Abstract: The current invention describes in vivo and vitro (cultured) sampling technologies that allow direct temporal and spatial sampling from living ecosystems such as those associated with marine ecology. The optional use of parallel sampling methods, observatory design, provides for the ability to measure the response of individual organisms to a variety of both biotic and abiotic stresses. Sampling in small volumes and close proximity to living organisms has allowed direct measurement of various invertebrate and other aquatic species in marine ecosystems. These sampling techniques are intended to apply to any liquid based ecosystem in an attempt to minimize sampling as a dependent variable in measuring the chemical and biological behavior of the ecosystem. If is intended that this sampling technology be used to directly measure the chemical behavior of a wide variety of organisms; including, plants, animals, and micro-organisms (e.g. algae, plankton).

Abstract: A device and methods for detecting the effect of compounds on an organism are provided. Furthermore, the device and methods disclosed herein allow for the fractionation of complex samples and the isolation of one or more organisms for the samples. The device and methods also allow for the study of development of the organism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process which enables optimal aggregation of cells, typically of stem cells, promoting the organisation thereof and advantageously the differentiation thereof, in particular in the context of the formation of a tissue substitute. This process comprises exposing pretreated cells to a magnetic field and makes it possible to obtain large cell aggregates, even prepared in the absence of support matrix and/or of growth factor. The invention also relates to the cell aggregates that can be obtained using such a process and also to the uses thereof as tissue initiators with a view to obtaining a tissue structure of interest in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo. Moreover, it relates to the resulting tissue structures and to the uses thereof in research or in therapy as tissue substitutes. The present application also provides a method which advantageously makes it possible to monitor the development of the tissue of interest in vivo.

Abstract: Described are methods for assaying whether a Bacillus composition comprising at least one Bacillus strain is capable of increasing the amount of available sugar from animal feed comprising non-starch polysaccharides (NSP). Also described are methods for increasing the amount of available sugar from animal feed comprising non-starch polysaccharides (NSP), comprising adding to the animal feed a Bacillus composition comprising at least one Bacillus strain, which compositions produces 120 hexose equivalents (?mol/ml) or more when measured by the method described herein. Also described are animal feeds comprising 14% (w/w) or more of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) if the animal feed is for a piglet, lactating sow, broiler or layer or 19% (w/w) or more of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) if the animal feed is for a grower-finisher pig or gestating sow, and a Bacillus composition comprising at least one Bacillus strain, as well as methods and uses relating thereto.

Abstract: A method wherein a mass of cardiomyocytes is disposed on a transparent substrate and the quality of the cardiomyocytes is evaluated from the response of the cardiomyocytes to a forced pulsation stimulus that is applied to the pulsating cardiomyocytes. The mass of cardiomyocytes, which is disposed on the transparent substrate, is exposed to the flow of a drug-containing liquid in such a manner as to allow the drug to act on cells configuring a network. The level of cardiotoxicity caused by the drug is evaluated by measuring the fluctuations obtained from a comparison of adjacent pulsating cardiomyocytes of the network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method capable of easily and rapidly inspecting the susceptibility of bacteria or fungi to an antimicrobial drug and an inspection system for use in the method. The inspection method of the present invention is a method for inspecting susceptibility of bacteria or fungi to an antimicrobial drug using a micro-device having a flow channel, including: an incubating step of incubating a mixture of the antimicrobial drug and a bacterial suspension to be inspected in the flow channel of the micro-device; and a detecting step of detecting bacteria or fungi derived from the bacterial suspension to be inspected in an observation area of the flow channel of the micro-device. The detecting step can be performed by detecting an increase or decrease in the number of or a change in shape of bacteria or fungi derived from the bacterial suspension to be inspected in the observation area by a microscope or the like.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the non-invasive imaging of embryos to determine whether they are euploid or aneuploid.

Abstract: The present invention provides method of detecting a predetermined biological activity. The method includes using an aqueous mixture comprising a first indicator reagent with a first absorption spectrum and a second indicator reagent. The second indicator reagent is converted by the predetermined biological activity to a second biological derivative with a second emission spectrum. The first absorbance spectrum includes detectable absorbance in at least a portion of wavelengths present in the second emission spectrum. The first indicator reagent is received and concentrated from an aqueous liquid by a substrate, facilitating the detection of the second biological derivative.

Abstract: The current invention concerns a sample vial for receiving a liquid cell sample, to be used in conjunction with a digital holographic microscope (DHM), said sample vial comprises at least two compartments in fluid connection with one another, said compartments comprising at least one pair of screening surfaces, said screening surfaces are essentially flat; and characterized in that the distance between the pair of screening surfaces of the second compartment is smaller than the distance between the pair of screening surfaces of the first compartment. In a second and third aspect, the current invention pertains to a method and system for analyzing a liquid cell sample by DHM, employing the sample vial of the current invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the optical measurement of blood analytes, such as glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and serum albumin as a functional metric of mean blood glucose in the diagnosis of diabetic patients. Non-enhanced Raman spectroscopy is employed as the analytical method for quantitative detection of blood analytes. Using processing techniques, non-enzymatic glycosylation (glycation) of the analytes results in measurable and highly reproducible changes in the acquired spectral data, which enable the accurate measurements and classification of glycated and unglycated analytes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel bacteria and the uses thereof. The invention particularly relates to bacteria having a metabolic pathway ratio between Pentose phosphate and glycolysis greater than 0.5, and their uses in the chemical, pharmaceutical or agro-chemical industries, e.g., for producing compounds of industrial interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods for preparing glycosylated molecules such as oligosaccharides, glycolipids, and glycoproteins/peptides. Novel sialyltransferases are also disclosed. The method includes forming a reaction mixture containing an acceptor molecule, a donor substrate having a sugar moiety and a nucleotide, and a sialyltransferase selected from PmST3 (SEQ ID NO:7) and certain variants thereof. The reaction mixture is formed under conditions sufficient to transfer the sugar moiety from the donor substrate to the acceptor molecule, thereby forming the glycosylated molecule. In some embodiments, the acceptor molecule is selected from a natural product, an oligosaccharide, a glycoprotein, and a glycolipid. In some embodiments, the donor substrate is formed via conversion of a suitable hexosamine derivative to a cytidine 5?- monophosphate(CMP)-sialic acid in a one-pot reaction mixture containing asialic acid aldolase and a CMP-sialic acid synthetase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of ?-lactam antibiotics comprising contacting 4-hydroxyphenylglycine or phenylglycine, cysteine and valine with a non-ribosomal peptide synthetase and subsequent cyclization using an isopenicillin N synthase in the presence of an MbtH-like protein and to a host cell equipped to perform such preparation.

Abstract: The present invention provides cell lines deficient in mannosyl (alpha-1,3-)-glycoprotein beta-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I (Mgat1). Also provided are methods for producing the Mga1 deficient cell lines and methods for using the Mgat1 deficient cell lines for the production of recombinant proteins having simple glycoforms.

Abstract: The invention relates to amino acid sequences that are directed against and/or that can specifically bind to IL-6 receptor, compounds or constructs that comprise said amino acid sequence, nucleic acids that encode said amino acid sequences, compounds or constructs, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said amino acid sequences, compounds or constructs as well as methods for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases and disorders associated with IL-6 receptor.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method to express and purify polypeptides and proteins. In the present disclosure the use of lysozyme as a fusion partner is disclosed. Furthermore, purification methods to isolate lysozyme-tagged polypeptides and proteins via lysozyme-specific antibodies are described. More specifically, the present disclosure provides a method to express and purify monomeric polypeptides and proteins by using lysozyme as a tag.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for purifying a Bax protein. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the fermentation of cyclopeptides such as pneumocandins in the presence of increased concentrations of any or all of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum and zinc ions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an innate DNA sequence within the complete genome sequence of Actinoplanes sp. SE50/110 which resembles the structure of an actinomycete integrative and conjugative element (AICE). Related AICEs were used for establishing genetic manipulation tools for other bacteria in the past. In this document, we describe the unique features of the specific AICE found in Actinoplanes sp. SE50/110 which are clearly distinct from any other known AICE as a whole, but share minor parts with varying sequence similarity with other characterized AiCEs from other species.

Abstract: Method of making NANA from NAM, which may itself be made from fructose. The NAM is treated with pyruvic acid or a pyruvate in the presence of a NANA aldolase having at least 70% sequence similarity or homology to the amino acid sequence of SEQ. ID. NO. 1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mutated and/or transformed microorganisms for the synthesis of various compounds. More specifically, the present invention discloses microorganisms mutated in the genes encoding for the regulators ArcA and IclR. The latter mutations result in a significant upregulation of the genes that are part of the colanic acid operon. Hence, said microorganisms are useful for the synthesis of any compound being part of the colanic acid pathway such as GDP-fucose, GDP-mannose and colanic acid, and/or, can be further used—starting form GDP-fucose as a precursor—to synthesize fucosylated oligosaccharides or—starting from GDP-mannose as a precursor—to synthesize mannosylated oligosaccharides. In addition, mutations in the genes coding for the transcriptional regulators ArcA and IclR lead to an acid resistance phenotype in the exponential growth phase allowing the synthesis of pH sensitive molecules or organic acids.

Abstract: The present invention is related to recombinant host cells comprising: (i) at least one deletion, mutation, and/or substitution in an endogenous gene encoding a polypeptide that converts pyruvate to acetaldehyde, acetyl-phosphate, or acetyl-CoA; and (ii) a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having phosphoketolase activity. The present invention is also related to recombinant host cells further comprising (iii) a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having phosphotransacetylase activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of compound of Formula-II, which is an intermediate in the preparation of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. wherein X is hydrogen or hydroxy protecting group and R1 is carboxyl protecting group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) from fructose in a single-phase aqueous solution comprising an organic solvent.

Abstract: Provided are labdenediol diphosphate synthase polypeptides, sclareol synthase polypeptides, nucleic acid molecules encoding the labdenediol diphosphate synthase polypeptides and sclareol synthase polypeptides, and methods of using the labdenediol diphosphate synthase polypeptides, sclareol synthase polypeptides. Also provided are methods for producing labdenediol diphosphate, sclareol and (?)-ambroxide.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing prescribed unit size poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) (PHA) polymers and copolymers are provided. The methods and systems can employ recombinant bacteria that are not native producers of PHA or lack enzymes to degrade PHA once synthesized, metabolize short to long chain fatty acids without induction, and express an (R)-specific enoyl-CoA hydratase and a PHA synthase, the (R)-specific enoyl-CoA hydratase and PHA synthase having wide substrate specificities. The recombinant bacteria are fed at least one fatty acid substrate that is equal in carbon length to the prescribed or desired unit size of the PHA polymer to be produced. The prescribed unit size PHA that is produced is then isolated and/or purified.

Abstract: A method produces a chemical product by continuous fermentation including filtering a culture liquid of a microorganism(s) through a separation membrane, retaining unfiltered liquid in, or refluxing unfiltered liquid to, the culture liquid, adding a fermentation feedstock to the culture liquid, and recovering a product in the filtrate, wherein the microorganism(s) is/are a microorganism(s) that undergo(es) catabolite repression, and the fermentation feedstock comprises hexose and pentose.

Abstract: The invention pertains to method for recovering polycarboxylic acid from an aqueous mixture including the steps of: providing an aqueous mixture including polycarboxylic acid and at least 5 wt. % dissolved halide salt, based on the total weight of water and dissolved material in the aqueous mixture; extracting the polycarboxylic acid from the aqueous mixture into a first organic liquid including an organic solvent selected from the group consisting of ketones and ethers, thereby obtaining an organic polycarboxylic acid solution and an aqueous waste liquid including the halide salt; and extracting the polycarboxylic acid from the organic carboxylic acid solution into an aqueous liquid, thereby obtaining an aqueous polycarboxylic acid solution and a second organic liquid. The method according to the invention allows a combined purification and concentration step for feed solutions of polycarboxylic acids.

Abstract: This invention belongs to the field of biochemical engineering and relates to a method of cyclic utilization of water during separation of succinic acid made by fermentation. This invention uses water from separation process for aerobic growth of E.coli AFP111 and production of succinic acid by anaerobic fermentation, obtaining final succinic acid concentration of 55 g/L and yield of 91.6%. Compared with results of fermentation using culture medium prepared from tap water, succinic acid concentration and productivity increased by 8.5% and 8.46%, respectively. An outstanding advantage of this invention is recovery and utilization of evaporated water during separation of succinic acid, realizing cyclic use of water during industrial production of succinic acid, which is an environment-friendly process.

Abstract: Methods of recovering butanol, and preferably increasing the rate and/or yield of its production, from the fermentation of material derived from the digestion of non-cellulosic biomass.

Abstract: A process for conversion of syngas to liquid products that serve as surface acting agents uses the gas stream at a relatively low pressure to eliminate the use of a compressor. The process uses a liquid stream as the primary energy input to a gas injector that intensely mixes gas and the liquid with reduced compression costs while the presence of the liquid product maintains the gas-liquid dispersion as it flows downward to build a static pressure head. The process lowers the required gas pressure by adjusting the elevation of the gas injector such that a conduit receives the gas-liquid dispersion from the outlet of the injector and confines it as it travels downward to enter the bottom of a column of liquid. The liquid product provides a surface acting agent that prolongs the creation and duration of microbubbles in the gas-liquid dispersion.

Abstract: A process for the use of peracid compositions to eliminate and/or control the growth of undesirable bacteria, including contaminating bacteria, in the fermentation production of alcohol is disclosed. Beneficially, the peracid compositions and methods of use of the same do not interfere or inhibit the growth or replication of yeast and have low or no adverse environmental impact.

Abstract: Treatment of agricultural biomass without separation of the biomass to extract fermentable feedstock, instead using a hydrolytic process upstream of the fermentation process, provides an efficient and cost-effective process for forming ethanol from agricultural biomass.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, reactor systems, and catalysts for increasing the yield of aromatic hydrocarbons produced while converting biomass to hydrocarbons. The invention includes methods of using catalysts to increase the yield of benzene, toluene, and mixed xylenes in the hydrocarbon product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel biosynthetic pathway for the production of isoprene from 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol or 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol. Further embodiments provide non-naturally occurring microorganism that have been modified to produce isoprene from 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol or 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol and methods of producing isoprene using said microorganism.

Abstract: A biogas plant has at least one fermenter (1) and a first gas store (3) and a second gas store (5) for storing biogas. The gas store (3) is connectable to a first biogas conduit (4) that is connectable to a gas outlet (7) of at least one fermenter (1) while the second gas store (5) is connectable to a second biogas conduit (6) that is connectable to a gas outlet (7) of the at least one fermenter (1). A biogas utilization appliance (2) is connectable to the first biogas store (3) and/or to the first biogas conduit (4) and to the second biogas store (5) and/or to the second biogas conduit (6). The biogas plant has a control appliance (8) for controlling the quantitative ratios of the biogas streams conducted from the biogas conduits (4, 6) and/or the biogas stores (3, 5) to the biogas utilization appliance (2).

Abstract: A method for producing biogas by anaerobic digestion of organic matter may involve feeding organic matter suitable for biogas production to a first tank reactor, and in the first tank reactor, contacting the organic matter with biogas producing microorganisms for digestion under anaerobic conditions. The organic matter may be digested in the first tank reactor while producing biogas. The method may further involve providing digested sludge from an anaerobic digestion process in a second tank reactor, which differs from the first tank reactor, the digested sludge containing a desired composition of nutriments. The nutriments may be fed into the first tank reactor.

Abstract: Methods and systems for recovery of phosphorus from wastewater and producing inorganic phosphorus complexes.

Abstract: A process for desorbing CO2 gas from an ion-rich aqueous mixture comprising bicarbonate and hydrogen ions, includes providing micro-particles in the ion-rich aqueous mixture; and feeding the ion-rich aqueous mixture into a desorption reactor; the micro-particles comprising a support material and biocatalysts supported and stabilized by the support material and being sized and provided in a concentration in the desorption reactor such that the micro-particles are carried with the ion-rich aqueous mixture to promote transformation of the bicarbonate and hydrogen ions into CO2 gas and water, thereby producing a CO2 gas stream and an ion-depleted solution.

Abstract: Degradable and biologically inert hydrogel networks are described. The hydrogel networks are crosslinked and based on a biocompatible polymer that is chain extended with hydrophobic segments that include no more than 5 hydrophobic monomers to form a macromonomer that is then crosslinked to form a network that includes individual micelles throughout the crosslinked network. The hydrophobic segments of the macromonomer as well as other potentially toxic materials such as crosslink initiators can be sequestered in the micelles to better control degradation characteristics of the network as well as prevent toxicity to developing cellular structures of the network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds that exhibit vasodilatory and anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the activity of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). The present invention is also directed to methods of identifying such compounds, and use of such compounds for the treatment of diseases related to dysfunction of vasodilation, inflammation, and/or endothelial cells. In particular non-limiting embodiments, components of the invention may be used to treat hypertension.

Abstract: The present invention provides histidyl-tRNA synthetase and Fc region conjugate polypeptides (HRS-Fc conjugates), such as HRS-Fc fusion polypeptides, compositions comprising the same, and methods of using such conjugates and compositions for treating or diagnosing a variety of conditions. The HRS-Fc conjugates of the invention have improved controlled release properties, stability, half-life, and other pharmacokinetic and biological properties relative to corresponding, unmodified HRS polypeptides.

Abstract: An expression vector is provided. The vector includes a promoter configured to drive the expression of the transgene in the cell. The vector also includes a tag sequence encoding a tag peptide directing the protein of the expressed transgene to a pre-determined location. The vector further includes a cleavage sequence encoding a peptide that is recognizable by a protease and a marker gene configured to encoding a protein to indicate the expression of the transgene.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a protein which has a restored native higher-order structure by bringing a protein which has lost its native higher-order structure into contact at pH 6.5 to 9.0 with a 1 to 3% aqueous solution of a specific surfactant, such as lauroylglutamic acid to obtain a solubilized solution of the protein; and then adding the solubilized solution to a buffer with pH 6.5 to 9.0 containing arginine or an arginine derivative at a concentration of 0.1 to 1.2 M to lower the concentration of the specific surfactant, such as lauroylglutamic acid, in the obtained mixture solution down to 0.02 to 0.275%. According to the present invention, it is possible to easily restore the native higher-order structure of a protein while smoothly removing the surfactant from the protein.

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

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for the production of an enzymatic cocktail by submerged culture with a cellulolytic microorganism, comprising two phases: a phase a) for growth of said microorganism in the presence of at least one carbonaceous growth substrate in a closed reactor, said growth phase being carried out with a concentration of carbonaceous growth substrate in the range 10 to 90 g/L; a phase b) for the production of the enzymatic cocktail, in which at least one carbonaceous inducer substrate is supplied, said carbonaceous inducer substrate being at least one solid residue obtained from the step for enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic materials which have undergone a pre-treatment step, said production phase being carried out with a concentration of carbonaceous production substrate in the range 150 to 400 g/L.

Abstract: The invention concerns a recombinant baculovirus genome useful for the expression of gene therapy vectors by means of a single infection.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of use of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) to modulate microbial activity, such as to enhance or inhibit the activity of microorganisms. In one example, MSM (such as about 0.5% to 5% MSM) is used to enhance fermentation efficiency, such as to enhance fermentation efficiency associated with the production of beer, cider, wine, a biofuel, dairy product or any combination thereof. Also disclosed are in vitro methods for enhancing the growth of one or more probiotic microorganisms and methods of enhancing growth of a microorganism in a diagnostic test sample. Methods of inhibiting microbial activity are also disclosed. In one particular example, a method of inhibiting microbial activity includes selecting a medium that is susceptible to H1N1 influenza contamination; and contacting the medium with MSM at a concentration of about 10% to about 16% of weight by volume, thereby inhibiting H1N1 influenza microbial activity.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel beta-alanine/alpha ketoglutarate aminotransferase nucleic acid and protein sequences having increased biological activity. Also provided are cells containing such enzymes, as well as methods of their use, for example to produce malonyl semialdehyde and downstream products thereof, such as 3-hydroxypropionic acid and derivatives thereof.

Abstract: A composition for fermentation or microbial culture of gram-positive bacteria, includes fibril cellulose and at least one nutrient source including at least one carbon source, at least one nitrogen source, at least one phosphorus source, at least one mineral source and at least one trace element source.