Abstract: A generally cylindrical shaped cigar puncture tool incorporating a spring loaded and locating/guiding disk element arranged in conjunction with a linearly extending and base supported spike. Centered puncturing of the closed head occurs in a first downward translating direction of the cigar within the open interior of the tool. A return spring bias causing even disengaging of the cigar in a second reverse direction. The sizing of an aperture in the disk further allows passage therethrough of the spike, while preventing debris from the cigar head cluttering the puncture zone within the tool.

Abstract: A method of determining a property that affects expression of polynucleotides in an expression system. A plurality of polynucleotides, each encoding a polypeptide sequence, is constructed. An amino acid is encoded a plurality of times in both a first and second polynucleotide in the plurality. The amino acid is encodable by a plurality of synonymous codons including a first codon. The first codon is in the first polynucleotide at a first frequency relative to other synonymous codons, and is in the second polynucleotide at a second frequency relative to other synonymous codons. The first and second frequencies are different. Each polynucleotide is individually expressed in the expression system to measure an expression property value of the polynucleotides, thereby determining a property that affects expression of polynucleotides. The property is an effect that a frequency of use of one or more codons has on expression of polynucleotides in the expression system.

Abstract: A method of designing a polynucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide sequence of a predetermined polypeptide is provided. A frequency lookup table corresponding to an expression system is obtained. The table comprises a plurality of sequence elements and a plurality of frequency ranges, each frequency range for a corresponding sequence element. Each frequency range is a range of frequencies with which a corresponding sequence element can occur in a polynucleotide. The polynucleotide sequence is defined using the frequency lookup table by determining, for each respective sequence element in the frequency lookup table, whether the respective sequence element encodes a portion of the polypeptide sequence. When the respective sequence element encodes a portion of the polypeptide sequence, the sequence element is incorporated into the polynucleotide at a frequency of occurrence that is within the frequency range specified for the respective sequence element in the lookup table.

Abstract: Integrated systems and methods for diversity generation and screening are provided. The systems use common fluid and array handling components to provide nucleic acid diversification, transcription, translation, product screening and subsequent diversification reactions.

Abstract: Methods of recombining nucleic acids, including homologous nucleic acids, are provided. Families of gene shuffling oligonucleotides and their use in recombination procedures, as well as polymerase and ligase mediated recombination methods are also provided.

Abstract: Integrated systems and methods for diversity generation and screening are provided. The systems use common fluid and array handling components to provide nucleic acid diversification, transcription, translation, product screening and subsequent diversification reactions.

Abstract: New subtilisin homologues (both nucleic acids and proteins) are provided. Compositions which include these new proteins, recombinant cells, shuffling methods involving the new homologues, antibodies to the new homologues, and methods of using the homologues are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to handle support contacts in a call center are disclosed. An example method for handling a first contact to a support center includes receiving the first contact from a first person, receiving a first identifier associated with the first person, analyzing contact details for a second contact associated with a second identifier associated with a second person different from the first person to determine if a problem associated with the first identifier exists, and indicating that a problem associated with the first identifier exists if the contact details for the second contact associated with the second identifier indicate that a problem associated with the first identifier exists.

Abstract: New subtilisin homologues (both nucleic acids and proteins) are provided. Compositions which include these new proteins, recombinant cells, shuffling methods involving the new homologues, antibodies to the new homologues, and methods of using the homologues are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of recombining nucleic acids, including homologous nucleic acids, are provided. Families of gene shuffling oligonucleotides and their use in recombination procedures, as well as polymerase and ligase mediated recombination methods are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of recombining nucleic acids, including homologous nucleic acids, are provided. Families of gene shuffling oligonucleotides and their use in recombination procedures, as well as polymerase and ligase mediated recombination methods are also provided.

Abstract: Novel subtilases having an improved wash performance on egg stains. These subtilases are useful exhibiting excellent or improved wash performance on egg stains when used in e.g. cleaning or detergent compositions, such as laundry detergent compositions and dish wash compositions, including automatic dish wash compositions.

Abstract: Methods of recombining nucleic acids, including homologous nucleic acids, are provided. Families of gene shuffling oligonucleotides and their use in recombination procedures, as well as polymerase and ligase mediated recombination methods are also provided.

Abstract: New subtilisin homologues (both nucleic acids and proteins) are provided. Compositions which include these new proteins, recombinant cells, shuffling methods involving the new homologues, antibodies to the new homologues, and methods of using the homologues are also provided.

Abstract: A method of monitoring sample crystallization from a solution. The method includes the collection of multiple Raman spectra from a sample dissolved in a solvent as a function of time and under conditions promoting crystallization. Within each of the multiple Raman spectra, a first signal is identified corresponding to the sample associated with the solvent. A second signal corresponding to the sample in a microcrystallite state is also identified. Thereafter, the intensity of the multiple Raman spectra are measured for an increase relating to formation of the sample in a microcrystallite state. A method of monitoring sample crystallization from a solution as a function of turbidity is also disclosed. The method includes the collection of multiple Raman spectra from a sample dissolved in a solvent as a function of time under conditions promoting crystallization.

Abstract: New subtilisin homologues (both nucleic acids and proteins) are provided. Compositions which include these new proteins, recombinant cells, shuffling methods involving the new homologues, antibodies to the new homologues, and methods of using the homologues are also provided.

Abstract: A method of monitoring sample crystallization from a solution. The method includes the collection of multiple Raman spectra from a sample dissolved in a solvent as a function of time and under conditions promoting crystallization. Within each of the multiple Raman spectra, a first signal is identified corresponding to the sample associated with the solvent. A second signal corresponding to the sample in a microcrystallite state is also identified. Thereafter, the intensity of the multiple Raman spectra are measured for an increase relating to formation of the sample in a microcrystallite state. A method of monitoring sample crystallization from a solution as a function of turbidity is also disclosed. The method includes the collection of multiple Raman spectra from a sample dissolved in a solvent as a function of time under conditions promoting crystallization.

Abstract: Integrated systems and methods for diversity generation and screening are provided. The systems use common fluid and array handling components to provide nucleic acid diversification, transcription, translation, product screening and subsequent diversification reactions.

Abstract: Methods of recombining nucleic acids, including homologous nucleic acids, are provided. Families of gene shuffling oligonucleotides and their use in recombination procedures, as well as polymerase and ligase mediated recombination methods are also provided.

Abstract: Integrated systems and methods for diversity generation and screening are provided. The systems use common fluid and array handling components to provide nucleic acid diversification, transcription, translation, product screening and subsequent diversification reactions.