The present invention relates to the use of Yersinia outer protein M (YopM), a YopM fragment, or a YopM variant, which is capable of autopenetrating the cell membrane and of integrating into the cell cytosol without the requirement of additional factors for delivering a cargo molecule across the membrane to the cytosol of a cell. The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising YopM, a YopM fragment, or a YopM variant being capable of autopenetrating the cell membrane and of integrating into the cell cytosol without the requirement of additional factors for the regulation of inflammatory reactions of the immune system and the treatment of diseases caused by autoimmunity of the host. The present invention further relates to a YopM fragment or variant, which is capable of autopenetrating the cell membrane and of integrating into the cell cytosol without the requirements of additional factors as well as such proteins or YopM linked to a cargo molecule.

The objective of this invention is to provide a yoke-type magnetic head and a magnetic recording device in which Barkhausen noise is low. It is possible to induce a magnetic flux efficiently within a magnetic head by using a granular magnetic film that exhibits both soft magnetic properties and a high resistance, which suppresses any shunt of the flow of the sense current into the magnetic yokes, thus preventing any deterioration insensitivity. Since this means that eddy currents can be suppressed, even during use in high-frequency regions, the frequency response characteristics are also improved. In addition, since the magnetic grains within the granular magnetic film are nano-sized, the dimensions of magnetic domains therein are also miniaturized to match that size, and thus there is also substantially no movement of the magnetic domain walls and this miniaturization also makes it possible to suppress the generation of Barkhausen noise. A similar effect can also be obtained by inducing maze domains within the magnetic yokes.

The objective of this invention is to provide a yoke-type magnetic head and a magnetic recording device in which Barkhausen noise is low. It is possible to induce a magnetic flux efficiently within a magnetic head by using a granular magnetic film that exhibits both soft magnetic properties and a high resistance, which suppresses any shunt of the flow of the sense current into the magnetic yokes, thus preventing any deterioration insensitivity. Since this means that eddy currents can be suppressed, even during use in high-frequency regions, the frequency response characteristics are also improved. In addition, since the magnetic grains within the granular magnetic film are nano-sized, the dimensions of magnetic domains therein are also miniaturized to match that size, and thus there is also substantially no movement of the magnetic domain walls and this miniaturization also makes it possible to suppress the generation of Barkhausen noise. A similar effect can also be obtained by inducing maze domains within the magnetic yokes.

The present invention is a yoke spin valve MR read head which electrically connects a spin valve MR sensor to spaced apart yoke portions. First and second yoke pieces are electrically connected at a head surface and are insulated from one another at a back gap which is remotely located from the head surface. The first yoke piece has a break which divides it into first and second portions which are spaced from one another. The spin valve MR sensor is located within this break and electrically interconnects the first and second portions of the first yoke piece. First and second leads are connected to the first and second yoke pieces respectively and receive a current from a current source for applying a sense current to the spin valve MR sensor via the first and second yoke pieces. When a magnetic medium is moved adjacent the head surface of the read head the yoke pieces serve as conductors for transmitting sense current to the spin valve MR sensor as well as functioning as a flux guide. Flux incursions propagated from the magnetic medium to the spin valve MR sensor via the yoke cause relative rotations between directions of magnetic moments of a pinned layer and a free layer which correspond to signals which can be processed by a signal processing device. The signal strength of the yoke spin valve MR sensor is superior to an anisotropic MR sensor and is easier to fabricate.

The present invention generally relates to yeast cell wall microparticles loaded with nanoparticles for receptor-targeted nanoparticle delivery. In particular, the present invention relates to trapping nanoparticles either on the surface or inside a yeast glucan particles, for example, yeast glucal particles. The present invention further relates to methods of making the yeast cell wall particles loaded with nanoparticles. The present invention also relates to methods of using the yeast cell wall particles loaded with nanoparticles for receptor-targeted delivery of the nanoparticles, e.g., drug containing nanoparticles.

The present invention generally relates to yeast cell wall microparticles loaded with nanoparticles for receptor-targeted nanoparticle delivery. In particular, the present invention relates to trapping nanoparticles either on the surface or inside a yeast glucan particles, for example, yeast glucal particles. The present invention further relates to methods of making the yeast cell wall particles loaded with nanoparticles. The present invention also relates to methods of using the yeast cell wall particles particles loaded with nanoparticles for receptor-targeted delivery of the nanoparticles, e.g., drug containing nanoparticles.

This proposal targets the development of flexible heterogeneous integration schemes for combining best-of-class materials, components and manufacturing methods into economically viable micro- and nanosystem (MEMS) solutions. Today, the IC industry drives the development of most micro- and nanofabrication technologies, which are characterized by standardized processes, very large production volumes of >10.000 wafers/month and enormous capital investments. In contrast, the vast majority of MEMS demand production volumes of <100 wafers/month and different manufacturing and integration processes for each type of device. The a-priori acceptance of IC manufacturing technologies for MEMS therefore leads to missed market opportunities for many moderate volume MEMS-based products and to sub-optimal material choices. Instead, we aim for a new MEMS-specific integration and manufacturing paradigm, in which the technologies and tools are adapted to the production volumes and design variations of MEMS devices. Specifically, we will develop novel and enabling micro/nano fabrication and integration techniques with a focus on flexibility and cost-efficiency in the following areas: ' Heterogeneous Material Integration, where we incorporate high-performance materials into MEMS using unconventional and innovative technologies and tools, including serial integration, wafer-level integration and free-form fabrication of MEMS; ' Heterogeneous System Integration, where we develop new wafer level schemes to combine, process and interconnect components fabricated with different technologies such as MEMS, NEMS, ICs or photonics; ' Lab-on-Chip Integration, in which transducers, mass transport solutions, surface biochemistry and liquids are combined at the wafer level into high-performance systems.

This proposal for a Marie Curie Fellowship focuses on the preparation of well-defined nanofibers from conjugated polymers and their use in photovoltaic devices. This project will be highly interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary, involving polymer synthesis, polymer self-assembly in the solution state, polymer crystallography, polymer physics, the physics of semiconducting materials, the fabrication and characterization of photovoltaic devices, and nanoscience. Therefore, this research is expected to have a substantial multidisciplinary impact ranging from polymer chemistry to polymer physics, to materials science, and to expand our knowledge of photovoltaic devices. To achieve the project goals it will be vital to combine the expertise of the applicant, Xiaoyu Li, on nanofibers and polymer-based device fabrication, with that of the host, Prof. Ian Manners, on polymer synthesis and crystallization-driven self-assembly of block copolymers in solution. Mr. Li is completing his Ph.D. in Canada and after working with Prof. Manners in the UK he aims to find a faculty position in China, his country of origin.

Building upon the Gas Dynamic Virtual (GDVN) technology developed by the researcher at his home institution and upon the very successful use of these injectors for biomolecular structure measurement with seminal X-ray Free Electron Lasers (XFEL's), this project will enhance and expand GDVN capabilities for both the current and the next generation of XFEL's. Specific goals of this project are (1) reduction of sample consumption from the 1-10 microliters/minute of the current GDVN injectors down to under 100 nanoliters/min, (2) development and testing of specific experimental methods (capillary coatings, new GDVN methodology, improved flow systems) to expand the variety of biological samples that can be delivered using GVDN injectors, and (3) porting of this technology and knowledge to the European XFEL communities.