Abstract: The present invention relates to an in vitro method for diagnosing and/or monitoring in a subject a gastrointestinal stromal tumor or a predisposition to develop a gastrointestinal stromal tumor, comprising detecting and/or analyzing in a test sample derived from the subject one or more mutations at the DNA level in any one or both of the marker genes cKIT (GenBank acc. no. NM_000222.2) and PDGFRA (GenBank acc. no. NM_006206.4), wherein the DNA is circulating DNA, and wherein the presence of any one of the mutations detected in the test sample is indicative of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor or a predisposition to develop a gastrointestinal stromal tumor in the subject.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip, device, system, the use thereof and method for the generation of aqueous droplets in emulsion oil for nucleic acid amplification.

Abstract: The present invention provides 27 marker genes comprising Orm1, Scarb1, Stmn1, Rad21, Nup54, Jun, Dmp1, Abi1, 6530403A03Rik, Slc2a1, Plf (Plf2, Mrpplf3), Fosl1, Chek1, Pik3r5, JunB, Vegfa, Rif1 (LOC671598), Il1rl1, Phex, Tfrc, Zfhx1b, Rad51ap1, Hells, Mcm3, Orm2, Car13 and Ccnb1, which enables the detection of a tumor promoter in a simple manner and within a short period of time in a test for predicting carcinogenicity as a tumor promoter using a cultured cell. The present invention further provide a tumor promoter detection method using at least one of the marker genes.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a method for subjecting a hematopoetic cell to a JAK/STAT inhibitor, determining the activity of gain-of-function mutations of a Jak family kinase, determining the expression levels and activity of JAK/STAT regulatory proteins, correlating the expression levels and the activity of JAK/STAT regulatory proteins with the activity of gain-of-function mutations of a Jak family kinase and with a response to the JAK/STAT inhibitor, and then classifying the cells. A further embodiment of the invention includes determining the clinical outcome based on the cell classification, determining a method of treatment, determining dosing and scheduling of at least one of the JAK/STAT inhibitors or other compounds.

Abstract: Provided herein are antibodies for determining the concentration of anti-dsDNA and anti-chromatin antibodies in biological samples.

Abstract: Various methods of assessing the regenerative potential of dermal tissue in a patient may be determined and methods to determine the potential development of stretch marks in a patient are provided. Through the analysis of a series of dermal tissue samples, a method of monitoring the aging process of the dermal tissue of a patient is possible. Damaged or stretched marked skin may also be used in the development of various diagnostic therapies relating to the inducement of the extracellular matrix components of the skin due to the loss of elastic fibers generally found in stretch marked skin.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for measuring the absolute concentration of a biomolecule of interest in a subject. Such biomolecules may be implicated in one or more neurological and neurodegenerative diseases or disorders. Also provided is a method for determining whether a therapeutic agent affects the in vivo metabolism of a central nervous system derived biomolecule. Also provided are kits for performing the methods of the invention.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for determining information for cells are provided. The systems, methods, and devices are configured such that information for more than 100,000 cells can be determined in a single run. The devices are configured to immobilize the cells. The devices also include features that can be used by the systems and methods for determining and tracking the positions of each of the cells in the device on a cell-by-cell basis. The systems and methods are configured for substantially high resolution of the cells while the cells are immobilized in the device. In addition, environmental control subsystems are provided that can control an environment of the cells while the device is positioned in the system or the method is being performed without altering positions of the cells within the device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an in vitro assay that measures cell monolayer permeability. The assay utilizes detection of a binding pair initially separated by the cell monolayer as a qualitative and quantitative measure of the permeability of the monolayer. In certain embodiments, the assay is performed in the presence of a test substance that may or may not affect cell permeability. In particular aspects, the assay is performed on a substrate that is elastic. One can also assay spatial resolution of local changes by visualizing regional variations of the cell monolayers.

Abstract: A method of analyzing an image of a cell in a laminated structure may include the steps of: (a) fluorescently labeling a cell nucleus in the laminated structure having at least one cell layer and one or more other types of biomolecules; (b) acquiring a plurality of planar tomographic fluorescent labeled images in different height directions from the laminated structure for each type of fluorescently labeled biomolecules after the step (a); (c) superimposing a planar tomographic fluorescent labeled image group acquired in the step (b) to construct a three-dimensional tomographic image; (d) dividing the three-dimensional tomographic image constructed in the step (c) into one or two or more cell regions; (e) producing one planar stacked image for each divided cell region after the step (d); and (f) performing image analysis on each planar stacked image produced in the step (e) to analyze cells in the laminated structure.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and systems for detecting interaction between members of a binding pair. The method involves associating one member of the binding pair with a nanoparticle and detecting the interaction between the two molecules by back-scattering interferometry.

Abstract: A system enabling the molecular biological visualization and quantitative detection of events in a stress-exposed living organism and a means enabling the management of stress are provided. An indicator agent for non-inflammatory stress responses mediated by superoxide, which comprises IL-18, a visualizing agent for non-inflammatory stress responses for detecting the aforementioned indicator agent, a method of measuring the degree of non-inflammatory stress, which comprises using the aforementioned visualizing agent, a method of preventing, ameliorating or predicting a change in immune status based on a non-inflammatory stress response, which comprises applying the aforementioned visualizing agent to an animal, and a therapeutic agent for a change in immune status based on a non-inflammatory stress response for reducing the amount or activity of the aforementioned indicator agent.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides systems and methods for the detection, identification, or characterization of differences between properties or behavior of corresponding species in two or more mixtures comprised of molecules, including biomolecules and/or molecules able to interact with biomolecules, using techniques such as partitioning. The experimental conditions established as distinguishing between the mixtures of the molecules using the systems and methods of the invention can also be used, in some cases, for further fractionation and/or characterization of the biomolecules and/or other molecules, using techniques such as single-step or multiple-step extraction, and/or by liquid-liquid partition chromatography. The methods could also be used for discovering and identifying markers associated with specific diagnostics, and can be used for screening for such markers once discovered and identified during diagnostics screening.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of sensory cell specific G-protein coupled receptors, antibodies to such receptors, methods of detecting such nucleic acids and receptors, and methods of screening for modulators of sensory cell specific G-protein coupled receptors.

Abstract: Numerous diseases have been linked to the production of regulator cells. The present invention relates to the observation that the immune system is cycling in these diseases. Based on these observations, the present invention provides methods for treating diseases such as cancer and a HIV infection. The present invention also relates to methods of determining when a therapy to treat a disease characterized by the production of regulator cells should be administered to a patient.

Abstract: A polypeptide linker comprising an antibody-binding region and an enzyme cleavage region, and related compositions, kits, and methods of using same.

Abstract: An assay apparatus comprising: i) an assay cartridge (52, 53) comprising at least one well (57-62) and a pipette (50) positionable in at least one said well; ii) a holder arranged to received said cartridge; iii) drive means operable to position said pipette in selected wells of said cartridge; iv) a gas pressure applicator couplable to said pipette whereby to cause liquid flow through said membrane; and v) a radiation detector operable to detect radiation from a well of said cartridge of said cartridge or from said pipette.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of reliably and quantitatively determining the amount of an analyte of interest in a fluid sample using a flow-induced assay, such as an immunochromatographic assay, in which spatiotemporal measurements are recorded during the course of the assay reaction, generating a spatiotemporal dataset, and subsequently analyzed. The invention also relates to a system incorporating instruments for recording spatiotemporal datasets (spatiotemporal data recorders), devices comprised of flow-induced assays configured for analysis on a spatiotemporal recorder, and programs for analyzing the recorded spatiotemporal datasets.

Abstract: Methods and systems for diagnosing functional and/or structural abnormalities of the heart preceding heart failure, and for predicting the risk of developing heart failure, in a subject comprising measuring a cardiac troponin in a sample and comparing the measurement to a reference value. Other markers, including GDF15 and IGFBP7 are also measured in some embodiments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the identification and characterization of therapeutic candidates for use in the treatment of a disease or condition associated with elevated LDL-C levels involving a rodent, methods for the testing of the efficacy of an antibody specifically binding to proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) involving a rodent, as well as a rodent and its use in the identification or profiling of compounds for modulation of a disease or condition associated with elevated LDL-C levels.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a substantially pure nucleic acid encoding a eukaryotic protein kinase having at least one mutated amino-acid residue located in its subdomain IX. Also disclosed is a substantially pure eukaryotic protein kinase polypeptide having at least one mutation in its subdomain IX, the kinase being encoded by the nucleic acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for enhancing chemical reactions of molecules, e.g., biomolecules, with destructible surfactants. The chemical reactions may involve and/or be associate with analysis, e.g., solubilizing, separating, purifying and/or characterizing the molecules. In one aspect, the anionic surfactants of the present invention may be selectively broken up at relatively low pH. The resulting breakdown products of the surfactants may be removed from the molecule/sample with relative ease. The invention has applicability in a variety of analytical techniques.

Abstract: Methods for analyzing, selecting, characterizing or classifying compositions of a co-polymer, e.g., glatiramer acetate are described. The methods entail analysis of pyro-glutamate in the composition, and, in some methods, comparing the amount of pyro-glutamate present in a composition to a reference standard.

Abstract: High-density microfluidic chips contain plumbing networks with thousands of micromechanical valves and hundreds of individually addressable chambers. These fluidic devices are analogous to electronic integrated circuits fabricated using large scale integration (LSI). A component of these networks is the fluidic multiplexor, which is a combinatorial array of binary valve patterns that exponentially increases the processing power of a network by allowing complex fluid manipulations with a minimal number of inputs. These integrated microfluidic networks can be used to construct a variety of highly complex microfluidic devices, for example the microfluidic analog of a comparator array, and a microfluidic memory storage device resembling electronic random access memories.

Abstract: A device and a method are provided for isolating a fraction in a biological sample. The fraction is bound to solid phase substrate to define a fraction-bound solid phase substrate. The device includes an input zone for receiving the biological sample therein and a second zone for receiving an isolation fluid therein. A force is provided that is generally perpendicular to gravity. The force is movable between a first position adjacent the input zone and a second position adjacent the isolation zone. The force captures the fraction-bound solid phase substrate and the fraction-bound solid phase substrate moves from the input zone to the isolation zone in response to the force moving from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A screening method for a substance acting on a maintenance of the epithelial properties of cells which enables obtainment of highly-reliable data quickly at low costs is provided. The screening method includes (a) a step for culturing cells on a cell culture substrate that can form a spheroid, (b) a step for causing the cells to contact a test substance, and (c) a step for evaluating an effect of the test substance acting on a maintenance of the epithelial properties of the cells with a change in a morphology of the spheroid being as an indicator. In this case, the step (c) can carry out an evaluation through a measurement of the number of spheroids in a predetermined size or a measurement of the hypoxic areas in the spheroid.

Abstract: A specimen holding and positioning apparatus operable to substantially non-movably maintain a specimen (e.g., an excised tissue specimen) in a fixed or stable orientation with respect to the apparatus during imaging operations (e.g., x-ray imaging), transport (e.g., from a surgery room to a pathologist's laboratory), and the like for use in facilitating accurate detection and diagnosis of cancers and/or other abnormalities of the specimen.

Abstract: A method for developing a disease model for a disease that is caused by or modified by stretching of cells, in particular a cardiac disease model uses a device for determining the cardiotoxicity of a chemical compound, comprising a substrate (10) carrying a deformable stack (34), said stack being partially detached from the substrate by a cavity (32) allowing an out-of-plane deformation of the stack, said stack comprising a first deformable layer (16), a second deformable layer (20) and a multi-electrode structure (18) sandwiched between the first and second deformable layers, the second deformable layer carrying a pattern of cardiomyocytes (28) adhered thereto; and a liquid container (26) mounted on the substrate for exposing the cardiomyocytes to the chemical compound. A method of manufacturing such a device is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring a reaction and to a reaction system which are inexpensive, compact, easy to implement, and enable the reaction medium to be fully supervised throughout the entire experiment.

Abstract: In a culture method for adipocytes, seeded adipocytes are cultured while being allowed to adhere to a culture bottom surface (14) and walls (12) disposed perpendicularly to the culture bottom surface (14), without suspending the adipocytes in a culture solution, thereby obtaining mature adipocytes in which spherical lipid droplets having increased in size are generated within cells. This method uses a culture chamber (10) in which the walls (12) are formed perpendicular to the culture bottom surface (14). Spherical mature adipocytes containing spherical lipid droplets having increased in size within cells are cultured in a state where a cell or an aggregate of cells is allowed to adhere to two or more locations on the walls (12) and the culture bottom surface (14), thereby obtaining adipocytes having a shape similar to that of adipocytes in vivo.

Abstract: A biological barrier model is disclosed. In some embodiments the barrier may be configured to model the blood brain barrier. The model may include a membrane having one or more cell cultures disposed thereon. The cells cultures may be grown in the presence of shear stress induced by flow through the device in some embodiments. The size of the barrier, as well as the distance to electrodes and other sensors, may be in the microscale range. Further, in some embodiments the model may comprise an array of parallel channels and membranes.

Abstract: Disclosed in an embodiment herein is a well plate system including a well plate device, including three plates disposed above one another. The two top plates include wells disposed therein which are in fluid communication with one another, and which when the device is in a resting position, the second plate rests on top of the third plate to create a fluid sealed well. The third plate includes fluid drainage openings, such that when the system is in an activated position, the plates are moved such that the fluid within the wells exits through these openings. The system can be fully automated, and can include one or more motors to control movement of the plates. The system can also operate manually with a hinge connected to the plates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a processing apparatus (100) for processing tissue samples, having a control unit (140) configured to control at least one apparatus function of the processing apparatus (100); and a communication device (130, 135) configured to read at least one information item from a user identification unit (151, 152, 153) and convey the at least one information item to the control unit (140). The control unit (140) is configured to control the at least one apparatus function of the processing apparatus (100) based on the at least one information item conveyed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates in general to methods for staining and imaging lung specimens for the purpose of quantifying fibrotic areas of the lung. Images according to the present invention include images obtained from X-ray microcomputed tomography.

Abstract: The invention provides Rf and more particularly microwave treatment devices for biological samples or tissue. In a preferred embodiment, the antenna are capable of directing energy to a particularly focused area under the surface of the skin of a human. In other embodiments, the flexible antenna provides efficient delivery of energy to the sample or tissue regardless of the conformation of the antenna.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for the analysis of a blood sample are disclosed. One embodiment is a method of detecting and enumerating hard-to-ghost cells in a blood sample. Another embodiments is a method of analyzing reticulocytes in a blood sample. Methods of using blood count parameters are also provided.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides comprising a CLDN5 mini-promoter are provided. The mini-promoter may be operably linked to an expressible sequence, e.g. reporter genes, genes encoding a polypeptide of interest, regulatory RNA sequences such as miRNA, siRNA, anti-sense RNA, etc., and the like. In some embodiments a cell comprising a stable integrant of an expression vector is provided, which may be integrated in the genome of the cell. The mini-promoter may also be provided in a vector, for example in combination with an expressible sequence. The polynucleotides find use in a method of expressing a sequence of interest, e.g. for identifying or labeling cells, monitoring or tracking the expression of cells, etc.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for targeted deletion of double-stranded DNA. The compositions include fusion proteins comprising a cleavage domain (or cleavage half-domain) and an engineered zinc finger domain, and polynucleotides encoding same. Methods for targeted deletion include introduction of such fusion proteins, or polynucleotides encoding same, into a cell such that two targeted cleavage events occur. Subsequent cellular repair mechanisms result in deletion of sequences between the two cleavage sites.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel isolated plasmid, wherein the plasmid is a native plasmid found in unique C. botulinum type A strains and encode either BoNT/A3 or BoNT/A4 and BoNT/B. The present invention also provides a method of obtaining a plasmid-encoded botulinum neurotoxin and botulinum neurotoxin complex comprising the step of isolating a plasmid encoding the cntA/A or cntA/B neurotoxin gene and genes encoding protein components of the toxin complex from a C. botulinum type A strain. The inventors performed comparative analyses of representative BoNT/A subtype strains by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and Southern hybridizations with probes specific for the BoNT/A and B genes, cntA/A and cntA/B. Unexpectedly, the inventors determined that the genes encoding BoNT/A3 in the A3 strain, and BoNT/A4 and BoNT/B in the A4 strain, are on plasmids.

Abstract: A neuroblastoma host cell line for stably expressing human exogenous protein is provided. The cell line is generated by independently integrating control plasmid and switch plasmid into genome of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Upon inserting diseased gene into the above cell line, the cell line thus stably expresses the interested protein by induction, which can be used to study human neurological diseases related to the gene mutation.

Abstract: A perfect palindrome operator sequence-based protein expression system is provided. The expression system comprises a promoter; and a perfect palindrome operator sequence, wherein the promoter is not T7. The expression system is preferably employed for the production of recombinant proteins by fermentation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase activity, catalytic domains, and cellulose binding domains and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, catalytic domains, and cellulose binding domains. 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, catalytic domains, or cellulose binding domains.

Abstract: Provided is a separatome-based recombinant peptide, polypeptide, and protein expression and purification platform based on the juxtaposition of the binding properties of host cell genomic peptides, polypeptides, and proteins with the characteristics and location of the corresponding genes on the host cell chromosome, such as that of E. coli, yeast, Bacillus subtilis or other prokaryotes, insect cells, mammalian cells, etc. This platform quantitatively describes and identifies priority deletions, modifications, or inhibitions of certain gene products to increase chromatographic separation efficiency, defined as an increase in column capacity, column selectivity, or both, with emphasis on the former. Moreover, the platform provides a computerized knowledge tool that, given separatome data and a target recombinant peptide, polypeptide, or protein, intuitively suggests strategies leading to efficient product purification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an expression vector containing the major envelope protein P9 of Cystovirus phi12 as a fusion partner, and a process for producing a membrane protein using the same. Particularly, the present invention is directed to an expression vector comprising a major envelope protein P9 gene of Cystovirus phi12, a multicloning site (MCS) for inserting a target membrane protein, and a protease recognition site located between a P9 gene and the MCS.

Abstract: The invention relates to antibody molecules having specificity for antigenic determinants of both IL-17A and IL-17F, therapeutic uses of the antibody molecules and methods for producing said antibody molecules.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of amplifying nucleic acids using a plurality of modified nucleotides one or more of the nucleotides comprising a 3? blocking group. Also provided is a method of amplifying nucleic acids using oligonucleotide primers one or both of the primers comprising a 3? blocking group on one or more of the nucleotides of the primers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel modified oligonucleotide monomer useful in molecular biological techniques such as capture and/or detection of nucleic acids, amplification of nucleic acids and sequencing of nucleic acids. The modified oligonucleotide monomer comprises an intercalator that can intercalate into an antiparallel duplex from the major groove.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic activity or hemicellulolytic activity and 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: The invention relates to recombinant expression of a variant form of a fungal C1 strain ?-glucosidase. The invention also relates to the generation of fermentable sugars from biomass and the production of biofuels by fermentation of the sugars using genetically modified organisms expressing the ?-glucosidase variant. The invention provides methods for producing a fermentable sugar, such as glucose, from cellobiose by contacting cellobiose with a recombinant ?-glucosidase variant protein, such as a variant protein secreted by a recombinant host cell into culture medium. Methods of the invention may be used for conversion of a biomass substrate to a fermentable sugar, and ultimately to ethanol or other biofuel.

Abstract: The present application relates to a mutated Amycoiatopsis sp. TS-1-60 NAAAR that shows improved activity of the enzyme compared with the wild type Amycoiatopsis sp. TS-1-60 NAAAR. The mutated NAAAR is almost five times more active than its wild type counterpart. The present application also relates to the use of mutated Amycoiatopsis sp. TS-1-60 NAAAR in the production of enantiomerically pure amino acid from its N-acyl derivative via dynamic kinetic resolution method.