Abstract: The invention provides methods, devices, compositions and kits for diagnosing or predicting transplant status or outcome in a subject who has received a transplant.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for the synthesis of compounds comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising two or more sets of primary compounds into microcapsules; such that a proportion of the microcapsules contains two or more compounds; and (b) forming secondary compounds in the microcapsules by chemical reactions between primary compounds from different sets; wherein one or both of steps (a) and (b) is performed under microfluidic control; preferably electronic microfluidic control, The invention further allows for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, and which is co-compartmentalised into the microcapsules.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed herein for detecting a genetic predisposition to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) or hypertensive end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) or both in a human subject, e.g., by detecting the presence of at least one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in an APOL1 gene, such as the C-terminal exon of an APOL1 gene. In a further embodiment, methods are disclosed for detecting resistance of a subject to a disease associated with Trypanosoma infection, e.g., by detecting at least one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in an APOL1 gene, such as the C-terminal exon of an APOL1 gene. Also disclosed are methods for treating a subject infected with T. brucei. The methods include administering a therapeutically effective amount of an APOL1 protein including a S342G substitution, an I384M substitution, and/or a deletion of N388 and Y389 to the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rapid, sensitive method for forensic drug testing in a post-mortem subject using oral fluid collected from the post-mortem subject. The method comprises collecting a sample of oral fluid from a post-mortem subject, analyzing the oral fluid sample qualitatively to detect the presence of one or more non-naturally occurring drugs, analyzing the oral fluid sample quantitatively to determine concentration of the one or more non-naturally occurring drugs in the post-mortem subject, and identifying the one or more non-naturally occurring drugs in the post-mortem subject. The detection and quantification in oral fluid is more sensitive and faster than detection and quantification of the non-naturally occurring drugs in blood, urine, bile, and liver tissue collected from the same post-mortem subject. Further, the qualitative and quantitative results are obtained in as little as three hours.

Abstract: Device for use in a biosensor comprising a multisite array of test sites, the device being useful for modulating the binding interactions between a (biomolecular) probe or detection agent and an analyte of interest from a biological by modulating the pH or ionic gradient near the electrodes in such biosensor. The device provides a biosensor which is more accurate, reliable and the results of which are more reproducible. Analytic methods for more accurately measuring an analyte of interest in a biological sample are also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and kits for diagnosing, ascertaining the clinical course of minimal residual disease associated with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Specifically the invention provides methods and kits useful in the diagnosis and determination of clinical parameters associated with diseases associated with ALL based on patterns of surface marker expression unique to ALL.

Abstract: A graphene nanomesh based charge sensor and method for producing a graphene nanomesh based charge sensor. A graphene nanomesh based charge sensor includes a graphene nanomesh with a patterned array of multiple holes created by generating multiple holes in graphene in a periodic way, wherein: an edge of each of the multiple holes of the graphene nanomesh is passivated; and the passivated edge of each of the multiple holes of the graphene nanomesh is functionalized with a chemical compound that facilitates chemical binding of a receptor of a target molecule to the edge of one or more of the multiple holes, allowing the target molecule to bind to the receptor, causing a charge to be transferred to the graphene nanomesh to produce a graphene nanomesh based charge sensor for the target molecule.

Abstract: A method of screening for a plant defense activator, which enhances an immune response of a plant, from at least one candidate substance includes: contacting a plant cell in which a jasmonic acid-dependent defense pathway and a salicylic acid-dependent defense pathway of a plant defense system are capable of working independently from each other, with a candidate substance; contacting the plant cell with a trigger material that induces an immune response; and assaying the plant cell after contacting with the trigger material based on an index representing an immune response, to select a target substance that enhances an immune response of the plant. A method of enhancing an immune response of a plant includes use of a specific compound, and a plant immune response enhancer includes the specific compound.

Abstract: Polymer particles having a multi-block vinylic polymer attached to their surface are disclosed. The particles can be used in a variety of purification and detection methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for testing different selected materials and/or surface structures for the culture of cells and/or microorganisms.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for identifying a nucleic acid (e.g., RNA, DNA, etc.) motif which interacts with a ligand. The method includes providing a plurality of ligands immobilized on a support, wherein each particular ligand is immobilized at a discrete location on the support; contacting the plurality of immobilized ligands with a nucleic acid motif library under conditions effective for one or more members of the nucleic acid motif library to bind with the immobilized ligands; and identifying members of the nucleic acid motif library that are bound to a particular immobilized ligand. Also disclosed are methods for selecting, from a plurality of candidate ligands, one or more ligands that have increased likelihood of binding to a nucleic acid molecule comprising a particular nucleic acid motif, as well as methods for identifying a nucleic acid which interacts with a ligand.

Abstract: The present invention relates to quality control methods using inorganic binding peptides, wherein inorganic entities are identified using inorganic-binding peptides specifically binding to the inorganic entity of interest. In particular, the invention includes a method for the identification of defects or inhomogeneities on a surface by detecting an inorganic entity of interest. It further includes a method for the isolation of powder particles comprising an inorganic entity of interest from a mixture of powder particles. In addition, the present invention relates to inorganic-binding peptides comprising the amino acid sequence MTWDPSLASPRS (SEQ ID NO: 31) and the amino acid sequence LNAAVPFTMAGS (SEQ ID NO: 32), respectively.

Abstract: The present invention concerns molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) having an affinity for natriuretic peptides, such as atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). In some embodiments, the MIP is a nanoparticle (a molecularly imprinted polymeric nanoparticle (MIPNP)). Other aspects of the invention include methods of preparing an MIP having affinity for a natriuretic peptide, methods for binding a natriuretic peptide in vitro or in vivo using an MIP of the invention, methods for interfering with the binding of a natriuretic peptide with its receptor in vivo, methods for reducing inflammation, cell growth, cell differentiation, or a cell proliferation disorder, methods for detecting natriuretic peptides, and devices and kits for sequestering and/or detecting natriuretic peptides.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards novel amino acid based compounds, which may be isotopically enriched, and methods of use of such compounds for characterizing one or more molecules of a sample by mass spectrometry, the method comprising: (a) reacting the one or more molecules with the compound; and (b) characterizing the one or more molecules by mass spectrometry.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated, non-viable bacterial cells comprising a plurality of nucleic acid crosslinks, methods for making said cells, and methods for using said cells to isolate DNA-protein complexes. In particular, the nucleic acids of the cells are crosslinked by contacting the cells with a furocoumarin compound and ultraviolet light.

Abstract: The invention provides a surface, wherein said surface comprises (i) a polymer substrate and (ii) sugar groups and peptide groups coupled to said substrate suitable for culturing hepatocytes.

Abstract: The present invention provides sets of VOCs for breath analysis. Methods of use thereof in diagnosing, monitoring or prognosing breast cancer, head and neck cancer, prostate cancer or colon cancer are disclosed.

Abstract: A DNA library, and a preparing method thereof, a method of determining DNA sequence information, an apparatus and a kit for detecting SNPs, and a method for genotyping may be provided. The method for preparing the DNA library may comprise the steps of: digesting a genomic DNA sample using a restriction endonuclease to obtain a digested product, wherein the restriction endonuclease comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of Mbo II and Tsp 45I; separating the digested product to obtain DNA fragments having a length of 100 bp to 1,000 bp; end-repairing the DNA fragments to obtain an end-repaired DNA fragments; adding a base A to the end of the end-repaired DNA fragments to obtain DNA fragments having a terminal base A; and ligating the DNA fragments having the terminal base A with sequencing adaptors to obtain the DNA library.

Abstract: A method for performing multiplexed bead-based immunoassays using a microfluidic cassette capable of detecting a particle passing in substantially single file through an interrogation zone and generating a Coulter effect signal responsive to a characteristic of the particle. A fluid sample may be prepared by associating antibody-coated beads of different sizes to particles of interest. A first multiplexing option may be based on bead size, in which case the intensity of the Coulter signal is used to sort or characterize the particles. A second multiplexing option may be based on detection of Stokes' shift phenomena, or even simply emission intensity, in which case particles may be characterized responsive to intensity of the signal resulting from detection of radiation. The first and second multiplexing options may be employed together to populate an array of particle characteristics.

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.