Abstract: Recombinant proteins comprising a non-canonical amino acid with high yield and high fidelity are made by expressing the protein in an engineered Vibrio natriegens strain containing an orthogonal translation system comprising an orthogonal aminoacyl tRNA synthetase that charges the non-canonical amino acid onto the orthogonal cognate tRNA.

Abstract: This invention is generally related to modified peptidic oligomers that have an increased ability to reach the cytosol or nucleus. In some embodiments, the modified peptidic oligomer molecules deliver an associated cargo molecule to the cytosol or nucleus. Other embodiments of the invention relate to modified peptidic oligomer fusion molecules that reach the cytosol or nucleus.

Abstract: The invention includes novel systems, methods, and compositions to inhibit TF function by disrupting the TF-Mediator interaction. In this preferred aspect, functional mimics of TF activation domains may be rationally designed to block TF-Mediator binding and selectively inhibited TF-dependent transcription and may further incorporate a penta-arg motif for enhanced cell penetration. In one preferred embodiment of the invention novel stapled mimetic peptides of p53 activation domains incorporating a penta-arg motif were rationally designed to block p53 function by disrupting the p53-Mediator interaction. Additional aspects of the invention include methods of treating cancer in a subject, and other diseases related to the activity of the TFs, such as p53, and the Mediator complex, and its downstream TF-dependent transcription.

Abstract: Engineered 23S rRNAs and methods of use thereof for translation of proteins incorporating non-standard amino acids are provided. Typically, the 23S rRNA includes one or more mutations at positions 2496-2507 relative to E. coli wildtype 23S rRNA, wherein a ribosome composed of the 23S rRNA can catalyze the covalent transfer of a non-standard amino acid from an aminoacyl-RNA onto a nascent peptide chain. For example, the 23S rRNA can include the sequence UGACUU at positions 2502-2507 relative to E. coli wildtype 23S rRNA, and optionally the sequence AGCGUGA from positions 2057-2063 relative to E. coli wildtype 23S rRNA. The 23S rRNA can include additional or alternative deletions, substitutions, insertions, or combination thereof. The compositions and methods can be used to make polypeptides and sequence defined polymers.

Abstract: This invention is generally related to small proteins, such as miniature proteins, including avian pancreatic polypeptide (aPP), modified so that the small proteins reach the cytosol. In some embodiments, the modified protein molecules deliver an associated cargo molecule to the cytosol. Other embodiments of the invention relate to modified protein fusion molecules that reach the cytosol.

Abstract: This invention is generally related to modified peptidic oligomers that have an increased ability to reach the cytosol or nucleus. In some embodiments, the modified peptidic oligomer molecules deliver an associated cargo molecule to the cytosol or nucleus. Other embodiments of the invention relate to modified peptidic oligomer fusion molecules that reach the cytosol or nucleus.

Abstract: Engineered 23S rRNAs and methods of use thereof for translation of proteins incorporating non-standard amino acids are provided. Typically, the 23S rRNA includes one or more mutations at positions 2496-2507 relative to E. coli wildtype 23S rRNA, wherein a ribosome composed of the 23S rRNA can catalyze the covalent transfer of a non-standard amino acid from an aminoacyl-RNA onto a nascent peptide chain. For example, the 23S rRNA can include the sequence UGACUU at positions 2502-2507 relative to E. coli wildtype 23S rRNA, and optionally the sequence AGCGUGA from positions 2057-2063 relative to E. coli wildtype 23S rRNA. The 23S rRNA can include additional or alternative deletions, substitutions, insertions, or combination thereof. The compositions and methods can be used to make polypeptides and sequence defined polymers.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions that may be used for imaging intracellular structures. The invention further provides methods of imaging intracellular structures. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention include trans-cyclooctene-containing ceramide lipids and tetrazine-containing rhodamine-related dyes.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of isomerizing a sugar into fructose using a calcium salt and an organic base. In certain embodiments, the sugar is glucose and/or mannose.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions that may be used for imaging intracellular structures. The invention further provides methods of imaging intracellular structures. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention include trans-cyclooctene-containing ceramide lipids and tetrazine-containing rhodamine-related dyes.

Abstract: ?-peptide regions of polypeptides can serve as structural mimics of ?-helices in wild type proteins. Because ?-helices of one protein often bind to a target protein in a biological pathway, a polypeptide that contains a helical ?-peptide region can be used to disrupt this type of protein-protein binding. As a result, polypeptides that contain a helical ?-peptide region can be used to treat conditions involving this type of protein-protein binding, such as viral infections and cell proliferation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protein scaffold, such as an avian pancreatic polypeptide, that can be modified by substitution of two or more amino acid residues that are exposed on the alpha helix domain of the polypeptide when the polypeptide is in a tertiary form.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protein scaffold, such as an avian pancreatic polypeptide, that can be modified by substitution of two or more amino acid residues that are exposed on the alpha helix domain of the polypeptide when the polypeptide is in a tertiary form.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protein scaffold, such as an avian pancreatic polypeptide, that can be modified by substitution of two or more amino acid residues that are exposed on the alpha helix domain of the polypeptide when the polypeptide is in a tertiary form.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the present invention provides miniature proteins resulted from a protein scaffold such as an avian pancreatic polypeptide that can be modified by substitution of at least one amino acid residue. In other aspects, the present invention provides diagnostic and therapeutic uses of these miniature proteins.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protein scaffold, such as an avian pancreatic polypeptide, that can be modified by substitution of two or more amino acid residues that are exposed on the alpha helix domain of the polypeptide when the polypeptide is in a tertiary form.