Abstract: A protein scaffold based on a consensus sequence of fibronectin type III (FN3) proteins, such as the tenth FN3 repeat from human fibronectin (human Tenascin), including isolated nucleic acids that encode a protein scaffold, vectors, host cells, and methods of making and using thereof have applications in diagnostic and/or therapeutic compositions, methods and devices. In particular, protein scaffold molecules binding to IgG have been identified as useful for diagnostic and/or therapeutic applications.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for producing libraries of soluble random polypeptides. In the methods, the fraction of hydrophilic residues in the polypeptide is controlled so as to maintain the solubility of the polypeptide constructs.

Abstract: Provided are methods for efficiently and comprehensively screening antibody repertoires from B cells to obtain and produce molecules with binding characteristics and functional activities for use in human therapy.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for introducing molecular switch functionality into a protein affinity reagent to render its binding to a target molecule sensitive to an environmental trigger, such as pH, while maintaining binding affinity to the target molecule. Combinatorial libraries created by the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Protein scaffolds and scaffold libraries based on a fibronectin type III (FN3) repeat with an alternative binding surface design, isolated nucleic acids encoding the protein scaffolds, vectors, host cells, and methods of making thereof are useful in the generation of therapeutic molecules and treatment and diagnosis of diseases and disorders.

Abstract: Methods and systems for increasing the stability of a nucleic acid template that encodes a protein of interest in a cell free translation system or a ribosomal display reaction system are described. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid template is an RNA or mRNA. The stability of the RNA template is increased by adding the bacteriophage lambda protein Gam to the cell free extract used in the translation system. The addition of Gam protein increases the longevity of the reaction system, thereby increasing the efficiency of the ribosomal display reaction system.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to nanopores useful as sensors for detecting intermolecular interactions.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in part, an antibody display system that simultaneously uses a secretion and a display mode. Embodiments of the invention provide a system in which a bait complexed with a monovalent antibody fragment can be captured prior to secretion in a host cell by virtue of surface displaying an antibody light chain and utilizing the covalent interaction of this light chain with the heavy chain of an antibody molecule that is co-expressed in the same host. Polypeptides, polynucleotides and host cells useful for making the antibody display system are also provided along with methods of using the system for identifying antibodies that bind specifically to an antigen of interest.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for the production of novel antibodies that bind specifically to a target antigen. These methods and compositions are particularly useful for producing antibodies having the antigen binding specificity of a reference antibody but with improved properties (e.g., binding affinity, immunogenicity, and thermodynamic stability) relative to the reference antibody.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for preparing and identifying antibodies having CDR3s that vary in sequence and in length from very short to very long which in certain embodiments may bind to a carbohydrate moiety or the active site of an enzyme. Libraries coding for antibodies with the CDR3s are also provided. The libraries can be provided by modifying a pre-existing nucleic acid library.

Abstract: Methods for synthetic antibodies, methods for making synthetic antibodies, methods for identifying ligands, and related methods and reagents.

Abstract: Libraries of immunoglobulins which each have one or more amino acid modifications in at least one structural loop region of such immunoglobulins, where the modified loop region specifically binds to an epitope of an antigen to which an unmodified immunoglobulin does not significantly bind.

Abstract: Methods for display of recombinant proteins or protein libraries on the surface of lower eukaryotes such as yeast and filamentous fungi are described. The methods are useful for screening libraries of recombinant proteins in lower eukaryotes to identify particular proteins with desired properties from the array of proteins in the libraries. The methods are particularly useful for constructing and screening antibody libraries in lower eukaryotes.

Abstract: Methods for selecting a binding-element are provided. The method comprised of different steps. A first mixture is formed using at least one target molecule and a plurality of oligomers, followed by incubating the first mixture to form a second mixture comprising at least one target-bound oligomer and at least one target-unbound oligomer. Then a first accelerator is added to cleave the target-unbound oligomer and the target-bound oligomer is separated from the target molecule. This is followed by addition of a second accelerator for ligation, and a third accelerator for amplification followed by sequencing and post sequence analysis to select the binding-element.

Abstract: A method for high throughput discovery of proteins fluorescently labeled at a cysteine residue and that undergo a change in fluorescence ratio at 2 wavelengths upon binding an unbound analyte is described. Probes are disclosed which are labeled at a cysteine residue and also probes labeled at both cysteine and lysine with two different fluorophores. These probes are useful for characterization and measurement of hydrophobic species in a fluid sample, particularly characterization and measurement of levels of unbound free fatty acids. A profile of unbound free fatty acids can be determined for an individual which can be used to determine the individual's relative risk for disease.

Abstract: Compositions for use in diagnostic screens for Mycoplasma haemofelis are provided. In one embodiment an immunogenic peptide selected from SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 60, or a fragment thereof, is immobilized on a solid support and is used to detect the presence of Mycoplasma haemofelis antibodies in a patient bodily fluid. In accordance with one embodiment a method for detecting a Mycoplasma haemofelis infection in a feline species, is provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to virus-like particles (VLPs) of an RNA bacteriophage that (a) comprises a coat polypeptide of said phage modified by insertion of a heterologous peptide that is displayed on said VLP and (b) encapsidates said bacteriophage mRNA as well as populations of these VLPs, and their uses. The invention is further directed to VLPs that encapsidate heterologous substances, as well as populations of these VLPs and their uses.

Abstract: Focused libraries of vectors or genetic packages that display, display and express, or comprise a member of a diverse family of antibody peptides, polypeptides or proteins and collectively display, display and express, or comprise at least a portion of the focused diversity of the family. The libraries have length and sequence diversities that mimic that found in native human antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and compositions for modulating the quality of an immune response to a target antigen in a mammal, which response results from the expression of a polynucleotide that encodes at least a portion of the target antigen, wherein the quality is modulated by replacing at least one codon of the polynucleotide with a synonymous codon that has a higher or lower preference of usage by the mammal to confer the immune response than the codon it replaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and devices for amplifying nucleic acid, and, in particular, amplifying so as to generate products on a surface without the use of emulsions. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of groups of amplified product are generated on the surface, each group positioned in different (typically predetermined) locations on said surface so as to create an array.