Abstract: A mutant hydrolase optionally fused to a protein of interest is provided. The mutant hydrolase is capable of forming a bond with a substrate for the corresponding nonmutant (wild-type) hydrolase which is more stable than the bond formed between the wild-type hydrolase and the substrate and has at least two amino acid substitutions relative to the wild-type hydrolase. Substrates for hydrolases comprising one or more functional groups are also provided, as well as methods of using the mutant hydrolase and the substrates of the invention. Also provided is a fusion protein capable of forming a stable bond with a substrate and cells which express the fusion protein.

Abstract: The present invention includes a harvesting and irrigation device, a method and a kit for the collection of viable fat cells and/or adipose tissue with decreased handing and improved yield and viability.

Abstract: A simple, highly flexible and scalable platform for making functional complex tissues with heterogeneity and irregularity is provided. The method includes combining undifferentiated cells, such as pluripotent or multipotent stem cells, with a biomaterial to make multiple undifferentiated or naïve subunits, exposing the undifferentiated or naïve subunits to different cell culture environments for induction of differentiation towards different lineages as required by that complex tissue, and combining the then functional subunits with or without the undifferentiated subunits. The differentiated subunits thus combined can be cultured under biological, chemical, and/or physical culture conditions suitable to fine-tune the structural and functional properties of the bioengineered complex tissue to form a bioengineered tissue graft that mimics the structural and functional characteristics of native complex tissue. The bioengineered tissue graft can then used to replace dysfunctional tissue.

Abstract: The present technology provides a system and/or method for a photoresist-based immunoisolative microcontainer with nanoslots defined by nanoimprint technology. The present technology further provides a method of immunoisolating one or more biomolecules, the method comprising providing a biocompatible microcontainer, wherein the microcontainer comprises a base and semi-permeable nanoporous surface. Methods of using the microcontainers for transplantation and cell therapy are also described.

Abstract: Provided are hydrolases, including lipases, saturases, palmitases and/or stearatases, and polynucleotides encoding them, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. Further provided are polypeptides, e.g., enzymes, having a hydrolase activity, e.g., lipases, saturases, palmitases and/or stearatases and methods for preparing low saturate or low trans fat oils, such as low saturate or low trans fat animal or vegetable oils, e.g., soy or canola oils.

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: The present invention provides a cell culture medium formulation that supports the in vitro cultivation, particularly in suspension, of mammalian cells, particularly epithelial cells and fibroblast cells, and methods for cultivating mammalian cells in suspension in vitro using these media. The media comprise a basal medium and a polyanionic or polyanionic compound, preferably a polysulfonated or polysulfated compound, and more preferably dextran sulfate. The present invention also provides chemically defined, protein-free eukaryotic cell culture media comprising an iron chelate and zinc, which is capable of supporting the growth (and particularly the high-density growth of mammalian cells) in suspension culture, increasing the level of expression of recombinant protein in cultured cells, and/or increasing virus production in cultured cells.

Abstract: A base plate having a surface on which a plurality of hydroxyl groups can be introduced, a metallic membrane disposed on the base plate and having a plurality of wells reaching the base plate, and a crosslinkable polymer membrane disposed on the metallic membrane are included.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of isomerically pure substituted cyclohexanols starting from a mixture of cis/trans substituted cyclohexanols which comprises reacting the cis/trans mixture of a substituted cyclohexanol with a dicarboxylic acid anhydride in the presence of a lipase, to give the trans semi-ester which is separated off from the unreacted substituted cyclohexanol cis isomer.

Abstract: Various systems, methods, and devices are provided for focusing particles suspended within a moving fluid into one or more localized stream lines. The system can include a substrate and at least one channel provided on the substrate having an inlet and an outlet. The system can further include a fluid moving along the channel in a laminar flow having suspended particles and a pumping element driving the laminar flow of the fluid. The fluid, the channel, and the pumping element can be configured to cause inertial forces to act on the particles and to focus the particles into one or more stream lines.

Abstract: A method for fixation of organic tissue samples includes immersing a tissue sample in a solution of Formalin at a temperature of between 2° C. and 10° C. for a first time period (A), and immersing the tissue sample in a cold fixation dehydrating agent for a second time period (B) following the first time period. An automated tissue fixation system for fixating organic tissue samples in Formalin is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a peptide derived from HIV-1 gp120 which forms insoluble aggregates when introduced into an aqueous solution and its use for enhancing viral infection of cells. In addition, the invention comprises methods for enhancing viral infection of cells, for concentrating a virus and for separating a virus from a fluid.

Abstract: A method for determining (e.g., detecting and/or measuring the concentration of) an analyte in a bodily fluid sample includes obtaining a bodily fluid sample, applying the bodily fluid sample to an analyte test strip, transferring the applied bodily fluid sample to a sample-receiving chamber of the analyte test strip, and determining an analyte in the bodily fluid sample. The analyte test strip employed in the method includes a first port in fluidic communication with the sample-receiving chamber and proximate a platform portion of the analyte test strip. Moreover, the platform portion is configured to receive a first (relatively large) bodily fluid sample of at least 5 micro-liters and transfer at least a portion of the first bodily fluid sample to the sample-receiving chamber via the first port.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the removal of carbon dioxide from a gas stream, particularly a flue gas, hydrogen gas from a reformer, natural gas, or gas from a cement kiln. Immobilized enzymes for use in carbon capture and other systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for preventing, treating and detecting leishmaniasis are disclosed. The compositions generally comprise fusion polypeptides comprising Leishmania antigens, in particular, SMT and NH antigens or immunogenic portions or variants thereof, as well as polynucleotides encoding such fusion polypeptides.

Abstract: Intermediates and methods for forming activated metal complexes bound to surfaces on oxide layers, immobilizing beads to the modified surface and articles produced thereby are described. Hydroxyl groups on the oxide surfaces are reacted with a metal reagent complex of the formula Y(L-Pol)m, where Y is a transition metal, magnesium or aluminum, L is oxygen, sulfur, selenium or an amine, and “Pol” represents a passivating agent such as a methoxyethanol, a polyethylene glycol, a hydrocarbon, or a fluorocarbon. The resulting modified surface can be further reacted with a passivating agent having a phosphate functional group or a plurality of functional groups that are reactive with or that form complexes with Y.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a useful substance, the process includes feeding a liquid mixture formed of two liquid phases into a fixed bed-type reaction column packed with an immobilized enzyme, and allowing the liquid mixture to flow in the same direction in a co-current manner to perform a reaction. The packing thickness of the immobilized enzyme per stage of the fixed bed-type reaction column having an equivalent circular diameter of 35 mm? or larger is 10 to 200 mm. The flow of the reaction liquid inside the column can be made uniform, and as a result, reactivity and productivity is enhanced.

Abstract: The detection of endothelial cell antibodies has been proven clinically important for successful organ transplantation. Disclosed are methods of isolating Tie-2+ and CD34? precursor endothelial cells for use in donor-specific crossmatching.

Abstract: The present invention relates to use of Caminibacter carbonic anhydrase in CO2 extraction, e.g., from flue gas, natural gas, biogas or ambient air. The Caminibacter carbonic anhydrases are especially well suited for these purpose due to their extreme thermostability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a composition comprising (a) at least three different amino acids, (b) at least two different amino acids and a saponin or (c) at least one dipeptide or tripeptide for stabilizing biomolecules immobilized on a solid carrier. The invention furthermore relates to a method for producing stabilized biomolecules, comprising embedding the biomolecules in the composition according to the invention and a method of producing a solid carrier having biomolecules attached thereto. The invention furthermore relates to a solid carrier producible or produced by the method of the invention and a method of diagnosing a disease using the carrier of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a treatment by pulmonary delivery of bioscavengers to animals as an effective antidote to prevent toxicity produced by exposure of an animal to nerve agents and other toxic substances.

Abstract: The invention relates to constructs comprising a nucleic acid binding protein and a surface. At least one native accessible cysteine residue is removed from the binding protein. The binding protein is attached to the surface via one or more accessible cysteine residues. The removal of other accessible cysteine residues from the protein allows control attachment to the surface. The constructs can be used to generate transmembrane pores having a nucleic acid binding protein attached thereto. Such pores are particularly useful for sequencing nucleic acids. The enzyme handles the nucleic acid in such a way that the pore can detect each of its component nucleotides by stochastic sensing.

Abstract: Provided is a method of separating microorganisms from a sample including contacting the sample containing microorganisms with an inorganic on exchange material such that the sample reacts with the inorganic on exchange material, and contacting the reacted sample with a means for capturing microorganisms.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and compositions for reducing turf thatch and/or preventing turf thatch buildup.

Abstract: A method of capturing a Circulating Tumor Cell (CTC) from a sample includes introducing a sample into a microfluidic device having a cell capture surface and a flow modification surface under conditions that allow a CTC to bind to a cell rolling-inducing agent and a capturing agent disposed on the cell capture surface. The flow modification surface induces a rotational flow within the sample as it flows through the microfluidic device.

Abstract: We describe a plant lipase polypeptide and nucleic acids that encode said polypeptide which has homology to a patatin and which has phospholipase and/or triacylglycerol lipase activity.

Abstract: This invention relates to phytases, polynucleotides encoding them, uses of the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention, as well as the production and isolation of such polynucleotides and polypeptides. In particular, the invention provides polypeptides having phytase activity under high temperature conditions, and phytases that retain activity after exposure to high temperatures. The invention further provides phytases which have increased gastric lability. The phytases of the invention can be used in foodstuffs to improve the feeding value of phytate rich ingredients. The phytases of the invention can be formulated as foods or feeds or supplements for either to, e.g., aid in the digestion of phytate.

Abstract: A method for making a tissue includes seeding cells at a selected concentration on a support to form a cell spot, incubating the cells to allow the cells to partially attach, rinsing the cells to remove any unattached cells, adding culture medium to enable the cells to proliferate at a periphery of the cell spot and to differentiate toward a center of the cell spot, and further incubating the cells to form the tissue. The cells may be C2C12 cells or other subclones of the C2 cell line, H9c2(2-1) cells, L6 cells, L8 cells, QM7 cells, Sol8 cells, G-7 cells, G-8 cells, other myoblast cells, cells from other tissues, or stem cells. The selected concentration is in a range from about 1×105 cells/ml to about 1×106 cells/ml. The tissue formed may be a skeletal muscle tissue, a cardiac muscle tissue, nerve tissue, or a bone tissue.

Abstract: A biological material fixed region enclosing tip, a biological material fixed region treatment apparatus, and a treatment method thereof. An object is to enable processing to be performed while a fixing region is enclosed in an immovable state with respect to the tip form vessel, and to execute processing of high reliability with a simple apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, reagents, and substrates that can be used for, for example, immobilizing biomolecules, such as nucleic acids and proteins. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to surfaces coated with a polymer according to the present invention. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to methods for thermochemically and/or photochemically attaching molecules to a surface at a high density.

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: An affinity substrate for selectively binding a coagulation protein, includes a substrate solid on which nucleic aptamers binding specifically to the coagulation protein are immobilized.

Abstract: Described is a new stand-alone diguanylate cyclase polypeptide having a GGDEF motif and a mutated I-site that does not bind c-di-GMP. We demonstrate that the production yield of c-di-GMP and analogues was significantly increased by mutation of a conserved residue in the putative regulatory I-site.

Abstract: An anatomically-shaped, human bone graft may be cultivated ex vivo using a bioreactor capable of perfusing large complex porous scaffolds. Scaffolds derived from image-based modeling of a target are seeded with human mesenchymal stem cells and cultivated. A bioreactor configured to house complex three-dimensional scaffold geometries provides controlled flow for perfusion of the cells. Dense uniform cellular growth can be attained throughout the entire scaffold as a result of the medium perfusion. In an embodiment, the bioreactor has a mold into which perfusion medium is pumped under pressure and multiple ports through which the medium exits the mold.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for reducing the immunogenicity and increasing the circulating half-life of therapeutic proteins such as Factor VIII. The compositions comprise lipidic structures such as liposomes, micelles and cochleates comprising a negatively charged lipid and polyethylene glycol derivatized phosphatidyl ethanolamine.

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

Abstract: A test kit for detecting an antibiotic or antibiotics containing a ?-lactam ring in a biological fluid is provided. The test kit includes at least one recognition agent, which is a receptor which specifically binds to antibiotics containing a ?-lactam ring and is obtained from Bacillus licheniformis. The test kit further contains at least one reference antibiotic immobilized on a solid support.

Abstract: An aquarium which includes a tank having a pump and an under gravel filter disposed in the tank below the pump and a sediment removal system for collecting and removing sediment which passes through the under gravel filter. The under gravel filter includes a hollow bubble dispersing base plate having a perforated top surface and an overlying substrate. An air conduit is provided for introducing air into the pump. The pump is connected to the plate such as to pump water and air into the interior of the plate to thereby cause oxygenated water and bubbles to exit upwardly through the perforated top surface of the plate and into and through the substrate. The pump includes a free floating magnetic impeller. A rotational torque generating unit is provided to rotate the impeller. The rotational torque generating unit includes a magnetic drive disk and a motor for rotating the magnetic drive disk.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a carbohydrate hydrolase-immobilized magnetic nanoparticle; a method of preparing ethanol from graminaceous plants and a continuous system of preparing ethanol.

Abstract: The application relates to a method, system and device for performing biological assays. The method, system and device allow more accurate and specific detections of biomolecules in multiplex assays, such as immunoassays and DNA microarray assays. More specifically, the embodiments of the invention allow the detection of labels after their detachment or disassociation from a binding situation wherein interference from other labels or the background may reduce the accuracy of specificity of the detection. The embodiments of the invention further allow detection of individual labels.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for culturing pluripotent or multipotent cells in vitro, the method comprising attaching pluripotent or multipotent cells to a plurality of microcarriers to form microcarrier-cell complexes, and culturing the microcarrier-cell complexes in suspension culture in the presence of a ROCK inhibitor.

Abstract: Methods of binding and detecting a microorganism on a solid substrate. The microorganism is bound on a solid substrate covalently bound to a capture agent having a saccharide moiety. A lectin capable of binding to the microorganism and the saccharide moiety of the capture agent is added to the sample to bind the microorganism on the solid substrate. Further provided are biosensor devices, such as a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) device or a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) device, that incorporate the solid substrate for the detection of microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing commercial scale quantities of human functional Betacells and to the establishment of cell lines. It also relates to a method of diagnosis using Beta cell tumors or cells derived thereof. The method comprises sub-transplantation procedure to enrich the graft in proliferating Betacells, allowing to generate human Betacell lines. Such lines express little amount of insulin and have a gene expression profile that resembles to adult Betacells. In addition, the human Betacell lines are able to normalize glycemia of diabetic mice when transplanted, demonstrating their insulin secretion capabilities.

Abstract: A method and a composition for delivery of a biomaterial to an animal cell or a tissue, the composition includes (a) a biomaterial; (b) a biodegradable cross-linker portion having a hydrolyzable bond, wherein the biodegradable cross-linker portion is covalently bound to the biomaterial; and (c) a substrate, wherein the substrate is covalently bound to the biodegradable cross-linker portion, provided that the biodegradable cross-linker is adapted to hydrolyze by breaking the hydrolyzable bond and thereby release and deliver the biomaterial. A process of making the composition is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a culture device comprising a plurality of culture units, wherein each unit comprises a culture chamber, an inlet port for liquid supply of the culture and an outlet port for discharging liquid from the unit, wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with the culture chamber and the culture chamber is in fluid communication with the outlet port for allowing a liquid flow through the culture chamber. The culture device is particularly suitable for testing immune cells and immunofunction in vitro. Aspects of the invention include a culture device and associated methods for cultivating immune cells and an in vitro method of analysing the effect of a test compound on immune cells.

Abstract: A glove holder is disclosed for coupling a glove to an air vent. The glove has a body defining an interior cavity. The body has an aperture for accessing the interior cavity. The air vent discharging an air flow. The air flow dries the glove. The glove holder comprises a cylinder having an intake end, an exhaust end, an interior surface, and an exterior surface. The interior surface defines an interior bore extending from the intake end to the exhaust end. The cylinder is insertable through the aperture and into the interior cavity of the body for positioning the exterior surface of the cylinder adjacent to the body of the glove. A support arm extends from a first end to a second end. The first end of the support arm is secured to the interior surface of the cylinder. The second end of the support arm is positioned within the interior bore. A clamp secures the second end of the support arm to the air vent.

Abstract: Embodiments provide one of a method, a device, and their use to isolate or analyze cells, including pathogens from body fluids by means of different separation methods.

Abstract: This invention relates to an oil degumming method that is free of emulsification. This method includes the steps of treating crude oil first with immobilized phospholipase and then extracting the phospholipase-treated crude oil with pure water or an aqueous solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device of integrated neuronal cells interfaced with an electronic device and a method of producing the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of directing in situ oriented immobilization of a protein on a support. This method involves providing a support and contacting the support with a solution. The solution comprises (a) a protein comprising a coupling moiety and (b) a molecule comprising a first group reactive with the support and a second group reactive with the coupling moiety. The molecule binds (i) the support at the first group and (ii) the coupling moiety at the second group, thereby immobilizing and orienting, in situ, the protein on the support. Also described are a protein array and a method of screening compounds for protein interaction.