Abstract: Derivatives of 7-deaza-2?-deoxyguanosine are described. Also described is the use of such compounds in synthesis of nucleic acid polymers and in methods for determining a nucleotide base sequence.

Abstract: The synthesis of peptides comprising disulphide bridges is challenging since it is difficult to ensure that the correct cysteine residues combine to form the desired disulphide bridges. The present invention describes novel protection techniques useful in the preparation of peptides. Described is a process for the deprotection of an Acm-, MBzl- and/or tBu-protected thiol which comprises reacting said protected thiol with an acid in the presence of an oxidising agent at a temperature sufficient to effect deprotection and generation of disulphide bonds.

Abstract: A low molecular weight non-entangled polyvinylpyrrolidone for use as a separation media for microchannel electrophoretic separation. The separation media may be used in a system in which multiple samples of small compounds are injected into a single microchannel at time spaced intervals followed by a continuous detection interval.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of magnetic resonance imaging of regional blood oxygenation which comprises administering into the vasculature of a vascularized human or non-human animal subject a T2 blood pool contrast agent, detecting a magnetic resonance signal from at least part of the vasculature of said subject into which said contrast agent distributes, and manipulating said signal to generate an indication of the partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) in at least part of said vasculature.

Abstract: This invention provides a simple and convenient, single stage, single vessel cell extraction and assay method which is suitable for the extraction and measurement of a range of different types of analyte which occur as cellular components. The invention also provides kits of reagents suitable for performing cellular extraction and measurement as a single stage, single vessel process.

Abstract: A method for purifying an oligonucleotide that comprises providing an oligonucleotide attached to a substrate, wherein the oligonucleotide contains phosphate protecting groups; contacting the oligonucleotide with a reagent, e.g., an organic amine, that cleaves the phosphate protecting groups from the oligonucleotide without detaching the oligonucleotide from the substrate; isolating the oligonucleotide attached to the substrate from the cleaved phosphate protecting groups; and cleaving the oligonucleotide from the substrate. This method provides crude oligonucleotide mixtures that are easier to purify and from which the desired full-length oligonucleotide product can be isolated in higher yields.

Abstract: This invention provides a simple and convenient, single stage, single vessel cell extraction and assay method which is suitable for the extraction and measurement of a range of different types of analyte which occur as cellular components. The invention also provides kits of reagents suitable for performing cellular extraction and measurement as a single stage, single vessel process.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are agents for enhancing the contrast in an ultrasound image. These agents are extremely small bubbles, or “microbubbles,” comprised of specially selected gases. The microbubbles described herein exhibit long life spans in solution and may be produced at a size small enough to traverse the lungs, thus enabling improved ultrasound imaging of the cardiovascular system and other vital organs. Also disclosed herein is a method for selecting gases from which contrast agents may be produced. The method is based on calculations using inherent physical properties of gases and describes a means to associate the properties of a gas with the time for dissolution of microbubbles comprised of the gas.

Abstract: Thermostable DNA polymerases both in native form and having single amino acid substitutions and optionally N-terminal deletions are disclosed. These polymerases exhibit a substantial improvement of DNA sequencing performance compared to Taq DNA polymerase. The instant DNA polymerases also possess improved salt tolerance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of an MR contrast agent, said process comprising: i) obtaining a solution in a solvent of a hydrogenatable, unsaturated substrate compound and a catalyst for the hydrogenation of said substrate compound; ii) introducing said solution in droplet form into a chamber containing hydrogen gas (H2) enriched in para-hydrogen (p-1H2) and/or ortho-deuterium (o-2H2) whereby to hydrogenate said substrate to form a hydrogenated imaging agent; iii) optionally subjecting said hydrogenated imaging agent to a magnetic field having a field strength below earth's ambient field strength; iv) optionally dissolving said imaging agent in an aqueous medium; v) optionally separating said catalyst from the solution of said imaging agent in said aqueous medium; vi) optionally separating said solvent from the solution of said imaging agent in said aqueous medium; and vii) optionally freezing the solution of said imaging agent in said aqueous medium.

Abstract: Structures and methods that facilitate integration and/or isolation of various functions in a microchip system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the integration of the functions is by a multi-chip, sliding linear valve approach. The chips are in continued physical contact. In a second embodiment, the chips are separated and rejoined when they are moved to the preferred position. Surface coating of the joining edges helps prevent leakage and keeps liquid in the capillary channels for both embodiments. Another embodiment relates to miniature valves. Several designs were disclosed, including the linear, edge-contact sliding valve approach. Method to fabricate very small, high aspect ratio holes in glass was also disclosed, which facilitates the above embodiments.

Abstract: Exploitation of suitably functionalized heterocyclic molecules, in the design and synthesis of Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) cassettes and their corresponding dideoxynucleotide terminators culminated into efficient reagents for DNA sequencing. Additionally, these FRET cassettes/terminators, of the present invention, derived from different classes of heterocyclic systems have high potential to be used for general labelling of biological molecules to generate highly sensitized signals. Their preparation, energy transfer efficiency, and use as labels, specifically, in DNA sequencing reactions is disclosed.

Abstract: Method for desalting an aqueous liquid containing a charged substance comprising the steps of: (i) contacting liquid (I) with an ion-exchanger (1) under conditions permitting binding between ion-exchanger and substance, said ion-exchanger comprising a base matrix carrying an ion-exchange ligand (Ligand 1) with the opposite charge compared to the substance, (ii) desorbing said substance from said ion-exchanger by the use of a liquid (liquid (II)). Wherein: (A) ion-exchanger (1) is an ion-exchanger: (a) that can bind the substance in an aqueous reference liquid at ionic strength corresponding to 0.1 M NaCl, preferably 0.25 M NaCl; and (b) permits a breakthrough capacity at the pH provided by liquid (I) which is more than 2 mg/ml of gel, at a breakthrough of 10% and linear flow velocity of 300 cm/h; and (B) in step (ii) the pH of liquid (11) is adjusted to a pH value where the charge difference between the substance, the ligand and/or the ion-exchanger is lowered.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for determining the masses of particles by measuring the time between a first event such as a sample (5) being ionized, (or a beam of electromagnetic radiation being scattered by a particle (15) and electromagnetic radiation scattered by said particle being detected by a detection means,) and a second event in which a beam (21) of electromagnetic radiation is scattered by a particle (15) from said ionized sample and electromagnetic radiation (25) from said beam (21) scattered by said particle (15) is detected by a detection means (11).

Abstract: Method and device for continuously producing a coherent layer of a liquid/melt of even thickness by means of centrifugal action along the entire periphery of a rotating disk (13, 113), liquid/melt being supplied to the disk around its entire axis of rotation from means (12, 112) and leaving the disk as individual droplets. The means (12, 112) distributing the liquid/melt onto the disk (13, 113) has according to the invention essentially the same speed and direction of rotation as the disk, and the liquid/melt undergoes under the influence of centrifugal action circumferentially a spreading and change in velocity across the disk (13, 113) in contact with the same.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method of controlling the porosity of porous spherical particles produced from a polysaccharide dissolved in a solvent, in which it can be gelled. The polysaccharide solution is finely divided by mechanical means into spherical droplets which are allowed to pass through a humid atmosphere and transferred to a capturing medium while controlling the temperature and humidity of humid atmosphere.

Abstract: Targetable diagnostic and/or therapeutically active agents, e.g. ultrasound contrast agents, comprising a suspension in an aqueous carrier liquid of a reporter comprising gas-containing or gas-generating material, said agent being capable of forming at least two types of binding pairs with a target.