A custom-made matrix suitable for receiving a tissue sample is described, as well as the use thereof to obtain a multiplex histological preparation. The disclosure also relates to a multiplex biopsy array comprising tissue and/or cell samples arranged in a matrix material and to a method for the preparation of a multiplex biopsy array. Methods for preparing blocks of matrix material to be used in multiplex biopsy arrays are also described, as well as methods for loading biopsy samples in the blocks, and methods for treating and processing the blocks to form biopsy arrays. The biopsy arrays made using the block of matrix material can be used to prepare sections and slides for histological procedures, including quantitative analyzes and parallel processing.

A separation system, a method in a separation system and an elution arrangement to be provided in a separation system for separating a biomolecule from a cell culture are provided. The method comprises the steps of: —providing a feed from a cell culture (3; 103; 203) comprising said biomolecule to a magnetic separator (5; 105; 205) and providing to the magnetic separator magnetic beads comprising ligands capable of binding this biomolecule; —separating by the magnetic separator said magnetic beads with bound biomolecules from the rest of the feed; —forwarding said magnetic beads as a slurry with an added buffer to an elution cell (7; 107; 207); —eluting the bound biomolecules in the elution cell.

A method for sensing an analyte uses tethered particle motion. A functionalized particle [500] has a first state [504] in which the functionalized particle is bound to the surface and a second state [502] in which the functionalized particle is not bound to the surface, where the functionalized particle switches between the first and second states depending on the presence and absence of the analyte, thereby changing motion characteristics of the functionalized particle depending on the presence of the analyte. A spatial coordinate parameter of the functionalized particle is measured by a detector [516], and a processor [518] determines the presence/concentration of the analyte from changes in the measured spatial coordinate parameter.

The present invention provides a method for the functionalization of a polymeric surface with a protein by physical adsorption. The method enables a membrane spanning protein to be used as an anchor for proteins and/or peptides for display. Also provided are polymeric substrates for protein or peptide display, and related kits and methods of use.

This invention provides: —an aptamer-based electrochemical sensor, wherein said aptamer is covalently bonded to or chemisorbed on an electrode, said aptamer forming a complex with a target molecule and is encapsulated by a gelatin B matrix; —a method of manufacturing said aptamer-based electrochemical sensor; —the use of the aptamer-based electrochemical sensor for the electrochemical determination of a concentration of a target molecule; and —a composite electrode combining a polymeric material and electrically conducting particles for selective analyte detection, wherein said electrode is coated with gelatin type B.

A target analyte in a matrix is sensed using a sensor device having protrusions [500] such as e.g. nanorods, containing free charge carriers. Conformational molecules [504, 506] are bound at a first end to the protrusions, and bound at a second end to a label [502] e.g. a nanoparticle, that is free to move relative to the protrusions. The conformational molecule changes its conformation when bound to the analyte, thereby changing the distance and/or the relative orientation of the label to the protrusion. Energy [510] is used to excite free electrons in the protrusion near a plasmon resonance and resulting optical radiation [514] at wavelengths near the plasmon resonance wavelength is detected [516] and analyzed [518] to determined the presence/concentration of the analyte.

A method and system for identifying one or more analytes in a fluid includes preparing a porous medium having one or more pores and one or more encoded regions. The one or more encoded regions can contact internal pore surface or surfaces, external surface or surfaces, or any combination thereof, of the porous medium. The one or more encoded regions can include a capture probe or binding element which selectively captures the one or more of the analytes in the fluid. One or more of the one or more encoded regions can include at least one of physical properties and chemical properties which are different from the other one or more encoded regions.

Electrochemical impedance-based label-free and rapid biosensor for select bodily fluid biomolecule levels. Monoclonal antibodies to of biomolecule such as Cortisol were covalently attached to a 16-mercaptohexadecanoic acid functionalized gold working electrode using zero-length crosslinkers N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N-ethylcarbodiimide and 10 mM N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide. Cortisol was detected in phosphate buffered saline (simulated tear fluid) using a simple ferrocyanide reagent with a lower limit of detection of 18.73 pM and less than 10% relative standard deviation.

Methods and systems are provided for isolating fetal cells from a maternal blood supply in order to perform non-invasive prenatal testing. In one example, a system for non-invasive prenatal testing includes a substrate coated with a cell-capturing surface, the cell-capturing surface including an array of pillar-like structures, each pillar-like structure including a plurality of intersecting arms.

The present invention is drawn to the generation of micropatterns of biomolecules and cells on standard laboratory materials through selective ablation of a physisorbed biomolecule with oxygen plasma. In certain embodiments, oxygen plasma is able to ablate selectively physisorbed layers of biomolecules (e.g., type-I collagen, fibronectin, laminin, and Matrigel) along complex non-linear paths which are difficult or impossible to pattern using alternative methods. In addition, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to the micropatterning of multiple cell types on curved surfaces, multiwell plates, and flat bottom flasks. The invention also features kits for use with the subject methods.