Abstract: The invention relates to a novel method for enzymatic polymerization which includes (1) obtaining a reaction mixture including a monomer, a template, and an enzyme; and (2) incubating the reaction mixture for a time and under conditions sufficient for the monomer to align along the template and polymerize to form a polymer-template complex. The template can be a micelle, a borate-containing electrolyte, or lignin sulfonate. Such a complex possesses exceptional electrical and optical stability, water solubility, and processibility, and can be used in applications such as light-weight energy storage devices (e.g., rechargeable batteries), electrolytic capacitors, anti-static and anti-corrosive coatings for smart windows, and biological sensors.

Abstract: A device and a method of maintaining vascularization near an implant, especially a bioartificial hemofilter. By associating cells that excrete angiogenic factors with such an implant, vascularization to the tissue surrounding the implant can be maintained. In a bioartificial hemofilter, this facilitates filtrate transport to a collection fiber for drainage from the body. The cells can be genetically engineered, for example using an adenovirus vector encoding for vascular endothelial growth factor. Myoblasts and myotubes may be used in one embodiment of the present invention.

Abstract: Plants and crops subject to attack by fungal related diseases are protected or treated by the application of Pseudomycin compositions which were originally isolated from Pseudomonas syringae.

Abstract: A microorganism which belongs to the genus Rhizobium and has the ability of degrading an aromatic polyester, and a method of degrading an aromatic polyester by using the microorganism. According to this method, the aromatic polyester can be degraded safely and relatively swiftly at a low cost.

Abstract: Cell storage and delivery systems and methods for storing and delivering viable cells to a mammal are disclosed. The cell storage and delivery systems include a biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable fibrous matrix physically associated with viable cells to contain and release the cells at a controlled rate. The biodegradable and/or bioabsorable matrix can be formed by electrospinning fibers of biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable fiberizable material. The methods include methods for storing viable cells and for delivering viable cells to a mammal using the cell storage and delivery system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to arginine deiminase modified with polyethylene glycol, to methods of treating cancer, and to methods of treating and/or inhibiting metastasis.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for preventing or inhibiting human food-borne pathogens in animals, and methods for increasing feed efficiency in animals by administering to the animal effective amounts of probiotic lactic acid producing bacteria. Further provided are feed compositions comprising probiotic lactic acid producing bacteria. A preferred probiotic lactic acid producing bacteria is Lactobacillus acidophilus strain ATCC accession number PTA-5249. This bacterial strain inhibits nalidixic acid-resistant Escherichia coli 0157:H7.

Abstract: A multi-stage process and system for treating organic waste materials includes steps of hydrolyzing the materials in an anaerobic vessel, transferring the liquid product of hydrolysis to an anaerobic digester, and further decomposing the waste materials under aerobic conditions to yield a compost product usable as a soil amendment. Biogas produced by digestion of the hydrolysis liquid product may be burned to generate electricity or heat, and the liquid digester product may be recirculated for use as an inoculant to aid hydrolysis of subsequently processed batches of waste materials.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composite material that comprises a support member that has a plurality of pores extending through the support member and, located in the pores of the support member, and filling the pores of the support member, a macroporous cross-linked gel. The invention also relates to a process for preparing the composite material described above, and to its use. The composite material is suitable, for example, for separation of substances, for example by filtration or adsorption, including chromatography, for use as a support in synthesis or for use as a support for cell growth.

Abstract: The present invention provides in one aspect for a method for controlling odor associated with spills of organic material which can cause odors on carpets. The method comprises applying to the carpet a preparation of dormant bacteria, which when activated are effective to control odors. The dormant bacterial preparation is allowed to become associated with the carpet, such that when the carpet is exposed to organic material which can cause odors, the bacteria are capable of becoming active and digesting the organic material. The formulation may contain other agents such as odor neutralizing or masking agents, enzymes, foaming or anti-foaming agents.

Abstract: The drug of the present invention, and a method of manufacturing the drug are so arranged that a photosynthetic bacterium is incubated together with a lactic acid bacterium so as to cause the photosynthetic bacterium to produce a viscous material in a liquid medium, the photosynthetic bacterium being Rhodopseudomonas capsulatas FERMBP-7434 strain, and the lactic acid bacterium being Lactobacillus spp., and then a metabolic product, which is to be contained in the drug, is separated from the liquid medium. Health can be recovered by using the drug in such a small quality that is not hard on a user.

Abstract: Hydrophobic polymer surfaces whose level of protein binding is less than about 50-80 ng/cm2 are achieved by: (1) applying a coating solution composed of a solvent and a non-ionic surfactant having a HLB number of less than 5 to the surface; and (2) drying the surface to remove the solvent and thereby bring the surfactant into direct contact with the hydrophobic polymer. The combination of a low HLB number and the drying step have been found to produce low binding surfaces which can withstand multiple washes with water and/or protein-containing solutions Alternatively, the low binding surfaces can be produced by applying the non-ionic surfactant to the mold surfaces which contact molten polymer and form the polymer into a desired shape, e.g., into a multi-well plate, a pipette tip, or the like. Further, the low binding surfaces may be produced by incorporating non-soluble, non-ionic surfactants having an HLB number of less than or equal to 10 into a polymer blend prior to molding the article.

Abstract: A nanoporous silicon support comprising a plurality of macropores is provided to function as a bioreactor for the maintenance of cells in culture in a differentiated state. Each cell or group of cells is grown in an individual macropore and is provided with nutrients by means such as perfusion of the nanoporous silicon support with fluid. The macropores may be between 0.2 and 200 microns and be coated with a substance that promotes cell adhesion. The support containing cells may be used to used to test compounds for biological activity, metabolism, toxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity or to characterize novel or unknown comounds. The supports are sufficiently robust that they may be assembled into larger reactors to simulate organ function or be used for the production of biomolecules.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel method for enzymatic polymerization which includes (1) obtaining a reaction mixture including a monomer, a template, and an enzyme; and (2) incubating the reaction mixture for a time and under conditions sufficient for the monomer to align along the template and polymerize to form a polymer-template complex. The template can be a micelle, a borate-containing electrolyte, or lignin sulfonate. Such a complex possesses exceptional electrical and optical stability, water solubility, and processibility, and can be used in applications such as light-weight energy storage devices (e.g., rechargeable batteries), electrolytic capacitors, anti-static and anti-corrosive coatings for smart windows, and biological sensors.

Abstract: A porous solid ion exchange wafer having a combination of a biomolecule capture-resin and an ion-exchange resin forming a charged capture resin within said wafer. Also disclosed is a porous solid ion exchange wafer having a combination of a biomolecule capture-resin and an ion-exchange resin forming a charged capture resin within said wafer containing a biomolecule with a tag. A separate bioreactor is also disclosed incorporating the wafer described above.

Abstract: A transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) agent is inactivated by exposing the TSE agent to a thermostable proteolytic enzyme at elevated temperature and at acid or alkaline pH. Following this step, or separately, presence of TSE infectivity is detected by detection of dimers of prion protein.

Abstract: Proteinaceous polymers having repetitive units from naturally occurring structural proteins are employed as backbones for functionalities for crosslinking to provide strongly adherent tissue adhesives and sealants. Particularly, block copolymers of elastin and fibroin are employed having lysine substitutions in spaced apart units, where the amino group can be crosslinked using difunctional crosslinking agents.

Abstract: Granules that include a protein core are described. The protein core includes a protein matrix which includes a protein mixed together with a starch. The protein matrix can be layered over a seed particle or the protein core can be homogeneous. The protein can be an enzyme or a therapeutic protein.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method of adhering active enzymes to an inert support, the product produced thereby, and a method of using the enzyme-coated support in enzyme-catalyzed reactions such as the glucose isomerase-catalyzed conversion of glucose to fructose. The method includes the steps of coating an inert support with a cationic copolymer, preferably a polyamine, and most preferably a di-C1-C6-alkylamino-epichlorohydrin copolymer, and then adhering enzyme to the coated support in the absence of any intervening cross-linking agent.

Abstract: The cords of Dupuytren's disease are injected with collagenase, the hand is immediately immobilized and maintained immobile for several hours. The cord becomes relaxed or ruptured, relieving the hand contracture of the disease.