Abstract: Isolated and purified chemokine peptides, variants, and derivatives thereof, as well as chemokine peptide analogs, are provided.

Abstract: A dendron (2) comprising a focal point (4) and a plurality of fluorinated end groups (9) is disclosed, including one having a thiol, a silane, a carboxylic acid, a phosphonate or another moiety at the focal point suitable for chemisorption to a substrate (3). A self-assembled monolayer comprising a plurality of dendrons bonded to a substrate and a device comprising the self-assembled monolayer are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a sensor, suitable for use in the detection of an analyte in a fluid, comprising: a tube (4) defining a flow path for the fluid; a generally planar member (3) mounted in the flow path (?) such that the plane is in the direction of flow, wherein the member has, bound thereto, a ligand that interacts with the analyte, wherein interaction causes the member to flex; and means (1, 2) for the detection of the flexing.

Abstract: Spermine:peptide-based surfactant compounds are disclosed. The compounds are based on a spermine backbone with peptide groups and optionally hydrocarbyl groups linked thereto. Uses of the spermine:peptide-based surfactant compounds and methods for their production are also disclosed.

Abstract: A scanning electrode electron microscope for imaging a sample, the microscope comprising a sample chamber containing a gas in which the sample is positioned in use. A bias member is maintained at a predetermined electrical potential so as to accelerate electrons emitted from the sample. A detection system generates the image of the sample. The detection system comprises an ion collector positioned between the sample and the bias member, the ion collector being maintained at a potential below the predetermined electrical potential to thereby collect the ions from the region between the sample and the bias member. a sensor coupled to the ion collector for determining the member of ions collected thereon; and, a processing system responsive to the sensor to generate an image of the sample.

Abstract: A sandwich material comprising two metal plates affixed to and separated by a fibrous core, is characterised in that the core comprises a three-dimensional porous network comprising metal fibres, wherein substantially all of the fibres are inclined at an acute angle to the plates. The sandwich material is lightweight, thin and handles like a monolithic sheet. It displays high beam stiffness and is easy to weld. It as therefore particularly useful in the manufacture of aircraft and vehicle parts.

Abstract: A distributed Bragg reflector comprising a stack of alternate layers of a first material and a second material wherein the first and second materials are both organic materials. An organic electroluminescent light emitting element comprising: a transparent substrate, a transparent electrode formed on the substrate, a distributed Bragg reflector formed on the transparent electrode, an organic electroluminescent light emitting material formed on the distributed Bragg reflector, and an electrode formed on the light emitting material.

Abstract: A method for the production of a holographic sensor wherein the holographic recording material forming the sensitive element is a polymer matrix, which comprises diffusing into the matrix one or more soluble salts that undergo reaction in situ to form an insoluble sensitive precipitate; and recording a holographic image. This method allows the production of a holographic sensor wherein the holographic recording material forming the sensitive element is an insoluble polymer film.

Abstract: There is provided a human myeloma cell tine for use in a method for producing a human monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: A process is provided for modifying growth or architecture of plants by altering the level or the functional level of a cell division controlling protein, preferably a cell-division controlling protein that binds or phosphorylates retinoblasoma-like proteins, more preferably a cyclin, particularly a D-type cyclin within cells of a plant. Also provided are chimeric genes comprising a transcribed DNA region encoding an RNA or a protein, which when expressed either increases or decreases the level or functional level of a cell-division controlling protein, and plant cells and plants expressing such chimeric genes.

Abstract: A memory element comprising nanomagnets having a rotational symmetry selected in order to provide high remanence and a suitable coercivity. There is also a sensor element comprising nanomagnets having a rotational symmetry selected such that they are superparamagnetic and exhibit substantially zero hysteresis so that a magnetisation of the nanomagnets depends only on the current value of applied field and not on the field history.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated or purified molecule(s) capable of binding to one or more of telomeric, G-quadruplex, or G-quartet nucleic acid(s).

Abstract: A process is provided for modifying growth or architecture of plants by altering the level or the functional level of a cell division controlling protein, preferably a cell-division controlling protein that binds phosphorylates retinoblasoma-link proteins, more preferably a cyclin, particularly a D-type cyclin within cells of a plant. Also provided are chimeric genes comprising a transcribed DNA region encoding an RNA or a protein, which when expressed either increases or decreases the level or functional level of a cell-division controlling protein, and plant cells and plants expressing such chimeric genes.

Abstract: A sandwich material comprising two metal plates affixed to and separated by a fibrous core, is characterised in that the core comprises a three-dimensional porous network comprising metal fibres, wherein substantially all of the fibres are inclined at an acute angle to the plates. The sandwich material is lightweight, thin and handles like a monolithic sheet. It displays high beam stiffness and is easy to weld. It as therefore particularly useful in the manufacture of aircraft and vehicle parts.

Abstract: A method for treating a metal comprises subjecting the metal to electrolysis in the presence of an electrolyte using alternating pulses of voltage and/or current, said alternating pulses being of opposite polarity, wherein if the electrolyte is an aqueous electrolyte it is an aqueous solution of a salt selected from the group consisting of alkali metal salts, alkali earth metal salts, aluminium salts and amnonium salts. The method is effective in improving the surface properties of the metal, such as hardness, friction and wear properties.

Abstract: A process for the transformation of an organic molecule catalyzed by a ligand-metal complex, is conducted in compressed CO2 as a solvent, wherein the complex comprises a perfluorinated group. Further, a process for the polymerization of a monomer containing two or more polymerizable groups, optionally together with another copolymerizable monomer, to give a cross-linked polymer in the form of essentially spherical particles, is conducted in compressed CO2 as a solvent, typically in the presence of a surfactant.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and reagents for detecting a chromosomal aberration in an animal chromosome or karyotype. One or more detectably-labeled chromosome-specific probes from a first animal species are hybridized to chromosomes of a second animal species. This results in a banding pattern that can be compared to the pattern found in a normal chromosome or karyotype.

Abstract: Interleukin-12 (IL-12) or a functional analogue thereof, or a polynucleotide encoding IL-12 or encoding a functional analogue thereof, is used as a therapeutic material or adjuvant in treating papillomavirus-associated lesions e.g. warts due to HPV 6 and/or 11, e.g. condyloma acuminata. IL-12 or a vector encoding it for endogenous production can be used together with a vaccine such as a papillomavirus antigen, or a vector encoding a papillomavirus antigen.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of retroviral RNA or DNA in a sample comprises using one or more detectable oligonucleotides that each hybridise with the primer binding site of a retroviral genome or its complement.

Abstract: A polarisation independent optical switch is constituted by a light input (6), a diffractive and re-configurable liquid crystal device (8), a collimating lens (7) for distributing the input light over the liquid crystal device (8), a transform lens (9) receiving light from the liquid crystal device (8) and light output (6), wherein no polarisers are present between the light input and output. The diffractive and re-configurable liquid crystal device (8) may be formed as a liquid crystal spatial light modulator configured as a binary phase computer generated hologram with the holograms required to form broadcast, individual or multicast switching being re-generated using an iterative algorithm and then being recalled on demand. In one embodiment the switch has a folded configuration and includes a reflector (10) so that the light input and output are both on the same side of the liquid crystal device (8).