Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions, e.g., cell-based and multiplexed platforms, to screen for small molecule drugs that inhibit enzymes such as proteases, e.g., viral proteases, e.g., HIV proteases; and methods for making and using these compositions. The invention provides compositions and methods for identifying compositions, e.g., drug molecules, that can inhibit proteases, e.g., viral proteases such as HIV proteases. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides cell-based platforms or assays to screen for compositions, e.g., small molecules or drugs, that inhibit or modify the activity of enzymes such as calcium-dependent protein convertases involved in HIV envelope protein processing, including cleavage of the HIV gp160 envelope precursor, resulting in gp120 and gp41 envelope products. In one embodiment, the invention provides a cell-based or multiplexed platform for monitoring the activity of enzymes, e.g., proteases such as viral proteases.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a cell culturing substrate including: a cell culture surface having a film attached thereto, wherein the film includes one or more plasma polymerized monomers; and a coating on the film-coated surface, the coating deposited from a coating solution comprising one or more extracellular matrix proteins and an aqueous solvent, where the total extracellular matrix protein concentration in the coating solution is about 1 ng/mL to about 1 mg/mL.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for the preparation, manufacture and therapeutic use of oncology-related polynucleotides, oncology-related primary transcripts and oncology-related mmRNA molecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides a genetic method of tethering polypeptides to the yeast cell wall in a form accessible for binding to macromolecules. Combining this method with fluorescence-activated cell sorting provides a means of selecting proteins with increased or decreased affinity for another molecule, altered specificity, or conditional binding. As one embodiment, attaching an scFv antibody fragment to the Aga2p agglutinin effectively mimics the cell surface display of antibodies by B cells in the immune system for affinity maturation in vivo. As another embodiment, T cell receptor mutants can be isolated by this method that are efficiently displayed on the yeast cell surface, providing a means of altering T cell receptor binding affinity and specificity by library screening.

Abstract: Provided is a gene that is useful for imparting hydrogen peroxide resistance to a microorganism. Also provided is a method for using the same. The hydrogen peroxide resistance-imparting gene encoding a protein selected from the following proteins (a) to (c): (a) a protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2; (b) a protein which has an amino acid sequence equivalent to the amino acid sequence of (a), except that one to several amino acid residues are deleted, substituted, or added, and which exhibits hydrogen peroxide resistance-imparting activity; and (c) a protein which has an amino acid sequence having an identity of 85% or higher to the amino acid sequence of (a), and which exhibits hydrogen peroxide resistance-imparting activity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to eukaryotic cells comprising single-celled organisms that are introduced into the eukaryotic cell through human intervention and which transfer to daughter cells of the eukaryotic cell through at least five cell divisions, and methods of introducing such single-celled organisms into eukaryotic cells. The invention also provides methods of using such eukaryotic cells. The invention further provides single-celled organisms that introduce a phenotype to eukaryotic cells that is maintained in daughter cells. The invention additionally provides eukaryotic cells containing magnetotactic bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses compositions and methods for detecting cancer metastasis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for mammalian cell culture. The methods make use of independent tyrosine and cystine feed streams.

Abstract: A method for processing a fluid includes sparging a fluid within the compartment of a container with an initial gas so that the initial gas passes through a portion of the fluid to form a humid gas within the compartment. The humid gas is passed out of the compartment of the container and into a flexible condenser bag. The humid gas within the condenser bag is cooled so as to separate the humid gas within the condenser bag into a condensed fluid and a dehumidified gas. The condensed fluid and the dehumidified gas is then removed from the condenser bag.

Abstract: A stimuli responsive nanofiber that includes a stimuli responsive polymer, such as a thermally responsive polymer, and a cross-linking agent having at least two latent reactive activatable groups. The nanofiber may also include a biologically active material or a functional polymer. The stimuli responsive nanofiber can be used to modify the surface of a substrate. When the nanofiber includes a thermally responsive polymer, the physical properties of the surface can be controlled by controlling the temperature of the system, thus controlling the ability of the surface to bind to a biologically active material of interest.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for the preparation, manufacture and therapeutic use of polynucleotides, primary transcripts and mmRNA molecules.

Abstract: A method for using cloning vector plasmids to produce DNA molecules, such as transgenes, in a single cloning step. The transgenes can be used for the purpose of gene expression or analysis of gene expression. The plasmid cloning vectors are engineered to minimize the amount of manipulation of DNA fragment components by the end user of the vectors and the methods for their use. Transgenes produced using the invention may be used in a single organism, or in a variety of organisms including bacteria, yeast, mice, and other eukaryotes with little or no further modification.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for the preparation, manufacture and therapeutic use of polynucleotides, primary transcripts and mmRNA molecules.

Abstract: A method and a kit for establishing an in vitro prognosis on a patient exhibiting SIRS, the method comprising: (i) measuring the level of expression of the CX3CR1 gene in vitro from the biological material of a patient sample by bringing into contact said sample with a specific reagent of the CX3CR1 gene; and (ii) comparing the expression level of the CX3CR1 gene of the patient to a predetermined expression threshold; wherein (iii) if the expression level of the CX3CR1 gene of the patient is less than the predetermined expression threshold, the survival prognosis of the patient is poor, and if the expression level of the CX3CR1 gene of the patient is greater than the predetermined expression threshold, the survival prognosis of the patient is good.

Abstract: A recombinant gram-negative bacterial cell comprising one or more of the following mutated protease genes: a) a mutated Tsp gene, wherein the mutated Tsp gene encodes a Tsp protein having reduced protease activity or is a knockout mutated Tsp gene; b) a mutated ptr gene, wherein the mutated ptr gene encodes a Protease III protein having reduced protease activity or is a knockout mutated ptr gene; and c) a mutated DegP gene encoding a DegP protein having chaperone activity and reduced protease activity; wherein the cell is isogenic to a wild-type bacterial cell except for the mutated Tsp gene and/or mutated ptr gene and/or mutated DegP gene and optionally a polynucleotide sequence encoding a protein of interest.

Abstract: A high sensitive and specific non-invasive bladder cancer diagnosis and/or prognosis method based on the detection and quantification of the gene expression of a combination of bladder tumor markers in bladder fluids is provided. A preferred combination of the markers consists of the combination of ANXA10, C14orf78, CTSE, CRH, IGF2, KLF9, KRT20, MAGEA3, POSTN, PPP1R14D, SLC1A6, TERT, ASAM and MCM10 genes.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for the preparation, manufacture and therapeutic use of polynucleotides, primary transcripts and mmRNA molecules.

Abstract: Systems are provided for convenient and sterile isolation, collection, and seeding of cells onto a scaffold or tissue graft. The systems may be closed. Methods for use of the disclosed systems for isolation, collection and seeding of cells and generation of tissue engineered vascular grafts are also provided. The systems may be supplied in kits for efficient and expeditious use.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for the preparation, manufacture and therapeutic use of polynucleotides, primary transcripts and mmRNA molecules.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for stimulating antigen-specific T cell responses by using accelerated co-cultured dendritic cells, and to uses thereof, such as a method for diagnosing a disease and a method for producing isolated T cell clones displaying specific immunological properties.