Abstract: A column comprising a first end (2a) provided with a column packing means and a second end (2b) provided with a fluid collection means for collecting fluid from over some or all of the internal cross-section of the column, wherein said first and second ends (2a, 2b) are held apart by a column wall. The second end (2b) is provided with blocking means (52, 72, 82, 92) movable between a blocking position where said blocking means (52, 72, 82, 92) substantially obstructs the collection of fluid from a predetermined portion (CR, CR1, CR2) of the cross-section of the column and an non-blocking position where it does not substantially obstruct the collection of fluid from the predetermined portion (CR, CR1, CR2) of the cross-section of the column. This allows the resistance to flow through the collection means to be modified to control where the bed media is deposited over the cross-section of the column.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel engineered derivatives of green fluorescent protein (GFP) which have an amino acid sequence which is modified by amino acid substitution compared with the amino acid sequence of wild type Green Fluorescent Protein. The modified GFPs exhibit enhanced fluorescence relative to wtGFP when expressed in non-homologous cells at temperatures above 30° C., and when excited at about 490 nm compared to the parent proteins, i.e. wtGFP. An example of a preferred protein is F64L-S175G-E222G-GFP. The modified GFPs provide a means for detecting GFP reporters in mammalian cells at lower levels of expression and/or increased sensitivity relative to wtGFP. This greatly improves the usefulness of fluorescent proteins in studying cellular functions in living cells.

Abstract: The invention concerns scintillation proximity assays performed in multiwell plates where a charge coupled device is used to image the wells. Conventional phosphors emit blue light (350–450 nm) which is absorbed by yellow or brown assay components. This problem is addressed by the use of phosphors that emit radiation of longer wavelength (480–900 nm).

Abstract: Nucleotides comprising a reporter moiety and a polymerase enzyme blocking moiety in which the reporter moiety does not also act as a polymerase enzyme blocking moiety are described. Also described are compounds of Formula (I): wherein W is a phosphate group, B is a base, Y is a linker comprising an enzyme-cleavable group, R2 is a reporter moiety, R3 is selected from H or OH, Z and Z? are selected from H, OH, or a group X—R1, wherein X is a linker comprising an enzyme-cleavable group and R1 is a polymerase enzyme blocking group, provided that at least one of Z and Z? is X—R1.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of producing porous beads, which comprises the steps of providing a first liquid phase comprising a bead matrix material and essentially edgy templating particle(s), said particle(s) being treated with a surface modifying agent; providing a second liquid phase which is immiscible with the first liquid phase; contacting the first phase and the second phase under conditions resulting in an emulsion of droplets comprised of the first liquid phase dispersed in the continuous second liquid phase; transforming the droplets to mesoporous beads by solidification of the liquid; and removing the templating particle(s) from the beads without causing any essential change of the surrounding bead, whereby hierarchical networks of pores are provided in the beads.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of identifying a polypeptide using a class of novel, water-stable reagents. More specifically, the method according to the invention comprises the steps of (a) derivatization in an aqueous solution of the N-terminus of the polypeptide, or the N-termini of one or more peptides of the polypeptide, with at least one acidic reagent which comprises a sulfonyl moiety coupled to an activated acid moiety to provide one or more peptide derivatives; (b) analyzing at least one such derivative using a mass spectrometric technique to provide a fragmentation pattern; and (c) interpreting the fragmentation pattern. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a kit for identifying a polypeptide by a mass spectrometric technique, which kit comprises at least one acidic reagent comprising a sulfonyl moiety coupled to an activated acid moiety in a container together with suitable means for analysis of the fragmentation pattern obtained.

Abstract: A multi-modality fluorescence reference plate comprising wells coated with a fluorogenic compound is described, together with a method of producing such a plate. The plate has utility for calibrating fluorescent plate readers and imaging systems for measuring steady-state fluorescence, time-resolved fluorescence, fluorescence lifetime and/or fluorescence polarisation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of generating a separation medium comprising mixed mode cation-exchanger ligands coupled to a base matrix, which method comprises to provide a scaffold comprising a functional group and exhibiting a cyclic core structure; derivatise the scaffold with a reagent comprising a reactive group coupled to a residue R by reacting the functional group of the scaffold with said reactive group; open the cyclic structure of the resulting derivative; and react the product with a base matrix comprising a reactive group. The scaffold presents at least two functionalities; one sulphur-comprising group for coupling to the base matrix and one group that can be transformed into an ionic group.

Abstract: The invention relates to an acrylic monomer defined by formula (I): wherein R1, R2 and R3 are H or CH3; R4 and R5 are H or OH; R6 and R7 are H or OH; R8 is H or CH3; m is 2–4; and n and p are 0 or 1. The invention also relates to a polymer comprised of repeated such monomer units as well as a separation matrix prepared thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for post-modification of a macroporous polymeric support comprising one or more unreacted double bonds, which method includes the steps of contacting the support with a liquid comprising a grafting compound; and initiating a free radical reaction in the mixture obtained, wherein the grafting compound is comprised of a double bond as a reactive group coupled to a linear or cyclic chain of carbon. The grafting compound can be illustrated with vinyl ethers and/or styrene and styrene derivatives.

Abstract: Disclosed is a single molecule sequencing method comprising the steps of: a) attaching a molecule to a solid phase; b) incubating the molecule with a first composition comprising a first reporter moiety; c) detecting incorporation of said first reporter moiety; d) performing a reaction to eliminate said first reporter moiety; e) incubating the molecule with a second composition comprising a second reporter moiety; f) detecting incorporation of said second reporter moiety; characterized in that the first and second reporter moieties can be distinguished from each other.

Abstract: A uniform fluid distribution system (2) for use with a liquid transfer system (100) for maintaining an interface between liquid phases within a large scale separator system including a cell of circular or rectilinear cross-section into which liquid may be introduced as discrete phases at an inlet zone occupying a first approximately transverse cross-sectional region of said cell and output at an outlet zone occupying a second approximately transverse cross-sectional region of said cell. Said distribution system (2) comprises at least one liquid inlet (24) and one distribution outlet (32), which are connected by an internal flow connection system (36).

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a separation gel, which comprises the steps: (i) providing a polymerization mixture containing a first monomer (I) having a polymerizable unsaturated structure and a second monomer (II) comprising two or more polymerizable unsaturated structures and an initiator, and (ii) polymerizing the mixture. The method is characterized in that monomer (I) is an N-vinyl carboxamide; and that (a) the initiating system for the polymerization comprises a UV photoinitiator and polymerization is initiated by UV irradiating the mixture at a wave-length appropriate for the initiator, and/or (b) preselecting monomer (I) and monomer (II) to have comparable reactivities to become incorporated into the growing polymer. A kit for use in the production of an electrophoretic gel is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for post-modification of a porous polymeric polysaccharide support comprising one or more unreacted double bonds, which method includes to contact the polymeric support with a liquid phase comprising at least one grafting compound and to initiate a free radical reaction in the mixture obtained, wherein the grafting compound is comprised of a double bond as a reactive group coupled to a linear or cyclic chain of carbon, which optionally comprises one or more heteroatoms. An advantageous grafting compound is a vinyl ether or a hydroxyvinyl ether. The invention also encompasses a polymeric support that has been post-modified by the method according to the invention as well as the use of such a support, e.g. in chromatography.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of selecting probes to target nucleic acid sequences, methods of making oligonucleotide arrays comprising such probes, and methods of using such arrays. Also, described herein are oligonucleotide arrays comprising probes selected by a method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention describes new compositions of matter in the form of labeled nucleoside polyphosphates with four or more phosphates. In addition compositions of nucleoside polyphosphates with four or more phosphates that are substrates for nucleic acid polymerases with enhanced substrate properties and methods of using these nucleoside polyphosphates for nucleic acid detection, characterization and quantification are described. The compositions provided by this invention include nucleoside polyphosphate, dideoxynucleoside polyphosphate, or deoxynucleoside polyphosphate analogues which have colorimetric, chemiluminescent, or fluorescent moieties, mass tags or an electrochemical tags attached to the terminal-phosphate. When a nucleic acid polymerase uses this analogue as a substrate, an enzyme-activatable label would be present on the inorganic polyphosphate by-product of phosphoryl transfer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for protein and/or peptide concentration, which device comprises electroconcentration means (23); at least two electrodes having a positive (7) and a negative charge (35), respectively; and protein and/or peptide capture means (17); wherein said electroconcentration means (23) comprises a funnel shaped cavity and at least one electrode is located on each side of the electroconcentration means. The invention also relates to a method for concentrating a protein and/or a peptide in a sample, which method can be performed in a device according to the invention.

Abstract: A vinyl monomer of the structure R—B—Ar(—CH?CH2)n (1) in which Ar is an aromatic ring (arylene group); n is an integer >0, in particular one or two; B is a bridge structure; R is a (C2-30)-hydrocarbon group carrying two or more protected or unprotected hydroxy groups. The monomer is characterized in that B comprises a chain of atoms linking R to Ar and consisting of 1–10 atoms selected from carbons and the heteroatoms ether oxygen, thioether sulphur or amino nitrogen, with the proviso that the terminal atom in B which is attached to R is one of the heteroatoms. A method for producing a polymer support matrix in which the vinylmonomer is one of the monomeric units. The support matrix as such is also claimed. The preferred method for producing the support matrices involves suspension polymerisation, the preferred form of matrix is beads.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring interactions to a target biomolecule comprising the steps of: providing a biomolecule of interest having specificity for the target biomolecule; binding the biomolecule of interest to at least one type of linker molecule comprising a unique mass marker part; introducing the biomolecule of interest to a cell; binding the linker to the target biomolecule; cleaving the linker molecule, thereby leaving the photoactivatable part and the mass marker part bound to the target; analysing the target biomolecule, thereby detecting the unique mass marker part. The detection can be carried out by MS in a parent ion scanning mode, thereby allowing study of the interaction between the biomolecule of interest and the target biomolecule.

Abstract: An instrument treatment station includes a station body having a first and second elongate and spaced channel walls. The channel walls define an elongate instrument channel therebetween. The station body defines an elongate drain channel in fluid communication with the instrument channel. The station body further defines a source port in fluid communication with the instrument channel for delivering a fluid flow into the instrument channel for treating an instrument therein. The instrument treatment station may accommodate arrays of aligned instruments.