Abstract: Disclosed is a bioassay method in which, by controlling the electric field formation in the reaction region where an interaction between substances, such as a hybridization, is performed, the efficiency of the interaction can be improved. Also disclosed is a bioassay apparatus in which the method can be favorably carried out. The method includes at least a step of turning on/off the electric field formation by the electric field-forming means E at a predetermined timing.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to clarify unelucidated aspects in the control mechanism of circadian rhythms. The present inventors have newly found that ROR? (retinoic acid binding-receptor alpha; the same shall apply hereinafter) stimulates an induction of Bmal1 expression and also that the induction of Bmal1 expression is promoted under hypoxia. These findings strongly suggest the existence of a control mechanism of circadian rhythms that, when ROR? expression is promoted under hypoxia or the like, an induction of Bmal1 expression is stimulated and, when the induction of Bmal1 expression is stimulated, binding between BMAL1 and CLOCK is stimulated and an induction of Per gene or Cry gene expression is stimulated. The present invention, therefore, has applicability as jet-lag regulating agents and anticancer agents.

Abstract: A bioassay substrate (1) takes a flat-plate shape in which the principal surface similar to that of optical disc such as CD, etc. is circular. At the center of the substrate (1), there is formed a center hole (2) into which a chucking mechanism for rotation and holding is inserted. The substrate (1) is rotationally driven with the center hole (2) being as center. On the substrate (1), there are formed two regions of a recording region (3) and a reaction region (4) which are formed in concentrical form in a radial direction. The recording region (3) is a region where, similarly to the optical disk information recording medium, laser beams are irradiated so that recording/reproduction of information is optically performed. The reaction region (4) is a region serving as the filed of mutual reaction between probe DNA (nucleotide chain for detection) and sample DNA (marked or labeled nucleotide chain), in concrete terms, the field of hybridization reaction.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to clarify unelucidated aspects in the control mechanism of circadian rhythms. The present inventors have newly found that ROR? (retinoic acid binding-receptor alpha; the same shall apply hereinafter) stimulates an induction of Bmal1 expression and also that the induction of Bmal1 expression is promoted under hypoxia. These findings strongly suggest the existence of a control mechanism of circadian rhythms that, when ROR? expression is promoted under hypoxia or the like, an induction of Bmal1 expression is stimulated and, when the induction of Bmal1 expression is stimulated, binding between BMAL1 and CLOCK is stimulated and an induction of Per gene or Cry gene expression is stimulated. The present invention, therefore, has applicability as jet-lag regulating agents and anticancer agents.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for determining the base sequence of a nucleic acid molecule by cleaving a nucleic acid molecule of interest while controlling the cleavage site, measuring the change in mass which occurs in the nucleic acid molecule after the cleavage step, and acquiring the base information of the cleaved nucleic acid molecule from the data about the change in mass. The method and apparatus are based on the principle which is entirely different from that used for the conventional technique.

Abstract: To verify an action of a high-frequency ac electric field on a single-stranded nucleic acid existing in an aqueous solution. This action is used to improve the efficiency of hybridization to which the single-stranded nucleic acid is subjected as a complementary strand. Provided are a method and system for stretching a single-stranded nucleic acid, which exists in a free form in pure water or an aqueous solution (R) of pH 5 to 11, or which exists in a form immobilized on one of surface (f) of an electrode (E) of opposing electrodes (E,E) arranged facing the aqueous solution (R) or in a form immobilized on surfaces (f) of both electrodes (E) of opposing electrodes (E, E), by causing a high-frequency ac electric field to act on the single-stranded nucleic acid.

Abstract: A bioassay substrate (1) is flat and has a disc-shaped main side like an optical disc such as CD. The substrate (1) is rotatable about a central hole (2) formed therein. The substrate (1) has formed on the surface (1a) thereof a plurality of wells (8) where a probe-use DNA (detection-use nucleotide chain) and sample-use DNA (target nucleotide chain) react with each other for hybridization. The substrate (1) has a transparent electrode layer (4) formed as an underlying layer of the well (8). For hybridization, an external electrode (18) is placed in a position near the transparent electrode layer (4) from above the top surface (1a) of the substrate (1) to apply an AC power to between the transparent electrode layer (4) and external electrode (18) in order to apply an AC electric field perpendicularly to the substrate (1).

Abstract: A circadian rhythm control gee cluster (Bmal1 gene, Npas2 gene, Rev-erb?, Dbp gene, Per3 gene, Per2 gene and Per1 gene) having a given expression timing and expression sequence under normal conditions is provided along with a DNA chip having, at least, the circadian control gene group sequentially arranged. There are also provided a method for predicting modulation in expression timing of the circadian rhythm control gene cluster, a method for detecting a circadian rhythm modulation, a method for selecting a circadian rhythm regulator, a method for screening a circadian rhythm regulator, and screening of a substance involving modulation of a circadian rhythm as a side effect, each using the DNA chip.

Abstract: A bioassay substrate (1) takes a flat-plate shape in which the principal surface similar to that of optical disc such as CD, etc. is circular. At the center of the substrate (1), there is formed a center hole (2) into which a chucking mechanism for rotation and holding is inserted. The substrate (1) is rotationally driven with the center hole (2) being as center. On the substrate (1), there are formed two regions of a recording region (3) and a reaction region (4) which are formed in concentrical form in a radial direction. The recording region (3) is a region where, similarly to the optical disk information recording medium, laser beams are irradiated so that recording/reproduction of information is optically performed. The reaction region (4) is a region serving as the filed of mutual reaction between probe DNA (nucleotide chain for detection) and sample DNA (marked or labeld nucleotide chain), in concrete terms, the field of hybridization reaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hybridization detector (1a) and the like that are improved in the hybridization efficiency by arraying nucleotide probes in a stretched form, a sensor chip including the hybridization detector (1a) or the like, and a method of hybridization using these detectors or the chip. The hybridization detector (la) and the like include a reaction region (R) for hybridization between the nucleotide probes (X) and target nucleotide sequences (Y) having a base sequence complementary to the nucleotide probes (X). The reaction region (R) has a configuration for stretching the nucleotide probes (X) by an electric field and immobilizing the nucleotide probes (X) on ends (E) of scanning electrodes (C) by dielectrophoresis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for determining the base sequence of a nucleic acid molecule by cleaving a nucleic acid molecule of interest while controlling the cleavage site, measuring the change in mass which occurs in the nucleic acid molecule after the cleavage step, and acquiring the base information of the cleaved nucleic acid molecule from the data about the change in mass. The method and apparatus are based on the principle which is entirely different from that used for the conventional technique.

Abstract: In a cell detecting part (2), and end face (13a) of a cantilever (13) is previously surface treated so that a detecting nucleotide chain D can be fixed thereto. In a reaction area (10), and electric field is generated by a cathode (11) and an anode (12). A target nucleotide chain T dripped from a nozzle (3) moves to the end face (13a) while the target nucleotide chain T is stretched. When the detecting nucleotide chain D and the target nucleotide chain T are hybridized, the mass of the cantilever (13) is increased to lower a natural frequency. Thus, ac voltage is applied to the cantilever (13) to measure the change of the natural frequency. Thus, whether or not there is the hybridization is detected and the number of the hybridized target nucleotide chains T is quantitatively detected.

Abstract: A detecting unit for detecting interaction between substances includes a pair of first opposed electrodes disposed opposite to each other so as to sandwich a reaction area providing a field for the interaction between the substances, and both or one of electrodes forming second opposed electrodes disposed opposite to each other in a direction of an axis crossing an opposing axis of the first opposed electrodes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bioassay method in which, by controlling the electric field formation in the reaction region where an interaction between substances, such as a hybridization, is performed, the efficiency of the interaction can be improved. Also disclosed is a bioassay apparatus in which the method can be favorably carried out.

Abstract: To provide a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus and a semiconductor device manufacturing method able to form a sufficiently precise pattern by ablation. A semiconductor manufacturing apparatus comprising a light source emitting light of a first wavelength on the surface of a wafer and a mask through which at least a part of the light of the first wavelength passes and removing a material of the part of the wafer exposed by the light of the first wavelength by vaporization, wherein the light source comprises an electron beam generating means for generating an electron beam and a light emitting means for emitting light of a second wavelength longer than the first wavelength and wherein the light of the first wavelength is inverse Compton scattered light obtained by collision of electrons in the electron beam with photons in the light of the second wavelength causing the energy of the electrons to be given to the photons and a semiconductor device manufacturing method using the apparatus.

Abstract: A short-wavelength electromagnetic-radiation generator includes a pair of concave reflectors, a laser source for emitting a laser beam so as to be incident between the concave reflectors, and an electron beam generator for emitting an electron beam so as to be incident on the laser beam, which is repeatedly reflected and converged.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser device having a stripe light emission region formed in an active layer, a bent portion formed in the active layer on a light end portion of the light emission region in a range of approximately the width of the light emission region, and a flat portion formed in the active layer the width of which is made larger than that of the light emission region inside of the end portion of the light emission region.

Abstract: A method of an iron Fe ion implantation into a semiconductor substrate of an N-type conductivity is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of implanting Fe ions into an N-type semiconductor substrate from its one surface with the dose amount of 10.sup.10 to 10.sup.15 cm.sup.-2 and heat-treating the semiconductor substrate with Fe ions at 850.degree. to 1250.degree. C. to control the lifetime of the minority carrier in the substrate and hence to reduce the temperature dependency of the lifetime.

Abstract: A semiconductor photovoltaic device is comprised of 2n layers of alternating p-type and n-type material having respective PN junctions between adjacent layers, wherein n is an integer greater than 1. Each layer has a thickness which is less than the diffusion length of a minority carrier therein. The PN junctions are excited by light which is incident on the device to thereby cause majority carriers to be accumulated in the respective layers so as to forward bias all of the PN junctions. As a result of this forward biasing, minority carriers are injected across a first PN junction fr0m one layer into an adjacent layer and then traverse the next PN junction into the next succeeding layer. The photovoltaic device thus is adapted to supply a voltage and a current to a load.

Abstract: A polycrystalline silicon layer provides an antireflective coating on a semiconductor surface of a photo-sensitive detector, the polycrystalline silicon layer containing from 25 to 45 atomic percent of oxygen and having a refractive index intermediate that of the semiconductor crystal and the exterior environment.