Abstract: The present invention pertains to an improved mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) preparation and a method for producing the same. The invention provides a new strategy to isolate MSC from bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs) by pooling BM-MNCs of multiple unrelated (third-party) bone marrow donors. The MSC preparation manufactured in accordance with the methodology of the invention is characterized by a stable proliferative capability and an increased immunosuppressive potential when compared to individual donor MSC preparations or a pool of individual MSCs generated from multiple donors. The MSCs prepared according to the invention are particularly useful for medical applications such as the treatment of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in recipients with hematopoietic stem cell transplants, patients with autoimmune disorders and as a cell-based therapy in regenerative medicine.

Abstract: The invention is based on the modulation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the treatment of proliferative disorders by radiotherapy. By reducing CAF sensitivity to cellular senescence adverse immune reactions upon radiotherapy of solid tumours and subsequent treatment resistance could be avoided. The invention pertains to senolytics or Interleukin 1 (IL1) signalling inhibitors for use in a method of treating solid tumours and in the treatment or prevention of inflammatory adverse effects upon radiation therapy in context of a cancer treatment. The invention optionally also pertains to senolytics or Interleukin 1 (IL1) signalling inhibitors for use in a method of treating solid tumours and in the treatment or prevention of inflammatory adverse effects upon chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy in context of a cancer treatment.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a novel architecture of non-ribosomal peptide synthases (NRPS). The invention provides artificial NRPS wherein the naturally occurring terminal condensation or thioesterase-domain is replaced by internal condensation or dual condensation/epimerization domains. Moreover, the present invention enables the portability of terminal condensation domains to unrelated NRPS in respect of peptide release of linear peptides. The replacement results in a product independent release of the synthesized product and therefore enables the rational design of NRPS. The invention provides the new NRPS, nucleic acids encoding them, methods for artificial NRPS generation, and methods for producing non-ribosomal peptides.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for expressing nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs), polyketide synthases (PKS) or NRPS/PKS hybrid synth(et)ases. NRPS, PKS or hybrids thereof are large multi-domain proteins or multi-domain complexes, the expression of which for the production of peptides often causes difficulties. The invention correspondingly relates to a system for expressing portions of the enzymes which can be assembled post-translationally via protein-protein interactions, introduced in a targeted manner, to form multi-enzyme complexes. The invention discloses protein fragments of such an assembly, and the nucleic acids coding therefor. The invention also relates to a vector system for the protein fragments of the invention and its use for producing functional NRPS/PKS enzyme complexes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to proteins involved in fatty acid synthesis, such as fatty acid synthases (FAS) variants, comprising one or more polypeptide chains, wherein said polypeptide chain(s) comprise one or more subunits comprising a malonyl/palmitoyl transferase domain (MPT domain), acetyl transferase domain (AT domain), and ketoacyl synthase domain (KS domain), and at least one amino acid substitution in the MPT domain at a position corresponding to R130, in the AT domain at a position corresponding to I306, and/or in the KS domain, preferably in the acyl binding channel and/or at KS domain binding site to ACP, to modulate affinities of acyl intermediates, and optionally further amino acid substitution(s). The present invention relates to the respective polypeptide domains. The present invention further relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding the proteins (or the polypeptide domains) and to host cells containing said nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cellular system for the detection of the presence of one or more antibody species in sample, preferably a serum or plasma sample. The method is in particular useful for the analysis of patients who have been sensitized against blood group antigens expressed on erythrocytes, platelets or granulocytes. The system uses fluorescence labeled cells specific for each antigen and hence, for each antibody species. Provided are the methods, system and diagnostic kits for performing the methods of the invention. In addition, the present invention discloses a method for removing antibodies from a sample such as a serum sample. Such a method is useful for absorbing antibodies from poly-agglutinating sera.

Abstract: A hyperpolarized liquid contrast agent is for use in a MRT device. The liquid contrast agent passes through a conduit of a MW resonator in the magnetic field of the MRT device. A microwave with a frequency of at least 40 GHz couples into the MW resonator for polarizing the liquid contrast agent upon passage through the conduit in the MW resonator using DNP. The contrast agent is polarized in a continuous passage in the MW resonator and administered immediately. A MW mode is formed in the MW resonator which has an antinode in the magnetic field strength and a node in the electric field strength. The power of the introduced microwave and coupling of the microwave into the resonator are adjusted such that in the area of the line, an amplitude of the MW magnetic field strength B 1 ? 1.5 · 10 - 2 ? Ts ? 1 T 1 , e results, wherein T1,e is the relaxation time of the DNP-active electrons.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antagonists of the expression and/or the function of the micro RNA miRNA-29 for use in the prevention and/or treatment of aortic aneurysms. Further disclosed is a method for the identification of miRNA-29 antagonists, a pharmaceutical composition comprising said miRNA-29 antagonists and a method for preventing and treating age-related aortic aneurysm formation in a subject in need of such a treatment.

Abstract: A double-resonance structure 10 for DNP-NMR and/or ENDOR experiments is described. The double-resonance structure 10 comprises a microwave resonator 30 for generating electromagnetic field suitable for EPR, and an HF resonator 12 for generating electromagnetic fields suitable for NMR. The HF resonator 12 comprises a plurality of electrically conductive strips 14, which are electrically connected so that an HF current can be generated in the plurality of strips 14 such that the HF currents flow in the same direction in the individual strips 14 at the same time. A section of the HF resonator 12 at the same time forms a part of the microwave resonator 30.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel expression cassettes and expression vectors, comprising three nucleic acid sequences for araA, araB and araD, each coding for a polypeptide of an L-arabinose metabolic pathway, in particular, a bacterial L-arabinose metabolic pathway. The invention particularly relates to expression cassettes and expression vectors, comprising codon-optimised nucleic acid sequences for araA, araB and araD. The invention further relates to host cells, in particular modified yeast strains containing the expression cassettes or expression vectors and expressing the polypeptides for the L-arabinose metabolic pathway, in particular, for the bacterial L-arabinose metabolic pathway. When using these modified host cells, arabinose is more effectively fermented by these cells, in particular into ethanol. The present invention is therefore relevant, inter alia, in connection with the production of biochemicals from biomass, such as bioethanol for example.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for determining the coagulation time of blood are shown. Surface waves are injected into a blood sample (30) therein, which blood sample contains fluorescent microspheres (32). The fluorescence of the microspheres is excited, and the movements of the microspheres are optically monitored. The time of coagulation can be determined using the deceleration or the standstill of the movement of the microspheres.

Abstract: A double-resonance structure for DNP-NMR experiments and/or ENDOR experiments and methods using such a double-resonance structure. The double-resonance structure comprises a microwave resonator for generating electromagnetic fields suitable for EPR and an HF resonator for generating electromagnetic fields suitable for NMR. The HF resonator is formed by a strip resonator, a section of the strip resonator at the same time forming a portion of the microwave resonator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypeptide which has a novel specific arabinose transporter function as well as to nucleic acids coding therefore. The invention further relates to host cells, in particular modified yeast strains which contain the coding nucleic acids and express the polypeptide and functionally integrate it into the plasma membrane and are thus able to absorb L-arabinose. When using modified host cells which express additional proteins of the arabinose metabolic pathway, arabinose can be fermented by these cells, in particular into ethanol. The present invention is therefore relevant, inter alia, in connection with the production of biochemicals from biomass, such as bioethanol for example.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mass spectrometric method for the detection and for the quantification of double stranded nucleic acids which are not covalently associated with one another.