The present invention relates to methods for diagnosing a disease by determining via multiplex fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) whether or not mRNA species and/or at least one miRNA species of disease-associated biomarkers ar present in a sample obtained from a subject, and by determining by multiplex sequencing whether or not said mRNA species of disease-associated biomarkers and/or said miRNA species of disease-associated biomarkers of step (a) are present in said sample. The present invention also relates to kits for performing the methods for diagnosis as described and provided herein as well as use of such kits for performing the methods for diagnosis as described and provided herein.

A method for preparing a sample of organic material for laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) may include obtaining granular organic material, forming a portion of the granular organic material into a sample pellet, and searing the organic material. The searing may include searing only an exposed end surface of the sample pellet on which LIBS analysis is to be performed. The method may include pressing the seared sample pellet to consolidate the material comprising the seared end surface.

A method for obtaining dissectates from a microscopic sample using a laser microdissection system having a laser unit includes: a) at least partially circumcising and releasing from the sample dissectate regions of the sample as the dissectates using laser pulses provided by the laser unit; b) transferring the dissectates, by being released from the sample, along dissectate trajectories into receptacles of a dissectate collection unit; and c) positioning the receptacles of a dissectate collection unit using a positioning unit to collect the dissectates. The positioning of the receptacles of the dissectate collection unit using the positioning unit is automatically performed based on estimates of the dissectate trajectories, the estimates of the dissectate trajectories being obtained in a learning mode, the learning mode including obtaining dissectates by repeatedly performing at least steps a) and b). Parameters of the dissectate trajectories are determined for a plurality of dissectates.

A collection device for collecting a sample dissected or ablated from an object includes a collection container configured to collect the dissected or ablated sample. An electrode pair is arranged on a side of a base of the collection container facing away from the object or on or in the base itself. The electrodes of the electrode pair are arranged concentrically. A voltage supply is configured to apply a voltage to the electrodes of the electrode pair such that a divergent electric field is generated at least in a region of the collection container.

A method for detecting concentration of organic particles (14), in particular viruses, with a determined target diameter in air (10) comprises organic and/or inorganic aerosol particles. Aerosol particles contained in the air (10) are bound in a fluid (40), so that said aerosol particles are contained as particles in the fluid (40). The fluid (40) with particles is exposed in measurement chamber (30) to a second light (B) fragmenting the organic particles and/or to an ultrasound (C) fragmenting the organic particles in the fluid (40). Before fragmentation of organic particles, a first light scattering of a first light (A) and after the fragmenting of organic particles, a second light scattering of the first light (A) on the fluid (40) are determined. Using difference between the first light scattering and the second light scatterings, the concentration of the organic particles (14) in the fluid (40) and thus in the air is determined.

According to the present invention, a system (1; 1′) for processing at least one substrate (2) containing a dried fluid sample (21) is provided, the system (1; 1′) comprising a support (12) configured to position the substrate (2), a laser device (3) for directing a laser beam (31) to the substrate (2), configured to cut at least one area of the substrate (2) containing the dried fluid sample (21) by means of the laser beam (31), a container holder (4; 4′) configured to hold and position a container (5) for receiving the cut area, the container holder (4; 4′) being arranged below the substrate (2), and an extraction subsystem (6) for extracting fume and/or dust generated when laser cutting the substrate (2), wherein the extraction subsystem (6) consists of at least two extraction components (61, 62) sandwiching the substrate (2) there between. Furthermore, a method for automated processing at least one substrate (2) containing a dried fluid (21) sample by means of such a system (1; 1′) is provided.

A method for performing a laser microdissection for cutting a dissectate from a specimen using a laser includes the step of providing the specimen in a light path of an illumination system. The specimen is illuminated by the illumination system. A detector detects light emanating from the specimen. The light detected by the detector is analyzed. It is determined, based on the analysis of the light detected by the detector, whether a receptacle for collecting the dissectate is disposed in a predetermined collection position, at which the dissectate is to be collected in the receptacle after it is cut from the specimen. Laser cutting of the dissectate from the specimen is initiated based on it having been determined that the receptacle is in the predetermined collection position.

This document provides methods and materials involved in identifying and treating mammals (e.g., humans) having membranous nephropathy. For example, methods and materials for determining the likelihood that a mammal (e.g., a human) having membranous nephropathy (e.g., lupus membranous nephropathy) will progress to end stage kidney disease are provided. Methods and materials for treating membranous nephropathy likely to develop end stage kidney disease also are provided.

A carrier for holding a biological sample includes a substrate. The substrate is configured to engage a first sample chamber comprising a first opening characterized by a first opening diameter or a second sample chamber comprising a second opening characterized by a second opening diameter that is greater than the first opening diameter. The substrate includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and an intermediate portion disposed between the upper portion and the lower portion. The lower portion is disposed below the upper portion and comprises a bottom surface configured to receive a biological sample. The intermediate portion is characterized by a first substrate diameter and the lower portion is characterized by a second substrate diameter that is less than the first substrate diameter.

The present invention provides for a system, method, and device for analyzing, localizing and/or identifying tissue types. The method includes analyzing, localizing and/or identifying one or more tissue samples, characterized in that the method comprises: (a) generating gaseous tissue particles from a site in the one or more tissue samples, (b) transporting the gaseous tissue particles from the site to an analyser, (c) using the analyser for generating tissue-related data based on the gaseous tissue particles, and (d) analyzing, localizing and/or identifying the one or more tissue samples based on the tissue-related data. The invention can either be used in close conjunction with a surgical procedure, when one or more surgical tools are an integrated part of ionization, or as a separate mass spectrometric probe for the analysis of one or more tissue parts.