Abstract: This invention relates to collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycans and engineered collagen matrices comprising a collagen matrix and a collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycan where the collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycan can be aberrant or can have amino acid homology with a portion of the amino acid sequence of a protein or a proteoglycan that regulates collagen fibrillogenesis. The invention also relates to kits, compounds, compositions, and engineered graft constructs comprising such collagen-binding synthetic peptidoglycans or engineered collagen matrices and methods for their preparation and use.

Abstract: It discloses a use of N-acetylneuraminic acid aldolase with an amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 in catalytic synthesis of N-acetylneuraminic acid. The preparation of N-acetylneuraminic acid is to use the N-acetylneuraminic acid aldolase with the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 as a catalyst, and N-acetylmannosamine and pyruvic acid as substrates.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of providing: a two-component tissue adhesive having high adhesive strength and high biocompatibility; and a method for producing the two-component tissue adhesive. The present invention involves a two-component tissue adhesive comprising hydrophobically-modified gelatin as a first agent and a cross-linking reagent as a second agent. The hydrophobically-modified gelatin is provided with an amino group and a hydrophobic group on the side chain thereof, and the cross-linking reagent has two or more active ester groups or anhydrides within a single molecule.

Abstract: The present application discloses the identification of novel I. orientalis ADH1, ADHa, and ADHb genes, and the production and characterization of genetically modified yeast cells in which these genes were altered. Provided herein are isolated I. orientalis ADH1, ADHa, and ADHb polynucleotides and polypeptides, genetically modified yeast cells that overexpress I. orientalis ADH1 and/or contain deletions or disruptions of ADHa and/or ADHb, and methods of using culturing these modified cells to produce ethanol.

Abstract: Some embodiments provided herein relate to bioluminescent packaging, methods of making, and methods of sensing the state of a material. In some embodiments, light emitted by a bioluminescent organism can be used to sense the state of a material.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for making water-soluble nanoparticles comprising a core/shell nanocrystal that is coated with a surface layer comprising enough hydrophilic ligands to render the nanoparticle water soluble or water dispersable. Methods for crosslinking molecules on the surface of a nanoparticle, which methods can be used on the above water-soluble nanoparticles also are provided. Nanoparticle compositions resulting from these methods are also provided.

Abstract: It has now been found that after administration to a diseased person or person that is at risk for developing such disease of a neutraceutical or pharmaceutical composition that comprises a) a lipid fraction comprising at least one of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA); b) a protein fraction comprising proteinaceous material from non-human origin which provide at least cysteine and/or taurine; and c) a mineral fraction comprising at least one of manganese and molybdenum, the health of these persons improves. Membrane function of several types of mammalian cells improves, which allows efficient treatment of immune related disorders, such as allergy, autoimmune diseases, cancer, cognitive dysfunction and other diseases of the nervous system, neuropathies, such as diabetic neuropathies and neuropathic pains, neuronal damage during insulin resistance, and gut diseases and support of the development of gut and lung function during growth or recovery.

Abstract: A liposome comprising a lipid bilayer encapsulating a complex containing a hydrophobic active ingredient and a polypeptide, a pharmaceutical composition including the liposome, and a method of delivering an active ingredient to a target site in the body of a subject.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for assembling, solubilizing and/or purifying a membrane associated protein in a nanolipoprotein particle, which comprise a temperature transition cycle performed in presence of a detergent, wherein during the temperature transition cycle the nanolipoprotein components are brought to a temperature above and below the gel to liquid crystalling transition temperature of the membrane forming lipid of the nanolipoprotein particle.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions for the therapeutic and/or cosmetic treatment of Elastin comprising tissues. Therapeutic and cosmetic compositions comprising an elastin digest stimulate the endogenous production of Elastin and appear to enhance the elasticity of the skin and provide an external supply of peptide precursors of Elastin that penetrate into the tissue to which it is applied. The present invention describes compositions containing an elastin digest derived from proteolytic digestion of insoluble elastin derived from mammalian ligaments with a protein digesting composition, such as proteinase K. The elastin digest is a mixture of elastin peptides wherein the elastin peptide mixture comprises peptides of the sequence GXXPG, wherein X represents one of the natural amino acids. The elastin digest of the present invention may also comprise epitopes of cytokines, growth factors and di-peptides.

Abstract: A bacterial host cell is disclosed including at least two copies of an amplification unit in its genome, the amplification unit including: i) at least one copy of a gene of interest, and ii) an expressible conditionally essential gene, wherein the conditionally essential gene is either promoterless or transcribed from a heterologous promoter having an activity substantially lower than the endogenous promoter of the conditionally essential gene, and wherein the conditionally essential gene if not functional would render the cell auxotrophic for at least one specific substance or unable to utilize one or more specific sole carbon source; methods for producing a protein using the cell of the invention, and methods for constructing the cell of the invention.

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: It is an object of the present invention to provide an oriented collagen/apatite material wherein an orientation is controlled, and a method of the oriented collagen/apatite material wherein an orientation is controlled. A method of producing an orientated collagen/apatite material according to the present invention, is characterized in that the method comprises; preparing a collagen having an orientation, seeding an osteoblast or a mesenchymal stem cell to produce and fix an apatite having an orientation similar to or almost the same as a direction of an orientation of the collagen on a surface and/or inside of the collagen. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of above mentioned method of producing an orientated collagen/apatite material according to the present invention, is characterized in that the osteoblast is an osteoblast like cell or an osteoblast obtained from a living organism.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a composite collagen sponge and the preparation method thereof. The composite collagen sponge comprises collagen, cell growth factors, and a protecting agent, and has a water absorption capacity of more than 52 times. The preparation method includes a cation chromatographic purification step and a two-stage inactivation step consisting of organic solvent/detergent virus inactivation and dry heat virus inactivation. The composite collagen sponge obtained by the method of the present invention not only improves the safety and performance of the product in clinical applications, but also ensures the stability and the bioactivity throughout the effective life of the product.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for musculoskeletal tissue engineering. For example, a scaffold apparatus is provided which comprises microspheres of selected sizes and/or composition. The microspheres are layered to have a gradient of microsphere sizes and/or compositions. The scaffold provides a functional interface between multiple tissue types.

Abstract: The present invention describes novel plant derived elastin-like peptides and peptidomimetics that may serve as functional ligands for elastin receptors and stimulate elastogenesis. The novel plant derived peptides provide an alternative (non-animal derived) source of GXXPG (SEQ ID NO. 2) containing peptides. The present invention also describes therapeutic compositions containing novel plant derived peptides or peptidomimetics useful in stimulating elastogenensis and capillary dilatation. The therapeutic compositions of the present invention that comprise novel plant derived peptides or peptidomimetics may be combined with other therapeutic agents.

Abstract: Compositions of matter and methods for making, storing and administering artificial blood substitutes. Artificial blood substitutes may have oxygen carriers that encapsulate an oxygen-binding compound in a polymer vesicle. Oxygen-binding compounds may include hemoglobin, myoglobin, or other oxygen binding compounds having characteristics similar to hemoglobin. Oxygen carriers may include nanoparticles, polymers and/or polymersomes comprising of poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(?-caprolactone) (PEO-b-PCL) and related diblock copolymers of poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(?-methyl ?-caprolactone) (PEO-b-PMCL). The oxygen carriers may have tunable oxygen-binding capacities, uniform and appropriately small size distributions, and human bloodlike viscosities and oncotic properties.

Abstract: Systems and methods remove and manage heavy metals. In one implementation, an exemplary method can be applied to food processing and food consumption to remove heavy metals such as mercury, lead, uranium and cadmium before absorption by a living organism. The exemplary method exposes the food to a heavy-metal binding ligand, such as a concentrated protein or phytic acid, to form a heavy-metal chelate, and then allows the chelate to separate from the food. In another implementation, an exemplary probe possesses innovative molecular layers on its surface to detect and quantify heavy metals by attracting and binding traces of the heavy metals on a ligand layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides polypeptides, peptide dimers, 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, particularly contrast agents. Also provided are methods for monitoring and evaluating the therapeutic effectiveness of treatment protocols for diseases associated with angiogenesis or endothelial cell hyperproliferation, such as cancer, using contrast agents of the invention.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide compositions including polyhedral mesoporous metal-organic framework including a biomolecule (e.g., enzyme), methods of making these compositions, methods of use, and the like.