Exelixis, Inc.

Agrinomics LLC

Aagrinomics, LLC

Douglas O Keller

Troy M Swartwood

Jeffrey D Donaldson

James William Leahy

Patrick C Kearney

Robert D Mercer

David Clarence Hager

Michael M Morrissey

Jonathan E Lightner

Ry Wagner

Jill Van Winkle

Micheal Morrissey

William W Fisher

A multi-well assembly () comprises a multi-well block () and a guide plate (). The multi-well block () has a plurality of wells () each with a fluid-impermeable bottom surface (). The guide plate () has a plurality of fluid passageways () corresponding to the wells () of the multi-well block (). The guide plate () is configured to establish fluid communication between each well () and an associated fluid passageway () when the guide plate () is aligned with the multi-well block ().

Multi-well apparatus

A multi-well assembly according to one embodiment comprises a multi-well block and a guide plate. The multi-well block defines a plurality of wells, with each well having a fluid-impermeable bottom surface. The guide plate defines a plurality of fluid passageways corresponding to the wells of the multi-well block. The guide plate is configured such that, whenever the guide plate is registered with the multi-well block, fluid communication is established between each well and an associated fluid passageway.

Robotic apparatus for transferring and distributing small particles, such as seeds, contained in covered or uncovered containers, such as capped jars, are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus includes a vacuum-activated probe configured to pick up a selected number of seeds from a donor container and to deposit the seeds in a selected recipient container. The seeds being transferred may be weighed during the transfer process by depositing the seeds in a crucible of a microgram balance or analogous device. After weighing, the seeds are picked up using a second probe that transfers the seeds to a recipient container. Also disclosed are automated methods for transferring and weighing particles, such as seeds.

Robotic seed-handling apparatus and methods

According to one embodiment, a robotic apparatus for maintaining a collection of stocks of small organisms, such as fruit flies, is capable of performing various tasks, including automatically transferring live flies from a donor container to a recipient container, such as for the purpose of feeding the flies. The apparatus includes an anesthetizing mechanism configured to automatically introduce an anesthetic, such as gaseous CO , into a donor container of live flies to temporarily immobilize the flies before the flies are transferred to the recipient container. The apparatus also includes a gas manifold that is configured to direct a flow of gas from a compressed-gas source into the donor container such that the immobilized flies are blown from the donor container into the recipient container. In another embodiment, automated methods are provided for maintaining a collection of stocks of small organisms, such as fruit flies.

Robotic apparatus and methods for maintaining stocks of small organisms

Robotic apparatus for removing seeds contained in covered or uncovered containers and planting the seeds into selected planting chambers are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus includes a first vacuum-activated probe configured to pick up an entire seed population from a donor container. A seed-alignment trough is provided to receive the seed population from the first probe. The seed-alignment trough is configured such that seeds deposited in the trough become aligned or otherwise arranged. A second vacuum-activated probe is configured to successively remove individual seeds from the seed-alignment trough and to plant each removed seed in a selected planting chamber. Also disclosed are automated methods for transferring and planting

Robotic seed-planting apparatus and methods

Growing community of inventors

Lake Oswego, OR, United States of America

Douglas O Keller