Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the propagation and expansion of neural precursor cells (NPCs). NPCs may be used in the clinical implementation of stem cell therapy to treat disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, neuropathic pain and other diseases of the central nervous system. The large-scale production of NPCs in bioreactors allows for the generation of clinical quantities of these cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel method of dissociating anchorage independent and dependent cell aggregates. The invention also includes the cells resulting from the methods of the invention and the use of the cells in various applications requiring the generation of a single cell suspension.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for isolating and expanding human mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells through multiple passages in defined serum-free environments are provided. The culture media compositions includes a basal medium supplemented with a nutrient mixture such as Ham's F12 nutrient mixture, glutamine, buffer solutions such as sodium bicarbonate and hepes, serum albumin, a lipid mixture, insulin, transferrin, putrescine, progesterone, fetuin, hydrocortisone, ascorbic acid or its analogues such as ascorbic acid-2-phosphate, fibroblast growth factor and transforming growth factor ?, and are free of serum or other undefined serum substitutes such as platelet lysate. Methods employing these compositions and protein-coated surfaces for the isolation of mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells from human bone marrow and other tissues such as adipose tissue are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the propagation and expansion of neural precursor cells (NPCs). NPCs may be used in the clinical implementation of stem cell therapy to treat disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, neuropathic pain and other diseases of the central nervous system. The large-scale production of NPCs in bioreactors allows for the generation of clinical quantities of these cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel method of dissociating anchorage independent and dependent cell aggregates. The invention also includes the cells resulting from the methods of the invention and the use of the cells in various applications requiring the generation of a single cell suspension.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel method of dissociating anchorage independent and dependent cell aggregates. The invention also includes the cells resulting from the methods of the invention and the use of the cells in various applications requiring the generation of a single cell suspension.

Abstract: An expression cassette is disclosed which is useful for the secretion of a heterologous protein from mammalian and insect cells. The expression cassette comprises a polynucleotide sequence encoding a secretion competent polypeptide which is linked in frame to a heterologous gene sequence. Also disclosed is a method of secreting heterologous proteins in mammalian and insect cells using the expression cassette.

Abstract: An expression cassette useful for the secretion of a heterologous protein from eukaryotic cells comprising a DNA sequence encoding a promoter functionally linked to a DNA sequence coding for the juvenile hormone esterase gene which is linked in frame to a heterologous gene is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of secreting heterologous proteins in eukaryotic cells.

Abstract: A fenestrated centrifugal terminator is described for use in an internally circulating fluid bed reactor or conventional riser reactor. It includes a tubular member having a straight vertical tubular portion the lower end of which is adapted for attachment to the upper end of a riser tube. The upper end of the vertical tubular portion merges into a substantially semi-circular inverted U-shaped tubular loop and terminating in a downwardly directing opening. A ramp portion of shallow angle is provided in the vertical tubular portion adjacent the inner face of the loop and terminating at the inlet to the loop to thereby create a venturi. Commencing at the end of the ramp portion is a semi-circular divider wall dividing the tubular loop into a larger upper flow channel and a smaller lower flow channel. This divider wall has a plurality of longitudinally spaced lateral slots through which the gas being separated from the solids is discharged.

Abstract: A filter has a conduit having an opening for flow of fluid into the conduit, a pump for pumping fluid into the conduit through the opening, electrodes spaced apart from each other across the opening such that fluid flowing through the opening passes between the electrodes; and an AC electrical source for the electrodes, the source of AC electrical energy having a frequency and voltage such that an electric field created by the AC electrical energy in the area around the electrodes imposes a negative dielectrophoretic force on target particles carried by the fluid, the negative dielectrophoretic force being opposed to the direction of fluid flow through the opening and having sufficient strength to prevent the target particles from passing between the electrodes into the conduit. The filter is mounted in a bioreactor for filtering viable cells and retaining them in culture medium.

Abstract: A process is described for ultrapyrolytic upgrading of a heavy hydrocarbon oil feedstock by contacting the feedstock in a confined riser vertical column with finely divided inert solid particles under ultrapyrolysis conditions, the riser forms part of an internally circulating aerated bed reactor with the bottom end of the riser being directly connected to an inlet nozzle feeding the heavy hydrocarbon oil feedstock and the upper end of the riser extending above an annular aerated bed of the finely divided solid particles surrounding the riser. The riser also includes a plurality of orifices in a lower region thereof flow connected to a lower region of the aerated bed for controlled delivery of the particles from the aerated bed into the riser.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of catalytic and thermochemical decomposition of hydrogen sulfide gas. A metal chemical catalyst, preferably comprised particularly of iron and other transition metals is employed in a gas fluidized bed reactor in which a substantially constant temperature is maintained to crack the hydrogen sulfide. The sulfur is bound chemically to the chemical catalyst and the hydrogen is sent to a transportation system for recovery. The chemical catalyst can be regenerated by raising the temperature in the gas fluidized bed.