Abstract: The invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) for inhibiting the expression of a Hepatitis B Virus gene. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the dsRNA or nucleic acid molecules or vectors encoding the same together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; methods for treating diseases caused by Hepatitis B Virus infection using said pharmaceutical composition; and methods for inhibiting the expression of a Hepatitis B Virus gene in a cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel amino-lipids, compositions comprising such amino-lipids and methods of producing them. In addition, lipid nanoparticles comprising the novel amino-lipids and a biologically active compound are provided, as well as methods of production and their use for intracellular drug delivery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining an analyte in a sample. According to the method of the present invention, a probe is transferred from a stamp member onto an analyte that is bound to a support member. The present invention is particularly suitable for microarrays.

Abstract: A piston pump mechanism for use in positive pressure and vacuum pumping systems for pumping various gases such as air, freon, natural gas, etc. The pump mechanism incorporates an inlet and discharge valve system that substantially eliminates any unpurged or unswept volume of gas within a pump cylinder during each reciprocating stroke of the pump piston. The pump mechanism also incorporates a control spool that floats within a pump head and has a sealed flexible interconnection with the discharge valve that allows the discharge valve to seek optimum seating engagement about the entire periphery of the cylinder. The valve control spool may be pressure balanced or controllably unbalanced, as desired, for influence of the discharge valve. The spool also provides for inlet of gas to an inlet valve that may be incorporated into the discharge valve.