Abstract: A plant activator composition increases the concentration of terpenes a terpinoids in aromatic plant oils, and hence resulting in an increased concentration of terpene and terpinoids in the harvested dried plant or fruit. The composition contains one of more bio-active compounds that are optionally extracted from plants selected from one or more of the group consisting of mango, citrus (including grapefruit), Catharanthus roseus and Pelargonium odoratissimum, but alternatively may include one or more synthetic compounds selected from the group consisting of geranyl acetate, geraniol, beta-sitosterol, alpha-amyrin, beta amyrin, carotenoid, geranyl acetate, alpha-humulene, mevalonate kinase and geranyl. Depending on the type of plant being treated, the formulation is added during watering and feeding in optimum doses during the vegetative growth, flowering, and fruit set and/or swell stages.

Abstract: A process for revitalization of the coal deposit for enhanced microbial gas production by exposing coal deposit to air oxidation. Water is removed from coal beds and stored. The coal is exposed to hydrogen peroxide for providing oxygen-rich organic molecules that are more readily biodegraded. Oxidation and drying out of coal produces additional cracks within the coal matrix to allow microbes greater access to the overall coal matrix. The coal is reinjected with emulsified oil and inorganic nutrients by transporting produced water from the storage sites to the reinjection wells. Produced water is mixed with oil and inorganic nutrients in a holding tank. The reinjection water containing nutrients and oil is then injected into the coal under pressure. The mixture presence of the oil speeds up cell division of bacteria and methanogens in the coal and create microbial biomass sufficient to accelerate biomethanogenesis of the coal.

Abstract: Described are alkenol dehydratase variants having improved activity in catalyzing the conversion of prenol into isoprene, methods for the production of isoprene using such enzyme variants and their uses in the production of isoprene from prenol.

Abstract: Provided herein are diterpene synthases (diTPS) and methods for producing diterpenoids. Also provided herein are nucleic acid sequences encoding diTPS, diTPS amino acid sequences, diTPS proteins, vectors, cells, transgenic organisms, uses, compositions, methods, processes, and kits thereof.

Abstract: A surfactant-improved simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation method for lignocelluloses in which a pretreated lignocellulose substrate is directly subjected to surfactant-improved simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation without any detoxification by adding a surfactant, and the surfactant may be selectively added before or after pre-enzymatic hydrolysis, having economic, effective and feasible application prospects in reducing the loss of glucose, simplifying the production process, reducing equipment investment, reducing water consumption, improving ethanol production and reducing the total cost of the ethanol production process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing products by microbial fermentation. The method comprises first converting a feed stream containing methane to a gaseous substrate comprising CO, of the invention include converting CO H2, and CO2 using a steam reforming zone and a water gas shift zone. The gaseous substrate is then converted to products such as alcohols and/or acids byto one or more products including alcohols and/or acids by fermentation using a carboxydotrophic microorganism.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, microbial, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as food products and amino acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, in recombinant cells such as yeast or plant cells. Also provided are recombinant cells or plants which produce long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a group of new enzymes which possess desatorase or elongase activity that can be used in methods of synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide an organism having an ergothioneine productivity that is capable of easily producing ergothioneine within a short period of time at a high yield, as compared with a conventional technology, and, therefore, enables ergothioneine production on an industrial scale. This purpose can be achieved by a transformed fungus into which a gene encoding enzyme (1) or genes encoding enzymes (1) and (2) have been inserted and in which the inserted gene(s) are overexpressed. (1) an enzyme catalyzing a reaction of synthesizing hercynyl cysteine sulfoxide from histidine and cysteine in the presence of S-adenosyl methionine, iron (II) and oxygen. (2) An enzyme catalyzing a reaction of synthesizing ergothioneine from hercynyl cysteine sulfoxide using pyridoxal 5?-phosphate as a coenzyme.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a solid bio-product wherein at least 80% of the original indigestible oligosaccharide (raffmose, stachyose and verbascose) content has been degraded into digestible mono- and disaccharides, comprising the following steps: 1) providing a mixture of milled or flaked or otherwise disintegrated biomass, comprising oligosaccharides and optionally polysaccharides and further comprising proteinaceous plant parts, water and one or more enzyme preparations containing .alpha.-galactosidase(s); 2) reacting the mixture resulting from step (1) under continuous mixing and under conditions where the water content in the initial mixture does not exceed 65% by weight, for 0.15-36 hours at a temperature of about 20-65° C.; 3) incubating the reacted mixture from step (2) at a temperature and in a time period which inactivate said ?-galactosidase(s), as well as solid bio-products obtainable by such method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making glucose syrup from liquefied starch, and to compositions useful therein.

Abstract: Recombinant microorganisms, plants, and plant cells are disclosed that have been engineered to express recombinant genes encoding UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs). Such microorganisms, plants, or plant cells can produce steviol glycosides, e.g., Rebaudioside A and/or Rebaudioside D, which can be used as natural sweeteners in food products and dietary supplements.

Abstract: Methods for in vitro transcription and translation from an RCA product are provided. The methods comprise providing a double-stranded RCA product, wherein the double-stranded RCA product consists essentially of tandem repeats of a minimalistic expression sequence. The methods further comprise expressing a protein from the double-stranded RCA product in a cell-free expression system.

Abstract: We describe a method of reducing batch-to-batch variation or increasing homogeneity between batches in the production of a recombinantly expressed polypeptide. The method comprises expressing the polypeptide in a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell comprising reduced UDP-galactose transporter activity compared to a wild-type CHO cell. In some embodiments, the CHO cell further comprises reduced GDP-fucose transporter activity.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention relates to the field of steroid hydroxylation. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for the 21-hydroxylation of steroids in cells. It also relates to cells expressing a steroid 21-hydroxylating enzyme or steroid 21-hydroxylase, expression vectors comprising a nucleic acid encoding for a steroid 21-hydroxylase and a kit for carrying out the method for the 21-hydroxylation of steroids in cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to host cells transformed with a nucleic acid sequence encoding a eukaryotic xylose isomerase obtainable from an anaerobic fungus. When expressed, the sequence encoding the xylose isomerase confers to the host cell the ability to convert xylose to xylulose which may be further metabolized by the host cell. Thus, the host cell is capable of growth on xylose as carbon source. The host cell preferably is a eukaryotic microorganism such as a yeast or a filamentous fungus. The invention further relates to processes for the production of fermentation products such as ethanol, in which a host cell of the invention uses xylose for growth and for the production of the fermentation product. The invention further relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding eukaryotic xylose isomerases and xylulose kinases as obtainable from anaerobic fungi.

Abstract: The present invention relates to determination of the microorganism content in material comprising cellulose within the pulp and paper industry. The material comprising cellulose is enzymatically pretreated and microorganisms are determined using PCR based technology.

Abstract: A method includes sterilizing a column assembly including a column having a parent radionuclide contained therein with a sterilizer. The method further includes transferring the column assembly from the sterilizer to a first clean room environment, transferring the column assembly from the first clean room environment to a second clean room environment, and collecting a sterility test sample from the column assembly within the second clean room environment.

Abstract: Compounds having chemiluminescent flash and glow properties. Also disclosed are methods using the compounds to generate light, detect and/or quantify enzymes, antigens, and/or nucleic acids. Also disclosed are kits relating to these compounds.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of diagnosing or monitoring the treatment of abnormal glycan accumulation or a disorder associated with abnormal glycan accumulation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cancer marker, consisting of a portion of or all of the nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 in a FOXB2 gene derived from a cell, and being continuous nucleotide sequences comprising at least the nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 2 or 3, wherein 30% or more of cytosines of the -CG- sequences present in said nucleotide sequence are methylated, and method for determining canceration of a cell on the basis of methylation ratio, wherein said methylation ratio is measured by a bisulfate reaction for a portion of or all of cytosines of the -CG- sequences present in the nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 in a FOXB2 gene derived from a cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of transcriptomics and provides a method for the controlled identification and/or quantification of transcript variants in samples, comprising providing a reference set of artificial polynucleic acid molecules simulating transcript variants and adding said reference set as external control to samples comprising transcript variants. The present invention further provides such a reference set, as well as a method to produce such a reference set.

Abstract: An apparatus for imaging one or more selected fluorescence indications from a microfluidic device. The apparatus includes an imaging path coupled to least one chamber in at least one microfluidic device. The imaging path provides for transmission of one or more fluorescent emission signals derived from one or more samples in the at least one chamber of the at least one microfluidic device. The chamber has a chamber size, the chamber size being characterized by an actual spatial dimension normal to the imaging path. The apparatus also includes an optical lens system coupled to the imaging path. The optical lens system is adapted to transmit the one or more fluorescent signals associated with the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of amplifying an RNA molecule in a biological sample by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), wherein the RT-PCR is carried out in a solution comprising a polar aprotic solvent; a serum albumin, and a polyol.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, compositions, kits and devices for the detection of target molecules. In some embodiments, the invention allows for multiplexed target molecule detection.

Abstract: This disclosure provides microwell capsule array devices. The microwell capsule array devices are generally capable of performing one or more sample preparation operations. Such sample preparation operations may be used as a prelude to one more or more analysis operations. For example, a device of this disclosure can achieve physical partitioning and discrete mixing of samples with unique molecular identifiers within a single unit in preparation for various analysis operations. The device may be useful in a variety of applications and most notably nucleic-acid-based sequencing, detection and quantification of gene expression and single-cell analysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, kits, and compositions for magnetically purifying target nucleic acid sequences from a sample using bait molecules configured to bind both target nucleic acid sequences and magnetic binding particles. In certain embodiments, the bait molecules comprise a short target capture sequence (e.g., 18 to 48 bases), and the methods employ a short hybridization time (e.g., 1-4 hours) and a low hybridization temperature (e.g., about room temperature).

Abstract: Lyophilized biological reagents, such as enzymes (e.g., PCR reagents) and antibodies, are provided that include a wax component. Thus, in some aspects, a method is provided for storing a biological reagent comprising formulating the reagent into a lyophilized composition including a wax component. Methods for using such lyophilized reagents are likewise provided.

Abstract: A parallel processing system for processing samples is described. In one embodiment, the parallel processing system includes an instrument interface parallel controller to control a tray motor driving system, a close-loop heater control and detection system, a magnetic particle transfer system, a reagent release system, a reagent pre-mix pumping system and a wash buffer pumping system.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter relates broadly to novel techniques for identification and comparative analysis of sequence features in metagenomic whole-genome shotgun (WGS) sequence data associated with particular disease states in a subject. More particularly, the inventive subject matter relates to diagnostic methods for distinguishing between different types of inflammatory bowel disease in a subject based on the microbial community signature of the subject.

Abstract: Methods and oligonucleotide reagents for identification of bacteria by high resolution melting (HRM) analysis are described. In particular, the invention relates to HRM analysis of hypervariable bacterial genomic DNA of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region for fingerprinting eubacterial pathogens.

Abstract: This invention relates to nucleic acids, reagents and methods for detecting Rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a sample from a subject. In one aspect, the invention provides methods of detecting Rifampicin resistant M. tuberculosis in a sample comprising (a) amplifying a nucleic acid containing the rifampicin resistance determining region (RRDR) of the rpoB gene in a sample to provide an amplified nucleic acid; (b) probing the amplified nucleic acid with at least three molecular beacon probes for an RRDR mutant target; (c) conducting melting temperature (Tm) analysis to determine a Tm value for each probe; and (d) comparing the Tm value for each probe with a Tm value for a wild-type RRDR region, wherein a Tm value for at least one of the molecular beacon probes that is greater than the Tm value for the wild-type RRDR indicates the presence of rifampicin resistant M. tuberculosis in the sample.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the detection and quantification of nucleic acids are provided. In certain embodiments, methods involve the use of cleavable probes that comprise a ribonucleotide position that is susceptible to endoribonuclease (e.g., RNase H) cleavage in the presence of target nucleic acid molecules. Probes of the embodiments may also comprise non-natural nucleotide linked to a reporter and/or quenching moiety.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying the position of a genetic mutation and to the use of said method for simplifying the screening of said genetic mutation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an in vitro method of detecting circulating tumour cells, circulating tumour cells of epithelial phenotype and circulating tumour cells of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMTs), in a biological sample using, as an indicator, expression levels of miRNA-21, and obtaining a result of the method by comparing the expression levels of said miRNA-21 with a negative control or with a positive control, wherein if the expression levels in the cells of the biological sample are over-expressed in comparison to a negative control is indicative of the presence of circulating tumour cells in said biological sample or wherein if the expression levels in the cells of the biological sample are expressed in an amount greater than ? of the maximum expression achieved in a positive control is indicative of the presence of circulating tumour cells in said biological sample.

Abstract: This disclosure describes related novel methods for Recombinase-Polymerase Amplification (RPA) of a target DNA that exploit the properties of recombinase and related proteins, to invade double-stranded DNA with single stranded homologous DNA permitting sequence specific priming of DNA polymerase reactions. The disclosed methods have the advantage of not requiring thermocycling or thermophilic enzymes, thus offering easy and affordable implementation and portability relative to other amplification methods. Further disclosed are conditions to enable real-time monitoring of RPA reactions, methods to regulate RPA reactions using light and otherwise, methods to determine the nature of amplified species without a need for gel electrophoresis, methods to improve and optimize signal to noise ratios in RPA reactions, methods to optimize oligonucleotide primer function, methods to control carry-over contamination, and methods to employ sequence-specific third ‘specificity’ probes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for easily and exponentially amplifying circular DNA, particularly long chain circular DNA, in a cell-free system. Specifically, the present invention provides a method for amplifying circular DNA in which circular DNA having a replication origin sequence (origin of chromosome (oriC)) is mixed with a reaction solution containing the following enzyme groups to form a reaction mixture, which is then reacted under an isothermal condition, the enzyme groups being: (1) a first enzyme group that catalyzes replication of circular DNA; (2) a second enzyme group that catalyzes an Okazaki fragment maturation and synthesizes two sister circular DNAs constituting a catenane; and (3) a third enzyme group that catalyzes a separation of two sister circular DNAs.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a property of a starting sample, for example the amount of the nucleic acid (DNA) present therein.

Abstract: A porous matrix according to the present disclosure, wherein a nucleic acid primer-carbon material composite in which one or more nucleic acid primer of a forward primer and a reverse primer as a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primer is bound to a carbon material is included in the pores of the matrix, provides improved amplification efficiency as compared to a matrix wherein the nucleic acid primer is present on the outer surface of the matrix or a porous matrix wherein the nucleic acid primer is directly fixed inside pores. The porous matrix of the present disclosure can effectively detect various kinds of target nucleic acids simultaneously and analyze them in real time by varying the kinds of the nucleic acid primers included in the matrix. Therefore, it is useful in amplifying multiple nucleic acids.

Abstract: The invention relates to adaptors for sequencing nucleic acids. The adaptors may be used to generate single stranded constructs of nucleic acid for sequencing purposes. Such constructs may contain both strands from a double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or ribonucleic acid (RNA) template. The invention also relates to the constructs generated using the adaptors, methods of making the adaptors and constructs, as well as methods of sequencing double stranded nucleic acids.

Abstract: This invention provides novel azido linkers for deoxynucleotide analogues having a detectable marker attached thereto.

Abstract: Labeled nucleotide analogs comprising at least one avidin protein, at least one dye-labeled compound, and at least one nucleotide compound are provided. The analogs are useful in various fluorescence-based analytical methods, including the analysis of highly multiplexed optical reactions in large numbers at high densities, such as single molecule real time nucleic acid sequencing reactions. The analogs are detectable with high sensitivity at desirable wavelengths. They contain structural components that modulate the interactions of the analogs with DNA polymerase, thus decreasing photodamage and improving the kinetic and other properties of the analogs in sequencing reactions. Also provided are nucleotide and dye-labeled compounds of the subject analogs, as well as intermediates useful in the preparation of the compounds and analogs. Compositions comprising the compounds, methods of synthesis of the intermediates, compounds, and analogs, and mutant DNA polymerases are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method for analyzing nucleic acid sequences based on real-time detection of DNA polymerase-catalyzed incorporation of each of the four nucleotide bases, supplied individually and serially in a microfluidic system, to a reaction cell containing a template system comprising a DNA fragment of unknown sequence and an oligonucleotide primer. Incorporation of a nucleotide base into the template system can be detected by any of a variety of methods including but not limited to fluorescence and chemiluminescence detection.

Abstract: Prenatal genetic testing allows early detection of genetic disease in a fetus. Described herein are methods of detecting the presence or absence of a genetic variant in a region of interest in the genome of a fetus in a pregnant woman. The methods are noninvasive, and can use cell-free DNA (cfDNA) present in the plasma of the pregnant woman. A DNA library is constructed from the cfDNA, and DNA molecules comprising the region of interest or portions thereof are enriched and analyzed, for example by sequencing. The methods described herein can also rely on constructing a maternal haplotype to provide even higher resolution fetal genetic variant determination.

Abstract: A kit for use with a nucleic acid sequencing instrument can include a plurality of combinatorial barcodes sequences meeting the following criteria: each of the combinatorial barcode sequences comprise a plurality of iterations of a sequence motif, where the sequence motif comprises a first nucleotide base from a first group of nucleotide bases followed by a second nucleotide base from a second group of nucleotide bases, the first group and the second group differing from each other; and the plurality of combinatorial barcode sequences is at least 1,000,000 different barcode sequences.

Abstract: An apparatus with a transducer having a first output signal and arranged to receive an electrical input. The transducer switches the first output signal between an ON and OFF state. The apparatus has a chemical sensing surface coupled to the transducer arranged to receive a chemical input. A signal generator oscillates one or more of said inputs to vary the switching point of the transducer. The oscillating input may be the chemical input and/or the electrical input. The output signal may be a pulse whose period ON or OFF is determined by the oscillating input modulated by the chemical input.

Abstract: Compositions that are used in nucleic acid amplification in vitro are disclosed, which include a target specific universal (TSU) promoter primer or promoter provider oligonucleotide that includes a target specific (TS) sequence that hybridizes specifically to a target sequence that is amplified and a universal (U) sequence that is introduced into the sequence that is amplified, by using a primer for the universal sequence. Methods of nucleic acid amplification in vitro are disclosed that use one or more TSU oligonucleotides to attached a U sequence to a target nucleic acid in a target capture step and then use a primer for a U sequence in subsequent amplification steps performed in substantially isothermal conditions to make amplification products that contain a U sequence that indicates the presence of the target nucleic acid in a sample.

Abstract: Epigenetic methods for assessing pluripotentcy of a cell population, such as a stem cell culture are provided. For example, pluripotency can be assessed by determining DNA methylation status at the RAB25, NANOG, PTPN6, MGMT, GBP3 and/or LYST gene regions. Kits and reagents for testing cells are likewise provided.

Abstract: The present application relates to a detection kit for genotypes capable of confirming cross contamination that may occur in a banking process of a patient-derived xenograft model or cell-derived xenograft model and a method for determining cross contamination using the same. According to the present invention, it is possible to determine all of cross contamination of mouse related genes, have high detection sensitivity and specificity to be close to 100%, rapidly examine the contamination, and be very useful in predicting mouse contamination. Therefore, according to the present invention, cross contamination of genes related with the human and the mouse is predicted in advance to be applied to evaluation of anticancer drug efficacy using a patient-derived xenograft model or cell-derived xenograft model and contribute to cell banks using the patient-derived xenograft model or cell-derived xenograft model, and as a result, the present invention is very useful in a medical industry.

Abstract: Technology provided herein relates in part to methods, processes and apparatuses for non-invasive assessment of genetic variations.