Abstract: This invention relates to the use of nucleic acid sequences of the MAP kinase-interacting kinase (Mnk) gene family and amino acid sequences encoded thereby, and to using these sequences or effectors of Mnk nucleic acids or polypeptides, particularly Mnk kinase inhibitors and activators, in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders related to body-weight regulation and thermogenesis. One aspect of the disclosure encompasses methods of identifying an animal or human having an elevated probability of having or developing obesity, the method comprising: (a) obtaining a biological sample from an animal or human subject; and (b) determining from the biological sample whether the animal or human subject has a genetic variant of an Mnk2 and/or Mnk1 gene or a homolog thereof, or an expression product of said Mnk2 and/or Mnk1 gene or homolog thereof, wherein said genetic variant is associated with an elevated probability of having or developing obesity.

Abstract: The invention provides for a receptor, capable of binding to a target molecule, linked to a hygroscopic polymer or hydrogel; and the use of this receptor in a device for detecting the target molecule in a gaseous and/or liquid phase. The invention also provides for a method for detecting the presence of a target molecule in the gas phase using the device. In particular, the receptor can be a peptide capable of binding a 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) or 2,4,-dinitrotoluene (DNT).

Abstract: Novel modified exendins and exendin agonists having an exendin or exendin agonist linked to one or more polyethylene glycol polymers, for example, and related formulations and dosages and methods of administration thereof are provided. These modified exendins and exendin agonists, compositions and methods are useful in treating diabetes and conditions that would be benefited by lowering plasma glucose or delaying and/or slowing gastric emptying or inhibiting food intake.

Abstract: A method for treating hyperglycemia and/or diabetes in a subject is provided. In particular, the method is directed for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who have a fasting blood glucose concentration greater than about 8 mM, wherein the patient is administered a formulation comprising a GLP-1 molecule and a diketopiperazine by pulmonary inhalation with a dry powder inhalation system.

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: This invention relates to the use of nucleic acid sequences of the MAP kinase-interacting kinase (Mnk) gene family and amino acid sequences encoded thereby, and to using these sequences or effectors of Mnk nucleic acids or polypeptides, particularly Mnk kinase inhibitors and activators, in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders related to body-weight regulation and thermogenesis. One aspect of the disclosure encompasses methods of identifying an animal or human having an elevated probability of having or developing a pancreatic malfunction, the method comprising: (a) obtaining a biological sample from an animal or human subject; and (b) determining from the biological sample whether the subject has a genetic variant of an Mnk2 and/or Mnk1 gene or a homolog thereof, or an expression product of said Mnk2 and/or Mnk1 gene or homolog thereof, wherein said genetic variant is associated with an elevated probability of having or developing a pancreatic malfunction.

Abstract: The present application relates to the field of glyco-engineering, more specifically to eukaryotic cells wherein both an endoglucosaminidase and a glycoprotein are present. These cells can be used to deglycosylate or partly deglycosylate the (exogenous) glycoprotein, in particular without the need for adding an extra enzyme. Methods are also provided for the application of these cells in protein production. According to one specific aspect, the eukaryotic cells and methods are glyco-engineered yeast cells in which additionally at least one exogenous enzyme needed for complex glycosylation is present, e.g. allowing easier separation of differentially glycosylated glycoproteins.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel lower eukaryotic host cell producing human-like glycoproteins characterized as having a terminal ?-galactose residue and essentially lacking fucose and sialic acid residues. The present invention also provides a method for catalyzing the transfer of a galactose residue from UDP-galactose onto an acceptor substrate in a recombinant lower eukaryotic host cell, which can be used as a therapeutic glycoprotein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for expressing antimicrobial peptide CAD by means of a recombinant Bacillus subtilis expression system. The SUMO protease expression operon is first artificially synthesized. The protein expression operon genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae small ubiquitin-related protein is then fused with the antibacterial peptide AD. The fusion protein is further cloned into the pNF11 plamid to be introduced into Bacillus subtilis, thereby ensuring the induced expression of recombined Bacillus subtilis in shake flasks. The method has the advantages of a simple expression system, large-scale production, low production cost, strong biological activity and no toxic or harmful substance production. Moreover, the method provides a medicine with low price and strong antibacterial capacity for clinic disease prevention and treatment. This invention can also be used as a feedstuff additive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mutant human alpha-synuclein with increased toxicity compared to wild-type alpha-synuclein, or a homologue thereof, wherein the mutant alpha-synuclein or homologue thereof comprises at least one amino acid substitution selected from the group consisting of a substitution at the alanine at position 56 (A56), at the alanine at position 76 (A76), at the methionine at position 127 (M127) and/or at the valine at position 118 (V118), as defined in the claims. Further, the invention relates to a polynucleotide encoding the mutant alpha-synuclein or homologue thereof, or an expression vector comprising said polynucleotide, a cell comprising the polynucleotide or expression vector, as defined in the claims. Also, a non-human animal comprising the cell of the invention is provided, as defined in the claims. Finally, the invention provides methods for identifying a substance that prevents or reduces toxicity of alpha-synuclein, as defined in the claims.

Abstract: This invention relates to the production of biomaterials from polymeric collagen (PC) and its seeding with cells and other components of biomaterials. Polymeric collagen is isolated from tissue, suspended in an acidic solution, and then neutralized at low temperature. The neutralized suspension is then seeded with biomaterial components, such as cells, and the polymeric collagen aggregated to form a biomaterial comprising the biomaterial components. Polymeric collagen biomaterials produced as described herein may therefore be useful in a range of tissue engineering applications.

Abstract: A method for treating migraines is disclosed. The method utilizes a rapid drug delivery system which prevents deactivation or degradation of the active agent, including small molecules and peptides being administered to a patient in need of treatment. In particular, the drug delivery system is designed for inhalation for delivery of drugs to the pulmonary circulation in a rapid and therapeutically effective manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for production of an enzyme product having a plurality of enzyme activities obtained by fermentation of an Aspergillus strain.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the hydrolysis of cellulose comprising the sequential steps (a) mixing cellulose with a viscosity below 900 ml/g with an aqueous solution to obtain a liquid, wherein particles comprising cellulose in said liquid have a diameter of maximum 200 nm, wherein the temperature of the aqueous solution is below 35° C., and wherein the pH of the aqueous solution is above 12, (b) subjecting the liquid to at least one of the steps: (i) decreasing the pH of the liquid with at least 1 pH unit and (ii) increasing the temperature by at least 20° C., and (c) hydrolyzing the cellulose. Moreover there is disclose glucose manufactured according to the method and ethanol manufactured from the glucose. Advantages include that the cellulose is hydrolyzed faster and to a greater extent after the treatment. The yield is increased.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant N-glycosylated proteins, comprising one or more introduced N-glycosylated optimized amino acid sequence(s), nucleic acids encoding these proteins as well as corresponding vectors and host cells. In addition, the present invention is directed to the use of said proteins, nucleic acids, vectors and host cells for preparing medicaments. Furthermore, the present invention provides methods for producing said proteins.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photobiological ethanol production and harvesting technology using greenhouse distillation systems with designer photosynthetic organisms, such as designer transgenic oxyphotobacteria. The designer oxyphotobacteria are created such that the endogenous photobiological regulation mechanism is tamed, and the reducing power (NADPH) and energy (ATP) acquired from the photosynthetic process are used for synthesis of ethanol (CH3CH2OH) directly from carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). The designer use of a pair of NADPH-dependent vs. NAD-dependent glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenases in the pathway designs offers a special cyclic “transhydrogenase” redox-shuttle function to convert NADPH to NADH for enhanced photobiological ethanol production. Through combined use of a designer photosynthetic organism with a greenhouse distillation system, the waste solar heat associated with the photobiological ethanol-production process is utilized in harvesting the produced ethanol.

Abstract: Methods for selective extraction and fractionation of algal proteins from an algal biomass or algal culture are disclosed. A method of selective removal of products from an algal biomass provides for single and multistep extraction processes which allow for efficient separation of algal proteins. These proteins can be used as renewable sources of proteins for animal feedstocks and human food. Further, lipids remaining in the algal biomass after extraction of proteins can be used to generate renewable fuels.

Abstract: Recombinant P. pastoris producing natural sweet proteins and methods for engineering these recombinant yeast are described. Methods for enhancing foreign protein production in yeast fermentation and improved methods for purification of foreign proteins produced in yeast fermentation are presented.

Abstract: Biologically active peptides that are derived from or are similar to sequences identical with the N-terminus of the ?S1 fraction of milk casein. These peptides are capable of stimulating and enhancing immune response, protecting against viral infection, normalizing serum cholesterol levels, and stimulating hematopoiesis. The casein-derived peptides are non-toxic and can be used to treat and prevent immune pathologies, hypercholesterolemia, hematological disorders and viral-related diseases, alone or in combination with other peptides or blood cell stimulating factors.

Abstract: The invention provides variants of the Thermoanaerobacter brockii CglT beta-glucosidase that have improve beta-glucosidase activity compared to the wild type enzyme. The invention also provides polynucleotides that encode the variants, as well as methods of producing the variants, enzyme compositions comprising the variants, and methods for using the variants in industrial applications.