Abstract: The present invention relates to the growth of cells in culture under conditions that promote differentiation, cell survival, and/or cellular proliferation. More particularly, culturing neural crest stem cells in low oxygen conditions is described.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel Haemophilus adhesion proteins, nucleic acids, and antibodies.

Abstract: A biosensor, sensor array, sensing method and sensing apparatus are provided in which individual cells or randomly mixed populations of cells, having unique response characteristics to chemical and biological materials, are deployed in a plurality of microwells formed at the distal end of individual fibers within a fiber optic array. The biosensor array utilizes an optically interrogatable encoding scheme for determining the identity and location of each cell type in the array and provides for simultaneous measurements of large numbers of individual cell responses to target analytes. The sensing method utilizes the unique ability of cell populations to respond to biologically significant compounds in a characteristic and detectable manner. The biosensor array and measurement method may be employed in the study of biologically active materials, in situ environmental monitoring, monitoring of a variety of bioprocesses, and for high throughput screening of large combinatorial chemical libraries.

Abstract: Described herein are assays and components for encoding and decoding microspheres. Each assay or component described utilizes at least one nanocrystal.

Abstract: The present invention provides biosensors, apparatus and methods for selectively detecting at least one complementary oligonucleotide target specie in a fluid sample containing a mixture of different oligonucleotide fragments. One preferred embodiment of the biosensor is as a unitary fiber optic array having species of single stranded nucleic acid disposed as individual deposits in aligned organization upon multiple strand end faces at differing spatial positions on the distal array end surface.

Abstract: High-throughput screening method and apparatus are described. The method includes placing cells on a substrate defining a plurality of discrete microwells, at a well density of greater than about 100/cm2, with the number of cells in each well being less than about 1000, and where the cells in each well have been exposed to a selected agent. The change in conductance in each well is determined by applying a low-voltage, AC signal across a pair of electrodes paced in that well, and synchronously measuring the conductance across the electrodes, to monitor the level of growth or metabolic activity of cells contained in each well. Also disclosed is an apparatus for carrying out the screening method.

Abstract: The acid-labile sub-unit (ALS) of insulin like growth factor binding protein complex in biologically pure form is described. ALS has a molecular weight between 80-115 kd as determined by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, run under reducing conditions; and a partial N-terminal amino acid sequence as follows: Gly AspProGlyThrProGlyGluAlaGluGlyProAlaCysProAlaAlaCysAla wherein the first amino acid may be Gly or Ala. Also described are methods of producing ALS, compositions containing the in-vivo IGF protein complex, methods of detecting ALS in body fluids, recombinant nucleic acid sequences encoding ALS, and expression vectors and host cells containing such nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for decoding microsphere array sensors.

Abstract: A biosensor, sensor array, sensing method and sensing apparatus are provided in which individual cells or randomly mixed populations of cells, having unique response characteristics to chemical and biological materials, are deployed in a plurality of discrete sites on a substrate. In a preferred embodiment, the discrete sites comprise microwells formed at the distal end of individual fibers within a fiber optic array. The biosensor array utilizes an optically interrogatable encoding scheme for determining the identity and location of each cell type in the array and provides for simultaneous measurements of large numbers of individual cell responses to target analytes. The sensing method utilizes the unique ability of cell populations to respond to biologically significant compounds in a characteristic and detectable manner.

Abstract: A microsphere-based analytic chemistry system and method for making the same is disclosed in which microspheres or particles carrying bioactive agents may be combined randomly or in ordered fashion and dispersed on a substrate to form an array while maintaining the ability to identify the location of bioactive agents and particles within the array using an optically interrogatable, optical signature encoding scheme. A wide variety of modified substrates may be employed which provide either discrete or non-discrete sites for accommodating the microspheres in either random or patterned distributions. The substrates may be constructed from a variety of materials to form either two-dimensional or three-dimensional configurations. In a preferred embodiment, a modified fiber optic bundle or array is employed as a substrate to produce a high density array. The disclosed system and method have utility for detecting target analytes and screening large libraries of bioactive agents.