Abstract: The present invention is a biosensor apparatus that includes a substrate, a source on one side of the substrate, a drain spaced from the source, a conducting channel between the source and the drain, an insulator region, and receptors on a gate region for receiving target material. The receptors are contacted for changing current flow between the source and the drain. The source and the drain are relatively wide compared to length between the source and the drain through the conducting channel.

Abstract: The present application relates to the use of metabolically-engineered microbial cells for the production of hydrogen and hydrogenase enzymes. The microbial cells are strains of E. coli which are genetically engineered to optimize the cell for production of hydrogen or active hydrogenase. The strains of E. coli are transformed with at least one expression vector directed towards the biosynthesis of a hydrogenase enzyme. Methods of hydrogen production, fuel-cell systems and recombinant fuel-cell catalysts are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide polymer matrix nanocomposites reinforced with nano-scale materials such as nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes and methods of fabricating. The nanomaterials are provided within relatively low weight fractions, for example in the range of approximately 0.01 to about 0.4% by weight and distributed within the matrix by a magnetic mixing procedure to provide substantially uniform reinforcement of the nanocomposites. Advantageously, these nanocomposites provide significantly enhanced tensile strength, strain to failure, and fracture toughness over corresponding neat matrices.

Abstract: Disclosed are the uses of inactive gene sites (the pseudogenes) to create a novel selection system and/or targeting sites for mediating the insertion of genetic material into plant and microalgae plastids, for expression of the inserted genetic material under control of the regulatory sequences of a pseudogene. The specific polynucleotides to be used, solely or in any combination thereof, are publicly available from GeneBank. Exemplified is insertion of constructs that contain open reading frames having sequences that upon expression will produce active proteins with the following enzyme activities: (a) acetoacetyl CoA thiolase (EC 2.3.1.9), (b) 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) synthase (EC 4.1.3.5), (c) HMG-CoA reductase (EC 1.1.1.34), (d) mevalonate kinase (EC 2.7.1.36), (e) phosphomevalonate kinase (EC 2.7.4.2), (f) mevalonate diphosphate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.33), (g) isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) isomerase (EC 5.3.3.2), and (h) phytoene synthase (EC 2.5.1.32).

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for the direct transesterification and extraction of bio-lipids and bio-oils in the production of biofuel, particularly fatty acid methyl ester products.

Abstract: A novel label-free sensitive detection method by employing a novel sensitive charge sensor is provided. Dissociation constant information is provided by a simple measurement of the dissociation of the target molecule form the target's receptor. The later process is affected by a novel system and its configuration as described herein. Basic objectives are to provide a drug discovery and characterization system that is an improvement over the current state of the art, low cost, highly sensitive, accurate, fast and easy to use. This invention involves both a physical system and a methodology.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for the production of ethanol by cyanobacteria. More specifically, the methods can be used to produce ethanol using genetically engineered light responsive cyanobacteria.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a heat sink are described. The heat sink includes at least one inlet, at least one outlet, a plurality of flow micro-channels, and at least one cross-connect channel. The plurality of flow micro-channels are defined by a plurality of channels walls, connect the inlet(s) with the outlet(s) and accommodate a flow of coolant between the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet. The at least one cross-connect channel is configured to connect at least a portion of the plurality of flow micro-channels. The cross-connect channel(s) also at least partially equilibrate a pressure field for boiling of the coolant across the portion of the plurality of flow micro-channels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated ?-actin nucleic acid promoter molecule from shrimp; nucleic acid constructs including the ?-actin promoter molecule; and expression vectors, host cells, and transgenic animals transduced with the isolated ?-actin nucleic acid promoter. Also disclosed are methods for imparting to an animal resistance against a pathogen, regulating growth of an animal, increasing stress tolerance in an animal, and increasing cold tolerance in an animal that involves transforming an animal with a nucleic acid construct including the isolated ?-actin nucleic acid promoter molecule of the present invention.

Abstract: An apparatus is described that includes an optical storage cavity comprising a planar mirror and a spherically curved mirror that form an optical path therebetween. A pump laser introduces optical pulses into the cavity. A folding mirror is disposed in the optical path between the planar mirror and the spherically curved mirror such that a beam waist is formed between the folding mirror and the second spherically curved mirror. The optical pulses preferably interact with selected particles disposed in the optical path at the waist. The apparatus further comprises a first transducer which adjusts the distance between the spherical mirror and the folding mirror to change a characteristic of the beam waist. A second transducer adjusts the distance between the planar mirror and the spherical mirror to change the optical path length of the cavity. The optical cavity is arranged such that the change in path length due to the second transducer does not significantly affect the characteristic of the beam waist.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, recombinant human PBEF has been produced in order to study its ability to stimulate the transcription of the key cytokine mediators of labor induction, using the amnion-like epithelial (WISH) cell line and fetal membrane explants. As a result of these studies, it has been determined that PBEF is a good indicator of initiation of labor. This makes PBEF a useful marker, especially for the identification of subjects who have initiated preterm labor. Accordingly, methods for the identification of subjects who have commenced labor are provided. In addition, methods are also provided for blocking labor, as well as compositions useful therefor. This is accomplished by blocking the production of PBEF or by blocking the action of PBEF.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to recover, purify and isolate polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolymers from PHA-containing cell mass, which includes: (a) solubilizing the non-PHA cell mass in an acidic solution, leaving a suspension of partially crystallized PHA granules; (b) adjusting the pH of the suspension to 7-11 and separating the PHA solids from the dissolved non-PHA cellular mass; (c) re-suspending the PHA solids in a bleaching solution for decolorization; and (d) drying the resulting PHA solids. About 95% or greater of original PHA in cell mass is recovered, and the purity of PHA solids is about 97% or above. The weight average molecular mass of the purified biopolyesters is about 500 kDa or greater.

Abstract: A method of employing multipath propagation in wireless radio communications uses an omnidirectional transmitting/receiving antenna at one end of a transmission link to send an interrogating signal across an environment subject to multipath disturbances to a phase-conjugating retrodirective antenna, and the retrodirective antenna returns a communication signal along the multiple pathways taken by the interrogating signal to the omnidirectional antenna despite the multipath disturbances. In a simplex communication mode, the retrodirective antenna sends a return signal mixed with a communication signal to the omnidirectional antenna. In a duplex communication mode, both an omnidirectional antenna and a phase-conjugating retrodirective antenna are operated in tandem at each end of the transmission link to provide effective two-way wireless radio transmissions.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the proliferation of a hyperproliferative mammalian cell having a multiple drug resistant phenotype utilizing an amount of a laulimalide compound effective to disrupt the dynamic state of microtubule polymerization and depolymerization to arrest cell mitosis is disclosed, together with laulimalide compounds which find use in such method.

Abstract: A Fourier transform spectrometer based on a modified Sagnac interferometer is described. The instrument uses one or more gratings as dispersive elements to greatly improve the spectral resolution, and in-line optics to match the beam size in the interferometer to optimize the efficiency. The resolution can approach about 0.6 GHz at about 632.8 nm (?/??=8.4×105). A CCD or photodiode array is used as the detector and the fast Fourier transform of the fringe pattern is performed by a computer. Some embodiments employ no mechanically moving parts; therefore, they are compact and easy to align. Practical applications include remote sensing, process monitoring, and basic research. The fast response time of the detector also allows real time spectral analysis.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for use of carbonized charcoal powder as an electrode is provided. Charcoal is provided as a powder, carbonized, and placed in a container (16) by which compressive pressure is applied to the carbonized-charcoal powder via one or more sides of the container (16). As a result of the compressive pressure the packed-bed (11) of carbonized-charcoal powder manifests a resistivity of less than about 1 ohm-cm and is suitable for use as an electrode in a fuel cell, battery or electrolyzer. The apparatus is adapted with electrical contacts (8, 9, 10) to conduct electric flow to or from the electrode and adapted for communication of an electrolyte with the electrode.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for diagnosing and treating Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) patients and PXE carriers. Methods and compositions are based on the discovery that PXE mutations are located in the MRP6 (ABCC6) gene.

Abstract: An electronic sensor is provided for detecting the presence of one or more targets of interest in a sample. The sensor preferably comprises a special type of field effect transistor in which conductance is enhanced by target binding to recognition elements in the active region. An array of sensors may be formed to analyze a sample for multiple targets. The sensor may be used, for example, to detect the presence of pathogens, polypeptides, nucleic acids, toxins and other biochemical and chemical agents. The sensor is useful in a wide variety of applications including medical diagnostics, agriculture, public health, environmental monitoring and biomedical research.

Abstract: A family of reflectin proteins is identified herein that is deposited in flat, structural platelets in reflective tissues of the squid Euprymna scolopes. These proteins are encoded by at least six genes in three subfamilies and have no reported homologues outside of squids. Reflectins possess 5 repeating domains, that are remarkably conserved among members of the family. The proteins have a highly unusual composition with four relatively rare residues (tyrosine, methionine, arginine, and tryptophan) comprising ˜57% of a reflectin, and several common residues (alanine, isoleucine, leucine, and lysine) occurring in none of the family members. These protein-based reflectors in squids provide a striking example of nanofabrication in animal systems.

Abstract: An electronic sensor is provided for detecting the presence of one or more analytes of interest in a sample. The sensor preferably comprises a field effect transistor in which conductance is enhanced by analyte binding to receptors in the active region. An array of sensors may be formed to analyze a sample for multiple analytes.