An optimized Dipheylthiocarbazone or Dithizone (DTZ) solution was developed with preferred physical and chemical properties to characterize human islets and insulin producing cells differentiated from embryonic stem cells. Application of the newly formulated iDTZ (i stands for islet) over a range of temperatures, time intervals and cell and tissue types found to be robust for identifying these cells. The iDTZ, through high transition zinc binding, concentrated in insulin producing cells could also be used to delineate zinc levels in tissue and liquid samples.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for tissue processing and analysis. Tissue chambers are configured to allow single-container chemical processing, imaging, and wax embedding of tissue samples in a single container without manipulation between steps. Tissue chambers with features to support the tissue sample and allow fluid flow between the tissue sample and the tissue chamber surface are disclosed. The features may be index matched to sample structures of interest or dissolvable in clearing solution to allow for in-chamber imaging with minimal distortion. Specialized tissue processing and wax removal apparatuses are also disclosed including for use with tissue chambers having frangible portions to permit ease of wax removal.

A kit and method for flow cytometry include a liquid dye concentrate for fluorescent staining of virus-size particles with a plurality of fluorogenic dyes in a liquid medium. The liquid dye concentrate includes a plurality of fluorogenic dyes and one or both of (i) the liquid medium comprising a liquid mixture including water and liquid phase organic material and (ii) disaccharide dissolved in the liquid medium.

Systems and methods for coverslipping a sample on a slide employ a coverslip tape. The systems and methods can reduce or eliminate the use of xylene and other toxic solvents for coverslipping.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for sequential operation of staining, imaging and sectioning of tissue samples by a processing system. After each layer of the sample is removed by the sectioning system, the system automatically stains the exposed surface of a sample to a depth to enable imaging of the remaining tissue. The system then repeats the sectioning, staining and imaging steps in sequence to image the sample.

Devices and methods for the deposition of reagents onto cells or tissue samples are disclosed. Also disclosed are reagent compositions suitable for dispensing via a droplet-on-demand system.

The present invention relates to specific complexes comprising heavy metal ions having an atomic number of 23 or higher and 83 or lower (in particular Ag.sup.1+, Ba.sup.2+, Pb.sup.2+, Gd.sup.3+ and Bi.sup.3+) and one or more hematein ligand(s). In particular, the invention relates to the use of the complexes as ex vivo contrast agents for a computed tomography scanning of a biological sample. Moreover, the invention relates to specific ex vivo methods for investigating a biological sample by means of computed tomography scanning methods, wherein the method comprises staining the biological sample with a solution comprising one or more of the complex(es); or wherein the method comprises staining the biological sample with a staining solution comprising hematein, and separately contacting the biological sample with one or more staining solution(s) comprising one or more heavy metal ions having an atomic number of 23 or higher and 83 or lower (in particular Ag.sup.1+, Ba.sup.2+, Pb.sup.2+, Gd.sup.3+ and Bi.sup.3+).

The present invention is to provide methods and devices that monitoring health and diagnosing a disease by directly measuring the biomarkers inside a cell (intra-cellular detection) rapidly and easily.

A sample processing assembly for treatment of a sample on a substrate includes a mounting surface for the substrate and a closure body configured to releasably retain a cover member. The closure body is movable between an open position and a substantially closed position. When a substrate is placed in the assembly and the closure body is in the substantially closed position while retaining a cover member, a reaction chamber is formed for processing a sample. A cover member for use with the sample processing assembly is also provided.

A cancer test device (1) is provided with: an application unit (40) for applying a staining agent (45), which can selectively stain a product of a cancer-relating gene in a living cell a chromatic color, onto a group of living cells; an imaging unit (10) for imaging the group of living cells having the staining agent (45) applied thereto; and a determination unit (52) for determining the level of malignancy of cancerization of the group of living cells on the basis of the state of the stained expression pattern of the cancer-relating gene in the group of living cells in an image obtained by the aforementioned imaging.