Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for engineering mutant enzymes with reduced star activity where the mutant enzymes have a fidelity index (FI) in a specified buffer that is greater than the FI of the non-mutated enzyme in the same buffer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having esterase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: Provided herein is an isolated Cel7A polypeptide comprising mutations in the catalytic domain of the polypeptide relative to the catalytic domain of a wild type Cel7A polypeptide, wherein the mutations reduce N-linked glycosylation of the isolated polypeptide relative to the wild type polypeptide. Also provided herein is an isolated Cel7A polypeptide comprising increased O-linked glycosylation of the linker domain relative to a linker domain of a wild type Cel7A polypeptide. The increased O-linked glycosylation is a result of the addition of and/or substitution of one or more serine and/or threonine residues to the linker domain relative to the linker domain of the wild type polypeptide. In some embodiments, the isolated Cel7A polypeptide comprising mutations in the catalytic domain of the polypeptide relative to the catalytic domain of a wild type Cel7A polypeptide further comprises increased O-linked glycosylation of the linker domain relative to a linker domain of a wild type Cel7A polypeptide.

Abstract: Described herein are variants of H. jecorina CBH I, a Cel7 enzyme. The present invention provides novel cellobiohydrolases that have improved thermostability and reversibility.

Abstract: The invention relates to mutants of coryneform bacteria in which genes have been enhanced by the use of a mutated promoter region, and to processes for the production of amino acids using bacteria according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel strains of Lactobacillus helveticus that can produce high amounts of hypotensive peptides, in particular IPP, VPP and LPP. It also relates to a fermented milk product containing a mixture of tripeptides IPP-VPP-LPP and a strain of L. helveticus. The invention further relates to the specific peptide mixture consisting of tripeptides IPP, VPP and LPP and the use of the fermented product or mixture of peptides in food products, food supplement or pharmaceutical compositions for reducing or preventing hypertension.

Abstract: The invention relates to probiotic micro-organisms isolated from faeces of children exclusively fed with breast milk. Said microorganisms are used in the food or pharmaceutical industry, especially for use in infant formula milk, due to their probiotic properties which have beneficial effects on the health of those ingesting them. Said microorganisms consist of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HERO 22A (CNCM I-4036), Lactobacillus paracasei HERO 7 (CNCM I-4034) and Bifidobacterium breve HERO 15B (CNCM I-4035).

Abstract: Described are engineered strains of the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica capable of producing an oil comprising greater than 50 weight percent of eicosapentaenoic acid [“EPA”], an ?-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, measured as a weight percent of total fatty acids [“% TFAs”] and having a ratio of at least 3.1 of EPA % TFAs, to linoleic acid, measured as % TFAs. These strains over-express at least one ?9 elongase/?8 desaturase multizyme, in addition to other heterologous ?9 elongases, ?8 desaturases, ?5 desaturases, ?17 desaturases, ?12 desaturases, C16/18 elongases, and optionally over-express diacylglycerol cholinephosphotransferases, malonyl CoA synthetases and/or acyl-CoA lysophospholipid acyltransferases. The expression of at least one peroxisome biogenesis factor protein is down-regulated. Methods for producing EPA within said host cells, oils obtained from the cells, and products therefrom are claimed.

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 method for treating an organic and/or inorganic substrate utilizing a granular material made of a solid foam as support for an active component, for example a biocatalyst such as a microorganism or an enzyme. The solid foam has a continuous phase in which magnetizable particles are embedded, such that the support with the biologically active component immobilized thereon can be separated from a mixture with a magnetic separation device.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for a confocal fluorescence detection system has an input channel defined by a body of the microfluidic device, a sample concentration section defined by the body of the microfluidic device and in fluid connection with the input channel, a mixing section defined by the body of the microfluidic device and in fluid connection with the concentration section, and a detection region that is at least partially transparent to illumination light of the confocal fluorescence detection system and at least partially transparent to fluorescent light when emitted from a sample under observation as the sample flows through the detection region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for real-time, simultaneous, qualitative measurement of one or more single nucleotide polymorphisms in one or more target nucleic acids is provided. This method involves combining a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique with an evanescent wave technique.

Abstract: A system for assessing the characteristics and toxicity of a water sample comprising: a test chamber; an optical signal generator configured to emit an optical signal into the test chamber; a first digital filter disposed between the optical signal generator and the test chamber; a first optical transducer disposed to generate a first data signal in response to detecting radiant energy in the test chamber; a second digital filter disposed between the first optical transducer and the test chamber; an aqueous suspension of dinoflagellates contained within the test chamber and mixed with the water sample; a stimulator disposed to stimulate the dinoflagellates to emit a bioluminescence signal; and a microprocessor operatively coupled to the optical signal generator, the first digital optical filter, the stimulator, the first optical transducer, and the second digital filter, wherein the microprocessor is configured to assess the spectral characteristics and toxicity of the water sample.

Abstract: An economical method for recovering nitrogen from liquid waste using autotrophic organisms and minimal energy inputs and without chemical additives. Solids are separated from anaerobically digested liquid waste. The resulting translucent liquid is introduced to a culture of autotrophic microorganisms in the presence of natural or artificial light, thereby accumulating biomass and producing a liquid effluent with elevated pH. The elevated-pH, liquid effluent is heated and stripped of ammonia, thereby producing a water vapor and stripped ammonia gas stream. The water vapor ammonia gas stream is condensed to form a liquid/ammonia condensate. The autotrophic microorganisms are advantageously cultivated in a photobioreactor comprising a plurality of axially spaced-apart, growth plates mounted for rotation to a shaft. The pH of the culture is adjustable within a preferred range of 8.0 to 10.5 by adjusting the light intensity and rotational speed.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is directed to methods of identifying a polypeptide suitable for epitope liberation including, for example, the steps of identifying an epitope of interest; providing a substrate polypeptide sequence including the epitope, wherein the substrate polypeptide permits processing by a proteasome; contacting the substrate polypeptide with a composition including the proteasome, under conditions that support processing of the substrate polypeptide by the proteasome; and assaying for liberation of the epitope. The invention further relates to vectors including a housekeeping epitope expression cassette. The housekeeping epitope(s) can be derived from a target-associated antigen, and the housekeeping epitope can be liberatable, that is capable of liberation, from a translation product of the cassette by immunoproteasome processing. The invention also relates to a method of activating a T cell comprising contacting a substrate polypeptide with an APC and contacting the APC with a T cell.

Abstract: Provided are methods of making carrier polypeptide that include incorporating a first unnatural amino acid into a carrier polypeptide variant, incorporating a second unnatural amino acid into a target polypeptide variant, and reacting the first and second unnatural amino acids to produce the conjugate. Conjugates produced using the provided methods are also provided. In addition, orthogonal translation systems in methylotrophic yeast and methods of using these systems to produce carrier and target polypeptide variants comprising unnatural amino acids are provided.

Abstract: Provided are a system and methods for selectively inducing expansion of a population of T cells in the absence of exogenous growth factors, such as lymphokines, and accessory cells for research purposes. The cell based expansion system and methods permit the long-term growth of CTLs, preferably human CTLs. In addition, T cell proliferation can be induced without the need for antigen, thus providing an expanded T cell population that is polyclonal with respect to antigen reactivity. Further provided are methods for using the system and methods to screen and identify antigens related to specific diseases or conditions, tumors, autoimmune disorders, or an infectious disease or pathogen, and to identify target molecule for research purposes, or for developing a vaccine based thereon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for activating a Natural Killer (NK) cell by contacting the NK cell in vitro with an activating tumor cell preparation (ATCP). The invention also provides an activated NK cell produced by such a method and its use in the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: We disclose a particle comprising a matrix coated thereon and having a positive charge, the particle being of a size to allow aggregation of primate or human stem cells attached thereto. The particle may comprise a substantially elongate, cylindrical or rod shaped particle having a longest dimension of between 50 ?m and 400 ?m, such as about 200 ?m. It may have a cross sectional dimension of between 20 ?m and 30 ?m. The particle may comprise a substantially compact or spherical shaped particle having a size of between about 20 ?m and about 120 ?m, for example about 65 ?m. We also disclose a method of propagating primate or human stem cells, the method comprising: providing first and second primate or human stem cells attached to first and second respective particles, allowing the first primate or human stem cell to contact the second primate or human stem cell to form an aggregate of cells and culturing the aggregate to propagate the primate or human stem cells for at least one passage.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is the finding that treatment with a ROCK inhibitor increases proliferation and induces immortalization of primary keratinocytes. Accordingly, provided is a method of immortalizing primary keratinocytes by exposure to a ROCK inhibitor. Also provided are immortalized primary keratinocytes produced by the described method, as well as organotypic tissue equivalents and cell cultures comprising the immortalized primary keratinocytes. Furthermore, ROCK inhibitor-treated cells show a greatly increased ability to support viral DNA replication of both “low risk” and “high risk” HPV genomes, indicating that ROCK inhibitors will be useful for studying the life cycles of a wide range of HPVs.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an improved system for culturing human pluripotent stem cells. Traditionally, pluripotent stem cells are cultured on a layer of feeder cells (such as mouse embryonic fibroblasts) to prevent them from differentiating. In the system described here, the role of feeder cells is replaced by components added to the culture environment that support rapid proliferation without differentiation. Effective features are a suitable support structure for the cells, and an effective medium that can be added fresh to the culture without being preconditioned by another cell type. Culturing human embryonic stem cells in fresh medium according to this invention causes the cells to expand surprisingly rapidly, while retaining the ability to differentiate into cells representing all three embryonic germ layers. This new culture system allows for bulk proliferation of pPS cells for commercial production of important products for use in drug screening and human therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved cell culture additive with a content of polyamines and iron, media containing it and processes for using it for an improved cell growth, cell viability or cellular productivity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the production of viral vectors. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions for faster, higher titer and higher purity production of viral vectors (e.g. adenoviral vectors). In some embodiments, the present invention provides gutted and helper viruses with identical or similar termini. In other embodiments, the present invention provides terminal protein linked adenoviral DNA. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides template extended adenoviral DNA.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to reverse-m ice liar system comprising a hydrosoluble therapeutically active agent. Reverse micelles according to the invention are particularly useful to deliver drugs. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical composition comprising said reverse micelles and methods for preparing the same.

Abstract: Processes vectors and engineered cell lines for large-scale transfection and protein production in mammalian cells, especially Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells are described in which transfection efficiencies are realized through the use of a single vector system, the use of functional oriP sequences in all plasmids, the use of codon-optimized Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA1) constructs the use of a fusion protein between a truncated Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigenen-1c (EBNA1c) protein and a herpes simplex virus protein VP16, the use of a 40 kDa fully deacetylated poly(ethylenimine) as a transfection reagent, the use of co-expression of a fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and/or the use of protein kinase B to potentiate heterologous gene expression enhancement by valproic acid (VPA).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a heterologous protein secreted out of a plant cell comprising introducing into a plant cell genome a DNA encoding an amino acid sequence that comprises a glycinin signal sequence for endoplasmic reticulum transport and an amino acid sequence of a heterologous protein, wherein the signal sequence is directly fused to the amino acid sequence of the heterologous protein or one or two amino acids are inserted between the signal sequence and the amino acid sequence of the heterologous protein; and expressing the DNA.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of redistributing magnetically responsive beads in a droplet. The method may include providing a droplet including magnetically responsive beads. The droplet may be provided within a region of a magnetic field having sufficient strength to attract the magnetically responsive beads to an edge of the droplet or towards an edge of the droplet, or otherwise regionalize or aggregate beads within the droplet. The method may also include conducting on a droplet operations surface one or more droplet operations using the droplet without removing the magnetically responsive beads from the region of the magnetic field. The droplet operations may in some cases be electrode-mediated. The droplet operations may redistribute and/or circulate the magnetically responsive beads within the droplet. In some cases, the droplet may include a sample droplet may include a target analyte.

Abstract: A method for classifying particles according to one or more particle characteristics. The method includes operating multiple flow cytometer units to form separate fluid streams that each contain a mixture of particles and to classify particles in the mixtures by interrogating the streams with beams of electromagnetic radiation. A common processor receives and processes information from the units and sends a control signal in real time to adjust the unit's operation as a function of the information received by the common processor.

Abstract: A method for detecting human or animal blood traces on a surface is described. The method is fundamentally based on the reaction of luminol and includes the preliminary operation of atomizing an inorganic powder suspension, such as titania, silica, alumina, hydroxyapatite, or the like, onto the surface to be investigated, after which a composition of luminol, a peroxidic oxidizing agent and an alkaline agent in an amount providing a pH within the range of 10 to 14, is atomized on the surface. A kit for carrying out the detection method of the invention is also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining at least one evaluation parameter of a blood sample, comprising the following steps: providing (S4) at least one blood gas parameter; providing (S5) at least one hemostasis parameter; and determining (S6 . . . S10?) the at least one evaluation parameter as a function of the blood gas parameter and/or the hemostasis parameter.

Abstract: The present invention has utilized the power of lipidomics to profile lipid metabolites and to characterize changes in lipid metabolism as they relate to CNS disorders. Lipidomic signatures can guide the development of diagnostic, prognostic and surrogate markers for CNS disorders; identification of new targets for drug design based on highlighted perturbed pathways; stratify patients with CNS disorders as to which pathways are impaired, and facilitate the determination of which patients with CNS disorders are candidates for a particular therapy, i.e. provide the tools for a personalized approach to therapy; identify which patients are responding or are developing side effects to a treatment; design of modified antipsychotics that have less metabolic side effects and enhanced activity; overcome the lag phase in response to some treatments; and find better combination therapies for CNS disorders that target the pathways that are impaired (e.g., impairments in lipid and/or carbohydrate metabolism).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for labeling biological molecules of interest contained in a biological sample, consisting in: a) providing a reaction vessel, b) immobilizing capture molecules, which are capable of binding a label of the biological molecules of interest, on a solid support of the vessel, c) introducing the biological sample but also at least one label of the biological molecules of interest into said vessel and optionally any ingredient required for labeling or prelabeling the molecules of interest, d) incubating the vessel content and immobilizing the label which is not reacted with the molecules of interest by binding to the capture molecules, and e) using the labeled molecules of interest for subsequent steps. A method for treating a biological sample is also disclosed. Said invention is preferably used in a manual or automated method for purifying nucleic acids.

Abstract: Nitric oxide probes including a compound represented by Formula, I, II, III, IV, V, VI or a combination thereof are provided. Methods of using these nitric oxide probes to detect nitric oxide are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bead incubating and washing on a droplet actuator. Methods for incubating magnetically responsive beads that are labeled with primary antibody, a sample (i.e., analyte), and secondary reporter antibodies on a magnet, on and off a magnet, and completely off a magnet are provided. Also provided are methods for washing magnetically responsive beads using shape-assisted merging of droplets. Also provided are methods for shape-mediated splitting, transporting, and dispensing of a sample droplet that contains magnetically responsive beads. The apparatuses and methods of the invention provide for rapid time to result and optimum detection of an analyte in an immunoassay.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting the rapid pyrolysis of peptides, proteins, polymers, and biological materials. The method can be carried out at atmospheric pressures and takes only about 5 to 30 seconds. The samples are cleaved at the C-terminus of aspartic acid. The apparatus employs a probe on which the sample is heated and digested components analyzed.

Abstract: Detection of detection target substances at a sensor portion is expedited and the efficiency thereof is improved in biological substance analysis, to enable accelerated analysis with high sensitivity. A biological substance analyzing cell equipped with a reaction chamber having a sample supply space, an acoustic matching layer which is provided at a predetermined region of an inner wall of the reaction chamber that faces another inner wall, and a sensor portion provided within the reaction chamber is employed. Ultrasonic waves are emitted such that a standing wave are generated between the acoustic matching layer and the inner wall of the reaction chamber that faces the acoustic matching layer. The detection target substance is concentrated by the capturing forces of the standing waves, and the concentrated detection target substance is detected at the sensor portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for optimizing the automatic fluorescence pattern recognition in immunodiagnosis. In this method, in addition to or together with the fluorescence dye, one or more other indicator dyes for the identification of relevant structures are incubated before an image is taken with a camera.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and method for making an integrated circuit including doping a semiconductor body is disclosed. One embodiment provides defect-correlated donors and/or acceptors. The defects required for this are produced by electron irradiation of the semiconductor body. Form defect-correlated donors and/or acceptors with elements or element compounds are introduced into the semiconductor body.

Abstract: A method for producing a semiconductor optical integrated device includes the steps of forming a substrate product including first and second stacked semiconductor layer portions; forming a first mask on the first and second stacked semiconductor layer portions, the first mask including a stripe-shaped first pattern region and a second pattern region, the second pattern region including a first end edge; forming a stripe-shaped mesa structure; removing the second pattern region of the first mask; forming a second mask on the second stacked semiconductor layer portion; and selectively growing a buried semiconductor layer with the first and second masks. The second mask includes a second end edge separated from the first end edge of the first mask, the second end edge being located on the side of the second stacked semiconductor layer portion in the predetermined direction with respect to the first end edge of the first mask.

Abstract: A polarized light-emitting device is fabricated by a method that includes forming a radiation-emitting layer. The radiation-emitting layer includes a radiation-emitting material that emits radiation having a wavelength included in an emission wavelength band. The radiation-emitting material is disposed between a transparent anode and a transparent cathode. An optically active reflective layer is disposed on the polarized light-emitting device. The optically active reflective layer is configured to reflect radiation having a wavelength included in a reflection wavelength band of the optically active reflective layer. The reflection wavelength band of the optically active reflective layer is adjusted to at least partially encompass the emission wavelength band of the radiation-emitting layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical array module that includes a plurality of semiconductor devices mounted on a thermal substrate formed with a plurality of openings that function as micro-reflectors, wherein each micro-reflector includes a layer of reflective material to reflect light. Such material preferably is conductive so as to provide electrical connection for its associated semiconductor device.

Abstract: An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display includes: a first substrate including a display area and a non-display area; a driving element on the display area of the first substrate, and including a driving thin film transistor, a switching thin film transistor, and a capacitor; a circuit unit on the non-display area of the first substrate; an organic light emitting element on the driving element, and including a pixel electrode, an organic emission layer, and a common electrode; an inorganic protective layer covering the circuit unit and the common electrode of the organic light emitting diode; a sealing member on the inorganic protective layer in the non-display area of the first substrate; and a second substrate on the sealing member.

Abstract: A high brightness III-Nitride based Light Emitting Diode (LED), comprising multiple surfaces covered by Zinc Oxide (ZnO) layers, wherein the ZnO layers are grown in a low temperature aqueous solution and each have a (0001) c-orientation and a top surface that is a (0001) plane.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a photonic modulator and a field effect transistor on a same substrate. The photonic modulator includes a modulator semiconductor structure and a semiconductor contact structure employing a same semiconductor material as a gate electrode of a field effect transistor. The modulator semiconductor structure includes a lateral p-n junction, and the semiconductor contact structure includes another lateral p-n junction. To form this semiconductor structure, the modulator semiconductor structure in the shape of a waveguide and an active region of a field effect transistor region can be patterned in a semiconductor substrate. A gate dielectric layer is formed on the modulator semiconductor structure and the active region, and is subsequently removed from the modulator semiconductor structure.

Abstract: A method of producing a semiconductor wafer, which includes: placing a wafer (10) provided with a substrate (11) and a semiconductor layer (20) formed thereon, on a carrier plate (fixing plate) (31) of a grinder via fixing wax (33a and 33b) such that the surface (10a) to be ground faces upward; heating the carrier plate to soften the fixing wax; pressure-contacting the wafer from the side of the surface (10a) to be ground using an air bag such that a portion of the softened fixing wax spreads and protrudes from the peripheral edge of the wafer; cooling the carrier plate while applying pressure to cure the fixing wax and fix the wafer onto the carrier plate; and rotating the surface (10a) to be ground of the fixed wafer while pressure-contacting the surface (10a) to the grinding plate of the grinder, thereby grinding the surface (10a) to be ground.

Abstract: A method for producing an integrated optical device includes the steps of preparing a substrate including first and second regions; growing, on the substrate, a first stacked semiconductor layer including a first optical waveguiding layer, first and second cladding layers, and a first etch-stop layer between the first and second cladding layers; etching the first stacked semiconductor layer through a first etching mask formed on the first region; selectively growing, on the second region through the first etching mask, a second stacked semiconductor layer, third and fourth cladding layers, and a second etch-stop layer between the third and fourth cladding layers; and forming a ridge structure by etching the second and fourth cladding layers. The step of etching the first stacked semiconductor layer includes a step of forming a first overhang between the first and second cladding layers by selectively etching the first etch-stop layer by wet etching.

Abstract: A method for producing an integrated optical device includes the steps of growing, on a substrate including first and second regions, a first stacked semiconductor layer, a first cladding layer, and a side-etching layer; etching the first stacked semiconductor layer through a first etching mask formed on the first region; selectively growing, on the second region, a second stacked semiconductor layer and a second cladding layer; growing a third cladding layer and a contact layer on the first and second stacked semiconductor layers; and forming a ridge structure. The step of etching the first stacked semiconductor layer includes a step of forming an overhang between the first cladding layer and the first etching mask. The step of forming a ridge structure includes first, second, and third wet-etching steps in which the third cladding layer, the side-etching layer and the first and second cladding layers are selectively etched, respectively.

Abstract: An improved diode energy converter for chemical kinetic electron energy transfer is formed using nanostructures and includes identifiable regions associated with chemical reactions isolated chemically from other regions in the converter, a region associated with an area that forms energy barriers of the desired height, a region associated with tailoring the boundary between semiconductor material and metal materials so that the junction does not tear apart, and a region associated with removing heat from the semiconductor.

Abstract: Various laser processing schemes are disclosed for producing various types of hetero-junction and homo-junction solar cells. The methods include base and emitter contact opening, selective doping, metal ablation, annealing to improve passivation, and selective emitter doping via laser heating of aluminum. Also, laser processing schemes are disclosed that are suitable for selective amorphous silicon ablation and selective doping for hetero-junction solar cells. Laser ablation techniques are disclosed that leave the underlying silicon substantially undamaged. These laser processing techniques may be applied to semiconductor substrates, including crystalline silicon substrates, and further including crystalline silicon substrates which are manufactured either through wire saw wafering methods or via epitaxial deposition processes, or other cleavage techniques such as ion implantation and heating, that are either planar or textured/three-dimensional.

Abstract: A semiconductor module. In one embodiment, at least two semiconductor chips are placed on a carrier. The at least two semiconductor chips are then covered with a molding material. An exposed portion of the at least two semiconductor chips is provided. A first layer of conductive material is applied over the exposed portion of the at least two semiconductor chips to electrically connect to a contact pad on the exposed portion of the at least two semiconductor chips. The at least two semiconductor chips are singulated.