Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a solid porous separation material based on a polysaccharide, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an aqueous solution (I) of a polysaccharide, (b) solidifying the solution, preferably by transforming the solution to a gel, and (c) optionally crosslinking the polysaccharide, with the proviso that, if step (c) is present, steps (b) and (c) may be carried out simultaneously.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of iodixanol by dimerization of 5-acetamido-N,N?-bis(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-2,4,6-triiodo-isophthalamide (“Compound A”) in which, after the dimerization step, unreacted Compound A is precipitated from the reaction mixture and recovered for re-use. The process substantially increases the net yield of iodixanol and simplifies its purification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to valves with small dead volumes. A valve in accordance with the present invention has a ferrule (7) which receives a plurality of fluid lines (33) which lead to outlets on an end surface (25) of said ferrule (7) and a movable selector body (15) which has a fluid groove (37, 37A) on a surface (23) which is in contact with the end surface (25) of said ferrule (7). Means are provided for exerting a clamping force on said ferrule (7) in order to simultaneously clamp all the fluid lines (33).

Abstract: Energy transfer dyes, their preparation, and their use as labels in biological systems is disclosed. The dyes are preferably in the form of cassettes which enable their attachment to a variety of biological materials. The dyes and the reagents that can be made from them offer a wide variety of fluorescent labels with large Stokes' shifts enabling their use in a variety of fluorescence applications over a wide range of the visible spectrum.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of purifying diphtheria toxin comprising (1) fermenting a microorganism strain capable of producing diphtheria toxin using glucose as a carbon source, said method comprising adding glucose to a growing culture whereby the addition of glucose maintains microorganism growth effective to support diphtheria toxin production; and (2) purifying the diphtheria toxin from the culture by contacting a toxin containing preparation derived therefrom with an ion exchange matrix, eluting a fraction containing the toxin, applying the eluate to a hydrophobic matrix, and eluting a fraction containing the toxin.

Abstract: Administration by injection or infusion to patients of an injectable liquid for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes is provided by a syringe adapter connectable with an automatic syringe pump and a syringe containing contents to be dispensed. The syringe adapter includes an adapter body receivable by the syringe pump, a syringe retainer for retaining the syringe, and a syringe driver for agitating the contents of the syringe. More particularly the invention relates to an adapter connectable with a syringe pump and methods for delivery of an injectable liquid using such adapter. By connecting an adapter according to the invention to a syringe and a syringe pump, rotation of the syringe is achieved and homogeneity of the injectable is preserved. Particularly, the injectable liquid is an ultrasound contrast agent comprising an aqueous dispersion of gas-filled microbubbles or of particulate matter.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for mixing and maintaining particulates in liquid suspension, the apparatus comprising a reservoir for holding a fluid containing dispersed particles, a substantially horizontally-disposed mixing plate mounted inside the reservoir, the mixing plate having a plurality of vertical holes extending through the plate, and means for raising and lowering the mixing plate inside the reservoir.

Abstract: A temperature-responsive polymer and polymer material which has ester bond(s) and/or acid amide bond(s) respectively at one or more sites in the side chain and can be arbitrarily controlled by varying the side chain is provided.

Abstract: A kit for DNA sequencing comprising a first, second, third and fourth dye terminator molecules, each of the dye terminator molecules comprising a dye molecule, a linker of at least 10 atoms in length and either ddATP, ddCTP, ddGTP or ddTTP as a mono or tri-phosphate and a thermostable DNA polymerase.

Abstract: Method of producing controls for use in gene expression analysis systems such as macroarrays, real-time PCR, northern blots, SAGE and microarrays. The controls are generated either from near-random sequence of DNA, or from inter- or intragenic regions of a genome. Ten specific control sequences are also disclosed. Also presented are methods of using these controls, including as negative controls, positive controls, and as calibrators of a gene expression analysis system.

Abstract: A liquid transfer system (100) comprising a net (170) and a net support (160), wherein, the net (170) is integrally joined with the net support (160). The net (170) and the net support (160) are preferably joined by welding, such as contact welding or by welding at a lower edge (400) of a number of welding-holes (350) that extends through the net support (160).

Abstract: Methods for preparing nanoscale reactions using nucleic acids are presented. Nucleic acids are captured saturably, yet reversibly, on the internal surface of the reaction chamber, typically a capillary. Excess nucleic acid is removed and the reaction is performed directly within the capillary. Alternatively, the saturably bound nucleic acid is eluted, dispensing a metered amount of nucleic acid for subsequent reaction in a separate chamber. Devices for effecting the methods of the invention and a system designed advantageously to utilize the methods for high throughput nucleic acid sequencing reactions are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for welding closed one end of each of a multiplicity of open-ended tubes suitable for use as brachytherapy capsules includes a welding station having a welding position for welding closed one end of a tube, a rotatable platform having an outside edge, a tube holder positioned adjacent the outside edge, the tube holder movable between a loading position and the welding position, and a feed line positioned in overlying registry with the tube holder at the loading position.

Abstract: Methods and devices for detecting nucleic acid and protein targets on hydrogel microarrays are disclosed. Fluorophores are incorporated into the targets and detected. A linear correlation between target concentration and signal amplitude is maintained through the elimination of active enzyme amplification.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition of matter of the formula (I): V-L-R where V is an organic group having binding affinity for an angiotensin II receptor site, L is a linker moiety or a bond, and R is a moiety detectable in in vivo imaging of a human or animal body, with the provisos that where V is angiotensin or a peptidic angiotensin derivative or analog then V-L-R is other than a non-metal radionuclide substituted peptide (e.g. 125I substituted angiotensin II) and L-V is other than simply a peptide with a chelating agent amide bonded to a side chain thereof. This composition of matter may be used to image cardiovascular diseases and disorders.

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 present invention relates to a process for separating nucleic acid molecules, preferably open circular and supercoiled plasmid DNA and RNA molecules from each other, comprising the steps of providing a solution comprising the molecules; adsorbing the molecules to adsorbing groups on a carrier; and optionally washing the column with a suitable solution. The present process is especially suitable for large-scale isolation of supercoiled ccc DNA to be used in gene therapy.

Abstract: A method for the assay of N samples each containing a compound to be tested, comprises providing N reaction vessels each containing a population of carrier beads and other reagents for performing the assay, where N is at least 2 e.g. 80-4000. Each population of carrier beads is distinguishable from every other population. After adding the samples to the reaction vessels and performing the assays, the contents of all the reaction vessels are mixed and subjected to analysis by flow cytometry. By means of flow cytometry, each carrier bead is rapidly analysed to identify its population and also to determine the presence or concentration or biological activity of the compound to be tested.

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 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 outputted at an outlet zone occupying a second approximately transverse cross-sectional region of said cell. Said distribution system comprises at least one liquid inlet (24) and at least two distribution outlets (32), which are connected by an internal flow connection system (36).

Abstract: The invention provides a process by which ultra low salt content triiodinated aromatic compounds may be isolated from a highly acidic hot triiodination raction reaction medium in a straightforward fashion. The process involves increasing the pH to above 5 a value in the range of 3 to 7 with sodium hydroxide, addition of sodium bisulphite and/or sodium dithionite, addition of seed crystals, cooling slowly, and washing the collected precipitate with water.