Abstract: There is provided a polymeric microsphere comprising a thermally responsive monomer crosslinked with a functional group monomer, wherein the functional group monomer comprises at least one of a carboxylic acid functional group or an amine functional group. The thermally responsive monomer is preferably N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), and the microspheres preferably comprise a coating of polymerized catecholamines (e.g. DOPA). There is also provided a method of preparing the polymeric microsphere and uses of the polymeric microsphere in culturing, harvesting, or expanding stem cells or stromal cells. Preferably, the cells, e.g. hMSCs (human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells), are expanded or harvested in serum-free and xeno-free medium.

Abstract: There is provided a coral-like composite material comprising highly dispersed conductive metal nitride, metal carbide or metal carbonitride nanoparticles on mesoporous carbon nanosheets, and a method of preparing the same. There is also provided a coating material for a modified separator of a lithium-sulfur battery comprising the coral-like composite material as described herein, a conducting carbon material and a binder, and a method of preparing the same.

Abstract: There is provided a hydrogel binder and a method of synthesizing the same. There is also provided a free-standing electrode comprising the hydrogel binder and a method of preparing the free-standing electrode comprising the hydrogel binder. There is further provided a battery comprising the free-standing electrode as defined herein.

Abstract: A column-based device and method for retrieving cells of interest were enclosed. The said device comprises a column comprising (i) an inner wall defining an inner chamber with inlet and outlet openings, (ii) a perforated plug disposed adjacent to the outlet opening, (iii) a sleeve insert with a channel and disposed within the chamber and adjacent to the perforated plug, and (iv) a filtering means housed within sleeve insert sandwiched between two sealing means. In particular, Tumor-derived endothelial cell clusters (TECCs) as characterized multiple nuclei, expression of endothelial markers (PECAM1, VWF and CDH5), and non-expression of leukocyte, megakaryocyte and platelets markers, may be retrieved using the disclosed device. Also encompassed are methods, reagents and kits for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancers by detecting for the presence of TECCs isolated from blood samples using the claimed device.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for amplifying nucleic acids, e.g., genomic DNA, using nicking agents.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method for preparing metal oxide nanosheets. In a preferred embodiment, graphene oxide (GO) or graphite oxide is employed as a template or structure directing agent for the formation of the metal oxide nanosheets, wherein the template is mixed with metal oxide precursor to form a metal oxide precursor-bonded template. Subsequently, the metal oxide precursor-bonded template is calcined to form the metal oxide nanosheets. The present invention also relates to a lithium-ion battery anode comprising the metal oxide nanosheets. In a further preferred embodiment, the battery anode may comprise a reduced template, which is reduced graphene oxide (rGO) or reduced graphite oxide.

Abstract: There is provided a cathode material comprising a layer of sulfur species dispersed within or thereon a porous matrix comprising a first conducting carbon material, a second conducting carbon material and a binder, wherein the second conducting carbon material is carbon fiber or carbon nanotube. There is also provided a cathode material comprising a layer of sulfur species dispersed within or thereon a porous matrix comprising a first conducting carbon material, a second conducting carbon material and a binder, wherein said porous matrix is interconnected with uniform pores. There are also provided methods for preparing the above cathode material(s).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a material comprising a garnet-type oxide in the form of a powder comprising a plurality of sheet structures, a hybrid quasi-solid electrolyte framework comprising the material, a hybrid quasi-solid electrolyte comprising the hybrid quasi-solid electrolyte framework, and an electrochemical cell comprising the hybrid quasi-solid electrolyte. The present invention also relates to the respective methods for preparing the material, hybrid quasi-solid electrolyte framework, hybrid quasi-solid electrolyte and electrochemical cell. The present invention also relates to the respective methods for preparing the material, hybrid quasi-solid electrolyte framework, hybrid quasi-solid electrolyte and electrochemical cell as described above.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method for preparing metal oxide nanosheets. In a preferred embodiment, graphene oxide (GO) or graphite oxide is employed as a template or structure directing agent for the formation of the metal oxide nanosheets, wherein the template is mixed with metal oxide precursor to form a metal oxide precursor-bonded template. Subsequently, the metal oxide precursor-bonded template is calcined to form the metal oxide nanosheets. The present invention also relates to a lithium-ion battery anode comprising the metal oxide nanosheets. In a further preferred embodiment, the battery anode may comprising reduced template, which is reduced graphene oxide (rGO) or reduced graphite oxide.

Abstract: A test strip for paper based assay, the test strip comprising a substrate addition zone for receiving a substrate and a test zone, the test zone comprising a capture agent, wherein the substrate addition zone is located upstream of the test zone. The invention also relates to a paper-based enzyme assay comprising a test strip of the invention and methods of detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample using a test strip of the invention.

Abstract: A device and method for retrieving cells of interest, in particular rare cells, were disclosed. Tumor-derived endothelial cell clusters (TECCs) retrieved using the disclosed device and method can be used for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer.

Abstract: A liquid sensor for a diaper, and method of manufacturing the same are provided. The liquid sensor includes a plurality of electrochemical cells in series connection. Each of the plurality of electrochemical cells includes an anode, a cathode and a liquid-porous layer including an electrolyte solution. The liquid-porous layer electrically connects the anode to the cathode such that each cell has a respective predetermined potential difference across the cell. Two or more of the plurality of electrochemical cells are operable to be electrically connected by a liquid to form a single electrochemical cell having a potential difference lower than the sum of the predetermined potential differences of the two or more electrochemical cells.

Abstract: There is provided a microfluidic device comprising: a plurality of wells, each well comprising one opening to function as an inlet and an outlet for the well, wherein each opening is in fluid communication with a common fluidic channel, and wherein each opening is connected to the common fluidic channel via an isolation channel, and wherein the plurality of wells is arranged on the device in a radially symmetrical pattern. There is also provided a system and method comprising the device.

Abstract: A column-based device and method for retrieving cells of interest were enclosed. The said device comprises a column comprising (i) an inner wall defining an inner chamber with inlet and outlet openings, (ii) a perforated plug disposed adjacent to the outlet opening, (iii) a sleeve insert with a channel and disposed within the chamber and adjacent to the perforated plug, and (iv) a filtering means housed within sleeve insert sandwiched between two sealing means. In particular, Tumor-derived endothelial cell clusters (TECCs) as characterized multiple nuclei, expression of endothelial markers (PECAM1, VWF and CDH5), and non-expression of leukocyte, megakaryocyte and platelets markers, may be retrieved using the disclosed device. Also encompassed are methods, reagents and kits for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancers by detecting for the presence of TECCs isolated from blood samples using the claimed device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and kits for determining the methylation status of a target nucleic acid molecule in a sample.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of (i) detecting cancer or cancer type in a subject or (ii) simultaneously testing for, or distinguishing between, multiple types of cancer in a subject; methods of screening subjects for a prevalence of cancer type or cancer types; methods of managing a subject with a cancer type; and methods of identifying whether a subject having a cancer type is responding to management of that cancer type; and methods of generating a response profile specific for a cancer type.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and kits for determining the methylation status of a target nucleic acid molecule in a sample comprising (a) bisulfite treatment of the target nucleic acid, (b) amplifying the treated target nucleic acid with methylation-specific primers, (c) contacting the amplicons with a methylation-specific plasmonic nanoprobe and (d) determining the methylation status based on melting temperature Tm of the hybrid probe and the target nucleic acid. In particular, a plasmonic gold nanoparticle covalently coupled to a morpholino oligonucleotide probe. Also claimed are methods and kits for determining methylation status of the Septin 9 (SEPT9) gene promoter.

Abstract: A column-based device and method for retrieving cells of interest were enclosed. The said device comprises a column comprising (i) an inner wall defining an inner chamber with inlet and outlet openings, (ii) a perforated plug disposed adjacent to the outlet opening, (iii) a sleeve insert with a channel and disposed within the chamber and adjacent to the perforated plug, and (iv) a filtering means housed within sleeve insert sandwiched between two sealing means. In particular, Tumor-derived endothelial cell clusters (TECCs) as characterized multiple nuclei, expression of endothelial markers (PECAM1, VWF and CDH5), and non-expression of leukocyte, megakaryocyte and platelets markers, may be retrieved using the disclosed device. Also encompassed are methods, reagents and kits for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancers by detecting for the presence of TECCs isolated from blood samples using the claimed device.

Abstract: A cell culture substrate comprising a substrate having a coating of a plurality of amine functionalized nanoparticles is disclosed. In one embodiment, the amine functionalized nanoparticle is a polymer of an acrylamide monomer, a cross-linker and an amine monomer. There is also provided a method of making the cell culture substrate either by drying the amine functionalized nanoparticles when spread onto the said substrate or by covalent linkages of the substrate with thiol terminated nanoparticles. In addition, there is provided a method of culturing stem cells on the cell culture substrate having a coating of a plurality of the amine functionalized nanoparticles thereon.

Abstract: A liquid sensor for a diaper, and method of manufacturing the same are provided. The liquid sensor includes a plurality of electrochemical cells in series connection. Each of the plurality of electrochemical cells includes an anode, a cathode and a liquid-porous layer including an electrolyte solution. The liquid-porous layer electrically connects the anode to the cathode such that each cell has a respective predetermined potential difference across the cell. Two or more of the plurality of electrochemical cells are operable to be electrically connected by a liquid to form a single electrochemical cell having a potential difference lower than the sum of the predetermined potential differences of the two or more electrochemical cells.