. The processor is further configured to analyze a first image of the captured images and to detect and decode the barcodes present in the first image.

A liquid chromatography sample manager includes a sampling mechanism; a sample platter mounted in the sampling mechanism, the sample platter configured to rotate about a first vertical axis; a needle arm mounted within the sampling mechanism, the needle arm configured to rotate about a second vertical axis; and a sample delivery system in fluidic communication with solvent delivery system, the sample delivery system including a sample needle attached to the needle arm, the sample delivery system configured to transfer a first sample from a first sample vial carrier located in the sample platter into a chromatographic flow stream.

A spindle drive comprising a threaded spindle with an external thread, a spindle nut with an internal thread that is in engagement with the external thread of the threaded spindle, characterized in that the external thread of the threaded spindle has multiple threaded areas that are separated from each other by first flattenings on their circumference extending in the longitudinal direction, and the first flattenings have guide areas that abut the core diameter of the internal thread of the spindle nut.

The present disclosure provides a HTP microbial genomic engineering platform that is computationally driven and integrates molecular biology, automation, and advanced machine learning protocols. This integrative platform utilizes a suite of HTP molecular tool sets to create HTP genetic design libraries, which are derived from, inter alia, scientific insight and iterative pattern recognition. The HTP genomic engineering platform described herein is microbial strain host agnostic and therefore can be implemented across taxa. Furthermore, the disclosed platform can be implemented to modulate or improve any microbial host parameter of interest.

Automated pipetting systems and methods are disclosed for aspirating and dispensing fluids, particularly biological samples. In one aspect, a liquid dispenser includes a manifold and one or more pipette channels. The manifold includes a vacuum channel, a pressure channel, and a plurality of lanes. Each lane includes an electrical connector, a port to the pressure channel, and a port to the vacuum channel. The pipette channels can be modular. Each pipette channel includes a single dispense head and can be selectively and independently coupled to any one lane of the plurality of lanes. In some aspects, a valve in the pipette channel is in simultaneous fluid communication with a pressure port and a vacuum port of the manifold. The valve selectively diverts gas under pressure and gas under vacuum to the dispense head in response to control signals received through the electrical connector of the manifold.

A method of collecting one or more target macromolecules in a capture membrane by gel electrophoresis is disclosed, as well as a kit for macromolecule isolation and recovery including: a preformed gel; a capture device; an insertion guide; and optionally, a migration gauge.

A liquid chromatography sample manager includes a thermal chamber, a sample platter mounted in the thermal chamber, and a needle drive including a base having a shaft configured to rotate about a vertical axis, the base attachable to an interior of a sample manager of a liquid chromatography system. The needle drive further includes a needle assembly attached to the base, the needle assembly including a sample needle, and a drive system attached to the base, the drive system including a sample needle motor configured to impart vertical movement of the sample needle. The liquid chromatography sample manager further includes a sample delivery system configured to transfer a first sample from a first sample vial carrier located in the sample platter into a chromatographic flow stream.

The present disclosure provides a HTP microbial genomic engineering platform that is computationally driven and integrates molecular biology, automation, and advanced machine learning protocols. This integrative platform utilizes a suite of HTP molecular tool sets to create HTP genetic design libraries, which are derived from, inter alia, scientific insight and iterative pattern recognition. The HTP genomic engineering platform described herein is microbial strain host agnostic and therefore can be implemented across taxa. Furthermore, the disclosed platform can be implemented to modulate or improve any microbial host parameter of interest.

Automated pipetting systems and methods are disclosed for aspirating and dispensing fluids, particularly biological samples. In one aspect, a liquid dispenser includes a manifold and one or more pipette channels. The manifold includes a vacuum channel, a pressure channel, and a plurality of lanes. Each lane includes an electrical connector, a port to the pressure channel, and a port to the vacuum channel. The pipette channels can be modular. Each pipette channel includes a single dispense head and can be selectively and independently coupled to any one lane of the plurality of lanes. In some aspects, a valve in the pipette channel is in simultaneous fluid communication with a pressure port and a vacuum port of the manifold. The valve selectively diverts gas under pressure and gas under vacuum to the dispense head in response to control signals received through the electrical connector of the manifold.