Abstract: Compositions comprising a plurality of yeast cells which have been cultured in the presence of an alternating electric field having a specific frequency and a specific field strength for a period of time sufficient to substantially increase the capability of said plurality of yeast cells to degrade environmental toxins, such as antibiotics and organic solvents, in a culture medium. Also included are methods of making such compositions.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a plurality of yeast cells, wherein said plurality of yeast cells have been cultured in the presence of an alternating electric field having a specific frequency and a specific field strength for a period of time sufficient to substantially increase the capability of said plurality of yeast cells to suppress the growth of algae or decompose debris of algae. Also included are methods of making such compositions.

Abstract: The present invention describes the use of chemically defined media for the fermentative production of valuable compounds on an industrial scale. Microbial strains which are suitable for fermentation on an industrial scale using a chemically defined medium include fungal, yeast and bacterial strains. Suitable strains can be obtained as wild type strains or by screening and selection after mutagenic treatment or DNA transformation.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems for growing two or three dimensional mammalian cells within a culture medium facilitated by an electromagnetic field, and preferably, a time varying electromagnetic field. The cells and culture medium are contained within a fixed or rotating culture vessel, and the electromagnetic field is emitted from at least one electrode. In one embodiment, the electrode is spaced from the vessel. The invention further provides methods to promote neural tissue regeneration by means of culturing the neural cells in the claimed system. In one embodiment, neuronal cells are grown within longitudinally extending tissue strands extending axially along and within electrodes comprising electrically conductive channels or guides through which a time varying electrical current is conducted, the conductive channels being positioned within a culture medium.

Abstract: This invention presents a method of improving enzymatic degradation of lignocellulose, as in the production of ethanol from lignocellulosic material, through the use of ultrasonic treatment. The invention shows that ultrasonic treatment reduces cellulase requirements by ⅓ to ½. With the cost of enzymes being a major problem in the cost-effective production of ethanol from lignocellulosic material, this invention presents a significant improvement over presently available methods.

Abstract: A method and bioreactor (10) apparatus is described for maintaining cells in a culture medium containing gas or liquid aphrons. A preferred microbubble generator (42, 42A) of a gas which is necessary for maintaining the cells to produce plant described chemicals is described. Bioparticles (11) containing magnetically susceptible particles are provided in a column (12) surrounded by solenoids (13, 14, 14A) which act to hold the bioparticles in position in the column. Preferably, one of the solenoids with a magnetically susceptible screen (24) acts as a valve to allow a portion of the bioparticles to be removed from the column.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and systems are provided for the stimulation of biological activities within bone marrow stromal cells by applying electromagnetic stimulation to an electroactive material, wherein the electromagnetic stimulation is coupled to the electromagnetic material. In general the present invention involves attaching or associating the desired bone marrow stromal cells to or with a surface comprising an electroactive material, and applying electromagnetic radiation directly to the desired area. In preferred embodiments, the stimulation of biological activities within bone marrow stromal cells results from inducing one or more activities including, but not limited to, gene expression, cell growth, cell differentiation, signal transduction, membrane permeability, cell division and cell signalling. In particularly preferred embodiments, the present invention stimulates bone cell regeneration.