In a pretreatment method, in first step, a sample is dissolved in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol to prepare a first solution. In second step, an organic base is added to the first solution to prepare a second solution. In third step, the second solution is heated to obtain a substance in which an anhydrous oxide structure in the sample has been decomposed. In a fourth step, an organic solvent that has a higher boiling point than that of 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol and is compatible (miscible) with 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol is added to the second solution to prepare a third solution.

Provided is a microfluidic device capable of removing microbubbles in a channel by using a porous thin film, the microfluidic device comprising: an upper panel comprising a microfluidic channel through which a fluid passes; a porous thin film attached to the bottom surface of the microfluidic channel so as to remove microbubbles included in the fluid that passes through the microfluidic channel; a lower panel contacting the bottom surface of the porous thin film and the upper panel, a path being provided in the lower panel so as to discharge microbubbles, which pass through the porous thin film, to the outside; and a vacuum-suctioning means for vacuum-suctioning the upper panel and the lower panel such that the microfluidic channel, to which the porous thin film is attached, is attached to the lower panel in a vacuum state.

Systems and methods for determining regions of proteins that contribute to self-association of the protein are provided. Methods for modifying the self-association of concentrated protein formulations are also provided.

An in vitro intestinal drug disposition device (1) comprises a donor chamber (2) for a donor solution and having a bottom end (18) and a top end (19). The device (1) also comprises a receiver chamber (3) for an absorption solution and an absorption membrane (4) arranged in between and separating the chambers (2, 3). A first side (5) of the absorption membrane (4) is to be in contact with the donor solution and a second side (6) of the absorption membrane (4) is to be in contact with the absorption solution. A ratio of an internal volume of the donor chamber (2) to an area of the first membrane side (5) is equal to or smaller than 3 ml/cm.sup.2. A cross-sectional area of the donor chamber (2) at the bottom end (18) is larger than a cross-sectional area of the donor chamber (2) at the top end (19).

A biological sample purification apparatus is described for purifying a protein from a cell, as well as methods of use of the purification apparatus, and systems comprising the same. The described apparatus comprises a housing comprising a top opening, a bottom opening, and a membrane positioned between said top opening and said bottom opening; and a purification media comprising diatomaceous earth and a resin, wherein the purification media is positioned between the membrane and the top opening; and wherein the purification media is optionally mixed and is substantially dry.

The subject of the invention is the method of detecting and diagnosing the progression of diabetes using Raman spectroscopy which involves the examination of the changes in the composition of urinary extracellular vesicles which confirm the existence of the condition and its progression. The invention can be applied in clinical practice, in particular in the early clinical diagnostics of diabetes and in the monitoring of its progression, in particular diabetic nephropathy and advanced renal impairment caused by diabetes.

The present invention relates to a method and a device for quantitatively detecting the presence or absence of an analyte in a liquid sample, comprising the steps of providing a set of parts comprising a container for collecting a liquid sample material, and a filter material and a detection device comprising a reaction liquid, thereafter adding a metered amount of liquid sample material to the container, thereafter transferring the metered amount of liquid sample material from the container to the filter material, thereafter contacting the filter material containing the metered amount of sample material with the reaction liquid and mixing the reaction liquid and the filter material, thereby obtaining a detection liquid, thereafter measuring the transmission of electromagnetic radiation at one or more wavelengths through the detection liquid and/or the emission of electromagnetic radiation at one or more wavelengths from the detection liquid and detecting the amount of analyte in the sample by comparing the results obtained in step e. with an internal standard, the method being characterised in that the metered amount of sample is transferred from the container to the filter material by use of capillary forces.

The disclosure is directed to a device that includes an upper container configured to receive a fluid sample collected from a mammal into a first opening, the first opening opposite a second opening and a membrane covering at least a portion of the second opening, the membrane configured to allow transmission of a portion of the fluid sample through the membrane.

Provided are methods, devices, and kits for the isolation of extracellular vesicles using silicon nanomembranes. A method for EV isolation includes the steps of collecting a biofluid sample, contacting the biofluid sample with a pre-filtration membrane, thereby forming a first filtrate and a first retentate, optionally, washing the first retentate of the pre-filtration membrane, contacting the first filtrate from the pre-filtration membrane with a capture membrane, thereby forming a second filtrate and a second retentate, optionally, washing the second retentate, and eluting the second retentate from the capture membrane or lysing the second retentate to recover the contents.

A filtration module for filtering a process medium in a bioprocess including a process flow path for a process medium, a filter membrane coupled to the process flow path, and a sampling membrane coupled both to the process flow path and to a sampling flow path for extracting a sample from the process medium. The sampling flow path guides the extracted sample to a sampling outlet of the filtration module or to an analyzer integrated into the filtration module. A filtration assembly including the filtration module and an analyzer coupled to the sampling outlet of the filtration module. A method of sampling during a bioprocess including providing such a filtration module, urging a process medium through the process flow path, filtering the process medium by using the filter membrane, extracting a sample from the process medium by using the sampling membrane, and guiding the extracted sample to a sampling outlet.