Abstract: A method of recovering a rare earth metal can include incubating a bacterial consortium in the presence of a rare earth metal source comprising a rare earth metal and iron. The bacterial consortium can include an acid secreting bacterium, a heavy metal resistant bacterium, an iron-sequestering molecule secreting bacterium, and a rare earth metal sequestering bacterium.

Abstract: A rare earth metal extracting bacterial consortium can include an acid secreting bacterium, a heavy metal resistant bacterium, an iron-sequestering molecule secreting bacterium, and a rare earth metal sequestering bacterium. In another example, a composition can include a growth medium and a bacterial consortium growing in the growth medium. The growth medium can include water, magnesium sulfate, manganese chloride, cobalt chloride, calcium chloride, ammonium sulfate, soluble starch, and amino acids. The bacterial consortium can include an acid secreting bacterium, a heavy metal resistant bacterium, an iron-sequestering molecule secreting bacterium, and a rare earth metal sequestering bacterium.

Abstract: A minicell display method has been developed which has significant advantages for screening peptide libraries for candidates that can bind and effectively modulate a particular biological process. The method, based on the small, anucleate minicell, has increased versatility in generating unique sequences to screen as well as increasing the size of the peptides to be screened. In vivo mutagenesis, at the level of protein synthesis, as well as DNA replication, increases diversification of the library to be screened and therefore substantially increases the number of potential peptides that can modulate a particular biological response or mechanism.

Abstract: A minicell display method has been developed which has significant advantages for screening peptide libraries for candidates that can bind and effectively modulate a particular biological process. The method, based on the small, anucleate minicell, has increased versatility in generating unique sequences to screen as well as increasing the size of the peptides to be screened. In vivo mutagenesis, at the level of protein synthesis, as well as DNA replication, increases diversification of the library to be screened and therefore substantially increases the number of potential peptides that can modulate a particular biological response or mechanism.

Abstract: An osteopontin containing implant which increases the rate of osseointegration and the percentage of bone apposition is described. In one embodiment, the implant includes osteopontin or an active fragment thereof or an active peptide derived thereform. In another embodiment, the implant includes a material suitable for use in vivo within a subject in combination with a releasable form of osteopontin forming an osteopontin containing implant. The disclosed osteopontin derived peptides bind to various cell types and play important roles in cellular differentiation and/or motility. Many of these interactions are mediated by integrins as disclosed. Antibodies provide a mechanism to abolish or attenuate the activities of the claimed peptides.

Abstract: Biosynthetic oncolytic molecules including an apoptotic domain derived from osteopontin have been developed which are capable of promoting cellular apoptosis.

Abstract: Novel osteopontin-derived chemotactic and inhibitory agents are described. Methods of using these agents are also described.

Abstract: Novel osteopontin derived chemotactic peptides are described. The peptides (or antagonists thereof) are useful in treating conditions or diseases associated with chemotaxis.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a prosthetic kidney, to methods of making a prosthetic kidney and to methods of treating kidney disease with a prosthetic kidney. The prosthetic kidney comprises nephron analogs on the exterior surface and an enclosed porous membrane structure equipped with an effluent channel for collecting and draining urine from the device. The nephron analogs are prepared by implanting a device containing renal tubule analogs on the membrane structures and inducing angiogenesis to form glomeruli-like structures. The renal tubule analogs are prepared by seeding kidney cells on the porous membrane structure and culturing this composite in vitro.

Abstract: Novel biosynthetic oncolytic molecules are provided. The biosynthetic oncolytic molecules include functional domains derived from osteopontin. Preferred biosynthetic oncolytic molecules include an apoptotic domain derived from osteopontin. The oncolytic molecules of the present invention are capable of promoting cellular apoptosis. Accordingly, therapeutic uses are disclosed which feature the biosynthetic oncolytic molecules of the present invention.

Abstract: Novel osteopontin derived chemotactic peptides are described. The peptides (or antagonists thereof) are useful in treating conditions or diseases associated with chemotaxis.

Abstract: A minicell display method has been developed which has significant advantages for screening peptide libraries for candidates that can bind and effectively modulate a particular biological process. The method, based on the small, anucleate minicell, has increased versatility in generating unique sequences to screen as well as increasing the size of the peptides to be screened. In vivo mutagenesis, at the level of protein synthesis, as well as DNA replication, increases diversification of the library to be screened and therefore substantially increases the number of potential peptides that can modulate a particular biological response or mechanism. A number of representative peptides have been generated using this methodology and demonstrated to have desirable biological and pharmaceutical activities.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a prosthetic kidney, to methods of making a prosthetic kidney and to methods of treating kidney disease with a prosthetic kidney. The prosthetic kidney comprises nephron analogs on the exterior surface and an enclosed porous membrane structure equipped with an effluent channel for collecting and draining urine from the device. The nephron analogs are prepared by implanting a device containing renal tubule analogs on the membrane structures and inducing angiogenesis to form glomeruli-like structures. The renal tubule analogs are prepared by seeding kidney cells on the porous membrane structure and culturing this composite in vitro.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the screening and identification of ligands that are expressed and displayed on the outer surface of eukaryotic cells and screening for binding of the ligand to a receptor domain of a chimeric fusion receptor protein which is also expressed and displayed on the surface of the cells have been developed. Binding to the receptor domain activates, inhibits, or modulates the enzymatic function of the receptor intracellular domain of the fusion protein.

Abstract: A minicell display method has been developed which has significant advantages for screening peptide libraries for candidates that can bind and effectively modulate a particular biological process. The method, based on the small, anucleate minicell, has increased versatility in generating unique sequences to screen as well as increasing the size of the peptides to be screened. In vivo mutagenesis, at the level of protein synthesis, as well as DNA replication, increases diversification of the library to be screened and therefore substantially increases the number of potential peptides that can modulate a particular biological response or mechanism.

Abstract: A novel osteopontin containing implant which increases the rate of osseointegration and the percentage of bone apposition is described. The implant of the invention includes a material suitable for use in vivo within a subject in combination with a releasable form of osteopontin forming an osteopontin containing implant.

Abstract: Therapeutics have been identified and developed with are targeted to inhibiting metastasis. These are based on the discovery of an invasion complex which confers the ability of cells, for example tumor cells, to translocate across extracellular matrix barriers, as well as the identification of novel peptides that interact with the invasion complex and regulate it's activity. Whole or partial complexes, or individual molecules of the invasion complex are used to screen for proteins or compounds that interact with the invasion complex. Methods of screening for interacting proteins such as osteopontin, sophin B (SEQ ID NO: 1), or compounds are well known in the art, some of which are described below. Once interacting proteins have been identified, they are screened for inhibition, enhancement, or reduction of complex activity.

Abstract: A novel osteopontin containing implant which increases the rate of osseointegration and the percentage of bone apposition is described. The implant of the invention includes a material suitable for use in vivo within a subject in combination with a releasable form of osteopontin forming an osteopontin containing implant.

Abstract: Novel osteopontin derived chemotactic peptides are described. The peptides (or antagonists thereof) are useful in treating conditions or diseases associated with chemotaxis.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for modulating cell adhesion. The invention also provides novel adhesion modulatory peptides, substrates coated with such adhesion modulatory peptides and devices for modulation of target cell adhesion.