The invention relates to a sample collection kit (100) for collecting plant samples, in particular algae samples for biomedical applications, which sample collection kit comprises at least one sample container for holding plant samples, a plurality of sensors, by means of which sample data can be captured, a data-recording apparatus for recording the sample data, an arrangement of tools, which has collection tools designed for harvesting the plant samples and processing tools designed for processing the plant samples, an arrangement of devices, which has auxiliary devices that can be used in the collection, transport, and processing of the plant samples, a container apparatus (70), which is designed to hold the arrangement of tools and the arrangement of devices in isolation from the environment, and identification markings (80), which contain identification data and are applied to the at least one sample container (70) to the collection tools, and to the processing tools. The invention further relates to a sample collection method.

A specimen holder includes a body, a sleeve, and a wireless transponder. The body has distal and proximal portions, the distal portion including a surface that carries a specimen upon engagement of the body with the specimen, and the proximal portion including a first pair of parallel surfaces. The sleeve has distal and proximal portions, a side wall, and an internal cavity at least partially enclosed by the side wall. The distal portion of the sleeve includes a second pair of parallel surfaces. The wireless transponder is sized to be positioned within the internal cavity of the sleeve. The sleeve is attachable to the body by capturing one of the first and second pairs of parallel surfaces between the other of the first and second pairs of parallel surfaces.

Described are exemplary embodiments of a syringe identification system for use with a positive displacement pipette, such as a handheld powered positive displacement pipette. An exemplary syringe identification system may include a sensor, such as a color sensor, that is located at or near a distal end of the pipette and arranged such that the sensor is operative to read an identifying marking(s) on a syringe that has been installed to the pipette. The sensor may be a color sensor having an illumination source and configured to read a color code on the syringe. The color code may be usable to identify the syringe to the pipette.

An apparatus includes a media that includes an encoded pattern to indicate a location of each of a plurality of dispensing locations on a receiving area for a pipette dispenser. The encoded pattern is employed to guide the pipette dispenser to dispense a volume to a selected dispensing location from the plurality of dispensing locations based on a predetermined dispensing location on the receiving area.

The invention concerns pipette tips for connecting to a pipette tube of a pipetting device are used for taking up and discharging fluids. The pipette tip is in the shape of an elongated tube forming a pipette body that has an opening at one end and is designed for connecting to the pipette tube at the other end. The pipette tip has a first electrode as a volume measuring electrode of a measuring capacitor and a second electrode as an immersion detector electrode. The first electrode is located on an outer surface of the pipette body or is embedded in the pipette body, and the second electrode is located at least partially on an inner surface of the pipette body.

Non-uniformities in substrate thickness and surface topography contribute significantly to the need for auto-focusing on a sample deposited thereon. These auto-focusing needs can be reduced or eliminated by measuring and storing substrate surface topography for later retrieval by an imaging system that can use the topographic information to help set appropriate focal parameters. These steps can be done in advance of an imaging experiment to reduce focus-related delays during the experiment. Topographic information can be stored, for example, in a database, associated with a representation of a unique substrate identifier; entry of the representation retrieves the topographic information. As another example, topographic information can be stored in an encoding device associated with the substrate.

The present invention relates to a method for determining the position of a robotic arm in an automatic liquid handling system in which a measurement probe with a first electrode is arranged on the robotic arm and, together with a second electrode formed by at least part of a working area or at least part of a container or container carrier forms a measurement capacitor that is operatively connected to a measurement unit for measuring an impedance, in particular a capacitance of the measurement capacitor. The method involves moving the measurement probe along a first path, detecting a first change in the impedance, in particular in the capacitance of the measurement capacitor at a first point on the first path, and defining at least one first reference spatial coordinate for a control unit of the robotic arm on the basis of the first point on the first path.

A diabetes test system for measuring blood glucose levels is provided, which includes a glucose meter, at least one diabetic test strip, and a container or pouch for storing the diabetes test strips and protecting them during transport. Methods of packaging diabetes test strips are also provided. The glucose meter includes software for detecting the validity of the at least one diabetic test strip, and a communication device that transmits data relating to the blood glucose level of the user to an external device. A secure packaging system for diabetes test strips which eliminates gray market sales of such test strips is also provided.

The present invention relates to a method for selecting and recovering products, comprising the following steps:

providing an emulsion (6) comprising a plurality of drops (4) contained in a carrier fluid (10), each drop comprising an internal fluid (8),

measuring at least one physical parameter for several drops (4) of the emulsion (6),

classifying at least some of the drops (4) of the emulsion in a class based on measurements obtained during the measuring step,

tagging at least some of the classified drops (4) based on the class of the drop (4),

selectively recovering the drop (4) or part of the drop (4) using the tag of the drop or part of the drop (4).

A method of characterizing candidate agents including steps of (a) providing a library of candidate agents attached to nucleic acid tags; (b) contacting the library with a solid support to attach the candidate agents to the solid support, whereby an array of candidate agents is formed; (c) contacting the array with a screening agent, wherein one or more candidate agents in the array react with the screening agent; (d) detecting the array to determine that at least one candidate agent in the array reacts with the screening agent; (e) sequencing the nucleic acid tag to determine the tag sequences attached to candidate agents in the array; and (f) identifying the at least one candidate agent in the array that reacts with the screening agent based on the tag sequence that is attached to the at least one candidate agent.