Abstract: A method for lysing prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells, or for simultaneous lysis of both, which includes at least three of the following: a mass of active, small-diameter beads corresponding to 50% or less than a mass of active, larger-diameter beads, and/or a total mass of lysing beads (consisting of a single type of bead or a mixture of smaller and larger beads) corresponding to between 50 and 100% of the total mass of the processed biological sample, and/or a lysis time of from 10 to 20 minutes, and/or seven or less non-lysing glass beads to drive the movement of the lysing beads, and/or from five to fifteen non-lysing iron beads to drive the movement of the lysing beads, depending on whether sonication, mechanical vortex centrifugation or magnetic vortex centrifugation is used.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of vitamin K2 (MK-7) comprising the culture of Bacillus subtilis mutant strain GN13/72-DSM 17766 deposited on Dec. 5, 2005 at the DSMZ.

Abstract: A platform and method for mimicking the environment within a cell is provided. The platform includes a microfluidic device defining a chamber. At least one hydrogel post is positioned within the chamber of the microfluidic device. Each hydrogel post defines a corresponding pore for receiving a first molecule therein. Second molecules are introduced into the pores of the hydrogel posts and the interactions between the first and second molecules are observed.

Abstract: Cells present in processed lipoaspirate tissue are used to treat patients. Methods of treating patients include processing adipose tissue to deliver a concentrated amount of stem cells obtained from the adipose tissue to a patient. The methods may be practiced in a closed system so that the stem cells are not exposed to an external environment prior to being administered to a patient. Compositions that are administered to a patient include a mixture of adipose tissue and stem cells so that the composition has a higher concentration of stem cells than when the adipose tissue was removed from the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing lactic acid with high concentration and high yield using Lactobacillus paracasei CJLA0310 KCCM-10542 that is separated and identified from Kimchi. Lactic acid is a very important organic acid with a wide range of applications including food additive such as food preservative, condiment or acidifier, and industrial fields such as cosmetics, chemistry, metals, electronics, fabrics, dyeing textiles, and pharmaceutical industries. Particularly, lactic acid is an essential ingredient of polylactic acid, one of biodegradable plastics to replace recalcitrant non-biodegradable plastics which are main causes of environmental contamination.

Abstract: The invention relates to a selenium-enriched biomass containing live microorganisms selected from the group consisting of Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus ferintoshensis, Lactobacillus buchneri/parabuchneri and combinations thereof, a method of preparation of the said selenium-enriched biomass, as well as food preparations, nutraceutical products and food supplements containing the said biomass. Moreover, new strains of lactobacilli are described that are able to concentrate selenium in very high amounts, and are therefore particularly useful for use in the method of the invention.

Abstract: A method for processing a biological tissue specimen using either manual or automated processing. The tissue specimen is sequentially contacted with components of a reagent system in the presence of increased temperature and/or agitation and in the absence of exogenous microwave radiation to facilitate processing in less than one working day.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated stem cells of non-embryonic origin that can be maintained in culture in the undifferentiated state or differentiated to form cells of multiple tissue types. Also provided are methods of isolation and culture, as well as therapeutic uses for the isolated cells.

Abstract: Methods of treating patients for conditions such as breast augmentation, soft tissue defects, and urinary incontinence, are described. The methods include removing adipose tissue from a patient, processing a portion of the adipose tissue to obtain a substantially isolated population of regenerative cells, mixing the regenerative cells with another portion of adipose tissue to form a composition, and administering the composition to the patient from which the adipose tissue was removed.

Abstract: The invention provides media and methods for culturing mammalian cells whereby the sialylation of a protein produced by the cells is increased. The medium can contain N-acetylmannosamine and, optionally, galactose. The medium may also comprise fructose and mannose. Alternatively, the medium can contain galactose and fructose and, optionally, can also comprise mannose and/or N-acetylmannosamine. The methods can be practiced along with other methods for culturing cells so as to increase the quantity or quality of a protein produced by the cells, including culturing the cells at a temperature below 37° C.

Abstract: The present invention is an isolated Bacillus subtilis WG6-14 (NRRL Accession No. B-30954). The present invention is also related to a composition containing the isolated Bacillus subtilis WG6-14 (NRRL Accession No. B-30954) and a carrier. The present invention is also related to a method for preparing the composition containing Bacillus subtilis WG6-14. The present invention is also related to a method of protecting plants against plant pathogens or enhancing plants growing.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of exopolysaccharide producing lactic acid bacteria. The invention relates to methods and culture media for producing large amounts of exopolysaccharides in safe and simple fermentation conditions. The invention more specifically relates to the characterization of a Streptococcus thermophilus ST 111 strain producing a stable high-molecular-mass heteropolysaccharide, its use in functional starter cultures and its use in food fermentation processes such as processes producing milk products, yoghurt and cheese for texture improvement and decreasing syneresis during fermentation and in the fermented product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for purifying bacterial minicells that involves subjecting a sample containing minicells to density gradient centrifugation in a biologically compatible medium. The method optionally includes a preliminary differential centrifugation step and one or more filtration steps. The invention also provides a method for purifying bacterial minicells in which a sample containing minicells is subjected to a condition that induces parent bacterial cells to adopt a filamentous form, followed by filtration of the sample to separate minicells from parent bacterial cells. The inventive methods optionally include one or more steps to remove endotoxin from purified minicell preparations, and/or treatment of purified minicell preparations with an antibiotic. Additionally, the invention provides purified minicell preparations, prepared according to the foregoing methods, and containing fewer than about 1 contaminating parent bacterial cell per 107, 108, 109, 1010, or 1011 minicells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the production of ethanol and energy. The process includes the steps of fermenting a corn mash in an aqueous medium to produce a beer. Next, the beer is distilled to produce ethanol and a whole stillage. The whole stillage is anaerobically digested to produce a biogas and a residue. The biogas is combusted to produce electricity and steam. The electricity and steam are used during the fermentation and distillation process. The residue may further be separated into a liquid fertilizer and top soil residue.

Abstract: Three choline utilizing strains of microorganisms isolated from the anthers of wheat, Aureobasidium pullulans strain AS 55.2, Arthrobacter species strain OH 221.3, and Pseudomonas species strain AS 64.4, are superior antagonists of F. graminearum. These microorganisms are effective for suppression and control of FHB in cereals, particularly in wheat and barley.

Abstract: An improved dietary and/or therapeutic supplement composition comprising a quantity of a dietary and/or therapeutic supplement agent having a pH that upon ingestion with food or a beverage would limit the effectiveness of the agent and a sufficient amount of an alkaline electrolyte additive is provided in combination with the agent to raise the pH of the composition to a level of from about 8 to about 12.5 to increase the effectiveness and functional utilization of the agent while the composition is in the person's stomach. In a preferred composition, the electrolyte additive is selected from the group consisting of calcium, magnesium and potassium electrolytes. The supplement composition may be in the form of tablet, capsule, powder or liquid forms. The supplement composition is designed to provide for optimum utilization of a dietary and/or therapeutic supplement agent when taken orally with food or a beverage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device comprising a cell carrier portion containing regenerative cells, e.g., stem and progenitor cells, and a cell carrier containment portion. The device is useful for the treatment of bone related disorders, including spinal fusion related disorders and long bone or flat bone related defects. The device may be used in conjunction with disclosed automated systems and methods for separating and concentrating regenerative cells.

Abstract: The invention provides new methods for purifying and concentrating viruses. The inventors have discovered that high molecular weight proteoglycans present in retroviral stocks are co-concentrated with the retroviruses, and can inhibit retroviral transduction. The new purification and concentration methods feature treatment of virus stock with an anionic polyelectrolyte and a cationic polyelectrolyte, followed by centrifugation. The new methods minimize the amount of proteoglycan co-precipitated with the infectious virus.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that are used to separate cells from a wide variety of tissues. In particular, automated systems and methods are described that separate regenerative cells, e.g., stem and/or progenitor cells, from adipose tissue. The systems and methods described herein provide rapid and reliable methods of separating and concentrating regenerative cells suitable for re-infusion into a subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to bacteriophage lysins useful for the reduction of certain bacterial populations, including methods and compositions for the treatment of various bacterial infections. For example, bacteriophage lysins were isolated and shown to effectively kill various bacteria, including both E. faecalis and E. faecium (including vancomycin resistant strains), as well as other human pathogens.