Abstract: The invention relates to compounds which are suitable for the treatment of cancer, an immune disease, Parkinson's disease, Cardiac Hypertrophy or Type-2 diabetes and to pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds. The invention further relates to a kit of parts comprising such compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of immunotherapy, in particular, to adoptive T cell therapy, T cell receptor (TCR) gene therapy and vaccination. The invention provides a method for preparing a nucleic acid encoding the TCR alpha chain construct (TRA) and TCR beta chain construct (TRB) of a TCR construct specific for an epitope from an antigen presented on major histocompatibility complex (MHC), comprising contacting T cells isolated from a donor with a library of artificial antigen presenting cells (APC) comprising cells expressing all MHC I or MHC II alleles present in the donor, preferably, in K562 cells. The TCR construct can be expressed in a T cell, which is useful for adoptive T cell therapy, e.g., of cancer, viral infections or autoimmune diseases. The invention further provides a method for identifying the epitope recognized by said TCR. Immunogenic epitopes recognized by said TCRs can be used to develop vaccine formulations to induce antigen-specific T cell immunity in patients.

Abstract: The present invention refers to novel UV-light cleavable drug conjugates comprising a diazirine linker.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for optoacoustic sensing, wherein an irradiation unit is configured to generate at least one train of periodic pulses of electromagnetic energy, the pulses of the at least one train of periodic pulses exhibiting a pulse duration and repetition rate, and to irradiate a target with the generated train of periodic pulses. A detection unit is configured to detect acoustic waves generated in the target and to generate an according detection signal, the detection signal comprising, for each train of the at least one train of periodic pulses, detection signal components at a plurality of discrete frequencies in the frequency domain, the discrete frequencies being spaced from each other by a frequency spacing corresponding to the repetition rate of the pulses of the at least one train of periodic pulses.

Abstract: An isolated chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) polypeptide, wherein the CAR includes an extracellular antigen-binding domain, including an antibody or antibody fragment that binds to a protein encoded by a herpes virus, or to a protein complex including the protein (herpes virus antigen), wherein the herpes virus antigen is present on the surface of a human cell that is latently infected with said herpes virus and supports the lytic phase of viral replication. The invention further relates to a nucleic acid molecule encoding the CAR of the invention, a genetically modified immune cell, preferably a T cell, expressing the CAR of the invention and the use of the cell in the treatment of a medical disorder associated with human herpesvirus, such as herpes virus-associated cancers, chronic active herpes virus infections or primary herpes virus infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of diagnosing eczema and/or psoriasis, wherein said method differentiates between eczema and psoriasis, and comprises determining the expression of at least two markers in a sample taken from an individual, wherein said at least two markers are selected from CCL27, NOS2, IL36G, KLK13, SOST, NPTX1, PLA2G4D, GDA, IL36A, TGM1, CLEC4G, IL13, TCN1, TMPRSS11D and RHCG, provided that said at least two markers consist of or comprise (a) CCL27 and NOS2; (b) CCL27 and KLK13; (c) IL36G and KLK13; (d) CCL27 and IL36G; (e) NOS2 and IL36G; (f) NOS2 and KLK13; (g) SOST; or (h) NPTX1; and assessing on the basis of the expression of said at least two markers whether the individual is afflicted with eczema and/or psoriasis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel IGFR-like receptor 2 and antagonists and agonists for targeting said receptor. Said antagonists and agonists are envisaged for use as a medicament, and in particular for treatment of cancer or diabetes.

Abstract: Described herein is a genetically modified plant or non-human animal having reduced expression of an endogenous target gene.

Abstract: Devices and methods for mass spectroscopic analysis of particles are disclosed herein. An example device includes: a first irradiation unit configured to irradiate a particle with electromagnetic radiation to cause components of the particle to detach from the particle. The example device further includes a second irradiation unit configured to irradiate substantially simultaneously i) at least a part of the detached components, and optionally a residual core of the particle, with a first beam of electromagnetic radiation the first beam of electromagnetic radiation exhibiting a first intensity, and ii) at least a part of the residual core, of the particle with a second beam of electromagnetic radiation. The second beam of electromagnetic radiation exhibiting a second intensity, which is preferably larger than the first intensity. The example device further includes a mass spectrometer comprising an ion source region, a first detection channel, and optionally a second detection channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for endoscopic optoacoustic imaging comprising an imaging unit (2) configured to be at least partially inserted into an object (5), said imaging unit (2) comprising an irradiation unit (6) configured to irradiate a region of interest (7) inside the object (5) with electromagnetic radiation and a detection unit (8) comprising at least one ultrasound transducer configured to detect ultrasound waves generated in the region of interest (7) in response to irradiating the region of interest (7) with the electromagnetic radiation and to generate according detection signals, wherein the at least one ultrasound transducer exhibits a field of view (8b) being at least partially located in the irradiated region of interest (7).

Abstract: An apparatus for photo-acoustic measurement of a measurement target in a fluid flow comprises:—an ellipsoidal measurement chamber (3) having a first focal point and a second focal point; —a duct (6, 7, 8) configured to guide a fluid flow through the measurement chamber (3) along a first axis (X) through the first focal point; —light source means for generating an excitation light beam of modulated intensity; —means configured to pass the excitation light beam through the measurement chamber (3) along a second axis (Y), which is different from the first axis (X), such that the excitation light beam crosses the fluid flow at the first focal point and that the crossing of the fluid flow and the excitation light beam defines an excitation volume (4) within which the fluid flow is excited by the excitation light beam to generate acoustic waves; and —detecting means (5) arranged at the second focal point and configured to detect said acoustic waves, wherein the detecting means has no direct contact with the fluid f

Abstract: The present invention relates to a kit-of-parts comprising at least one mitochondrial uncoupler and at least one cationic amphiphilic drug and its use in medicine. The invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one mitochondrial uncoupler and at least one cationic amphiphilic drug for use in medicine. Moreover, the invention is directed to the kit-of-parts and the pharmaceutical composition for use in the treatment of cancer, in particular glioma, pancreatic cancer, small cell lung cancer, metastatic prostate cancer, liver cancer and triple-negative breast cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of the biomarker Flattop (Fltp) for distinguishing mature ? cells from immature progenitor ? cells. The present invention further relates to a method for distinguishing a mature ? cell from an immature progenitor ? cell, the method comprising: determining the presence or absence of the biomarker Flattop (Fltp) in a ? cell; wherein the presence of Fltp in the cell indicates that the cell is a mature ? cell and wherein the absence of Fltp in the cell indicates that the cell is an immature progenitor ? cell. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of identifying a compound suitable for differentiating immature progenitor ? cells into mature ? cells as well as to a method of identifying a compound suitable for preventing the de-differentiating of mature ? cells. The present invention additionally relates to a method of differentiating immature progenitor ? cells into mature ? cells as well as to a method of preventing de-differentiating of mature ? cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting a nucleic acid construct or part thereof and/or for detecting the expression product of the nucleic acid construct or part thereof, wherein the method comprises inserting a nucleic acid construct or part thereof into an intron or a synthetic intron, wherein the nucleic acid construct comprises certain defined structures according to the present invention. The present invention also relates to the various uses of the method described herein, to the nucleic acid construct, a vector comprising said nucleic acid construct, a cell comprising said nucleic acid construct and/or said vector, and a respective kit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of producing axial stem cells (AxSCs) as well to axial stem cells (AxSCs) produced by such methods and uses thereof. The present invention further relates to axial stem cells (AxSCs), wherein said axial stem cells are not pluripotent cells, but are, for example, region-specific multipotent stem cells capable of indefinitely renewing themselves.

Abstract: The present invention provides herpesviruses, such as EBV, which lack at least one viral miRNA. Such herpesviruses lacking at least one viral miRNA are advantageously not capable of packaging their genome into the capsid, thereby producing HVLPs, which are substantially free of their herpesvirus genome or the nucleic acid molecule encoding the proteinaceous part of the HVLP and viral miRNA. Such HVLPs may be used as vaccine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) and an according method for optoacoustic imaging of an object. The device (1) comprising an irradiation unit for irradiating a region of interest (3) of the object with electromagnetic radiation (6), in particular light, and a detection unit (9) for detecting acoustic, in particular ultrasonic, waves generated in the region of interest (3) of the object upon irradiation with the electromagnetic radiation (6), wherein the detection unit (9) is configured to detect the acoustic waves at one or more point-like detection locations, which are located outside of the region of interest (3) of the object. The point-like detection locations can be given by, e.g., focus points (19) of acoustic detection elements (23), point-like detection elements or point-like or pinhole apertures. The invention allows for improved and reliable optoacoustic imaging, in particular in view of dermatology applications.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for assessing the capacity of a substance to treat or prevent hepadnavirus infection. A reporter virus carrying genetic information for a first fragment of a recombinase and a reporter cell expressing a second fragment of the recombinase are used. When the reporter virus infects the reporter cell, the two fragments of the recombinase associate and excise a stop cassette that is flanked by two recombination sites and blocks the expression of a reporter gene. Accordingly, the present invention relates to a method of assessing the capacity of a substance to treat or prevent hepadnavirus infection, a hepadnavirus comprising a nucleic acid encoding a first fragment of a recombinase and a mammalian hepatocyte or hepatoma cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding a second fragment of a recombinase and a nucleic acid comprising a stop cassette flanked by two recombination sites fused to a reporter gene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved anti-CD73 antibodies which, in comparison to prior art anti-CD73 antibodies bind to a membrane-bound form of CD73 protein having cancer-promoting role and inhibit its enzymatic activity, while essentially not inhibiting a soluble form of CD73 protein involved in cardioprotection. The present invention further relates to methods of generation of such specific anti-CD73 antibodies and uses thereof including uses as medicaments and in methods for treatment, amelioration, prophylaxis and diagnostics of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a bactericidal phage vector, (pharmaceutical) compositions comprising such phage vectors, also for use in treating diseases, particularly those caused by (antimicrobial resistance) bacterial cells.