Methods for identifying animals that are genetically superior, drugs, nutritional strategies, or physiological manipulations that improve feed efficiency or productivity of animals, e.g., selecting animals that are genetically superior for feed efficiency or productivity based on metabolic rates of particular tissues, wherein metabolic rates of certain tissues such as skeletal muscle are inversely proportional to feed efficiency, while metabolic rates of other tissues such as mammary gland are directly proportional to milk production. Thus, animals with low skeletal muscle metabolic rates are generally more feed efficient, e.g., gain more weight per unit of food. The methods herein may be used to improve the genetics, nutrition, and handling or animals more efficiently produced animal products, e.g., meat production, milk, production, egg production, wool production, etc. The methods herein may also be used to determine estimated breeding values of animals for feed efficiency, growth, or production.

Methods for cell analysis are provided, comprising cell capturing, characterization, transport, and culture. In an exemplary method individual cells (and/or cellular units) are flowed into a microfluidic channel, the channel is partitioned into a plurality of contiguous segments, capturing at least one cell in at least one segment. A characteristic of one or more captured cells is determined and the cell(s) and combinations of cells are transported to specified cell holding chamber(s) based on the determined characteristic(s). Also provided are devices and systems for cell analysis.

The present disclosure provides a method for screening, isolating and purifying analytes.

A seed sampling system is provided having an automated seed loading assembly including a seed bin and being operable to singulate seeds from a plurality of seeds within the seed bin. The system also includes an automated seed sampling assembly operable to remove tissue samples from the singulated seeds, and an automated seed transport assembly operable to transfer the singulated seeds from the seed loading assembly to the seed sampling assembly. The seed transport assembly includes multiple retention members. Each of the retention members is movable relative to the seed loading assembly and to the seed sampling assembly. The seed transport assembly is operable to position one of the multiple retention members adjacent to the seed loading assembly for engaging one of the singulated seeds, while positioning another of the retention members adjacent to the seed sampling assembly for presenting another of the singulated seeds to the seed sampling assembly.

A high throughput system and method for analyzing the effects of a plurality of agents on planaria is disclosed. Multiple test zones are provided, where each test zone contains at least a portion of one planarian. The planaria in each test zone are then exposed to at least one agent, the test zones are sealed, and at various times, the test zones are moved automatically between a storage location and at least one assay station. At each assay station, the test zones are exposed to a set of conditions, and an image or video of the planaria in the test zones are captured. Automated image or video analysis is used to are evaluate and determine whether the agent has an effect.

The instant description provides reporter constructs, transgenic cells, and transgenic organisms and methods for identifying agents that can regulate gene expression and improve plant performance and yield. Compounds that increase plant performance or yield are identified by contacting a test compound with a plant cell that comprises a target promoter sequence operably linked to a polynucleotide sequence encoding a DNA sequence-specific transactivator, and a reporter polynucleotide that is operably linked to a promoter sequence that is recognized by the DNA sequence-specific transactivator. The target promoter sequence can be recognized by a transcriptional regulatory polypeptide capable of modulating specific signaling pathways that enhance plant performance or yield.

A system including a light source, sampling tray, and a plurality of fiber optics positioned to achieve high contrast to improve accuracy and eliminate the need to rotate the sample. A composite light image from the fiber optics is fed to a spectrometer which converts the reflected light into a fingerprint corresponding to the concentration of at least one substance in the sample. The fingerprint is processed by a statistical model to determine concentration level of the at least one substance in the sample and the concentration level is then displayed.

The present invention relates to the preparation of a liquid fermentate of Sanghuangporus or an extract of Sanghuangporus, compounds identified from the liquid fermentate or the extract, and their novel activity.

The present invention refers to a method for controlling undesired vegetation at a plant cultivation site, the method comprising the steps of providing, at said site, a plant that comprises at least one nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a wild-type or a mutated protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) which is resistant or tolerant to a benzoxazinone-derivative herbicide by applying to said site an effective amount of said herbicide. The invention further refers to plants comprising wild-type or mutated PPO enzymes, and methods of obtaining such plants.

The present invention is in the field of plant breeding and genetics, particularly as it pertains to the genus, Glycine. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for screening soybean plants containing one or more quantitative trait loci for disease resistance, species of Glycine having such loci and methods for breeding for and screening of Glycine with such loci. The invention further relates to the use of exotic germplasm in a breeding program.