Abstract: Disclosed are the cloning and expression of a novel antigen of Bartonella henselae. The recombinant polypeptide is found to be highly immunogenic and is useful as a diagnostic test antigen. The polypeptide of the present invention provides the basis of a diagnostic assay that is sensitive, rapid and accurate diagnosis of infection with Bartonella henselae using patient's sera. Disclosed also are the ELISA for both IgG and IgM and allows diagnosis of early and late infection.

Abstract: A perifusion device includes at least one sample container for cells, the sample container having an inlet and an outlet. The container receives test liquid through the inlet and discharges the liquid through the outlet. A manifold having a plurality of liquid inlets, control valves, and liquid outlets can be provided. A receptacle housing has a plurality of receptacles. A drive is connected to the receptacle housing for moving the receptacle housing. A programmable controller can be provided to control movement of the receptacle housing. The test liquid includes at least one stimuli for the cells. The liquid collected in the receptacles is analyzed to determine the response of the cells to the stimuli.

Abstract: An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method and kit for detecting soluble programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) protein are provided. The method includes the following steps: (1) contacting a sample to be tested with a solid carrier loaded with a first antibody of PDCD5 protein; (2) adding a second antibody of PDCD5 protein, which is capable to binding to a detecting label; (3) adding the detecting label and detecting the bound detecting label. The soluble PDCD5 in a biological sample from a mammal comprising human can be detected by the ELISA method and kit. The method and kit can be used for detecting the level of PDCD5 protein in plasma, serum, urine, cerebrospinal fluid and synovial fluid so that an auxiliary detection method, for diagnosis of autoimmune disease, inflammation (such as hepatitis), and tumor etc., determination of disease course, observation of therapeutic effect and prognosis and medical guidance, is provided.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to luciferase derived from Malaysian Luciola firefly, the luciferase having a maximum luminescent wavelength of 580 nm at pH 8, or the luciferase indicating 23.3 times or more of luminescent intensity in comparison to that of Rhodamine 6G.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for identifying compounds that are allosteric and/or other novel ACAT inhibitors that is based on the novel finding that pregnenolone is a substrate for ACAT; esterification of pregnenolone by ACAT is dramatically activated when cholesterol is present in the assay. The method comprises measuring the esterification of pregnenolone by ACAT under two different conditions: with cholesterol, or without cholesterol. This method can be used to test and categorize various candidate ACAT inhibitors as allosteric or other novel ACAT inhibitors, or it can be used in high-throughput screening for identifying such ACAT inhibitors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting a phytol-free chlorophyll derivative in a sample, comprising a step of detecting a fluorescent signal associated with the phytol-free chlorophyll derivative, wherein a fluorescent signal associated with chlorophyll or a phytol-containing chlorophyll derivative in the sample is quenched. The method may be used for quantifying activity of chlorophyllases and related enzymes in a sample without solvent fractionation of substrate and product.

Abstract: Methods for the detection/quantification of the enzymatic activity of hydrolases in a sample, wherein the hydrolase catalyses a hydrolysis reaction of a substrate which yields either H2S or a thiol-containing organic compound that produces a decomposition reaction which generates H2S, and methods for the detection/quantification of their substrates in a sample, as well as a method for the preparation of fluorescent CdS quantum dots, the preparation method, comprising first carrying out a enzymatic reaction catalysed by the hydrolase wherein the hydrolase catalyses the hydrolysis reaction of a substrate which yields either H2S or a thiol-containing organic compound that produces a decomposition reaction which generates H2S, and then reacting the resulting H2S with a salt of Cd+2, thereby fluorescent CdS quantum dots are obtained.

Abstract: Provided is a method of inducing the differentiation of a stem cell into nerve progenitor cells, comprising the step (1) of forming a homogenous aggregate of stem cells in a serum-free medium (1) and the step (2) of suspension-culturing the homogenous aggregate of stem cells in the presence of a basement membrane reference standard.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods to classify human ether-à-go-go related gene (hERG) ion channel modulators using label-free biosensors. Disclosed is the use of label-free resonant waveguide grating (RWG) biosensors to reveal the patterns of the DMR signals of hERG modulators across three types of cell lines (a native cell line endogenously expressing hERG, a native cell line without hERG and its engineered cell line stably expressed hERG), as well as the corresponding modulation index of the modulators molecules against a hERG activator acting on a panel of markers/cells, particularly the known hERG activator mallotoxin DMR signals in the two hERG expressing cell lines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of molecular diagnostics, and in particular to diagnostics based on a liquid crystal assay format. In particular, the present invention provided improved substrates and methods of using liquid crystal assays for quantitating the amount of an analyte in a sample. The present invention also provides materials and methods for detecting non-specific binding of an analyte to a substrate by using a liquid crystal assay format.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for visual detection of hemolysis in a whole blood sample, comprising at least one visible detection compartment and a transfer passage connected to said visible detection compartment, said transfer passage being arranged to permit transfer of a volume of plasma from said sample to said detection compartment and wherein said transfer passage further is arranged with a separation device (4) for separating plasma from blood cells within said whole blood sample before said plasma reaches the detection compartment, wherein said device is arranged with subpressure means providing a subpressure inside said detection compartment for generating a force urging said volume of plasma to be transferred from said whole blood sample to said detection compartment through said transfer passage and via said separation device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for measuring the migration of cells in a channel under the influence of an analyte wherein said cells are separated from said analyte by a semi-permeable membrane and said cells are subjected to controlled flow conditions while the analyte is static and in the form of a viscous substance or gel.

Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing a biocompatible textured surface on a thermoplastic material comprising treating the material with a plasma and subsequently shrinking the substrate to induce formation of textures. The textured surfaces are useful in one aspect, to align cells such as stem cells.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention are mutant strains of Escherichia coli MG6165 (ATCC nr 47076) lacking all potassium transporters: Kdp, Kup and Trk (?Ktrans), encompassing strains lacking at least one of the genes encoding mechanically gated channels mscS and mscL (?Ktrans ?mscS i/lub ?mscL). In particular, it concerns Escherichia coli MG61655 (ATCC No. 47076) lacking all potassium transporters: Kdp, Kup and Trk (?Ktrans), which additionally are devoid of the mechanically gated channel gene mscS—E. coli (?Ktrans ?mscS), the mechanically gated channel gene mscL—E. coli (?Ktrans ?mscL) and/or both the mechanically gated channel genes mscS and mscL—E. coli (?Ktrans ?mscS ?mscL). The subject of the present invention is also a method of testing chemical compounds for potential antibacterial properties, making use of the abovementioned strains. Another subject of the present invention is a kit for testing chemical compounds as potential antibacterial substances, containing the abovementioned strains.

Abstract: As a result of acquiring visible absorption spectra of red blood cells and analyses of the spectra, inventors of the present disclosure have discovered the fact that echinocytes show a characteristic spectrum pattern having an absorption peak in a wavelength region of 450 to 490 nm between Soret and Q bands. Then, the present disclosure provides a blood analysis apparatus having an analysis section for detecting the absorption peak of a visible absorption spectrum acquired for blood. In accordance with this blood analysis apparatus, on the basis of the absorption peak, it is possible to detect echinocytes contained in blood.

Abstract: Provided is a device for capturing object, wherein a carrier which captures substances to be detected and is made to be dividable into plural portions, is placed with the plural dividable portions arranged in sections. The carrier includes a count analysis carrier and an identification analysis carrier respectively arranged in sections in a first dish half and a second dish half which are obtained by dividing a capturing dish.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatic execution of different treatment operations in connection with staining of tissue specimens on microscope slides, wherein the apparatus (1) comprises a loading station (2) for microscope slides (7) with tissue specimens, a number of reagent stations (3) for staining of the tissue specimens on supplied microscope slides, a conveyor (5) for transfer of microscope slides (7) between the stations (3) in accordance with a staining program, an unloading station (10) for treated microscope slides, and a control unit (19) for controlling the treatment operations in accordance with a data program. The apparatus comprise a photo station (25) with a digital camera (26) for automatic photographing with a background light source of the finished treated tissue specimens on supplied microscope slides (7).

Abstract: Fatty acid alcohol esters that may be used as biodiesel are synthesized from microbially produced alcohol and fatty acids using an in situ process. The process utilizes a catalyst capable of esterifying the alcohol and fatty acid products of microorganisms, which are produced from renewable resources.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel 7?-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases which are obtainable from bacteria of the genus Collinsella, especially of the strain Collinsella aerofaciens, to the sequences encoding said enzymes, to methods for producing said enzymes and to their use in the enzymatic conversion of cholic acid compounds, and especially in the production of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCS). The invention also relates to novel methods for the synthesis UDCS.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing phytase variants has at least 70% identity to a phytase derived from Buttiauxella and comprises at least one additional disulfide bond as compared to this phytase. These phytase variants have modified, preferably improved, properties, such as thermostability, temperature profile, pH profile, specific activity, performance in animal feed, reduced protease sensitiliby, and/or an modified glycosylation pattern. The invention also relates to the variants produced, DNA encoding these phytases, methods of their production, as well as the use thereof, e.g. in animal feed and animal feed additives.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for enriching methyl-CpG sequences from a DNA sample. The method makes use of conversion of cytosine residues to uracil under conditions in which methyl-cytosine residues are preserved. Additional methods of the invention enable to preservation of the context of me-CpG dinucleotides. The invention also provides a recombinant, full length and substantially pure McrA protein (rMcrA) for binding and isolation of DNA fragments containing the sequence 5?-CMeCpGG-3?. Methods for making and using the rMcrA protein, and derivatives thereof are provided.

Abstract: The application relates generally to methods useful for the selective amplification of one or more target nucleic acid or fragments thereof, as well as compositions and kits comprising said amplification reaction mixtures. More specifically, the application relates to a composite primer that comprises a 5? promoter portion and a 3? target-recognition portion which is complementary to the 3? end portion of a target polynucleotide sequence; and optionally, a means for identifying the 5? end portion of the target polynucleotide sequence. The amplification reaction mixture comprises at least one handle-stem-loop structure which comprises a 5? single-stranded handle comprising the promoter portion and a double-stranded stem comprising at least one pair of self-folding segments hybridized to each other, and optionally, a single-stranded loop comprising the sequence between the pair of self-folding segments.

Abstract: The invention relates to a host cell comprising at least four different heterologous polynucleotides chosen from the group of polynucleotides encoding cellulases, hemicellulases and pectinases, wherein the host cell is capable of producing the at least four different enzymes chosen from the group of cellulases, hemicellulases and pectinases, wherein the host cell is a filamentous fungus and is capable of secretion of the at least four different enzymes. This host cell can suitably be used for the production of an enzyme composition that can be used in a process for the saccharification of cellulosic material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to variants of a parent cellobiohydrolase. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the cellobiohydrolase variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the cellobiohydrolase variants.

Abstract: An L-threonine-producing Escherichia coli in which a promoter of a phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (ppc) gene on the chromosome is substituted with a promoter of a cysteine synthase (cysK) gene and a method of producing L-threonine by using the same are disclosed. The recombinant Escherichia coli may produce L-threonine in a high yield, and thus may be widely used in medical, pharmaceutical, and feed industries, particularly for an animal feed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an enzyme having an activity of transferring a methyl group to lignans (a lignan methylation activity) (e.g., a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or variants thereof); a gene encoding the enzyme (e.g., a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or variants thereof); a method for producing methylated lignans using the gene; and so on.

Abstract: A Capture Carbon Storage (CCS) Process for the economical capture of carbon dioxide from coal fuel gas, and the storage of the carbon dioxide as lipid oil or the use of the environmentally begin oil for transportation. The lipid oil may be refined into gasoline, biodiesel fuel, jet fuel, ethanol, and methane which provide a renewable energy resource for the United State's future energy needs. It is a new fuel form which has been both chemically and physically altered to reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide. It is a coal cleaning/upgrading process which produces a refined fuel, Hydrogen, that may be used to produce electricity and an environmentally begin biofuel for transportation. The renewable fuel will produce no carbon foot print at the internal combustion engine's exhaust pipe. The CCS Process will produce a 100% reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions into the atmosphere and thereby, stop the Global Warming.

Abstract: A dense but oxygen permeable membrane separates the oxygen supply compartment from the fermentation compartment, which contains all microorganisms, a nutrient medium and the pretreated lignocellulose. The oxygen, necessary for the growth and the activity of the aerobic cellulolytic enzymes producing microorganisms is solely transported from the oxygen supply compartment through the membrane, which leads to an oxygen gradient within the biofilm growing on the membrane. The oxygen rich zone of the biofilm lies on the membrane whereas the biofilm further away from the membrane as well as the surrounding nutrient medium are oxygen depleted. In the aerobic biofilm the extra-cellular enzymes are produced in situ and are released into the nutrient medium where they hydrolyse the cellulose and hemicellulose into soluble monosugars, which are then converted to the desired fermentation product by suitable microorganisms in the anaerobic zones of the reactor.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment process elicits microorganisms to convert a waste stream/organic resource to intracellular biopolymer polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). The process includes (i) waste stream/organic resource composition feed criteria, (ii) configuration coupled with operational parameters, and (iii) PHA-laden biomass separation and stabilization. A waste stream/organic resource capable of producing enhanced levels of PHA may be selected based on a combination of criteria, which may include short chain fatty acid concentration, protein concentration, polysaccharides concentration, and total suspended solids concentration. The waste stream is introduced into an aeration basin upon a specific configuration and operated under various parameter combinations for selecting/enriching microorganisms capable of producing PHA. The PHA-laden biomass is separated and stabilized for downstream PHA related product beneficial uses.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods of producing fatty alcohols from recombinant host cells comprising genes encoding heterologous fatty acyl-CoA reductase (FAR) enzymes. The disclosure further relates to FAR enzymes and functional fragments thereof derived from marine bacterium and particularly marine gamma proteobacterium such as Marinobacter and Oceanobacter; polynucleotides encoding the FAR enzymes and vectors and host cells comprising the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of methods for obtaining ethanol-producing yeast strains, to the field of the thus produced strains and to the field of the industrial production of ethanol from said strains. Particularly, the present invention relates, in the most general aspect thereof, to a method for preparing yeasts from industrial Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, to said strains, and to the use thereof in the industrial production of ehtanol from industrial media containing at least one pentose.

Abstract: A biogas production process with enzymatic pre-treatment, said process comprising the steps of providing a slurry comprising a lignocellulose-containing material, water and one or more enzyme; allowing the one or more enzyme to degrade the lignocellulose-containing material at a suitable temperature and pH; and adding the enzyme-degraded material to a biogas digester tank at a suitable rate and ratio to effectively convert the material to biogas in the digester.

Abstract: A method of binding bacteriophage to particles. The method comprising the steps of exposing the particles to an electrical discharge and then mixing the activated particles with the bacteriophage. The bacteriophage are then bound to the particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making cytocompatible alginate gels and their use in the treatment of cardiomyopathy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrogel precursor formulation, its process of production as well as a kit comprising said formulation and a method of production of a hydrogel using said formulation. The precursor formulation comprises at least one structural compound, preferably vinyl sulfone (acrylated branched) poly(ethylene glycol), and at least one linker compound, preferably a peptide with two cysteines, wherein said structural compound and said linker compound are polymerizable by a selective reaction between a nucleophile and a conjugated unsaturated bond or group. The precursor formulation is in the form of a powder.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device useful for preserving tissue samples after extraction from human or animal patients. The device includes a circular blade for taking a tissue sample, the blade being coupled to a sealing cap which mates to one end of a container. A retrieval port is also disclosed for extracting fluids from the container. Methods are also disclosed by which tissue samples may be taken and prepared for storage, processing, culture, or other analysis.

Abstract: Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor compounds comprising bi-terminal aromatic ring moieties, and related methods of NOS inhibition.

Abstract: The present invention includes a crystal comprising a complex of the pro form of a matrix metalloprotease (proMMP) and a small-molecule allosteric processing inhibitor that inhibits that activation of the proMMP, methods for identifying small-molecule allosteric processing inhibitors that inhibit the activation of a proMMP, and methods of treatment using small-molecule allosteric processing inhibitors that inhibit the activation of a proMMP. The present invention relates to the crystal structure of a complex of proMMP9 bound to a small-molecule allosteric processing inhibitor that inhibits activation of proMMP9. The invention further relates to the use of the methods and the crystal and related structural information for designing, selecting and/or optimizing small-molecule allosteric processing inhibitors that inhibit activation of proMMP9 and proMMP9 homologues.

Abstract: The invention relates to a binding member that binds the Extra Domain-A (ED-A) isoform of fibronectin for the treatment of tumour metastases.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for producing a biomolecule conjugate where the method is integrated into a single unit operation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are conjugates comprising a biomolecule linked to a label that have biological activity and are useful in a wide variety of biological applications. For example, provided herein are labeled polymerase conjugates including a polymerase linked to one or more labels, wherein the conjugate has polymerase activity. Such conjugates can exhibit enhanced biological activity and/or superior detectability as compared to conventional labeled polymerases. Also disclosed herein are improved methods for preparing such conjugates, and methods and systems for using such conjugates in biological applications such as nucleotide incorporation, primer extension and single molecule sequencing.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides ketoreductase enzymes having improved properties as compared to a naturally occurring wild-type ketoreductase enzyme. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the engineered ketoreductase enzymes, host cells capable of expressing the engineered ketoreductase enzymes, method of using the engineered ketoreductase enzymes to synthesize a variety of chirally pure compounds, and the chirally pure compounds prepared therewith.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions, methods, kits, systems and apparatus that are useful for nucleic acid polymerization. In particular, modified polymerases and biologically active fragment thereof are provided that allow for nucleic acid amplification. In one aspect, the disclosure relates to modified polymerases useful for nucleic acid sequencing, genotyping, copy number variation analysis, paired-end sequencing and other forms of genetic analysis. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to modified polymerases useful for the generation of nucleic acid libraries or nucleic acid templates for use in various downstream processes. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to the identification of homologous amino acid mutations that can be transferred across classes or families of polymerases to provide novel polymerases with altered catalytic properties. In some aspects, the disclosure provides modified polymerases having enhanced catalytic properties as compared to a reference polymerase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a metagenome-derived alkaline phosphatase, and more particularly to a novel, metagenome-derived alkaline phosphatase screened using a artificial genetic circuit that detects phenolic compounds, and a preparation method thereof. A novel alkaline phosphatase according to the present invention has high activity of dephosphorylating DNA and can be inactivated rapidly by simple heat treatment. Thus, it can be used for a dephosphorylation reaction so that genetic manipulations, including genetic cloning, become efficient. In addition, it can be actively expressed in recombinant microorganisms, and thus can be used in various assays, including enzyme immunoassay.

Abstract: The present invention provides enzymes capable of hydrolysing organophosphate (OP) molecules. In particular, the invention provides a phosphotriesterase enzyme identified from an Agrobacterium radiobacter strain isolated from soil that hydrolyses OP pesticides, and the gene encoding that enzyme. The invention also provides mutants of the identified phosphotriesterase enzyme which have altered substrate specificity. The use of these enzymes in bioremediation strategies is also provided.

Abstract: The present specification discloses SNAP-25 compositions, methods of making ?-SNAP-25 antibodies that bind an epitope comprising a carboxyl-terminus at the P1 residue from the BoNT/A cleavage site scissile bond from a SNAP-25 cleavage product, ?-SNAP-25 antibodies that bind an epitope comprising a carboxyl-terminus at the P1 residue from the BoNT/A cleavage site scissile bond from a SNAP-25 cleavage product, methods of detecting BoNT/A activity, and methods of detecting neutralizing ?-BoNT/A antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides for isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding viruses; isolated polypeptides comprising amino acid sequences of the virus; vectors comprising the viral nucleic acid sequences; cells comprising the vectors; antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof which have binding specificity for the virus; methods of detecting or screening for the virus (e.g., in an individual); methods of identifying agents that inhibit the virus; methods of inducing an immune response to the virus; methods of treating disease associated with the presence of XMRV in an individual (e.g., cancer such as prostate cancer); methods of detecting asymptomatic cancer (e.g., prostate cancer); methods of identifying an individual at risk for developing cancer (e.g., prostate cancer); and kits for detecting the virus.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the fields of immunology and vaccine technology. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods for vitrifying biological preparations, including peptides, antigens, antibodies, cells, and the like.

Abstract: Provided are: an NAS variant characterized by having sweetness independent of pH in the case of combination with a polypeptide NBS variant by causing substitution mutation or deletion mutation in one or several amino acids out of the amino acid residues constituting a polypeptide NAS; an NBS variant characterized by having sweetness independent of pH in the case of combination with a polypeptide NAS variant by causing substitution mutation or deletion mutation in one or several amino acids out of the amino acid residues constituting a polypeptide NBS; a dimer comprising a combination of the NAS variant and the NBS variant; a recombinant vector containing a gene encoding the NAS variant and a gene encoding the NBS variant; and a transformant containing the vector.

Abstract: A bioreactor arrangement has a bioreactor and an illuminating body for illuminating a medium in a reactor interior. The illuminating body has at least one emission surface via which light, reflected by at least one end surface into the reactor interior, is emitted. The bioreactor is formed as a container having a transparent wall. The illuminating body is outside the reactor interior, next to at least one subregion of the transparent wall. The illuminating body forms a support surface for the bioreactor with its emission surface. A shaking device has a reactor holder that can be in oscillated, for a bioreactor with a transparent wall. The reactor holder has a two-dimensional illuminating body, the emission surface of which forms a support surface for the bioreactor, via which light can be reflected into the reactor interior of the bioreactor.