Abstract: Materials and methods for prevention of biofouling that incorporate the presence of a conotoxin peptide on a surface are described. The conotoxin peptide is either directly or indirectly adhered to the surface and interferes with the ability of biofouling organisms to settle on the surface.

Abstract: Materials and methods for prevention of biofouling that incorporate the presence of a conotoxin peptide on a surface are described. The conotoxin peptide is either directly or indirectly adhered to the surface and interferes with the ability of biofouling organisms to settle on the surface.

Abstract: Denaturation and hybridisation of double-stranded DNA is a crucial reaction in many biological processes, such as DNA replication. DNA denaturation and hybridisation can be controlled by e.g. temperature, altering the pH and ionic strength and different chemical agents. This reversible reaction also plays a role in many diagnostic-based methods and applications such as any nucleic acid amplification method. The present invention provides alternate means to control denaturation and hybridisation of nucleic acids comprising contacting a nucleic acid molecule with a compound capable of interacting with a nucleic acid molecule and altering the state or a property of the compound to achieve denaturation or hybridisation of the nucleic acid molecule.

Abstract: Provided is a method for processing a sample, which method comprises: a) contacting a binding phase, which binding phase is capable of binding an analyte, with the sample in the presence of a medium; b) applying across the medium a first alternating field composed of a plurality of pulses and having a first frequency, a first pulse duration and a first pulse rise time; c) optionally applying across the medium a second alternating field; and d) thereby influencing the sample and/or the binding phase in the medium.

Abstract: Provided is a method for detecting an analyte, which method comprises: a) applying an alternating voltage to the analyte, wherein the alternating voltage comprises a plurality of superimposed frequencies sufficient to distinguish the presence of the analyte by electrochemical impedance spectrometry (EIS); and b) determining the identity and/or quantity of the analyte from EIS data.

Abstract: Provided is a device for assaying one or more analytes, said device comprising an electrode, a means for optical detection; and a means for electrochemical detection, wherein the device is configured such that the electrode is capable of promoting transport of an analyte when a field is applied to the analyte via the electrode, and wherein the means for electrochemical detection employs the electrode and the means for optical detection employs the electrode, and wherein the device is configured to carry out dielectrophoresis. Further provided is the use of the device of the present invention for promoting transport of an analyte, detecting the optical properties of the analyte and detecting the electrochemical properties of the analyte.

Abstract: Provided is a method for processing a sample, which method comprises: a) contacting a binding phase, which binding phase is capable of binding an analyte, with the sample in the presence of a medium; b) applying across the medium a first alternating field composed of a plurality of pulses and having a first frequency, a first pulse duration and a first pulse rise time; c) optionally applying across the medium a second alternating field; and d) thereby influencing the sample and/or the binding phase in the medium.

Abstract: Provided is a method for detecting an analyte, wherein the analyte is labelled with one or more labels relatable to the analyte, which method comprises: a) performing an optical detection method on the labelled analyte to obtain optical data from the one or more labels; b) performing an electrical detection method on the labelled analyte to obtain electrical data from the one or more labels; and c) determining the identity and/or quantity of the analyte from both the optical and electrical data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a macromolecular switch (51) suitable for use in a data acquisition and/or processing device. The switch comprises a macromolecular structure (10) having an ion binding site (14), and is flippable between a plurality of discretely different conformations corresponding to different ion binding conditions at the ion binding site (14). The macromolecular structure (10) is provided with at least one electrochemical input device (43) for applying such different ion binding conditions to the ion binding site (14) in response to corresponding external input signals. The invention also provides a method for data acquisition and/or processing, using a macromolecular structure switch of the invention.

Abstract: A microelectrode system suitable for use in preparative and analytical chemistry having a laminated structure with one or more apertures. In one embodiment a microelectrode system (1) comprises alternating layers of conductor (3) and dielectric (or insulator) (4). The laminated structure (2) comprises two conductor layers (3) and two dielectric layers (4) formed on a base (5) of silicon or a polymeric material. The conducting layers (3) form electrodes in the microelectrodes system (1). The laminated structure has formed within it an aperture in the form of a well (6) being open at one end (7) and closed at the opposite end (8). In another embodiment, the apertures take the form of through holes.