Abstract: A solid buffer including one or more ion exchange materials, wherein said solid buffer has a volumetric buffering capacity greater than about 20 mM H+/(L.pH unit) and further wherein, when said material is in an environment capable of transporting H+ ions, said solid buffer is adapted to cause the death of at least one target cell within or in contact with said environment. A selectively permeable barrier layer may be provided covering the solid buffer.

Abstract: A method of producing a liquid substantially free of beverage spoiling microorganisms, characterized in that said method comprises steps of: (a) obtaining a liquid; (b) obtaining a bioactive material that does not affect a predetermined set of organoleptic parameters of said liquid upon contact with said concentrate for a predetermined length of time; and, (c) treating said liquid with said bioactive material until the concentration of beverage-spoiling microorganism falls below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Provided herein are biocidic compositions including an ion exchange material, wherein when said material is in an environment capable of transporting H+, said ion exchange material is adapted to cause the death of at least one cell within or in contact with said environment. A selectively permeable barrier layer may be provided covering the ion exchange material. Also provided herein are methods of making the foregoing biocidic compositions. In addition, provided herein are methods of using the foregoing biocidic compositions to cause the death of at least one cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for promoting rapid formation of biomolecule crystals from a solution of biomolecules, preferably proteins, wherein the protein solution undergoes rapid concentration according to its isoelectric point in an electric field. Protein crystallization according to the methods of the present invention takes place within a period of hours or less.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the separation of polysaccharides, particular heparin products, and glycosylated molecules are provided. The separation is based on the molecular weight and charge, by application of an electric field across a low-friction matrix, modified with a charged separation agent comprising charged regions ordered in a monotonous sequence distributed throughout the matrix, to generate a charge density gradient formed when an external electric field is applied. Saccharides of different charges migrate differently across the porous matrix and immobilized by charge neutralization in different charge regions of the matrix.

Abstract: The present invention relates to matrixes, arrays, systems and methods for analyzing biomolecules by their isoelectric point, optionally, in combination with a second dimension analysis. The assortment of matrixes, arrays and systems provided herein are useful for causing a biomolecule under the influence of an electrical field to accumulate into an buffer that comprises a pH value that is the same as the isoelectric point of the biomolecule. The methods of this invention are useful for, e.g., research and diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for targeting a drug to a specific desired location, such as an intracellular location in a mammalian cell, by causing said drug to migrate along a pH gradient to the specific location, where the drug preferentially accumulates at a pH range of the specific location. Accordingly, the invention described herein is based on providing a drug which is “pH matched” with that of a particular location, such that the drug preferentially migrates to and accumulates at the pH or pH range at that location. The location may be a type of tissue, a type of cell, a sub-cellular location or an intracellular location, such as an organelle. Without being bound to any theory, the drug migrates along or across a pH gradient, and stops migrating and accumulates at a location of specific pH or range of pH at which the drug is energetically neutral, or where its diffusion potential is at a minimum.

Abstract: A solid buffer including one or more ion exchange materials, wherein said solid buffer has a volumetric buffering capacity greater than about 20 mM H+/(L.pH unit) and further wherein, when said material is in an environment capable of transporting H+ ions, said solid buffer is adapted to cause the death of at least one target cell within or in contact with said environment. A selectively permeable barrier layer may be provided covering the solid buffer.

Abstract: A method of generating a change in a cellular process of a target cell is disclosed. The method comprises contacting the target cell with a solid buffer, so as to alter an intracellular pH value in at least a portion of the cell, thereby generating the change in a cellular process of a target cell of a multicellular organism. The method may be used to kill either eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells. Pharmaceutical compositions and devices are also enclosed.

Abstract: The present invention presents a biocidic packaging for cosmetics and/or foodstuffs, comprises at least one insoluble proton sink or source (PSS). The packaging is provided useful for killing living target cells (LTCs), or otherwise disrupting vital intracellular processes and/or intercellular interactions of said LTC upon contact. The PSS comprises, inter alia, (i) proton source or sink providing a buffering capacity; and (ii) means providing proton conductivity and/or electrical potential. The PSS is effectively disrupting the pH homeostasis and/or electrical balance within the confined volume of the LTC and/or disrupting vital intercellular interactions of the LTCs while efficiently preserving the pH of said LTCs' environment. The present invention also discloses a method for killing living target cells (LTCs), or otherwise disrupting vital intracellular processes and/or intercellular interactions of said LTC being in a packaging, especially cosmetic or foodstuffs' packaging.

Abstract: It is in the scope of the invention to disclose a biocidic textiles and fabrics, comprising at least one insoluble proton sink or source (PSS). The textiles and fabrics is provided useful for killing living target cells (LTCs), or otherwise disrupting vital intracellular processes and/or intercellular interactions of the LTC upon contact; the PSS comprising (i) proton source or sink providing a buffering capacity; and (ii) means providing proton conductivity and/or electrical potential; wherein the PSS is effectively disrupting the pH homeostasis and/or electrical balance within the confined volume of the LTC and/or disrupting vital intercellular interactions of the LTCs while efficiently preserving the pH of the LTCs' environment.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an insoluble proton sink or source (PSS), useful for killing living target cells (LTCs), or otherwise disrupting vital intracellular processes and/or intercellular interactions of the LTC upon contact. The PSS comprises (i) proton source or sink providing a buffering capacity; and (ii) means providing proton conductivity and/or electrical potential. The PSS is effectively disrupting the pH homeostasis and/or electrical balance within the confined volume of the LTC and/or disrupting vital intercellular interactions of the LTCs while efficiently preserving the pH of the LTCs' environment. The invention also provides articles of manufacture comprises the PSS and presents an effective method for killing the LTCs.

Abstract: Means and methods for deterring biofilm in water supply systems, comprising at least one insoluble proton sink or source (PSS). The means and methods for deterring biofilm is provided useful for killing living target cells (LTCs), or otherwise disrupting vital intracellular processes and/or intercellular interactions of the LTC upon contact. The PSS comprises, inter alia, (i) proton source or sink providing a buffering capacity; and (ii) means providing proton conductivity and/or electrical potential. The PSS is effectively disrupting the pH homeostasis and/or electrical balance within the confined volume of the LTC and/or disrupting vital intercellular interactions of the LTCs while efficiently preserving the pH of the LTCs' environment.

Abstract: The present invention discloses household cleaning materials comprising at least one insoluble proton sink or source (PSS) and to method for utilizing the PSS as a biocidic agent. The household cleaning materials are provided useful for killing living target cells (LTCs) or otherwise inhibiting LTCs growth, disrupting vital intracellular processes and/or intercellular interactions of the LTC upon contact. The household cleaning materials consisting of at least one PSS, comprises, inter alia, (i) proton source or sink providing a buffering capacity; and (ii) means providing proton conductivity and/or electrical potential. The PSS is effectively disrupting the pH homeostasis and/or electrical balance within the confined volume of said LTC and/or disrupting vital intercellular interactions of said LTCs while efficiently preserving the pH of said LTCs' environment.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a medical device selected from a group consisting of medical devices, implants wound dressings, comprises at least one insoluble proton sink or source (PSS). The medical device is provided useful for killing living target cells (LTCs), or otherwise disrupting vital intracellular processes and/or intercellular interactions of the LTC upon contact. The PSS comprises, inter alia, (i) proton source or sink providing a buffering capacity; and (ii) means providing proton conductivity and/or electrical potential. The PSS is effectively disrupting the pH homeostasis and/or electrical balance within the confined volume of the LTC and/or disrupting vital intercellular interactions of the LTCs while efficiently preserving the pH of the LTCs' environment.

Abstract: A system for iontophoretic transdermal delivery of a non-peptidic polymeric cosmetic or therapeutic agent or of a polypeptide useful for delivery of high molecular weight cosmetic or therapeutic agents. Particularly, the present invention relates to a system that includes an iontophoresis device and a pharmaceutical composition of a non-peptidic polymeric cosmetic or therapeutic agent together with a peptide, polypeptide or protein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier having a pH below or above the isoelectric pH of the peptide, polypeptide or protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for promoting rapid formation of biomolecule crystals from a solution of biomolecules, preferably proteins, wherein the protein solution undergoes rapid concentration according to its isoelectric point in an electric field. Protein crystallization according to the methods of the present invention takes place within a period of hours or less.

Abstract: Data acquisition apparatus for use with a fluid dispensing device and providing an electronic record of the precise volumes of fluid dispensed from the fluid dispensing device. The fluid dispensing device may be laboratory or clinical apparatus such as an automatic or manual pipette. The apparatus generally includes a fluid volume sensor for detecting the volume of fluid released from the fluid dispensing device and producing electrical signals determined by the volume of fluid released from the device, a data transmission device configured to receive the electrical signals, and a data storage device for storing them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the separation of analytes based on their molecular weight, by application of an electric field across a low-friction matrix that includes with a charged separation agent. The matrix comprises charged regions ordered in a monotonous sequence distributed throughout the matrix so as to generate a charge density gradient. When an external electric field is applied, the complex will move through the different charged regions and focusing of different analytes in different charge regions will occur. These systems are suitable for planar, capillary in-tube electrophoresis, as well as multi-channel arrays of capillaries filled with charge gradient gels, serial arrays of discrete compartments with charge density gradient, arrays in a chip format, pre-designed mass focusing arrays for specific protein masses in application for protein and DNA marker diagnostics, and multi compartment trapping devices for specific mass ranges.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for promoting rapid formation of biomolecule crystals from a solution of biomolecules, preferably proteins, wherein the protein solution undergoes rapid concentration according to its isoelectric point in an electric field. Protein crystallization according to the methods of the present invention takes place within a period of hours or less.