Abstract: The present invention relates a method for the enumeration of mammalian cell micronuclei, while distinguishing micronuclei from the chromatin of dead and dying cells. The method utilizes differential staining of chromatin from dead and dying cells, to distinguish the chromatin from micronuclei and nuclei that can be detected based upon fluorescent emission and light scatter following exposure to an excitatory light source. Counting of micronuclei events relative to the number of nuclei can be used to assess the DNA-damaging potential of a chemical agent, the DNA-damaging potential of a physical agent, the effects of an agent which can modify endogenously-induced DNA damage, and the effects of an agent which can modify exogenously-induced DNA damage. Kits for practicing the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor system and membrane and method thereof for increased accuracy and effective life of electrochemical and enzyme sensors.

Abstract: A polymer matrix that may coated on an electrode is created by co-crosslinking (1) an adduct of a polyaniline formed by templated oxidative polymerization on a polymer acid; (2) a water-soluble crosslinker; and (3) a redox enzyme. The polymer matrix may be hydrated, and the absorbed water may make it permeable to, for example, glucose. The polyaniline may be polyaniline itself or a substituted polyaniline; the water-soluble crosslinker may be poly(ethylene glycol)diglycidyl ether, and the redox enzyme may be glucose oxidase. The polymer matrix may be produced by co-crosslinking (1) an adduct of an electrically conductive polymer and a polymer acid; (2) a water-soluble crosslinker; and (3) a redox enzyme in a single step at an about neutral pH, curing by drying. After hydration, the crosslinked polymer matrix may form a 3-dimensional glucose-permeable bioelectrocatalyst, catalyzing the electrooxidation of glucose.

Abstract: We introduce a method for implementing cell-based assays and long-term cell culture. The method is based on digital microfluidics (DMF) which is used to actuate nanoliter droplets of reagents and cells on a planar array of electrodes. DMF method is sutable for assaying and culturing both cells in suspension and cells grown on surface (adherent cells). This method is advantageous for cell culture and assays due to the automated manipulation of multiple reagents in addition to reduced reagent use and analysis time. No adverse effects of actuation by DMF were observed in assays for cell viability, proliferation, and biochemistry. These results suggest that DMF has great potential as a simple yet versatile analytical tool for implementing cell-based assays and cell culture on the microscale.

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: According to the invention, there is provided a high throughput method for measuring total fermentables using a small amount of plant tissue. A high throughput screening tool for gene discovery aiming for increasing total fermentables is further provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to nanoparticulate active agent compositions comprising lysozyme as a surface stabilizer. Also encompassed by the invention are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a nanoparticulate active agent composition of the invention.

Abstract: Enzymatic biosensors and methods of producing distal tips for biosensor transducers for use in detecting one or more analytes selected from organic compounds susceptible to dehalogenation, organic compounds susceptible to oxygenation, organic compounds susceptible to deamination, organosulfate compounds susceptible to hydrolysis, and organophosphate compounds susceptible to hydrolysis are disclosed herein, as well as biosensor arrays, methods of detecting and quantifying analytes within a mixture, and devices and methods for delivering reagents to enzymes disposed within the distal tip of a biosensor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for inducing desired activity in enzymes or microorganisms capable of producing the enzymes. The invention is further directed to methods of stabilizing activity in microorganisms. In specific embodiments, the invention provides methods for inducing and stabilizing nitrile hydratase activity, amidase activity, and asparaginase I activity. The invention further provides compositions comprising enzymes or microorganisms having induced and/or stabilized activity.

Abstract: Active surface coupled polymerases, surfaces that include such polymerases, and methods of making and using surface-attached polymerases are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides highly impact-resistant, water-soluble or water dispersible, low-dust granules comprising an active ingredient and methods for obtaining the same.

Abstract: A method of making a hardened elongate structure, including growing a live mycelium mat having branching hyphae. The live mycelium mat is layered to form a multi-layered structure. The hyphae are allowed to grow inward into the multi-layered structure such that the hyphae are interwoven throughout the multi-layered structure. The multi-layered structure is cured to terminate mycelium growth.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hydrogel network comprised of a physically cross-linked polymer and a chemically cross-linked polymer or physically entangled copolymer containing living cells, such as chondrocytes, encapsulated therein. In a preferred aspect, the physically cross-linked polymer is selected from the group consisting of thermally gelling polysaccharides and proteins, such as agarose or gelatin, and the chemically cross-linked or physically entangled polymer is synthesized from a water-soluble vinyl monomer, either as a homopolymer or copolymer, such as polyethylene glycol diacrylate (“PEG-DA”) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (“HEMA”).

Abstract: A three-dimensional biological scaffold. The scaffold includes at least three sets of polymer waveguides extending along at least three respective directions. The at least three sets of polymer waveguides interpenetrate each other at a plurality of nodes to form a self-supporting structure. In some embodiments, the polymer waveguides may be bio-degradable. In still some embodiments, the three-dimensional biological scaffold may include one or more coating layers for covering surfaces of the polymer waveguides.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stable complex microbial system, which simultaneously decomposes a plurality of organic contaminants even under a polluted environment with these contaminants and permits more effective decomposition of persistent organic contaminants such as PCNB and simazine. A support for holding a complexed accumulation of degrading bacteria, which contains a porous material provided as a support on which a degrading bacterium A capable of degrading at least one organic contaminant and a degrading bacterium B capable of degrading another organic contaminant are accumulated, is produced. The degrading bacterium A may be a PCNB-degrading bacterium, particularly a degrading bacterium containing a degrading bacterium having part or all of mycological characteristics of Nocardioides sp. PD653 and the degrading bacterium B may be a degrading bacterium containing a degrading bacterium having part or all of mycological characteristics of ?-Proteobacteria CDB21.

Abstract: A tissue engineering scaffold for growing cells can include a plurality of biocompatible microspheres linked together to form a three-dimensional matrix. The matrix can include a plurality of pores for growing cells. The biocompatible microspheres can include first and second sets of microspheres. The first set of microspheres can have a first characteristic, and a first predetermined spatial distribution with respect to the three-dimensional matrix. The second set of microspheres can have a second characteristic that is different from the first characteristic, and a second predetermined spatial distribution that is different from the first predetermined spatial distribution with respect to the three-dimensional matrix.

Abstract: To provide a new reductive-stimuli-responsive degradable gel that allows any control of decomposition of the three-dimensional base material for cell culture and production of a completely biological three-dimensional cellular structure consisting only of cells and cells-produced extracellular matrix and that allows safe recovery of the cellular structure produced. A stimuli-responsive hydrogel, characterized by being produced by crosslinking a water-soluble polymer with a compound having a disulfide bond in the molecular chain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to specially selected catalase enzymes and their use in reducing hydrogen peroxide in applications, and particularly in aseptic packaging applications.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for industrial production of immobilized biocatalysts such as enzymes or microorganisms. In the method, a polyvinyl alcohol gel is produced containing the biocatalysts, and the gel is shaped in a stream of drying air. The device includes a continuous conveyor belt. A casting mechanism is positioned above the belt for applying a mixture containing a biocatalyst to the belt. Positioned for the belt to pass through following the casting mechanism, is a drying channel, a reswelling tank, a wiping and collecting device, a rinse box, and a drying channel.

Abstract: Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from which pyrogen has been removed are provided for use in numerous biomedical applications. PHAs which have been chemically modified to enhance physical and/or chemical properties, for targeting or to modify biodegradability or clearance by the reticuloendothelial system (RES), are described. Methods for depyrogenating PHA polymers prepared by bacterial fermentation processes are also provided, wherein pyrogens are removed from the polymers without adversely impacting the polymers' inherent chemical structures and physical properties. PHAs with advantageous processing characteristics, including low melting points and/or solubility in non-toxic solvents, are also described. PHAs are provided which are suitable for use in in vivo applications such as in tissue coatings, stents, sutures, tubing, bone and other prostheses, bone or tissue cements, tissue regeneration devices, wound dressings, drug delivery, and for diagnostic and prophylactic uses.