A system, methods, and apparatus are described to collect and prepare single cells, nuclei, subcellular components, and biomolecules from specimens including tissues and in some embodiments use the single cells to form organoids or microtissues. The system can perform enzymatic and/or physical disruption of the tissue to dissociate it into single-cells and then use a hanging droplet method to form organoids or microtissues.

External sonication, which is a technique by which ultrasonic energy is applied externally to a cartridge containing the sample, is contemplated herein. External sonication can be performed by a sonicator external to a sample contained within a cartridge. The cartridge can include sonication particles to enhance sonication or cavitation within the sample. A sonication algorithm can also be used to increase sonication efficiency.

The invention describes antimicrobial treatment of animal feed, and other matrices with pulsed electric field (PEF) technology or e-beam technology combined with at least one antimicrobial and/or at least one surfactant. The use of this combined methodology approach results in a synergistic reduction of microbial load in the matrix of interest and shows bactericidal effects instead of bacteriostatic effects compared to the use of the technology alone. The addition of an antimicrobial agent in combination with the technology results in a long-lasting antimicrobial effect, preventing re-contamination, which cannot be achieved by using an energetic field alone. Furthermore, the invention describes treatment of the animal feed and other matrices with PEF or e-beam to increase nutrient digestibly of the matrix. Another aspect of the invention relates to providing a suitable alternative to heat treatment, or formaldehyde treatment, in order to decontaminate feed, human and pet food.

It relates to a method for preparation of four kinds of 2, 3-cNMPs (2, 3-cAMP, 2, 3-cGMP, 2, 3-cCMP and 2, 3-cUMP), comprising steps of: (1) extract genomic DNA and amplify gene If3; (2) ligate If3 gene to expression plasmid to construct a recombinant vector, and transfer the recombinant vector to E. coli to obtain a recombinant strain. Cultivate the recombinant strain and collect the fermentation broth; (3) collect the cells form the fermentation broth and disrupt the cells, and then purify the recombinant protein IF3 from the cell extract by Ni.sup.2+-nitrilotriacetic acid resin. Incubate the recombinant protein IF3 solution at 0 C. for 3 days to release 2, 3-cNMPs from IF3, and centrifuge the solution; (4) Ultrafiltrate the supernatant to remove proteins, and prepare four kinds of 2, 3-cNMPs by high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) on a C.sub.18 reversed-phase column.

External sonication, which is a technique by which ultrasonic energy is applied externally to a cartridge containing the sample, is contemplated herein. External sonication can be performed by a sonicator external to a sample contained within a cartridge. The cartridge can include sonication particles to enhance sonication or cavitation within the sample. A sonication algorithm can also be used to increase sonication efficiency.

A system for imploding leukemia cells of a patient includes (a) a first vessel for containing a volume of blood received from the patient, and (b) drive circuitry cooperatively coupled with at least one transducer to produce ultrasound energy that spatially decoheres and disperses throughout the volume, to implode the leukemia cells throughout the volume via absorption of the ultrasound energy by the leukemia cells. The transducer may be an immersible transducer configured to be immersed in the blood. The system may include a second vessel for containing a liquid, within which the ultrasound energy is decohered and dispersed and from which at least a portion of the ultrasound energy is transmitted to the first vessel to implode the leukemia cells.

The present disclosure describes a method of treating a sample comprising cells with a process of partial lysing. Cells are exposed to a process such as bead beating that lyses some cells in the mixture. The process generates a resultant sample mixture that is suitable for both cell morphology screening and genetic screening. A first portion of the partially lysed sample can be mounted on a slide and observed for atypical cells and cytologic abnormalities. A second portion of the partially lysed sample can be screened for genetic markers known to correlate with a risk of cervical cancer. The method is particularly useful for cervical screening, where a combination of cytology and genetic screening present a more complete picture of cervical health. The disclosed method streamlines the diagnostic process for protocols that require both types of assays, without compromising screening accuracy.

Novel methods for rapidly extracting genomic DNA from a broad range of microbes are provided, together with compositions for use in these methods. Methods provided herein provide for extraction of increased concentrations of gDNA from many microbial samples, as well as effective recovery of gDNA from a larger number of microbial species or isolates.

Methods and systems for cell lysis are disclosed. Particular embodiments relate to applying acoustic energy to a biological sample located in a sample chamber.

Some embodiments of the invention include a synthetic biocidal surface comprising an array of disordered nanospikes. The biocidal surface may be lethal to cells on said surface due to piercing of cell membranes by said nanospikes. Some embodiments may include a method of producing a synthetic biocidal surface comprising an array of disordered nanospikes that may include exposing a silicon comprising substrate surface to reactive-ion etching.