Abstract: Provided is a composition comprising a Vpr polypeptide conjugated to a therapeutic molecule. Preferably, the Vpr comprises synthetic Vpr. The therapeutic molecule can comprise any molecule capable of being conjugated to Vpr or a fragment thereof, including a polypeptide, a polynucleotide, and/or a toxin. The invention additionally provides a method for delivering a molecule into a cell. The method comprises contacting the cell with a conjugate comprising a Vpr polypeptide conjugated to the molecule. The invention further provides a method for modulating the expression of a transgene in a cell, a method for killing a target cell population in a subject, a method for increasing the sensitivity of cells to radiation therapy, and a method for inhibiting cell proliferation.

Abstract: System for processing samples, in particular samples containing nucleic acids comprising a multichamber arrangement the chambers of which are used to receive liquids and it also concerns a pipetting device for removing liquids from the chambers and/or dispensing liquid into the chambers, wherein the system has a contamination protection which can move relative to the multichamber arrangement and which prevents contamination of an adjacent second chamber with liquid from the first chamber during a pipetting operation in the first chamber, by preventing discharge of fluid droplets from the first chamber into the second chamber by at least partially covering the first chamber.

Abstract: Dental material containing a cluster according to the general formula [(M1)a(M2)bOc(OH)d(OR)e(L—Sp—Z)f] (I) in which M1, M2, independently of each other, stand in each case for a metal atom of the IIIrd or Vth main groups or the Ist to VIIIth sub-groups of the periodic table; R is an alkyl group with 1 to 6 carbon atoms; L is a co-ordinating group with 2 to 6 complexing centres; Sp is a spacer group or is absent; Z is a polymerizable group; c is a number from 1 to 30; d, e, independently of each other, are in each case a number from 1 to 30; f is a number from 2 to 30, any charge of the cluster (I) present being equalized by counterions.

Abstract: Provided is a composition comprising a Vpr polypeptide conjugated to a therapeutic molecule. Preferably, the Vpr comprises synthetic Vpr. The therapeutic molecule can comprise any molecule capable of being conjugated to Vpr or a fragment thereof, including a polypeptide, a polynucleotide, and/or a toxin. The invention additionally provides a method for delivering a molecule into a cell. The method comprises contacting the cell with a conjugate comprising a Vpr polypeptide conjugated to the molecule. The invention further provides a method for modulating the expression of a transgene in a cell, a method for killing a target cell population in a subject, a method for increasing the sensitivity of cells to radiation therapy, and a method for inhibiting cell proliferation.

Abstract: The invention relates to aerogels containing functional residues of the formula (I)--Y--Z, wherein Y is a straight-chained or branched alkylene group with 1 to 22 carbon atoms; Z is halogen, pseudohalogen, SR.sup.1, PR.sup.2 R.sup.3, colorant residue or metal complex residue; R.sup.1 is H, a straight-chained or branched alkyl group with 1 to 22 carbon atoms or an aryl group with 4 to 10 carbon atoms; and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are identical or different, a straight-chained or branched alkyl group with 1 to 22 carbon atoms, or an aryl group with 4 to 10 carbon atoms. The aerogels are suitable, for example, as catalyst stayes and/or sensors. They can be obtained by metal alcoholates and metal alcoholates in which at least one alcoholate residue is replaced by the --Y--Z group being converted into a lyogel by hydrolysis and condensation, and subsequently being dried.

Abstract: An instrument that can hold one or more sample processsing vessels, maintain the sample processing vessels at a constant temperature, shake the sample processing vessels and separate magnetic particles by means of magnetic force. This system greatly simplifies the isolation of nucleic acids.

Abstract: Method of separating a component of a liquid from other components by immobilizing the component to suspended magnetic particles in a vessel, immersing a magnetic device into the vessel while the device is separated from the liquid by means of a protective sleeve made of a non-magnetic material. Then the non-immobilized components are removed. The invention also addresses a device suitable for implementing this method. With said method and device, resuspension is achieved in a simple and efficient manner.

Abstract: SiO.sub.2 aerogels containing carbon particles are obtainable by heatinga) organically modified SiO.sub.2 aerogels in the presence of at least one pyrolyzable hydrocarbon gas and/or at least one inert gas orb) organically unmodified SiO.sub.2 aerogels in the presence of at least one pyrolyzable hydrocarbon gas and in the presence or absence of inert gases to 600.degree.-1300.degree. C.

Abstract: The conversion of CO/H.sub.2 O mixtures, in particular water gas, is carr out in the presence of solid, polymer rhodium complex catalysts which are insoluble in aqueous and organic solvents and are obtainable by polycondensation of one or more rhodium complexes having at least one ligand which contains at least one group capable of coordinating to rhodium and at least one group forming an inorganic network in the polycondensation, either with itself or with one or more inorganic network-forming agents capable of undergoing polycondensation. Novel rhodium complexes of this type are also described.

Abstract: Composite materials which contain small particles of metal or metal oxide an oxide matrix are prepared by a process which comprises a) subjecting (1) one or more metal compounds and (2) one or more bifunctional compounds which contain at least one group capable of complexing the metal and at least one group which forms an inorganic network during the polycondensation, and if appropriate (3) one or more network-forming agents which are capable of polycondensation to the conditions of a complexing reaction and hydrolytic polycondensation by the sol-gel process in a liquid reaction medium, compounds (1), (2) and (3) being soluble in the reaction medium, and b) oxidizing the resulting polycondensate to form a composite material which contains small metal oxide particles with the very narrow particle size distribution in an oxide matrix, and if appropriate c) reducing the metal oxide particles of the resulting composite material to the metal.