Abstract: A biologically pure isolate of a selected bacterium derived from Clostridium autoethanogenum is described which has improved efficiency in the production of ethanol by anaerobic fermentation of substrates comprising carbon monoxide. The bacterium can produce ethanol and acetate at an ethanol to acetate ratio of at least 1.0 and has a productivity of at least 1.2 g of ethanol/l of fermentation broth per day. The bacterium is also characterized in that it has substantially no ability to sporulate.

Abstract: A method of making engineered tissue from a plurality of cell aggregates is disclosed. A cell suspension is centrifuged. The resulting pellet is extruded through an orifice, and the extruded pellet is cut into pieces to produce cell aggregates. A plurality of the cell aggregates are printed in a pattern, and allowed to fuse to form a desired three-dimensional engineered tissue structure. Modeling methods predict the structural evolution of fusing cell aggregates for combinations of cell type to enable selection of organ printing process parameters for use in producing an engineered tissue having a desired three-dimensional structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a blood-clot microvalve by heating blood in a capillary tube of a microfluidic device. Also described are methods of modulating liquid flow in a capillary tube by forming and removing a blood-clot microvalve.

Abstract: The invention covers a novel treatment strategy that considerably improves conventional probiotic treatments of inflammatory bowel diseases, irritable bowel syndrome and other gastrointestinal disorders. Both probiotic microorganisms and the carrier of the probiotic microorganisms in form of a fermented cereal gruel are used as treatment effectors. Phospholipids may also be an effector. The novel treatment strategy is capable of removing the symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases regardless of a mild, moderate or severe stage of the disease.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, microbial, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as food products and amino acids.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, compositions, systems, and kits that include an enzyme/substrate co-delivery system. The liquid delivery system includes at least one enzyme encapsulated in a water-soluble polymeric matrix and a substrate for the enzyme in a carrier liquid in which the polymeric matrix is insoluble. When water is added, the polymeric matrix is solubilized and enzyme is released from the matrix, permitting catalytic action upon the substrate.

Abstract: A skin care composition comprising an isolated Asteroidea body fluid or extract thereof is described. Uses and methods of use of the composition for the prevention and/or treatment of a skin disorder or condition, such as skin-aging signs, are also described.

Abstract: An ejection liquid capable of being stably ejected based on a system using thermal energy even if the liquid contains at least one selected from the group consisting of proteins and peptides, and a method and an apparatus for ejecting the liquid containing at least one selected from the group consisting of proteins and peptides using this system are provided. The applicability of the liquid for use in an inkjet system using thermal energy is improved by adding at least one selected from the group consisting of amino acids and salts thereof and a surfactant to an aqueous solution containing at least one selected from the group consisting of proteins and peptides.

Abstract: The invention provides processes for the extraction of sugar from sugar-bearing plant material such as sugar cane. Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention, a process for extracting sugar from sugar-bearing plant material comprises contacting the sugar-bearing plant material with an extractant solution comprising water and a surfactant; and separating the extractant solution from the sugar-bearing plant material. One example of a suitable surfactant is a poly(alkylene oxide) polymer such as a poly(propylene oxide) polymer, a poly(ethylene oxide) polymer, or a poly(propylene oxide)/(ethylene oxide) copolymer.

Abstract: Bioscaffoldings formed of hydrogels that are crosslinked in situ in an infarcted region of the heart (myocardium) by a Michael's addition reaction or by a disulfide bond formed by an oxidative process are described. Each of the bioscaffoldings described includes hyaluronan as one of the hydrogel components and the other component is selected from collagen, collagen-laminin, poly-1-lysine, and fibrin. The bioscaffolding may further include an alginate component. The bioscaffoldings may have biofunctional groups such as angiogenic factors and stem cell homing factors bound to the collagen, collagen-laminin, poly-1-lysine, or fibrinogen hydrogel component. In particular, the biofunctional groups may be PR11, PR39, VEGF, bFGF, a polyarginine/DNA plasmid complex, or a DNA/polyethyleneimine (PEI) complex. Additionally, the hydrogel components may be injected into the infarct region along with stem cells and microspheres containing stem cell homing factors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method with which proteins from formalin-fixed biological samples can be dissolved and subsequently quantified. The method makes it possible to extract intact full-length proteins from the samples and to conduct a subsequent analysis thereof.

Abstract: A thin film culture plate device useful for detecting hemolysin-producing microorganisms is included. The device can further include selective agents and/or indicators to differentiate groups or species microorganisms. Methods of use include detecting or enumerating hemolysin-producing microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention refers to articles for collecting samples from a surface, articles for microbiological analyses of said samples, and methods of use of said articles. The articles include sample collectors, sample housings with optional barrier layers, and sample-ready reagent strips comprising hydrophilic agents to grow and detect microorganisms. The disclosure includes methods to collect, detect, and quantify microorganisms in a surface sample.

Abstract: An industrial method of reprocessing a mixture of by-products produced during biodiesel production containing a glycerol fraction and degumming residue as well as a feed additive, which may be obtained by this method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous water monitoring system, including components thereof, and a method relating thereto for continuously monitoring, in real-time, a water supply in order to detect contaminants therein. The system employs the use of a live culture of bioluminescent bacteria and suitable light detecting means.

Abstract: Particular aspects provide a method of sampling, testing and validating test lots (e.g., single-unit production lots), comprising: assembling a plurality of product portions from each of a plurality of test lots and combining the collected product portions to provide a corresponding set of test lot samples (wherein each test lot sample is attributed to a particular corresponding test lot); enriching the set of test lot samples; removing equal portions of each enriched sample, and combining the removed portions to provide a modular composite sample; and testing of the modular composite sample for the target agent/organism, wherein where such testing is positive, individual test lots may nonetheless yet be validated by further testing of a respective enriched test lot sample and obtaining a negative test result. The methods have broad utility for monitoring all sorts of test lots (e.g., environmental lots, production lots, pharmaceutical lots, etc.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for detecting, screening and sampling of cells are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods analyzing body fluids such as blood and bone marrow are disclosed. The systems and methods may utilize an improved technique for applying a monolayer of cells to a slide to generate a substantially uniform distribution of cells on the slide. Additionally aspects of the invention also relate to systems and methods for utilizing multi color microscopy for improving the quality of images captured by a light receiving device.

Abstract: Novel fiber processing methods and the products obtained therefrom are disclosed. Methods may include thermochemical and/or enzymatic hydrolysis of fiber feedstocks including distillers' dried grains, distillers' dried grains with solubles, soyhull, miscanthus and switchgrass. Enzymatic hydrolysis includes hydrolysis with cellulase, hemicellulase, and protease.

Abstract: A therapeutic composition is described comprising honey or a honey derivative, a surfactant, and at least one topical carrier or vehicle selected from the group consisting of a fatty ester, a wax and a wax-like compound; wherein the composition has been subjected to a sterilization effective dosage of radiation, and wherein the topical carrier or vehicle, when subjected to that dosage, does not substantially modify the properties of the composition present before the sterilization.