Abstract: A fermenter and a method of fermentation in a U-shape and/or nozzle U-loop fermenter (100) comprising a U-part having an essentially vertical down-flow part (101), an essentially vertical up-flow part (102) and a substantially horizontal connecting part (103), which connects the lower ends of the down-flow part (101) and the up-flow part (102), a top part (104) which is provided above the U-part and has a diameter which is substantially larger than the diameter of the U-part, means for creating liquid circulation in U-part of the fermenter, and one or more gas injection points (110) for the introduction and dispersion of the gas(ses) into the fermentation liquid. The pressure may be controlled differently in certain zones of the fermenter by pressure controlling devices (105, 106, 108) e.g.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self-draining well plate cassette and an automated system for cultivating C. elegans comprising a housing, a well plate assembly having at least two of the self-draining well plate cassettes, a liquid dispensing assembly operated by a first three axes positioner, a wash and imaging assembly operated by a second three axis positioner, a reagent assembly, a pipette tip holder, and a controller. The present invention further provides a method of using the above-described system to cultivate C. elegans.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method. The method includes: providing a support structure; and providing a bioreactor operable to vitally support one or more microorganisms. The bioreactor includes a bioreactor cavity configured to contain the one or more microorganisms and a fluidic support medium and one or more bioreactor walls at least partially enclosing the bioreactor cavity. The bioreactor wall(s) have at least one bioreactor wall material that is flexible. The support structure is operable to mechanically support the bioreactor. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides for methods of viral inactivation using high temperature short time (HTST) treatment and adjustment of various parameters such that generation of precipitate and depositions of precipitate are reduced and/or minimized.

Abstract: An electric ooycte denuding device and an ooycte denuding method are provided. The electric oocyte denuding device includes an oocyte denuding pipette: a manipulating handle; and a drive module, a control module, a display module, a power module, a memory, a bulb, and/or a voice module, and/or a pressure sensor, and/or a control box, and/or a foot-operated switch controller, which form an integrated type or a separated type electric ooycte denuding device. A stepper motor provides the power for blowing and sucking to denude the granular cells surrounding an oocyte.

Abstract: This invention provides methods to prepare and use immunostimulatory cells for enhancing an immune response. The invention provides a method for preparing mature dendritic cells (DCs), comprising the sequential steps of: (a) signaling isolated immature dendritic cells (iDCs) with a first signal comprising an interferon gamma receptor (IFN-?R) agonist and/or a tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor (TNF-?R) agonist to produce signaled dendritic cells; and (b) signaling said signaled dendritic cells with a second transient signal comprising an effective amount of a CD40 agonist to produce CCR7+ mature dendritic cells. Also provided by this invention are enriched populations of dendritic cells prepared by the methods of the invention. Such dendritic cells have enhanced immunostimulatory properties and increased IL-12 secretion and/or decreased IL-10 secretion. CD40 signaling can be initiated by one or more of polypeptide translated from an exogenous polynucleotide encoding CD40L (e.g.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for obtaining differentiated cells and/or differentiated cell products, including the steps of: introducing undifferentiated cells into a perfused organ or living tissue; subjecting the undifferentiated cells introduced to perfusion culture together with the organ or living tissue so as to allow the undifferentiated cells to differentiate, thereby obtaining differentiated cells and/or differentiated cell products; collecting a perfusion culture solution that contains the resulting differentiated cells and/or differentiated cell products; and obtaining the differentiated cells and/or differentiated cell products contained in the collected perfusion culture solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and apparatuses for improving quality and viability of biological material, such as harvested adipose cells, stem cells, or other cells or biological components, by treatment of the biological material with membrane-repairing/stabilizing agents or the like and/or mechanical removal of components, such as impurities and/or excess treatment agents. The present invention further relates to systems and apparatuses for transplanting tissue, such as adipose tissue.

Abstract: Tissue processing devices are provided. The tissue processing devices can be used to process and transport tissue in a closed and continuous environment. The devices can be used for adipose tissue transfer, including autologous fat grafting.

Abstract: Disclosed are: a culture medium containing a specific growth factor and at least one phospholipid; a composition for preparation of the culture medium; a kit; and a method. A technique can be provided which uses a serum-free or low-serum culture medium and has a promoting effect on the proliferation of an animal cell comparable to the promoting effect obtained by the culture in a serum-containing culture medium.

Abstract: The described invention provides an ex vivo dynamic multiple myeloma (MM) cancer niche contained in a microfluidic device. The dynamic MM cancer niche includes (a) a three-dimensional tissue construct containing a dynamic ex vivo bone marrow (BM) niche, which contains a mineralized bone-like tissue containing viable osteoblasts self-organized into cohesive multiple cell layers and an extracellular matrix secreted by the viable adherent osteoblasts; and a microenvironment dynamically perfused by nutrients and dissolved gas molecules; and (b) human myeloma cells seeded from a biospecimen composition comprising mononuclear cells and the multiple myeloma cells. The human myeloma cells are in contact with osteoblasts of the BM niche, and the viability of the human myeloma cells is maintained by the MM cancer niche.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to host cells with artificial endosymbionts, wherein the artificial endosymbiont and the host cell communicate with each other to alter a phenotype of the host cell. In some embodiments, the communication comprises the secretion of a polypeptide from the artificial endosymbiont into the host cell. The secreted polypeptide can be a selectable marker, a reporter protein, a transcription factor, a signal pathway protein, a receptor, a growth factor, a cytokine, an effector molecule or other factors that can produce a phenotype in the host cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) or its functional flavodehydrogenase domain having glucose oxidation activity and a reduced maltose oxidation activity as compared to the unmodified CDH or its functional flavodehydrogenase domain, nucleic acids encoding said enzyme or domain, electrodes with said enzyme or domain and methods of producing and using the same.

Abstract: A novel luciferase that distinct from conventional luciferase has been desired. A luciferase mutant comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 substituted at tyrosine at the position of 138, and at least 3 positions selected from the group consisting of isoleucine at the position of 90, proline at the position of 115, glutamine at the position of 124, and asparagine at the position of 166.

Abstract: The present invention provides engineered proline hydroxylase polypeptides for the production of hydroxylated compounds, polynucleotides encoding the engineered proline hydroxylases, host cells capable of expressing the engineered proline hydroxylases, and methods of using the engineered proline hydroxylases to prepare compounds useful in the production of active pharmaceutical agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolated cytochrome P450 polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules, as well as expression vectors and transgenic plants containing these molecules. In addition, the invention relates to uses of such molecules in methods of increasing the level of resistance against a disease caused by a plant pathogen in a transgenic plant, in methods for producing altered compounds, for example, hydroxylated compounds, and in methods of producing isoprenoid compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolated cytochrome P450 polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules, as well as expression vectors and transgenic plants containing these molecules. In addition, the invention relates to uses of such molecules in methods of increasing the level of resistance against a disease caused by a plant pathogen in a transgenic plant, in methods for producing altered compounds, for example, hydroxylated compounds, and in methods of producing isoprenoid compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides comprising an amino acid sequence exhibiting at least about 90% sequence identity with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. Said polypeptides preferably degrade the peptidoglycan of Gram-negative bacteria, in particular of Pseudomonas and/or Campylobacter bacteria. In addition, the present invention relates to nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, vectors comprising such nucleic acids, and corresponding host cells. Finally, the present invention relates to compositions comprising such polypeptides, nucleic acids, vectors, and/or host cells according to the present invention.

Abstract: Methods for screening pancrelipase for RNA virus contamination comprise removing free viral RNA from the pancrelipase, denaturing any viruses in the pancrelipase to release encapsidated RNA into the pancrelipase milieu, and detecting this released RNA. Removal of free viral RNA may comprise treating pancrelipase with RNase and DNase or precipitating the protein fraction of pancrelipase with a salt that precipitates the protein fraction while leaving nucleic acids such as RNA in solution. Pancrelipase substantially devoid of free nucleic acid is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions and kits for using a transposase and a transposon end for generating extensive fragmentation and 5?-tagging of double-stranded target DNA in vitro, then using a DNA polymerase for generating 5?- and 3?-tagged single-stranded DNA fragments without performing a PCR amplification reaction, wherein the first tag on the 5?-ends exhibits the sequence of the transferred transposon end and optionally, an additional arbitrary sequence, and the second tag on the 3?-ends exhibits a different sequence from the sequence exhibited by the first tag. The method is useful for generating 5?- and 3?-tagged DNA fragments for use in a variety of processes, including processes for metagenomic analysis of DNA in environmental samples, copy number variation (CNV) analysis of DNA, and comparative genomic sequencing (CGS), including massively parallel DNA sequencing (so-called “next generation sequencing).

Abstract: Therapies and assays to screen for small molecules that can have therapeutic use in the control of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and other alpha-synucleinopathies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ocular administration of sd-rxRNA and rxRNAori molecules.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are antisense compounds and methods for modulating TMPRSS6 and modulating an iron accumulation disease, disorder and/or condition in an individual in need thereof. Iron accumulation diseases in an individual such as hemochromatosis or ?-thalassemia can be ameliorated or prevented with the administration of antisense compounds targeted to TMPRSS6.

Abstract: Provided is an optically controlled gene expression system of prokaryotic bacterium, comprising: a) a photosensitive recombinant transcription factor encoding gene, the photosensitive recombinant transcription factor is one fusion protein comprising a first polypeptide as the DNA bonding domain and a second polypeptide as the photosensitive domain; b) a target transcription unit comprising promoter or promoter-reaction element or reaction element-promoter containing at least one reaction element recognized/bound by the first polypeptide and the nucleic acid sequence to be transcribed. Also provided is a prokaryotic expression vector comprising said optically controlled gene expression system, and a method for regulating gene expression in a prokaryotic host cell by using the optically controlled gene expression system. Also provided is a reagent kit containing different components of the optically controlled gene expression system.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for genetically transforming a Bifidobacterium strain comprising a step of methylation of a shuttle vector in an E. coli or a Gram-positive bacterium strain by two type II DNA methyltransferases from a Bifidobacterium: a methyltransferase enzyme that methylates the adenine base at position 4 of the nucleotide sequence RTCAGG and a methyltransferase enzyme that methylates the cytosine base at position 4 of the nucleotide sequence GGWCC. The present invention also concerns genetic tools and culture media useful for carrying out said method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recombinant DNA molecule encoding a fusion protein, comprising a first DNA sequence encoding a high-efficiency transit peptide operably linked to a second DNA sequence encoding a passenger protein, wherein the high-efficiency transit peptide is selected from the group consisting of transit peptides of the precursors of translocon at the inner envelope membrane of chloroplasts 40 kD (prTic40), chaperonin 10-2 (prCpn10-2), Fibrillin 1B (prFibrillin), ATP sulfurylase 1 (prAPS1), ATP sulfurylase 3 (prAPS3), 5?-adenylylsulfate reductase 3 (prAPR3), stromal ascorbate peroxidase (prsAPX), prTic40-E2A (a prTic40 variant), prCpn10-1-?C7C37S (a chaperonin 10-1 variant), a functional fragment of any of the transit peptides and an equivalent thereof. And the present invention also provides a method of high efficiency delivery of a protein into plastids using the high-efficiency transit peptides.

Abstract: The disclosure provides polynucleotides, polypeptides, transgenic plants, cells and vectors useful for crop plants to augment the basal level of aluminum and heavy metal tolerance.

Abstract: Polynucleotides and polypeptides incorporated into expression vectors are introduced into plants and were ectopically expressed. These polypeptides may confer at least one regulatory activity and increased yield, increased resource use efficiency, increased water use efficiency, increased light use efficiency, increased photosynthetic capacity, increased photosynthetic rate, increased photosynthetic resource use efficiency, greater vigor, and/or greater biomass as compared to a control plant.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides expressing or modulating microRNAs or targets of same are provided. Also provided are transgenic plants comprising same and uses thereof in improving nitrogen use efficiency, abiotic stress tolerance, biomass, vigor or yield of a plant.

Abstract: Provided are methods of increasing the tolerance of a plant to abiotic stresses and/or increasing the biomass and/or increasing the yield of a plant by expressing within the plant an exogenous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide homologous to SEQ ID NO:236, such as the polynucleotide set forth by SEQ ID NO:1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acids or nucleic acid fragments encoding amino acid sequences for polypeptides involved in tolerance to freezing and/or low temperature stress in plants. More particularly, the present invention relates to nucleic acids or nucleic acid fragments encoding amino acid sequences for ice recrystallization inhibition proteins (IRIPs) in plants, and the use thereof for the modification of plant response to freezing and/or low temperature stress. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to polypeptides involved in tolerance to freezing and/or low temperature stress in Deschampsia and Festuca species.

Abstract: Soybean plants comprising event SYHT0H2, methods of detecting and using the same, and soybean plants comprising a heterologous insert at the same site as SYHT0H2.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the field of recombinant protein production. Novel expression cassettes comprising elements of the human globin gene clusters are provided which show enhanced expression rates of proteins or polypeptides of interest.

Abstract: There is disclosed a retroviral vector comprising a primer binding site, a long terminal repeat and an RNA packaging sequence, wherein the RNA packaging sequence is located 3? of the long terminal repeat and no long terminal repeat is located 3? of the RNA packaging sequence such that reverse transcription initiated at the primer binding site does not lead to reverse transcription of the RNA packaging sequence into vector DNA in a target cell. Also described is a host cell, a virion, a pharmaceutical composition, a method and uses including or involving the vector described above. Further, a cell or transgenic animal produced by using the vector is also described.

Abstract: A host cell includes a heterogeneous expression unit including: (a) a polynucleotide encoding a mevalonate kinase derived from a microorganism belonging to a genus selected from Methanocella, Corynebacterium, Methanosaeta, and Nitrosopumilus, and (b) a promoter operatively linked to the polynucleotide. The host cell is used to produce mevalonate kinase, mevalonate-5-phosphate, and isoprenoid compounds.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides recombinant bacteria with elevated production of ethanol and/or n-butanol from ethylene. Methods for the production of the recombinant bacteria, as well as for use thereof for production of ethanol and/or n-butanol are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to recombinant host cells having at least one integrated polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide that catalyzes a step in a pyruvate-utilizing biosynthetic pathway, e.g., pyruvate to acetolactate conversion. The invention also relates to methods of increasing the biosynthetic production of isobutanol, 2,3-butanediol, 2-butanol or 2-butanone using such host cells.

Abstract: A method of producing bi-functional fatty acids comprising introducing into a host cell or organism, which comprises one or more ?- or ?-1 functionalized acyl-CoAs, and expressing therein a KASIII, which can use one or more of the ?- or ?-1 functionalized acyl-CoAs as a substrate; a method of producing a ?-1 hydroxy branched fatty acid, a ?-1 branched fatty acid, or a combination thereof by culturing a mutant E. coli, which does not express a functional KASIII from the endogenous fabH gene and expresses a phaA and a phaB and a functional exogenous KASIII; and a mutant E. coli, a method of making the mutant, a culture comprising the mutant, and a composition comprising ?-1 hydroxy branched fatty acids, a ?-1 branched fatty acids, or a combination thereof obtained from the culture.

Abstract: Recombinant microorganisms configured for increased glycogen production. The recombinant microorganisms comprise a recombinant nucleic acid configured to express or overexpress a glucose-1-phosphate adenylyltransferase. The recombinant microorganisms produce an increased amount of glycogen compared to a corresponding microorganism not comprising the recombinant nucleic acid.

Abstract: A biocatalytic process for producing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) or intermediates thereof, wherein those APIs or their intermediates are nucleoside analogues (NAs) of formula I and wherein said NAs are active as pharmaceutically relevant antivirals and anticancer medicaments, intermediates or prodrugs thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of upregulating the high mannose glycoform content of a recombinant protein during a mammalian cell culture by manipulating the mannose to total hexose ratio in the cell culture media formulation.

Abstract: A method for identification and/or characterization of a microbial agent present in a sample includes a step of analytical test data (e.g., obtaining intrinsic fluorescence values over a range of emission wavelengths) from the microbial agent. The analytical test data is transformed thereby minimizing strain to strain variations within an organism group. With the aid of a programmed computer, a multi-level classification algorithm coded as a set of processing instructions operates on the transformed analytic test data. The multiple levels correspond to different levels in a taxonomic hierarchy for microbial agents suspected of being in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for isolating extracellular nucleic acids from a sample, wherein said sample is optionally stabilized, by binding the extracellular nucleic acids to a solid phase which carries anion exchange groups, comprising the following steps: binding the extracellular nucleic acids to the solid phase in a binding mixture having a first pH which allows binding the extracellular nucleic acids to the anion exchange groups of the solid phase; wherein the sample makes up at least 85% of the volume of the binding mixture; separating the solid phase with the bound extracellular nucleic acids; optionally washing the extracellular nucleic acids; optionally eluting extracellular nucleic acids from the solid phase. The method has the advantage that large sample volumes can be processed and that extracellular nucleic acids can be isolated rapidly with a high yield. The method is particularly suitable for automatable processes.

Abstract: A method of separating bead substrates includes applying an emulsion to an emulsion-breaking solution. A dispersed phase of the emulsion includes an unbound polynucleotide, a first set of bead substrates and a second set of bead substrates. The unbound polynucleotide includes a segment complementary to a coupling oligonucleotide. The first set of bead substrates includes the coupling oligonucleotide extended to include a segment complementary to a portion of the unbound polynucleotide. The second set of bead substrates includes the coupling oligonucleotide. The emulsion-breaking solution includes an interference probe having a sequence similar to the coupling oligonucleotide or complementary to the coupling oligonucleotide. The method further includes binding beads of the first set of bead substrates to separation substrates and separating unbound beads of the second set of bead substrates from the beads of the first set of bead substrates bound to the separation substrates.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for making closed nucleic acid structures in which one or both strands are continuous. The closed nucleic acid structures can be used as sequencing templates among other applications.

Abstract: Compositions, kits, methods and systems for single molecule nucleotide sequencing comprising producing polymerase reactions having lithium that control the median pulse width for incorporated nucleotides are disclosed. The levels of lithium are used to control pulse width while allowing other sequencing parameters to remain within a desirable range.

Abstract: A device for performing biological sample reactions may include a plurality of flow cells configured to be mounted to a common microscope translation stage, wherein each flow cell is configured to receive at least one sample holder containing biological sample. Each flow cell also may be configured to be selectively placed in an open position for positioning the at least one sample holder into the flow cell and a closed position for reacting biological sample contained in the at least one sample holder. The plurality of flow cells may be configured to be selectively placed in the open position and the closed position independently of each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the fields of reproductive medicine. More specifically, the present invention relates to in vitro non-invasive methods for determining the quality of an embryo by determining the level of the cell free nucleic acids or miR-29a or let7-b in the nucleic acid extract from a follicular fluid sample.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of treating a neurodegenerative disorder such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Multiple Sclerosis (MS) that include administering to a subject at least one inhibitory nucleic acid that decreases the level or activity of microRNA hsa-miR-155.

Abstract: Methods are provided herein for determining the likelihood that a subject, such as an asymptomatic subject, has chlamydial pelvic inflammatory disease. In some embodiments, the method can determine the likelihood that a pharmaceutical agent is effective for treating a subject that has chlamydial pelvic inflammatory disease. In other specific non-limiting examples, the method predicts endometritis and elevated pathogen burden. The subject is a female, such as a human female.