Abstract: The engineered polypeptide comprising modified Fab constant regions and/or protein G Fab binding domains provide advanced affinity reagents that can be used in cell biology applications as well as for therapeutic applications. Accordingly, aspects of the disclosure relate to a polypeptide comprising a constant region of an antibody light chain, wherein the constant region comprises a substitution/deletion of amino acids corresponding to positions 16-20 of SEQ ID NO:1 of the constant region with the amino acids LRT.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to methods, systems, and compositions for detecting antibodies capable of binding to angiotensin II. Certain aspects comprise detection of antibodies capable of binding to angiotensin II in a sample from a subject, where the subject has or has had a coronavirus infection, such as a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Also disclosed are vaccine compositions comprising a portion of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein, where such compositions do not induce generation of angiotensin II-binding antibodies.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating cancer are disclosed.

Abstract: A computing system includes a quantum processor with qubits, a classical memory including a quantum program defining a plurality of instructions in a source language, and a classical processor configured to: (i) receive a circuit of gates representing a quantum program for a variational algorithm in which computation is interleaved with compilation; (ii) identify a plurality of blocks, each block includes a subcircuit of gates, leaving one or more remainder subcircuits of the circuit of gates outside of the plurality of blocks; (iii) pre-compile each block of the plurality of blocks with a pulse generation program to generate a plurality of pre-compiled blocks including control pulses configured to perform the associated block on the quantum processor; and (iv) iteratively execute the quantum program using the pre-compiled blocks as static during runtime and recompiling the one or more remainder subcircuits on the classical processor at each iteration of execution.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for the inhibition of enteric infection. In particular, compositions comprising bacteria of the class Clostridia are administered to human and/or animal subjects to prevent or decrease susceptibility to enteric infection.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods of determining the prognosis of a breast cancer patient by evaluating the activity of the glucocorticoid receptor in tumor cells. Other embodiment include methods of treating breast cancer cells, particularly, chemo-resistant cells, with a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist and an anticancer agent or compound.

Abstract: Provided are specific binding molecules, or fragments thereof, that bind to an epitope of IL13R?2, a receptor polypeptide preferentially found on the surface of cancer cells rather than healthy cells. Exemplary specific binding molecules are bispecific binding molecules that comprise a fragment of an IL13R?2 binding molecule and a peptide providing a second function providing a signaling function of the signaling domain of a T cell signaling protein, a peptide modulator of T cell activation, or an enzymatic component of a labeling system. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding such a specific binding molecule (e.g., bispecific binding molecule), vectors, host cells, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of preventing, treating or ameliorating a symptom associated with a cancer disease such as a solid tumor disease (e.g., glioblastoma multiforme).

Abstract: Methods and systems for fabricating a film, such as, for example, a photocathode, having a tailored band structure and thin-film components that can be tailored for specific applications, such as, for example photocathode having a high quantum efficiency, and simple components fabricated by those methods.

Abstract: In aspects, the invention provides a polypeptide construct comprising (a) a first polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a basic helix of a transcription factor protein that comprises a basic helix-loop-helix domain; and (b) a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from a helix that extends in the C-terminal direction from the end of the loop of a basic helix-loop-helix domain of a transcription factor protein that comprises a basic helix-loop-helix domain; wherein the first polypeptide and the second polypeptide are linked through an interpolypeptide covalent linkage. Additional aspects of the invention are as described herein.

Abstract: The current application describes various compositions and methods for the production of FN3-based binding proteins with improved stability properties. Aspects of the disclosure relate to polypeptides comprising a variant fibronectin type III (FN3) domain from Sulfolobus tokodaii or Pyrococcus horikoshii comprising one or more amino acid substitutions or insertions in a loop region of FN3, in a non-loop region of FN3, or in both.

Abstract: Methods for forming samples of noble metal bipyramid nanocrystals having very low size and shape polydispersities from samples of mixed noble metal nanocrystals are provided. The samples include those comprising high purity, substantially monodisperse, plasmonic gold bipyramid nanocrystals. Also provided are methods of growing secondary twinned metal nanocrystals using the noble metal bipyramid nanocrystals as seed particles. Like the seed bipyramid nanocrystals from which they are grown, the secondary nanocrystals are twinned nanocrystals and may also be characterized by very low size and shape polydispersities. Secondary twinned nanocrystals grown by these methods include enlarged metal bipyramid nanocrystals and nanocrystals with anisotropic “dumbbell” shapes having a variety of tip geometries. Methods for using noble metal bipyramid nanocrystals as plasmonic heaters to heat reaction solutions via plasmonic-photothermal radiation-to-heat conversion are also provided.

Abstract: The methods, compositions, and kits of the disclosure provide a novel approach for a whole genome, unbiased DNA analysis method that can be performed on limited amounts of DNA. can be used to analyze DNA to determine its modification status. Aspects of the disclosure relate to a method for amplifying bisulfite-treated deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules comprising: (a) ligating an adaptor to the DNA molecules, wherein the adaptor comprises a RNA polymerase promoter comprising bisulfite-protected cytosines; (b) treating the ligated DNA molecules with bisulfite; (c) hybridizing the bisulfite-treated DNA molecules with a primer; (d) extending the hybridized primer to make double stranded DNA; and (e) in vitro transcribing the double-stranded DNA to make RNA.

Abstract: In aspects, the present disclosure provides a method of treating or preventing a uterine leiomyosarcoma in a female mammal, the method comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of administering to the female mammal an effective amount of an inhibitor of bromodomain-containing protein 9 (BRD9).

Abstract: To address the need in the art, the inventors have comprehensively characterized the SARS-CoV-2-specific B cell repertoire in convalescent COVID-19 patients and generated mAbs against the spike, ORF8, and NP proteins. Together, the inventors' data reveal key insight into antigen specificity and B cell subset distribution upon SARS-CoV-2 infection in the context of age, sex, and disease severity. Aspects of the disclosure relate to novel antibody and antigen binding fragments. Further aspects relate to polypeptides comprising the antigen binding fragment(s) of the disclosure, and compositions comprising the polypeptides, antibodies, and/or antigen binding fragments of the disclosure. Also described are nucleic acids encoding an antibody or antigen binding fragment of the disclosure.

Abstract: In aspects, the invention provides a hairpin oligonucleotide comprising a 3?-terminal nucleotide, wherein the sugar component of the 3?-terminal nucleotide comprises a 2?-hydroxyl and a 3?-phosphate. In aspects, the invention provides a hairpin oligonucleotide comprising a 3?-terminal nucleotide wherein the sugar position of the 3?-terminal nucleotide comprises a 2?,3?-dialdehyde oxidation product of a sugar. In aspects, the invention provides use of a hairpin oligonucleotide in developing a biomarker. In aspects, the invention provides a solid support comprising a ligand moiety and a hairpin oligonucleotide, wherein the oligonucleotide is immobilized on the solid support through binding of the affinity moiety of the hairpin oligonucleotide to the ligand moiety of the solid support.

Abstract: The present methods use gene therapy to confer inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression solely in the tumor space, using focused ultrasound targeting. NOS catalyzes the reaction that generates nitric oxide (NO), a potent endogenous vasodilator. Microbubble-mediated non-viral delivery overcomes major barriers associated with non-viral NO gene therapy. The methods increase tumor perfusion and compound the efficacy of a vast array of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immune-based treatments.

Abstract: The present invention provides microfluidic technology enabling rapid and economical manipulation of reactions on the femtoliter to microliter scale.

Abstract: A system and method for mechanical processing of cells includes using a frame (102) forming an inlet channel (104), an outlet channel (106), and a processing chamber (108) fluidly connected between the inlet and outlet channels, wherein the processing chamber includes an anvil surface (112) formed on the frame. A hammer (110) mounted on the frame has a processing surface disposed in opposed relation to the anvil surface. The hammer is configured to move relative to the anvil surface. An actuator connected to the frame and operably associated with the hammer operates to move the hammer relative to the anvil surface and in close proximity to the anvil surface, wherein the hammer operates between a retracted position in which the processing surface is at a distance from the anvil surface, and an extended position in which the processing surface abuts the anvil surface.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a methods and systems for establishing a long-range quantum link in a quantum communication network and for improving connection rate of the quantum link. The quantum link is established across multiple quantum repeaters relying on quantum entanglement swap operations in the multiple quantum repeaters. The methods and systems use nested connection loops that are started as soon as quantum repeater resources become available.

Abstract: Provided are a superlattice structure including a two-dimensional material and a device including the superlattice structure. The superlattice structure may include at least two different two-dimensional (2D) materials bonded to each other in a lateral direction, and an interfacial region of the at least two 2D materials may be strained. The superlattice structure may have a bandgap adjusted by the interfacial region that is strained. The at least two 2D materials may include first and second 2D materials. The first 2D material may have a first bandgap in an intrinsic state thereof. The second 2D material may have a second bandgap in an intrinsic state thereof. An interfacial region of the first and second 2D materials and an adjacent region may have a third bandgap between the first bandgap and the second bandgap.