Abstract: The invention provides a hydrogel network comprising a plurality of hydrogel objects, wherein each of said hydrogel objects comprises: a hydrogel body, and an outer layer of amphipathic molecules, on at least part of the surface of the hydrogel body, wherein each of said hydrogel objects contacts another of said hydrogel objects to form an interface between the contacting hydrogel objects. A process for producing the hydrogel networks is also provided. The invention also provides an electrochemical circuit and hydrogel component for mechanical devices comprising a hydrogel network. Various uses of the hydrogel network are also described, including their use in synthetic biology and as components in electrochemical circuits and mechanical devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to constructs comprising a transmembrane protein pore subunit and a nucleic acid handling enzyme. The pore subunit is covalently attached to the enzyme such that both the subunit and enzyme retain their activity. The constructs can be used to generate transmembrane protein pores having a nucleic acid handling enzyme attached thereto. Such pores are particularly useful for sequencing nucleic acids. The enzyme handles the nucleic acid in such a way that the pore can detect its component nucleotides by stochastic sensing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for sequencing a heteropolymeric target nucleic acid sequence that involves stochastic sensing. The invention also relates to a method for improving a pore for sequencing a target nucleic acid sequence by modifying one or more sites in the pore.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for sequencing a heteropolymeric target nucleic acid sequence that involves stochastic sensing. The invention also relates to a method for improving a pore for sequencing a target nucleic acid sequence by modifying one or more sites in the pore.

Abstract: The invention relates to enhancing translocation of a charged analyte through a transmembrane protein pore. Translocation is enhanced by increasing the net opposing charge of the barrel or channel and/or entrance of the pore. The invention also relates to pores enhanced in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mutant ?-hemolysin (?-HL) pore which is useful for detecting one or more nucleotides by stochastic sensing. The pore is particularly useful for sequencing DNA or RNA. A molecular adaptor that allows detection of the nucleotide(s) is covalently attached to the pore. The pore is specifically modified to facilitate positioning of the adaptor and may be modified to facilitate covalent attachment.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for producing a droplet assembly, which apparatus comprises a droplet generator. A process for producing a droplet assembly, using an apparatus comprising a droplet generator is also described. The invention also relates to droplet assemblies comprising a plurality of droplets. Various uses of the droplet assemblies are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to constructs comprising a transmembrane protein pore subunit and a nucleic acid handling enzyme. The pore subunit is covalently attached to the enzyme such that both the subunit and enzyme retain their activity. The constructs can be used to generate transmembrane protein pores having a nucleic acid handling enzyme attached thereto. Such pores are particularly useful for sequencing nucleic acids. The enzyme handles the nucleic acid in such a way that the pore can detect its component nucleotides by stochastic sensing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for moving a droplet from a first location to a second location, which droplet comprises a magnetic material disposed in an aqueous medium. The invention also relates to a droplet assembly comprising a droplet, which droplet comprises a magnetic material disposed in an aqueous medium. Various uses of the droplet assembly are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides a hydrogel network comprising a plurality of hydrogel objects, wherein each of said hydrogel objects comprises: a hydrogel body, and an outer layer of amphipathic molecules, on at least part of the surface of the hydrogel body, wherein each of said hydrogel objects contacts another of said hydrogel objects to form an interface between the contacting hydrogel objects. A process for producing the hydrogel networks is also provided. The invention also provides an electrochemical circuit and hydrogel component for mechanical devices comprising a hydrogel network. Various uses of the hydrogel network are also described, including their use in synthetic biology and as components in electrochemical circuits and mechanical devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to constructs comprising a transmembrane protein pore subunit and a nucleic acid handling enzyme. The pore subunit is covalently attached to the enzyme such that both the subunit and enzyme retain their activity. The constructs can be used to generate transmembrane protein pores having a nucleic acid handling enzyme attached thereto. Such pores are particularly useful for sequencing nucleic acids. The enzyme handles the nucleic acid in such a way that the pore can detect its component nucleotides by stochastic sensing.

Abstract: The invention relates to enhancing translocation of a charged analyte through a transmembrane protein pore. Translocation is enhanced by increasing the net opposing charge of the barrel or channel and/or entrance of the pore. The invention also relates to pores enhanced in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides a droplet encapsulate comprising: a drop of a hydrophobic medium; a peripheral layer of non-polymeric amphipathic molecules around the surface of the drop; and an aqueous droplet within the peripheral layer, the aqueous droplet comprising: (a) an aqueous medium and (b) an outer layer of non-polymeric amphipathic molecules around the surface of the aqueous medium. The invention also provides processes for preparing the droplet encapsulates. Various uses of the droplet encapsulates are also described, including their use as drug delivery vehicles, in synthetic biology, and in the study of membrane proteins.

Abstract: The invention relates to transmembrane protein pore for use in detecting a analyte in a sample. The pore comprises a molecular adaptor that facilitates an interaction between the pore and the analyte. The adaptor is covalently attached to the pore in an orientation that allows the analyte to be detected using the pore.

Abstract: The invention relates to constructs comprising a transmembrane protein pore subunit and a nucleic acid handling enzyme. The pore subunit is covalently attached to the enzyme such that both the subunit and enzyme retain their activity. The constructs can be used to generate transmembrane protein pores having a nucleic acid handling enzyme attached thereto. Such pores are particularly useful for sequencing nucleic acids. The enzyme handles the nucleic acid in such a way that the pore can detect its component nucleotides by stochastic sensing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of inhibiting the insertion of one or more membrane proteins into a lipid bilayer. The invention also relates to a method of inserting a pre-determined number of membrane proteins into a lipid bilayer and lipid bilayers having a pre-determined number of membrane proteins inserted therein. The lipid bilayers of the invention are useful as sensor arrays, particularly for sequencing nucleic acids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for sequencing a heteropolymeric target nucleic acid sequence that involves stochastic sensing. The invention also relates to a method for improving a pore for sequencing a target nucleic acid sequence by modifying one or more sites in the pore.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus for automatic valuation of articles. The apparatus may comprise an article receiving device arranged to receive an article therein; and an article assessment device arranged to determine the presence of a prescribed one or more materials in said article along with the quantity thereof, the article assessment device being arranged to determine a value of the one or more materials present in the article based on a stored amount of the value of a given quantity of each of said one or more materials, and the quantity of the one or more materials present in the article as determined by the article assessment device, and to output to the user the value of said article based on the value of the one or more materials and/or output to the user the value of the one or more materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to enhancing translocation of a charged analyte through a transmembrane protein pore. Translocation is enhanced by increasing the net opposing charge of the barrel or channel and/or entrance of the pore. The invention also relates to pores enhanced in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: A method of delivering a molecule, such as a membrane protein, to a lipid bilayer uses a probe capable of holding the molecule on a carrier surface thereof. The molecule is deposited on the carrier surface and the probe is moved to engage the carrier surface against the lipid bilayer. The carrier surface may be the surface of a drop of hydrogel which adsorbs the molecule. The molecule may be a membrane protein which is thus inserted into the lipid bilayer. The method is fast and simple to perform thereby allowing high throughput experimentation.