Granzyme B mediates both direct and indirect cleavage of extracellular matrix in skin after chronic low-dose ultraviolet light irradiation.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation is a hallmark of many chronic inflammatory diseases that can lead to a loss of function, aging, and disease progression. Ultraviolet light (UV) irradiation from the sun is widely considered as the major cause of visible human skin aging, causing increased inflammation and enhanced ECM degradation. Granzyme B (GzmB), a serine protease that is expressed by a variety of cells, accumulates in the extracellular milieu during chronic inflammation and cleaves a number of ECM proteins.

An automated nanoliter dispenser for staining individual biopsies in tissue microarrays.

In the field of molecular analysis of cancer, there exists a need for a clinical device that can automate protocols for immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization diagnostic staining on tissue microarrays. The tissue microarray antibody spotter (TMAS) has been developed to provide fundamental improvements over current histological staining techniques by enabling precision application of reagents to individual biopsies within a tissue microarray. This allows for multiplexed reactions on a single slide and promises to significantly reduce costs associated with immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization based assays.

Portable dynamic light scattering instrument and method for the measurement of blood platelet suspensions.

No routine test exists to determine the quality of blood platelet transfusions although every year millions of patients require platelet transfusions to survive cancer chemotherapy, surgery or trauma. A new, portable dynamic light scattering instrument is described that is suitable for the measurement of turbid solutions of large particles under temperature-controlled conditions. The challenges of small sample size, short light path through the sample and accurate temperature control have been solved with a specially designed temperature-controlled sample holder for small diameter, disposable capillaries.