Abstract: Methods for mass production of new microfluidic devices are described. The microfluidic devices may include an array of micro-needles with open channels in fluid communication with multiple reservoirs located within a substrate that supports the micro-needles. The micro-needles are configured so as to sufficiently penetrate the skin in order to collect or sample bodily fluids and transfer the fluids to the reservoirs. The micro-needles may also deliver medicaments into or below the skin.

Abstract: Provided is an incretin, or analogue thereof, an incretin receptor agonist, an incretin enhancer, or any combination thereof, for use in a method of reducing elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) in a subject. Methods of reducing elevated ICP in a subject may comprise administering an incretin, or analogue thereof, an incretin receptor agonist, an incretin enhancer, or any combination thereof to the subject. The elevated ICP may be associated with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), secondary pseudotumour cerebri, hydrocephalus, normal pressure hydrocephalus, raised intracranial pressure secondary to a brain tumour, meningitis, brain trauma, brain injury, and venous sinus thrombosis.

Abstract: A molecular sensor that utilises dichroism can be used to identify the presence of a target nucleic acid molecule in a sample, for example during or after amplification reactions such as PCR/thermocyling reactions and isothermal reactions. A sensor element for use in the molecular sensor may comprise an alignable scaffold/receptor complex, the receptor of said complex comprising a nucleic acid sequence which is complementary to at least a portion of a target nucleic acid molecule.

Abstract: A molecular sensor that utilises dichroism can be used to identify the presence of specific molecules in a substance. The molecular sensor includes a sensor element comprising (i) a scaffold moiety and (ii) one or more receptor molecules for the target molecule attached to the scaffold moiety to form a scaffold/receptor complex, wherein the scaffold/receptor complex is modified to incorporate a chromophore and the modified scaffold/receptor complex has a high aspect ratio.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a composition comprising nanoparticles of a noble metal functionalized with at least one type of metal complex and surfactant. The method comprises providing a first solution comprising nanoparticles and surfactant, and a second solution comprising a first type of metal complex, and adding the second solution to the first solution. Each nanoparticle has a loading of at least 500 and the method permits independent control of particle size and loading and enables large particles with high loading to be reproduced without agglomeration.

Abstract: Provided is a method for treatment and/or prophylaxis of a condition associated with T cell mediated chronic inflammatory disease by administration, to a patient, of a peptide comprising N?-SVTEQGAELSNEER-C? (SEQ ID NO: 1) or an analogue thereof that inhibits T cell migration. Also provided is the peptide or its analogue for use in the methods of treatment and/or prophylaxis of said condition. Also provided is a method for the treatment of Sjogren's syndrome by administration of a peptide comprising N?-SVTEQGAELSNEER-C? to a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for recovering rare earth particulate material from an assembly comprising a rare earth magnet and comprises the steps of exposing the assembly to hydrogen gas to effect hydrogen decrepitation of the rare earth magnet to produce a rare earth particulate material, and separating the rare earth particulate material from the rest of the assembly. The invention also resides in an apparatus for separating rare earth particulate material from an assembly comprising a rare earth magnet. The apparatus comprises a reaction vessel having an opening which can be closed to form a gas-tight seal, a separator for separating the rare earth particulate material from the assembly, and a collector for collecting the rare earth particulate material. The reaction vessel is connected to a vacuum pump and a gas control system, and the gas control system controls the supply of hydrogen gas to the reaction vessel.

Abstract: The inventors demonstrate that treatment of young, suckling mice with a glycolipid derived from Helicobacter pylori activates NKT cells in a CD1d-restricted fashion, and is protective against AHR in a model of allergen-induced asthma. The inventors further found that this protective effect can be transferred by NKT cells exposed to the glycolipid, and is associated with the expansion of a suppressive double-negative NKT cells and Foxp3+ TReg cells. The inventors also demonstrate herein that pre-treatment of adult mice with a glycolipid derived from Helicobacter pylori partially suppresses airway hyperreactivity and inhibits BAL inflammation in an ozone-exposure model. Accordingly, provided herein are compositions and methods for the treatment and prevention of inflammatory diseases, such as asthma or autoimmune diseases, in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides molecule comprising: (i) a targeting moiety capable of directly or indirectly targeting to unwanted cells, and (ii) a further moiety that has a masked immune cell binding region so as to prevent binding of the further moiety to an immune cell, wherein the masked immune cell binding region is capable of being selectively unmasked when the molecule is in the vicinity of the unwanted cells so as to allow binding of the further moiety to an immune cell.

Abstract: A method of generating at least one trapped atom of a specific species, the method comprising the steps of : positioning a sample material (18) comprising a specific species in a vacuum (14); generate an atomic vapour (20) of the specific species by irradiating the sample material with a first laser (12); trapping one or more atoms from the generated atomic vapour.

Abstract: Provided is a method for treatment and/or prophylaxis of a condition associated with T cell mediated chronic inflammatory disease by administration, to a patient, of a peptide comprising N?-SVTEQGAELSNEER-C? (SEQ ID NO: 1) or an analog of the peptide that inhibits T cell migration. Also provided is the peptide or its analog for use in the methods of treatment and/or prophylaxis of the condition.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical absorber comprising a semiconductor micro or nano scale structured array configured for transmission of electromagnetic (EM) radiation when in a passive state and for absorption and/or reflection of electromagnetic (EM) radiation when in an active state. The absorber also includes an activator arranged to inject free carriers into the structured array to activate said array on demand.

Abstract: The invention relates to an antimicrobial surface, in particular a surface functionalised with a peptide comprising an antimicrobial moiety. The invention comprises a surface functionalised with a peptide comprising an antimicrobial moiety and a binder moiety, wherein the peptide is immobilized on the surface by electrostatic interactions between the binder moiety and the surface. Further provided is a medical device, a peptide and a method for the immobilization of a peptide.

Abstract: A set of target peptides are presented by HLA A*0101, A*0201, A*0301, B*4402, B*2705, B*1402, and B*0702 on the surface of disease cells. They are envisioned to among other things (a) stimulate an immune response to the proliferative disease, e.g., cancer, (b) to function as immunotherapeutics in adoptive T cell therapy or as a vaccine, (c) facilitate antibody recognition of tumor boundaries in surgical pathology samples, (d) act as biomarkers for early detection and/or diagnosis of the disease, and (e) act as targets in the generation antibody-like molecules which recognize the target-peptide/MHC complex.

Abstract: A method for releasing the content of the periplasmic space of bacterial cells is provided, which comprises incubating the bacterial cells in a solution containing styrene maleic acid copolymer (SMA). Also provided is a method of preparing a substantially pure sample of recombinant polypeptide. The methods find application in the recovery of materials, such as proteins, from bacterial cells.

Abstract: ?-mannosylceramides or salts or solvates thereof in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, for use as a Type I NKT cell agonist in conjunction with a therapeutically effective amount of ?-galactosylceramide or a salt or a solvate thereof, and/or at least one or more T-cell co-stimulatory molecules, disclosed. Compositions comprising ?-mannosylceramide, as well as methods of treatment of tumors are also provided.

Abstract: A complex comprising a non-absorbable portion attached to an iron chelator moiety, a composition comprising the complex and the use of the complex in the treatment of colorectal cancer. In one embodiment the non-absorbable portion is a polymer such as a polysaccharide, including chitosan, chitin, cellulose or pectin. In one embodiment the iron chelator moiety comprises at least one functional group selected from catechol, hydroxamate or carboxylate, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: Biologically acceptable composition for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of colorectal cancer. The composition contains an iron chelator, and the composition is adapted for the selective targeting of the iron chelator to the colon. The iron chelator is non-digestible, non-absorbable and non-fermentable in the gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract: A variety of targeting moiety peptide epitope complexes (TPECs) are described in different embodiments. In each of the embodiments, however, a targeting moiety may be used to deliver the TPEC to an area of unwanted cells, allowing for a therapeutic effect to be delivered locally. The TPEC also contains a plurality of T-cell epitopes. The TPEC further comprises cleavage sites that release the T-cell epitopes from the targeting agent, and in some embodiments from each other, when they are in the microenvironment of the unwanted cells. Although the arrangement and number of T-cell epitopes varies in different embodiments described herein, once cleaved from the targeting agent (and any neighboring T-cell epitopes), the T-cell epitopes function by stimulating an immune response against the unwanted cells.

Abstract: The invention provides an agent for preventing or treating a condition characterized by the presence of unwanted cells, the agent comprising: (i) a targeting moiety that is capable of targeting to the unwanted cells; and (ii) a T cell antigen, wherein the T cell antigen can be released from the targeting moiety by selective cleavage of a cleavage site in the agent in the vicinity of the unwanted cells.