A method of collecting one or more target macromolecules in a capture membrane by gel electrophoresis is disclosed, as well as a kit for macromolecule isolation and recovery including: a preformed gel; a capture device; an insertion guide; and optionally, a migration gauge.

According to one embodiment, an automatic analyzing apparatus includes a dispenser, a rod, and control circuitry. The dispenser supplies at least one of a reagent and a specimen. The rod adheres at least one of the reagent and the specimen supplied from the dispenser. The control circuitry inserts the rod to which said at least one of the reagent and the specimen is adhered into a liquid contained in a vessel.

Automated pipetting systems and methods are disclosed for aspirating and dispensing fluids, particularly biological samples. In one aspect, a liquid dispenser includes a manifold and one or more pipette channels. The manifold includes a vacuum channel, a pressure channel, and a plurality of lanes. Each lane includes an electrical connector, a port to the pressure channel, and a port to the vacuum channel. The pipette channels can be modular. Each pipette channel includes a single dispense head and can be selectively and independently coupled to any one lane of the plurality of lanes. In some aspects, a valve in the pipette channel is in simultaneous fluid communication with a pressure port and a vacuum port of the manifold. The valve selectively diverts gas under pressure and gas under vacuum to the dispense head in response to control signals received through the electrical connector of the manifold.

A pipette includes a capillary, a pressure chamber, a drive unit, and a control unit. The capillary has a first end and a second end that are two ends in a length direction and that are open. The pressure chamber communicates with an inside of the capillary via the second end. The drive unit changes a volume of the pressure chamber. The control unit controls the drive unit. The control unit outputs a vibrational movement signal that drives the drive unit so that a liquid moves from a mid-position in the capillary to a finish position that is located closer to the second end than the mid-position. The vibrational movement signal has a waveform that drives the drive unit so that the volume of the pressure chamber alternately increases and decreases repeatedly.

The present disclosure provides a HTP microbial genomic engineering platform that is computationally driven and integrates molecular biology, automation, and advanced machine learning protocols. This integrative platform utilizes a suite of HTP molecular tool sets to create HTP genetic design libraries, which are derived from, inter alga, scientific insight and iterative pattern recognition. The HTP genomic engineering platform described herein is microbial strain host agnostic and therefore can be implemented across taxa. Furthermore, the disclosed platform can be implemented to modulate or improve any microbial host parameter of interest.

A pipetting device for taking up and dispensing volumes of fluid, which has an ejector mechanism which is actuable by means of an actuating means to eject or release a pipette tip plugged onto the pipetting device. The pipetting device has a coupling mechanism which is configured such that, in the unactuated state, actuating means and ejector mechanism are decoupled, and, when the actuating means is actuated, the latter is coupled to the ejector mechanism, causing a force exerted on the actuating means to transfer to the ejector mechanism. Also, the pipetting device can have a positioning mechanism which, when a pipette tip is not plugged on and the actuating means is unactuated, holds an ejector means, of the ejector mechanism in a basic position which is located between an ejection position and a plug-on position with a pipette tip plugged on.

A spindle drive comprising a threaded spindle with an external thread, a spindle nut with an internal thread that is in engagement with the external thread of the threaded spindle, characterized in that the external thread of the threaded spindle has multiple threaded areas that are separated from each other by first flattenings on their circumference extending in the longitudinal direction, and the first flattenings have guide areas that abut the core diameter of the internal thread of the spindle nut.

The present disclosure describes pipette tips having an absorbent material (e.g., a flocking material) anchored to a distal end of the pipette tip and related methods of use. In some embodiments, the flocked pipette tips can be used in an automated process and/or system, wherein the contact between the pipette tips and either a sample or a culture medium can be automatically sensed for accurate sample collection and/or dispense. In some embodiments, automatic detection of the liquid interface may be accomplished by detecting a threshold change in capacitance when the pipette tip contacts the sample liquid interface (e.g., for sample collection) or the agar interface (e.g., for sample release). In some embodiments, the automated process and/or system may utilize one or more predetermined, fixed heights for collecting samples and/or depositing samples.

Automated pipetting systems and methods are disclosed for aspirating and dispensing fluids, particularly biological samples. In one aspect, a liquid dispenser includes a manifold and one or more pipette channels. The manifold includes a vacuum channel, a pressure channel, and a plurality of lanes. Each lane includes an electrical connector, a port to the pressure channel, and a port to the vacuum channel. The pipette channels can be modular. Each pipette channel includes a single dispense head and can be selectively and independently coupled to any one lane of the plurality of lanes. In some aspects, a valve in the pipette channel is in simultaneous fluid communication with a pressure port and a vacuum port of the manifold. The valve selectively diverts gas under pressure and gas under vacuum to the dispense head in response to control signals received through the electrical connector of the manifold.

The present disclosure provides a HTP microbial genomic engineering platform that is computationally driven and integrates molecular biology, automation, and advanced machine learning protocols. This integrative platform utilizes a suite of HTP molecular tool sets to create HTP genetic design libraries, which are derived from, inter alia, scientific insight and iterative pattern recognition. The HTP genomic engineering platform described herein is microbial strain host agnostic and therefore can be implemented across taxa. Furthermore, the disclosed platform can be implemented to modulate or improve any microbial host parameter of interest.