Abstract: A fluidic system is provided. The system comprises: a rigid housing (12), a plurality of flexible reagent containers (14) contained within the housing (12); wherein each reagent container (14) has a connection port (16) through which a reagent can flow, in use, on the application of pressure. The system further comprises a single pressure source (18) configured to apply pressure to the interior of the rigid housing (12); a microfluidic device configured to analyse one or more fluids provided from the plurality of reagent containers; and a plurality of channels (20) configured to transfer fluid from the plurality of reagent containers (14) to the microfluidic device. The ratio of resistances provided by a combination of the connection ports and the plurality of channels dictates the ratio of flow rates of the reagents. The claimed system allows for an accurate control of the various reagent flow rates while minimizing fluctuations in the relative flow rates.

Abstract: Flow apparatuses comprising a separation channel, a downstream flow separator, a detection zone, an observation zone, and a waste channel. The separation channel has first and second flows in contact and allows lateral movement of components between contacting first and second flows. The downstream flow separator is in communication with the separation channel and diverts a part of the first fluid flow, the second fluid flow, or both, from the separation channel. The detection zone comprises a detection channel downstream of and in communication with the flow separator and configured to receive a plurality of diverted flows from the flow separator and a label channel configured to label the diverted flows from the flow separator. The observation zone is configured to record an analytical signal indicative of the quantity and the electrical properties of the component. The waste channel is at the downstream end of the observation zone.

Abstract: A fluidic device is provided. The fluidic device comprises a separation channel having at its upstream end a junction, a first channel for supplying a first fluid flow, a second channel for supplying a second fluid flow. The first and second channels meet at the junction are adapted to provide the first fluid flow in the separation channel sheathed by the second fluid flow, such that the first fluid flow does not contact the separation channel walls. The separation channel, the first and second channels are provided as a unitary piece, or where the separation channel and the first and second channels are provided as a non-unitary piece comprising a plurality of parts, the parts are of the same material.

Abstract: A device for controlling a fluid flow in an array of fluid pathways on a microfluidic chip is provided. The device comprising: two or more resistors provided upstream of the chip wherein each upstream resistor is configured to provide a resistance at an upstream end of a fluid pathway; two or more resistors provided downstream of the chip wherein each downstream resistor is configured to provide a resistance at a downstream end of a fluid pathway, wherein the values of the resistances are selected in order to control a proportion of fluid that flows through each fluid pathway.

Abstract: A microfluidic device (11) is provided for separation and analysis of microfluidic samples. The device comprises: a separation channel (10); a first electrolyte channel (12) configured to provide a flow of high conductivity electrolyte solution, in use; and provided with a positive electrode (13) at a downstream outlet of the channel; a second electrolyte channel (14) configured to provide a flow of high conductivity electrolyte solution, in use, and provided with a negative electrode (15) at a downstream outlet of the channel; and wherein the flow of electrolyte through the first and second electrolyte channels removes electrophoresis products and gas bubbles from the device; and wherein the presence of the electrolyte provides a substantially homogenous electric field across the separation channel.

Abstract: A device and method for fluorescent labelling a component is provided. The device comprising a first user-replaceable reservoir comprising a strongly buffered alkaline solution of aromatic ortho-dialdehyde dye, a second user-replaceable reservoir comprising a weakly buffered acidic solution of a reducing agent, one or more fluid pathways comprising the component, and a network of connection channels linking the reservoirs and the fluid pathway to enable the alkaline solution and the acidic solution to combine with the component in order to label the component by reacting the component with the alkaline solution and the acidic solution.

Abstract: Flow apparatuses comprising a separation channel, a downstream flow separator, a detection zone, an observation zone, and a waste channel. The separation channel has first and second flows in contact and allows lateral movement of components between contacting first and second flows. The downstream flow separator is in communication with the separation channel and diverts a part of the first fluid flow, the second fluid flow, or both, from the separation channel. The detection zone comprises a detection channel downstream of and in communication with the flow separator and configured to receive a plurality of diverted flows from the flow separator and a label channel configured to label the diverted flows from the flow separator. The observation zone is configured to record an analytical signal indicative of the quantity and the electrical properties of the component. The waste channel is at the downstream end of the observation zone.

Abstract: A pedestal for loading a sample into a microfluidic device is provided. The pedestal comprising, a surface for receiving the sample and positioning it above a port; and a side support configured to provide a liquid barrier by the action of surface tension.

Abstract: A fluid flow controller for introducing fluids into a microfluidic device is provided. The fluid flow controller comprising, at least one high resistance fluid pathway provided between an inlet port and a connection port; at least one low resistance fluid pathway between the inlet and connection port; and at least one valve configured to enable fluid flow through the high resistance fluid pathway, the low resistance fluid pathway or both.

Abstract: A single-layer valve is provided. The valve comprises a microfluidic pathway at least partially defined by a flexible membrane which is configured to deform when subjected to an actuation torque, and a discontinuity bounded by a first surface. The length of the discontinuity is constant across the full width of the first surface. The valve is configured such that the actuation torque on the membrane is larger in a first direction than a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A fluidic system is provided. The system comprises: a rigid housing (12), a plurality of flexible reagent containers (14) contained within the housing (12); wherein each reagent container (14) has a connection port (16) through which a reagent can flow, in use, on the application of pressure. The system further comprises a single pressure source (18) configured to apply pressure to the interior of the rigid housing (12); a microfluidic device configured to analyse one or more fluids provided from the plurality of reagent containers; and a plurality of channels (20) configured to transfer fluid from the plurality of reagent containers (14) to the microfluidic device. The ratio of resistances provided by a combination of the connection ports and the plurality of channels dictates the ratio of flow rates of the reagents. The claimed system allows for an accurate control of the various reagent flow rates while minimizing fluctuations in the relative flow rates.

Abstract: A technique manages a virtual hard disk tree in a computing system executing a hypervisor to provide a client virtualization environment. The technique involves linking, by a client executing within a control virtual machine of the client virtualization environment, a first delta image of a virtual hard disk generated later in time to a base image of the virtual hard disk. The technique further involves modifying contents of the first delta image, the base image, and a second delta image which is linked to the base image; and deleting the second delta image after modifying the contents of the first delta image, the base image, and the second delta image. The base image and the first delta image, together with additional delta images of the virtual hard disk comprise a tree of images of the virtual hard disk.

Abstract: Described are methods and systems for dynamically reallocating memory amongst virtual machines executing within a virtualization environment. A computer can execute a virtualization environment that can include one or more virtual machines and that can include a memory manager. The memory manager can dynamically reallocate memory by identifying a maximum and minimum memory value for each virtual machine, determining a target memory value for each virtual machine using the maximum and minimum memory value, and identifying one or more virtual machines that have an actual memory usage value that is less than the target memory value calculated for those virtual machines. To re-allocate the memory, the memory manager can allocate additional memory to the identified virtual machines by inflating a balloon driver, then de-allocate the additional memory, and reallocate the de-allocated, additional memory to other virtual machines within the virtualization environment.

Abstract: A technique manages a virtual hard disk tree in a computing system executing a hypervisor to provide a client virtualization environment. The technique involves linking, by a client executing within a control virtual machine of the client virtualization environment, a first delta image of a virtual hard disk generated later in time to a base image of the virtual hard disk. The technique further involves modifying contents of the first delta image, the base image, and a second delta image which is linked to the base image; and deleting the second delta image after modifying the contents of the first delta image, the base image, and the second delta image. The base image and the first delta image, together with additional delta images of the virtual hard disk comprise a tree of images of the virtual hard disk.

Abstract: Described are methods and systems for dynamically reallocating memory amongst virtual machines executing within a virtualization environment. A computer can execute a virtualization environment that can include one or more virtual machines and that can include a memory manager. The memory manager can dynamically reallocate memory by identifying a maximum and minimum memory value for each virtual machine, determining a target memory value for each virtual machine using the maximum and minimum memory value, and identifying one or more virtual machines that have an actual memory usage value that is less than the target memory value calculated for those virtual machines. To re-allocate the memory, the memory manager can allocate additional memory to the identified virtual machines by inflating a balloon driver, then de-allocate the additional memory, and reallocate the de-allocated, additional memory to other virtual machines within the virtualization environment.

Abstract: Functional derivatives of endoglucanase I (EGI), and the cloning and recombinant expression thereof, are described.

Abstract: Described are methods and means for the construction of strains of yeast capable of producing cellulolytic enzymes. This is achieved by the transfer of chromosomal genes or cDNA copies of mRNAs coding for cellulolytic enzymes isolated from the fungus Trichoderma reesei to yeast cells using recombinant DNA vectors capable of replicating in yeast. The correct expression of these cellulolytic genes in yeast leads to the production of cellulolytic enzymes which are secreted from the cell. This allows the yeast to hydrolyze 3-1,4-glucan substrates such as cellulose.

Abstract: Methods and means for the construction of strains of yeast capable of producing cellulolytic enzymes, achieved by the transfer of chromosomal genes or cDNA copies of mRNAs coding for cellulolytic enzymes isolated from the fungus Trichoderma reesei to yeast cells using recombinant DNA vectors capable of replicating in yeast. The correct expression of these cellulolytic genes in yeast leads to the production of cellulolytic enzymes which are secreted from the cell. This allows the yeast to hydrolyze 3-1,4-glucan substrates such as cellulose.

Abstract: Enzyme preparations enriched in hemicellulase-, pectin-, and/or lignin-degrading enzymes are described which are also partially or completely deficient in cellulase degrading activity. Such preparations may be utilized in an crude, unpurified form and are especially useful in the production of pulp and paper.

Abstract: The full length DNA sequence encoding the mature cellobiohydrolase II(CHBII), as well as the DNA sequence encoding the CBHII signal sequence, have been isolated and cloned from the fungus Trichoderma reesei. Recombinant vectors comprising these sequences, and yeast hosts transformed with such vectors are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for constructing the vectors and hosts according to the invention, as well as methods for expressing the disclosed sequences. CBHII is involved in hydrolysis of cellulose.