Abstract: A soap, in particular a bar of soap, includes fatty acid soaps and biosurfactants as main components. A soap can thus be provided that has excellent foaming performance, good dermatological compatibility and a good feeling on the skin, the ingredients of which can be largely or exclusively based on renewable raw materials and which are easily biodegradable.

Abstract: A space efficient photo-bioreactor. The bioreactor grows microalgae in a tall array of transparent flooded tubes. A nutrient media is circulated through the tubes. The array is configured to maximize the amount of sunlight falling upon each tube so that growth of the microalgae is as uniform as possible. A vertically-oriented gasser tube is provided. Gas is injected into this gasser tube along with the liquid nutrient medium. A bubble-size limiter is employed in the gas injector. The flow rates are configured so that the liquid nutrient medium and injected gas remain within the vertical gasser tube for 30 seconds or more.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for sequestering carbon and converting it to fuel, such as methane, and/or materials, such as fermentation substrates, biopolymers, bioplastics, oils, pigments, biochar, metals, such as mercury, chromium and arsenic, fibers, proteins, vitamins, fertilizers and animal feed. The apparatus comprises a deep well carbon-sequestering bioreactor coaxially located within a deep well anaerobic bioreactor. Carbon is sequestered into a photosynthetic biomass or a heterotrophic biomass, which is subsequently digested by an anaerobic biomass containing methanogenic microbes, whereby methane is a digestion product. Alternatively, the biomass can be subjected to physical-chemical treatment to produce oil and other useful byproducts.

Abstract: The invention discloses a bioreactor assembly comprising: a) a plurality of cultivation bags; b) at least one flexible temperature control bag comprising a thermostating fluid, and; c) a tray adapted to rock back and forth around at least one axis, wherein the flexible temperature control bag is mounted on the tray and the cultivation bags are located on the flexible temperature control bag.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to methods and systems for growing and/or harvesting cells. The method can include seeding cells on a plurality of carriers. The method can also include incubating the carriers under conditions suitable for cell growth.

Abstract: A cell culture method conducted by supplying a culture medium together with cells to a container (1), an upward movement step in which the container is moved upward to a position higher than the initial position and a downward movement step in which the container that has been moved upward is returned to the initial position, and vibration is applied to the container that has been returned to the original position are repeated, whereby a content liquid in the container is stirred. As a result, a good culture environment is maintained by conducting stirring such that distribution of cells and concentration of components of a culture medium in a content liquid become uniform, while reducing damage on cells by shear stress, and adherence of cells to the inner wall or excessive agglomeration is suppressed by stirring, whereby proliferation of cells can be promoted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for selective cell attachment/detachment, cell patternization and cell harvesting by means of near infrared rays. More particularly, conducting polymers or metal oxides having exothermic characteristics upon irradiation of near infrared light is used as a cell culture scaffold, thus selectively attaching/detaching cells without an enzyme treatment. The scaffold has an effect of promoting proliferation or differentiation of stem cells, and therefore, can be used as a stem cell culture scaffold. The scaffold enables cell attachment/detachment without temporal or spatial restrictions, thus enabling cell patternization.

Abstract: An incubator (110, 140) for the reception of an individual sample carrier, a shelving system (100) for such incubators, a transport container for such incubators, as well as a modular system are suggested, wherein the incubators can be inserted and withdrawn (130) independently of one another, can be supplied with electricity, water and a gas via corresponding connections (150), and can communicate with a computer network via a wireless connection. Such a system reduces the risk of contamination or confusion in the lab and avoids interruptions in the monitoring and controlling of the environmental conditions in the respective incubators. These can rather independently maintain the most favourable environmental conditions for the respective samples, both during storage and also during a transport operation. The insertion and withdrawal of individual incubators from the shelving system does not, or only very briefly, interrupt the monitoring and control of the conditions in the interior of the incubators.

Abstract: A thin film culture device for detecting aerobic bacteria in a sample is provided. The culture device comprises a self-supporting substrate sheet having a first major surface and a second major surface; a cover sheet attached to the substrate sheet, a sample-receiving zone disposed between the substrate sheet and the cover sheet, a first layer comprising a substantially dry, cold-water-soluble first hydrogel-forming composition adhered to a portion of the sample-receiving zone; and a plurality of indicator agents disposed in at least one layer adhered to the substrate sheet or the cover sheet. The plurality of indicator agents comprises three indicator agents for detecting distinct glycosidase enzyme activities, an indicator agent for detecting an alkyl esterase enzyme activity, an indicator agent for detecting a phosphatase enzyme activity, and a redox indicator. A method of using the culture device is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are a cell determination device, a cell determination method, and a non-transitory computer readable recording medium recorded with a cell determination program capable of objectively determining a state of a cell with high accuracy. The cell determination device includes: a cell information acquisition unit 31 that acquires information relating to a proliferation rate of a cell and information relating to a movement distance of the cell per unit time based on plural cell images obtained by imaging the cell in a time series manner; and a determination unit 32 that determines a state of the cell based on the information relating to the proliferation rate and the information relating to the movement distance.

Abstract: A specimen processing system includes a culture vessel, a spatula, a robot, and a robot controller. The culture vessel is open on a top surface and includes a circular culture surface on which cells are culturable. The spatula includes a blade to remove the cells off the culture surface. The robot includes a hand to hold the culture vessel and/or the spatula. The robot controller includes an operation controller to control the robot to: move the spatula relative to the culture vessel with a first end of the blade on a circumference of the culture surface to remove first cells that are nearer the circumference of the culture surface; and move the spatula relative to the culture vessel to remove second cells that are inner than the first cells on the culture surface.

Abstract: The present invention is a bacteria and nutrient delivery composition containing bran. The subject composition is preferably made in the form of a tablet that is structurally stable without being excessively hard. The tablets preferably have a configuration that reduces the likelihood of premature shearing in tableting presses or jamming in feeder devices for biomass generators. Methods of manufacturing the bacterial delivery composition in a structurally stable form that maintains bacterial viability are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are a novel medium for expressing glycoproteins by culturing cells and a method for producing glycoproteins by culturing cells in said medium. Further provided are a medium comprising uridine and N-acethyl-D-mannosamine for the use of expression of a glycoprotein by culturing cells and a method for producing glycoproteins by culturing cells in said medium.

Abstract: The invention provides: a callus induction method that efficiently induces callus from a tissue fragment from an isoprenoid-producing plant; a callus culture method that efficiently grows callus; a somatic embryo induction method that efficiently forms a somatic embryo; a plant regeneration method that can stably regenerate callus into plants; a plant propagation method that can stably propagate a plant without being affected by e.g. weather and seasons; and a method of inducing rooting in a mature embryo. The present invention relates, inter alia, to a method of plant regeneration that can stably regenerate callus into plants and a method of plant propagation that can stably propagate a plant.

Abstract: The technology relates in part to methods and compositions for ex vivo proliferation and expansion of epithelial cells.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are described herein for inducing reprogramming of non-pluripotent cells across lineage and differentiation boundaries to generate endodermal progenitor cells and hepatocytes. Compositions and methods for expansion of endodermal progenitor cells without loss of phenotype are also described herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of cell therapy, particularly NK cell mediated therapy. The present invention relates to a method of producing an ex vivo population of cells, preferably NK cells, from at least two umbilical cord blood units (UCB units), or fraction thereof containing said cells, by pooling said at least two UCB units to produce said population of cells. The present invention relates to the use of said cells, preferably NK cells, obtainable or obtained by the process according to the invention, as a composition for therapeutic use, preferably for the treatment of cancer and chronic infectious disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in certain aspects, a natural killer (NK) cell that expresses all or a functional portion of interleukin-15 (IL-15), and methods for producing such cells. The invention further provides methods of using a natural killer (NK) cell that expresses all or a functional portion of interleukin-15 (IL-15) to treat cancer in a subject or to enhance expansion and/or survival of NK cells.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of transdifferentiating preadipocytes, populations of transdifferentiated preadipocytes, and methods of using the transdifferentiated preadipocytes.

Abstract: This invention provides an isolated disc stem cell population, compositions, and methods of obtaining and growing the same. Moreover, this invention provides an isolated discosphere, compositions, and methods of obtaining and growing the same. An artificial disc containing the cells of the present invention is provided together with methods of making the same. This invention also provides a method of treating a subject having a herniated disc utilizing the cells and methods of the invention.

Abstract: Described are Neo-Islets comprising: a) dedifferentiated islet cells and mesenchymal and/or adipose stem cells; or b) redifferentiated islet cells and mesenchymal and/or adipose stem cells where the cells have been treated so as to facilitate redifferentiation. Further described herein are methods of generating Neo-Islets, the methods comprising: culturing a) dedifferentiated islet cells and mesenchymal and/or adipose stem cells; or b) redifferentiated islet cells and mesenchymal and/or adipose stem cells; on a surface that promotes the formation of cell clusters. Also described are methods of treating a subject, the methods comprising: providing to the subject Neo-Islets described herein. Additionally described are methods of treating a subject suffering from Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and other types of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, or impaired glucose tolerance by providing to the subject Neo-Islet as described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of producing pancreatic endocrine cells and uses of the cells obtained using the methods. The method utilises inhibitors or combinations of factors to provide increased quantities of endocrine material, for example for transplantation purposes.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for manufacturing pluripotent cells. In particular, the invention provides improved culture platforms for manufacturing pluripotent cells with ground state pluripotency. In various embodiments, the invention contemplates, in part, a composition comprising: (a) a Wnt pathway agonist; (b) a MEK inhibitor; and (c) a ROCK inhibitor. In certain embodiments, the composition further comprises bFGF or LIF.

Abstract: The present invention relates in part to methods for producing tissue-specific cells from patient samples, and to tissue-specific cells produced using these methods. Methods for reprogramming cells using RNA are disclosed. Therapeutics comprising cells produced using these methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for vascular regeneration comprises delivering endothelial cells to a lung scaffold, delivering perivascular cells to the lung scaffold, and providing a multiphase culture program to the scaffold. The multiphase culture program comprises a first phase including delivering an angiogenic medium, e.g., having 40-100 ng/ml of pro-angiogenic factors, and a second phase including delivering a stabilization medium, e.g., having 0.5-2% of serum and 1-20 ng/ml of angiogenic factors.

Abstract: The invention provides a micro-organ composite which comprises a core group of cells and an outer layer of cells, wherein the cells of the core group are mesenchymal cells and the cells of the outer layer are epithelial cells or wherein the cells of the core group are epithelial cells and the cells of the outer layer are mesenchymal cells, and wherein the core group of cells is at least partially encapsulated by the outer layer of cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for the manufacture of adenovirus having a fibre and hexon of subgroup B (such as Ad11, in particular Ad11p also known as the Slobitski strain) wherein the E4 region completely present or completely deleted said process comprises the steps: a. culturing mammalian cells infected with the adenovirus in the presence of media suitable for supporting the cells such that the virus replicates, wherein the cells are capable of supporting viral replication, and b. at the end of the culturing period isolating from the media the virus from step a) by filtering wherein the isolation of virus is not subsequent to a cell lysis step. The disclosure also extends to formulations and viruses obtained from the process.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, methods of treating phenylketonuria (PKU), including administering to a subject in need of treatment a composition comprising an mRNA encoding phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) at an effective dose and an administration interval such that at least one symptom or feature of PKU is reduced in intensity, severity, or frequency or has delayed in onset.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing polyketide synthase variants, and for altering the activity and/or substrate specificity of putative native and variant polyketide synthases. The present invention further relates to compositions comprising said polyketide synthase variants, compounds prepared using said polyketide synthase variants, and uses of said polyketide synthase variants. In one embodiment, said polyketide synthase variant is 2-pyrone synthase.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing a recombinant enzyme, more particularly, this invention relates to a method of producing water soluble enzymatically active recombinant glycine N-acyltransferase (GLYAT (E.G. 2.1.3.13)), including the steps of providing a suitable expression host; preparing a vector including a gene for expressing GLYAT in the expression host to form an expression plasmid; transforming the host with the expression plasmid to form an expression system; expressing the GLYAT gene in the expression system; and separating the expressed GLYAT from the expression system.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides engineered transaminase enzymes having improved properties as compared to a naturally occurring wild-type transaminase enzyme. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the engineered transaminase enzymes, host cells capable of expressing the engineered transaminase enzymes, and methods of using the engineered transaminase enzymes to synthesize a variety of chiral compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, improved methods for purifying I2S protein produced recombinantly for enzyme replacement therapy. The present invention is, in part, based on the surprising discovery that recombinant I2S protein can be purified from unprocessed biological materials, such as, I2S-containing cell culture medium, using a process involving as few as four chromatography columns.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having organophosphorous hydrolase 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 present disclosure provides engineered pNB esterase polypeptides useful for the synthesis of the carbapenem antibiotic, imipenem. The disclosure also provides polynucleotides encoding the engineered pNB esterases, host cells capable of expressing the engineered pNB esterases, and methods of using the engineered pNB esterases in the production of imipenem.

Abstract: The present invention relates to glucoamylase variants having improved thermostability. 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 relates to isolated polypeptides having xanthan degrading activity, catalytic domains and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides and catalytic 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 and catalytic domains.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mutant strain of Trichodema reesei, namely, CCTCC No: M 2013540, that produces cellulase with high enzyme activity, and a method of producing thereof. The enzyme activity of the cellulase was as follows: Filter Paper Activity (FPA): 792 U/mL, Endo-1,4-?-D-glucanase (EG): 1389 U/mL, Exo-1,4-?-D-glucannase (CBH): 680 U/mL, ?-1,4-glucosidase (BG): 486 U/mL.

Abstract: The mutant chorismate-pyruvate lyase (A) or (B) as described below is capable of producing 4-hydroxybenzoic acid or a salt thereof with sufficient practical efficiency. (A) A mutant chorismate-pyruvate lyase obtained by replacing the valine at position 80 in a chorismate-pyruvate lyase (ubiC) from Pantoea ananatis consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 with one or more other amino acids. (B) A mutant chorismate-pyruvate lyase obtained by replacing an amino acid in another chorismate-pyruvate lyase, the amino acid being at a position enzymologically homologous with that of the above valine, with one or more other amino acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to: a lysyl tRNA synthetase (KRS) fragment which comprises an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 and is secreted from cancer cells; microvesicles comprising the KRS fragment; and a method for providing information necessary for cancer diagnosis and screening a cancer metastasis inhibiting agent using the same. The present invention can be favorably used in the development of a diagnostic kit for providing information necessary for cancer diagnosis or the development of a cancer metastasis inhibiting agent, and thus is highly industrially applicable.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture and use of pancreatin in which the concentration of one or more biological contaminants is reduced, such as viruses and/or bacteria, through heating the pancreatin at a temperature of at least 85° C. for a period of less than about 48 hours.

Abstract: Methods are provided for stabilizing an enzyme by storing the enzyme in the presence of a stabilized coenzyme. In addition, enzymes are provided that are stabilized with a stabilized coenzyme, as well as the use thereof in test elements for detecting analytes. Other aspects include unique compositions, methods, techniques, systems and devices involving enzyme stabilization.

Abstract: The invention provides a molecule carrier, comprising a metal-organic framework having an interior space and a surface of the metal-organic framework has a plurality of pores; and a molecule embedded in the interior space of the metal-organic framework. The invention also provides a method for preparing the molecule carrier by a de novo approach, comprising mixing a solution containing metal ions, an organic ligand, a molecule, and a surface coating agent to form an aqueous mixture. After incubating for a few minutes, the aqueous mixture is subjected to a drying process to obtain the molecule carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to kits and methods of modifying the prokaryotic genome a Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-Cas system that utilized one nicking Cas nuclease and crRNAs. The kid and methods delete or replace portions of the prokaryotic genome. In some embodiments, an entire gene or multiple genes may be deleted or replaced.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of producing eukaryotic cell libraries encoding a repertoire of binding molecules (“binders”), wherein the methods use a site-specific nuclease for targeted cleavage of cellular DNA to enhance site-specific integration of binder genes through endogenous cellular repair mechanisms. Populations of eukaryotic cells are produced in which a repertoire of genes encoding binders are integrated into a desired locus in cellular DNA (e.g., a genomic locus) allowing expression of the encoded binding molecule, thereby creating a population of cells expressing different binders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified microorganism having, compared to its wildtype,—a reduced activity of an enzyme encoded by the ptsA-gene,—a reduced activity of an enzyme encoded by the ptsH-gene or—a reduced activity of an enzyme encoded by the ptsA-gene and a reduced activity of an enzyme encoded by the ptsH-gene, wherein the wildtype from which the modified microorganism has been derived belongs to the family of Pasteurellaceae. The present invention also relates to a method for producing succinic acid and to the use of modified microorganisms.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for processing polynucleotides are provided according to some embodiments herein. In some embodiments, a sample is immobilized in a porous matrix, and non-polynucleotides are removed from the sample. In some embodiments, polynucleotides are labeled or enzymatically modified the matrix. In some embodiments, labeled or enzymatically modified polynucleotides are removed from the matrix for analysis.

Abstract: A magnetic particle manipulation method for magnetic particle comprises the steps of; subjecting magnetic particles and a magnetic solid having a larger particle diameter than said magnetic particles to existing together in a liquid layer, and moving said magnetic solid and said magnetic particles in said liquid layer by a magnetic field manipulation. According to one aspect of the present invention; a manipulation method for magnetic particles comprising the steps of; moving magnetic particles in a first liquid layer into a gelled medium layer by a magnetic field manipulation in a device, wherein gelled medium layers and liquid layers are in-place alternately in a container, moving said magnetic particles present in the gelled medium into a second liquid layer by the magnetic field manipulation; and moving said magnetic particles along with said magnetic solid in the second liquid layer.

Abstract: A method for nucleic acid isolation comprising: receiving a binding moiety solution within a process chamber; mixing the binding moiety solution with a biological sample, within the process chamber, in order to produce a moiety-sample mixture; incubating the moiety-sample mixture during a time window, thereby producing a solution comprising a set of moiety-bound nucleic acid particles and a waste volume; separating the set of moiety-bound nucleic acid particles from the waste volume; washing the set of moiety-bound nucleic acid particles; and releasing a nucleic acid sample from the set of moiety-bound nucleic acid particles. The method preferably utilizes a binding moiety comprising at least one of poly(allylamine) and polypropylenimine tetramine dendrimer, both of which reversibly bind and unbind to nucleic acids based upon environmental pH.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for isolating RNA from the soluble fraction of urine. The methods can be used for detecting the presence or absence of an RNA, or quantifying the amount of an RNA. The methods are useful for diagnosing an individual suspected of having a disease by detecting the level of RNA associated with the disease in the soluble fraction of urine. The methods are also useful for prognosing an individual diagnosed with a disease by detecting the level of RNA associated with the disease in the soluble fraction of urine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of modifying a targeted site of a double stranded DNA, including a step of contacting a complex wherein a nucleic acid sequence-recognizing module that specifically binds to a target nucleotide sequence in a selected double stranded DNA and a nucleic acid base converting enzyme are bonded, with the double stranded DNA, to convert one or more nucleotides in the targeted site to other one or more nucleotides or delete one or more nucleotides, or insert one or more nucleotides into the targeted site, without cleaving at least one chain of the double stranded DNA in the targeted site.