Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions related to the production and extraction of oils and biodiesel from oleaginous yeast, such as a new yeast isolate of the genus Pichia. Also disclosed herein are methods for providing fermentation conditions for the production of yeast in high density using inexpensive raw materials including crude glycerol and corn steep liquor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for production of high yields of butanol by Clostridium beijerinckii ATCC 10132. The process can be completed in a shorter span of time, using batch process through manipulation of various process parameters. The process can also be used for biomass based production of butanol. This paves the way for the strategic shift of major chemical industries from the hazardous routes of biofuel production to the biological, environmentally benign one.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of a tetrazine derivative of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a straight or branched C1-C6 alkyl group, C2-C6 alkenyl group or C2-C6 alkynyl group, which C1-C6 alkyl group, C2-C6 alkenyl group and C2-C6 alkynyl group is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from halogen atoms, straight or branched C1-C4 alkoxy groups, C1-C4 alkylthio groups, C1-C4 alkylsulphinyl groups, C1-C4 alkylsulphonyl groups and phenyl groups, which phenyl groups are unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents selected from C1-C4 alkyl groups, C1-C4 alkoxy groups and nitro groups; or R1 represents a C3-C8 cycloalkyl group; and R2 represents a group of formula —(C?O)NR3R4, wherein R3 and R4 are independently selected from hydrogen atoms, C1-C4 alkyl groups, C2-C4 alkenyl groups and C3-C8 cycloalkyl groups, which process comprises: i) providing a compound N of formula (III

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and systems for the production of biodiesel from biological feedstocks such as vegetable oils or animal fats. In particular, the disclosure is directed to the product of biodiesel from seeds such as non-edible oil seeds. Methods for maximizing oil recovery from the feedstocks are provided, as well as methods to convert free fatty acids in the feedstocks into glycerides amenable to transesterification. Thus the methods and systems provide for efficient biodiesel production.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a tissue system with conjunctival cells, including conjunctival stem cells. The conjunctival tissue system is derived from isolated tissue comprising conjunctival cells, and is suitable for restoring ocular surface impairments, particularly those that result from damaged or diseased conjunctiva. The tissue system is generated using a simple single medium culture scheme, and a support material, such as human amniotic membrane. The conjunctival tissue system generate is suitable for transplantation to treat the ocular surface of an eye of a subject that is damaged or diseased.

Abstract: This invention provides an efficient process for in vitro propagation of Jatropha through direct regeneration of leaf disc without any intermediary callus phase. This process provides a commercially viable process for producing true-to-type plants of Jatropha on a large scale and also as a method to produce transgenics through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of short interfering nucleic acid molecules (siRNA) to inhibit Nuclear Mitotic Apparatus Protein (NuMA) gene expression and their use in treatment of disease, including cancer.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes the generation of neural cells and neurons from mammalian pluripotent embryonic-like stem cells (ELSCs) isolated from corneal limbal tissue, a non-embryonic tissue. Specifically, the present disclosure describes the generation of neuroprogenitor cells and differentiated dopaminergic neurons from ELSCs. The disclosed methods demonstrate the potential of ELSCs as a therapeutic tool, and may provide new therapeutic alternatives for various diseases, conditions, and injuries. Neuroprogenitor cells generated from ELSCs isolated from corneo-limbal tissue were transplanted into a rat model of Parkinson's disease, and were able to alleviate motor abnormalities in the rats for at least six months.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes mammalian pluripotent embryonic-like stem cells (ELSCs) isolated from corneal limbal tissue, a non-embryonic tissue. The ELSCs of the present disclosure are capable of proliferating in an in vitro culture, maintain the potential to differentiate into cells of endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm lineage in culture, and are capable of forming embryoid-like bodies when placed in suspension culture. Thus, these cells possess multi-lineage differentiation potential and self-renewing capability. ELSCs may be a promising therapeutic tool, and may provide new therapeutic alternatives for various diseases, conditions, and injuries.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of short nucleic acid molecules that modulate Aurora-B kinase (AurkB) expression. The invention includes compounds, compositions and methods useful for the modulation of expression and activity of genes involved in the AurkB pathway. In one embodiment, the present invention provides short nucleic acid molecules, such as siRNA, which can be used in treating, preventing, or inhibiting cancer, and any other proliferative disease, trait or condition, which respond to a reduction in AurkB expression in a cell or tissue. Such short nucleic acid molecules can be used alone or in combination with other treatments or therapies, including short nucleic acid molecules that modulate expression of EGFR.

Abstract: The present invention provides a three-dimensional tissue equivalent for in-vivo and in-vitro uses. The three dimensional tissue equivalent of the present invention is a non-contractile cellular sheet cultured over a porous scaffold using a macromass culturing technique, for example where the cellular sheet is entirely on one side of a porous sponge. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a dermal wound dressing that comprises a high density cellular sheet of dermal fibroblast cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a commercially viable process for in vitro mass culture of Jatropha curcas. The process for in vitro mass culture of Jatropha curcas is simple, faster, and suitable for production of disease-free root tubers of uniform quality and employs media with a reduced concentration of phytohormones.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood serum and a method for growing human embryonic stem cells and adult cells comprising sera separated from clotted umbilical cord blood, including growing and differentiating cord blood stem cells into neural precursors, comprising transdifferentiating CD34+, CD45+ and CD133+ stem cells from mononuclear cells derived from umbilical cord blood to neural precursors. The stem cells obtained from the umbilical cord include pluripotent stem and progenitor cell population of mononuclear cells, and separating pluripotent stem and progenitor cell population of mononuclear cells obtained from the umbilical cord blood. A magnetic cell separator is used to separate out cells which contain a CD marker and then expanding the cells in a medium containing retinoic acid as a differentiating agent supplemented with one or more growth factors BDNF, GDNF, NGF and FGF in presence of cord blood serum.

Abstract: A process is provided for improving sensory properties of essential oils by treatment and incubation with a microbial culture during the extraction process. A method for increasing the patchulol content in essential oil extracted from leaves of Pogostemon cablin is provided, comprising contacting a dried patchouli biomass with microbial cultures, incubating the patchouli biomass under conditions suitable for allowing the increase in the patchulol content and extracting the oil. This process results in increased patchulol content without decreasing the overall oil yields. The patchouli oil also has enriched aroma.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process for the production of gibberellic acid (GA3), achieving a yield over 225 g/kg of GA3 with solid substrate fermentation, and over 15 g/L by submerged fermentation. The method also provides novel substrates, including the use of Jatropha seed cake. The present invention has in particular provided an improved, cost-effective process for the manufacture of GA3, as the process has a surprisingly high yield of product, achieves the maximal yield in shorter time than other techniques, consumes less energy, and works with very inexpensive substrates. In all, the manufacturing costs are significantly reduced.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to improved methods for efficiently producing neuroprogenitor cells and differentiated neural cells such as GABAergic neurons from pluripotent stem cells, for example embryonic stem cells. Using the disclosed methods, cell populations containing a high proportion of GABAergic neurons have been isolated. The neuroprogenitor cells and terminally differentiated cells of the present disclosure can be generated in large quantities, and therefore may serve as an excellent source for cell replacement therapy in neurodegenerative disorders and neuronal diseases such as stroke, ischemia, epilepsy, and Huntington's disease.

Abstract: Purified preparations of human embryonic stem cells with certain population-specific characteristics are disclosed. This preparation is characterized by the positive expression of the following pluripotent cell surface markers: SSEA-1 (?); SSEA-4 (+); TRA-1-60 (+); TRA-1-81 (+); alkaline phosphatase (+), as well as a set of ES cell markers including Oct-4, Nanog, Rex1, Sox2, Thy1, FGF4, ABCG2, Dppa5, UTF1, Cripto1, hTERT, Connexin-43 and Connexin-45. The cells of the preparation are negative for lineage specific markers like Keratin 8, Sox-1, NFH (ectoderm), MyoD, brachyury, cardiac-actin (mesoderm), HNF-3 beta, albumin, and PDX1 (endoderm). The cells of the preparation are human embryonic stem cells, have normal karyotypes, exhibit high telomerase activity and continue to proliferate in an undifferentiated state after continuous culture for over 40 passages.

Abstract: This invention provides an efficient process for in vitro propagation of Jatropha through direct regeneration of leaf disc without any intermediary callus phase. This process provides a commercially viable process for producing true-to-type plants of Jatropha on a large scale and also as a method to produce transgenics through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation.

Abstract: Novel compounds, their methods of preparation and use in therapies related to cancer and inflammation are provided. Compounds comprise esters of cinnamic acid, vanillic acid and 4-hydroxy cinnamic acid and derivatives and salts thereof. Compounds with novel benzofuran lignan structure as a potent antimitotic agent and inducer of apoptosis are provided. Formulations and methods for treatment of diseases mediated by NF-kappaB are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a commercially viable process for in vitro propagation of patchouli (Pogostemon cablin). The process involves direct organogenesis from meristematic explants employing a simple and cost effective media and shows about 90% survival upon transfer to in vivo conditions.