Abstract: The invention describes a method for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, comprising the steps of: a) compartmentalising the compounds into microcapsules together with the target, such that only a subset of the repertoire is represented in multiple copies in any one microcapsule; and b) identifying the compound which binds to or modulates the activity of the target; wherein at least one step is performed under microfluidic control. The invention enables the screening of large repertoires of molecules which can serve as leads for drug development.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to spectroscopic sensors of ionizing radiation, and the use of an application specific integrated circuit to detect both positive features in a pixel anode signal indicative of ionizing radiation interacting with that pixel, and negative features indicative of ionizing radiation interacting in an adjacent or proximal pixel. For this purpose, both positive and negative peak hold circuits may be provided in each ASIC pixel circuit.

Abstract: A microfluidic sequencing device in which a stream of microdroplets at least some of which contain a single nucleotide base are made to undergo reaction with a capture system to capture and detect an ordered sequence of single nucleotide bases generated by progressive pyrophosphorolysis.

Abstract: Conformationally strained irans-cycloalkenes and derivatives thereof suitable for radiolabeling in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Method and system are provided for efficiently populating a phase diagram for modeling of multiple substances. The method may include defining an n-way phase diagram with data points each being an n-tuple describing the n substance inputs, wherein the n-way phase diagram is defined at a user-configured resolution. The method may select an initial subset of data points and calculate their contribution to the phase diagram. The method may then generate a Bayesian model based on the initial subset of calculated data points and predicting the resultant phase and an associated uncertainty of all the uncalculated data points in the defined phase diagram. The method may select a sample subset of the data points using maximum entropy sampling and calculating a resultant phase for each of the selected data points, and incorporate the calculated phases into the Bayesian model.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for isolating one or more genetic elements encoding a gene product having a desired activity, comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising genetic elements into microcapsules; and (b) sorting the genetic elements which express the gene product having the desired activity; wherein at least one step is under microfluidic control. The invention enables the in vitro evolution of nucleic acids and proteins by repeated mutagenesis and iterative applications of the method of the invention.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an optical system (100) for imaging a retina through a pupil of an eye (10). The optical system (100) comprises an illumination source (120) for providing light to illuminate the eye (10) via an illumination optical system (140). The optical system further comprises an imaging device (130) for outputting image data corresponding to the retina of the eye (10) over a period of time. Said imaging device (130) is arranged to receive reflected light from the eye (10) via an imaging optical system (150). The optical system (100) further comprises a moveably mounted offner relay (110) arranged to direct light received from the illumination optical system (140) to the eye (10) and to direct reflected light from the eye (10) to the imaging optical system (150). Said offner relay (110) is arranged to move to track a location of the pupil.

Abstract: Methods for delivering non-mitochondrial proteins to mitochondria are provided. Also provided are nucleic acid constructs comprising a coding sequence encoding a DNA-binding polypeptide, fused to a mitochondrial targeting sequence (MTS) and a nuclear export signal (NES), and the encoded proteins. The construct successfully delivers DNA binding proteins to the mitochondrion. A chimeric methylase based on the above construct is successfully delivered to mitochondria, resulting in modification of mtDNA.

Abstract: A method for determining the sequence of nucleotide bases in a polynucleotide analyte is provided. It is characterised by the steps of (1) generating a stream of single nucleotide bases from the analyte by pyrophosphorolysis; (2) producing captured molecules by reacting each single nucleotide base with a capture system labelled with detectable elements in an undetectable state; (3) releasing the detectable elements from each captured molecule in a detectable state and (4) detecting the detectable elements so released and determining the sequence of nucleotide bases therefrom. The method can be used advantageously in sequencers involving the use of microdroplets.

Abstract: A method of aligning an optical component in a laser system using diffraction patterns of alignment references includes: placing a first alignment reference in the path of a laser beam upstream of an optical component, the first alignment reference having first reference features forming a first diffraction pattern when illuminated by the laser beam; placing a second alignment reference in the path of the laser beam downstream of the first alignment reference and the optical component, the second alignment reference having second reference features forming a second diffraction pattern when illuminated by the laser beam; illuminating the alignment references and optical component with the laser beam; monitoring the combined diffraction pattern of the reference features of the alignment references downstream of the second alignment reference; and adjusting the relative position and/or orientation of the optical component towards the combined diffraction pattern indicating alignment of the optical component to t

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I), or a tautomer and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1 is alkyl, Cl, F or Br, R2 is H or F; R3 is selected from H and alkyl; R4 is selected from H and C(O)R6; R5 is H or R4 and R5 are linked to form a heterocyclic group which is optionally substituted with one or more R10 groups R6 is selected from R7, OR7 and NR8R6; R7R8 and R9 are each independently selected from alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocycyl and aryl, each of which is optionally substituted with one or more R10 groups; each R10 is independently selected from halogen, OH, CN NO1, COO-alkyl, aralkyl, SO2-alkyl, SO2-aryl, COOH, CO-alkyl, CO-aryl, NH2, NH-alkyl, N(alkyl)2, CF3, alkyl and alkoxy, X and Z are each independently CR11 and Y is selected from CR11 and N and R11 is H or F; for use in treating a disorder associated with protein misfolding stress and in particular associated with accumulation of misfolded proteins.

Abstract: Copper based antibacterial agents are described based on amphiphilic copper complexes formed between copper and hydroxypyrones, such as maltol. In further aspects, the present invention relates to PEG based-ointments showing that they are particularly effective for topical delivery of amphiphilic complexes of copper. In particular, PEG ointments were shown to limit bacterial growth, even when in the absence of copper agent. However, this bacteriostatic effect is shown herein to become a true biocidal effect when copper hydroxypyrones are added to the PEG.

Abstract: A method for determining the sequence of nucleotide bases in a polynucleotide analyte is provided. It is characterised by the steps of (1) generating a stream of single nucleotide bases from the analyte; (2) producing captured molecules by reacting each single nucleotide base with a capture system; (3) amplifying at least part of the captured molecule to produce a plurality of amplicons characteristic of the single nucleotide base; (4) labelling the amplicons with a corresponding probe having a characteristic detectable element and (5) detecting a property characteristic of the detectable element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing hydrogen from ammonia, and in particular a method of producing hydrogen from ammonia for use in a fuel cell and/or in a prime mover. The method may be carried out in-situ in a vehicle. The invention also relates to an apparatus for producing hydrogen from ammonia.

Abstract: The invention provides an antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof capable of binding to the antigen binding pocket of the AP33 antibody, wherein said antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof comprises VL CDR1 (L1), VL CDR2 (L2), and VL CDR3 (L3) consisting of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:23 respectively, and comprises VH CDR1 (H1), VH CDR2 (H2), and VH CDR3 (H3) consisting of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:25, and SEQ ID NO:26 respectively. The invention also provides compositions, methods, nucleic acids and uses.

Abstract: We disclose methods and apparatus for measuring pH in a sub-surface volume of a diffusely scattering sample. Probe light is directed to an entry region on the sample surface, and collected from a collection region on the sample surface following diffuse scattering within the sample. The collection region is spatially offset from the entry region, so that when one or more Raman spectral features are detected in the collected probe light, a pH of the sub-surface volume can be determined from the spectral features.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, comprising the steps of: a) compartmentalizing the compounds into microcapsules together with the target, such that only a subset of the repertoire is represented in multiple copies in any one microcapsule; and b) identifying the compound which binds to or modulates the activity of the target; wherein at least one step is performed under microfluidic control. The invention enables the screening of large repertoires of molecules which can serve as leads for drug development.

Abstract: A swallowable cell sampling device comprising an abrasive material capable of collecting cells from the surface of the oesophagus is described. The swallowable cell sampling device may include an apparatus for retrieval comprising a cord. Moreover, the cord may be attached to the abrasive material with a hitch knot. Additionally, kits and methods involving the same are described.