Abstract: The invention describes a method for isolating one or more genetic elements encoding a gene product having a desired activity, comprising of the steps of: (a) compartmentalizing genetic elements into microcapsules; (b) expressing the genetic elements to produce their respective gene products within the microcapsules; (c) sorting the genetic elements which produce the gene product having a desired activity. The invention enables the in vitro evolution of nucleic acids by repeated mutagenesis and iterative applications of the method of the invention.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, comprising the steps of: a) compartmentalizing the compounds into microcapsules together with the target, such that only a subset of the repertoire is represented in multiple copies in any one microcapsule; and b) identifying the compound which binds to or modulates the activity of the target; wherein at least one step is performed under microfluidic control. The invention enables the screening of large repertoires of molecules which can serve as leads for drug development.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, comprising the steps of: a.) compartmentalizing the compounds into microcapsules together with the target, such that only a subset of the repertoire is represented in multiple copies in any one microcapsules; and b.) identifying the compound which binds to or modulates the activity of the target. The invention enables the screening of large repertoires of molecules which can serve as leads for drug development.

Abstract: In one aspect, provided herein is a method for detecting tuberculosis in a subject, comprising (a) determining a level of one or more host immune system biomarkers in a sputum sample obtained from the subject; and (b) comparing the levels of the biomarkers in the sputum sample to one or more reference values; wherein the levels of the biomarkers in the sputum sample compared to the reference values are indicative of the presence or absence of tuberculosis in the subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to agents, compositions and methods for use in medicine. In particular, the invention relates to agents related to GnRH peptides.

Abstract: An electron microscopy sample support comprises: a support member; and a metal foil comprising a porous region. The support member is configured to give structural stability to the metal foil, and the porous region of the metal foil is configured to receive an electron microscopy sample. Also provided is a method of manufacturing such an electron microscopy sample support, a method of imaging using such an electron microscopy sample support and an apparatus operable to perform such imaging. An electron microscopy specimen support in accordance with aspects and embodiments may reduce particle motion and/or sample char ging in electron microscopy, and thus improve information content available from electron micrographs. Appropriately designed and constructed supports may lead to an increased resolution per particle and increased accuracy of angular assignments in 3D reconstructions of for example, biological specimens.

Abstract: In a method and system for acquiring magnetic resonance image data from a subject, using a data acquisition unit in which a basic magnetic field is generated, a division is designated in a planar section through the subject that divides the planar section into a first section and a second section, with the homogeneity of the basic magnetic field being better in said first section than in said second section. An echo planar imaging sequence is implemented to acquire the magnetic resonance imaging data, with magnetic resonance data being acquired from the first section only from gradient echo signals in the echo planar imaging sequence, and magnetic resonance data from said the second section being acquired from both gradient echo signals and spin echo signals in the echo planar imaging sequence.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of inducing Foxp3 expression in a T cell comprising (i) stimulating a T cell (ii) inhibiting signalling via PI3K alpha or PI3K delta or m-TOR or Akt in said T cell, wherein said inhibition is commenced 10 to 22 hours after the stimulation of (i). The invention also relates to certain uses of PI3K inhibitors, PI3K inhibitors for particular uses, and kits.

Abstract: The present invention discloses cell penetrating peptides (CPP or membrane translocating peptide) and their conjugates with cargo molecules. The peptides are useful as drug delivery systems, particularly as delivery vehicles for nucleotide-based therapeutics, such as polynucleotides, oligonucleotides and peptide nucleic acids. A CPPs of the invention provides a balance between good cell entry efficiency and low toxicity and comprises three contiguous domains: the central one being hydrophobic and the flanking ones consisting of arginine and aminohexanoic acid or beta-alanine residues. The hydrophobic domain contains a sequence selected from YQFLI, YRFLI, IQFLI and IRFLI.

Abstract: A method for determining the sequence of nucleotide bases in a polynucleotide analyte is provided. It is characterised by the steps of (1) generating a stream of single nucleotide bases from the analyte; (2) producing captured molecules by reacting each single nucleotide base with a capture system; (3) amplifying at least part of the captured molecule to produce a plurality of amplicons characteristic of the single nucleotide base; (4) labelling the amplicons with a corresponding probe having a characteristic detectable element and (5) detecting a property characteristic of the detectable element.

Abstract: A method for determining the sequence of nucleotide bases in a polynucleotide analyte is provided. It is characterised by the steps of (1) generating a stream of single nucleotide bases from the analyte by pyrophosphorolysis; (2) producing captured molecules by reacting each single nucleotide base with a capture system labelled with detectable elements in an undetectable state; (3) releasing the detectable elements from each captured molecule in a detectable state and (4) detecting the detectable elements so released and determining the sequence of nucleotide bases therefrom. The method can be used advantageously in sequencers involving the use of microdroplets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mutant transmembrane proteins which have increased conformational stability when compared to their parent protein, methods of selection and production. In particular the invention relates to mutant transmembrane proteins which are mutated in or in the proximity of the transmembrane alpha helices or in a kinked region or in an alpha-helix adjacent to a kink. The mutant transmembrane proteins have use in crystallisation studies and also in screening to identify compounds for use in drug discovery and therapy.

Abstract: An engineered DNA polymerase characterised in that the polymerase exhibits an enhanced ability to process nucleic acid in the presence of environmental and biological inhibitors compared to wild type DNA polymerase.

Abstract: Oxygen sensors and their uses are disclosed, and more particularly to oxygen sensors for use in product packaging for storing an article in a packaging envelope under modified atmosphere conditions wherein the oxygen sensors comprise solid oxo-hydroxy metal ion materials, optionally modified with one or more ligands and/or optionally having polymeric structures. The sensors may be present in a hydrated, oxygen permeable matrix, for example formed from a material, such as gelatine. The sensors are useful in many technical fields, and find particular application in the field of food packaging as they are safely disposable (e.g. are environmentally friendly), cheap to manufacture, and provide detectable changes in the presence of oxygen that are easy to read.

Abstract: This invention relates to humanized antibodies and fragments thereof which bind to hepatitis C virus E2 protein and methods of their use.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for isolating one or more genetic elements encoding a gene product having a desired activity, comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalizing genetic elements into microcapsules; and (b) sorting the genetic elements which express the gene product having the desired activity; wherein at least one step is under microfluidic control. The invention enables the in vitro evolution of nucleic acids and proteins by repeated mutagenesis and iterative applications of the method of the invention.

Abstract: A method of synthesising Aspalathin and its analogues or derivatives is disclosed. The method comprises synthesising a compound of formula 1 or its analogues or derivatives: wherein each of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10 is independently selected from the group consisting of —H, —OH, hydrocarbyl groups, saccharide moieties and —OR15; R15 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group (e.g. methoxy or ethoxy), an acyl group and a benzyl group; and R11, R12, R13 and R14 are independently selected from the group consisting of —H, hydrocarbyl groups, saccharide moieties, an acyl group and a benzyl group.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nucleic acid polymerase capable of producing a non-DNA nucleotide polymer from a DNA nucleotide polymer template, said polymerase comprising amino acid sequence having at least 36% identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, wherein said amino acid sequence is mutated relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 at one or more residues of the thumb region, said residues selected from: amino acids 651 to 679 (patch 10A); wherein said amino acid sequence is mutated relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 at residue E664. In one embodiment said polymerase comprises the mutations Y409G and E664K. In one embodiment said polymerase comprises amino acid sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO:12.

Abstract: Methods for delivering non-mitochondrial proteins to mitochondria are provided. Also provided are nucleic acid constructs comprising a coding sequence encoding a DNA-binding polypeptide, fused to a mitochondrial targeting sequence (MTS) and a nuclear export signal (NES), and the encoded proteins. The construct successfully delivers DNA binding proteins to the mitochondrion. A chimeric methylase based on the above construct is successfully delivered to mitochondria, resulting in modification of mtDNA.

Abstract: A modified protein of the single strand DNA-binding domain, SSB family comprising a detectable label is disclosed. The label has detectable characteristics which alter on binding single stranded DNA. The protein is thus useful in an assay for single stranded DNA.