Abstract: An improved electrophoresis device includes first and second end reservoirs of buffer, and a separation tank between the end reservoirs. The separation tank fluidically interconnects the reservoirs and is configured to hold a stack of gel trays in an oriented electric field and covered by the buffer solution. At least one gas-driven fluid recirculation passage distinct from the separation tank drives buffer in one direction between the reservoirs, and stabilizes the buffer below the level of the trays, while stabilized buffer completes circulation between the stack of trays without thermal or chemical upset of the electrophoresis conditions over time. The device may have the same footprint as a conventional single-tray vessel, while having increased capacity for performing electrophoresis operations.

Abstract: A method for modifying the specificity or efficiency of an enzyme, while retaining its catalytic activity, is disclosed. The method is characterized by selecting an enzyme, the tertiary structure of which is substantially known or deduced; identifying a single specificity or efficiency-related region of the enzyme; identifying or constructing unique restriction sites bounding the identified region in the DNA coding therefor; generating a DNA sequence which corresponds to at least a portion of the identified region, except that the nucleotides of at least one codon are randomized, using the generated DNA sequence to replace the original such sequence; expressing the DNA including the generated DNA sequence; and selecting for a desired modification so that the DNA coding therefor may be isolated; the randomized DNA being generated by means of a PCR assembly method. Enzyme generated using this method, and having enhanced specificity or efficiency, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for suspending particles in a continuous flow of liquid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a serum-free eukaryotic cell culture medium supplement. The supplement comprises carbon sources, vitamins, inorganic salts, amino acids and a protein digest.The medium supplement of the present invention enables the maintenance of mammalian cell cultures at cell densities equal to or greater than that obtained with batch culture methods while increasing longevity and productivity.

Abstract: A process for the production of a homochiral 2-hydroxy carboxylic acid or salt thereof corresponding to general formula (I), wherein R represents one of formulae (II), (III), (IV), (V), wherein R' represents straight- or branched-chain alkyl or phenyl optionally para-substituted with methyl, methoxy, nitro or amino; and R" represents hydrogen, halogen or phenyl optionally para-substituted with methyl, methoxy, nitro or amino; and M represents hydrogen or a salt-forming moiety; characterized in that it comprises reducing a corresponding 2-keto carboxylic acid or salt thereof using a (R)- or (S)-2-oxo carboxylic acid dehydrogenase, inter alia, is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for preparing a glycolipid of formula (I): [(sac).sub.m+n ]--O--CH.sub.2 --CHX--CH(OQ)--Y wherein Q is H or a blocking group; X is N.sub.3 or NH.sub.2 ; Y is a lipid residue; each sac is a saccharide; and m and n are each integers; comprises reacting a corresponding glycolipid of formula (II): (sac).sub.n --O--CH.sub.2 --CHX--CH(OQ)--Y with the corresponding saccharide (sac).sub.m or a reactive derivative thereof, in the presence of an enzyme that catalyses the reaction. Compounds of formulae (I) and (II) are suitable for elaboration to a variety of saccharide ceramides.

Abstract: Inter alia, a process for the selective removal of salivary .alpha.-amylase from a sample comprising salivary .alpha.-amylase and pancreatic .alpha.-amylase characterized in that there is used a monoclonal antibody against salivary .alpha.-amylase, which is immobilized or is coupled to a physically separable or seperate support and which exhibits a binding affinity towards salivary .alpha.-amylase of at elast 1.times.10.sup.7 l/m and a cross-reactivity with pancreatic .alpha.-amylase of less than 1% is disclosed. The remaining pancreatic .alpha.-amylase may be assayed.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising remodelled recombinant glucocerebrosidase (GCR) is described that provides a therapeutic effect at doses that are lower then those required using remodelled naturally occurring GCR. A method of treating patients with Gaucher's disease using remodelled recombinant GCR is also provided. In vivo uptake of exogenous molecules can be determined by extracting a mixture of cells from a subject, enriching the target cells in vitro, lysing the cells and determining the amount of exogenous molecules.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition for stabilizing proteins for long term dry storage and superior recovery of their native protein structure for extended reconstituted stability at 2.degree.-8.degree. C. The composition comprises: 1) a defibrinated sodium-free blood plasma, 2) a glass-forming sugar, 3) a serum albumin and/or a gelatin, and 4) a potassium salt. In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for stabilizing a protein for long term dry storage using the above mentioned composition.

Abstract: A process for preparing substantially dry GPC (glycerophosphocholine in enantiomeric form) from wet GPC without racemisation, comprises subjecting the wet GPC to reduced pressure and elevated temperature, to reduce the water content and give highly viscous GPC; adding ethanol or another suitable solvent and crystallising GPC therefore with cooling; filtering the crystalline GPC and removing solvent therefrom under reduced pressure; characterised in that the elevated temperature is at least 45.degree. C.; and the solvent is added to the highly viscous GPC. This process produces an apparently new form of L-.alpha.-Glycerophosphocholine, m.p. 148.degree.-152.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for the resolution of .alpha.-tertiary carboxylic acid esters by partial hydrolysis is disclosed. The partial hydrolysis is carried out by contacting the esters with an aqueous solution in the presence of a serine carboxypeptidase, and the hydrolysis product is separated from unreacted starting material to obtain the hydrolysis product or the unreacted starting material in enantiomerically enriched form. A novel ester hydrolase which is particularly useful in this method, and a nucleotide sequence encoding this enzyme, are also described.

Abstract: A method for the controlled molecular weight reduction of a polymer which comprises subjecting the polymer to pressure homogenization is disclosed. The preferred polymers are polysaccharides, particularly hyaluronic acid.

Abstract: A process is described for generating conjugates of lipids and biologically active agents to produce compositions having therapeutic utility, such as drug delivery vehicles. The process involves mixing the reactive lipid with an appropriate amount of diketene to form an acetoacetylated lipid which is then isolated, dissolved in a suitable medium, and mixed with a nucleophilic-containing biologically active agent to form a biologically active agent-lipid conjugate. Alternatively, the acetoacetylated lipid can be mixed with a polyamine to form a cationic lipid.

Abstract: A method for the determination of glycated protein in a sample characterised in that it comprises treating the sample with a protease and treating the protease-treated sample with a ketoamine oxidase, a product of this reaction being measured is disclosed.

Abstract: Novel phospholipid-saccharide conjugates are produced by the reaction of a phospholipid derivative and an activated saccharide. The resulting conjugates can be used to make liposomes which are target-specific or resistant to degradation in vivo.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for separating glycosylated prolactin from non-glycosylated prolactin.

Abstract: A derivatized 1-amino-1-deoxyoligosaccharide prepared by reacting, at a pH of at least 6.5, a glycopeptide or glycoprotein containing one or more Asn-linked oligosaccharides with a .beta.-aspartylglycosylamine amidohydrolase, and contacting the products with an electrophilic reagent.

Abstract: Recombinant enzymatically active glucocerebrosidase is produced by a eukaryotic cell. Also, a cell includes nucleic acid encoding enzymatically active glucocerebrosidase; also a eukaryotic organism contains such a cell. Also, a method for producing enzymatically active glucocerebrosidase includes steps of introducing glucocerebrosidase-encoding nucleic acid into a eukaryotic cell, causing the cell to express glucocerebrosidase, and purifying the glucocerebrosidase from the cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method for stabilizing aqueous solutions of serum complement for extended periods of time and the resultant stabilized complement solutions. More particularly, morphilino buffering compounds and tris-hydroxymethyl buffering compounds have been used to make aqueous buffers with a pH between about 6.5 and 8.5 and a concentration of greater than 0.01M. These buffers have been found to extend the normal life of complement solutions to unexpectedly longer periods.