Abstract: Methods of protein production in a linked culture and production bioreactor system are provided. Such methods include a culture bioreactor (N-1 bioreactor) linked to production bioreactor (N bioreactor). More specifically, the methods include (a) culturing cells with a gene that encodes the protein of interest in a continuous perfusion culture bioreactor (N-1 bioreactor); inoculating a continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) production bioreactor (N bioreactor) with cells obtained from step (a); and culturing the cells in the CSTR production bioreactor under conditions that allow production of the protein of interest.

Abstract: A device and method for application of a cervical cerclage suture to a patient's cervix is disclosed. The device includes a housing having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end and defining an internal passageway. The device includes a retractable claw having a shaft slidable in the passageway and comprising a plurality of spaced flexible fingers that hold and release the cerclage suture. Each flexible finger may have a through-hole for receiving the cerclage suture, and may have a radial slit in communication with the through-hole and through which the cerclage suture is releasable from each finger. The claw is movable in the housing between a retracted state and an extended state relative to the housing. The shaft is operatively connected to the claw to move the claw axially relative to the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for securing a deformable material to a wall structure such that the deformable material is allowed to solidify to form a predetermined configuration upon the wall structure, includes securing a fabric member to a wall structure, the fabric member having a configuration that supports a deformable material that ultimately solidifies; a plurality of offset strips (when required) that separate the fabric member from the wall structure to provide an air gap; and fasteners that maintain the relative position of the fabric upon the wall structure throughout the application of the deformable material upon the fabric member, the configuring of a design into the deformable material, and after the deformable material has solidified.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include a continuous availability for workload and site switches with no data loss at unlimited distances in an active-active sites configuration. A non-limiting example computer-implemented method includes synchronously replicating commit records of changed workload data, by a processor, from an active site to a bunker site upon a workload data commit. The method asynchronously replicates committed transactions on changed workload data, by the processor, from the bunker site to a recovery site.

Abstract: A reusable countertop mold in accordance with the present invention includes at least one mold sheet, but generally a plurality of mold sheets are required to extend about a predetermined portion of a periphery of a floor mounted cabinet. The mold sheet is dimensioned and configured to ultimately form a countertop having a predetermined configuration with predetermined dimensions. The mold sheet includes a relatively thin base portion and a wall portion perpendicular to the base portion. The reusable countertop mold further includes a plurality of fastener recesses in an inner side portion of the base portion, the recesses ultimately allowing fasteners to pass through a countertop substrate and into the floor mounted cabinet, after the base portion has been inserted between the countertop substrate and the cabinet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of cell culture where the cells are modified to reduce the level of synthesis of growth and/or productivity inhibitors by the cell. The invention also relates to a method of cell culture for improving cell growth and productivity, in particular in fed-batch culture of mammalian cells at high cell density. The invention further relates to a method of producing cells with improved cell growth and/or productivity in cell culture and to cells obtained or obtainable by such methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of improving protein production, e.g., large-scale commercial protein production, e.g., antibody production, utilizing a modified fed-batch cell culture method comprising a cell growth phase and a polypeptide production phase. The modified fed-batch cell culture method combines both cell culture perfusion and fed-batch methods to achieve higher titers of polypeptide products. Because the modified fed-batch cell culture method of the invention produces higher polypeptide product titers than fed-batch culture alone, it will substantially improve commercial-scale protein production. The invention also relates to a perfusion bioreactor apparatus comprising a fresh medium reservoir connected to a bioreactor by a feed pump, a recirculation loop connected to the bioreactor, wherein the recirculation loop comprises a filtration device, e.g., ultrafiltration or microfiltration, and a permeate pump connecting the filtration device to a permeate collection container.

Abstract: The invention describes a core shell microcapsule wherein the capsule shell is hydrolysable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of cell culture where the cells are modified to reduce the level of synthesis of growth and/or productivity inhibitors by the cell. The invention also relates to a method of cell culture for improving cell growth and productivity, in particular in fed-batch culture of mammalian cells at high cell density. The invention further relates to a method of producing cells with improved cell growth and/or productivity in cell culture and to cells obtained or obtainable by such methods.

Abstract: A method of cell culture comprising providing cells in a cell culture medium to start a cell culture process, and, maintaining at least one metabolite selected from 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)lactate, 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate, phenyllactate, indolelactate, indolecarboxylic acid, homocysteine, 2-hydroxybutyric acid, isovalerate and formate below a concentration C1 in the cell culture medium, wherein C1 is 3 mM and/or (ii) maintaining at least one amino acid selected from phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, methionine, leucine, serine, threonine and glycine below a concentration C2 in the cell culture medium, wherein C2 is 2 mM.

Abstract: A syringe tip cap is provided for use with an automatic syringe loading apparatus. The cap includes a body having an exterior surface and an interior surface, and having a first end and an opposite second end. The first end is defined by at least one generally “V”-shaped ramp on each of two sides of the exterior surface.

Abstract: Provided herein is a tyrosine selection marker system, and uses thereof. In some embodiments, nucleic acid constructs, vectors, host cells and related compositions and methods for generating and selecting tyrosine prototroph cells are provided.

Abstract: A method of cell culture comprising providing cells in a cell culture medium to start a cell culture process, and, maintaining at least one metabolite selected from 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)lactate, 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate, phenyllactate, indolelactate, indolecarboxylic acid, homocysteine, 2-hydroxybutyric acid, isovalerate and formate below a concentration C1 in the cell culture medium, wherein C1 is 3 mM and/or (ii) maintaining at least one amino acid selected from phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, methionine, leucine, serine, threonine and glycine below a concentration C2 in the cell culture medium, wherein C2 is 2 mM.

Abstract: A reusable countertop mold in accordance with the present invention includes at least one mold sheet, but generally a plurality of mold sheets are required to extend about a predetermined portion of a periphery of a floor mounted cabinet. The mold sheet is dimensioned and configured to ultimately form a countertop having a predetermined configuration with predetermined dimensions. The mold sheet includes a relatively thin base portion and a wall portion perpendicular to the base portion. The reusable countertop mold further includes a plurality of fastener recesses in an inner side portion of the base portion, the recesses ultimately allowing fasteners to pass through a countertop substrate and into the floor mounted cabinet, after the base portion has been inserted between the countertop substrate and the cabinet.

Abstract: Methods of protein production in a linked culture and production bioreactor system are provided. Such methods include a culture bioreactor (N-1 bioreactor) linked to production bioreactor (N bioreactor). More specifically, the methods include (a) culturing cells with a gene that encodes the protein of interest in a continuous perfusion culture bioreactor (N-1 bioreactor); inoculating a continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) production bioreactor (N bioreactor) with cells obtained from step (a); and culturing the cells in the CSTR production bioreactor under conditions that allow production of the protein of interest.

Abstract: A concrete section and method for constructing a wall includes first and second concrete sections identically configured and dimensioned to allow the entire concrete wall to be constructed via one concrete section design, thereby minimizing labor time and parts. The single design for all concrete sections for constructing a concrete wall is achieved by vertically “offsetting” corresponding and oppositely disposed first and third locking fingers; and vertically offsetting corresponding and oppositely disposed second and fourth locking fingers. First and second locking finger receiving recesses are also vertically offset to horizontally align a first recess of a second concrete section with a fourth locking finger of a first concrete section; and to horizontally align a second recess of a first concrete section with a first locking finger of a second concrete section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of cell culture where the cells are modified to reduce the level of synthesis of growth and/or productivity inhibitors by the cell. The invention also relates to a method of cell culture for improving cell growth and productivity, in particular in fed-batch culture of mammalian cells at high cell density. The invention further relates to a method of producing cells with improved cell growth and/or productivity in cell culture and to cells obtained or obtainable by such methods.

Abstract: Methods of protein production in continuous perfusion mammalian cell culture bioreactors are provided. Methods for continuous perfusion culture by allowing cells to self-regulate the rate of addition of perfusion medium to the bioreactor via a pH change are presented. Compositions comprising the perfusion medium as well as the process advantages of using hi-end pH control of perfusion or HIPCOP are also presented.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of reducing protein misfolding and aggregation in the cell culture by growing the cell culture at a reduced temperature and/or reduced pH. As a result, the quality of the protein produced in the cell culture is greatly improved. Thus, the present disclosure facilitates improvements in the efficacy of therapeutic proteins produced in cell culture.

Abstract: A fuel system includes an air and fuel mixer configured to mix air and fuel provided to a combustion engine and a fuel path coupled to the air and fuel mixer. The fuel path includes an electronically controlled fuel control valve configured to regulate an air to fuel ratio of an air/fuel mixture provided to the engine, a gas pressure regulator disposed upstream of the fuel control valve and configured to control a pressure of the fuel in relation to an air pressure of the air and fuel mixer, and a manual adjust valve disposed downstream of the gas pressure regulator and configured to mechanically tune a performance of the fuel path to minimize an adjustment by the electronically controlled fuel control valve to regulate the air to fuel ratio. The fuel system is configured to operate with different fuels that differ in physical and chemical properties.