Abstract: The invention features methods and compositions for determining states of basal intracellular calcium levels in a eukaryotic cell. Also provided are methods for identifying an agent (e.g., a gene product or small molecule compound) that modulates basal intracellular calcium levels (e.g., by modulating STIM-2 activity), as well as kits and systems for practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: The invention features methods and compositions for determining states of intracellular calcium stores in a eukaryotic cell. Also provided are methods for identifying an agent (e.g., a gene product or small molecule compound) that modulates intracellular calcium store levels (e.g., by modulating store operated calcium (SOC) influx), as well as kits and systems for practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method which consists in depositing on a substrate a solution containing metal mineral salts constituting chalcopyrite and an organic binder; then drying to obtain a solid film on the substrate; and finally contacting the film with an atmosphere containing one or more elements of group 16 of the periodic table and forming chalcopyrite by thermal reaction.

Abstract: The invention features methods and compositions for determining states of intracellular calcium stores in a eukaryotic cell. Also provided are methods for identifying an agent (e.g., a gene product or small molecule compound) that modulates intracellular calcium store levels (e.g., by modulating store operated calcium (SOC) influx), as well as kits and systems for practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for determining the duration of a cell cycle phase of a mammalian cell, as well as identification of the cell cycle stage of fixed mammalian cells, are provided. In practicing the subject methods, at least one biosensor polypeptide that monitors a cell-cycle phase in a mammalian cell, such as mitosis, G1, S, or G2 phase, is used to determine the duration of a cell-cycle phase of a mammalian cell. Also provided are methods for identifying an agent (e.g., a gene product or small molecule compound) that modulates the duration of a cell-cycle phase of a mammalian cell, as well as kits and systems for practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: An apparatus for screening for translocation of a first protein of interest in vivo in a plurality of cells comprises (a) a thin unitary total internal reflection member having a surface portion, (b) a plurality cell contacted to said surface portion by the plasma membrane of said cell, said cell containing said first protein of interest, the protein of interest having a fluorescent group conjugated thereto; (c) a light source operatively associated with the total internal reflection member and positioned for directing a source light into the member to produce an evanescent field adjacent the surface portion, with the evanescent field extending into a first portion of the cell adjacent the plasma membrane, the evanescent field being weaker in a second portion of the cell, the fluorescent group emitting light when in the first portion of the cell and emitting less light when in the second portion of the cell; (d) coupling means for coupling the light source to the thin unitary total internal reflection member

Abstract: An electroporation apparatus for introducing exogenous material into cells is described herein. The apparatus comprises first a base member configured for holding a cell support, the cell support having a top surface portion, with the top surface portion configured for carrying adherent cells. The apparatus further comprises an electrode carrier operably associated with the base member, the electrode carrier having a bottom surface portion, a first electrode connected to the electrode carrier, and a second electrode also connected to the electrode carrier. The electrode carrier has a channel formed therein, with the channel positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode, so that exogenous material may be introduced through the channel and into contact with the cells. Methods for introducing exogenous compounds into a cell and for visually detecting the location of binding events within a cell are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for screening for translocation of a first protein of interest in vivo in a plurality of cells comprises (a) a thin unitary total internal reflection member having a surface portion, (b) a plurality cell contacted to said surface portion by the plasma membrane of said cell, said cell containing said first protein of interest, the protein of interest having a fluorescent group conjugated thereto; (c) a light source operatively associated with the total internal reflection member and positioned for directing a source light into the member to produce an evanescent field adjacent the surface portion, with the evanescent field extending into a first portion of the cell adjacent the plasma membrane, the evanescent field being weaker in a second portion of the cell, the fluorescent group emitting light when in the first portion of the cell and emitting less light when in the second portion of the cell; (d) coupling means for coupling the light source to the thin unitary total internal reflection member

Abstract: An electroporation apparatus for introducing exogenous material into cells is described herein. The apparatus comprises first a base member configured for holding a cell support, the cell support having a top surface portion, with the top surface portion configured for carrying adherent cells. The apparatus further comprises an electrode carrier operably associated with the base member, the electrode carrier having a bottom surface portion, a first electrode connected to the electrode carrier, and a second electrode also connected to the electrode carrier. The electrode carrier has a channel formed therein, with the channel positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode, so that exogenous material may be introduced through the channel and into contact with the cells. Methods for introducing exogenous compounds into a cell and for visually detecting the location of binding events within a cell are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electroporation apparatus for introducing exogenous material into cells is described herein. The apparatus comprises first a base member (15) configured for holding a cell support, the cell support having a top surface portion, with the top surface portion configured for carrying adherent cells. The apparatus further comprises an electrode carrier (25) operably associated with the base member, the electrode carrier having a bottom surface portion, a first electrode (30) connected to the electrode carrier, and a second electrode (35) also connected to the electrode carrier. The electrode carrier has a channel (40) formed therein, with the channel positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode, so that exogenous material may be introduced through the channel and into contact with the cells. Methods for introducing exogenous compounds into a cell and for visually detecting the location of binding events within a cell are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention describes bifunctional polysaccharides conjugated to both a chelating group suitable for the selective complexation of metal cations, and a targeting peptide specific for a cellular substructure. These bifunctional polysaccharides are primarily useful for the regulation, detection and quantification of metal ion levels, such as Ca.sup.2+, Mg.sup.2+, Na.sup.+, K.sup.+, or Li.sup.+, in specific cellular structures. Localization within the cellular structure is accomplished by the targeting peptide, whereupon the large, water-soluble polysaccharide prevents diffusion of the chelating group from the targeted site. When the target cell structure is the nucleus of a fertilized egg cell, the polysaccharide-chelator conjugate remains sequestered within the nucleus until the breakdown of the nuclear envelope, whereupon the reagent becomes sequestered into both daughter nuclei. This means of tracking daughter cells is practical even through several cell divisions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photovoltaic cell (1) comprising a substrate (2) having a support face (4) having a first electrode (6) thereon and a second electrode (10) spaced from the first electrode (6) by a plurality of layers (14, 16; 14, 24, 16) including at least one layer (14) of a semiconducting material with an active junction (J) interface thereat, said active junction (J) having a developed surface area greater than its projected surface area.