Abstract: Sepsis remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates worldwide. There is also clinically a low threshold for suspicion of infection in neonates, in particular as presentation varies greatly from very subtle to catastrophic collapse. The lack of reliably sensitive tests and the potential life-threatening consequences of delayed treatment of infection results in the widespread use of empirical antibiotics exposing many infants without infection to broad-spectrum antibiotics. The present invention provides a series of patient-invariant biomarkers for screening neonates and other subjects for infection that predicts bacterial infection with high accuracy; and is further shown to have predictive value in identifying infection in suspected cases with blood-culture negative tests.

Abstract: Sepsis remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates worldwide. There is also clinically a low threshold for suspicion of infection in neonates, in particular as presentation varies greatly from very subtle to catastrophic collapse. The lack of reliably sensitive tests and the potential life-threatening consequences of delayed treatment of infection results in the widespread use of empirical antibiotics exposing many infants without infection to broad-spectrum antibiotics. The present invention provides a series of patient-invariant biomarkers for screening neonates and other subjects for infection that predicts bacterial infection with high accuracy; and is further shown to have predictive value in identifying infection in suspected cases with blood-culture negative tests.

Abstract: Non-rigid tape apparatus and fabrication methods for microfluidic processing applications such as gel electrophoresis are provided, where microfluidic processing is performed on selected areas. Parts of the tape are formed by high pressure plastic film forming. Membranes and other structures are self sealing during and after penetration by pipettes and electrical probes. Rigid exoskeleton elements protect the non-rigid parts during processing and facilitate transport of the tape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of detecting specific cell surface antigens present in a sample of cells being tested and in particular blood group antigens, which methods do not employ the addition of extrinsic labels to detect said cell surface antigens. Typically detection is carried out using an intrinsic fluorescence capability of the cells being tested.

Abstract: Provided is a method for detecting an analyte, which method comprises: a) applying an alternating voltage to the analyte, wherein the alternating voltage comprises a plurality of superimposed frequencies sufficient to distinguish the presence of the analyte by electrochemical impedance spectrometry (EIS); and b) determining the identity and/or quantity of the analyte from EIS data.

Abstract: Non-rigid tape apparatus and fabrication methods for microfluidic processing applications such as gel electrophoresis are provided, where microfluidic processing is performed on selected areas. Parts of the tape are formed by high pressure plastic film forming. Membranes and other structures are self sealing during and after penetration by pipettes and electrical probes. Rigid exoskeleton elements protect the non-rigid parts during processing and facilitate transport of the tape.

Abstract: Non-rigid tape apparatus and fabrication methods for microfluidic processing applications such as gel electrophoresis are provided, where microfluidic processing is performed on selected areas. Parts of the tape are formed by high pressure plastic film forming. Membranes and other structures are self sealing during and after penetration by pipettes and electrical probes. Rigid exoskeleton elements protect the non-rigid parts during processing and facilitate transport of the tape.

Abstract: Provided is a method for detecting an analyte, wherein the analyte is labelled with one or more labels relatable to the analyte, which method comprises: a) performing an optical detection method on the labelled analyte to obtain optical data from the one or more labels; b) performing an electrical detection method on the labelled analyte to obtain electrical data from the one or more labels; and c) determining the identity and/or quantity of the analyte from both the optical and electrical data.

Abstract: Non-rigid tape apparatus and fabrication methods for microfluidic processing applications such as gel electrophoresis are provided, where microfluidic processing is performed on selected areas. Parts of the tape are formed by high pressure plastic film forming. Membranes and other structures are self sealing during and after penetration by pipettes and electrical probes. Rigid exoskeleton elements protect the non-rigid parts during processing and facilitate transport of the tape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of detecting specific cell surface antigens present in a sample of cells being tested and in particular blood group antigens, which methods do not employ the addition of extrinsic labels to detect said cell surface antigens. Typically detection is carried out using an intrinsic fluorescence capability of the cells being tested.

Abstract: The present invention provides a macromolecular switch (51) suitable for use in a data acquisition and/or processing device. The switch comprises a macromolecular structure (10) having an ion binding site (14), and is flippable between a plurality of discretely different conformations corresponding to different ion binding conditions at the ion binding site (14). The macromolecular structure (10) is provided with at least one electrochemical input device (43) for applying such different ion binding conditions to the ion binding site (14) in response to corresponding external input signals. The invention also provides a method for data acquisition and/or processing, using a macromolecular structure switch of the invention.

Abstract: Non-rigid tape apparatus and fabrication methods for microfluidic processing applications such as gel electrophoresis are provided, where microfluidic processing is performed on selected areas. Parts of the tape are formed by high pressure plastic film forming. Membranes and other structures are self sealing during and after penetration by pipettes and electrical probes. Rigid exoskeleton elements protect the non-rigid parts during processing and facilitate transport of the tape.

Abstract: Non-rigid tape apparatus and fabrication methods for microfluidic processing applications such as gel electrophoresis are provided, where microfluidic processing is performed on selected areas. Parts of the tape are formed by high pressure plastic film forming. Membranes and other structures are self sealing during and after penetration by pipettes and electrical probes. Rigid exoskeleton elements protect the non-rigid parts during processing and facilitate transport of the tape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant DNA construct comprising a YAC vector and at least a portion of the HCMV genome. The vector is useful as a basic research tool with which to study CMV biology, or as a vaccine with which to immunize a mammalian host against infection by CMV.