Abstract: The present invention provides isolated monoclonal antibodies, particularly human monoclonal antibodies, that specifically bind to PTK7 with high affinity. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies of the invention, expression vectors, host cells and methods for expressing the antibodies of the invention are also provided. Immunoconjugates, bispecific molecules and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies of the invention are also provided. The invention also provides methods for detecting PTK7, as well as methods for treating various diseases, including cancer and infectious diseases, using anti-PTK7 antibodies.

Abstract: To provide an immunosuppressing agent having high therapeutic effect and uses thereof. The immunosuppressing agent includes adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells obtained by low-serum culture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chemokine-mucin fusions linked to glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchors and their use as anti-cancer adjuvants and as agents in tissue regeneration and suppression of vascular damage. GPI-linked chemokines are incorporated in the surface membrane of tumour cells and effect a recruitment of cytotoxic immune cells to the tumour site following injection in vivo. Leukocytes, cytotoxic T-cells and NK cells target the chemokine-GPI-anchored tumour cells and modulate cell-mediated lysis of the tumour cells. The efficiency of GPI-anchoring and modulation of immune cells can be further enhanced by linking the chemokine to a mucin domain followed by the GPI-anchor. The GPI-anchored chemokines, with or without mucin domain, are remarkably useful for the inhibition of tumour growth, tissue regeneration, and suppression of acute vascular damage to allografts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to SorCS1-like agents, including SorCS1, nucleic acid molecule encoding expression of SorCS1 and fragments thereof, as well as vectors containing said nucleic acid and to cells expressing SorCS1 and said fragments, for the treatment of obesity.

Abstract: Transgenic mammals, cells derived from the animals, and methods of using these to monitor the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response are provided. In some embodiments, the methods allow for monitoring the ER stress response in real time. Some of the methods allow non-invasive in vivo visualization of ER stress response. Also provided are methods of screening molecules and/or treatment conditions for the ability to modulate the ER stress response, methods of treating diseases characterized by ER stress response activity, and methods of detecting the toxicity or therapeutic ratio of molecules that modulate the ER stress response.

Abstract: The invention provides anti-PCSK9 antibodies and methods of using the same.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for making and using anti-LPA agents, for example, monoclonal antibodies, are described.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for rejuvenating normal somatic cells and for making normal somatic cells of a different type having the same genotype as a normal somatic cell of interest. These cells have particular application in cell and tissue transplantation. Also encompassed are methods of re-cloning cloned animals, particularly methods where the offspring of cloned mammals are designed to be genetically altered in comparison to their cloned parent, e.g., that are “hyper-young.” These animals should be healthier and possess desirable properties relative to their cloned parent. Also included are methods for activating endogenous telomerase, EPC-1 activity, and or the ALT pathway and/or extending the life-span of a normal somatic cell, and other genes associated with cell aging and proliferation capacity.

Abstract: The invention relates to newly identified selectable marker systems, cells for use in a selectable marker system, and methods for using the selectable marker systems.

Abstract: The invention concerns the field of cell culture technology. It concerns production host cell lines with increased expression of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) achieved through introduction of nucleic acids encoding UBF or reducing expression of NoRC proteins, especially of TIP-5. Those cell lines have improved secretion and growth characteristics in comparison to control cell lines. The invention further concerns a method of producing proteins using the cells generated by the described method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Volvox carteri-derived light-receiving channel rhodopsin with an improved expression efficiency on a cell membrane. Specifically disclosed is a modified Volvox carteri-derived light-receiving channel rhodopsin protein. The protein is modified to contain an N-terminal region of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii-derived channel rhodopsin-1 at the N-terminal of the Volvox carteri-derived light-receiving channel rhodopsin protein, wherein the N-terminal region is involved in cell membrane-localized expression and contains no transmembrane domain of the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii-derived channel rhodopsin-1.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel purified and isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding procoagulant-active FVIII proteins. The nucleic acid sequences of the present invention encode amino acid sequences corresponding to known human FVIII sequences, wherein residue Phe309 is mutated. The nucleic acid sequences of the present invention also encode amino acid sequences corresponding to known human FVIII sequences, wherein the APC cleavage sites, Arg336 and Ile562, are mutated. The nucleic acid sequences of the present invention further encode amino acid sequences corresponding to known human FVIII sequences, wherein the B-domain is deleted, the von Willebrand factor binding site is deleted, a thrombin cleavage site is mutated, an amino acid sequence spacer is inserted between the A2- and A3-domains.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the isolation and to the characterization of two proteins having a novel enzymatic activity, i.e. a porphyranase activity. These proteins are useful for hydrolyzing polysaccharides containing sulfated agaro-colloids and for producing oligo-porphyrans, notably oligo-porphyrans with a defined structure and size.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of several genes of the domestic cat (Felis catus) associated with taste perception. The invention provides, inter alia, the nucleotide sequence of the feline Tas1r1, Tas1r2, and Tas1r3 receptor genes, the amino acid sequences of the polypeptides encoded thereby, and antibodies to the polypeptides. The present invention also relates to methods for screening for compounds that modify the genes' function or activity, the compounds identified by such screens, and mimetics of the identified compounds. The invention further provides methods for modifying the taste preferences, ingestive responses, or general behavior of a mammal, such as a cat, by administering compounds that affect the function or activity of the gene or the polypeptide encoded thereby.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel protein having neuraminidase activity and/or ?-galactoside-?2,6-sialyltransferase activity and a nucleic acid encoding the protein. The present invention further provides a vector containing a nucleic acid encoding the protein, a host cell transformed with the vector, together with a method for producing a recombinant ?-galactoside-?2,6-sialyltransferase. The present invention also provides an antibody specifically recognizing the protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising factor VIII coagulation factors linked to extended recombinant polypeptide (XTEN), isolated nucleic acids encoding the compositions and vectors and host cells containing the same, and methods of making and using such compositions in treatment of factor VIII-related diseases, disorders, and conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combination of polypeptides from phytopathogenic fungi having the biological activity of an aurora kinase and the function of an aurora kinase activator, to nucleic acids coding therefore, to the use of the polypeptides and nucleic acids for identifying modulators of an aurora kinase, to processes for identifying such modulators and to the use of these modulators as fungicides.

Abstract: The invention relates to combinations of HGF antagonists with VEGF antagonists, and provides antigen-binding proteins which bind to HGF comprising a protein scaffold which are linked to one or more epitope-binding domains wherein the antigen-binding protein has at least two antigen binding sites at least one of which is from an epitope binding domain and at least one of which is from a paired VH/VL domain, methods of making such constructs and uses thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to fusion proteins that bind the enzyme thrombin and enhance the activation of the substrate Factor VII to the product Factor VIIa. The invention is also directed to polynucleotides, vectors, host cells, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treatment.

Abstract: A system and method of adapting host cells to suspension cell culture and a suspension cell line produced thereby are disclosed. The method includes the serial replating of substantially undiluted culture cells onto a surface area until cell clumps are visualized and then, upon cell clumping, moving the cells into a suspension culture system.

Abstract: Conjugates of Factor VII (FVII) and Factor VIIa (FVIIA) are provided, as are methods for preparing them. Methods for producing novel polypeptides contributing to the production of such conjugates are provided. Methods of treatment by administering a FVII or FVIIa conjugate are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and means for making Vitamin K-dependent protein compositions which are devoid or substantially devoid of protein contaminants. In particular, methods and means useful for the reduction or elimination of protein contaminants also being Vitamin K-dependent proteins are described.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for producing selected non-human mammalian germ cells and gametes and for making non-human animals using the produced germ cells and gametes are provided by the present invention. Methods of generating a non-human embryo and/or animal derived from donor stem cells, methods of generating chimeric non-human animals having substantially all gametes and/or germ cells derived from the donor stem cells, methods of producing a non-human host embryo lacking functional endogenous germ cells and non-human host embryos incapable of developing endogenous gametes of the present invention are described herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to modified Factor IX polypeptides such as Factor IX polypeptides with one or more amino acid substitutions. The invention also relates to methods of making modified Factor IX polypeptides, and methods of using modified Factor IX polypeptides, for example, to treat patients afflicted with hemophilia B.

Abstract: The present specification discloses clonal cell lines susceptible to BoNT/A intoxication, methods of producing such clonal cell lines, and methods of detecting Botulinum toxin serotype A activity using such clonal cell lines.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetically modified animals and cells comprising edited chromosomal sequences encoding proteins associated with MD. In particular, the animals or cells are generated using a zinc finger nuclease-mediated editing process. Also provided are methods of using the genetically modified animals or cells disclosed herein to study MD development and methods of assessing the effects of agents in genetically modified animals and cells comprising edited chromosomal sequences encoding proteins associated with MD.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetically modified animals and cells comprising edited chromosomal sequences involved in ADME and toxicology. In particular, the animals or cells are generated using a zinc finger nuclease-mediated editing process. The invention also provides zinc finger nucleases that target chromosomal sequence involved in ADME and toxicology and the nucleic acids encoding said zinc finger nucleases. Also provided are methods of assessing the effects of agents in genetically modified animals and cells comprising edited chromosomal sequences involved in ADME and toxicology.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel androgen receptor splice variants (AR3, AR4, AR4b, AR5 and AR8) and variants and fragments thereof which have a role in the progression of androgen independent prostate cancer. The invention further relates to compositions and methods which can be used to identify and treat prostate cancer based on these novel androgen receptor splice variants, as well as methods for screening agents which modulate the activity and/or expression of the androgen receptor splice variants. Vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same and transgenic animals are also provided.

Abstract: A full-length cDNA encoding novel proteins involved in the control of cell proliferation (human Gros1-L and S) was successfully isolated from the human testis cDNA libraries. A full-length cDNA encoding the mouse homologues of the human Gros1 (mouse Gros1-L and S) was also isolated. The colony forming activity of cells exogenously expressing Gros1-L was significantly reduced, while that of cells expressing Gros1 antisense RNA was significantly increased.

Abstract: Use of a biological photoreceptor as light-controlled ion channel for the alteration of the ion conductivity of a membrane by means of light. The photoreceptor used comprises an apoprotein and a light-sensitive polyene covalently bound to the apoprotein, said polyene interacting with the apoprotein and functioning as a light-sensitive gate.

Abstract: The present specification discloses clonal cell lines susceptible to BoNT/A intoxication, methods of producing such clonal cell lines, and methods of detecting Botulinum toxin serotype A activity using such clonal cell lines.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the culturing of cells, preferably E1-immortalized HER cells, more preferably PER.C6 cells in a reactor in suspension in a cell culture medium, wherein the cells produce a biological substance, preferably an antibody, wherein at least one cell culture medium component is fed to the cell culture and wherein the cell culture comprising the cells, the biological substance and cell culture medium is circulated over a separation system and wherein the separation system separates the biological substance from substances having a lower molecular weight than the biological substance and wherein the biological substance is retained in or fed back into the reactor. Preferably part of the substances of lower molecular weight is continuously removed from the cell culture.

Abstract: The invention provides functional mutants of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) protein that have increased activity as compared to a wild-type AID protein. The invention also provides nucleic acids encoding the functional AID mutants, and vectors and cells comprising the nucleic acids. The invention further provides methods of using the functional mutant AID proteins.

Abstract: The invention provides deimmunized mutant proteins having reduced immunogenicity while exhibiting substantially the same or greater biological activity as the proteins of interst from which they are derived, as exemplified by mutant L-asparaginase that comprises amino acid substitutions compared to wild type L-asparaginase. The invention further provides methods for screening mutant deimmunized proteins that have substantially the same or greater biological activity as a protein of interest, and methods for reducing immunogenicity, without substantially reducing biological activity, of a protein of interest. The invention's compositions and methods are useful in, for example, therapeutic applications by minimizing adverse immune responses by the host mammalian subjects to the protein of interest.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for preparing recombinant glycoproteins with high sialic acid content. More specifically, for UDP-GlcNAc 2-epimerase/ManNAc kinase (GNE/MNK) enzyme where point mutation was induced by substituting arginine at position 263 by leucine only or by further substituting arginine at position 266 by glutamine, epimerase activity is constantly maintained, and overexpressed cells thereof experience an increase in intracellular cytidine monophosphate (CMP)-sialic acid content, irrespective of CMP-sialic acid concentration.

Abstract: The present specification discloses clonal cell lines susceptible to BoNT/A intoxication, methods of producing such clonal cell lines, and methods of detecting Botulinum toxin serotype A activity using such clonal cell lines.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to engineered ketoreductase polypeptides and processes of using the polypeptides for production of phenylephrine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode an antigen from a Moraxella catarrhalis (Meat) species, a vector which comprises such nucleic acid molecule, and a host cell comprising such vector. Furthermore, the invention provides antigens from a Moraxella catarrhalis species, as well as fragments and variants thereof, a process for producing such antigens, and a process for producing a cell which expresses such antigen. More specifically, such antigens are produced by or associated with bacterial infections caused by Moraxella catarrhalis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to glycosylated mammalian NGAL, and methods of using said glycosylated mammalian NGAL.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method capable of producing a natural or recombinant protein in high yield. The present invention relates to a method of producing a polypeptide, comprising culturing a cell which strongly expresses cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase and has a transferred DNA encoding a desired polypeptide and thereby allowing the cell to produce the polypeptide. Hamster cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase, a DNA encoding the same, a recombinant vector and a transformed cell are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to polypeptides having nitrilase activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods of using the polypeptides.

Abstract: A Factor VIII fusion protein or a Factor VIII fusion heterodimer comprising Factor VIII in which an amino acid sequence of a modulator is present in the B-domain, or an amino acid sequence of a modulator replaces some or all of the amino acid sequence of the B-domain is disclosed. Nucleic acids encoding the inventive fusion proteins and fusion heterodimers are also disclosed, as are methods for producing the fusion proteins and fusion heterodimers, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treating deficiencies in coagulation with the inventive fusion molecules.

Abstract: Described are human binding molecules specifically binding to staphylococci and having killing activity against staphylococci, nucleic acid molecules encoding the human binding molecules, compositions comprising the human binding molecules and methods of identifying or producing the human binding molecules. The human binding molecules can be used in the diagnosis, prophylaxis and/or treatment of a condition resulting from Staphylococcus.

Abstract: Provided herein are tissue protective peptides derived from or sharing consensus sequences with portions of cytokine receptor ligands, including Erythropoietin (EPO), that are generally located on or within the region of the cytokine receptor ligand that faces away from a receptor complex while the ligand is bound to the receptor. Also provide herein are fragments, chimeras, as well as peptides designed to mimic the spatial localization of key amino acid residues within the tissue protective receptor ligands, e.g., EPO; methods for treating or preventing a disease or disorder using tissue protective peptides; and methods for enhancing excitable tissue function using tissue protective peptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for increased production of a secreted, recombinant protein product through the introduction of molecular chaperones in a mammalian host cell. The present invention also relates to a mammalian host cell with enhanced expression of a secreted recombinant protein product by coexpressing at least one chaperone protein.

Abstract: The present invention is based, in part, on flagellin adjuvant used to enhance immune responses directed against Streptococcus pneumoniae, in particular, to enhance immune responses to polypeptide antigens (e.g., PspA) and capsular polysaccharide from S. pneumoniae. In representative embodiments, the invention provides a fusion protein comprising a flagellin adjuvant and one more polypeptide antigens from S. pneumoniae. In other embodiments, the invention provides a conjugate comprising a flagellin adjuvant covalently linked to a capsular polysaccharide from one or more serotypes of S. pneumoniae. Also provided are compositions comprising the fusion proteins and/or conjugates of the invention as well as immunogenic formulations comprising the inventive fusion proteins, conjugates and/or compositions. The invention also provides methods of producing an immune response against S. pneumoniae and methods of protecting a subject from S.

Abstract: The invention provides novel 2D-VCAM-1 variant polypeptides and conjugates thereof that bind human VLA4. The invention also provides related polynucleotides, compositions, vectors, host cells, and methods.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a molecule comprising an albumin binding domain (ABD) and an FcRn binding moiety, wherein said molecule has enhanced pharmacologic properties in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a host cell comprising a cofilin-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) sequence. The host cell may further comprise a nucleic acid encoding a recombinant protein. The present invention also relates to a method for producing a recombinant protein by the host cell comprising a cofilin-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) sequence.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to anti-mucin antibodies having improved antigen binding and/or recognition properties as well as a method for improving the antigen binding and/or recognition of an anti-mucin antibody. In particular, the present invention is directed to anti-MUC1 antibodies which are useful in the treatment of cancer.