The present application is directed to the processing of a biological sample into its constituent components for use in ART and includes introducing a sample into a first volume disposed adjacent a second volume including buffer solution, wherein the first and second volumes are adapted for fluid communication therebetween, selectively separating the first volume from the second volume with a movable closure member disposed therebetween, wherein the step of selectively separating the first volume from the second volume includes moving the closure member so that a fluid communication aperture is formed by one or a combination of the closure member or the closure member in combination with the first and second volumes to allow fluid communication between the first volume and the second volume such that motile cells migrate from the sample in the first volume to the buffer solution in the second volume.

An embodiment of a system includes a compartment-generating device, a compartment detector, and electronic computing circuitry. The device is configured to generate compartments of a digital assay, at least one of the compartments having a respective volume that is different from a respective volume of each of at least another one of the compartments. The detector is configured to determine a number of the compartments each having a respective number of a target that is greater than a threshold number of the target. And the electronic circuitry is configured to determine a bulk concentration of the target in a source of the sample in response to the determined number of compartments. Because such a system can be configured to estimate a bulk concentration of a target in a source from a polydisperse digital assay, the system can be portable, and lower-cost and faster, than conventional systems.

Provided is a cell isolation instrument capable of smoothly performing a plurality of steps associated with isolation of cells, including gripping of a biological tissue, transferring of the biological tissue, and isolating of the biological tissue. A container has an opening. A sealing member seals the opening. A pair of pinching parts is connected to the sealing member, and the pair of pinching parts opens or closes by being pressed.

Methods and systems for processing polynucleotides (e.g., DNA) are disclosed. A processing region includes one or more surfaces (e.g., particle surfaces) modified with ligands that retain polynucleotides under a first set of conditions (e.g., temperature and pH) and release the polynucleotides under a second set of conditions (e.g., higher temperature and/or more basic pH). The processing region can be used to, for example, concentrate polynucleotides of a sample and/or separate inhibitors of amplification reactions from the polynucleotides. Microfluidic devices with a processing region are disclosed.

A laboratory system for a laboratory automation system is presented. The laboratory system comprises a sample container carrier. The sample container carrier is configured to carry a laboratory sample container and comprises a removal detector. The removal detector is configured to interact with the laboratory sample container to detect a removal of the carried laboratory sample container from the sample container carrier. Furthermore, the laboratory system is configured to determine based on the detected removal that a before valid logic assignment of the sample container carrier to the carried laboratory sample container is invalid.

Provided herein are materials and methods relating to cell-free DNA. In particular, the technology relates to methods and materials for the preparation and handling of blood samples for future use in applications involving cell-free DNA.

The present invention is, in combination, a bone marrow isolation tube and a centrifuge tube. The combination includes a centrifuge tube which defines a tube cavity and includes an upper cylindrical section connected to a lower tapered section which terminates at a bottom reservoir. The isolation tube is adapted to be received within the centrifuge tube cavity. The isolation tube includes a body with a tubular shaped outer surface wherein the interior of the isolation tube defines a lumen which includes an upper cylindrical lumen section and a lower conical lumen section terminating at an orifice. The isolation tube includes at least one wing extending radially outward from the outer surface of the isolation tube. The wing is configured to make contact with the interior surface of the centrifuge tube and wedge the isolation tube into the tapered section of the centrifuge tube during centrifuging. The present invention is also, in combination, a bone marrow isolation tube and a centrifuge tube. The centrifuge tube defines a tube cavity and includes at least two support members defining an insertion space and attached to the interior surface in an upper cylindrical section, the upper cylindrical section connected to a lower tapered section which terminates at a bottom reservoir. The isolation tube is adapted to be received within the insertion space with a flange that is configured to make contact with the support members of the centrifuge tube thereby wedging the isolation tube into the insertion space of the centrifuge tube during centrifuging.

Provided are a composition for a polymerase reaction, containing a nucleic acid polymerase and a 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC)-containing zwitterionic copolymer detergent, a tube for a polymerase reaction, and a kit for a polymerase reaction. The stability of the composition for a polymerase reaction can be improved and the reliability of the results of polymerase reaction such as nucleic acid polymerization or amplification can be improved.

A closure and a container assembly are disclosed. The closure includes a first visual identifier and a second visual identifier, wherein the second visual identifier is different from the first visual identifier. The first visual identifier may be a first color, and the second visual identifier may be a second color. At least one of the first and/or second visual identifier may include a fluorescent compound having a characteristic fluorescent spectra. The first visual identifier and the second visual identifier may be provided on the annular skirt of the closure. The fluorescent compound may be provided on at least one of the closure and the container assembly and can be used to facilitate automated visualization of the fluorescent compound under fluorescence excitation light.

The present disclosure provides a real-time thermocycler, comprising: a well for storing a sample comprising a target and fluorescence molecules, a thermal unit for adjusting a temperature of the sample, an excitation unit for exciting the fluorescence molecules of the sample via radiation, a detection unit for detecting a fluorescence signal from the sample, and a controller for controlling the excitation unit to adjust an intensity of the excitation of the sample based on information about the target, such that the fluorescence signal is in a working range of the detection unit.