Abstract: A method for moisturizing skin using P-113 peptide, which comprises administering to the skin of a subject a composition containing a P-113 peptide, wherein the P-113 peptide comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. P-113 peptide is hypoallergenic and non-cytotoxic, which means it does not cause harms or allergies to the skin and can be used as an ingredient of cosmetic products. The P-113 peptide fragment has moisture absorption and moisture retention effects, therefore it can be formulated with other ingredients of moisturizing cosmetic products, enhancing the moisturizing effect of other moisturizing ingredients. In addition, the P-113 peptide fragment is capable of inhibiting the production of MMP-9 and thus decreases collagen degradation, thereby achieving the anti-wrinkle and anti-aging effects. The cosmetic disclosed herein comprises not only the peptide, but also active ingredients of cosmetic products and essence liquid formulations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a use of a composition in preparing a cosmetic having moisturizing effect, wherein the composition comprises a P-113 peptide, wherein the P-113 peptide comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. It is hypoallergenic and non-cytotoxic, which means it does not cause harms or allergies to the skin and can be used as an ingredient of cosmetic products. The P-113 peptide fragment has moisture absorption and moisture retention effects, therefore it can be formulated with other ingredients of moisturizing cosmetic products, enhancing the moisturizing effect of other moisturizing ingredients. In addition, the P-113 peptide fragment is capable of inhibiting the production of MMP-9 and thus decreases collagen degradation, thereby achieving the anti-wrinkle and anti-aging effects. The cosmetic of the present invention comprises not only the peptide, but also active ingredients of cosmetic products and essence liquid formulations.

Abstract: An antimicrobial peptide which is a derivative of the peptide P-113. The amino acid sequence of the antimicrobial peptide is SEQ ID NO: 4 or SEQ ID NO: 5, in which the C-terminus is or is not modified with a NH2.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antimicrobial peptide, wherein the antimicrobial peptide comprises SEQ ID NO: 4.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for evaluating oral health, in particularly for evaluating a risk for suffering from periodontal disease, comprising: (1) providing an oral sample of a subject; (2) detecting at least two indicator microbes in the oral sample; and (3) analyzing amounts of the at least two indicator microbes; wherein when each of the amounts of the at least two indicator microbes is higher than a standard value for an amount of a corresponding indicator microbe, it indicates that the subject has a high risk for suffering from periodontal disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-bacterial peptide which has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial effect. The anti-bacterial peptide is a novel peptide sequence, wherein the peptide sequence comprises a sequence of at least two SEQ ID NO: 1. The present invention also provides a method for treating a subject infected with a fungus and a bacterium, which comprises providing the subject with an anti-bacterial peptide, wherein the anti-bacterial peptide comprises a sequence of at least two SEQ ID NO: 1.

Abstract: A cost-effective multi-channel capillary gel-electrophoresis system for highly efficient, nucleic acid-based analysis, in particular HLA SSP (Human Leukocyte Antigen Sequence Specific Primer) typing applications. Twelve DNA samples are automatically injected, electrophoretically separated, detected and analyzed simultaneously by using a multiple usage and disposable multi-capillary gel-cartridge. Using commercially available DNA size markers as indicators, the system provides high resolving power with 12-channel separations in less than 1.5 minutes. The system can hold a total of 96 samples in a PCR plate that can automatically be analyzed within 25 minutes for a full plate of the HLA SSP kits.

Abstract: An integrated bio-analysis system incorporates built-in sample preparation capabilities. In one aspect of the present invention, a bio-analysis instrument is provided with a built-in sample preparation device based on PCR (or thermal cycling block/module). In one embodiment of the present invention, a peltier unit in the sample preparation device provides thermal cycling of samples supported in a multi-well tray. In another aspect of the present invention, a CE instrument is provided with a built-in sample preparation capability, which may comprise a sample preparation (bio-molecular reaction) device based on thermal cycler type. In another aspect of the present invention, a PCR device is provided with a built-in analysis device, such as a CE device, for verifying the results of the PCR (bio-molecular reaction) process.

Abstract: A cost-effective multi-channel capillary gel-electrophoresis system for highly efficient, high speed, high throughput, carbohydrate analysis. In one aspect of the present invention, a high-performance capillary electrophoresis analyzer system has been optimized for carbohydrate analysis application. The system uses a multiplexed/time-staggered fluorescence type detection mechanism, with an integrated fiber optic array-based technology and a novel disposable gel-cartridge. Twelve carbohydrate samples are automatically injected, electrophoretically separated, detected and analyzed simultaneously by using a multiple usage and disposable multi-capillary gel-cartridge. Using commercially available labeling agent such as APTS (representing 8-Aminopyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid, trisodium salt) as an indicator, the capillary electrophoresis-based carbohydrate system/analyzer provides high resolving power in 2-15 minutes of separations.

Abstract: A reusable bio-analysis cartridge that includes a built-in mechanism to track various parameters and usage data. The tracking mechanism includes a non-volatile rewritable memory “smart-key” that is associated with the cartridge to provide automatic tracking dedicated to the cartridge. The key may be physically coupled to the cartridge with good high voltage insulating properties. When the cartridge is used in an instrument, the associated key is inserted into an I/O interface to communicate with the instrument. The instrument may be configured to “authenticate” the cartridge and conduct an integrity check to determine if the particular cartridge has the correct properties (e.g., gel-chemistry, serial no., Patient I.D.) for the particular sample analysis to be conducted. Further, the instrument may communicate/record information concerning usage of the cartridge (e.g., usage history, test parameters, and perhaps test results).

Abstract: The present invention provides for an interface mechanism in a bio-separation instrument that makes interface connections to a multi-channel cartridge. The interface mechanism precisely positions the cartridge in relation to the support elements in the instrument (e.g., high-voltage, gas pressure, incident radiation and detector), and makes automated, reliable and secured alignments and connections between various components in the cartridge and the support elements in the supporting instrument. The interface mechanism comprises pneumatically or electromechanically driven actuators for engaging support elements in the instrument to components on the cartridge. After the cartridge has been securely received by the interface mechanism, the connection sequence is initiated. The interface provides separate high voltage and optical connections for each separation channel in the cartridge, thus providing channel-to-channel isolation from cross talk both electrically and optically.

Abstract: An integrated bio-analysis system incorporates built-in sample preparation capabilities. In one aspect of the present invention, a bio-analysis instrument is provided with a built-in sample preparation device based on PCR (or thermal cycling block/module). In one embodiment of the present invention, a peltier unit in the sample preparation device provides thermal cycling of samples supported in a multi-well tray. In another aspect of the present invention, a CE instrument is provided with a built-in sample preparation capability, which may comprise a sample preparation (bio-molecular reaction) device based on thermal cycler type. In another aspect of the present invention, a PCR device is provided with a built-in analysis device, such as a CE device, for verifying the results of the PCR (bio-molecular reaction) process.

Abstract: An integrated bio-analysis system incorporates built-in sample preparation capabilities. In one aspect of the present invention, a bio-analysis instrument is provided with a built-in sample preparation device based on PCR (or thermal cycling block/module). In one embodiment of the present invention, a peltier unit in the sample preparation device provides thermal cycling of samples supported in a multi-well tray. In another aspect of the present invention, a CE instrument is provided with a built-in sample preparation capability, which may comprise a sample preparation (bio-molecular reaction) device based on thermal cycler type. In another aspect of the present invention, a PCR device is provided with a built-in analysis device, such as a CE device, for verifying the results of the PCR (bio-molecular reaction) process.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an interface mechanism in a bio-separation instrument that makes interface connections to a multi-channel cartridge. The interface mechanism precisely positions the cartridge in relation to the support elements in the instrument (e.g., high-voltage, gas pressure, incident radiation and detector), and makes automated, reliable and secured alignments and connections between various components in the cartridge and the support elements in the supporting instrument. The interface mechanism comprises pneumatically or electromechanically driven actuators for engaging support elements in the instrument to components on the cartridge. After the cartridge has been securely received by the interface mechanism, the connection sequence is initiated. The interface provides separate high voltage and optical connections for each separation channel in the cartridge, thus providing channel-to-channel isolation from cross talk both electrically and optically.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an interface mechanism in a bio-separation instrument that makes interface connections to a multi-channel cartridge. The interface mechanism precisely positions the cartridge in relation to the support elements in the instrument (e.g., high-voltage, gas pressure, incident radiation and detector), and makes automated, reliable and secured alignments and connections between various components in the cartridge and the support elements in the supporting instrument. The interface mechanism comprises pneumatically or electromechanically driven actuators for engaging support elements in the instrument to components on the cartridge. After the cartridge has been securely received by the interface mechanism, the connection sequence is initiated. The interface provides separate high voltage and optical connections for each separation channel in the cartridge, thus providing channel-to-channel isolation from cross talk both electrically and optically.

Abstract: A bio-separation system using an efficient, compact, portable, interchangeable, reusable, recyclable, multi-channel cartridge, has integrated pre-aligned optics and an integrated reagent reservoir. The cartridge supports, for example, multiple capillaries for CE separation. An integrated reservoir containing a separation support medium (e.g., a gel buffer) is common to all capillaries. The chemistry of the medium and the characteristics of the capillaries (e.g., capillary size, coating and length) are defined for each cartridge. Different cartridges can be easily interchanged in the bio-separation system to suit the particular sample based separation. The reservoir is coupled to an air pressure pump that pressurizes the gel reservoir to purge and fill the capillaries with buffer as the separation support medium.

Abstract: A bio-separation instrument using a multi-segment cartridge. The cartridge includes a plurality of efficient, compact, portable, interchangeable, reusable, recyclable, modular, multi-channel segments. Each segment supports multiple capillaries for CE separation. Each segment has an integrated reservoir containing a buffer/gel common to all the capillaries. Air pressure can be supplied to the reservoir through the periphery of each segment. Each segment has an integrated LED array board directly coupled to capillaries for providing excitation light. Optical fibers of a fiber bundle are individually guided through the periphery of each segment to the capillaries for emission collection. The fiber bundle delivers emissions to a detector that can read the emissions in a time-staggered multiplexed scheme. Each segment includes electrodes electrically coupled to a voltage source through the periphery of the segment for effecting CE separation.

Abstract: A reusable bio-analysis cartridge that includes a built-in mechanism to track various parameters and usage data. The tracking mechanism includes a non-volatile rewritable memory “smart-key” that is associated with the cartridge to provide automatic tracking dedicated to the cartridge. The key may be physically coupled to the cartridge with good high voltage insulating properties. When the cartridge is used in an instrument, the associated key is inserted into an I/O interface to communicate with the instrument. The instrument may be configured to “authenticate” the cartridge and conduct an integrity check to determine if the particular cartridge has the correct properties (e.g., gel-chemistry, serial no., Patient I.D.) for the particular sample analysis to be conducted. Further, the instrument may communicate/record information concerning usage of the cartridge (e.g., usage history, test parameters, and perhaps test results).

Abstract: An integrated bio-analysis system incorporates built-in sample preparation capabilities. In one aspect of the present invention, a bio-analysis instrument is provided with a built-in sample preparation device based on PCR (or thermal cycling block/module). In one embodiment of the present invention, a peltier unit in the sample preparation device provides thermal cycling of samples supported in a multi-well tray. In another aspect of the present invention, a CE instrument is provided with a built-in sample preparation capability, which may comprise a sample preparation (bio-molecular reaction) device based on thermal cycler type. In another aspect of the present invention, a PCR device is provided with a built-in analysis device, such as a CE device, for verifying the results of the PCR (bio-molecular reaction) process.

Abstract: The invention provides novel electrophoretic methods for high-resolution separation and high-sensitivity detection of nucleic acids. The methods involve the use of a high-resolution buffer and a counter-migrating high-affinity intercalating dye in an electrophoresis system to achieve superior separation and detection of nucleic acids. A kit for separation and detection of nucleic acids in a sample by electrophoresis is also provided. The kit comprises a gel buffer containing a high-resolution intercalating dye with a resolution of at least 2.0 between the 271-bp and 282-bp ?X 171 HAIII nucleic acid fragments nucleic acid fragments; and a high-affinity intercalating dye having a positive charge and DNA affinity constant of at least 106M?1.