Abstract: The present invention relates to the intersection of the fields of immunology and protein engineering, and particularly to antigens and vaccines useful in prevention of infection by Bacillus anthracis. Provided are recombinant protein antigens, compositions, and methods for the production and use of such antigens and vaccine compositions.

Abstract: Virus like particles comprising a fusion protein and substantially free of nucleic acid, wherein the fusion protein comprises a plant viral coat protein and a target protein, are provided. Immunogenic compositions comprising the virus like particles can be administered to subjects to induce protective immune responses in the subjects. Methods of producing the virus like particles are also provided.

Abstract: The invention discloses a high power laser diode comprising a plurality of laser light emitters (2) and a plurality of light collimating means (33), wherein each of the laser light emitters (2) defines, in a direction perpendicular to a direction of propagation (32) of an output laser beam, a fast axis (y) and a slow axis (x), and wherein each of the light collimating means is associated with a laser light emitter and configured for collimating the output laser beam at least in a fast axis (y) direction. In order to enable a simple and cost-efficient assembly of the diode laser with collimating means, having a layered structure consisting of a plurality of plane-parallel substrates.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting cross-linking in a polymer, wherein, in some exemplary implementations, the polymer may constitute an encapsulation layer for a photovoltaic module. In one example, a polymer sample is physically deformed, and sample information relating to a relaxation or a recovery of the polymer sample in response to the deformation is obtained. The sample information is then compared to reference information relating to cross-linking of the polymeric material so as to determine a degree of cross-linking in the tested polymer sample. In one aspect, such a determination of polymer cross-linking is achieved without adversely affecting a relevant functionality of the polymer/encapsulation layer (e.g., without destruction to the polymer/encapsulation layer).

Abstract: Described herein is a method and a device for expediting delivery of an agent to a damaged bacterial cell. In one embodiment, the methods and devices are useful for screening candidate antibiotics. In another embodiment, the methods and devices described herein are used to determine susceptibility of bacteria to an antibiotic. The methods also provide a method for determining an appropriate antibiotic to treat an individual having a bacterial infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, devices and systems for separation and concentration of particles from liquid and fluid samples. In some embodiments, the separation/concentration is achieved by sequential centrifugation steps. In particular, one aspect of the invention relates to a separation/concentration device which comprises at least a first chamber (101) and a second chamber (103) connected by a first valve (111), whereby operation of the first valve controls the material transfer from the first chamber to the second chamber. In some embodiments, valve operation can be manually, semi-manually or automatically. Other aspects of the invention relate to single- or multi-chambered separation/concentrator devices, and methods and systems for use. Other aspects of the invention relate to devices for operation of the valves, e.g., semi-manual actuation devices, and automatic inertial activation devices and mechanical actuation devices present in purpose-built centrifuges.

Abstract: Recombinant carrier molecules having amino acid sequences from thermostable enzymes and methods of use for expression, recovery and delivery of foreign sequences (peptides and polypeptides) produced in different systems (bacteria, yeast, DNA, cell cultures such as mammalian, plant, insect cell cultures, protoplast and whole plants in vitro or in vivo are provided. The recombinant carrier molecule using sequences from lichenase B(Lic B) were also made and used as part of carrier protein to express, recover and deliver a variety of target polypeptides of interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for generating clonal root lines, clonal root cell lines, clonal plant cell lines, and clonal plants and for expressing gene products in such cell lines and plants. In some embodiments, a viral vector containing a polynucleotide of interest operably linked to a promoter is introduced into a plant or portion thereof to generate clonal root lines, clonal root cell lines, clonal plant cell lines, and clonal plants. According to certain inventive methods, a viral vector containing a polynucleotide of interest operably linked to a promoter is introduced into cells of a plant cell line that is maintained in culture to generate clonal plant cell lines and clonal plants. The invention provides clonal root lines, clonal root cell lines, clonal plant cell lines, and clonal plants generated using inventive methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the control of fluid flow rate and direction on a microfluidic device. In particular, the present invention provides an integrated valveless microfluidic device, where directional fluid control is controlled using off-chip remote valve switching and fluid flow rate changes are controlled using on-chip flow-rate changing fluid reservoirs. The present invention provides methods and systems for directional fluid control and control of fluid flow rate in an integrated microfluidic device which enables processes with different flow rates to be performed on one device without the need of on-chip valves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the intersection of the fields of immunology and protein engineering, and particularly to antigens and vaccines useful in prevention of infection by influenza virus. Provided are recombinant protein antigens, compositions, and methods for the production and use of such antigens and vaccine compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the intersection of the fields of immunology and protein engineering, and particularly to antigens and compositions useful in inducing or enhancing an immune response agains influenza antigens. Provided are recombinant protein antigens, compositions, and methods for the production of such antigens in plants. In some embodiments, influenza antigens include hemagglutinin polypeptides, neuraminidase polypeptides, and/or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the intersection of the fields of immunology and protein engineering, and particularly to antigens and vaccines useful in prevention of infection by Plasmodium parasites. Provided are recombinant protein antigens, compositions, and methods for the production of such antigens in plants. In some embodiments, Plasmodium antigens include Pfs25 polypeptides, Pfs28 polypeptides, Pfs48/45 polypeptides, Pfs230 polypeptides, and/or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for purification of RNA from a sample. The RNA can be total RNA or mRNA. The method involves preparing the sample in a solution of lysis buffer and depositing into a first end of a lysis straw such that the sample solution flows through the matrix of the lysis straw and is eluted from the opposite end of the lysis straw, and depositing the eluted material into a first end of a solid phase extraction (SPE) straw, such that the deposited solution flows through the matrix of the SPE straw towards the opposite end of the SPE straw, and eluting the RNA from the SPE straw by depositing a solution of elution buffer, into the first end of the SPE straw, such that the deposited solution flows through the matrix of the SPE straw and is eluted from the opposite end of the SPE straw, wherein purified RNA from the sample is present in the eluate of the SPE straw.

Abstract: Antibodies against influenza neuraminidase, compositions containing the antibodies, and methods of using the antibodies are provided herein.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module includes a plurality of solar cells, each solar cell having an active front side and a back side. A busbar is provided and has a first portion that is electrically connected to an active front side of a first solar cell, and a second portion that is electrically connected to a back side of a second solar cell. At least a front side of the first portion of the busbar includes a diffuse reflective coating.

Abstract: The present invention provides trans-complementation systems for expressing gene products in plants. In general, the invention provides systems including a carrier vector and a producer vector, both based on plant viruses. The producer vector is defective for at least one function needed for successful systemic infection of a plant, e.g., replication, cell-to-cell movement, or long distance movement. The carrier vector supplies the missing function in trans. Certain producer vectors lack a functional coat protein coding sequence, in which case the corresponding producer vector supplies coat protein in trans. The invention also provides novel plant viral vectors and methods of use, e.g., to produce polypeptides or active RNAs in plants.

Abstract: A method of interfering with quorum sensing regulation of genes to promote cell growth is disclosed. The method of is aimed at accessing microbial biodiversity. The method involves obtaining an environmental sample comprising at least one novel (uncultivated in the laboratory) microorganism, contacting the environmental sample with an effective amount of an agent or combination of agents which interferes with the quorum sensing regulation of genes, growing the treated sample in a culture medium containing the quorum sensing signal disrupting agent or agents, and analyzing the colonies of microorganisms grown to demonstrate genetic novelty.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the intersection of the fields of immunology and protein engineering, and particularly to antigens and vaccines useful in prevention of infection by influenza virus. Provided are recombinant protein antigens, compositions, and methods for the production and use of such antigens and subunit vaccine compositions. In some embodiments, influenza antigens include hemagglutinin polypeptides neuraminidase polypeptides, and/or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an endoscopic biopsy forceps (10) with an open central channel. The forceps include a sheath (20) having a proximal end and a distal end, a housing (50) connected with the distal end of the outer sheath, an open channel actuator control means (30) having a proximal end and a distal end and passing through the sheath, an operating means attached to the proximal end of the open channel actuator means, an open channel actuator (60.) attached to a distal end of the open channel actuator control means and having a first projection and second projection, a first jaw (40) having an actuator engagement projection and having a first position and a second position, and a second jaw having an actuator engagement projection and a first position and a second position.

Abstract: The present invention provides antigens and vaccines useful in prevention of infection by Yersinia pestis. The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions of such antigens and/or vaccines. The present invention provides methods for the production of Y. pestis protein antigens in plants, as well as methods for their use in the treatment and/or prevention of Y. pestis infection.