Abstract: The present invention concerns genetically modified Mycoplasma bacteria. Also intended are methods of generating attenuated Mycoplasma bacteria and their use to produce heterologous gene products. Further intended are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the attenuated Mycoplasma bacteria described herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modified diene copolymer composition having a modified A-B-C or C-B-A copolymer comprising at least one conjugated diene monomer and at least one unsubstituted vinyl aromatic monomer and at least one substituted vinyl aromatic monomer, wherein each block or segment in the modified A-B-C or C-B-A copolymer is either a homopolymer or a copolymer comprising at least one conjugated diene monomer and/or at least one unsubstituted vinyl aromatic monomer and/or at least one substituted vinyl aromatic monomer, wherein any of the copolymers have a distribution configuration that is tapered, counter tapered, random or controlled, and wherein any of the homopolymers or the copolymers comprising at least one conjugated diene monomer and/or at least one unsubstituted vinyl aromatic monomer may be in-chain and/or chain-end modified with at least one unit of at least one substituted vinyl aromatic monomer; optionally having a block copolymer made from the modified A-B-C or C-B-A copolymer, w

Abstract: The invention provides a series of peptide signals which, when linked to a polypeptide of interest (POI), ensure that said polypeptide is secreted in high yields by a host cell such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The invention also provides fusion proteins tagged with said peptide signals, the nucleic acid sequences coding for them, host cells comprising said tagged fusion proteins and a variety of uses of the fusion proteins and the host cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a segmented block copolymer composition based on diblock and/or triblock copolymers of vinyl aromatic monomer and hydrogenated butadiene blocks and thermoplastic polyurethane blocks which are linearly bonded by N or O atoms, and its procedure of obtainment based on reactive extrusion. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a thermoplastic composition, a laminate structure and a polyurethane foam, with improved properties, comprising the segmented block copolymer composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a segmented block copolymer composition based on diblock and/or triblock copolymers of vinyl aromatic monomer and hydrogenated butadiene blocks and thermoplastic polyurethane blocks which are linearly bonded by N or O atoms, and its procedure of obtainment based on reactive extrusion. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a thermoplastic composition, a laminate structure and a polyurethane foam, with improved properties, comprising the segmented block copolymer composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a series of peptide signals which, when linked to a polypeptide of interest (POI), ensure that said polypeptide is secreted in high yields by a host cell such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The invention also provides fusion proteins tagged with said peptide signals, the nucleic acid sequences coding for them, host cells comprising said tagged fusion proteins and a variety of uses of the fusion proteins and the host cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates primarily to polymers comprising at least one alkenyl aromatic monomer, at least one conjugated diene monomer, and at least one monomer containing silyl hydride moieties, characterized in that said polymers are hydrogenated and preferably functionalized by hydrosilylation reactions between the silyl hydride groups on the polymer chain and the multiple bonds of any alkene or alkyne compound. Besides the described products, this invention comprises their synthesis processes and their uses, especially as thermofusible adhesives, in plastics impact modification, and in chain-extension reactions to obtain new materials, among others.

Abstract: Homogeneous catalyst based on titanium compounds of the type (R1Cp)(R2Cp)Ti(PhOR3)2, where Cp is a cyclopentadienyl group, R1 and R2 are identical or different alkyl radicals (C3-C10), Ph is a phenyl group and OR3 is an alkoxyl group. Moreover, the invention relates to the use of said catalyst in a method for the hydrogenation of double bonds in unsaturated compounds, preferably polymers and/or copolymers of conjugated dienes, under mild reaction conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates primarily to polymers comprising at least one alkenyl aromatic monomer, at least one conjugated diene monomer, and at least one monomer containing silyl hydride moieties, characterized in that said polymers are hydrogenated and preferably functionalized by hydrosilylation reactions between the silyl hydride groups on the polymer chain and the multiple bonds of any alkene or alkyne compound. Besides the described products, this invention comprises their synthesis processes and their uses, especially as thermofusible adhesives, in plastics impact modification, and in chain-extension reactions to obtain new materials, among others.

Abstract: Described are novel variants of APRIL that modulate signaling via receptor-specific agonist activity, and nucleic acids encoding these variant proteins. Further described is the use of these novel proteins in the treatment of APRIL-associated disorders, in particular, pathologies of the immune system and oncological disorders.

Abstract: miRNA-21 inhibitors and pharmaceutical compositions including an miRNA-21 inhibitor together with pharmaceutical excipients and carriers for use in the treatment of a muscular dystrophy and/or a muscular dystrophy-like myopathy. Particularly, the miRNA-21 inhibitors and pharmaceutical compositions including the same are for use in the regeneration of skeletal muscle in muscular dystrophy and/or a muscular dystrophy-like myopathy patients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to variants of TNF family ligands which have been mutated at the ligand trimerisation interface so that they are not capable of assembling into trimers, and either assemble into dimers or remain as monomers. Such ligands bind to the TNF receptor but are unable to activate it, effectively functioning as competitive inhibitors. The invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding the variants of TNF family ligands, vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid and methods for the treatment of diseases associated with aberrant signalling through a TNF receptor.

Abstract: Homogeneous catalyst based on titanium compounds of the type (R1Cp)(R2Cp)Ti(PhOR3)2, where Cp is a cyclopentadienyl group, R1 and R2 are identical or different alkyl radicals (C3-C10), Ph is a phenyl group and OR3 is an alkoxyl group. Moreover, the invention relates to the use of said catalyst in a method for the hydrogenation of double bonds in unsaturated compounds, preferably polymers and/or copolymers of conjugated dienes, under mild reaction conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel cytokines, which have a modified selectivity/specificity for their cognate receptors. In particular, the invention relates to a variant TRAIL protein, which has superior selectivity for the death receptor 4 (TRAIL-RI) over the death receptor 5 (TRAIL-R2). In addition, the invention relates to a variant TRAIL protein which exhibits superior selectivity for the death receptor 4 (TRAIL-R1) over the decoy receptors DcR1 (TRAIL-R3) and DcR2 (TRAIL-R4).

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods for the design of proteins, in particular, cytokines. These methods allow the stabilisation of such cytokines, as well as modification of their selectivity/specificity for their cognate receptors. The invention also relates to various modified proteins that have been designed by the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for screening for the effect of a test agent on a population of biological specimens, preferably insects, comprising the steps of providing a population of specimens, administering at least one test agent to the population, creating a digitized movie showing the movements of members of the population, measuring at least one trait of members of the population, and correlating the traits of the population with the effect of the test agent. The invention also provides a method for preparing a medicament useful for the treatment of a mammalian disease.