Abstract: The invention provides, inter alia, a nucleic acid (e.g. expression vector) that comprises at least a first coding sequence and a second coding sequence. Each conding sequence is under the control of an inducible promoter of defined strength. Different promoters can have different strengths. Each promoter is responsive to the same inducer. The invention also provides: methods of expressing coding regions, methods of making a product of a multi-enzyme pathway, and methods of optimizing the yield of a product of a multi-enzyme metabolic pathway using the nucleic acids provided by the invention. Also disclosed is a method of non-enzymatic gene cloning useful for practicing the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides, inter alia, a nucleic acid (e.g. expression vector) that comprises at least a first coding sequence and a second coding sequence. Each conding sequence is under the control of an inducible promoter of defined strength. Different promoters can have different strengths. Each promoter is responsive to the same inducer. The invention also provides: methods of expressing coding regions, methods of making a product of a multi-enzyme pathway, and methods of optimizing the yield of a product of a multi-enzyme metabolic pathway using the nucleic acids provided by the invention. Also disclosed is a method of non-enzymatic gene cloning useful for practicing the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides, inter alia, a nucleic acid (e.g. expression vector) that comprises at least a first coding sequence and a second coding sequence. Each conding sequence is under the control of an inducible promoter of defined strength. Different promoters can have different strengths. Each promoter is responsive to the same inducer. The invention also provides: methods of expressing coding regions, methods of making a product of a multi-enzyme pathway, and methods of optimizing the yield of a product of a multi-enzyme metabolic pathway using the nucleic acids provided by the invention. Also disclosed is a method of non-enzymatic gene cloning useful for practicing the invention.

Abstract: A method for microbial and/or enzymatic devulcanization of rubber includes: providing a particulate vulcanized rubber compound, swelling the vulcanized rubber compound in a solvent, and introducing a microbe or enzyme into the solvent containing the particulate vulcanized rubber in order to devulcanize the rubber compound.

Abstract: The invention provides, inter alia, a nucleic acid (e.g. expression vector) that comprises at least a first coding sequence and a second coding sequence. Each conding sequence is under the control of an inducible promoter of defined strength. Different promoters can have different strengths. Each promoter is responsive to the same inducer. The invention also provides: methods of expressing coding regions, methods of making a product of a multi-enzyme pathway, and methods of optimizing the yield of a product of a multi-enzyme metabolic pathway using the nucleic acids provided by the invention. Also disclosed is a method of non-enzymatic gene cloning useful for practicing the invention.

Abstract: A method for microbial and/or enzymatic devulcanization of rubber includes: providing a particulate vulcanized rubber compound, swelling the vulcanized rubber compound in a solvent, and introducing a microbe or enzyme into the solvent containing the particulate vulcanized rubber in order to devulcanize the rubber compound.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for adhering cells in a specific and predetermined position, and associated methods. The device includes a plate defining a surface and a plurality of cytophilic islands that adhere cells, isolated by cytophobic regions to which cells do not adhere, contiguous with the cytophilic islands. The islands or the regions or both may be formed of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM).

Abstract: The invention provides a device for adhering cells in a specific and predetermined position, and associated methods. The device includes a plate defining a surface and a plurality of cytophilic islands that adhere cells, isolated by cytophobic regions to which cells do not adhere, contiguous with the cytophilic islands. The islands or the regions or both may be formed of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM).

Abstract: The invention provides a device for adhering cells in a specific and predetermined position, and associated methods. The device includes a plate defining a surface and a plurality of cytophilic islands that adhere cells, isolated by cytophobic regions to which cells do not adhere, contiguous with the cytophilic islands. The islands or the regions or both may be formed of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM).

Abstract: Methods and a device are provided for adhering cells in a specific and predetermined position. The device comprises a plate defining a surface and a plurality of cytophilic islands that adhere cells which are isolated by cytophobic regions to which cells do not adhere. The cytophobic regions can be wide enough such that less than 10 percent of the cells adhered to the cytophilic islands are allowed to form bridges across the cytophobic regions and contact each other. Further, the islands or the regions or both may be formed of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM). The methods are for forming a patterned surface for a population of cells and for selectively manipulating individual cells formed on the surface of the plate of the device. Furthermore, the device is used in immobilization of cells at a surface and for controlling shape of the cells.

Abstract: A device is provided for adhering cells in a specific and predetermined position. The device comprises a plate defining a surface and a plurality of cytophilic islands that adhere cells which are isolated by cytophobic regions to which cells do not adhere and further is contiguous with the cytophilic islands. The islands or the regions or both may be formed of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM). Further, the cytophobic regions are wide enough such that less than 10 percent of the cells adhered to the cytophilic islands are allowed to form bridges across the cytophobic regions and contact each other. The device is used in a method for culturing cells on a surface or in a medium and also for performing cytometry. Furthermore, the device is used in immobilization of cells at a surface and for controlling the shape of a cell.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a device for adhering cells in a specific and predetermined position. The device comprises a plate defining a surface and a plurality of cytophilic islands that adhere cells which are isolated by cytophobic regions to which cells do not adhere and further is contiguous with the cytophilic islands. The islands or the regions or both may be formed of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM). Further, the cytophobic regions are wide enough such that less than 10 percent of the cells adhered to the cytophilic islands are allowed to form bridges across the cytophobic regions and contact each other. The device is used in a method for culturing cells on a surface or in a medium and also for performing cytometry. Furthermore, the device is used in immobilization of cells at a surface and for controlling the shape of a cell.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method and an apparatus for determining concentration of solid particles of interest in a sample in the presence of at least one other type of solid particle by measuring light scatter at a wavelength which is independent of solid particle concentration which is not of interest and related to solid particle concentration of interest. Preferably, solid particles of interest are cells grown in cell culture medium comprising a solid substrate.