Abstract: This disclosure relates to the field of secondary metabolite production in plants. More specifically, the disclosure relates to chimeric genes and their use in the regulation of biosynthesis and/or production of secondary metabolites in plants and plant-derived cell cultures.

Abstract: There is provided a particle detection apparatus (30) comprising: a channel (32) including an inlet and at least one channel wall, the inlet permitting light to be introduced into the channel (32), the or each channel wall being arranged to define a channel path through which light may propagate; a light source (34) configured to introduce light into the channel (32) via the inlet, the channel (32) being shaped to guide the light to propagate along the channel path for illuminating a particle or a plurality of particles located in the channel path; and a monitoring device (36) configured to detect scattered light that is created by the illumination of the or each particle by the guided light and that leaves the channel (32) by passing through the or each channel wall.

Abstract: Deoxynojirimycin and deoxygalactonojirimycin derivatives according to the present invention are N-alkylated D-galacto, D-gluco- or L-ido-deoxynojirimycin with a linear methyloxypentyl group bearing various sidegroups and a non-fused bicyclic aromatic group (“X”) on the methyloxy-carbon. These compounds display an increased inhibitory potency towards GCS, and/or an increased inhibitory potency towards GBA2, and/or a decreased inhibitory potency towards GBA1, relative to known deoxynojirimycin derivatives of the same (D-gluco, L-ido or D-galacto) configuration.

Abstract: There is provided methods of manufacturing a superconductor element and a method of manufacturing a phononic element. The method of manufacturing a superconductor element comprises the step of forming a periodic patterned structure in a material to alter an electronic structure in a primary layer (M) of the material to couple with the or each phonon of the primary layer (M) so as to induce superconductivity in the primary layer (M) or modify the superconductivity of the primary layer, and/or create or alter one or more phonons in a primary layer (M) of the material to couple with the electrons of the primary layer (M) so as to induce superconductivity in the primary layer (M) or modify the superconductivity of the primary layer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process to prepare metal nanoparticles or metal oxide nanoparticles by applying a cathodic potential as an alternating current (ac) voltage to a solid starting metal object which solid metal object is in contact with a liquid electrolyte comprising a stabilising cation. The invention is also directed to the use of the nanoparticles as a catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a droplet receiver, comprising a receptacle for receiving a droplet, a fluid conduit connected at a first end thereof to the droplet receptacle thereby providing a course within which the droplet received in the droplet receptacle moves, the conduit at its distal end in communication with a reservoir, and a fluid layer wetting the internal walls of the receptacle and conduit in such a way as permit reception of the droplet without loss of the received droplet due to wetting of the internal receptacle and conduit walls.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the extraction of analyte compounds from a sample comprising one or more analytes in a donor phase into an acceptor phase, comprising the steps of: a) providing an electrically conductive donor phase comprising the compounds in a first electrically conductive solvent or solvent blend, and an electrode arranged in electrically conductive contact with the donor phase, b) providing an electrically conductive acceptor phase in electrically conductive contact with a second electrode; and c) providing an insulator phase in fluid communication with at least one of the donor phase and the acceptor phase, wherein the insulator phase is immiscible with the donor phase and/or the acceptor phase, and d) (d) applying an electrical field between the first and the second electrode.

Abstract: Described are methods and means for metabolic engineering and improved product formation by a filamentous micro-organism or a low G+C gram-positive bacterium. Disclosed is that DasR and DasR binding sites play an important and universal role in the control of gene expression in micro-organisms. Based on this finding, provided are multiple useful applications, such as a method for regulating the expression of a gene of interest, a method for controlling metabolism, a method for decreasing undesired expression and many more. Moreover, provided are means that can be used to establish said methods: for example a micro-organism in which the DasR binding site in operable linkage with a particular gene has been modified to obtain increased or decreased expression of a protein (being a desired or undesired protein) encoded by said gene.

Abstract: A polarimetry apparatus comprising a plurality of flexible light conduits each having first and second ends, and a respective polarization modulator associated with each light conduit, wherein each light conduit is configured to receive incident light from a different predetermined region in space via the first end, and deliver said light to a detector unit via the second end, and wherein the polarization modulator is configured to modulate the polarization of the light to enable a partial or complete polarization state of the incident light to be determined by the detector unit for each light conduit.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing liquids or liquid-based substances includes a plurality of volumes at least two of which are defined at least in part by one or more phaseguides inside the volume and/or in a conduit connected thereto for controlling aliquoting of one or more liquids or liquid-based substances inside the volume. Each volume has an upstream and downstream side with respect to meniscus advancement direction via which it may be filled with or emptied of one or more liquids or liquid-based substances. The apparatus also includes at least one common upstream-side conduit connected to supply a liquid or liquid-based substance via a plurality of the inlet or extraction conduits, a plurality of the phaseguides exhibiting a predetermined level of stability and one or more of the phaseguides exhibiting a predetermined different stability compared with the stability of at least one of the other phaseguides whereby to control the preference order in which the volumes fill and/or empty.

Abstract: There is provided a particle detection apparatus (30) comprising: a channel (32) including an inlet and at least one channel wall, the inlet permitting light to be introduced into the channel (32), the or each channel wall being arranged to define a channel path through which light may propagate; a light source (34) configured to introduce light into the channel (32) via the inlet, the channel (32) being shaped to guide the light to propagate along the channel path for illuminating a particle or a plurality of particles located in the channel path; and a monitoring device (36) configured to detect scattered light that is created by the illumination of the or each particle by the guided light and that leaves the channel (32) by passing through the or each channel wall.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process to prepare metal nanoparticles or metal oxide nanoparticles by applying a cathodic potential as an alternating current (ac) voltage to a solid starting metal object which solid metal object is in contact with a liquid electrolyte comprising a stabilizing cation. The invention is also directed to the use of the nanoparticles as a catalyst.

Abstract: The invention provides a polynucleotide comprising a reporter sequence operatively linked to a regulatory element of a gene selected from Bscl2, Srxnl, Cbr3, Ephxl, Nope, Cdknla, Perp, Pltp, Cgrefl, Ltb4r1, Btg2, Gpx2, Ltb4r2, Ddit4l, Fosl1, and Egr1, which regulatory element stimulates expression of the reporter sequence in response to a genotoxic agent or to an oxidative stress-inducing agent. The invention also provides a method of detecting a genotoxic or oxidative stress-inducing agent comprising subjecting a cell containing the polynucleotide of the invention to a test agent; and assessing the expression of the reporter sequence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and an arrangement for selective solvent evaporation from a liquid feed, the feed comprising one or more components diluted in at least a first solvent or a solvent blend, comprising: a) a first tubular vessel having a distal end or a channel suitable for the formation of a droplet of a first volume, at an inflow rate n, at the tip or in the lumen of the tubular vessel, and b) means for subjecting the droplet to a solvent removal step at an evaporation rate r2 to evaporate at least part of the first solvent or solvent blend, to accumulate the components in the feed in the droplet during the evaporation process at an accumulation rate r3, to obtain a concentrated feed volume in a concentrated droplet, wherein the evaporation and/or inflow rates are continuously adjusted to achieve a desired accumulation rate. The invention further relates to a method for selective solvent removal from an analyte mixture obtained in a chromatographic separation process.

Abstract: In one aspect the disclosure relations to means and methods for identifying a protein or a DNA encoding the protein, involved in the production of a product by a micro-organism. In the methods the micro-organism is cultured under different culture conditions each of which exhibit a different level of the product that is produced by the micro-organism. The genetic expression of the genes of the micro-organism is compared with the level of the product, and groups of DNAs are identified that are involved in the production of the product by the micro-organism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for concentrating, detecting and/or isolating a plurality of charged analytes contained in a sample by depletion zone isotachophoresis.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the field of secondary metabolite production in plants. More specifically, the disclosure relates to chimeric genes and their use in the regulation of biosynthesis and/or production of secondary metabolites in plants and plant-derived cell cultures.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for extracting materials from biological material, which process is characterized in that the naturally occurring biological material is treated with an extractant consisting of a deep eutectic solvent of natural origin or a an ionic liquid of natural origin to produce a biological extract of natural origin dissolved in the said solvent or ionic liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid triggerable passive valve for controlling flow of one or more fluids comprising: a volume comprising at least two capillary pressure barriers for respectively pinning a first and second fluid-fluid meniscus, the two capillary pressure barriers dividing the volume in at least three sub volumes, whereby two sub volumes being positioned upstream and one sub volume being positioned downstream with respect to the advancement direction of each respective fluid-fluid meniscus; wherein the capillary pressure barriers are spaced apart such that upon pinning of a first fluid-fluid meniscus on a first capillary pressure barrier and arrival or pinning of a second fluid-fluid meniscus on or at a second capillary pressure barrier, the two menisci touch and thereby coalesce into one fluid-fluid meniscus.

Abstract: A Raman spectrometer includes a light source (12), a sensor element (14) and a detector (10), where the sensor element (14) includes an active surface (24), which active surface (24) is coated with a layer (26) of inert material to be placed in contact with the sample (4). A sensor element (14) includes an active surface (24) which is coated with a layer (26) of inert material. A method for obtaining a Raman spectrum using such a sensor element (14) includes the following steps: a) providing a sensor element (14), comprising an active surface (24) which is coated with a layer (26) of inert material and placing the layer (26) of inert material in contact with a sample to be analysed; b) illuminating the sensor element (14) with monochromatic light; and c) detecting surface enhanced Raman scattering by the sensor element (14).