PROCESSES AND DEVICES FOR EXAMINATIONS ON IMMOBILISED BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL

摘要

Immobilised biological material is tested by general biochemical or histological methods (esp. methods of enzyme, immune and hormone chemistry) by first attaching it to the surface of at least one carrier. This carrier (or a part of it) is fixed to a plate (which serves to protect the sample) in such a way that no direct contact occurs between the material and any solid object during the test. During the test, the sample can also be prevented from drying out. Several tests may be carried out in sequence. This consists of a plate with one or more zones designed to accept a carrier (or part) so that the highest part of the plate is above the level of the test material. Each of the carrier-accepting regions is surrounded by an elevated portion of plate (i.e. forming a well) and the plate can be made up as the base of a flow-through cell. A particular application is immunofluorescent examination of frozen tissue sections for presence of auto-antibodies. This method of protection ensures reproducible results with a redn. in unsatisfactory results from 5-10 % to practically zero, and firm attachment of the material avoids problems of 'floating off' during the test. Large numbers of high quality test samples can be prepared and processed automatically, and if required they may be stored for as long as a year in liq. nitrogen.