A tissue sample that has been removed from a subject can be properly fixed for evaluation using the disclosed transporter assembly for carrying a tissue sample and method for fixing an unfixed tissue sample. In one embodiment, the disclosed assembly includes a transport container, a fixative in the transport container, and a cooling device that reduces and/or maintains the temperature of the fixative to perform a pre-soaking process at a temperature of less than about 7° C. The pre-soaking process can, for example, be performed during sample transport or during extended periods of storage, such as over a weekend.

The instant disclosure provides nucleic acid amplification systems and multi-reaction analysis systems useful in the efficient processing of samples, including clinical samples. Integrated systems that include nucleic acid amplification devices functionally combined with multi-reaction analysis systems are also included. Also provided are methods for monitoring multiple concurrent nucleic acid amplification reactions that include the use of devices and systems described herein.

The present application belongs to the technical field of mRNA preparation, and discloses a system and a method for preparing mRNA, which can shorten a preparation period, and avoid degradation of an mRNA product due to the introduction of RNase by manual pipetting. The system for preparing mRNA comprises a PCR amplification device configured to amplify DNA; a plurality of raw reagent tubes, each of which is configured to provide a single reagent; and a reaction device configured to allow reagents to react. Specifically, the reaction device comprises a test tube rack configured to support reaction tubes, a semiconductor chilling plate connected to the test tube rack, a fin type radiator disposed under the test tube rack, and a cooling fan disposed under the fin type radiator; wherein the raw reagent tubes are connected to the reaction tubes via a solenoid valve module and a peristaltic pump module, and the solenoid valve module and the peristaltic pump module are connected with a control device and are controlled by an upper computer control program.

A cryostat with improved accessibility for experiments includes a cooling device, a vacuum chamber and multiple cooling levels, heat shields and experimentation places. The cooling device is thermally coupled to cooling levels that have different temperatures. The experimentation places are at the temperatures of the cooling levels and are arranged side by side when viewed from above such that each experimentation place is accessible from above and from the side. Each cooling level has an associated heat shield that also encloses an experimentation place. The vacuum chamber encloses the cooling levels. The cold plate of a second cooling level is arranged above the cold plate of a first cooling level such that a portion of the first cold plate protrudes laterally from under the second cold plate. An experimentation place is disposed above the protruding portion of the first cold plate and is accessible from above and from the side.

Systems for performing cellular analysis and related devices for conditioning environments adjacent chips in such systems. A device for conditioning an environment adjacent a chip in a system for performing cellular analysis, the device includes a cover for being disposed adjacent the chip and comprising a planar body having a top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer edge surface. The cover includes a central opening extending between the top surface and the bottom surface and bounded by an inner edge surface of the cover. The cover also includes a fluid inlet extending into the body from the outer edge surface between the top surface and the bottom surface the fluid inlet arranged to accept a gas to be delivered to the central opening. The cover also includes a plurality of fluid outlets defined in the inner edge surface and in fluid communication with the fluid inlet. The plurality of fluid outlets are arranged to receive the gas from the fluid inlet and exhaust the gas into the central opening.

A thermo-gravimetric analysis system includes a chamber having an interior; and a sample crucible connected to and inside of the chamber, the sample crucible configured to hold a sample material. The system further includes a reference crucible connected to and inside of the chamber; and a metal organic framework (MOF) crucible connected to and inside of the chamber, separate from the sample crucible, the MOF crucible including an MOF material.

The invention includes low-volume systems for sample identification. The systems are designed to use multi-use consumables including but not limited to fluid containers containing large volumes of fluids. In some embodiments, the low-volume systems identify nucleic acids in samples using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

A thermal block assembly is provided. The assembly can comprise a substrate comprising a first surface configured with a plurality of reaction sites each reaction site configured to contain a biological sample and a sample block comprising a plurality of pedestals configured to thermally modulate the plurality of biological samples wherein each pedestal is thermally coupled to one of the reaction sites. The assembly can further comprise cooling blocks, slots and insulating rings associated with reaction sites each capable of minimizing heat flow between reaction sites. A method for thermally isolating reaction sites is also provided. The method can comprise providing a substrate including a plurality of reaction sites, each reaction site configured to contain a biological sample, providing a sample block comprising pedestals, each pedestal having a dimension substantially equal to a dimension of the reaction site and thermally coupled to the reaction site, thermally isolating the reaction sites with a thermal isolating feature, modulating the temperature of the pedestals through a sequence of temperature and hold times and cooling the reaction sites with cooling blocks.

A cryogenic storage system provides automated storage and retrieval of samples in a cryogenic environment, as well as automated transfer of individual samples between cryogenic environments. Stored samples are maintained under a cryogenic temperature threshold, while also enabling access to the samples. The samples are organized and tracked by scanning a barcode of each sample. Embodiments may also comprise multiple storage vaults and provide for transfer of individual samples between the storage vaults, as well as between a storage vault and a removable cryogenic storage device.

The present disclosure provides a HTP microbial genomic engineering platform that is computationally driven and integrates molecular biology, automation, and advanced machine learning protocols. This integrative platform utilizes a suite of HTP molecular tool sets to create HTP genetic design libraries, which are derived from, inter alia, scientific insight and iterative pattern recognition. The HTP genomic engineering platform described herein is microbial strain host agnostic and therefore can be implemented across taxa. Furthermore, the disclosed platform can be implemented to modulate or improve any microbial host parameter of interest.