The present invention relates to the field of nucleic acid production, in particular in vitro RNA transcription. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method wherein physicochemical properties of the reaction mixture are monitored in order to timely stop the reaction and/or to add fresh reagents to allow the reaction to continue under optimal conditions. In particular, conductivity, but also pH and/or optical density is determined at at least two different time points, or continuously during the in vitro transcription reaction.

A structure for culturing cells includes growth medium regions on a surface of the structure. Each of the growth medium regions includes a growth medium surface configured to receive and promote growth in a cell that is being cultured. The structure includes a non-growth medium. The non-growth medium includes a non-growth medium surface configured to receive the cell that is being cultured.

A structure for culturing cells includes growth medium regions on a surface of the structure. Each of the growth medium regions includes a growth medium surface configured to receive and promote growth in a cell that is being cultured. The structure includes a non-growth medium. The non-growth medium includes a non-growth medium surface configured to receive the cell that is being cultured.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a culture container capable of preventing a concave meniscus without using a jig. In order to achieve this purpose, the present invention provides a culture container (1A) provided with: a base (3) having a concave portion (4); and a water-repellent layer (5) formed on an outer edge region (411) of the bottom (41) of the concave portion (4) and the inner circumferential surface (42) of the concave portion (4). One of the surfaces of the water-repellent layer (5) is exposed to the space in the concave portion (4).

An apparatus and related method for determining the optical density and/or change in optical density of a reaction mixture in an agitated vessel or container. The apparatus may include at least one electromagnetic emitter configured to pass radiation through the reaction mixture to at least one receptor, whereby the receptor receives the transmitted or scattered light, while the reaction mixture is subjected to shaking. The emitters may have an interchangeable association with the vessel or container and/or the receptors may have an interchangeable association with the vessel or container. Further, a processor may be provided to receive the transmitted or scattered light data and filter to eliminate or reduce the effect of the frequency at which the reaction mixture is shaken. The processor analyzes the filtered data to provide the optical density and/or change in optical density of the reaction mixture.

An apparatus for discriminating bacteria types using optical scattering patterns is disclosed. The apparatus includes an optical fiber for transferring light emitted from a light source, a lens for controlling a width of the light received from the optical fiber, a linear polarizer for transmitting the light passing through the lens and a bacterial colony, and a capturing unit for capturing an optical scattering pattern of the light transmitted through the linear polarizer.

An apparatus for discriminating bacteria types using optical scattering patterns is disclosed. The apparatus includes an optical fiber for transferring light emitted from a light source, a lens for controlling a width of the light received from the optical fiber, a linear polarizer for transmitting the light passing through the lens and a bacterial colony, and a capturing unit for capturing an optical scattering pattern of the light transmitted through the linear polarizer.

A stirring method includes: stirring cell suspension by circulating the cell suspension in a circulation path including a bioreactor; acquiring a predetermined or selected physical quantity related to the cell suspension at a measurement target site in the circulation path over time; and determining if a uniform diffusion state in which cells are uniformly diffused in the cell suspension is reached by comparing a degree of variation of the physical quantity to the a predetermined or selected degree.