Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for increasing the rate of nuclease-mediated site specific insertions of donor DNA sequence to the genome via recombination. More specifically, the method utilizes a non-naturally occurring nuclease-homology directed repair (HDR) protein chimeras for genome editing applications. Physically tethering the activity of a DNA nuclease to an HDR protein results in significant increase in the fraction of nuclease induced DNA breaks that are repaired by homologous recombination and provides higher accuracy and specificity of genome editing.

Abstract: A method for detecting a food spoilage microbe in a food sample comprising contacting a food sample with a peptide substrate, comprising a fluorescent agent having an emission wavelength of 650-900 nm, a non-fluorescent agent having an absorption wavelength of 650-900 nm, for quenching said emission of said first fluorescent agent, and a cleavage site located between said fluorescent agent and said non-fluorescent agent, b) monitoring the fluorescence of the sample containing the peptide substrate in step a), wherein an increase in fluorescence is indicative for the presence of food spoilage microbes.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a mechanism to reduce glycerol production and increase nitrogen utilization and ethanol production of recombinant microorganisms. One aspect of this invention relates to strains of S. cerevisiae with reduced glycerol productivity that get a kinetic benefit from higher nitrogen concentration without sacrificing ethanol yield. A second aspect of the invention relates to metabolic modifications resulting in altered transport and/or intracellular metabolism of nitrogen sources present in corn mash.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for topical treatment of hair loss in otherwise normal skin that is affected by alopecia are presented. Such compositions include defensins in concentrations that are below those that exhibit antimicrobial activity, and can be in the form of a topically applied gel, lotion, wash, shampoo, cream, or mask. Various formulations for such compositions, which can include various pharmaceutically acceptable stabilizers, emollients, and fragrances, are provided. Such compositions and methods can be used in conjunction with traditional methods for treatment of hair loss.

Abstract: Described are mevalonate diphosphate decarboxylase variants having improved activity in converting 3-phosphonoxyisovalerate into isobutene. Such variants can be employed in processes for biologically producing isobutene from 3-hydroxyisovalerate or from 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyrate into isobutene, for biologically producing isoprenol from mevalonate or from mevalonate-3-phosphate or for biologically producing 1,3-butadiene from 3-hydroxypent-4-enoate or from 3-phosphonoxypent-4-enoate. Also described is an enzyme which is characterized in that it is capable of converting 3-phosphonoxyisovalerate into isobutene with a kcat of more than 0.1 s?1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an enzyme-porous carbon composite, and more specifically, to an enzyme-porous material composite capable of realizing a much higher enzyme adsorption amount than porous silica and maintaining high stability of an immobilized enzyme.

Abstract: A bone delivery conjugate having a structure selected from the group consisting of: A) X-Dn-Y-protein-Z; and B) Z-protein-Y-Dn-X, wherein X is absent or is an amino acid sequence of at least one amino acid; Y is absent or is an amino acid sequence of at least one amino acid; Z is absent or is an amino acid sequence of at least one amino acid; and Dn is a poly aspartate wherein n=10 to 16. Compositions comprising same and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: This present disclosure provides methods for utilizing such forces in when generating nanofibrillar constructs with engineered morphology from the nano- to macro-scales. Using for example, a biopolymer silk fibroin as a base material, patterns an intermediate hydrogel were generated within a deformable mold. Subsequently, mechanical tension was introduced via either hydrogel contraction or mold deformation, and finally a material is reentrapped in this transformed shape via beta-sheet crystallization and critical point drying. Topdown engineered anchorages, cables, and shapes act in concert to mediate precision changes in nanofiber alignment/orientation and a macroscale form of provided nanofibrillar structure. An ability of this technique to engineer large gradients of nano- and micro-scale order, manipulate mechanical properties (such as plasticity and thermal transport), and the in-situ generation of 2D and 3D, multi-tiered and doped, nanofibrillar constructs was demonstrated.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides, in some embodiments, compositions, kits, systems, and methods for reducing bacteria on a surface (e.g., a medical device) and preventing and/or treating a bacterial infection (e.g., urinary tract infection) in a subject using IdsD protein or a fragment thereof.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for rapidly replacing cMyBP-C in sarcomeres featuring the creation of Spy-C mice, which are mice genetically engineered to express cMyBP-C with a protease recognition site and SpyTag peptide introduced into the cMyBP-C gene. In permeabilized myocytes from the Spy-C mice, the cMyBP-C protein can be cleaved at the protease recognition site, and the N-Terminus of cMyBP-C can be removed while the C-terminus remains anchored to the thick filament. A new peptide featuring the SpyCatcher sequence can be covalently bonded to the remaining portion of cMyBP-C, thereby creating a modified cMyBP-C protein. The methods and compositions of the present invention allow for the reconstitution of full-length cMyBP-C at the precise position of native cMyBP-C in the sarcomere and allow for a variety of modifications to be introduced to cMyBP-C in situ.

Abstract: Described herein are proteins comprising an ankyrin repeat domain having an N-terminal capping module with improved properties, as well as corresponding protein libraries, pharmaceutical compositions and nucleic acids encoding such proteins. In other aspects, the disclosure relates to methods using such proteins, corresponding protein libraries or pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: Provided are methods for the identification of mutant kinases that are resistant to inhibition by a kinase inhibitor. In some embodiments, the methods may be used to assess a test compound or kinase inhibitor for the risk of the development of resistance in vivo, e.g., during clinical administration to treat a disease such as a cancer.

Abstract: A protein comprising a moiety of 100-160 amino acid residues having at least 70% identity with the N-terminal (NT) fragment of a spider silk protein, wherein the amino acid residue corresponding to position 40 in NT is selected from the group consisting of Lys, Arg and His; and wherein the amino acid residue corresponding to position 65 in NT is selected from the group consisting of Asp and Glu, is useful as a moiety in a fusion protein for enhancing the solubility of another moiety in the fusion protein, which is a desired protein or polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention provides engineered penicillin G acylase (PGA) enzymes having improved properties, polynucleotides encoding such enzymes, compositions including the enzymes, and methods of using the enzymes.

Abstract: Described herein are cholix-IL-10 fusion proteins, and methods of use thereof, which can be characterized by a distinct response in an individual when administered. This distinct response can comprise changes in levels of one or more markers in the individual and/or co-localization of IL-10 in the Lamina propria of the individual. Further described herein, in some embodiments, are oral formulations of the cholix-IL-10 fusion proteins. Described herein are methods for the purification of an IL-10 delivery construct, including methods for refolding and enrichment, which can result in maintenance of a high percentage of the IL-10 delivery constructs in the biologically active dimer form. Described herein are oral formulations configured for site-specific release of a therapeutic protein in the small intestines or colon. In some cases, the therapeutic protein is in the form of a dimer, such as an IL-10 delivery construct capable of crossing the gut epithelium.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to novel glycosynthase enzymes for glycoprotein engineering and/or homogeneous antibody remodeling. The enzyme variants, termed EndoSd-D232M and EndoSz-D234M, contain the glycan conjugation and/or modification activity at the conserved N297 glycosylation site of Fc region of an exemplary antibody. It has been demonstrated that the glycosynthase activities of EndoSd-D232M and EndoSz-D234M can be applied to various mAbs targeting different receptors, including, but not limited to, Globo H, SSEA-4, SSEA-3 series of receptors (OBI-888; Globo H ganglioside), Herceptin (Her 2 receptor), Perj eta (Her 2 receptor) and Vectibix (EGFR receptor). It has been found that both mAb-GlcNAc and mAb-GlucNAc(F) were suitable substrates for both EndoSd-D232M and EndoSz-D234M. The ADCC assay of related products, OBI-888-G2S2 and Herceptin-G2S2, showed that the remodeled homogeneous antibody, mAb-G2S2, has an increased relative activity ranging from 3 to 26 folds.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for directed to synthetic block copolymer proteins, expression constructs for their secretion, recombinant microorganisms for their production, and synthetic fibers (including advantageously, microfibers) comprising these proteins that recapitulate many properties of natural silk. The recombinant microorganisms can be used for the commercial production of silk-like fibers.

Abstract: A peptide, including: a first peptide fragment including (KG)n or (GK)n where n is an integer between 2 and 5, K represents a lysine residue, and G represents a glycine residue; a second peptide fragment including an identification sequence; and a first connection peptide including 1-2 glycine residues. The first connection peptide is disposed between the first peptide fragment and the second peptide fragment.

Abstract: The present invention provides polypeptides having DNase activity and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also provides nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for producing oxygenated terpenoids, and preparation of compositions and formulations thereof. Polynucleotides, derivative enzymes, and host cells for use in such methods are also provided.