Abstract: The present disclosure relates to chimeric polypeptide having TGF-beta activity, nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides, and host cells for producing the polypeptides.

Abstract: Composition and methods are provided to stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into chondrocytes. The method comprises the steps of contacting the pluripotent stem cells with an AB2 chimeric polypeptide under conditions suitable for grown and proliferation of the cells.

Abstract: There are provided, inter alia, methods for forming (e.g. transgeneration of) hematopoietic stem cells from mesenchymal stem cells.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns antimicrobial compositions and methods for immunoenhancement, for example methods of increasing production of a type I interferon (IFN) in response to pathogen infection, by administration of a TAM receptor inhibitor. In certain embodiments, the disclosure concerns methods of using a TAM receptor inhibitor to treat a viral or bacterial infection in a subject.

Abstract: A scanning microscope includes an acousto-optic scanner that produces a scanned beam. A beam separator based on total internal reflection or angle tuning of a dielectric filter separates an unscanned portion of an excitation light flux from a scanned portion. The scanned beam is directed to a specimen, and optical radiation generated in response to the scanned beam is directed to a detector that produces a detected signal that can be used to determine an image. The scanned beam can be directed to the specimen without formation of any intermediate focusing.

Abstract: Projection screens for projection of binocular stereoscopic images include a metallic projection surface that includes a plurality of depressions configured to produce left and right viewable light fluxes in response to received left and right modulated light fluxes. The metallic projection surface can be formed by beadblasting, and multiple panels can be secured together by welding or other process. Projection surfaces can also be formed by molding or otherwise forming a conductive surface on a dielectric or other substrate.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns antimicrobial compositions and methods for immunoenhancement, for example methods of increasing production of a type I interferon (IFN) in response to pathogen infection, by administration of a TAM receptor inhibitor. In certain embodiments, the disclosure concerns methods of using a TAM receptor inhibitor to treat a viral or bacterial infection in a subject.

Abstract: Antitoxin and vaccine compositions based on nodavirus VLPs are provided. Anthrax antitoxin and vaccine compositions are provided. Methods of treating toxins with VLP-based antitoxins are provided. Methods of raising an immune response with immunogen decorated VLPs are provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods relating to development of multiciliate cells are provided.

Abstract: A class of integral membrane proteins, referred to as Mistic polypeptides, their variants, fusion proteins including a Mistic polypeptide domain, and nucleic acid molecules encoding Mistic polypeptides and Mistic fusion proteins are disclosed herein. Also described are methods of using Mistic polypeptides and Mistic fusion proteins to produce and/or isolate recombinant proteins (including without limitation classes of eukaryotic proteins that have previously been intractable to recombinant bacterial expression, such as, eukaryotic integral membrane proteins).

Abstract: Methods and compositions for generating adipose-derived induced pluripotent stem cells for humans and animals and their use are provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to peptide modulators of Pin1 and Pin1-related proteins and the use of such modulators for treatment of Pin1 associated states, e.g., for the treatment of cancer or neurodegenerative disease.

Abstract: CHI like fatty acid binding proteins and genes, recombinant cells and organisms, methods of metabolic pathway engineering to improve lipid production in cells, Crystal structures of CHI like fatty acid binding proteins, methods of engineering CHI like fatty acid binding proteins and systems thereof are provided.

Abstract: This disclosure provides crystalline flavonoid or flavanone isomerases, isolated non-native isomerase having the structural coordinates of said crystalline isomerase, and nucleic acids encoding such non-native isomerase. Also disclosed are methods of predicting the activity and/or substrate specificity of a putative isomerase, methods of identifying potential ismerase substrates, and methods of identifying potential isomerase inhibitors.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising the ligand binding domain (LBD) of a farnesoid X receptor (FXR) in crystalline form. In alternative embodiments, the LBD of FXR is complexed with a ligand therefor. There are provided high resolution structures of FXR complexed with a novel high affinity agonist fexaramine. The discovered structure of a FXR LBD provides the first three-dimensional view of the structural basis for FXR ligand binding. The present invention further provides a computer for producing a time-dimensional representation of FXR or a complex thereof, and a computer for determining at least a portion of the structure coordinates of FXR or a complex thereof. The present invention further provides methods of using this structural information to predict molecules capable of binding to FXR; to identify compounds with agonist, antagonist or partial agonist activity for FXR; and to determine whether a test compound is capable of binding to the LBD of FXR.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for inducing neuronal cell differentiation.

Abstract: Ubiquitin ligase wwp-1 and ubiquitin conjugating enzyme ubc-18 are identified in nematodes as mediators of dietary restriction induced longevity and therefore as targets for modulation of lifespan in animals. Methods of screening for compounds that modulate longevity by assaying wwp-1 ubiquitination pathway parameters are provided, as are related systems. In addition, methods of using wwp-1 and/or ubc-18 to modulate longevity or delay onset of age-related diseases are described.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that glucose and incretin hormones promote pancreatic islet cell survival via the calcium and cAMP dependent induction, respectively, of the transcription factor CREB. Specifically, a signaling module has been identified which mediates cooperative effects of calcium and cAMP on islet cell gene expression by stimulating the dephosphorylation and nuclear entry of TORC2, a cytoplasmic CREB coactivator. These findings provide a novel mechanism by which CREB activates cellular gene expression, depending on nutrient and energy status, and facilitate development of assays to identify compounds which modulate the role of TORCs.

Abstract: The role of AMPK in arcadian rhythms and methods of screening for agents that modulate such rhythms are disclosed. Compositions that are useful for modulating such rhythms and uses thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns compositions and methods for genetically encoding and expressing prokaryotic tRNAs in eukaryotic cells. In some embodiments, the disclosure concerns methods and compositions for expressing unnatural amino acids in eukaryotic cells using orthogonal tRNA/synthetase pairs. In certain embodiments, the methods involve expressing prokaryotic tRNA/synthetase pairs in eukaryotic cells, for instance mammalian cells or yeast cells (such as those that are NMD-deficient), under the control of a pol III promoter, for instance a type-3 pol III promoter or an internal leader promoter. Also provided are cell lines that are NMD-deficient and methods of increasing the efficiency of UAA incorporation in a cell that include de-activating the NMD pathway in the cell. Also provided are methods increasing the efficiency of incorporation of an unnatural amino acid in a cell by disrupting a Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay—(NMD) pathway in the cell.