Abstract: Described herein is an invention that relates to chemiluminescence-directed antiviral activities of natural and synthesized light-sensitive compounds. Methods are described herein for inactivating infectious virus particles outside and inside an organism. These methods incorporate coupling the antiviral activity of various light-sensitive compounds with chemiluminescence directed by native as well as foreign enzymes of the organism and enhanced by the addition of various anti-quenchers and wavelength-shifting compounds. The methods described herein feature light-sensitive compounds with known antiviral activity exhibited in the presence of light.

Abstract: Improvements are made to a novel media that replace the requirement for all protein growth factors by the addition to the medium of physiological concentrations of retinyl acetate. The media are serum-free, companion cell or feeder layer-free and organotypic, matrix free solutions for the cultivation of clonally competent basal keratinocytes. The media and methods are useful in the production of epidermal epithelial tissue that is suitable for skin grafting.

Abstract: The present invention claims and discloses a novel apparatus and method for efficiently cultivating cells with minimal mortality in order to harvest a maximum amount of cellular products generated by the cultivated cells. More particularly, the present invention teaches a method and a device for plating cells and causing maximum adherence of cells of interest. Furthermore, the present invention also teaches a growth substrate means that is capable of providing the largest surface area for cell adhesion and functions as an oxygenator, a depth filter and a static mixer to maximize the production of cellular products by intermittently and periodically provide sufficient oxygen and nutrients to the cells without causing cell death.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for testing a sample for target molecules or chemicals. The apparatus includes a rotatable optical disc having a reaction chamber and having at least two groups of beads or micro-particles, the different group of beads having at least two different densities, sizes, shapes, and/or color, and each bead in a group having different probes attached thereto. A sample is added to the reaction chamber and the disc is rotated. The reaction chamber has a density gradient medium that causes beads of different densities to remain at different radial locations, depending on the density of the beads. The beads are then inspected by directing a beam of electromagnetic radiation onto the disc. The beam may be reflected from or transmitted through the disc. The amount, or presence, or absence of targets is determined by analyzing the signal returned from the beam. Related methods of performing assays and making the disc apparatus are provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for directing adipose-derived stromal cells cultivated in vitro to differentiate into cells of the chondrocyte lineage are disclosed. The invention further provides a variety of chondroinductive agents which can be used singly or in combination with other nutrient components to induce chondrogenesis in adipose-derived stromal cells either in cultivating monolayers or in a biocompatible lattice or matrix in a three-dimensional configuration. Use of the differentiated chondrocytes for the therapeutic treatment of a number of human conditions and diseases including repair of cartilage in vivo is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment of subjects for the purpose inhibiting vaso-occlusive events, including thrombosis and embolism, by administering agents which reduce the number of circulating platelets to low or below normal levels. Methods and pharmaceutical preparations comprising such agents are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel enhancers of photosynthesis and plant growth and methods of using same. In one embodiment, the enhancer is derived from a microorganism. In alternative embodiments, the compounds are microbial extracts, microbial secretion products, and microbially generated natural products. The invention also provides a method for increasing net photosynthesis in a plant by applying an agent comprising triacetylphloroglucinol, diacetylphloroglucinol or monoacetylphloroglucinol to the plant in an amount effective in increasing net photosynthesis in the plant. The invention further provides novel bacterial genes and recombinant microorganisms comprising these genes which are used to practice the methods of the invention.

Abstract: A method of extracting a polypeptide of interest from a fermentation broth comprising: i) adjusting the pH close to pI of the polypeptide of interest; ii) adding a non-ionic surfactant with a hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) of 12 or lower; iii) cooling the mixture for solubilization and incubating at above cloud point for extraction; iv) phase separating at below cloud point to obtain liquid-liquid-solid fractions; and v) recovering the surfactant-rich top phase containing the polypeptide of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of molecular diagnostics, and in particular to diagnostics based on a liquid crystal assay format. In particular, the present invention provided improved substrates and methods of using liquid crystal assays for quantitating the amount of an analyte in a sample. The present invention also provides materials and methods for detecting non-specific binding of an analyte to a substrate by using a liquid crystal assay format.

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: A method of separating the epithelium and the stroma of a cornea includes providing a solution that includes a detaching agent diluted in a culture medium and applying the solution to the surface of the cornea.

Abstract: A method of staining an ocular structure, the structure being a human or other mammalian eye or portion thereof, the method comprising staining the ocular structure with either indigotindisulfonate, Patent Blue V, Sulphan Blue, tolonium chloride, or Evans Blue. Ocular structures of particular interest are the anterior lens capsule and the vitreo-retinal interface.

Abstract: A catalase-dependent enzymatic oxidation process wherein a substrate to be oxidized is contacted with catalase in the absence of hydrogen peroxide is provided. Also provided are methods for using this process in a variety of biomedical, clinical and diagnostic applications as well as industrial processes. A method for stimulating the enzymatic oxidation process by treatment with ultraviolet light and uses for this method are also provided.

Abstract: The invention discloses a novel method for the preparation of a 2-keto carboxylic acid from carbon dioxide by an enzymatic addition reaction with an aldehyde compound. Carbon dioxide, which can be in the form of carbonate ions, is reacted with an aldehyde compound such as acetaldehyde and propionaldehyde under mild reaction conditions in the presence of a decarboxylase to give a 2-keto carboxylic acid such as pyruvic and a 2-ketobutyric acid by a reverse reaction to the enzymatic decarboxylation reaction. The scope of the invention involves contribution to a solution of the environmental problem of global warming due to carbon dioxide as a greenhouse effect gas in the aerospace.

Abstract: Disclosed are a tissue filler and tissue reconstruction method using the same that enables missing or reduced tissue of a body to recover to a normal state thereof, and the tissue filler comprised by mixing mesenchymal stem cells into a hydrochloric acid solution of atherocollagen.

Abstract: The invention concerns micro-organism strains, in particular of lactic acid bacteria, having a glycosylation modulating effect of intestinal cell surface. The invention also concerns a method for selecting micro-organism strains, in particular of lactic acid bacteria, which consists in measuring the average fluorescence intensity variation of HT29-MTX cells incubated in the presence of a lectin coupled with a fluorochrome after being in contact with the supernatant of the strain concerned. Said lactic acid bacteria strains can be used, optionally in the form of their active fraction, for preparing food compositions or medicines or food supplements, modulating glycosylation of glycoproteins of intestinal epithelial cells.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for measuring protein biosynthesis by using 2H2O or radioactive 3H2O and applicable uses thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides microfabricated devices and methods for directing the growth of a cell process to form an artificial synapse. The devices are called artificial synapse chips. The artificial synapse comprises a nanofabricated aperture (about 50–100 nm in size) that connects the cell process to a chemical or electrical means of neuronal excitation. Such an aperture width mimics the length scales of a natural synapse and thus emphasizes the localized spatial relationship between a neuron and a stimulation source. The invention further provides devices and methods for regenerating a nerve fiber into an electrode. The invention thus provides a regeneration electrode that uses a novel neural interface for stimulation and that uses novel surface methods for directing neuronal growth making possible in vivo connection of the devices to neural circuitry in a retina and other anatomical locations.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods, compositions and kits for stabilizing a solubilized phenyl phosphate, preferably paranitrophenyl phosphate (PNPP), using charcoal. Also disclosed are methods, compositions and kits for recycling solubilized phenyl phosphate, preferably PNPP, that has an absorbance of less than 0.1 when measured at 405 nm due to non-enzymatic hydrolysis.

Abstract: Improved method for detecting and/or counting the appearance of hematopoietic progenitor cells which comprises the steps of mixing a blood sample with a reagent capable of detecting immature cells without employing any immunological techniques, obtaining cell information about the thus treated sample using a particle analyzer and constructing a cell distribution profile, delineating a portion of the profile as a zone in which at least one subclass of hematopoietic progenitor cells appear, and counting the cells within the zone. The method is capable of detecting the appearance of hematopoietic progenitor cells in a simple and positive manner.