Abstract: A composition of matter suitable for use in identifying chemical compounds that bind to voltage-dependent ion channel proteins, the composition comprising a screening protein that comprises an ion channel voltage sensor domain of the ion channel protein immobilized on a solid support.

Abstract: The invention provides materials and methods relating to G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) oligomers. Complexes of two or more GPCRs associated with G-proteins are provided. Also provided are fusion proteins comprising a GPCR and a G-protein, nucleic acids, expression vectors and host cells. Methods of producing the complexes and fusion proteins of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for amplifying the detection signal in surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based flow systems. The signal amplification methods comprise the use of well established marker systems that provide a precipitate. The marker systems include, for example, enzyme and nucleation systems. Enzymes suitable for use as a marker system include peroxidases and phosphatases. The amplification system is useful in any SPR-based detection system including microfluidic systems, e.g., “lab on a chip” systems and the like. The methods can comprise any SPR-based assay format, including typical immunoassay formats. The immunoassay formats can include competitive and sandwich assays. Analyte capture agents can include antibodies, lectins, carbohydrates, polynucleotides, receptor proteins, and the like.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods, systems, and devices for measuring the concentration of target analytes present in a biological system using a series of measurements obtained from a monitoring system and a Mixtures of Experts (MOE) algorithm. In one embodiment, the present invention describes a method for measuring blood glucose in a subject.

Abstract: A workstation that provides an efficient method to collect biological tissues in a column tissue array format from blocks of embedded, frozen tissues, or fresh tissues. The workstation has a control unit for directing operations of the workstation and the operation unit for performing the production of the tissue column array. The operation unit comprises an array of vertical tubes in a platform, an arbor which engages and presses down the designated tube in the array, the embedded tissue block which is mounted directly below the designated tube, assemblies of motors responsive to the control unit for driving the platform and the tissue block, a light source block for generating an alignment signal, and a light detector block which measures the signal from the light source to determine the degree of alignment between the arbor, punch tubes, and the specimen block.

Abstract: The invention features isolated cytochrome P450 polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules, as well as expression vectors and transgenic plants containing these molecules. In addition, the invention features uses of such molecules in methods of increasing the level of resistance against a disease caused by a plant pathogen in a transgenic plant, in methods for producing altered compounds, for example, hydroxylated compounds, and in methods of producing isoprenoid compounds.

Abstract: The invention is directed to purified and isolated novel TSLP polypeptides, the nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, processes for production of recombinant forms of such polypeptides, antibodies generated against these polypeptides, fragmented peptides derived from these polypeptides, and the uses of the above.

Abstract: Novel Shine-Dalgarno (ribosome binding site) sequences, vectors containing such sequences, and host cells transformed with these vectors are provided. Methods of use of such sequences, vectors, and host cells for the efficient production of proteins and fragments thereof in prokaryotic systems are also provided. In particular embodiments of the invention, compounds and methods for high efficiency production of soluble protein in prokaryotic systems are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides multivalent vaccines for the treatment of B-cell malignancies (e.g., lymphomas and leukemias). The present invention also provides methods for the production of custom vaccines, including multivalent vaccines for the treatment of immune cell tumors malignancies as well as methods of treating immune cell tumors using custom vaccines.

Abstract: Provided herein is disclosure about the identification and characterization of disease and cancer associated antigen PIPA. The invention also provides a family of monoclonal antibodies that bind to antigen PIPA, and methods of diagnosing and treating various human cancers and diseases that express PIPA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-PCR (polymerase chain reaction) process, particularly a transcription-based amplification method, for amplifying and cloning sequences containing a variable domain sequence such as an immunoglobulin variable domain sequence from the immunological gene repertoire. The present invention comtemplates the expression of antibody library in either in an in vivo expression vector or in an in vitro transcription/translation system. Isolation of a gene coding for a receptor having the ability to bind a preselected ligand and receptors produced by the gene isolated by the method is also contemplated.

Abstract: A bioprocess for producing carboxylic acids, alcohols and aldehydes is provided by culturing Candida sp. in a fermentation medium containing various defined substrates.

Abstract: The invention relates to the isolation, sequencing, and recombinant expression of genes encoding either a nitrile hydratase (NHase) or amidase (Am) from Comamonas testosteroni 5-MGAM-4D, where the NHase is useful for catalyzing the hydration of nitriles to the corresponding amides, and the amidase is useful for hydrolysis of amides to the corresponding carboxylic acids. Also provided are transformed host cells containing polynucleotides for expressing the nitrile hydratase or amidase enzymes from Comamonas testosteroni 5-MGAM-4D.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of (1R,4S)- or (1S,4R)-1-amino-4-(hydroxy-methyl)-2-cyclopentene of the formulae and/or of (1S,4R)- or (1R,4S)-amino alcohol derivatives of the general formulae and to novel microorganisms which are able to utilize a cyclopentene derivative of the general formula as sole nitrogen source, as sole carbon source or as sole carbon and nitrogen source.

Abstract: There is provided a bacteriophage capable of lysing a P. acnes bacterium and incapable of lysing a bacterium which is not P. acnes, and which is incapable of sustaining lysogeny in a bacterium. There is also provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising such a bacteriophage.

Abstract: A Gram-negative bacterial strain, Pseudomonas putida TX2 (PTA-6169 and BCRC 910232), was isolated from farmland, which had received frequent applications of a various pesticides and surfactants. This strain was demonstrated to have the capacity to grow on alkylphenol polyethoxylates (0.05% to 20%) or alkylphenol (0.001% to 0.01%) as sole source of carbon and energy. The metabolic activity of this strain can be applied in the degradation of organic polymers containing ethoxylate units, alkylphenol and alkylphenol derivatives.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are glucose tolerant C2 carbon source-independent (GCSI) yeast strains having no detectable amount of pyruvate decarboxylase activity, wherein wild type yeast strains for the glucose tolerant C2 carbon source-independent yeast strains are Crabtree positive. Also disclosed are methods of selecting glucose tolerant C2 carbon source-dependent yeast strains, and methods of producing pyruvic acid or salts thereof using glucose tolerant C2 carbon source-independent yeast strain. Further disclosed herein are GCSI yeast strains having a genome that comprises an exogenous lactate dehydrogenase gene.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method and an apparatus for removing a nitrogen oxide (NOx) from a gas by bringing the gas into contact with a scrub liquid in a scrubber for converting the nitrogen oxide into molecular nitrogen (N2), wherein the scrub liquid comprises a metal ion chelate and a biomass, after which at least a portion of the scrub liquid is subjected to a membrane separation process for separating at least part of the metal ion chelate, and the biomass and other solidified components, from dissolved components, wherein the membrane separation process comprises: a) filtering at least a portion of the scrub liquid using a first membrane capable of permeating the metal ion chelate to provide a first retentate liquid comprising the biomass and other solidified components, and a first permeate liquid comprising at least part of the metal ion chelate and dissolved components, and b) nanofiltering the first permeate liquid to give a second retentate liquid comprising the metal ion chelate and a second pe

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing (S)-indoline-2-carboxylic acid and (S)-indoline-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester using an inexpensive industrially available enzyme capable of assuring superior optical purity and yield. At this time, the hydrolytic enzyme is selected from the group consisting of Savinase, Alcalase, Novozym 243, Everlase, Esperase, Protease 7 and Acylase, whereby (S)-indoline-2-carboxylic acid and methyl ester thereof having an optical purity of at least 99% e.e. can be obtained through a simplified preparation process, thus generating economic benefits.

Abstract: A method for individually moving small objects, such as cells, from one location to another as well as a device for implementing the method is disclosed. A small object such as a cell is isolated at some initial location and moved to some destination location by the movement of the small object through a succession of intermediate locations until the small object arrives at the destination location. Also disclosed are methods of manipulating cells made possible by the method and device of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices that use focused radiation to handle and/or monitor pathogenic fluids. In particular, a method is provided for dispensing one or more droplets of a fluid containing a pathogen. The method involves providing the pathogen-containing fluid in a reservoir and applying focused radiation to the pathogen-containing fluid in the reservoir in a manner effective to eject a droplet of the fluid therefrom. Often, a pathogen-impermeable enclosure is used.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method and apparatus using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology for collecting air samples and identifying biological agents in the air sample. The apparatus is capable of detecting transient events such as bacillus anthracis in a piece of mail being processed on high-speed mail processing equipment.

Abstract: Novel proteins are provided herein, including proteins capable of catalyzing the acetylation of glyphosate and other structurally related proteins. Also provided are novel polynucleotides capable of encoding these proteins, compositions that include one or more of these novel proteins and/or polynucleotides, recombinant cells and transgenic plants comprising these novel compounds, diversification methods involving the novel compounds, and methods of using the compounds. Some of the novel methods and compounds provided herein can be used to render an organism, such as a plant, resistant to glyphosate.

Abstract: The genome sequences and the nucleotide sequences coding for the PWD circovirus polypeptides, such as the circovirus structural and non-structural polypeptides, vectors including the sequences, and cells and animals transformed by the vectors are provided. Methods for detecting the nucleic acids or polypeptides, and kits for diagnosing infection by a PWD circovirus, also are provided. Method for selecting compounds capable of modulating the viral infection is further provided. Pharmaceutical, including vaccines, compositions for preventing and/or treating viral infections caused by PWD circovirus and the use of vectors for preventing and/or treating diseases also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in vitro method for differentiation and maturation of isolated monocytes into IL3-R+CD11c+ myeloid dendritic cells consisting of incubating the monocytes with a combination of a type I interferon and IL-3.

Abstract: The results herein identify Sp17 as a novel cancer-testis antigen in multiple myeloma. Sp17 recombinant protein was generated from E. coli. A CD8 predominant CTL line was generated that was able to lyse autologous targets in a Sp17-dependent HLA class I-restricted manner, using dendritic cells as the antigen-presenting cells and DOTAP to deliver the Sp17 protein to the dendritic cells. A combination of HLA-matched and mismatched antibody-enriched fresh myeloma tumor cells and myeloma cell lines were used as targets for the recombinant protein-propagated CTL. The findings of target cell lysis suggest that the Sp17 protein produced by Sp17+ tumor cells are processed and presented in vivo and that the CTL epitopes are presented in association with HLA class I molecules in a concentration and configuration recognized by recombinant protein-propagated CTL.

Abstract: By using a bed material for cell culture having a surface composed of two domains of domain A coated with a temperature-responsive polymer and domain B composed of any one or a combination of a domain coated with a polymer having high affinity with cells, a domain coated with the temperature-responsive polymer in an amount different from the amount of the temperature-responsive polymer of domain A, and a domain coated with a polymer which responds to a temperature different from the temperature to which domain A responds, a method for the co-culture of a plurality of kinds of cells which has heretofore been difficult becomes possible.

Abstract: Methods for the targeted integration of nucleotide sequences into a plant are provided. Transfer cassettes comprising nucleotide sequences of interest flanked by non-identical recombination sites are used to transform a plant comprising a target site. The target site contains at least a set of non-identical recombination sites corresponding to those on the transfer cassette. Exchange of the nucleotide sequences flanked by the recombination sites is effected by a recombinase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for protecting a human patient or a mammalian animal to be subjected to chemotherapy treatment of a tumor not residing in the scalp of the patient or the skin of the animal against chemotherapy-induced alopecia, comprising administering to the scalp of the patient or the skin of the animal an effective amount of a composition comprising a chemical inducer of the stress protein response sufficiently prior to the administration of a chemotherapeutic drug. It also relates to pharmaceutical compositions for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced alopecia. It further relates to a method for protecting a human patient or a mammalian animal to be subjected to chemotherapy treatment of a tumor not residing in the scalp of the patient or the skin of the animal against chemotherapy-induced alopecia, comprising administering to the scalp of the patient or the skin of the animal an effective heat dose sufficiently prior to the administration of a chemotherapeutic drug.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and kits for determining the level of H2O2 inside a cell, and for determining whether a test compound has ability to scavenge a reactive oxygen species (ROS). The methods and diagnostic kits of this invention employ a cell containing a promoter which is inducible by an ROS, such as the H2O2 -inducible KatA promoter of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The methods of this invention may also be used to select for new or improved ROS scavengers by expressing a library of test scavengers in cells which express a reporter from a ROS-inducible promoter and selecting for those cells whose level of ROS-inducible expression of the reporter is reduced.

Abstract: Methods and devices are described for monitoring a therapeutic effect in a red blood cell-related disease by detecting the size of a reticulocyte using a full-automatic blood cell counting device.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a sample processing technique for purifying a biological or chemical sample. The invention is particularly well-suited to prepare a sample for mass spectrometry. The process is to be performed in an article having at least one well, in which the surface of the well is at least partially hydrophobic and/or modified with bio-specific ligands. Targeted solutes, such as salts or small molecule contaminants, can be removed from a solution to allow for a purified solution of a desired type of solute, such as peptides and/or proteins.

Abstract: A method for use in a flow matrix, which utilizes biospecific affinity reactions to detect an analyte in the sample, and which comprises allowing the sample comprising the analyte and an analytically detectable reactant (Reactant*) to migrate through flow channels in a flow matrix to a detection zone located in the matrix, in which there is a firmly anchored biospecific affinity reactant (Capturer), and capturing the Reactant* in the detection zone in an amount related to the amount of analyte in the sample. The Reactant* has labeled particles of an analytically detectable group, and the Capturer is anchored to the matrix by immobilized particles which exhibit hydrophilic groups on their surface. A test kit comprises a flow matrix having a detection zone in which there is a firmly anchored biospecific affinity reactant (Capturer), and an analytically detectable reactant (Reactant*).

Abstract: An amorphous soft magnetic thin film material for forming shielding and keeper applications in MRAM devices. The amorphous soft magnetic material may be deposited using Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) in the presence of a magnetic field, in order to form shielding layers and keepers in a multi-layer metallization process. The soft magnetic material may be an amorphous metallic alloy, such as CoZrX, where X may be Ta, Nb, Pd and/or Rh.

Abstract: A manganese-implanted silicon substrate exhibits ferromagnetism and a Curie temperature above room temperature when magnetized. The implant is done at a temperature of between about 250 C and about 800 C, while the manganese concentration is between about 0.01 atomic percent and 10 atomic percent. The silicon substrate can be p- or n-type with a doping concentration between 1015 and 1021 cm?3. Annealing may be done to increase the saturation magnetization.

Abstract: A magnetic memory device includes a first interconnection which runs in a first direction, a second interconnection which runs in a second direction different from the first direction, a magnetoresistive element which is arranged at the intersection of and between the first and second interconnections, and a metal layer which is connected to the magnetoresistive element and has a side surface that partially coincides with a side surface of the magnetoresistive element.

Abstract: A failure analysis method according to the invention includes inputting the positions of failures in multiple wafers of an input device; preparing multiple sections in the multiple wafers; calculating feature amounts, which are represented by at least one numerical value representing a distribution of the failures in the multiple wafers, for each of the multiple sections; and representing by a first numerical value, the degree of similarity between the multiple wafers in terms of the feature amounts. Subsequently, the method includes detecting another wafer, which has the first numerical value greater than a predetermined first threshold, for each of the multiple wafers and forming a similar wafer group of multiple wafers with similar distributions of the failures.

Abstract: In order to measure a surface profile of a sample, an imprint of the surface profile to be examined is produced in a transfer material. The sample contains processed semiconductor material and is in particular a patterned semiconductor wafer or part of a patterned semiconductor wafer. The transfer material is deformable and curable under suitable ambient conditions. The transfer material may be a thermoplastic material or a material which is deformable as desired after application on a substrate and cures in one case by means of irradiation with photons having a suitable wavelength or alternatively heating. The transfer material may be configured in such a way that the imprint produced is the same size as or alternatively of smaller size than the surface profile. The imprint produced is subsequently measured by known methods.

Abstract: In a method of measuring an effective channel length and an overlap length, first to third metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) including first to third gate patterns, respectively, are formed on a substrate. A parasitic capacitance between the gate patterns and the substrate in the MOSFETs is determined based on first and second capacitances, which are measured by applying a first voltage between the gate patterns and the substrate. A second voltage is applied between the first gate pattern and the substrate in the first MOSFET and a third voltage between the third gate pattern and the substrate in the third MOSFET to measure capacitances. The capacitances are treated to obtain third and fourth capacitances excluding the parasitic capacitance. Overlap lengths of the gate patterns are obtained based on the third and fourth capacitances. Effective channel lengths of the gate patterns are obtained based on the overlap length.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for testing a contact open capable of effectively testing a contact open defect in an In-line as securing a mass productivity. The method includes the steps of: performing a photolithography process for forming a contact; forming a contact hole by performing a contact etching process after sampling at least one wafer; depositing a conductive layer on the wafer provided with the contact hole; isolating the conductive layer within the contact hole; performing a test for testing a contact open interface to check whether a remaining layer is existed in an interface between the conductive layer and a lower structure of the conductive layer; and performing a process for etching the contact of a main lot based on a test result.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electron-emitting device with a stable electrical characteristics without variation per each of the devices is provided, by forming, on a substrate, a cathode electrode, a carbon layer on the cathode electrode, and a gate electrode, disposing an anode electrode, and applying to the carbon layer a voltage higher than that at a driving of the electron-emitting device.

Abstract: Methods of assembly for a semiconductor light emitting device package may include positioning a submount on a mounting substrate with a solder material and a flux therebetween. The semiconductor light emitting device is positioned on a top side of the submount with a solder material and a flux therebetween to provide an assembled stack that has not been reflowed. The assembled stack is reflowed to attach the submount to the mounting substrate and the light emitting device to the submount.

Abstract: Broad spectrum light emitting devices and methods and semiconductor chips for fabricating such devices include a light emitting element, such as a diode or laser, which emits light in a predefined range of frequencies. The light emitting element includes a shaped substrate suitable for light extraction through the substrate and a cavity in the substrate proximate the light emitting element. For example, a trench adjacent at least a portion of the periphery of the light emitting element may be provided. The cavity/trench is configured to contain light conversion material such that light extracted from sidewalls of the cavity/trench passes through the light conversion material contained in the cavity/trench. Methods of fabricating such devices and/or chips are also provided.

Abstract: A method for producing from a plate-shaped substrate circular sections for use for instance in a color wheel encompasses inter alia such steps as positioning predefined edge break lines in such fashion that the circular sections to be separated at a subsequent point are arranged in columns, with the circular sections within a column being so positioned relative to one another that in each case at least certain points of the inner annular edge are in contact with the outer annular edge of another circular section, thus forming part of a common predefined edge break line, while the orientation of the curvature of the circular sections of neighboring columns is reversed in alternating fashion. In a subsequent step the circular sections are separated along the predefined edge break lines.

Abstract: Provided is a manufacturing method of a nitride semiconductor device having a nitride semiconductor substrate (e.g. GaN substrate) in which dislocation concentrated regions align in stripe formation, the dislocation concentrated regions extending from a front surface to a back surface of the substrate, the manufacturing method being for stacking each of a plurality of nitride semiconductor layers on the front surface of the substrate in a constant film thickness. Grooves are formed on the nitride semiconductor substrate in the immediate areas of dislocation concentrated regions. Each of the nitride semiconductor layers is formed as a crystal growth layer on the main surface of the nitride semiconductor substrate to which the grooves have been formed.

Abstract: A CMOS image sensor and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed, in which a blue photodiode is imparted with a greater thickness to improve sensitivity of blue light. The blue photodiode of a CMOS image sensor includes a first lightly doped P-type epitaxial layer formed on a heavily doped P-type semiconductor substrate; a gate electrode of a transfer transistor formed on the first epitaxial layer; a first N-type blue photodiode region formed on the first epitaxial layer; and a second N-type blue photodiode region formed on the first epitaxial layer corresponding to the first blue photodiode region.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a liquid phase epitaxial (LPE) germanium (Ge)-on-insulator (GOI) thin-film with a smooth surface. The method provides a silicon (Si) wafer, forms a silicon nitride insulator layer overlying the Si wafer, and selectively etches the silicon nitride insulator layer, forming a Si seed access region. Then, the method conformally deposits Ge overlying the silicon nitride insulator layer and Si seed access region, forming a Ge layer with a first surface roughness, and smoothes the Ge layer using a chemical-mechanical polish (CMP) process. Typically, the method encapsulates the Ge layer and anneals the Ge layer to form a LPE Ge layer. A Ge layer is formed with a second surface roughness, less than the first surface roughness. In some aspects, the method forms an active device in the LPE Ge layer.

Abstract: Methods have been provided for forming both wide and narrow trenches on a high-aspect ratio microelectromechanical (MEM) device on a substrate including a substrate layer (126), an active layer (128), and a first sacrificial layer (130) disposed at least partially therebetween. The method includes the steps of forming a first trench (154), a second trench (156), and a third trench (152) in the active layer (128), each trench (154, 156, 152) having an opening and sidewalls defining substantially equal first trench widths, depositing oxide and sacrificial layers thereover and removing the oxide and sacrificial layers to expose the third trench (152) and form a fourth trench (190) in the active layer (128) from the first and the second trench (154, 156), the fourth trench (190) having sidewalls defining a second trench width that is greater than the first trench width.

Abstract: Packages of semiconductor devices with non-opaque covers and methods for making the packages. The invention allows an encapsulant to be used with a non-opaque cover. By ensuring the cover is attached to a die in such a way as to expose bonding pads while sealing in the imaging portion of the die, the die can be electrically connected to a substrate and then encapsulated. Since the imaging portion is sealed, the encapsulant cannot get underneath the glass. By ensuring the encapsulant is not filled beyond the glass, encapsulant cannot get over the glass either.

Abstract: The invention also relates to an apparatus and method for selectively providing a silicide coating over the transistor gates of a CMOS imager to improve the speed of the transistor gates. The method further includes an apparatus and method for forming a self aligned photo shield over the CMOS imager.