Abstract: A method of detecting the presence of bioactive molecules in a fluid sample, comprising contacting a solution of a microorganism selected from the group consisting of a monocellular algae and a cyanobacteria with the fluid sample so as to obtain a formulation having a microorganism concentration of 200 000-1×107 cells/mL of fluid sample; incubating the formulation for 10 to 120 minutes at a pH of 7 to 12 and a temperature between 18 and 35° C.; and measuring the fluorescence emitted by the formulation, whereby a fluorescence emitted in the sample that is lower than that in a control sample is an indication that the sample contains a bioactive molecule.

Abstract: A stabilized thylakoid membrane formulation comprising thylakoid membranes in a buffered solution and liposomes, wherein the formulation has a ratio of chlorophyll/liposomes of at least about 10:1. The invention further comprises a method for detecting or quantifying the presence of toxic molecules in a fluid sample, comprising obtaining a stabilized thylakoids membranes formulation; and assessing the photosynthetic efficiency of the thylakoid membranes formulation in the presence of said sample, whereby the molecules are detected when the photosynthetic efficiency is measurably different in the presence versus in the absence of the sample. The present invention also comprises kits using the stabilized thylakoid membranes formulation for detecting and/or quantifying the toxic molecule in a fluid sample.

Abstract: A method of detecting the presence of bioactive molecules in a fluid sample, comprising contacting a solution of a microorganism selected from the group consisting of a monocellular algae and a cyanobacteria with the fluid sample so as to obtain a formulation having a microorganism concentration of 200 000-1×107 cells/mL of fluid sample; incubating the formulation for 10 to 120 minutes at a pH of 7 to 12 and a temperature between 18 and 35° C.; and measuring the fluorescence emitted by the formulation, whereby a fluorescence emitted in the sample that is lower than that in a control sample is an indication that the sample contains a bioactive molecule.

Abstract: A stabilised thylakoid membrane formulation comprising thylakoid membranes in a buffered solution and liposomes, wherein the formulation has a ratio of chlorophyll/liposomes of at least about 10:1. The invention further comprises a method for detecting or quantifying the presence of toxic molecules in a fluid sample, comprising obtaining a stabilised thylakoids membranes formulation; and assessing the photosynthetic efficiency of the thylakoid membranes formulation in the presence of said sample, whereby the molecules are detected when the photosynthetic efficiency is measurably different in the presence versus in the absence of the sample. The present invention also comprises kits using the stabilised thylakoid membranes formulation for detecting and/or quantifying the toxic molecule in a fluid sample.

Abstract: A stabilised thylakoid membrane formulation comprising thylakoid membranes in a buffered solution and liposomes, wherein the formulation has a ratio of chlorophyll/liposomes of at least about 10:1. The invention further comprises a method for detecting or quantifying the presence of toxic molecules in a fluid sample, comprising obtaining a stabilised thylakoids membranes formulation; and assessing the photosynthetic efficiency of the thylakoid membranes formulation in the presence of said sample, whereby the molecules are detected when the photosynthetic efficiency is measurably different in the presence versus in the absence of the sample. The present invention also comprises kits using the stabilised thylakoid membranes formulation for detecting and/or quantifying the toxic molecule in a fluid sample.

Abstract: A first aspect of the present invention is concerned with a double-helix electrode structure for sensing electrical activity of a patient's diaphragm, comprising first and second helical electrodes disposed in a double-helix arrangement for being positioned in the gastro-esophageal sphincter of the patient's diaphragm in view of sensing electrical activity of the patient's diaphragm. According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a pressure detection and acquisition device comprising a semiconductor substrate, a pressure sensor implemented on the semiconductor substrate and producing, when subjected to an external pressure, a pressure representative signal, and a signal acquisition and transmission circuit integrated to the semiconductor substrate, connected to the pressure sensor, and supplied with the pressure representative signal. Other aspects of the present invention relate to an EMGdi signal and pressure acquisition catheter.

Abstract: An assay for detecting, identifying and/or quantifying at least one contaminant in a sample comprising (a) mixing the sample with liposomes having a known capture efficiency so as to form a mixture; (b) isolating the liposomes including the contaminant bound liposomes from the mixtures; (c) detecting and quantifying the captured contaminant; (d) determining the concentration of the contaminant in the sample by multiplying the liposomes' capture efficiency with the quantity of contaminant determined in (c), wherein the lipid composition of the liposomes possesses affinities with said at least one contaminant so that if the sample contains contaminants, at least a portion thereof is bound to or captured by the liposomes. The contaminants can be isolated and even concentrated in the liposomes during the assay process. The assays of the present invention are advantageously simple and inexpensive to perform and are particularly suitable for tests performed outside of sophisticated laboratories.