Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid molecules comprising a MeCP2 expression cassette, the expression cassette comprising, in operable linkage from 5? to 3?: a 5? transcriptional control region comprising a promoter capable of driving transcription in neural cells; an open reading frame encoding a MeCP2 protein; translation control signals; a 3? untranslated region (3?UTR) comprising one or more of: (i) a binding site for mir-22; (ii) a binding site for mir-19; (iii) a binding site for miR-132; (iv) a binding site for miR124; and (v) an AU-rich element; and transcriptional termination signals; wherein the MeCP2 expression cassette is not more than about 5 kb in length. The invention further provides viral vectors, especially vectors derived from adeno-associated virus (AAV), for use in therapeutic delivery of such expression cassettes.

Abstract: The invention provides materials presenting a biologically active matrix comprising a physiological fibrillar fibronectin network, such as implantable constructs, and their use for modulating cell behaviour and fate, including cell growth, proliferation and/or differentiation, such as for promoting tissue regeneration, for example, bone regeneration or vascularization. Also provided are constructs presenting a biologically active matrix comprising a physiological fibrillar fibronectin network for sustaining growth of stem cells or maintaining stem cells (maintaining stemness).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a structurally distinct immunosuppressive mimic of TGF-? that is a potent inducer of murine and human regulatory T cells and provides a therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory disorders. Disclosed herein is a novel parasite TGF-? mimic which fully replicates the biological and functional properties of TGF-?, including binding to mammalian TGF-? receptors and inducing Foxp3+ Treg in both murine and human CD4+ T cells. This TGF-? mimic shares no homology to mammalian TGF-? or other members of the TGF-? family, but s distinctly related to the component control protein (CCP) superfamily.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of manufacturing a semiconductor structure comprising an (001) oriented zincblende structure group III-nitride layer, such as GaN. The layer is formed on a 3C-SiC layer on a silicon substrate. A nucleation layer is formed, recrystallized and then the zincblende structure group III-nitride layer is formed by MOVPE at temperature T3 in the range 750-1000° C., to a thickness of at least 0.5?. There is also disclosed a corresponding semiconductor structure comprising a zincblende structure group III-nitride layer which, when characterized by XRD, shows that the substantial majority, or all, of the layer is formed of zincblende structure group III-nitride in preference to wurtzite structure group III-nitride. The present invention provides methods for producing hydrogen using a mediator that is capable of reversibly donating and accepting four or more electrons.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an Echo-Planar-Imaging (EPI) magnetic resonance imaging techniques combined with a variable-density undersampling scheme. The technique comprises generating an RF pulse, applying a switched frequency-encoding read out gradient in a variable time interval, and applying simultaneously an intermittently blipped low-magnitude phase-encoding gradient with a variable value of an integral of the phase-encoding gradient. The aforementioned steps are carried out such that the k-space is at least partially undersampled and the time interval of one read out gradient is varied depending on the integral of the phase encoding gradient, such that a ratio between the variable time interval of the read out gradient and the integral of the corresponding phase encoding gradient is kept above or at a predetermined constant value, which is related to a predetermined criteria of image quality.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for the preparation of nebulised droplets, for inhalation. The device has: a surface acoustic wave (SAW) transmission surface; a SAW transducer adapted to generate and propagate SAWs along the SAW transmission surface; and an array of cavities opening at the SAW transmission surface for containing a liquid. In operation, SAWs propagating along the SAW transmission surface interact with the liquid in the cavities to produce nebulised droplets of the liquid. Operation of the device results in a nebulised plume of droplets of average diameter in the range 1-5 ?m.

Abstract: The treatment of bacterial respiratory infections using bacterially-originating antibiotics known as pyocins. In particular, S-type pyocins are administered by pulmonary administration for the treatment of such infections.

Abstract: A method and a system for controlling an output of an optical system, the method comprising generating a plurality of optical signal components having different optical properties and passing the generated optical signal components as input to an optical system comprising an optical device and/or an optical medium; an output of the optical system being based on interactions of the signal components within the optical device and/or the optical medium; and relative proportions of the optical signal components that are generated and individual optical properties thereof being selected to control the output of the optical system.

Abstract: A biomarker detection apparatus in which a CMOS-based chip is used to generate independent detection signals from a reaction zone that receives a biological sample, where the biological sample is provided to both a test region and positive and negative control regions within the reaction zone. The independent detection signals can be processed together (i.e. as a group of input parameters for an algorithm) to identify the presence of a biomarker (or a plurality of biomarkers) in a biological sample. The use of sample-specific, independently detectable positive and negative controls facilitates improved detection accuracy.

Abstract: A CMOS-based chip having multiple sensing modalities that are able independently to detect multiple metabolites present in a sample. In particular, the chip provides multiple sensing modalities capable of performing detection within the same physical test volume, i.e. the chip can simultaneously detect a plurality of chemical reactions occurring in the test volume, where each chemical reaction yields a result that is independently detectable. The chip may comprise an optical sensor (e.g. photodiode) and a chemical sensor (e.g. pH sensor, embodied as an ISFET). With this technique, multiple metabolites may be measured in real time using a small scale point-of-care device.

Abstract: The treatment of bacterial respiratory infections using bacterially-originating antibiotics known as pyocins. In particular, S type pyocins are administered by pulmonary administration for the treatment of such infections.

Abstract: A CMOS-based chip having one or more sensing modalities that are able independently to detect multiple metabolites present in a biological sample. The multiple sensing modalities may be provided at different locations with respect to the chip, whereby the chip can simultaneously detect a plurality of metabolites by measuring behaviour of a test material in the different locations. The chip may utilise paper as a transport mechanism for the sample. The paper either conveys the sample to the different locations or itself provides discrete testing zones in which different metabolites can be independently detected. With this technique, multiple metabolites may be measured in real time using a small scale point-of-care device.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing hydrogen using a mediator that is capable of reversibly donating and accepting four or more electrons. A method of the invention comprises the steps of reducing a mediator by four or more electrons to yield a reduced mediator, and oxidising a reduced mediator to yield a mediator, and reducing protons to yield hydrogen.

Abstract: A system that provides the ability to integrate both diagnostic tissue detection and therapeutic tissue treatment functionality in an implantable medical device (IMD), such as a graft or stent. The system comprises: an IMD having a pair of electrodes configured to contact biological tissue at an implant location; an impedance sensor configured to detect data indicative of a complex impedance of the biological tissue at the electrodes for a plurality of frequencies; and an analysis device configured to determine one or more cell types in the biological tissue using information indicative of variation in phase and magnitude of the complex impedance across the plurality of frequencies. The system may include a signal generator for applying a treatment signal to the same electrodes.

Abstract: A readout integrated circuit (IC) architecture for a tunnelling magnetoresistive (TMR) sensor which uses common mode feedback to achieve a performance level suitable for accurate detection of biomagnetic signals. The architecture uses a three-operational amplifier configuration with chopper stabilization. The architecture may form part of a fully integrated biomagnetic sensor electronics package that includes an array of TMR sensors together with modules for signal amplification and conditioning, data conversion and communication.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of increasing stomatal function in plants, which as a result leads to an increase in carbon assimilation and/or water use efficiency and ultimately an increase in yield. In particular the methods of the invention relate to the expression of light-gated potassium channels in the stomatal complex. Also described are genetically altered plants characterised by the above phenotype as well as methods of producing such plants.

Abstract: Provided are nucleic acid constructs, Toxoplasma comprising same, pharmaceutical compositions comprising same and methods using same for delivering a protein-of-interest to a tissue-of-interest of a subject, such as the CNS and further treating a pathology which is treatable by administration of a therapeutic polypeptide in a central nervous system of the subject.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for the preparation of nebulised droplets, for inhalation. The device has: a surface acoustic wave (SAW) transmission surface; a SAW transducer adapted to generate and propagate SAWs along the SAW transmission surface; and an array of cavities opening at the SAW transmission surface for containing a liquid. In operation, SAWs propagating along the SAW transmission surface interact with the liquid in the cavities to produce nebulised droplets of the liquid. Operation of the device results in a nebulised plume of droplets of average diameter in the range 1-5 ?m.

Abstract: Provided are nucleic acid constructs, Toxoplasma comprising same, pharmaceutical compositions comprising same and methods using same for delivering a protein-of-interest to a tissue-of-interest of a subject, such as the CNS and further treating a pathology which is treatable by administration of a therapeutic polypeptide in a central nervous system of the subject.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a field-effect transistor in which a native oxide layer is removed prior to etching a gate recess. The cleaning step ensures that the etch of the gate recess starts at the same time across an entire sample, such that a uniform gate recess depth and profile can be achieved across an array of field-effect transistors. This results in a highly uniform switch-off voltage for the field-effect transistors in the array.