Abstract: The present disclosure provides recombinant E. coli and other bacteria with reduced alcohol dehydrogenase and/or aldehyde reductase activity. The present disclosure further provides recombinant E. coli and other bacteria with reduced isobutyraldehyde reductase activity. Methods for the production and the uses of the recombinant bacteria are also provided. Specifically, recombinant bacteria further expressing 2-keto-acid decarboxylase can be used for producing higher aldehydes or other non-alcohol chemicals derived from aldehydes.

Abstract: A method includes (i) adding allantoin in a supersaturating amount to a protein preparation including a desired protein and at least one endotoxin as a contaminant, (ii) removing solids after the adding step to provide a sample for further purification by void exclusion chromatography on a packed particle bed of electropositive particles in a column, the packed particle bed having an interparticle volume, (iii) applying a sample volume to the packed particle bed, wherein the electropositive particles support void exclusion chromatography, and wherein the sample volume is not greater than the interparticle volume, and (iv) eluting a purified sample including the desired protein and a reduced amount of the endotoxin. The method is optionally carried out with only the allantoin treatment or only the void exclusion chromatography.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cleaning compositions comprising variants of an alpha-amylase and methods of treating surfaces such as textiles with aqueous liquor comprising such compositions, especially at low temperatures.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for making a variety of products. The methods involve mixing sucker ring teeth (SRT) protein and a plasticizer or a solvent to obtain a mixture of the SRT protein and the plasticizer. When the SRT is mixed with a plasticizer it is heated to between 32° C. and 195° C. to obtain an SRT protein melt. The melt is used to form a wide variety of products. When the SRT is mixed with a solvent, such as an organic solvent or an aqueous solvent, a solution of the SRT protein is formed, and is subsequently used to forming a product from the solution, wherein the product contains SRT protein.

Abstract: This invention encompasses targeting-enhanced anticancer nanoparticles and preparation methods for the same. In particular, this invention provides targeting-enhanced anticancer nanoparticles comprising non-covalently bound anticancer drugs, serum albumins as the nanoparticle base material, and porphyrin compounds as tumor-targeting moieties. The targeting-enhanced anticancer nanoparticles described in the present invention are characterized by non-covalently bound constituents: anticancer drugs, serum albumin as the nanoparticle base material, and porphyrin compounds as tumor-targeting moieties, thus preventing common toxic side effects, enhancing the structural stability of nanoparticles, and enhancing tumor targeting by treatment with electromagnetic waves due to the activity of porphyrin, without structural and functional changes.

Abstract: A tripartite nanodevice comprising a targeting portion, a carrier portion, and at least one molecule to be delivered is provided. In particular, a gold nanoparticle linked to a targeting protein and capable of delivering a stimulant for the treatment of respiratory or disease is described. A method of making and a method of using a device of this nature are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nanodisc with a membrane scaffold protein. The nanodisc includes a membrane scaffold protein, a telodendrimer and a lipid. The membrane scaffold protein can be apolipoprotein. The telodendrimer has the general formula PEG-L-D-(R)n, wherein D is a dendritic polymer; L is a bond or a linker linked to the focal point group of the dendritic polymer; each PEG is a poly(ethylene glycol) polymer; each R is and end group of the dendritic polymer, or and end group with a covalently bound hydrophobic group, hydrophilic group, amphiphilic compound, or drug; and subscript n is an integer from 2 to 20. Cell free methods of making the nanodiscs are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a sialic acid derivative characterized by performing both of a process for preparing CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid using N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and a process for preparing the sialic acid (neuraminic acid) derivative that combines a sialic acid with a galactose derivative or a lactose derivative, together, in one reactor. According to the method for preparing a sialic acid derivative of the present invention, expensive cytidine 5?-monophosphate (CMP) is capable of being recycled in a reactor, such that an amount of the CMP introduced into the reactor may be reduced, and the sialic acid derivative is capable of being prepared at a significantly high efficiency by using cheap N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, and pyruvate as substrates.

Abstract: Disclosed are DNA polymerases having increased reverse transcriptase efficiency, mismatch tolerance, extension rate and/or tolerance of RT and polymerase inhibitors relative to a corresponding, unmodified polymerase. The polymerases are useful in a variety of disclosed primer extension methods. Also disclosed are related compositions, including recombinant nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells, which are useful, e.g., for production of the DNA polymerases.

Abstract: The present invention provides polypeptides, peptide dimer, and multimeric complexes comprising at least one binding moiety for KDR or VEGF/KDR complex, which have a variety of uses wherever treating, detecting, isolating or localizing angiogenesis is advantageous. Particularly disclosed are synthetic, isolated polypeptides capable of binding KDR or VEGF/KDR complex with high affinity (e.g., having a KD<1 ?M), and dimer and multimeric constructs comprising these polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention is directed stromal cell derived factor-1 peptides that have been mutated to make them resistant to digestion by the proteases dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) but which maintain the ability of native SDF-1 to attract T cells. The mutants may be attached to membranes formed by self-assembling peptides and then implanted at sites of tissue damage to help promote repair.

Abstract: The present invention provides a synthetic regulator of protein function, which regulator is a light-sensitive regulator. The present invention further provides a light-regulated polypeptide that includes a subject synthetic regulator. Also provided are cells and membranes comprising a subject light-regulated polypeptide. The present invention further provides methods of modulating protein function, involving use of light. The present invention further provides methods of identifying agents that modulate protein function.

Abstract: This application discloses a composition comprising an amiloride and/or an amiloride analog which can be used for reducing nerve injury or nervous system injury in a subject. The formulation of such composition is also disclosed. The application further directs to methods for treating nerve injury or nervous system injury by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising amiloride, an amiloride analog or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for preparing micron-sized or submicron-sized particles by dissolving a water soluble effective ingredient in one or more solvents; spraying or dripping droplets solvent such that the effective ingredient is exposed to a vapor-liquid interface of less than 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 200, 400 or 500 cm?1 area/volume to, e.g., increase protein stability; and contacting the droplet with a freezing surface that has a temperature differential of at least 30° C. between the droplet and the surface, wherein the surface freezes the droplet into a thin film with a thickness of less than 500 micrometers and a surface area to volume between 25 to 500 cm?1.

Abstract: The present invention provides for concentrated aqueous silk fibroin solutions and an all-aqueous mode for preparation of concentrated aqueous fibroin solutions that avoids the use of organic solvents, direct additives, or harsh chemicals. The invention further provides for the use of these solutions in production of materials, e.g., fibers, films, foams, meshes, scaffolds and hydrogels.

Abstract: Methods are described for producing non-immunogenic nanoparticles from protein sources by controlling the pH in a nanoprecipitation process. The nanoparticles that are produced by the disclosed methods range in diameter size from about 100 ran to about 400 nm, with a preferred diameter size of from approximately 100 nm to approximately 300 nm, thereby rendering them non-immunogenic. The invention further discloses methods for producing nanoconjugates that are suitable for a variety of therapeutic, diagnostic and other uses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new antimicrobial compositions and their use in the treatment of products such as food products.

Abstract: The invention relates to an albumin-purification method comprising a step consisting in subjecting an aqueous albumin solution, with a concentration of between 15 g/l and 80 g/l and a pH of not lass than 7, to nanofiltration in a temperature range of between 15 DEG C and 55 DEG C. The invention also relates to: a virally-safe aqueous albumin solution which can be obtained using the inventive method and in which the sites for the transport and binding of the active therapeutic ingredients of the albumin are available; and an albumin composition for therapeutic use, which is obtained by adapting the albumin solution that is intended for clinical use.

Abstract: Fluorescent protein voltage sensors for measuring membrane potential and imaging high-frequency neuronal electrical activity are disclosed. In particular, the invention relates to engineered protein voltage sensors that comprise a voltage-sensing domain comprising four transmembrane domains linked to a circularly permuted fluorescent protein, which is inserted into the extracellular loop between the third (S3) and fourth (S4) transmembrane segments of the voltage-sensing domain. Such fluorescent protein voltage sensors can be used for measuring the electrical activity of neurons, including single action potentials, trains of action potentials, and subthreshold potential changes and, in particular, for imaging high-frequency neuronal electrical activity.

Abstract: The present application provides genetically modified yeast cell comprising an active succinate fermentation pathway, as well as methods of using these cells to produce succinate.