Abstract: A process for culturing an immature ovarian follicle in vitro is disclosed. The process includes providing a culture having one or more immature ovarian follicles and providing a sufficient amount of oxygen to the ovarian culture on an intermittent basis, stepwise basis, or continuously, or combinations thereof, for a sufficient amount of time over the duration of the culture period to effect the maturation of the immature ovarian follicle. Over the course of the culture period, the oxygen concentration is raised until, at the end of the culture period, the oxygen concentration is in the range preferably between about 3% by volume (22.8 mmHg) and about 20% by volume (152 mmHg).

Abstract: This invention provides a method of irreversibly immobilizing an enzyme into polyurethane coatings. This invention also provides for an enzyme-containing coating having a degree of immobilization of the enzyme of approximately 100%. The synthesis of waterborne polyurethane coatings in the presence of enzyme has enabled the irreversible attachment of the enzyme to the polymeric matrix. The distribution of immobilized enzyme as well as activity retention are homogeneous within the coating. Decreasing ECC hydrophobicity, via the use of a less hydrophobic polyisocyanate prepolymer during polymerization, significantly enhanced the intrinsic activity of the ECC.

Abstract: A method of increasing loading of active enzyme immobilized in a polyurethane polymer including the steps of: synthesizing the polyurethane polymer in a reaction mixture containing water and enzyme; and including a sufficient amount of a surfactant in the reaction mixture to increase enzyme activity at an enzyme loading.

Abstract: A method of increasing loading of active enzyme immobilized in a polyurethane polymer including the steps of: synthesizing the polyurethane polymer in a reaction mixture containing water and enzyme; and including a sufficient amount of a surfactant in the reaction mixture to increase enzyme activity at an enzyme loading.

Abstract: There is provided a process for the extraction of water soluble biomaterials such as enzymes or proteins into carbon dioxide utilizing certain carbon dioxide-soluble surfactants. Also provided are certain carbon dioxide-soluble surfactants useful in the extraction of proteins. The surfactants are selected from fluoroether sulfate, fluoroether-polyethylene glycol block copolymer, fluoroether-functional sorbitol, and fluoroether dithiocarbamate chelate.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of irreversibly immobilizing an enzyme into polyurethane coatings. This invention also provides for an enzyme-containing coating having a degree of immobilization of the enzyme of approximately 100%. The synthesis of waterborne polyurethane coatings in the presence of enzyme has enabled the irreversible attachment of the enzyme to the polymeric matrix. The distribution of immobilized enzyme as well as activity retention are homogeneous within the coating. Decreasing ECC hydrophobicity, via the use of a less hydrophobic polyisocyanate prepolymer during polymerization, significantly enhanced the intrinsic activity of the ECC.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting the presence of at least one analyte includes at least one enzyme that is selected to either (i) catalyze a reaction of the analyte to chemically convert the analyte to a product compound or (ii) be inhibited by the analyte in the presence of a substrate compound. The sensor also includes at least one indicator compound selected to produce a measurable change of state as a result of the interaction of the analyte and the enzyme. Each of the enzyme and the indicator compound are incorporated within a single polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides crosslinked polymeric networks that are reversibly crosslinked upon exposure to light of a suitable wavelength. In one embodiment photocrosslinkable branched hydrophilic polymers containing photochromic groups are synthesized. Cinnamylidene groups and derivatives of cinnamylidene are preferably used as the photochromic agents or photocrosslinking agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides crosslinked polymeric networks that are reversibly crosslinked upon exposure to light of a suitable wavelength. In one embodiment photocrosslinkable branched hydrophilic polymers containing photochromic groups are synthesized. Cinnamylidene groups and derivatives of cinnamylidene are preferably used as the photochromic agents or photocrosslinking agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chelating agent suitable for forming coordinated complexes with a metal in liquid and supercritical carbon dioxide of covalently bonded (i) a chelating group selected from the group consisting of a dithio carbamate, a thiol group, and a picolyl amine group, (ii) a non-electron withdrawing spacer group selected from (CH.sub.2).sub.x ; and (iii) a CO.sub.2 -soluble functional group selected from (CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 O).sub.X, (CF.sub.2 O).sub.X, (CF.sub.2).sub.X, and ?CF.sub.2 (CF.sub.3 FO)!.sub.x. X is selected to be greater or equal to 3 and to minimize the electron withdrawing effect of the CO.sub.2 -soluble functional group and to achieve a chelating agent solubility of at least a 10.sup.-3 gm/gm CO.sub.2. A solubility of at least 10.sup.-2 gm/gm CO.sub.2 is attained at a temperature in the range of approximately 0.degree. to 100.degree. C. and a pressure of approximately 500 to 5000 psi.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chelating agent suitable for chelating metals metals in liquid or supercritical carbon dioxide. The chelating agent comprises generally a conventional chelating group and a CO.sub.2 -soluble functional group covalently attached to the chelating group. Examples of suitable CO.sub.2 -soluble functional groups include fluorinated polyether groups, silicone groups, fluorinated polyalkyl groups, phosphazene groups and fluorinated polyacrylate groups. The present invention also provides a method of extracting a metal from a matrix containing at least one other material and the metal using such CO.sub.2 -soluble chelating agents.

Abstract: Centrifugal systems and methods of use thereof are provided. The systems and methods provide two-phase extraction/reaction and separation in a single operational unit. The systems are easily scalable and operable in a continuous manner. Also provided is a system and method for effecting catalytic reactions in an organic/reverse micelle system.

Abstract: The present invention provides protein-containing polymers and a general method of incorporating biologically active proteins into a polymer matrix via copolymerization in organic solvents. Preferably, the protein is an active enzyme which maintains its activity in the polymeric matrix. The proteins are first solubilized in organic solvents by covalent attachment of a modifying moiety such as a polyalkylene oxide. The polyalkylene oxide is functionalized with a functional group enabling copolymerization in organic solvents with an organic-soluble comonomer.

Abstract: A process of preparing a polyester by reacting a diol with an acid or acid ester in the presence of a solid enzyme and in a supercritical fluid is described.