Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for apportionment and manipulation of sample volumes into smaller discrete volumes. The method exploits the interplay of hydrophilic and hydrophobic forces to partition sample volumes. These compartmentalized volumes allow for isolation of samples and partitioning into a localized array that can subsequently be manipulated and analyzed. The partition into extremely small volumes along with the device's inherent portability render our invention versatile for use in many areas, including but not limited to PCR, digital PCR, biological assays for diagnostics and prognostics, cancer diagnosis and prognosis, high throughput screening, single molecule and single cell reactions or assays, the study crystallization and other statistical processes, protein crystallization, drug screening, environmental testing, and the coupling to a wide range of analytical detection techniques for biomedical assays and measurements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a slide chip for a sensor for detection of food-borne bacteria and a fabrication method thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to a slide chip for a sensor for detection of food-borne bacteria and a fabrication method thereof, the slide chip comprising: a substrate coated with a metal; a linker having a substituent which may be bonded to the metal and is located at the 5? end of deoxythymidine (dT); and a food-borne bacterium-derived RNA aptamer that is bound to the linker by the 3?-end poly A tail. The slide chip makes it possible to detect food-borne bacteria in a rapid and accurate manner.

Abstract: Described herein are glucose and insulin sensors. The sensors are composed of host cells with DNA specifically designed to produce fluorescence when the cells come into contact with glucose and/or insulin in the sample. Once the fluorescence has been quantified, it can be correlated with the amount of glucose and/or insulin present in the sample.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for labeling an endogenous protein, in particular, in a live cell, or for ablating an endogenous or target protein. The compositions relate to a fusion protein having a binding moiety such as an antibody, an antigen binding fragment of an antibody or an antibody mimetic that recognizes the endogenous or target protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for capture and identification of the cellular targets of a bioactive agent. In particular, provided herein are bioactive agents tethered to capture ligand, cellular targets (optionally tagged with a reporter), capture proteins (optionally present as capture dimers), surfaces (e.g., displaying, capture ligands, capture proteins, or capture dimers), and methods of capturing and identifying the cellular targets of a bioactive agent therewith.

Abstract: A method of detecting the presence of bacteria in milk is provided, wherein milk is contacted with a preparation which may comprise an effective amount of at least one type of antibodies, said antibodies being capable of specifically binding to bacteria to be detected; staining said antibodies, before or after said contacting, with a staining preparation, said staining preparation being selected so that the antibodies stained therewith exhibit a color change or a change in color concentration when in contact with said bacteria; and determining the concentration of stained antibodies bound to bacteria in said milk from the presence and/or the relative intensity of the color change caused by contacting said milk with said stained antibodies.

Abstract: Disclosed are a pretreatment solution for immunohistochemical staining, which elutes a paraffin-containing embedding medium from a glass slide with a tissue specimen embedded in the medium, and retrieves antigenicity of the tissue specimen, and which is usable three or more times, and a pretreatment solution concentrate for immunohistochemical staining which allows ready preparation of the pretreatment solution and a method of immunohistochemical staining using the same. The pretreatment solution contains an antigen retrieving agent, particular nonionic surfactants, and cyclodextrin or a derivative thereof, with the balance being not less than 80 mass % of water. The content of the antigen retrieval agent is such that the pH of the pretreatment solution is in a predetermined range, and the content of cyclodextrin or a derivative thereof is a particular amount.

Abstract: Biological samples of mammary fluid or components thereof are obtained using a breast pump device coupled with an absorbent paper or membrane, optionally facilitated by administering oxytocin to the subject. The breast pump device stimulates expression of mammary fluid and provides for collection of diagnostic samples on the absorbent paper or membrane to evaluate breast disease, including cancer. The biological sample may include fluid containing one or more of cells or cellular components, proteins, glycoproteins, peptides, nucleotides or other desired constituents comprising a breast disease marker. Absorbent paper or membrane, and methods relating to the paper or membrane, and a breast pump device are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antibody specific to a C-terminal domain of a human profilaggrin gene, wherein the C-terminal domain is a peptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or a variant thereof, a method for detecting a filaggrin gene mutation using the antibody, and a kit for the detection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of heart disease or heart failure in a subject. The present invention also relates to methods for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis with vulnerable plaque in a subject. Furthermore, the present invention relates to methods for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of cardiomyopathies resulting from Chagas disease.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of determining presence, amount and/or activity of a clostridial neurotoxin in a sample, the method comprising or consisting of the following steps: (a) bringing said sample into contact with a liposome, said liposome comprising (aa) at least one receptor on its outer surface, said receptor being capable of binding said neurotoxin and comprising or consisting of (i) a glycolipid and (ii) a peptide or protein; and (ab) a substrate in its interior, said substrate (i) being cleavable by the peptidase comprised in said neurotoxin and (ii) generating a detectable signal upon cleavage, said detectable signal preferably being generated by (1) the donor of a FRET pair, said donor exhibiting increased fluorescence upon cleavage by said peptidase, (2) a luminescent compound formed upon said cleavage, or (3) an enzyme formed upon said cleavage; and (b) determining whether an increase in signal occurs as compared to the absence of said sample, wherein such increase is indicative of the

Abstract: The present invention relates to drug screening assays, therapeutic protocols and pharmaceutical compositions designed to target non-receptor tyrosine family kinases and components of the tyrosine kinase family signal transduction pathways. This includes primarily diseases or conditions associated with immune responses and can include treatment for cancers as well as various immune disorders. The invention reports a novel substrate SH2 domain docking mechanism apart from the kinase active site that is required for appropriate tyrosine phosphorylation by these tyrosine kinases.

Abstract: The present invention provides kits, apparatus and methods for determining a biological condition in a mammalian subject, the method includes incubating a specimen from a patient with at least one composition in a kit for a predetermined period of time to form at least one reaction product, when the subject has said biological condition, and receiving an indication of the at least one reaction product responsive to at least one reporter element in the kit thereby providing the indication of the biological condition in the subject.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing a sample of liquid having an NMR signal in response to a magnetic field for the presence of an analyte. Included is an NMR device having a testing section that is adapted to contain a liquid and apply a magnetic field to the liquid. A complex comprised of a conjugate having a field gradient bound to the analyte that is of sufficient magnitude to quench the NMR signal of the liquid, when in the test section whereby the presence of the complex is determined by the absence of the NMR signal. The system and method also include a container having a binding agent therein that has an affinity for the analyte or foreign agent that is used to remove the foreign agent from a patient's blood or plasma. Blood or plasma is shunted through the container to remove or reduce the foreign agent by extracorporeal circulation.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for magnetic separation of cells are disclosed. By combining inkjet printing technology and magnetic labeling of cells, accurate cell counts are obtained using an optical microscope. Mouse CD4+ lymphocytes are attached to micron sized magnetic beads and printed through a modified, commercial inkjet printer. The labeled cells are then attached to a glass slide covering a permanent magnet. Cell counts can be obtained by use of regular and inverted optical microscopes and imaging software. The magnetically-labeled beads are collected for evaluation on a modified polymer coupon that is placed in front of a permanent magnet and the unlabeled cells fall into an excess container. Flow cytometry results verify the presence of the CD4+ protein on the LBRM-33 lymphocytes membrane. Protein-specific attachment of magnetic microspheres to the lymphocytes is utilized for sorting CD4+ lymphocytes.

Abstract: A method for determining the efficacy of a vaccine comprising: providing serum from an animal inoculated with a vaccine; providing a plurality of antigen-linked nanoparticles; contacting the serum with the plurality of antigen linked nanoparticles; contacting the serum and the plurality of antigen linked nanoparticles with a plurality of Fc receptor-expressing cells; measuring amount antigen-linked nanoparticle uptake by of the Fc receptor-expressing cells; determining efficacy of the vaccine by comparing the level of antigen-linked nanoparticle uptake to a baseline level of uptake wherein a greater nanoparticle uptake compared to the baseline level of uptake is indicative of greater vaccine efficacy.

Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a multiple-diagnosis membrane sensor provided with multiple channels by using screen printing, and more specifically, to a method for manufacturing a membrane sensor capable of performing multiple-diagnosis by screen-printing hydrophobic ink on a membrane to form multiple channels. The membrane sensor according to the present invention may enable mass-production of sensors and secure reliability of detection by forming the plurality of channels on the membrane by a simple method.

Abstract: Methods and reagents are disclosed for conducting assays for IgE specific for honey bee venom allergen. A reagent comprises a conjugate of a small molecule linked to a terminal glycine amino acid of a synthetic 26 amino acid melittin peptide. In the method a combination is provided that comprises a sample and the aforementioned reagent. The combination is subjected to conditions for binding of IgE specific for honey bee venom allergen to the reagent to form a complex. One or both of the presence and amount of the complex is detected and related to one or both of the presence and amount in the sample of IgE specific for honey bee venom allergen.

Abstract: The invention relates to the detection and quantification of cyclopropylindole based synthetic cannabinoids UR-144 and XLR-11 by providing antibodies based on novel immunogens. These antibodies can be incorporated into methods and kits for the detection of UR-144, XLR-11 and their metabolites.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for determining degree of modified potency of a bipathic medicament. A bipathic medicine is a medicament comprising a therapeutic component and a homeopathic component, wherein the homeopathic component has some physical, chemical or biological affect on the therapeutic component and/or the pharmacological efficacy thereof. An analytical measurement of at least one characteristic parameter of the therapeutic form is made prior to its interaction with the activated-potentiated form. The same analytical measurement(s) are made and after interaction between the therapeutic and activated-potentiated forms. This data is used to confirm the presence of any modified potency is caused by the presence of molecular form in the activated-potentiated form.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with the specific and highly sensitive detection of specific CHO-MIF (macrophage migration inhibitory factor from Chinese Ovarian Hamster cell line) complexes in the production of anti-MIF antibodies. The present invention is further concerned with the provision of specific antibodies which can be used for a CHO-MIF detection method. The present invention is also concerned with a CHO MIF knockout cell line and use thereof. The present invention also provides preparations obtained from recombinant production in CHO cell lines which are essentially free of CHO-MIF.

Abstract: A method of lipid assay characterized by assaying the lipids contained in a blood component in the presence of an organic silicon compound. The method can cause specific conditions for direct methods while satisfying requirements such as no influence on precision of assay, no burden on assay apparatus, and easy availability.

Abstract: A flavin-binding glucose dehydrogenase (FAD-GDH), which in addition to having high substrate specificity and adequate desirable heat stability, is suitable for efficient production, preferably using E. coli, yeast or molds and the like as host cells. The FAD-GDH has amino acid substitutions at positions equivalent to one or more locations selected from the group consisting of position 213, position 368 and position 526 in the amino acid sequence described in SEQ ID NO: 8. The FAD-GDH is acquired from a culture by inserting a gene encoding the FAD-GDH into host cells such as E. coli. A preferable example of the FAD-GDH is FAD-GDH, in which a signal peptide region present in an N-terminal region has been deleted from the amino acid sequence of Mucor-derived FAD-GDH, and which has the aforementioned amino acid substitutions. The FAD-GDH can be preferably used in clinical diagnosis.

Abstract: A method of producing an antibody comprises immunizing a mammal with an amine-derivative of acetylamantadine, immunizing the mammal with acetylamantadine, and producing the antibody from the mammal. The antibody recognizes acetylamantadine but does not recognize amantadine.

Abstract: A non-radioactive, ultrasensitive methodology for the quantification of protein kinase catalytic activity of any protein kinase in, for example, biological/clinical samples or recombinant/purified proteins, based on using near-infrared-fluorescence (NIRF)-labeled peptide substrates that are selective for individual protein kinases and using a combination of kinase-selective inhibitors to define the catalytic activity of individual protein kinases, including but not limited to, a substrate for phosphorylation by a protein kinase comprising a core peptide having the formula: (N-terminus)-Arginine-Lysine-Arginine-Serine-Arginine-Lysine-Glutamic-acid-(C-terminus); and an indicator component covalently bonded to the core peptide.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for determining degree of modified potency of a medicament. A medicine is a medicament comprising a therapeutic component and a homeopathic, i.e., activated-potentiated, component, wherein the activated-potentiated component has some physical, chemical or biological affect on the therapeutic component and/or the pharmacological efficacy thereof. The therapeutic component is biologically related to the starting substance of the homeopathic component. An analytical measurement of at least one characteristic parameter of the therapeutic form is made prior to its interaction with the activated-potentiated form. The same analytical measurement(s) are made and after interaction between the therapeutic and activated-potentiated forms. This data is used to confirm the presence of any modified potency is caused by the presence of molecular form in the activated-potentiated form.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical probe apparatus and method for microorganism culture monitoring. The optical probe can be immersed within the microorganisms and include at least one emitter and at least two detectors that excite photosynthetic pigments in the culture medium. The optical probe can measure the culture spectral characteristics, targeting those that are an indication of the healthiness and productivity condition. The optical probe can also include a microcontroller and storage. The microcontroller can compare past measurements of the optical probe with current measurements and determine a health status of the microorganisms. The optical probe is optimized to measure spectral characteristics from the microorganism in real time. The present invention relates to a sensor tune to detect the healthiness condition of photosynthetic microorganisms.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for natural product optimization are provided. In particular, methods and compositions for selecting bacterial strains (e.g., predatory bacteria such as myxobacteria) which produce a desired compound (e.g., antibiotic, antifungal, or anticancer agent) are provided.

Abstract: In accordance with the purpose(s) of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, embodiments of the present disclosure, in one aspect, relate to a device (or “flow chamber”), methods of making a device, methods of using a device, and the like.

Abstract: A method for observing stem cells by an observation device 1 comprises, placing stem cells C in a petri dish 11, mounting the petri dish 11 on a waveguide 21 via water 13, emitting illumination light L1 into the waveguide 21 and emitting the illumination light L1 to the stem cells C in the petri dish 11 via the water 13, and detecting scattered light L2, the scattered light L2 being the illumination light L1 emitted to the stem cells C that is scattered by the stem cells C and has passed through the waveguide 21. Then, in the light image detected by means of the scattered light L2, a region that is markedly darker than other regions is identified as being in the state tending toward differentiation.

Abstract: When injecting a sample into carrier-liquid channels (3A and 3B), injection shock is prevented. Septa 13 and 14 constitute the upper wall and the lower wall of a sample injection part (11) of the carrier-liquid channels (3A and 3B). A needle (27) can vertically penetrate the septum (13) on the upper wall side and also penetrate the septum (14) on the lower wall side. A needle moving unit (28) induces the needle (27) to penetrate the septum (14) on the lower wall side and induces the tip of the needle to face the inside of a sample vessel (26). A measurement pump (29) is operated for drawing and as a result a sample is drawn into the needle (27). Next, the needle (27) is extracted from the septum (14) on the lower wall side, the tip of the needle is induced to face the inside of the sample injection part (11), the measurement pump (29) is caused to discharge and as a result the sample within the needle (27) is injected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of selecting (a) cell(s), (a) tissue(s) or (a) cell culture(s) with susceptibility to a selective CDK9 inhibitor. Also a method for determining the responsiveness of a mammalian tumor cell or cancer cell to treatment with a selective CDK9 inhibitor is described herein. In particular, the present invention provides for an in vitro method for the identification of a responder for or a patient sensitive to a selective CDK9 inhibitor, whereby the patient is suspected to suffer from NUT midline carcinoma (NMC). The present invention also relates to a method of monitoring or predicting the efficacy of a treatment of NUT midline carcinoma (NMC), wherein treatment with a selective CDK9 inhibitor is in particular envisaged. Also the use of a (transgenic) non-human animal or a (transgenic) cell having at least one rearrangement in the NUT gene for screening and/or validation of a medicament for the treatment NUT midline carcinoma (NMC) is described.

Abstract: An evaluation kit for a microorganism detecting device includes an immobilized microorganism. A manufacturing method for an evaluation kit for a microorganism detecting device includes immobilizing a microorganism. An evaluating method for the microorganism detecting device includes detecting an immobilized microorganism by the microorganism detecting device. The immobilized microorganisms may be dispersed in a solvent. The solvent may be water. The immobilized microorganisms may be immobilized with an aldehyde. The aldehyde may be formaldehyde. The immobilized microorganisms emit, for example, fluorescent light.

Abstract: A method of removing a floatation liquid from between a microscope slide and a paraffin embedded biological specimen including position the microscope slide with the paraffin embedded biological specimen floated thereon onto a slide support element. The slide support element is rotated to cause the microscope slide and the paraffin embedded biological specimen to turn in a way that causes the floatation liquid disposed between the microscope slide and the paraffin embedded biological specimen to be drawn from between the microscope slide and the paraffin embedded biological specimen.

Abstract: A new approach in the field of plant gums is described which presents a new solution to the production of hydroxyproline(Hyp)-rich glycoproteins (HRGPs), repetitive proline-rich proteins (RPRPs) and arabinogalactan-proteins (AGPs). The expression of synthetic genes designed from repetitive peptide sequences of such glycoproteins, including the peptide sequences of gum arabic glycoprotein (GAGP), is taught in host cells, including plant host cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a photosynthetic product, the method comprising maintaining a photosynthetic plant or algal cell suspension culture, in the presence of water, light and a carbonic acid-enriched growth medium. The carbonic acid may, for example be provided by feeding the photosynthetic plant cell suspension culture with a carbonic acid solution, a solid or liquid precursor thereof, or a gaseous mixture of carbon dioxide and one or more other gases. The invention also provides a method for producing a photosynthetic product, the method comprising maintaining a photosynthetic plant or algal cell suspension culture, in the presence of water, light and a carbon source selected from carbon dioxide and carbonic acid, wherein the culture is maintained at a pH of less than 7.0, preferably 4.5 to 5.5.

Abstract: Methods for producing heterologous proteins are disclosed. In particular, the present disclosure provides improved methods of producing desired proteins, including multi-subunit proteins such as antibodies, with a higher yield and improved purity. In exemplary embodiments, the transformed cells are a yeast, e.g., methylotrophic yeast such as Pichia pastoris.

Abstract: The present invention describes a novel method for recombinant protein production using a baculovirus protein expression system in insect cells, wherein baculovirus virion production is suppressed during recombinant protein production. The novel expression system produces reduced levels of baculovirus virions during recombinant protein production phase, thereby reducing the need for purification of the recombinant protein from the contaminating virus. The novel baculovirus expression system may further suppress expression of recombinant protein by baculovirus-infected cells during virus amplification prior to induction, thereby reducing selection pressure on the expression cassette for the recombinant protein.

Abstract: A method of producing a sugar liquid using a cellulose-containing biomass as a raw material includes (a) hydrolyzing a cellulose-containing biomass to produce an aqueous sugar solution and (b) filtering the obtained aqueous sugar solution through a reverse osmosis membrane to collect a purified sugar liquid from a feed side, while removing fermentation-inhibiting substances from a permeate side.

Abstract: A recombinant filamentous fungal cell (e.g. Aspergillus) having one or more inactivated chromosomal genes is provided. The chromosomal genes in some embodiments correspond to derA, derB, htmA, mnn9, mnn10, ochA, dpp4, dpp5, pepAa, pepAb, pepAc, pepAd, pepF and combinations thereof. The recombinant fungal cells may include further inactivated chromosomal genes which correspond to pepA, pepB, pepC and pepD. The recombinant filamentous fungal cells may include a heterologous nucleic acid encoding a protein of interest. Also provided are methods of producing a protein of interest in said recombinant filamentous fungal cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel engineered Pichia strains with improved fermentation yields for expressing heterologous proteins with improved N-glycosylation quality, as well as to methods of generating such strains.

Abstract: The invention provides orthogonal translation systems for the production of polypeptides comprising unnatural amino acids in methylotrophic yeast such as Pichia pastoris. Methods for producing polypeptides comprising unnatural amino acids in methylotrophic yeast such as Pichia pastoris are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides having xylanase activity, catalytic domains, and carbohydrate binding domains, and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, catalytic domains, and carbohydrate binding domains. The present 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, and carbohydrate binding domains.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the conversion of lignocellulose into an organic acid including an alkaline pretreatment step and a fermentation step, wherein liquid phase obtained in the fermentation step is recycled to the alkaline pretreatment step and/or the fermentation step. Organic acid is recovered as its magnesium of calcium salt from solid phase obtained in the fermentation step.

Abstract: Feedstocks, obtained at least in part from a plant material that has been modified with respect to its wild type, are processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, systems are described that can treat such feedstock materials, e.g., to reduce the recalcitrance of the feedstock, and use the treated feedstock materials to produce an intermediate or product, e.g., by saccharification and/or fermentation.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for enriching for target sequences from a population of nucleic acids, that includes combining in solution, a population of nucleic acids and a target isolation probe wherein the target isolation probe includes an affinity binding domain; permitting a single stranded region of the target isolation probe to hybridize to all or a portion of a target sequence in the population of nucleic acids; selectively immobilizing the hybridized nucleic acids from the population containing the target sequences by associating the target isolation probe with a capture domain and removing unbound material; and removing from the 3? end of the target sequence, a non-target sequence by means of one or more 3? single strand specific exonucleases. Target enrichment may be used to detect variations in nucleotide sequence for detecting phenotypic changes related to health or disease.

Abstract: Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can be useful for separating solids from liquids of saccharified biomass material slurries.

Abstract: Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels, heat and energy.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to variant CBH I polypeptides that have reduced product inhibition, and compositions, e.g., cellulase compositions, comprising variant CBH I polypeptides. The variant CBH I polypeptides and related compositions can be used in variety of agricultural and industrial applications. The present disclosure further relates to nucleic acids encoding variant CBH I polypeptides and host cells that recombinantly express the variant CBH I polypeptides.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for producing L-amino acid, for example L-threonine, L-lysine, L-histidine, L-phenylalanine, L-arginine or L-glutamic acid, using a bacterium of the Enterobacteriaceae family, wherein the bacterium has been modified to enhance an activity of D-xylose permease.