Abstract:
The present invention discloses a device for monitoring chemotaxis or chemoinvasion including a housing comprising: a support member and a top member, the top member mounted to the support member by being placed in substantially fluid-tight conformal contact with the support member. The support member and the top member are configured such that they together define a discrete chamber adapted to allow a monitoring of chemotaxis or chemoinvasion therein. The discrete chamber includes a first well region including at least one first well, the at least one first well configured to received a test agent therein; a second well region including at least one second well, the at least one second well configured to receive a sample comprising cells therein; and a channel region including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another. The second well region is preferably horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device.
Abstract:
The present invention discloses a test device including a support member; a top member mounted to the support member, wherein in the support member and the top member are configured such that they together define a discrete chamber. The discrete chamber includes a first well region including at least one first well; a second well region including at least one second well; and a channel region including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another. The second region is preferably horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device.
Abstract:
The present invention discloses a method of monitoring haptotaxis comprising: providing a device for monitoring haptotaxis having a housing defining a chamber. The chamber includes: a first well region including at least one first well, the first well region configured to receive a test agent therein and further including biomolecules immobilized therein; a second well region including at least one second well, the second well region configured to receive a sample comprising cells therein and further being horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device; and a channel region with biomolecules immobilized therein and including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another. The method also includes forming a surface concentration gradient along a longitudinal axis of the chamber by decreasing the concentration of biomolecules from the at least one first well to the at least one second well; placing a first sample comprising cells in the at least one second well; and monitoring haptotaxis of the cells.
Abstract:
An image processing method for use in analyzing image data of a cellular migration assay. The method includes defining a major axis within the image data that is perpendicular to an orientation of channels in the image data, determining an aggregate light intensity within the image data along the major axis, and identifying locations of channels within the image data from the projection.
Abstract:
Immiscible substances, such as gases, solids or liquids may be included within a reaction site container as a mixer of a liquid sample. Movement of the mixer within the container may help suspend or re-suspend cells or other species. Movement of the mixer also may generate shear forces that can affect cellular activity. In some embodiments, movement of the container brings about movement of the mixer. Containers may be mounted to a rotating apparatus in various orientations to achieve different travel paths of the mixer. Varying the rotation rate and/or the relative densities of the mixer and the liquid sample also may affect the mixer travel path.
Abstract:
The present invention discloses a method of monitoring chemotaxis or chemoinvasion comprising: providing a device for monitoring chemotaxis. The device includes a support member; a top member mounted to the support member by being placed in substantially fluid-tight, conformal contact with the support member. The support member and the top member are configured such that they together define a discrete assay chamber. The discrete assay chamber includes a first well region including at least one first well, the at least one first well being configured to receive a soluble test substance therein; a second well region including at least one second well, the at least one second well being configured to receive a sample comprising cells therein; and a channel region including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region. Preferably, at least one second well is horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device. The method further comprises placing the soluble test substance in the at least one first well; forming a solution concentration gradient along a longitudinal axis of the chamber; placing a first sample comprising cells in the at least one second well; and monitoring chemotaxis of the cells.
Abstract:
The present invention discloses a device for monitoring haptotaxis including a housing defining a chamber. The chamber comprises: a first well region including at least one first well, the first well configured to receive a test agent therein and further including biomolecules immobilized therein; a second well region including at least one second well, the second well region configured to receive a sample comprising cells therein and further being horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device; and a channel region including at a least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another, the channel region further including biomolecules immobilized therein.
Abstract:
A network apparatus for use with a plurality of network cameras includes a system housing with a network interface (wireless access point and/or network switch), a router, and processing means that are operably coupled to one another and integrally housed within the system housing. The network interface provides communication links between the apparatus and the network cameras. The processing means preferaby performs automatic connection and configuration operations that upload default configuration settings to the network cameras through said communication links. Such automatic configuration operations are preferably carried out as part of DHCP address assignment. The processing means also preferably performs video proxy operations that buffer a plurality of video signals and that read out and multiplex together portions of the buffered video signals to form a composite signal for subsequent communication over the Internet. The apparatus may also include one or more of the following components integrally housed within the system housing: a hard disk for dvr recording, a battery backup power source, non-volatile storage (e.g., compact flash memory or hard disk) for storing digital video signals during a battery backup power mode, a plulality of ports that interface to alarm sensors and other alarm devices for alarm monitoring and automatic notification, and VPN processing. The processing means preferably includes an embedded web server for the configuration of the apparatus and possibly the network cameras. Kits and systems utilizing the network apparatus is also described and claimed.
Abstract:
An apparatus for performing a biological or biochemical reaction that, in certain embodiments, has the ability to apply shear stress to a component of a liquid sample and includes a biological or biochemical reactor comprising a container having a volume of less than about 2 mL and containing a liquid sample, and a shear-generating element, the shear-generating element being contained within the apparatus and constructed and arranged so that the entire shear-generating element moves along a selected path of motion intersecting a first location within the apparatus and a second location within the apparatus, with or without rotational movement is described. A method of applying shear stress to a component of a liquid sample that includes moving a liquid or gaseous shear-generating element within an apparatus along a selected path of motion to create a reproducible and controllable level of shear stress at a selected location within the liquid sample is also disclosed.