Abstract: The present invention provides assays and devices for detection of substances in liquid samples. The assays and devices utilize passive diffusion between a porous material and a porous membrane containing a specific binding pair member to enable detection of the substance of interest.

Abstract: Filamentous fungi are grown in pellet form by culturing the filamentous fungi in liquid culture under one or more of the following conditions: 1) with addition of particulate substrates: 2) using spores which have been stored for a period of time prior to inoculation; and 3) using high spore inoculum concentrations.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a micro-organ device comprises providing a microscale support having one or more microfluidic channels and one or more micro-chambers for housing a micro-organ and printing a micro-organ on the microscale support using a cell suspension in a syringe controlled by a computer-aided tissue engineering system, wherein the cell suspension comprises cells suspended in a solution containing a material that functions as a three-dimensional scaffold. The printing is performed with the computer-aided tissue engineering system according to a particular pattern. The micro-organ device comprises at least one micro-chamber each housing a micro-organ; and at least one microfluidic channel connected to the micro-chamber, wherein the micro-organ comprises cells arranged in a configuration that includes microscale spacing between portions of the cells to facilitate diffusion exchange between the cells and a medium supplied from the at least one microfluidic channel.

Abstract: Methods and systems for physically separating helper embryos from desired embryos in a group culturing technique in order to maintain the pedigree and genetic information of the desired embryos from different species, including cattle and human, and to provide the developmental benefits of group culturing. The separation of the groups of embryos can be the result of embedding one group of embryos in a gel or solid, or the groups can be physically separated by a membrane or other structure.

Abstract: The present invention is to reduce a false signal in an apparatus for electrochemically decoding a base sequence of DNA, which false signal is caused by a phenomenon that even unreacted nucleotide 5?-triphosphate derivatives remaining in the solution are electrochemically converted on an electrode.

Abstract: Synthetic surfaces capable of supporting culture of undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells in a chemically defined medium include a swellable (meth)acrylate layer and a peptide conjugated to the swellable (meth)acrylate layer. The swellable (meth)acrylate layer may be formed by polymerizing monomers in a composition that includes hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 2-carboxyehylacrylate, and tetra(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate. The conjugated peptide may include an amino acid sequence of XaanProGlnValThrArgGlyAspValPheThrMetPro, where n is an integer from 0 to 3 and where Xaa is any amino acid. Further, disclosed herein is a swellable (meth)acrylate synthetic surface which can be sterilized by gamma irradiation.

Abstract: A method of improving the blood compatibility of a blood-contacting surface includes immobilizing carbonic anhydrase on the surface, wherein the surface exhibits carbonic anhydrase activity of at least 20% of maximum theoretical activity of the surface based on monolayer surface coverage of carbonic anhydrase.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for inducing desired activity in enzymes or microorganisms capable of producing the enzymes. The invention is further directed to methods of stabilizing activity in microorganisms. In specific embodiments, the invention provides methods for inducing and stabilizing nitrile hydratase activity, amidase activity, and asparaginase I activity. The invention further provides compositions comprising enzymes or microorganisms having induced and/or stabilized activity.

Abstract: A process for producing fatty acid by hydrolyzing oil and fat, which comprises: a first step of partially hydrolyzing oil and fat by either of the following method (a) or (b), and a second step of hydrolysis by the other method: (a) enzymatic hydrolysis using an immobilized enzyme which is an enzyme immobilized on a support and (b) high pressure and temperature hydrolysis. A method of efficiently producing fatty acid with a reduced content of trans-unsaturated fatty acid in the constituent fatty acids and having a good appearance with reduced coloring by hydrolysis of oil and fat is provided.

Abstract: Uniform, functional polymer patches can be attached to a fraction of the surface area of living individual cells. These surface-modified cells remain viable after attachment of the functional patch. The patch does not completely occlude the cellular surface from the surrounding environment. Functional payloads carried by the patch may include, for example, drugs or other small molecules, peptides, proteins, thermally responsive polymers, and nanoparticles, or any other material that can be incorporated in a polymer patch of subcellular dimensions. The patch can include one or more polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs).

Abstract: Active surface coupled polymerases, surfaces that include such polymerases, and methods of making and using surface-attached polymerases are provided.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the application of a previously unknown property of nanomaterials—its ability to enhance protein activity and stability at high temperatures, in organic solvents, and in polymer composites. Nanomaterials such as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) can significantly enhance enzyme function and stability in strongly denaturing environments. Experimental results and theoretical analysis reveal that the enhancement in stability is a result of the curvature of these nanoscale materials, which suppresses unfavorable protein-protein interactions.

Abstract: Methods, enzymes, recombinant microorganism, and microbial systems are provided for converting polysaccharides, such as those derived from biomass, into suitable monosaccharides or oligosaccharides, as well as for converting suitable monosaccharides or oligosaccharides into commodity chemicals, such as biofuels. Commodity chemicals produced by the methods described herein are also provided. Commodity chemical enriched, refinery-produced petroleum products are also provided, as well as methods for producing the same.

Abstract: We describe examples using aptamers for capturing and reporting the presence of a target, such as a pathogen. Examples described here include a set of aptamers that are specific to F. tularensisis. Other examples described here include an Aptamer-Linked Immobilized Sorbent Assay (ALISA) and dot blot assay. An example of a method provided here comprises: providing a set of DNA sequences that exhibit high binding affinity to target antigen, placing the DNA sequences in a sandwich aptamer-linked immobilized sorbent assay (ALISA), contacting the DNA sequences with a sample, and detecting whether the target is present in the sample. Some alternative implementations may include dot blots and different reporters. Quantum dot sandwich assays and quantum dot de-quenching reporters can be used.

Abstract: A method of making a molded part, including forming a liquid aggregate from a mixture of ground aggregate and a fluid. A fungal inoculum and the liquid aggregate are injected into a first mold cavity. The first mold cavity is sealed against a second mold cavity. Live mycelium is grown from the fungal inoculum to fill the first and second mold cavities. The live mycelium is cured to terminate further growth and develop a formed substrate.

Abstract: A system for generating a tissue construct includes a mixing chamber, a piston chamber, a reaction chamber, and a pump. The mixing chamber is configured to receive a hydrogel solution and a cell suspension solution. The piston chamber includes a first piston and is configured to receive a mixture of the hydrogel solution and the cell suspension solution from the mixing chamber. The first piston is configured to push the mixture through one or more capillaries into the reaction chamber. The reaction is configured to receive the mixture and a cross-linking initiator. The pump is configured to move the mixture through the reaction chamber such that the mixture and the cross-linking initiator combine to form an encapsulated cell material.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for positioning at least one preferably biological specimen in the specimen space of a microscope arrangement, and to devices for carrying out these methods. Methods and devices arc proposed, wherein the specimen's orientation relative to a detection objective's optical axis can be repeatedly changed and, in doing so, the specimen is held so that a substantially unobstructed view of the specimen is ensured from every detection direction. In different constructional variants, the specimen is held at a supporting device by adhesive forces or by a flowing medium, the specimen is held at a capillary opening by capillary action, or at least one specimen is embedded in a body of transparent gel, and the gel body is fixed in the specimen space by means of a rotatable holding device, and the detection direction is changed by rotating the holding device by a given angle of rotation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new method for reversible staining and functional isolation or characterization of cells, e.g. antigen-specific T cells. With this technique, the original functional status of cells can be substantially maintained after their identification and purification. Thus, this new method is of broad benefit for basic research and clinical applications.

Abstract: A method of making a hardened elongate structure, including growing a live mycelium mat having branching hyphae. The live mycelium mat is layered to form a multi-layered structure. The hyphae are allowed to grow inward into the multi-layered structure such that the hyphae are interwoven throughout the multi-layered structure. The multi-layered structure is cured to terminate mycelium growth.

Abstract: A methodology, and related systems and structures for accomplishing the methodology, of biological remediation of hazardous or undesirable organic matter, wherein a plurality of carrier members are disposed in a localized retaining member, the carrier members releasing or exposing microorganisms to the undesirable organic matter on a staggered basis over an extended period of time, the microorganisms being capable of biologically remediating the undesirable organic matter by utilizing the organic matter as a food source, thereby converting it into environmentally safe bi-products. Carrier members containing nutrients necessary for the survival of the microorganisms and having release times corresponding to the release times of the microorganisms are also provided to insure that the microorganisms remain viable upon release.

Abstract: A method of making a molded part, including adding a fungal inoculum with a liquid aggregate to form a mixture. The mixture is inserted into a mold cavity. The mold cavity is covered with a cover. Live mycelium is grown from the mixture that fills the mold cavity and physically couples with the cover. The live mycelium is heated to terminate further growth and develop a composite component made of mycelium and the cover.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods for selecting in parallel (i.e., synchronously or simultaneously) peptides that target a number of organs, in which each peptide targets distinct tissues or organs. Typically, the methods of the invention provide for peptide selection in a Minimal number of subjects and still provides a selectively binding peptide. In certain aspects, methods of identifying peptides that bind to multiple selected tissues or organs of an organism may comprise the steps of administering a phage display library to a first subject; obtaining a sample of two or more selected tissues; obtaining phage displaying peptides that bind to the samples from the first subject; enriching for peptides by administering phage isolated from the samples of the first subject to a second subject; obtaining a sample of two or more selected tissues from the second subject; and identifying the peptides displayed.

Abstract: Constructs and methods for immobilizing stem and other precursor cells, as well as other bioactive materials of therapeutic value on the surfaces of medical devices, such as bone, cartilage, spinal and tooth implants, are described herein. The present invention has broad application in the incorporation of bioactive and therapeutic materials in or on a medical implant or other interventional device, having particular value in enabling the real-time, utilization by medical personnel of bioactive materials extracted from the patient and subsequently reintroduced and immobilized in an implant device.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for binding a recombinant polypeptide to a carrier, wherein a layer is bound to a carrier, and the layer comprises a recombinant polypeptide on the surface distal to the carrier.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polypeptides having any cellulolytic activity, e.g., a cellulase activity, e.g., endoglucanase, cellobiohydrolase, beta-glucosidase, xylanase, mannanse, ?-xylosidase, arabinofuranosidase, and/or oligomerase activity, including thermostable and thermotolerant activity, and polynucleotides encoding these enzymes, and making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The polypeptides of the invention can be used in a variety of pharmaceutical, agricultural, food and feed processing and industrial contexts. The invention also provides compositions or products of manufacture comprising mixtures of enzymes comprising at least one enzyme of this invention.

Abstract: A device for the treatment of waste material in a waste water collection system includes an inner core and an outer portion partially surrounding the inner core such that at least one surface of the inner core is exposed. The inner core has a greater water solubility than the outer portion.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and compositions for assembling biological constructs (e.g., plasmids, transformed cells, etc.). In certain embodiments the methods involve encapsulating separate components of said biological construct each in a fluid droplet confined in a fluid channel; optionally mixing droplets from different fluid channels to for a sequenced order of droplets carrying different components of said biological construct in a channel or chamber; and optionally combining two or more droplets each containing different components of said biological construct to permit said components to react with each other in one or more reactions contributing to the assembly of said biological construct.

Abstract: A method of making a molded part, including forming a liquid aggregate from a mixture of finely ground aggregate and a fluid. A mixture of a fungal inoculum and the liquid aggregate is formed. Nanoparticles are homogenously distributed throughout the mixture. The mixture is inserted into a mold cavity. Live mycelium is grown to fill the mold cavity. The live mycelium is heated to terminate further growth and develop a formed part.

Abstract: The invention provides microarrays comprising a plurality of frozen tissues and/or cell samples and methods of preparing and using the same. By using frozen samples, the microarrays provide optimal samples from which to detect the expression of both nucleic acids (e.g., mRNAs) and proteins in high throughput parallel analyses. The microarrays enable gene identification, molecular profiling, selection of promising drug targets, sorting and prioritizing of expressed sequence array data, and the identification of abnormal physiological processes associated with disease.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for isolating a modified peptide from a complex mixture of peptides, the method comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining a proteinaceous preparation from an organism, wherein the preparation comprises modified peptides from two or more different proteins; (b) contacting the preparation with at least one immobilized modification-specific antibody; and (c) isolating at least one modified peptide specifically bound by the immobilized modification-specific antibody in step (b). The method may further comprise the step of (d) characterizing the modified peptide isolated in step (c) by mass spectrometry (MS), tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS), and/or MS3 analysis, or the step of (e) utilizing a search program to substantially match the spectra obtained for the modified peptide during the characterization of step (d) with the spectra for a known peptide sequence, thereby identifying the parent protein(s) of the modified peptide.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are coated articles and methods of preparing the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a fatty acid, which includes feeding a liquid mixture formed of two liquid phases that flow in a co-current manner into a fixed bed-type reaction column packed with immobilized lipase, and performing a hydrolysis reaction when the two liquid phases are in contact with the immobilized lipase in the fixed-bed reaction column; wherein the fixed-bed reaction column comprises partition plates so as to comprise a plurality of tube- shaped structures, wherein each tube-shaped structure has a cross -section which is rectangular, circular, oval, or polygonal in shape with at least a part being unclosed and the cross-section has a representative length of 100 mm or less.

Abstract: Isolated stromal cells, containers comprising isolated stromal cells transfected with exogenous DNA, and methods of treating patients suffering from diseases characterized by a bone cartilage or lung defect are disclosed. The methods comprise obtaining a bone marrow sample from a donor, isolating stromal cells from the sample, and administering the isolated stromal cells to the patient.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating a target substance from a fluid or mixture. Capsules having a coating and stripping solvents encapsulated in the capsules are provided. The coating is permeable to the target substance. The capsules having a coating and stripping solvents encapsulated in the capsules are exposed to the fluid or mixture. The target substance migrates through the coating and is taken up by the stripping solvents. The target substance is separated from the fluid or mixture by driving off the target substance from the capsules.

Abstract: In alternative embodiments, the invention provides phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) enzymes, nucleic acids encoding them, antibodies that bind specifically to them, and methods for making and using them. Industrial methods and products comprising use of these phospholipases are also provided. In certain embodiments, provided herein are methods for hydration of non hydratable phospholipids (NHPs) within a lipid matrix. The methods enable migration of NHPs to an oil-water interface thereby allowing the NHPs to be reacted and/or removed from the lipids. In certain embodiments, provided is a method for removing NHPs, hydratable phospholipids, and lecithins from vegetable oils to produce a degummed oil or fat product that can be used for food production and/or non-food applications. In certain embodiments, provided herein are methods for hydration of NHPs followed by enzymatic treatment and removal of various phospholipids and lecithins.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cell carrier (10) for receiving a biological sample. The carrier comprises a magnetic element (20) and a floor element (30) that forms a stable support (31) that can be displaced on a solid base surface in at least one direction. The invention also relates to a manipulation device for biological samples and to a method for manipulating biological samples.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to methods, apparatuses, and cellular compositions and cellular products that use a unique trophoblast-containing 3D matrix as a compartmental chamber for growing embryoid bodies that can be induced to differentiate into organ-specific cell types.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that may be used for collecting target cells or tissue and preparing a cell block are disclosed.

Abstract: Structures and methods for tissue engineering include a multicellular body including a plurality of living cells. A plurality of multicellular bodies can be arranged in a pattern and allowed to fuse to form an engineered tissue. The arrangement can include filler bodies including a biocompatible material that resists migration and ingrowth of cells from the multicellular bodies and that is resistant to adherence of cells to it. Three-dimensional constructs can be assembled by printing or otherwise stacking the multicellular bodies and filler bodies such that there is direct contact between adjoining multicellular bodies, suitably along a contact area that has a substantial length. The direct contact between the multicellular bodies promotes efficient and reliable fusion. The increased contact area between adjoining multicellular bodies also promotes efficient and reliable fusion.

Abstract: A method of making a molded part, including forming a liquid aggregate from a mixture of finely ground aggregate and a fluid. A mixture of a fungal inoculum and the liquid aggregate is formed. Nanoparticles are homogenously distributed throughout the mixture. The mixture is inserted into a mold cavity. Live mycelium is grown to fill the mold cavity. The live mycelium is heated to terminate further growth and develop a formed part.

Abstract: A method of making a molded part, including forming a liquid aggregate. A fungal inoculum and the liquid aggregate are inserted into a mold cavity. A portion of an object is inserted into the mold cavity. The fungal inoculum is grown into live mycelium that operably couples with the object. The mycelium is heated to terminate further growth and develop a composite part made of mycelium and the object.

Abstract: It is possible to eliminate fluctuation in the pellet strength of the entrapping immobilization pellets according to production lots, and constantly and stably produce the entrapping immobilization pellets having high pellet strength regardless of the production lots. An apparatus for producing entrapping immobilization pellets by polymerizing an immobilizing material into a gel in the presence of an activated sludge to entrap and immobilize microorganisms in the immobilizing material, the apparatus including: a line mixer which mixes an activated sludge with an immobilizing material to prepare a raw material solution, a temperature sensor which measures a temperature of the prepared raw material solution, an addition pump which adds a polymerization initiator to the prepared raw material solution, and a controller which controls the addition pump according to the measured temperature to control an additive rate of the polymerization initiator.

Abstract: An emulsion is useful in allowing a wide variety of gene products to be expressed via eukaryotic in vitro expression. The emulsion comprises a silicone based surfactant, a hydrophobic phase and a hydrophilic phase; wherein the hydrophilic phase comprises a plurality of compartments containing a functional in vitro eukaryotic expression system.

Abstract: A bioactive composition includes a hydrogel matrix. At least one protein is immobilized in the hydrogel matrix. The digestive protein has a half-life at least 1000 times longer than the half-life of a free digestive protein counterpart.

Abstract: Microfluidic systems and methods including those that provide control of fluid flow are provided. Such systems and methods can be used, for example, to control pressure-driven flow based on the influence of channel geometry and the viscosity of one or more fluids inside the system. One method includes flowing a plug of a low viscosity fluid and a plug of a high viscosity fluid in a channel including a flow constriction region and a non-constriction region. In one embodiment, the low viscosity fluid flows at a first flow rate in the channel and the flow rate is not substantially affected by the flow constriction region. When the high viscosity fluid flows from the non-constriction region to the flow constriction region, the flow rates of the fluids decrease substantially, since the flow rates, in some systems, are influenced by the highest viscosity fluid flowing in the smallest cross-sectional area of the system (e.g., the flow constriction region).

Abstract: Methods are provided for the encapsulation of living cells with a silica glass layer. The methods comprise adding a sol solution to cells in buffered media, forming a sol-gel layer on the cells and then diluting the media or removing the cells from the media.

Abstract: Provided are a novel use of a lipolytic enzyme for forming anti-fingerprint coating, a method of forming anti-fingerprint coating including treating a substrate with a composition comprising the lipolytic enzyme, a substrate including the anti-fingerprint coating formed by the same method, and a product including the same. The anti-fingerprint coating can reduce contamination of display devices, appearances of electronic devices or building materials by fingerpris.

Abstract: A quantum dot (QD) conjugate comprises a QD and a ligand conjugated with the QD, in which the ligand has at least one thiol and at least one other functional group. The QD conjugate may further comprise a bioactive agent covalently coupled to the ligand to form a bioactive agent-tagged QD conjugate. A method for preparing a QD conjugate comprises the steps of: (1) providing a solution comprising a QD encapsulated within a dendrimer; (2) adding into the solution a ligand; and (3) allowing an exchange between the ligand and the dendrimer for the QD to obtain a ligand-QD conjugate, in which the ligand is covalently conjugated to the surface of the QD. The method may further comprise the step of coupling the ligand-QD conjugate to a bioactive agent to obtain a bioactive agent-tagged ligand-QD conjugate.

Abstract: The present application describes a method of treating a patient with cancer or at risk of developing cancer with at least one regulatory element that induces differentiation of cells.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for producing encapsulated cells having an average diameter of less than about 200 ?m are provided. Methods for using the disclosed encapsulated cells are also provided.