A specimen holding and positioning apparatus operable to substantially non-movably maintain a specimen (e.g., an excised tissue specimen) in a fixed or stable orientation with respect to the apparatus during imaging operations (e.g., x-ray imaging), transport (e.g., from a surgery room to a pathologist's laboratory), and the like for use in facilitating accurate detection and diagnosis of cancers and/or other abnormalities of the specimen.

Cell culture systems and methods provide improved immunotherapeutic product manufacturing with greater scalability, flexibility, and automation. Cell culture systems are configured with interchangeable cartridges, allowing versatility and scalability. Systems are configured to have multiple connected cell culture chambers, which allows parallel processing of different types of cells. Gas-impermeable cell culture chambers and methods for generating cells in closed systems prevent contamination and user error. Methods for recycling cell culture medium provide additional efficiencies.

This invention relates to a method of detecting a gene, a method of determining the expression level of a gene, and compositions for use in these methods.

A sealable tray system for sealing a product in a transport-ready position. The sealable tray system has an insert, a first lid, an outer basin, and a second lid. The insert has a well portion with a base surface that extends upwardly to support the product. The insert also has a flange portion that extends outwardly from the well portion and is sealingly engaged by the first lid. The outer basin receives the insert in the transport-ready position, and the second lid engages a top surface of the outer basin. Methods of sealing a product in a transport-ready position are also disclosed.

Vial assemblies comprising a tubular body and a flexible bottom or flexible liner are described herein, wherein the flexible bottom or liner is configured to compress at least partially upon the application of force. Methods for storing and removing frozen samples from such vial assemblies are also described herein.

Vial assemblies comprise a tubular body and a cap, the cap including a first portion configured to abut a lip of an open end of the tubular body, a threaded portion configured to couple to threading on an internal surface of the tubular body, and a second portion protruding from the threaded portion and extending into a cavity of the tubular body. Methods for storing and removing frozen samples from such vial assemblies are also described.

An apparatus and related method for the optimization of the cryopreservation of various types of cells, including but not limited to hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells, and endothelial progenitor cells found in normal blood, placental/cord blood, bone marrow or the stromal vascular fraction of adipose tissue. The apparatus for cryopreservation of biological materials in a sterile environment comprises a cryopreservation workstation, a rigid disposable cartridge, and a freezing bag assembly. The apparatus and related method provide for the precise, temperature controlled, homogenously distributed introduction of a cryoprotectant containing dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) into a solution containing nucleated cells in a manner that provides a safe increase in osmotic pressure and a controlled release of exothermic heat within the cells as the DMSO penetrates the cell membrane and replaces water molecules prior to the freezing of the cells.

A system for the hypothermic transport of biological samples, such as tissues, organs, or body fluids. The system includes a self-purging preservation apparatus to suspend a sample in preservation fluid and perfuse a tissue with preservation fluid. The self-purging preservation apparatus is placed in an insulated transport container having a cooling medium. When assembled, the system allows for transport of biological samples for extended periods of time at a stable temperature.

A culture container transporting set A1 includes: a culture container 1 having a vessel 13 made of a bottom wall 11 and a tubular side wall 12 raised from the bottom wall 11; a flexible cover 2 that covers an upper end 121 of the side wall 12; a presser member 3 that is relatively hard and placed on the cover 2; and a holder 5 that holds the culture container 1, the cover 2 and the presser member 3 integral as stacked into an assembled state, by applying pressure from top and bottom.

Disclosed herein are standardized and optimized, modular single-use kits and methods for sterile or non-sterile preparation of biological material, such as cells or tissue, for immediate use, further preparation, or storage. These single-use kits and methods facilitate and improve a healthcare practitioner's ability to prepare biological material for research, diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in a convenient, consistent, repeatable, safe and effective manner.