Abstract: A device for the culturing and/or isolation and/or detection and/or identification and/or counting of at least one target microorganism in a sample liable to contain it, which includes a support and a nutrient medium; the support including: a hydrophilic fibrous substrate, at least one porous layer in contact with one of the faces of the fibrous substrate, including a pigment or a mixture of pigments and at least one binder, the pigment having a size of less than 5 ?m and the amount of the pigment or the mixture of pigments being between 50 and 97% by dry weight, with respect to the dry weight of the porous layer; the nutrient medium being included in the fibrous substrate. Also relates to the use and to the process for the manufacture of the device.

Abstract: A packaging for a flexible container, in particular for a disposable bag for use in a bioreactor, comprises a bottom part for fixing a first portion of the container, a ceiling part for fixing an opposite second portion of the container, a receiving space which on a first side is defined by the bottom part and on an opposite second side is defined by the ceiling part, and struts arranged between the bottom part and the ceiling part, which fix a defined distance between the bottom part and the ceiling part.

Abstract: Bio-reactive systems for voltage controlled metabolism are described, that include electrochemical-electrostatic systems having a conventional three electrode cell modified with at least one additional gating electrode. The rate of a metabolic process occurring in at least one organism disposed on a working electrode is controllable by applying a gating voltage VG to the at least one gating electrode. A method for voltage controlled metabolism in a bio-reactive electrostatic cell that includes applying a gating voltage VG to at least one gating electrode is also described. The rate of a metabolic process may be controlled by altering at least one of the magnitude and polarity of the applied gating voltage VG. The method for voltage controlled metabolism may further be used to treat cancer and/or increase the rate of ethanol production by fermentation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electroporation device comprising: a droplet driving electrode which is in contact with and charges a first droplet containing cells and a second droplet containing a material to be delivered into cells and combines the first droplet and the second droplet, thereby generating a mixed droplet; and an electroporation electrode which applies voltage to the mixed droplet so as to perform electroporation inside the mixed droplet; to an electroporation apparatus comprising the electroporation device; to an electroporation method using the device; and to a method for transferring a material into cells.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically controlling conditions of a process are disclosed. In one example, a controller is programmed with a sequence of steps and parameters required to carry out a bioreactor process. The controller receives information related to a condition of the process over a first communication network, determines a control signal based on the received information and the programmed process, and sends the control signal over a second communication network to a benchtop utility tower. In one example, the utility tower can include transmitters for temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen that send information related to a condition of the process to the controller over the first communication network, and an agitation system, a gas control system, a temperature control system and a pump control system that perform a control action based on the control signal affecting the process condition.

Abstract: A fluid treatment module comprises a fluid inlet for non-treated fluid and a fluid outlet for treated fluid, a fluid treatment element comprising a body of a fluid treatment medium with first and second faces positioned at opposite sides of the body, the body comprising channels extending from the first face to the second face; channels of a first type open at one end at the first face and closed at the other end adjacent the second face; channels of a second type open at one end at the second face, and closed at the other end adjacent the first face, wherein channels of the first type are separated from channels of the second type by the treatment medium, one of the types of channels receiving non-treated fluid and communicating with the inlet, the other one of the types of channels collecting treated fluid and communicating with the outlet.

Abstract: A fat sizing device includes a first filter element and a second filter element. The first filter element has an exterior formed from a ceramic such as titanium nitride. The second filter element is positioned in series with the first filter element and has an exterior formed from an organic polymer such as a parylene. The first filter element has a first mesh size and the second filter element has a second mesh size different than the first mesh size and may be less than the first mesh size.

Abstract: The invention is related to a new bacterium comprising a partial 16S rDNA nucleic acid sequence having more than 85% sequence identity to the sequence presented as SEQ ID NO:1, or the complement thereof and a consortium of micro-organisms improving manure or soil.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for using recombinant C1 metabolizing microorganisms capable of metabolizing sulfur containing compounds and other contaminants to biologically convert sour or acidic natural gas into high-value molecules, and to allow recovery of stranded oil.

Abstract: A non-naturally occurring microbe capable of growing in a medium comprising methanol is provided. The methanol contributes to a significant percentage (e.g., at least 40%) of the carbon source for the non-naturally occurring microbe, which expresses heterologous methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) and heterologous ribulose monophosphate (RuMP) pathway enzymes. Methods for producing liquid fuels and chemicals by the non-naturally occurring microbe and methods for preparing the non-naturally occurring microbe are also provided.

Abstract: The invention describes specific sialylated structures present on human stem cells and cell populations derived thereof. The invention is especially directed to methods to control the status of stem cells by observing changes in sialylation of the cells; and control of potential contaminations of biological materials; and reagents and methods used in connection with the cells in order to avoid alterations of the cell glycosylation by contaminating materials. The invention is further directed to novel stem cells, the glycosylation of which has been specifically altered.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a capsule comprising at least one cell with hematopoietic potential, said capsule being formed with a liquid core and at least one gelled shell encapsulating totally the liquid core at its periphery, to the use of such a capsule for producing ex vivo enucleated erythroid cells as well as an ex vivo method for producing enucleated erythroid cells using said capsule.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of generating induced sensory neurons (iSNs) from non-neuronal cells such as fibroblasts. The invention also provides methods of using iSNs in various therapeutic or non-therapeutic applications, e.g., methods to identify agents or cellular modulations that enhance iSN formation from non-neuronal cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of stem cells. More specifically, the invention provides methods and compositions useful for forming three-dimensional human retinal tissue in vitro. In a specific embodiment, an in vitro method for differentiating hiPSCs into three-dimensional retinal tissue comprising functional photoreceptors comprises the steps of (a) culturing the hiPSCs to form aggregates; (b) transitioning the aggregates into a neural induction medium; (c) seeding the aggregates on to extracellular matrix coated cell culture substrates; (d) replacing NIM with a chemically-defined differentiation medium; (e) detaching NR domains; (f) culturing in suspension; and (g) adding animal serum or plasma component and retinoic acid.

Abstract: Synthetic surfaces suitable for culturing stem cell derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cells contain acrylate polymers formed from one or more acrylate monomers. The acrylate surfaces, in many cases, are suitable for culturing stem cell derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in chemically defined media.

Abstract: Embodiments are described that relate to methods and systems for growing cells in a hollow fiber bioreactor. In embodiments, the cells may be exposed to an activator for activating expansion of the cells. The cells may in embodiments include T cells, and the activator may be in different forms, including, for example, antigen presenting cells or beads functionalized with antibodies.

Abstract: Automated systems and methods for providing platelet concentrates and synthetic storage media with reduced residual plasma volumes are disclosed. The disclosed systems and methods reduce the residual volume of plasma in platelet concentrate to obtain a platelet product having a volume of plasma that is approximately 5% or less of the total platelet product volume. The disclosed systems and methods also reduce the residual volume of plasma in platelet concentrate to obtain a washed platelet product, wherein the volume of plasma in the washed platelet product is approximately 1% or less of the total washed platelet product volume. Storage media for platelets including less than approximately 10% plasma are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inducing microglia cells from blood cells, comprising culturing the blood cells in the presence of interleukin-34 (IL-34) and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of promoting generation of exosomes from stem cell by using thrombin. The method according to the present invention has superior effects of promoting generation of stem cell-derived exosomes and thus exosomes can be more efficiently obtained thereby compared to conventionally known methods. In addition, the method can be useful for related research.

Abstract: The present invention describes a non-invasive method to isolate with high efficiency, purity and reproducibility the population of renal progenitors CD133+CD24+, from urine samples of patients suffering from various glomerular diseases. Said renal progenitors can then easily be induced to differentiate into podocytes. The isolation of renal progenitors with the method of the invention allows the use of said cells as a cellular model of a disease for the in vitro study of genetic excluding exfoliated epithelial cells and blood cells mutations due to the podocyte or for the study of renal toxicity induced by potentially nephrotoxic drugs on the tubules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of avian induced pluripotent stem cells from non-pluripotent somatic cells, including embryonic fibroblasts and adult somatic cells. In this method, avian (including quail or chicken) somatic cells are reprogrammed into a state closely resembling embryonic stem cells including the expression of key stem cell markers alkaline phosphatase, etc. by transfecting/transducing the non-stem cells with genes (preferably using a non-integrating vector as otherwise described herein or alternatively an integrating vector, such a lentiviral vector, retroviral vector or inducible lentiviral vector, among others) which express at least nanog, Lin28 and cMyc. In preferred aspects of the invention, the transfected/transduced vectors express nanog, Lig28, cMyc, Oct 4 (POU5F1 or PouV), SOX2 and KLF4. The induced stem cells which are produced contribute to all 3 germ layers, the trophectoderm and in certain aspects, the gonad in chimeric offspring.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing a collagenous construct comprising (i) casting viable collagen-producing human dermal fibroblasts in a support matrix comprising fibrin onto a support material, (ii) incubating in situ said support matrix with said viable collagen-producing human dermal fibroblasts in a collagen-inducing medium thereby (a) inducing or enhancing collagen production by said viable collagen-producing human dermal fibroblasts to form a collagenous construct, and (b) degrading said fibrin, (iii) rendering said collagenous construct free of said viable collagen-producing human dermal fibroblasts, and (iv) cross-linking said collagenous construct with a chemical or exposure to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: The invention relates to defective interfering viruses and defective interfering virus RNAs that are effective as antiviral agents. The invention also relates to methods for identifying defective interfering virus RNAs that can be used as effective antiviral agents.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for rapid production of PCV2 such that an optimum yield of the virus can be obtained. This invention also relates to the vaccine useful against PCV2 which includes the PCV2 propagated using such a method.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a novel conditionally replicating adenovirus and a reagent comprising the same for cancer cell detection or for cancer diagnosis. The present invention provides a polynucleotide, which comprises human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) promoter, E1A gene, IRES sequence and E1B gene in this order and which comprises a target sequence of a first miRNA. The present invention also provides a recombinant adenovirus, which comprises a replication cassette comprising the above polynucleotide, wherein the replication cassette is integrated into the E1 region of the adenovirus genome.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to delta (12) and delta (15) desaturases and their use in the modification of oil content in hemp.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for producing fatty acid derivatives, for example, fatty esters, and commercial fuel compositions comprising fatty acid derivatives are described.

Abstract: Genetically engineered bacteria, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of modulating and treating disorders associated with hyperammonemia are disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein is a variant pol6 polymerase having at least one mutation selected from H223, N224, Y225, H227, 1295, Y342, T343, I357, S360, L361, I363, S365, S366, Y367, P368, D417, E475, Y476, F478, K518, H527, T529, M531, N535, G539, P542, N545, Q546, A547, L549, I550, N552, G553, F558, A596, G603, A610, V615, Y622, C623, D624, I628, Y629, R632, N635, M641, A643, I644, T647, I648, T651, I652, K655, W656, D657, V658, H660, F662, L690 and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides polynucleotide vectors for high expression of heterologous genes, and methods for constructing such vectors. Some vectors further comprise novel transposons and transposases that further improve expression. Further disclosed are vectors that can be used in a gene transfer system for stably introducing nucleic acids into the DNA of a cell. The gene transfer systems can be used in methods, for example, but not limited to, gene expression, gene therapy, insertional mutagenesis, or gene discovery.

Abstract: The present invention provides fungal proteases and improved fungal strains that are deficient in protease production.

Abstract: The present invention relates to variants of a parent xyloglucanase. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variant xyloglucanases and to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a variant polypeptide having lactase activity. The invention also relates to a nucleic acid sequence encoding such a variant polypeptide, to a nucleic acid construct comprising said nucleic acid sequence, to a recombinant expression vector comprising said nucleic acid construct and to a recombinant host cell comprising said expression vector. Further, the invention relates to a method for producing a lactase variant via use of such a host cell. Also, the invention relates to a method of producing a lactase polypeptide variant. The invention further relates to a composition comprising a lactase variant, to use of such a lactase variant or to the use of a lactase variant-containing composition in the preparation of a dairy product, to a process for the production of a dairy product and to the resulting dairy product.

Abstract: Provided are GH10 xylanases or a fragment thereof including modified xlyanase enzymes, all having xylanase activity, wherein the enzyme or fragment thereof provides increased oil recovery from a grain-based material compared with a control or parent GH10 xylanase enzyme, the parent GH10 xylanase having been modified at at least one or more of the following positions 7, 25, 33, 64, 79, 89, 217 and 298, wherein the numbering is based on the amino acid numbering of FveXyn4 (SEQ ID No. 1). Methods of using the GH10 xylanases, for example, for improved oil recovery are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes comprising enzymatic degradation of mannan-containing cellulosic materials for producing a hydrolyzate. The invention also relates to processes of producing a fermentation product from mannan-containing cellulosic materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a crystal. In particular the present invention relates to a crystal of the N-domain of ACE protein. The present invention also relates to methods, processes, domain specific modulators, pharmaceutical compositions and uses of the N-domain crystal and the structure co-ordinates thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the development of an L-arabinose isomerase variant from Thermotoga neapolitana DSM 5068, which is a kind of thermophile, on the basis of protein molecular modeling. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method of producing D-tagatose from D-galactose by using the enzyme or a microorganism of the genus Corynebacterium expressing the enzyme.

Abstract: Described herein are compounds and methods for tethering proteins. For example, dimers of proteins, including SOD1 and DJ-1, are described, where the dimers are formed by the covalent bonding of a cysteine on the first monomer to a cysteine on the second monomer via a cyclic disulfide linker. The covalently attached dimers exhibit increased stabilization.

Abstract: A rack for holding samples and various reagents, wherein the rack may be used for loading the samples and reagents prior to using the reagents. The rack accepts complementary reagent holders, each of which contain a set of reagents for carrying out a predetermined processing operation, such as preparing biological samples for amplifying and detecting polynucleotides extracted from the samples.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the isolation of extracellular vesicles, including exosomes, from a liquid sample, the method comprising the steps of: adjusting the pH of a liquid sample comprising extracellular vesicles to a preselected, binding pH; contacting the liquid sample with silicon carbide, wherein at the preselected, binding pH, the extracellular vesicles bind to the silicon carbide; and eluting the bound extracellular vesicles from the silicon carbide. The liquid samples can comprise bodily fluids. Further disclosed is a method for producing a liquid sample, substantially depleted of extracellular vesicles, including exosomes.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions and methods for rapidly and efficiently extracting nucleic acids and/or targeted nucleic acids sequences from biological samples. The methods of the invention comprise combining the sample with a buffer and magnetic silicon beads and concentrating the beads with a magnet or other electrical field. Liquid may be removed, or not, and an alkaline buffer is added followed by magnetic carboxy beads in a binding buffer so that nucleic acids transfer to the carboxy beads, which can be easily and quickly isolated once again with a magnet. Total nucleic acid extraction is greatly enhanced. Extracted nucleic acids can be analyzed, for example, by PCR wherein the nucleic acids can be identified and characterized. Carboxy beads may also contain a ligand so as to target specific nucleic acid sequences. The invention is also directed to kits comprising the tools and compositions for performing the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions, methods and systems for the efficient removal of a non-target nucleic acid sequence from a double stranded nucleic acid amplification product. A non-target nucleic acid sequence may be a primer sequence incorporated into the double stranded nucleic acid molecule during a nucleic acid synthesis or amplification reaction. The non-target nucleic acid sequence may include a nucleobases that are not canonical DNA nucleobases, such as uracil, that can be selectively removed as part of the non-target sequence removal process.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods for the inhibition of miR-21 activity. The compositions have certain nucleoside modifications that yield potent inhibitors of miR-21 activity. The compounds may comprise conjugates to facilitate delivery to the liver. The compositions may be administered to subjects with liver conditions, such as liver cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) targeting an APOC3 gene, and methods of using the dsRNA to inhibit expression of APOC3.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the prevention or treatment of one or more vascular complication(s) in a subject at risk of developing diabetes mellitus, impaired glucose tolerance and/or hyperglycemia or a subject suffering from diabetes mellitus, impaired glucose tolerance and/or hyperglycemia, wherein an amount of a composition effective to inhibit, repress, delay or otherwise reduce expression and/or activity and/or level of TXNIP and/or an amount of a composition effective to induce, enhance or otherwise increase expression and/or activity and/or level of TRX is/are administered to a subject in need thereof. The present invention also provides methods for identifying and isolating modulators of TXNIP expression and/or activity and/or level and/or TRX expression and/or activity and/or level for use in such therapeutic and prophylactic methods.

Abstract: Provided is a miR-122* as a functional microRNA molecule, compositions including the same and uses thereof for treatment of various conditions, such as, cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of microRNA 29 and precursors and mimics thereof for the modulation of tendon injury and the biomechanical properties of tendon. In particular, the invention derives from the finding that synthesis of type 1 collagen in tenocytes is less sensitive to miR-29 than is synthesis of type 3 collagen, thus enabling the balance between the collagen subtypes to be modulated in favour of type 1 collagen, mitigating reduction in biomechanical properties during healing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid having activity to suppress expression of ?2GPI, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the nucleic acid, and a prophylactic or therapeutic drug containing the nucleic acid for autoimmune diseases such as APS, SLE and the like and thrombosis in hemodialysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides an oligonucleotide which is capable of activating RIG-I and inducing an anti-viral, in particular, an IFN, response in cells expressing RIG-I. The present invention further provides an oligonucleotide which is capable of activating RIG-I and which has target gene-silencing activity. The oligonucleotide of the present invention has a double-stranded section of at least 19, preferably at least 21 bp, at least one 5? triphosphate, and at least one blunt end which bears a 5? triphosphate. The present invention further provides the use said oligonucleotide for inducing an anti-viral, in particular, an IFN, response in vitro and in vivo. The present invention additionally provides the use of said oligonucleotide for preventing and/or treating diseases or conditions such as infections, tumors/cancers, and immune disorders.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods, uses, systems, arrays, engineered nucleotide sequences and vectors for inhibiting bacterial population growth or for altering the relative ratio of sub-populations of first and second bacteria in a mixed population of bacteria. The invention is particularly useful, for example, for treatment of microbes such as for environmental, medical, food and beverage use. The invention relates inter alia to methods of controlling microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) or biofouling of a substrate or fluid in an industrial or domestic system.