990 results about "Growth medium" patented technology

A method of increasing the growth of stem cells by mixing the stem cells with a growth medium that has been conditioned by an incubation with placental tissue. The method increases the expansion of the stem cell population.

Methods and systems for a subsurface upflow wetland for wastewater treatment that includes a series of parallel treatment cells, each cell including from bottom to top, a layer of gravel, a layer of sand over the gravel to remove pathogens from a septic effluent, a pollution control medium above the sand layer to remove nutrients, total suspended solid, and biochemical oxygen demand and a growth media mixture layered on top of the pollution control media to grow plants, and a gravity distribution system to distribute effluent to the series of parallel treatment cells. The pollution control medium includes at least one recycled material and at least one naturally occurring material. In an embodiment it includes recycled tire crumb, sand and limestone or recycled tire crumb, compost, sand and limestone.

A gardening system includes a modular seed cartridge including a rigid, cup-shaped receptacle including an upper portion having an outer rim, a soilless growth medium located in the rigid, cup-shaped receptacle, and at least one seed in contact with the soilless growth medium. The gardening system also includes an aeroponic or hydroponic garden including a chamber including a lower portion for storing a liquid nutrient solution, a cover located above the chamber, the cover including a plant opening adapted to removably support the modular seed cartridge by the outer rim, and a pump located in the chamber and adapted to circulate the liquid nutrient solution from the lower portion of the chamber to the modular seed cartridge supported by the plant opening.

A grow light fixture that may be used for the replacement of high intensity discharge (HID) lamp fixtures used for growing plants includes a housing containing a plurality of both red and blue high power LEDs mounted to a circuit board, and powered by an onboard power supply. Control circuitry may include separate, infinitely variable controls to enable independent adjustment of the red and blue LED light output. A plurality of thermal vias made of copper or other thermally conductive material extend through the circuit board to conduct heat from the LEDs to a heat sink mounted on the back of the circuit board, and a fan may be used to vent the heat to the outside of the housing. The housing is mounted an appropriate distance above a plant in a growth media to provide user-controlled lighting for enhanced plant growth.

A chemostat that includes a growth chamber having a plurality of compartments, where each of the compartments may be fluidly isolated from the rest of the growth chamber by one or more actuatable valves. The chemostat may also include a nutrient supply-line to supply growth medium to the growth chamber, and an output port to remove fluids from the growth chamber. Also, a method of preventing biofilm formation in a growth chamber of a chemostat. The method may include the steps of adding a lysis agent to a isolated portion of the growth chamber, and reuniting the isolated portion with the rest of the growth chamber.

The present invention provides methods for in vitro production of clinically useful quantities of differentiated human blood cells. In various embodiments of the present invention, immortal pluripotent cells are used to produce differentiated blood cell populations using a cell production device. In a specific embodiment, the device is a sequential series of bioreactors utilizing growth media containing specific combinations of maintenance-, proliferation- or differentiation-promoting factors that maintain, expand and promote the maturation and differentiation of the desired cell types. The immortal pluripotent cells can optionally be genetically modified so as to remove histcompatibility or blood group antigens.

The invention relates to methods for the screening, identification and / or application of microorganisms of use in imparting beneficial properties to plants. In one embodiment, the method involves subjecting one or more plants to a growth medium in the presence of a set of microorganisms, selecting one or more plant, acquiring one or more microorganisms associated with the selected plant(s) and repeating the process one or more times. The method further involves the step of subjecting the one or more microorganisms to a conditioning and / or directed evolution process.

The cultivation of terrestrial plants in brackish water or seawater is carried out with this invention. A light-weight, floating growth medium package (FGMP) or, alternatively, a sheet of suitable material is used to support the growth of terrestrial plants floating on water bodies of various salinity, including 100% seawater in marine environments. The FGMP units can be linked together and confined in a floating, rigid or flexible framework to form a floating seawater cultivation platform (FSCP). Using the method, plants were able to grow and thrive on the FSCP floating on 100% seawater in a sustainable manner. Halophytic akulikuli (Sesuvium portulacastrum L.) can regenerate its shoot and root in seawater. Thus, the discovery will enable us to practice marine agriculture, or agriculture on the sea. The FSCP can be used for wide range of purposes, from environmental protection to landscaping to crop production.

Embodiments of the invention provide a planter system for supporting living plants on a vertical surface that includes a fabric folded into one or more vertically-arranged knife pleats; the pleats are secured and horizontally segmented into vertically arranged, upward facing pockets by a securing mechanism. The upward facing pockets are adapted hold a plant growth medium. Other aspects of the invention include a simple system for removing failing plants, and replacing them with healthy plants, already embedded in growth medium within a root liner pouch. The invention further includes an irrigation system.

A floating island comprising one or more layers of nonwoven mesh material and optional buoyant nodules. The mesh material is optionally coated with a spray-on elastomer or inoculated with nutrients or microorganisms. The island can include buoyant growth medium, floats, buoyant blocks, a prefabricated seed blanket, a dunking feature, capillary tubes, wicking units and / or bell flotation units. A larger embodiment is comprised of nonwoven mesh material, buoyant nodules, supplemental flotation units, stepping pads and optional load distribution members. Other optional features include a stepping stone flotation assembly, a stepping stone / vertical buoyant member flotation assembly, and a floating log assembly. The buoyancy of the island can be adjusted with a rigid framework of horizontal members, vertical members that can be moved vertically within the island, and / or a framework of prefabricated flotation tubes and cross members. The present invention also covers a floating island with a boat docking location.

Compositions and methods include a new strain of Bacillus velezensis having growth promoting activity and activity against plant pathogens. The compositions are useful for benefiting plant growth and / or conferring protection against a pathogenic infection when applied to plant foliage, flowers, fruits, bark, roots, seeds, callus tissue, grafts, cuttings, surrounding soil or growth medium, and soil or growth medium concomitant with sowing seed and planting callus tissue, grafts, and cuttings. The compositions containing the Bacillus velezensis RTI301 strain can be applied alone or in combination with other microbial, biological, or chemical insecticides, fungicides, nematicides, bacteriocides, herbicides, plant extracts, plant growth regulators, and fertilizers. In one example, the Bacillus velezensis RTI301 strain can be delivered to the plant as part of an integrated pest management program, with other microbial or chemical insecticides, fungicides, nematicides, bacteriocides, herbicides, plant extracts, and plant growth regulators.

The invention features devices for capturing and culturing cells (e.g., microorganisms, cells containing microorganisms, or cells from eukaryotic cell cultures) and methods of using these devices. One device is a cassette containing growth media that may be employed in an automated rapid enumeration system. The cassette has, for example, been enhanced with features for controlling surface flatness, optical imaging, controlled dehydration of semi solid nutrient media, controlled air and particle exchange, and automated handling. Another device of the invention is a filtration funnel that may used to concentrate cells in a sample onto a membrane.

A kit for the rapid detection of pathogens in food supplies. The kit includes a microspot device and one or more indicator reagents to be applied to a well of the microspot device. The employed indicator reagent produces a detectable change upon contact with a pathogen of interest. The microspot device is fabricated from a porous membrane, such as filter paper. A substantially continuous boundary composed of a low melting temperature solid is deposited within the porous membrane extending from the top of the membrane to the bottom of the membrane and defines the peripheral sides of the well. Additionally, a barrier is applied to the bottom of the membrane, thus defining the bottom of the well. The kit can further include growth media for enriching the pathogenic bacteria and instructions for use of the kit employing the microspot device and the one or more indicator reagents.

A method for producing an algal oil is provided. The method includes continuously providing a growth medium and an algal strain to a bioreactor at a predetermined fluid flow rate; illuminating the growth medium and algal strain contained within the bioreactor by a first artificial light source for a time sufficient to effect lipid production by the algal strain; continuously withdrawing a portion of the growth medium and algal strain contained within the bioreactor at the predetermined fluid flow rate; and treating the withdrawn portion of the growth medium and algal strain to produce and isolate a lipid produced by the algal strain.

The present invention relates to a method for improving plant growth by adding at least one terpene and one or both of an organic solvent and a surfactant to the growth medium of the plant, and to a composition that is useful for improving plant growth comprising at least one terpene, an organic solvent, and optionally a surfactant.

An improved method for recovering the protein expressed by open reading frame 2 from porcine circovirus type 2 is provided. The method generally involves the steps of transfecting recombinant virus containing open reading frame 2 coding sequences into cells contained in growth media, causing the virus to express open reading frame 2, and recovering the expressed protein in the supernate. This recovery should take place beginning approximately 5 days after infection of the cells in order to permit sufficient quantities of recombinant protein to be expressed and secreted from the cell into the growth media. Such methods avoid costly and time consuming extraction procedures required to separate and recover the recombinant protein from within the cells.

A method is provided for preserving live bacteria by subjecting an aqueous system containing the growing bacteria to drying without special equipment, in the presence of trehalose with or without the addition of divalent cations as stabilizing agents. Further, a dried composition for preservation of aerobic bacteria in a viable state is provided. The dried composition consists essentially of dried viable aerobic bacteria and an appropriate growth medium. The bacteria and growth medium are initially placed in an aqueous solution of 10 mM to 200 mM trehalose and a divalent cation, and dried at room temperature.

A soilless growth medium includes a core material and a repeating source of soluble silicon. Sufficient soluble silicon should be present in the medium such that plants grown in the soilless growth medium show at least a 100% increase in the concentration of silicon mineral in the plant than those grown in the core material alone. The concentration of silicon mineral in the soilless growth medium should be equal to at least that found in native soil.

Plant propagation material treated with a carbonaceous material is provided. Such treated plant propagation material is useful in a method of inducing microbial interaction with the plant propagation material that confers a benefit on the plant propagation material. The method includes placing the treated plant propagation material in a growth medium containing endogenous soil microorganisms.

The present invention relates to methods for cryopreserving plant cells and to methods for recovering viable plant cells from long or short term cryopreservation. Plant cells to be cryopreserved can be grown in culture and pretreated with a solution containing an cryoprotective agent and, optionally, a stabilizer. Stabilizers are preferably membrane stabilizers such as ethylene inhibitors, oxygen radical scavengers and divalent cations. Cells can also be stabilized by subjecting the culture to a heat shock. Pretreated cells are acclimated to a reduced temperature and loaded with a cryoprotective agent such as DMSO, propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol. Loaded cells are incubated with a vitrification solution which, for example, comprises a solution with a high concentration of the cryoprotective agent. Vitrified cells retain less than about 20% water content and can be frozen at cryopreservation temperatures for long periods of time without significantly altering the genotypic or phenotypic character of the cells. Plant cells may also be cryopreserved by lyophilizing cells prior to exposure to a vitrification solution. The combination of lyophilization and vitrification removes about 80% to about 95% of the plant cell's water. Cells can be successfully cryopreserved for long periods of time and viably recovered. The invention also relates to methods for the recovery of viable plant cells from cryopreservation. Cells are thawed to about room temperature and incubated in medium containing a cryoprotective agent and a stabilizer. The cryoprotective agent is removed and the cells successfully incubated and recovered in liquid or semi-solid growth medium. The invention also relates to the cryopreserved cells and to viable plant cells which have been recovered from long or short term cryopreservation.

The invention relates to a growth media including a charred organic matter, a hydrophilic polyurethane prepolymer, and water for mixing said hydrophilic polyurethane prepolymer and said charred organic matter together into a malleable mixture. The invention also relates to a method of providing the growth media.

The present method transfers carbon dioxide in increased concentrations using perfluorodecalin for growth of algae in a photobioreactor. First, a perfluorodecalin solution is provided and mixed with a biological growth medium and a surfactant. The biological growth medium, perfluorodecalin solution, and surfactant mixture are then emulsified by circulation in a high-pressure emulsifier. The emulsified biological growth medium, perfluorodecalin solution, and surfactant mixture are then added to a photobioreactor containing algae capable of photosynthetically utilizing carbon dioxide. After adding carbon dioxide to the photobioreactor, the carbon dioxide dissolves in the perfluorodecalin solution at a higher concentration than in the growth medium. Conditions sufficient for the algae to perform photosynthesis using carbon dioxide from the perfluorodecalin solution are maintained thereby increasing the growth rate of the algae in increased concentration of carbon dioxide due to the increased solubility of carbon dioxide in the perfluorodecalin solution.

Provided are novel methods for making cellulose nanocomposites, comprising biosynthesis of cellulose fibrils in situ using a growth medium comprising a polymer matrix material, under conditions suitable to provide for dispersion of the fibril throughout the growth medium as the fibrils are being formed to provide a cellulose nanocomposite material or film wherein the cellulose fibrils are highly or uniformly dispersed in the cellulose nanocomposite material, and wherein fibril structure and / or nanocomposite composition is customizable. Certain method aspects further comprise removing or separating the cellulose nanocomposite material or film from the medium, and may further comprise washing the cellulose nanocomposite material or film to remove residual medium. Particular aspects further comprise freeze-drying the cellulose nanocomposite material or film, and / or further comprise forming a molded product using the cellulose nanocomposite material or film. Compositions made by the methods are provided.

Monolithic cartridges including a plurality of nominally aligned polymer fibers can be used as stationary phase materials for liquid chromatography separations. Bundles of fibers are packed together so as to form capillary channels between the fibers. Different polymer compositions permit the “chemical tuning” of the separation process. The fibers can be physically or chemically bonded at spaced locations throughout the cartridge or can be packed together under pressure by use of an encasing wrap to form the capillary channels. Use of fibers allows a wide range of liquid flow rates with very low backpressures. Applications in HPLC, cap-LC, prep-scale separations, analytical separations, waste remediation / immobilization, extraction of selected organic molecules / ions from solution, purification of liquid streams (process waste, drinking water, pure solvents), selective extraction of cell matter and bacteria from growth media, and immobilization of cell matter and bacteria are envisioned.

A reactor chamber for placement in a wastewater treatment system, where the reactor chamber has a chamber formed from a sidewall which forms an interior of the chamber. The sidewall has a top portion and a bottom portion and fixed channel growth media positioned in the interior of the chamber. The fixed channel growth media is positioned below the top of the sidewall, so that when positioned in a treatment system, most of the growth media is located below the water level in the treatment system. The top of the sidewall near the water level (when positioned in a treatment system) is substantially impermeable to wastewater. The reactor includes an air distribution manifold system having a series of air release sites positioned below the fixed channel growth media and adapted to release air which disperses upwardly through the fixed channel growth media.

The invention discloses a method for the in-situ dynamic observation and the measurement of the root system of a plant, which comprises the following steps: designing a transparent cultivation container and a growth medium; sterilizing seeds, accelerating germination, moving seedlings to the transparent cultivation container after budding, and keeping the natural growth of the root system of the plant in the transparent growth medium; scanning the root system by a three-dimensional laser scanning instrument, carrying out the in-situ observation and the image acquisition of the three-dimensional configuration of the root system and completing the steps of image collection, reconstruction, simulation and the like. By the three-dimensional visualization analysis of the in-situ growth condition of the root system of the plant, the invention directly reflects the three-dimensional growth condition of the root system, does not need destructive detection and realizes dynamic observation.

The present invention provides a complete, safe, cost-effective, simple-to-use, and pH balanced hydroponics nutrient feeding kit for culturing plants indoors, outdoors and in green houses, wherein the hydroponics nutrient feeding kit comprises a set of formulations for making chronologically sequential nutrient solutions to culture a hydroponic crop through an entire growth cycle, wherein each formulation comprises all of the nutrient components required in a batch of nutrient solution. The nutrient components are pre-measured for a specific hydroponic nutrient reservoir size to consistently provide plants with their nutrient requirements for the specific stage of growth through the vegetative phase and the flowering and fruiting phase through to harvest. The hydroponics nutrient feeding system can be used with rock-wool, sphagnum moss, leca, coir, lava rock, soil mixes, aeroponics, drip irrigation, flood and drain, wick, NFT, systems and all other hydroponic growth mediums and systems.

A cylindrical or annular polymeric bioreactor is disclosed which provides enhanced mixing and aeration of the growth medium while simultaneously offering reduced mechanical shear force.