Abstract: The present invention relates to allosteric modulation of A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR) and provides for the use of an A3 adenosine receptor modulator (A3RM), for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for modulating the A3AR in a subject, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same and therapeutic methods comprising administering to a subject an amount of an A3RM, the amount being effective to modulate A3AR activity. The A3RM according to the invention are 1H-Imidazo-[4,5-c]quinolin-4-amine derivatives. The invention also provides some of such novel 1H-Imidazo-[4,5-c]quinolin-4-amine derivatives.

Abstract: An array microinjection apparatus comprises a substrate (10) defining an in-use upper surface (11) having formed therein a plurality of part-spherical recesses (12). Each of these includes an in-use upwardly facing opening (13), the dimensions of the recesses (12) being such that each said recess accommodates therein a single cell; or the dimensions of the recesses being such that each said recess accommodates therein a single embryo, the recesses (12) being arranged in the surface (11) in a regular pattern.

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).

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of biofuels, proteins, peptides and other value-added compounds from crude carbon sources. The inventors identified genes encoding novel pentose transporters, in particular transporters of L-arabinose and/or D-xylose. Regulation of the Aspergillus niger genes by xlnR and araR was instrumental in the identification of these genes and their substrate specificities. Provided are novel pentose transporters and their encoding nucleic acids. Also provided are host cells (over)expressing a transporter, and industrial applications thereof, for instance in biofuel production.

Abstract: The invention relates to industrial microbiology, in particular to fermentation technology and especially to fermentation methods for filamentous microorganisms, in particular, filamentous microorganisms such as actinomycetes. The present invention discloses a method for improving the production of a product of interest in a liquid culture of filamentous microorganisms comprising providing the filamentous microorganisms with an agent for altering the morphology of microstructures of the filamentous microorganisms. The invention also relates to a method for improving the production of a product of interest in a liquid culture of filamentous microorganisms comprising altering in the filamentous microorganisms the expression level or copy number of an endogenous agent for altering the morphology of microstructures of the filamentous microorganisms. The invention further provides multiple methods for obtaining a filamentous microorganism with altered, preferably enhanced, fragmentation characteristics.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of assessing the susceptibility of a subject to, or aiding the diagnosis of, an anxiety disorder or depression, the method including determining whether the subject has a haplotype including rs3216799, rs6814934, rs7658048, rs2070950 and rs2070951 with respective alleles ‘+CT, ‘C’, ‘T’, ‘C’ and ‘C’. Also provided is a kit of parts or solid substrate for use in assessing the susceptibility of a subject to an anxiety disorder or depression, the kit including or the solid substrate having attached thereto one or more nucleic acid molecules that hybridise selectively to a genomic region encompassing any two or more SNPs selected from the group consisting of rs3216799, rs6814934, rs7658048, rs2070950 and rs2070951, and/or that hybridise selectively to a genomic region encompassing two or more polymorphic sites in linkage disequilibrium with any one or more SNPs selected from rs3216799, rs6814934, rs7658048, rs2070950 and rs2070951.

Abstract: A biological microfluidics chip (100) comprising a substrate (102), a microfluidic inlet port (104) defining an opening in a surface of the substrate (102), and a microfluidic outlet port (106) defining an opening in a surface of the substrate (102). The biological microfluidics chip (100) also comprises a plurality of wells (108) extending from a top surface (110) of the substrate, wherein each well (108) is bounded by one or more walls, and an inlet opening (112) and an outlet opening (114) are provided in a wall of each of the plurality of wells (108). An inlet microfluidic channel (116) is provided in the substrate (102) to connect the microfluidic inlet port (104) to each of the inlet openings (112) in the walls of the wells, and an outlet microfluidic channel (118) is provided in the substrate to connect each of the outlet openings (114) in the walls of the wells to the microfluidic outlet port (106).

Abstract: The invention provides a block copolypeptide comprising a hydrophilic heteropolypeptide block (A) and a hydrophobic homopolypeptide block (B). There is also provided a polymersome comprising a block copolypeptide of the invention. The invention further provides a method for preparing a copolymer comprising ring-opening polymerisation (ROP) of an amino acid N-carboxyanhydride (NCA) initiated from a peptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for screening compounds to identify compounds that bind to a specific target, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a target immobilized to a solid support; (b) generating a first NMR spectrum of the said compounds to be screened in the presence of the solid support without the target molecule immobilized thereto; (c) generating a second NMR spectrum of the said compounds to be screened in the presence of the solid support with the target molecule immobilized thereto; and (d) comparing said first and second NMR spectrum to determine differences between said first and second NMR spectrum. Further the invention relates to an NMR apparatus having arranged therein a particular NMR probe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to phaseguide patterns for use in fluid systems such as channels, chambers, and flow through cells. In order to effectively control filling and/or emptying of fluidic chambers and channels, techniques for a controlled overflowing of phaseguides are proposed. In addition, techniques of confined liquid patterning in a larger fluidic structure, including approaches for patterning overflow structures and the specific shape of phaseguides, are provided. The invention also proposes techniques to effectively rotate the advancement of a liquid/air meniscus over a certain angle. In particular, a phaseguide pattern for guiding a flow of a liquid contained within a compartment is provided, wherein an overflow of the phaseguide by a moving liquid phase is controlled by a local change in capillary force along the phaseguide, wherein said overflow by the liquid over the phaseguide is provoked at the position of the local change in capillary force.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a base, a finger attachment, and an electromagnet. The base comprises a proximity detector configured to determine an input distance between the finger attachment and the base. The apparatus further comprises a converter configured to convert the input distance between the finger attachment and the base into an output force to be applied to the finger attachment. The electromagnet is configured to apply a force to the finger attachment in accordance with the output force to be applied to the finger attachment as determined by the converter.

Abstract: Provided are 2,4-disubstituted quinoline derivatives that are A3 adenosine receptor modulators (A3RM), for use in the treatment of a condition which is treatable by adenosine, an A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR) agonist, or an A3 adenosine receptor antagonist. The 2,4-disubstituted quinoline derivatives can be used in the treatment of a condition treatable by an adenosine or an A3AR agonist, by enhancing activity of a protein (by binding of said 2,4-disubstituted quinoline derivative to the A3AR). Some conditions treatable by the 2,4-disubstituted quinoline derivative when used for enhancing activity include, malignancy, an immuno-compromised affliction, high intraocular pressure, or a condition associated with high intraocular pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of biochemistry, molecular biology and microbiology. More specific the invention relates to methods and means for metabolic engineering and improved product formation by a filamentous micro-organism or a low G+C gram-positive bacterium. The invention discloses 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, the invention provides 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, the invention also provides 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: Methods for treating neuroblastoma in a subject are provided. The methods include administering to the subject nucleic acid that is capable of causing a significant reduction of the amount of doublecortin like protein (DCL) in the subject. The nucleic acids include antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel nucleic acid and protein molecules and their use in neuroblastoma therapy and diagnosis.

Abstract: The invention provides a microfluidic device wherein capillaries are connected to the microfluidic device by a deformable penetrable substance.

Abstract: Provided are means and method for the production of proteins in non-production in non-human animals. Cells producing a protein of interest is implanted in said non-human animal whereupon produced protein is harvested.

Abstract: The invention provides a compound of formula (I) wherein R and R? are selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or aryl; R? and R?? are selected from hydrogen, acyl, thio-acyl, seleno-acyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or aryl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to interact with the adenosine receptors in the beneficial treatment and/or prevention of a (dis)order arising from the said receptors. The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds. The invention also relates to the use of said compositions for treating an/or preventing a variety of diseases.

Abstract: The invention provides a compound having the structure of general formula (I): or a salt thereof, wherein, R represents hydrogen (except when R?=H), halogen, (substituted) alkyl except —CH3, (substituted) alkenyl, (substituted) alkynyl, or (substituted) —(CH2)n-aryl; R? represents hydrogen (except when R=H), halogen, (substituted) alkyl except —CH3, (substituted) alkenyl, (substituted) alkynyl, or (substituted) —CH2)n-aryl; R? represents hydrogen, —(CH2)n-hydroxyl, halogen, acyl, thio-acyl, seleno-acyl, (substituted) alkyl, (substituted) alkenyl, (substituted) alkynyl, or (substituted) —(CH2)n-aryl; and n is a number in the range from 0 to 10. The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compound, and the use of said compound to treat and/or prevent a variety of diseases.

Abstract: A method of effecting a change in a cell using a transfer system which is contacted with the cell to be changed. The transfer system comprises a fusion protein which is transferred into the cell using the VirB/VirD4 transfer system. According to the invention, a fusion protein BA is introduced into the cell to be changed comprising i) as a first part A, an oligopeptide comprising the C-terminal amino acids 1-20 of VirF, VirD2, VirE2, VirE3, VirD5 or MobA, or an analogue thereof and ii) as a second part B, a polypeptide capable of effecting a cell-changing activity in the cell to be changed, wherein the polypeptide is attached with the C-terminal end thereof linked with the N-terminal end of the first part.