Abstract: Compositions that include DNA polymerases having increased residence times for nucleotide analogues, particularly modified recombinant ?29-type DNA polymerases with such increased residence times, are provided. Methods of making the polymerases and of using the polymerases in sequencing and DNA amplification are also provided. Compositions including ?-thiophosphate nucleotide analogues with four or more phosphate groups are described, as are methods for determining the sequence of nucleic acid molecules using such analogues.

Abstract: Active surface coupled polymerases, surfaces that include such polymerases, and methods of making and using surface-attached polymerases are provided.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and compositions for producing and/or enhancing an immunological response in a subject against a target moiety such as a disease-related moiety by administration of an antigenic version of the target moiety having one or more unnatural amino acid and/or by administration of an antibody against a version of a target moiety having one or more unnatural amino acid which antibody is cross reactive with the natural target moiety.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and compositions to preserve bioactive materials, such as viruses, bacteria, cells, or liposomes, in freeze dried particles suitable for pulmonary administration. Methods provide spray freeze drying of formulations to form stable freeze dried particles.

Abstract: Methods for detecting and optionally quantitating one or more target nucleic acids are provided, in which a surrogate nucleic acid is captured to each target nucleic acid, amplified, and detected. Compositions, kit, and systems related to the methods are also described.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and compositions to preserve bioactive materials in a matrix of powder particles. Methods provide high-pressure gas spraying and/or near supercritical spraying of formulations followed by drying in a stream of conditioned gas to form stable powder particles containing bioactive materials.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of spray drying pharmaceutical powders from a vibrating nozzle at low pressures. The method can effectively spray dry thick or viscous solutions or suspensions to provide small uniform particles. The invention includes dry particle compositions prepared by methods of low pressure spraying from vibrating nozzles.

Abstract: Analytical cartridges, systems and methods of processing a sample for analysis using capillary flows. Vertical gradient sample filtration provides filtrate to an incubation chamber for a time controlled by a flow modulator at the outlet of the incubation chamber. The flow modulator can include a serpentine capillary flow path without side walls. Incubated filtrate can flow from the incubation chamber to a detection channel after a predetermined time. The detection chamber can include one or more analytical regions in a porous substrate for detection of two or more analytes on the same cartridge from the same sample.

Abstract: Provided are compositions comprising modified recombinant polymerases that exhibit branching fractions that are less than the branching fractions of the polymerases from which they were derived, or branching fractions that are less than about 25% for a phosphate-labeled nucleotide analog. Also provided are compositions comprising modified recombinant polymerases that exhibit closed polymerase/DNA complexes with increased stability relative to the parental polymerases. Also provided are compositions comprising modified recombinant polymerases that exhibit decreased rate constants relative to the parental polymerases. Provided are methods for generating polymerases with the aforementioned phenotypes. Provided are methods of using such polymerases to make a DNA or to sequence a DNA template.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating microfluidics devices, microfluidics cell-culture device and systems having a substrate, a microchannel through which liquid can be moved from one station to another within the device, the fabrication methods using semi-rigid materials during molding that are incorporated into the final device.

Abstract: Methods, devices and compositions to preserve plants, such as cut flowers. The methods include, e.g., sealing cut stems in antimicrobial preservative media, sealing the leaves in a substantially unvented compartment and sealing the flower blossoms in a less humid vented environment. Methods include, e.g., sealing cut flower ends in a preservative liquid, sealing the majority of the stem length and leaves in a stem compartment and holding the blossoms and at least a portion of the leaves in a relatively open blossom compartment. The devices include, e.g., packaging materials and preservative to vitalize and protect uprooted plants and/or cut flowers. The compositions of the invention provide, e.g., packaging systems and preservative media which inhibit microbe growth and vitalize cut plants.

Abstract: A power adaptor (20) for a lighting unit (50) having a solid state light source (50a,50b,50c) is disclosed. The power adaptor (20) comprises an input (22) for connection to a mains power supply, a power transfer module (40a,40b,40c,140a) that is coupled to the input (22) and provides an output suitable for driving the solid state light source (50a,50b,50c), and a controller (30) that receives a voltage signal from the input (22) and is able to deliver a control signal to the power transfer module (40a,40b,40c,140a) for reducing the power drawn from the input (22). The power adaptor (20) draws current from the input (22) as a function of the voltage at the input (22) in order that the power adaptor (20) appears as a variable resistor to the mains supply.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and compositions for incorporation of an unnatural amino acid into a peptide using an orthogonal aminoacyl tRNA synthetase/tRNA pair. In particular, an orthogonal pair is provided to incorporate 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan in a position encoded by an opal mutation.

Abstract: Methods and systems for intelligent tracking and/or play and/or management of card gaming use an intelligent card distribution or holding device with detectors for determine the value and unique identity of individual cards and for recording card play. In specific embodiments, the system utilizes various types of sensors and electronic circuits and software to scan, track, monitor, compute, and interface with electronic devices, to enable the automatic operation of Casino table games. The system can scan playing cards, scan gaming chips, indicate a players win/loss/draw, increase and or decrease player betting positions. Compute awards to players based on their playing activity, photograph individual players, and transmit player's images to casino security/surveillance departments and or other authorized casino personnel.

Abstract: To address security that can arise in information systems, the present invention uses novel methods and/or systems to enhance security in information systems, using a new way to deploy selected security policies. Instead of trying to modify a whole binary file all at once to add in code to implement additional security policies, the current invention modifies the code in memory in a piecemeal, as-needed fashion.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for intelligent tracking and/or play and/or management of card gaming use an intelligent card distribution or holding device with detectors for determining the value and unique identity of individual cards and for recording card play. Playing cards are equipped with a read/write data storage connected to a transponder and/or incorporated into electromagnetic writable particles or smart particles (smart dust). A system of the invention records various game play events on the playing cards themselves during game play and optionally also in a database on the system. In specific embodiments, the principal scanning and writing elements and electronic and optical interfaces are embodied into a hand-held card holder (HHCH). The system can scan playing cards, scan gaming chips, indicate a player's win/loss/draw, increase or decrease player betting positions, and compute awards to players based on their playing activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to orthogonal pairs of tRNAs and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases that can incorporate unnatural amino acids into proteins produced in eubacterial host cells such as E. coli, or in a eukaryotic host such as a yeast cell. The invention provides, for example but not limited to, novel orthogonal synthetases, methods for identifying and making the novel synthetases, methods for producing proteins containing unnatural amino acids, and translation systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to orthogonal pairs of tRNAs and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases that can incorporate the unnatural amino acid phenylselenocysteine into proteins produced in eubacterial host cells such as E. coli. The invention provides, for example but not limited to, novel orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, polynucleotides encoding the novel synthetase molecules, methods for identifying and making the novel synthetases, methods for producing proteins containing the unnatural amino acid phenylselenocysteine and translation systems. The invention further provides methods for producing modified proteins (e.g., lipidated proteins) through targeted modification of the phenylselenocysteine residue in a protein.

Abstract: This invention provides novel fuel cell electrodes and catalysts comprising a series of catalytically active thin-film metal alloys with low platinum concentration supported on nanostructured materials (nanoparticles). Processing of the electrodes and catalysts can include electrodeposition methods, and high-pressure coating techniques. In certain embodiments, an integrated gas-diffusion/electrode/catalyst layer can be prepared by processing catalyst thin films and nanoparticles into gas-diffusion media such as Toray or SGL carbon fiber papers. The catalysts can be placed in contact with an electrolyte membrane for PEM fuel cell applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for the in vivo production of polypeptides comprising one or more unnatural amino acids. Specifically, the invention provides plasmid systems for the efficient eubacterial expression of polypeptides comprising one or more unnatural amino acids at genetically-programmed positions.