A method for extracting an analyte in a sample is described. A sample and a solution in a microwave-extraction vial are microwave-heated and agitated. A vapor produced in the vial can be extracted into a liquid-phase medium contained in a porous membrane bag situated in the vial. The liquid-phase medium containing the vapor extract may then be analyzed for an analyte with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A peptide biomarker for identifying Hippocampus species based on peptidomics and application thereof are disclosed, belonging to the technical field of biology. The protein in Hippocampus is studied, and the Hippocampus thermostable protein is comprehensively analyzed using a peptidomics method. The analysis discovered potential peptide biomarkers of Hippocampus collagen, the specificity of the potential peptide biomarkers is verified by HPLC-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry, and the peptide biomarkers are comprehensively identified by combining bioinformatics analysis. Finally, 10 peptide biomarkers are discovered, targeting 11 different species of Hippocampus. The markers provided may identify Hippocampus existing in the market, promote the scientific and standardized classification and grading of Hippocampus commodities, and play an important role in high-quality and high-price trade circulation of the Hippocampus commodities.

The prsent invention relates to a method for manufacturing an analysis device including torpdo membrane fragments immobilized at the surface thereof, to the resulting analysis device, and to the use of said device for detecting, purifying, and characterizing molcules acting on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The prsent invention is useful in the field of monitoring seafood, monitoring neurotoxic phytoplankton for the shellfish industry, monitoring the quality of bathing waters along tourist beaches, the field of monitoring fresh water reserves, the field of mdical research, the field of the biological analysis and characterization of molcules, e.g., non-radioactive assays of the movement of the ligand-receptor bond on an ELISA-type microplate, thereby enabling comptitive agonists and antagonists of targets to be detected, e.g., of highly sensitive receptors.

Method and systems for measuring growth rate in plant or aquatic animal species such as embryonic or adult fish. The methods and systems utilize the measurement of NADH.sub.2 production by detecting a colorimetric and fluorescent shift when a redox indicator such as resazurin is added to a sample. The colorimetric/fluorescent shift is indicative of the reduction of the redox indicator by NADH.sub.2. The methods and systems of the present invention may be used to predict growth potential of a plant or animal, and measuring the growth rate of said plant or animal may be helpful for identifying and selecting individuals within a group that have greater growth potential. The methods and systems of the present invention may help eliminate the need for special equipment (e.g., for measuring oxygen consumption), decrease variability of measures, and minimize the effects of external factors (feeding/hormonal status).

Provided is a microfluidic device comprising an incubation layer, the incubation layer including at least one dock, each of the at least one dock defines a stepped tank comprising an upper tank and a lower tank, an inflow channel in fluid communication with the stepped tank for supplying a fluid to the stepped tank, and an outflow channel in fluid communication with the stepped tank for draining the fluid from the stepped tank, wherein the geometry of the upper tank is configured to allow culturing of a fish larva therein, and wherein the geometry of the lower tank is configured to reversibly receive the fish larva from the upper tank and to dock the fish larva at a controlled orientation for imaging or observation.

There is provided a system for automated handling of live organisms for studying biological development of the organisms. The system has a reservoir for containing a plurality of the organisms, a module for automatically trapping and orienting the organisms in desired positions for imaging purpose, a module for automatically controlling orientation of the organisms leaving the reservoir and entering the trapping and orienting module, and a module for automatically loading the organisms from the reservoir into the orientation control module. The trapping and orienting module may include an array of channels configured to allow flow of fluid and travel of the organisms in the system.

The present invention relates to methods for determining the health status of populations of fish and diagnosing conditions or diseases in unhealthy fish. In particular, the present invention relates to blood biomarkers for assessing the health status and diagnosing conditions and diseases in populations of fish.

Method and systems for measuring growth rate in plant or aquatic animal species such as embryonic or adult fish. The methods and systems utilize the measurement of NADH.sub.2 production by detecting a colorimetric and fluorescent shift when a redox indicator such as resazurin is added to a sample. The colorimetric/fluorescent shift is indicative of the reduction of the redox indicator by NADH.sub.2. The methods and systems of the present invention may be used to predict growth potential of a plant or animal, and measuring the growth rate of said plant or animal may be helpful for identifying and selecting individuals within a group that have greater growth potential. The methods and systems of the present invention may help eliminate the need for special equipment (e.g., for measuring oxygen consumption), decrease variability of measures, and minimize the effects of external factors (feeding/hormonal status).

The invention relates to a method for the determination of vitellogenin as a biomarker or end point for an exogenous oestrogenic effect on fish. The problem addressed by the invention is the creation of a non-destructive method in which the laboratory animals do not have to be killed. The method also should not necessitate any additional use of laboratory animals for carrying out tests on oestrogens, anti-oestrogens, and endocrine disruptors. This problem is solved by a method for the determination of vitellogenin as biomarker for an exogenous oestrogenic effect on fish comprising the method steps of taking a skin mucus sample from a fish by swabbing, transferring the skin mucus sample to a reaction vessel, homogenising the skin mucus sample, and taking an aliquot of the skin mucus sample for vitellogenin determination by means of an ELISA method of detection.

This disclosure relates to determining the stress level experienced by fish over a long period of time, which can be used in assessing the welfare status of fish. More, in particular, this disclosure relates to the usage of scales as well as other calcified tissue such as otoliths, spines and soft fin ray sampled from fish to quantify glucocorticoid levels in the scales/matrix. The levels of the glucocorticoids, such as cortisol or corticosterone, build up over time in scales and reflect long-lasting and stressful conditions that the fish have undergone during their lives and that have affected their level of stress. Hence, in vitro methods are disclosed herein that quantify the level of chronic stress in fish using scales as a logistic feasible, and non-invasive matrix for accurate and precise quantification of stress hormones.