Modified expression of coagulation factor VIII by addition of a glycosylation site at the N terminus of the protein.

Recently, it was shown that glycoproteins with N-glycans close to the NH(2) terminus can directly enter the calnexin/calreticulin cycle and bypass BiP binding. This should allow efficient secretion of glycoproteins such as factor VIII (FVIII) whose secretion is negatively affected by BiP interaction. Examination of the glycosylation pattern of the NH(2) terminus of FV and FVIII revealed N-glycans at positions 23 and 27 in FV and at position 41 in FVIII.

Structure and texture of anisotropic nematic gels.

Anisotropic nematic gels are prepared via in situ polymerization of diacrylate monomers in an oriented nematic liquid crystal (LC) matrix. The structure of the gels is studied from micrometer to nanometer scales by optical microscopy, small angle neutron scattering, and theta/2theta light scattering. A strong anisotropy is evidenced at all scales without electric field for both mesogenic and nonmesogenic monomers.

Switching behavior and electro-optical properties of liquid crystals in nematic gels.

Anisotropic nematic gels are prepared via in situ polymerization of diacrylate monomers in an orientated nematic liquid crystal (LC) matrix. The switching behavior of the LC molecules under electric field is probed in polarized Raman spectroscopy and straight theta-2straight theta elastic light scattering experiments. The electro-optical characteristics of the gels are directly related to the electric field dependence of the fraction of switched molecules.