Abstract: A separation container for extracting a portion of a sample for use or testing and method for preparing samples for downstream use or testing are provided. The separation container may include a body defining an internal chamber. The body may define an opening, and the body may be configured to receive the sample within the internal chamber. The separation container may further include a seal disposed across the opening, such that the seal may be configured to seal the opening of the body, and a plunger movably disposed at least partially inside the internal chamber. The plunger may be configured to be actuated to open the seal and express the portion of the sample.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, logic executing on a processor receives a request to compare a first file and a second file. Each file comprises records, attributes, and attribute values. An attribute value is a value that a record associates with a corresponding attribute. The logic receives a mapping file indicating a key and one or more selected attributes for comparison. The logic compares each record in the first file to its corresponding record in the second file, the corresponding record determined according to the key. For records that fail to match, the logic determines which of the selected attributes are unmatched. The logic communicates a report indicating a result of comparing the first file and the second file.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, logic executing on a processor receives a request to compare a first file and a second file. Each file comprises records, attributes, and attribute values. An attribute value is a value that a record associates with a corresponding attribute. The logic receives a mapping file indicating a key and one or more selected attributes for comparison. The logic compares each record in the first file to its corresponding record in the second file, the corresponding record determined according to the key. For records that fail to match, the logic determines which of the selected attributes are unmatched. The logic communicates a report indicating a result of comparing the first file and the second file.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method producing a modified assembly line, such as those that produce non-ribosomal peptides and polyketides. The modified assembly lines of the invention can be used to produce novel compounds with therapeutic activities. The invention also provides organisms containing modified assembly lines and libraries of modified assembly lines.

Abstract: The invention pertains to isolated phosphopantetheinyl transferases, such as the E. coli acyl carrier protein synthase, which transfer a phosphopantetheinyl group onto a substrate. The enzyme can be purified from a natural source, produced recombinantly, or synthetically. Accordingly, the invention provides compositions and kits including phosphopantetheinyl transferases and host cells expressing phosphopantetheinyl transferases. The invention also provides nucleic acids encoding phosphopantetheinyl transferases and vectors comprising such nucleic acids. The invention further provides methods for phosphopantetheinylating a substrate in vitro or in vivo and methods for producing antibiotics in vitro or in vivo.

Abstract: The invention pertains to isolated phosphopantetheinyl transferases, such as the E. coli acyl carrier protein synthase, which transfer a phosphopantetheinyl group onto a substrate. The enzyme can be purified from a natural source, produced recombinantly, or synthetically. Accordingly, the invention provides compositions and kits including phosphopantetheinyl transferases and host cells expressing phosphopantetheinyl transferases. The invention also provides nucleic acids encoding phosphopantetheinyl transferases and vectors comprising such nucleic acids. The invention further provides methods for phosphopantetheinylating a substrate in vitro or in vivo and methods for producing antibiotics in vitro or in vivo.

Abstract: The invention pertains to isolated phosphopantetheinyl transferases, such as the E. coli acyl carrier protein synthase, which transfer a phosphopantetheinyl group onto a substrate. The enzyme can be purified from a natural source, produced recombinantly, or synthetically. Accordingly, the invention provides compositions and kits including phosphopantetheinyl transferases and host cells expressing phosphopantetheinyl transferases. The invention also provides nucleic acids encoding phosphopantetheinyl transferases and vectors comprising such nucleic acids. The invention further provides methods for phosphopantetheinylating a substrate in vitro or in vivo and methods for producing antibiotics in vitro or in vivo.

Abstract: A method for producing a fusion peptide. A vector is provided with nucleic acid encoding a carrier peptide and at the 3' end of the nucleic acid, a unidirectional restriction endonuclease cleavage site recognized by a restriction endonuclease with the ability to create a non-palindromic 3-base overhang. The vector is cleaved with the restriction endonuclease to produce a cleaved vector. One or more nucleic acids encoding a desired peptide and having at least a 3-base overhang at each end configured and arranged for ligation with the cleaved vector is then ligated to the cleavage site.

Abstract: Elastomeric foam blocks are provided for constructing toys and models with a means of attachment of one block to another block in the form of flexible protuberances and cellular receptacles present on all surfaces, so that when one or more blocks are engaged, a clinging force is generated. Furthermore, either independently of, or in collaboration with the above, another means of connecting said blocks is provided by inserting simple pins into the matrix of said foam in any direction and without preformed perforations. The pins are held in place in the perforations created by the insertion of the pins into the foam by the elastomeric forces inherent in the polymeric structure of the foam, and the perforations snap shut upon the removal of the pins, thus allowing the building units to be reused again to construct more toys and models.