Perkinelmer Singapore Pte Limited

Eth Zurich

The Automation Partnership (cambridge) Limited

Patrick Courtney

Alistair Fitch

Shab Ladha

Colin Blackmore

Robert Alan Hoult

Richard Wales

Steve Morris Bush

Alois Renn

John Phillips

Claire Hooper

Fedja Bobanovic

Paul Orange

Janet Park

Steve Bush

A method for automating process development in a bioprocessing environment is provided. The method comprising: executing a first experiment run according to a set of parameters; retrieving a first real-time set of data of the experiment run while the experiment run is being executed; retrieving a second real-time set of data of an experiment run being executed in parallel, analysing the retrieved first real-time set of data and the second real-time set of data to determine an adjusted set of parameters; and, modifying, based on the analysis, the parameters upon which the experiment run is being executed during execution of the run such that the run continues to be executed according to the modified set of parameters. A system, computer program and computer readable medium are also provided.

Automated bioprocess development

This invention relates to enrichment of a biological sample comprising a plurality of cells to assist further analysis thereof. It provides a technique comprising the steps of: (a) providing a sample comprising a plurality of cells which include a photosensitive compound that can be induced by light irradiation to inactivate or kill at least part of the respective cell; (b) acquiring an image of at least a portion of the sample; (c) identifying cells of interest in the sample image; (d) selecting cells other than the cells identified in step (c); and (e) irradiating only those cells selected in step (d) with a light beam so as induce the photosensitive compound therein to inactivate or kill at least part of those cells, and thereby enrich the sample with respect to the cells of interest for further analysis.

Apparatus and methods for imaging and modification of biological samples

Methods and apparatus are provided concerning the control of photobleaching of fluorescent labels during the study of samples by fluorescence microscopy. A method is described for operating fluorescence microscopy apparatus to analyse a sample (), the apparatus including input, processing, sample irradiating and detection arrangements (), and the method including the steps of: receiving parameters in the processing arrangement via the input arrangement, wherein the parameters relate to an experiment to be conducted using the apparatus and include at least one parameter relating to a fluorescent label present in the sample; and determining with the processing arrangement an excitation procedure to be carried out during the experiment having regard to the inputted parameters and the rate of photobleaching of the fluorescent label desired during the experiment. Furthermore, confocal fluorescence microscopy apparatus is described which comprises an optical arrangement in the light path from an excitation energy source to a sample which acts to adjust the intensity profile of the light beam across its width so as to be more evenly distributed than a Gaussian profile and/or includes a spinning disk, wherein the rotational speed of the disk is variable under the control of a processing arrangement of the apparatus.

Fluorescence microscopy methods and apparatus

A method of imaging light from a specimen in which excitation light passes to the specimen via a scanning system and light emitted by luminescence of the specimen passes in another direction via the scanning system to an image capture device having a sensor having discrete spatially distinct light sensitive regions. The scanning system is operated to scan the whole of an area of interest of the specimen, and the excitation light and/or the image capture device are controlled so that light emitted from the specimen in only incident on the image capture device sensor for a specific time period equal to that required for scanning the whole of the area of interest n time. The scanning system is a confocal system. Apparatus is provided for performing the method to produce a video signal for creating an image in a display device or for processing and analysis by a computer.

Imaging

Methods and apparatus relating to the imaging of biological samples are provided. More particularly, they relate to the detection of light emanating from fluorescent species present in a sample in order to study the structure and dynamics of such a sample. Such a method of analysis comprises irradiating the sample with a pulse of excitation energy causing fluorescent species in the sample to fluoresce; detecting light emanating from the sample during a predetermined period of time after the pulse; generating and storing data recording at least the wavelength of the detected light against time; and analysing the data with reference to the respective lifetimes of the fluorescent species to detect the presence of the respective emissions from three or more different fluorescent species which emit light simultaneously during at least part of said predetermined period, which are indistinguishable from each other on the basis of their wavelength or lifetime alone.

Imaging of biological samples

A method for performing photo-modification of a biological sample, the method comprising: (a) irradiating the sample; (b) detecting one or more signals based on the irradiated sample; (c) using one or more processor means to analyze the detected signals and determine one or more irradiation parameters, and, (d) returning to (a) conditioned on the irradiation parameters. Thus modifications may be determined and executed interactively as an experiment progresses, and therefore directed towards specific structures and/or events identified as of particular interest in the course of the experiment.

Method of analysing a sample and apparatus therefor

A method of analysing a sample of biological material including components (to) tagged with respective fluorescent labels (to), comprises the steps of identifying a specific labeled component () to be monitored, and irradiating with an energy beam at least one region () of the sample which substantially surrounds said specific component. The energy beam modifies the optical properties of labels in the region () such that they are distinguishable from the label () associated with said specific component (). This assists the tracking of a specific component of interest as it moves through a sample. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also described.

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Beaconsfield, United Kingdom

Patrick Courtney