Abstract: The instant invention provides a continuous spectroscopic assay for DNA topoisomerase activity. The invention further provides topoisomerase inhibitors and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of topoisomerase associated diseases and disorders.

Abstract: A robot body includes a front half and rear half and a rotatable and driven articulating joint interconnecting the front half and rear half. Multi-limbed legs extend from the robot body and are adapted to engage a ground surface to form a support polygon for each half and for the robot body. A controller is operative with each leg for determining the position and orientation of the robot body with respect to a support polygon, mapping the posture of the robot body with respect to the ground surface via the articulating joint, and determining a direction and magnitude of locomotion and translating a trajectory of locomotion to specific limb motions for each leg.