Abstract: An improved peptide library preparation method is described for constructing complete virtual peptide libraries such as a complete virtual tripeptide library, tetrapeptide library, pentapeptide library, hexapeptide library, heptapeptide library, or a complete octapeptide library, etc. The method includes constructing an expression vector for the expression of cyclic peptides. Each cyclic peptide displays an array of peptides of different sizes and sequences, and the number of cyclic peptides needed for constructing a complete virtual peptide library can be dramatically reduced compared with conventional chemical peptide synthesis. Furthermore, the cyclic peptide libraries can be readily reproduced by the expression and purification of the cyclic peptides using the constructed gene libraries.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an improved method for detecting, locating and monitoring fluid seepage and leakage from a hydraulic work with superior sensitivity. The method includes using a DNA sequence as the probe to trace the fluid seepage and leakage from a hydraulic work. The probe can be captured and then amplified more than a millionfold by an enzymatic method such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to give a high detection signal. Even a single molecule of the DNA probe can be detected by an enzymatic amplification, thus to give superior sensitivity. The improved detection method is applicable to detecting, locating and monitoring fluid seepage and leakage from hydraulic works, the improved method can also be used, for example, to trace the groundwater flow, underground water flow and other liquid flow. Other related methods are also described.

Abstract: An improved peptide library preparation method is described for constructing complete virtual peptide libraries such as a complete virtual tripeptide library, tetrapeptide library, pentapeptide library, hexapeptide library, heptapeptide library, or a complete octapeptide library, etc. The method includes constructing an expression vector for the expression of cyclic peptides. Each cyclic peptide displays an array of peptides of different sizes and sequences, and the number of cyclic peptides needed for constructing a complete virtual peptide library can be dramatically reduced compared with conventional chemical peptide synthesis. Furthermore, the cyclic peptide libraries can be readily reproduced by the expression and purification of the cyclic peptides using the constructed gene libraries.

Abstract: An improved peptide library preparation method is described for constructing complete peptide libraries such as a complete tripeptide library, tetrapeptide library, pentapeptide library, hexapeptide library, heptapeptide library, or a complete octapeptide library, etc. The method includes constructing an expression vector for the expression of tagged peptides. Each tagged peptide contains an array of peptides of different sizes, and the number of peptides in a complete peptide library can be dramatically reduced relative to conventional chemical peptide synthesis. Furthermore, the libraries can be readily reproduced. The improved peptide library preparation method can particularly be used, for example, to construct a complete pentapeptide library. Other related methods and related expression vectors are also described.

Abstract: A device for gel electrophoresis is provided having larger wells for loading an increased sample volume with improved gel resolution. The device includes a gel cassette having a front plate and a back plate, wherein at least one plate has a stepped inner surface to create a wider opening at the top of the gel cassette, a gel matrix, and a comb with teeth having a thickness substantially equal to the spacing at the top opening of the gel cassette. Using this device, the sample volume in each well can be increased and the sample height in each well can be significantly reduced, as compared to loading the same volume in the wells of a standard gel cassette.

Abstract: An improved staining method is described for staining a biopolymer such as a peptide, a protein, an RNA, a DNA, an oligosaccharide or a complex containing a peptide, a protein, an RNA, a DNA, or an oligosaccharide in a matrix. The method includes the step of moving a staining reagent into the matrix using an electric force. The staining time can be dramatically reduced relative to conventional technologies. The improved staining method can particularly be used, for example, to stain proteins after gel separation. Other related methods and related kits are also described.

Abstract: A remote controller, a remote control system and an X-ray system including the same. The remote control system includes a remote controller and a processing unit located in a controlled system controlled by the remote controller. The remote controller includes at least one key for a user to select a controlled object to be controlled via the remote controller, a sensing unit for sensing an orientation of the remote controller; and a wireless transmitter for transmitting to the controlled system which of the at least one key is selected by the user and orientation information of the remote controller sensed by the sensing unit. The processing unit generates a control command for the controlled system in accordance with information about the user's key selection and orientation information of the remote controller to control movement of a controlled object corresponding to the selected key in accordance with the remote control's orientation.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for cloning a donor DNA molecule into an acceptor vector at a predetermined location are described. The methods are based on homologous recombination mediated by in vitro treatment of the donor DNA and the acceptor vector with an enzyme cocktail containing an exonuclease and a single-stranded DNA binding protein.

Abstract: Provided, among other things, is a multiplex assay comprising: conducting a fluorescence-developing assay on microtabs having at least one surface that shows plasmonic enhancement, wherein a plurality of the microtabs have unique probes affixed to their plasmonically enhanced surfaces; and measuring the fluorescence associated with the substrates and identifying the correlated probe by for the microtab. The microtabs can be, for example, MTPs that send a unique identifier, and the correlated probe can be identified by querying the MTPs for their identifier.

Abstract: A device for gel electrophoresis is provided having larger wells for loading an increased sample volume with improved gel resolution. The device includes a gel cassette having a front plate and a back plate, wherein at least one plate has a stepped inner surface to create a wider opening at the top of the gel cassette, a gel matrix, and a comb with teeth having a thickness substantially equal to the spacing at the top opening of the gel cassette. Using this device, the sample volume in each well can be increased and the sample height in each well can be significantly reduced, as compared to loading the same volume in the wells of a standard gel cassette.

Abstract: Optimized signal peptide coding sequences for enhanced expression and secretion of protein from a cell and related compositions and methods are described. The optimized signal peptide coding sequence encodes an mRNA that contains at least one hairpin structure immediately downstream of the initiation codon. Methods for obtaining the optimized signal peptide coding sequences and methods for enhanced expression and secretion of proteins using the optimized signal peptide coding sequences are also described.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for cloning a donor DNA molecule into an acceptor vector at a predetermined location are described. The methods are based on homologous recombination mediated by in vitro treatment of the donor DNA and the acceptor vector with an enzyme cocktail containing an exonuclease and a single-stranded DNA binding protein.

Abstract: Provided, among other things, is a multiplex assay comprising: conducting a fluorescence-developing assay on microtabs having at least one surface that shows plasmonic enhancement, wherein a plurality of the microtabs have unique probes affixed to their plasmonically enhanced surfaces; and measuring the fluorescence associated with the substrates and identifying the correlated probe by for the microtab. The microtabs can be, for example, MTPs that send a unique identifier, and the correlated probe can be identified by querying the MTPs for their identifier.

Abstract: Optimized signal peptide coding sequences for enhanced expression and secretion of protein from a cell and related compositions and methods are described. The optimized signal peptide coding sequence encodes an mRNA that contains at least one hairpin structure immediately downstream of the initiation codon. Methods for obtaining the optimized signal peptide coding sequences and methods for enhanced expression and secretion of proteins using the optimized signal peptide coding sequences are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved and rapid detection methods for an antigen such as a chemical compound, a peptide, a nucleic acid, or a protein released from cells or virus particles in situ. The detection time for an antigen can be dramatically reduced relative to conventional technologies. The technology can particularly be used, for example, to modify and reduce the detection time significantly in traditional ELISA, and also Western blot or Dot blot assays. The improved ELISA method is rapid, economical, reproducible, simple and automatable. Also provided are compositions and kits for using the improved ELISA methods for the rapid detection of antigens.

Abstract: An improved gene sequence optimization method, the systematic optimization method, is described for boosting the recombinant expression of genes in bacteria, yeast, insect and mammalian cells. This general method takes into account of multiple, preferably most or all, of the parameters and factors affecting protein expression including codon usage, tRNA usage, GC-content, ribosome binding sequences, promoter, 5?-UTR, ORF and 3?-UTR sequences of the genes to improve and optimize the gene sequences to boost the protein expression of the genes in bacteria, yeast, insect and mammalian cells. In particular, the invention relates to a system and a method for sequence optimization for improved recombinant protein expression using a particle swarm optimization algorithm. The improved systematic optimization method can be incorporated into a software for more efficient optimization.

Abstract: An improved method is described for the synthesis of aspartame using a condensation reaction between the alpha-carboxyl group of the L-aspartic acid and the amino group of the methyl L-phenylalaninate catalyzed by an enzyme. The method allowed efficient and cost effective production of aspartame. A method of identifying an enzyme useful for preparing aspartame is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a surface reservoir to hold a sample for a desirable period of time is described. The apparatus contains a platform, a solid surface disposed onto the platform, and an assembly of a bottomless vessel mounted on the solid surface. Also described is an apparatus that forms an array of surface reservoirs on a solid surface when multiple bottomless vessels are used, which can be used for high throughput applications. The apparatus can be used in applications on a solid surface, such as immunohistochemistry (IHC), oligo synthesis, peptide synthesis, ELISA, DNA array, peptide array, protein array, antibody array, tissue array, cell culturing, etc.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for cloning a donor DNA molecule into an acceptor vector at a predetermined location are described. The methods are based on homologous recombination mediated by in vitro treatment of the donor DNA and the acceptor vector with an enzyme cocktail containing an exonuclease and a single-stranded DNA binding protein.

Abstract: An improved gene sequence optimization method, the systematic optimization method, is described for boosting the recombinant expression of genes in bacteria, yeast, insect and mammalian cells. This general method takes into account of multiple, preferably most or all, of the parameters and factors affecting protein expression including codon usage, tRNA usage, GC-content, ribosome binding sequences, promoter, 5?-UTR, ORF and 3?-UTR sequences of the genes to improve and optimize the gene sequences to boost the protein expression of the genes in bacteria, yeast, insect and mammalian cells. In particular, the invention relates to a system and a method for sequence optimization for improved recombinant protein expression using a particle swarm optimization algorithm. The improved systematic optimization method can be incorporated into a software for more efficient optimization.