Abstract: The invention provides a device for adhering cells in a specific and predetermined position, and associated methods. The device includes a plate defining a surface and a plurality of cytophilic islands that adhere cells, isolated by cytophobic regions to which cells do not adhere, contiguous with the cytophilic islands. The islands or the regions or both may be formed of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM).

Abstract: Provided herein methods and kits for detecting and/or quantifying sialic acid content of glycosylated molecules that does not require purification of the glycosylated molecule of interest or purification of the labeled product. The methods and kits provided herein are fast and suitable for high-throughput use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multi-polymer-coated magnetic nanoclusters, aqueous magnetic fluids comprising same, and methods of their use in separation procedures. The multi-polymer-coated magnetic nanoclusters comprise a super paramagnetic core, with a first polymer attached thereto, which does not render the first polymer-super paramagnetic particle complex colloidally stable, and a second polymer attached thereto, which stabilizes the complex of multi-polymer-coated magnetic nanoparticles. Methods of use comprise methods of separation, including separation of expressed protein from cells and viruses expressing the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides RNAi agents targeted to sialidase. The RNAi agents include siRNA, shRNA, and expression vectors that comprise a template for transcription of an siRNA or shRNA. The invention further provides cells and cell lines that comprise an RNAi agent targeted to sialidase. The cells and cell lines exhibit reduced sialidase activity relative to control cells that do not comprise an RNAi agent targeted to sialidase. Certain of the cell lines stably express the RNAi agent. The invention further provides methods of producing the cells and cell lines. The invention further provides methods for producing a glycoprotein in cells that comprise an RNAi agent targeted to sialidase. The glycoproteins exhibit an improved sialic acid profile relative to glycoproteins produced by cells that do not comprise an RNAi agent targeted to sialidase. The invention further provides glycoproteins, e.g., therapeutic glycoproteins, produced in the cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for adhering cells in a specific and predetermined position, and associated methods. The device includes a plate defining a surface and a plurality of cytophilic islands that adhere cells, isolated by cytophobic regions to which cells do not adhere, contiguous with the cytophilic islands. The islands or the regions or both may be formed of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM).

Abstract: In part, the present invention relates to a compound or polymer comprising a non-protein-binding moiety and at least one protein-binding group. The present invention relates to a method of screening compounds or polymers for the property of inhibiting protein aggregation in solution, a method of preparing a compound or polymer having the property of protein aggregation inhibition in solution, a method of classifying a compound or polymer as either inhibitory of protein aggregation in solution or not inhibitory of protein aggregation in solution, and to a method of determining the preferential binding coefficient, ?XP, of an additive in a protein solution. The present invention also relates to a method of suppressing or preventing aggregation of a protein in solution, a method of decreasing the toxicological risk associated with administering a protein to a mammal in need thereof, and a method of facilitating native folding of a recombinant protein in solution.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for adhering cells in a specific and predetermined position, and associated methods. The device includes a plate defining a surface and a plurality of cytophilic islands that adhere cells, isolated by cytophobic regions to which cells do not adhere, contiguous with the cytophilic islands. The islands or the regions or both may be formed of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM).

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to magnetic nanoparticles colloidally stabilized in aqueous milieu by association with an organic phase. The organic phase may be either a fluorinated polymer or an organic hydrocarbon bilayer, wherein the two layers are chemically bonded to each other. The stabilized particles are further non-toxic and provide useful enhancements in bioprocesses. Another aspect of the present invention relates to compositions comprising an oxygen-dissolving fluid vehicle and surface modified, nanometer-sized magnetic particles. The inventive compositions have utility in a wide range of applications, but are particularly suitable for use as recyclable oxygen carriers, separation and purification vehicles, and bioprocessing media, including fermentation processes.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for adhering cells in a specific and predetermined position, and associated methods. The device includes a plate defining a surface and a plurality of cytophilic islands that adhere cells, isolated by cytophobic regions to which cells do not adhere, contiguous with the cytophilic islands. The islands or the regions or both may be formed of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM).

Abstract: The invention provides a device for adhering cells in a specific and predetermined position, and associated methods. The device includes a plate defining a surface and a plurality of cytophilic islands that adhere cells, isolated by cytophobic regions to which cells do not adhere, contiguous with the cytophilic islands. The islands or the regions or both may be formed of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM).

Abstract: Methods and a device are provided for adhering cells in a specific and predetermined position. The device comprises a plate defining a surface and a plurality of cytophilic islands that adhere cells which are isolated by cytophobic regions to which cells do not adhere. The cytophobic regions can be wide enough such that less than 10 percent of the cells adhered to the cytophilic islands are allowed to form bridges across the cytophobic regions and contact each other. Further, the islands or the regions or both may be formed of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM). The methods are for forming a patterned surface for a population of cells and for selectively manipulating individual cells formed on the surface of the plate of the device. Furthermore, the device is used in immobilization of cells at a surface and for controlling shape of the cells.

Abstract: A device is provided for adhering cells in a specific and predetermined position. The device comprises a plate defining a surface and a plurality of cytophilic islands that adhere cells which are isolated by cytophobic regions to which cells do not adhere and further is contiguous with the cytophilic islands. The islands or the regions or both may be formed of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM). Further, the cytophobic regions are wide enough such that less than 10 percent of the cells adhered to the cytophilic islands are allowed to form bridges across the cytophobic regions and contact each other. The device is used in a method for culturing cells on a surface or in a medium and also for performing cytometry. Furthermore, the device is used in immobilization of cells at a surface and for controlling the shape of a cell.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a device for adhering cells in a specific and predetermined position. The device comprises a plate defining a surface and a plurality of cytophilic islands that adhere cells which are isolated by cytophobic regions to which cells do not adhere and further is contiguous with the cytophilic islands. The islands or the regions or both may be formed of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM). Further, the cytophobic regions are wide enough such that less than 10 percent of the cells adhered to the cytophilic islands are allowed to form bridges across the cytophobic regions and contact each other. The device is used in a method for culturing cells on a surface or in a medium and also for performing cytometry. Furthermore, the device is used in immobilization of cells at a surface and for controlling the shape of a cell.

Abstract: Methods for separation of substances are provided. The methods include contacting a mixture of at least two components in flowable conditions with mesoporous, crystalline materials termed M41S which also include MCM-41 materials. The mesoporous crystalline materials may be used in separations as is or functionalized.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method and an apparatus for determining concentration of solid particles of interest in a sample in the presence of at least one other type of solid particle by measuring light scatter at a wavelength which is independent of solid particle concentration which is not of interest and related to solid particle concentration of interest. Preferably, solid particles of interest are cells grown in cell culture medium comprising a solid substrate.

Abstract: Ethanol is the major end product of an anaerobic, thermophilic fermentation process using a mutant strain of bacterium Clostridium thermosaccharolyticum. This organism is capable of converting hexose and pentose carbohydrates to ethanol, acetic and lactic acids. Mutants of Clostridium thermosaccharolyticum are capable of converting these substrates to ethanol in exceptionally high yield and with increased productivity. Both the mutant organism and the technique for its isolation are provided.

Abstract: Cellulosic products having a high hemicellulose to lignin weight ratio are obtained by extracting a cellulosic composition with basic ethanol-water solution having a pH between about 12 and about 14 at a temperature between about 15.degree. and about 70.degree. C. and for a time period between about 2 and about 80 hours.

Abstract: Improved cell culture microcarriers, and methods for their production and use, are disclosed herein. These improved microcarriers have positive charge capacities adjusted and/or controlled within a range suitable for good cell growth. One method for producing such improved microcarriers is by treating beads formed from polymers containing pendant hydroxy groups, such as dextran beads, with an aqueous solution of an alkaline material and a chloro- or bromo-substituted tertiary amine under precisely controlled conditions to produce the desired exchange capacity. The resultant positively charged microcarriers have been used in microcarrier cultures to produce outstanding growth of anchorage-dependent cells. Such cells can be harvested, or used for the production of viruses, vaccines, hormones, interferon or other cellular growth by-products.

Abstract: Improved cell culture microcarriers, and methods for their production and use, are disclosed herein. These improved microcarriers have positive charge capacities adjusted and/or controlled within a range suitable for good cell growth. One method for producing such improved microcarriers is by treating beads formed from polymers containing pendant hydroxy groups, such as dextran beads, with an aqueous solution of an alkaline material and a chloro- or bromo-substituted tertiary amine under precisely controlled conditions to produce the desired exchange capacity. The resultant positively charged microcarriers have been used in microcarrier cultures to produce outstanding growth of anchorage-dependent cells. Such cells can be harvested, or used for the production of viruses, vaccines, hormones, interferon or other cellular growth by-products.

Abstract: A method of treating certain cell culture microcarriers to improve their performance is disclosed. In this method, positively charged microcarriers, such as those produced by reacting polydextran beads with diethylaminoethyl, are treated by contacting them with macromolecular polyanions, such as carboxymethylcellulose, prior and/or during use in cultures. Such treatment overcomes deleterious effects previously observed in attempts to use these microcarriers in cell culture systems.