Abstract: A pneumatically controlled flow booster includes a booster valve plug position sensor that enables control of the flow booster in a feedback loop, for example by a pneumatic valve positioner, thereby providing accurate, high speed, high flow control of both small and large actuator adjustments. Embodiments can accurately control a surge suppression valve over extended valve adjustment ranges and can fully open a surge suppression valve during a trip. The flow booster valve can include a spool and sleeve valve and/or a poppet valve. Embodiments provide bimodal flow boosting, whereby the output flow is less dependent on the valve plug position in a first position range, and more strongly dependent on the valve plug position in a second range.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a designing strategy for constructing a set of probes useful for analyzing all or most prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes. A set of capture probes with optimal fingerprinting properties and highly representative of all possible sequences of an organism can be selected by six sequential steps. Fingerprinting potential of such probes is validated by phylogenetic analysis, which generates results that strongly correlate with phylogenetic trees produced by sequence alignment. The probes generated by the instant methods can be used for detecting an organism, for establishing phylogenetic relationships between different organisms, for detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms and a wide variety of other applications that require genetic analysis.

Abstract: Provided herein is a photonic bandgap (PBG) detector effective to detect inorganic molecules, organic biomolecules or biopolymers, cells, subcellular organelles, and particles. The PBG detector utilizes photonic crystals having a binding agent attached to channel surfaces comprising the crystals to selectively bind a molecule, cell or particle of interest so that an increase in light transmission is detectably induced within the photonic bandgap upon binding. Also provided are methods of optically detectiing an analyte and of identifying the presence of a cell or a particle in a biological sample.

Abstract: Software for designing optimized sets of oligonucleotide probes for use in genosensors (oligonucleotide microarrays) is disclosed. The selection of probe sequences is based on multiple criteria including thermal stability of the probe-target pairs, similarity degree of the probes with respect to other DNA sequences, and evaluation of the secondary structure of target molecules. The programs were written in the programming language Borland Delphi by means of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) techniques. The Genosensor Probe Design computer program disclosed herein facilitates the design of optimized arrays of probes which accurately represents the characteristics of the nucleic acid molecule under study, such as its identity or its differences in sequence or abundance with respect to other molecules.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for conducting a multiplicity of individual and simultaneous binding reactions is described. The apparatus comprises a substrate on which are located discrete and isolated sites for binding reactions. The apparatus is characterized by discrete and isolated regions that extend through a substrate and terminate on a second surface thereof, such that when a test sample is applied to the substrate, it is capable of penetrating through each such region during the course of the binding reaction. The apparatus is especially useful for sequencing by hybridization of DNA molecules.

Abstract: An improved microfabricated apparatus for conducting a multiplicity of individual and simultaneous binding reactions is described. The apparatus comprises a substrate on which are located discrete and isolated sites for binding reactions. The apparatus is characterized by discrete and isolated regions that extend through said substrate and terminate on a second surface thereof such that when a test sample is applied to the substrate, it is capable of penetrating through each such region during the course of said binding reaction. The apparatus is especially useful for sequencing by hybridization of DNA molecules.

Abstract: Software for designing optimized sets of oligonucleotide probes for use in genosensors (oligonucleotide microarrays) is disclosed. The selection of probe sequences is based on multiple criteria including thermal stability of the probe-target pairs, similarity degree of the probes with respect to other DNA sequences, and evaluation of the secondary structure of target molecules. The programs were written in the programming language Borland Delphi by means of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) techniques. The Genosensor Probe Design computer program disclosed herein facilitates the design of optimized arrays of probes which accurately represents the characteristics of the nucleic acid molecule under study, such as its identity or its differences in sequence or abundance with respect to other molecules.

Abstract: An improved microfabricated apparatus for conducting a multiplicity of individual and simultaneous binding reactions is described. The apparatus comprises a substrate on which are located discrete and isolated sites for binding reactions. The apparatus is characterized by discrete and isolated regions that extend through said substrate and terminate on a second surface thereof such that when a test sample is allowed to the substrate, it is capable of penetrating through each such region during the course of said binding reaction. The apparatus is especially useful for sequencing by hybridization of DNA molecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides the nucleotide sequence for a synthetic gene for the plant toxin gelonin and a process for producing, cloning and expressing this synthetic gene. The DNA sequence for a synthetic gene for gelonin as shown in sequence ID NO. 1. The present invention also provides expression vectors containing the DNA sequences for gelonin and cells transformed with these vectors. In addition, an immunotoxin comprising an antibody of conjugated to the protein gelonin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying molecular structures within a sample substance using an array having a plurality of test sites upon which the sample substance is applied. Each test site includes a probe formed therein to bond with an associated target molecular structure. An electrical signal is applied to the test site and the electrical properties of the test sites are detected to determine which probes have bonded to an associated target molecular structure.

Abstract: An integrated process control valve includes a fluid valve body having an inlet for receiving fluid, an outlet for discharging fluid, a fluid flow passage connecting the inlet and outlet, and a controllable throttling element which is moveable to selectively vary the flow rate of fluid through the fluid flow passage.

Abstract: A wafer for synthesizing biopolymers which includes a solid phase support material, a reaction chamber which receives and retains the support material and at least one inert porous material which allows flow through the wafer. Also included is a segmented wafer synthesis device comprising at least one, and preferably numerous, wafers for the simultaneous synthesis of multiple defined-sequenced biopolymers. Further there are process steps for synthesizing a variety of biopolymers. Synthetic polynucleotides have played a key role in studies of genetic organization through their use as primers for DNA sequencing and as hybridization probes, linkers and adapters in the cloning of genes.