Abstract:
Nucleotide sequences are described which can be used for target RNA-specific construction of asymmetric hammerhead ribozymes having high catalytic activity. Further, methods for the production of these asymmetric ribozymes and DNA sequences encoding them as well as compositions containing such ribozymes or DNA sequences are described.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a pipeline buffer for simultaneously transferring N words at each of a succession of clock cycles (CK), comprising N one-word wide memories (M0-M3) successively connected such that each memory is accessed like the preceding memory with one clock cycle delay, whereby the N memories are consecutively subjected to a same read or write access and each memory is subjected to consecutive different read or write accesses.
Abstract:
A sensitive assay for an analyte employing an acoustic wave sensor. A label which has a higher dissipative capacity than the analyte is adhered to the sensing surface of an acoustic wave sensor through the analyte such that the body of the label is spaced apart from and anchored to the surface of the acoustic wave sensor by a distance of 15 to 250 nm. The change in the energy losses of the acoustic wave when the label binds to the sensing surface is used to measure the presence or amount of the label. A substantial improvement in the detection limit of the label is obtained. The analyte may for example be a nucleic acid and the label may for example comprise liposomes.
Abstract:
A method and an apparatus for microfabricating precision patterns of biopolymers onto solid substrates by means of laser transfer are disclosed. The method involves the use of ultrafast laser pulses for transferring target biopolymer material, dimensioned according to the focal spot of the laser, from one surface of a transparent support onto the opposite positioned surface of receiving substrate. Repeating the transfer process at different target and substrate positions results in the production of extended patterns such as arrays of features or localized coatings. The apparatus is designed to produce the patters of biopolymers on solid substrates in an automated fashion. The method and the apparatus are of particular utility in producing devices for biological and biochemical assay systems such as biosensors and microarrays.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method and a device for removal of any kind of superficial encrustation from surfaces, by the synchronous use of the fundamental and one of the harmonic frequencies of a short-pulse laser system (in the order of 1- 40 ns). This is embodied by temporal and spatial overlapping of the two beams in various ratios of energy density values between them. The present invention relates to a problem of major concern, related to the cleaning of stone-sculpted surfaces of historic and/or artistic value without any alteration to the underlying authentic surfaces. The invention can be employed in other materials such as façades, metallic surfaces, glass, paper, wood etc. as well as in other applications of industrial or medical interest, such as the removal of radioactive residues from any type of surfaces or the removal of deposits from any kind of animal tissues. The success of this method is based on the combined action of two discrete mechanisms for the removal of surface deposits, embodied by the use of laser pulses of two different wavelengths simultaneously. The suggested device is based on the spatial and temporal overlapping of the fundamental frequency with one of its harmonics, as well as the possibility to adjust the energy of each one of the two radiations individually.
Abstract:
An integrated fabrication procedure of optoelectronic (OE) system, comprising light-emitting diodes (Lasers or LEDs) as well as photodetectors fabricated with III-V compound semiconductor epitaxial layers deposited on a crystalline wafer bonded on a Silicon wafer on which the CMOS/BiCMOS integrated circuits have been fabricated, characterized in that the bonding of the wafer containing the III-V epitaxial layers with the Silicon wafer is achieved either with an adhesive epoxy or with a Wafer Bonding procedure through the employment of an intermediate layer of SOG, SiO 2 or Si 3 N 4 (or a combination of them); the intermediate layers are deposited at low temperature (below 450°C) and the bonding is accomplished at even lower temperature (below 250°C). The invention is characterized in that the integration of the microelectronic with the optoelectronic components is achieved in a three-dimensional arrangement using a wafer scale fabrication procedure.