Abstract: A Silicibacter sp. strain useful for genetic transformation of marine algae and production of antibiotic agents is described. Silicibacter sp. TM1040 is a genetically tractable member of the marine Roseobacter clade of bacteria that forms an intimate and obligate interaction with algae, and is useful as a probiotic for producing antibacterial agents that are cidally effective against pathogenic bacteria such as Mycobacterium marinum, Vibrio anguillarum, V. coralliilyticus, and V. shiloi bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to metallic-surface detection systems for determining target substances including free bilirubin in neonatal serum in the presence of a predominantly high background of bilirubin bound Human Serum Albumin (HSA) or sensing and isolating target nucleotide sequences wherein a fluorescence signal is enhanced by close proximity of the target substances near metallic surfaces.

Abstract: Disclosed are scaffolded maleimide clusters, methods of making said clusters and use of said clusters as templates for multivalent peptide assembly. Multiple maleimide functionalities were introduced onto a scaffold molecule by the reaction of a core-centered polyamines with methoxycarbonylmaleimide or with activated esters of maleimide-containing compounds. The scaffolded maleimides allow rapid, highly chemoselective, and high-yield ligation with thiolcontaining peptides under virtually neutral conditions at room temperature. The disclosed mild and highly efficient ligation method is extremely valuable for synthesizing large and complex multivalent peptides that may not be easily obtained by conventional ligation methods. These novel scaffolded maleimide clusters allow a highly chemoselective ligation with a thiolcontaining peptide under virtually neutral conditions, providing a new and efficient approach for multivalent peptide assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non pathogenic vaccine comprising a recombinant Infectious Bursal Disease virus that includes a recombinant Segment A, designated as rD78GLSNS?, that includes sequences from D78 and GLS strains and wherein the NS protein is not expressed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for functionally modifying a polymeric surface for subsequent deposition of metallic particles and/or films, wherein the polymeric surface is modified by increasing hydroxyl and/or amine functional groups thereby providing an activated polymeric surface for deposition of metallic particles to form a fluorescence sensing device. The device can be used for metal-enhanced fluorescence of fluorophores positioned above the metallic particles that can be readily applied to diagnostic or sensing applications of metal-enhanced fluorescence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to maintaining the activity and stability of enzymes and biologically active proteins at increased temperatures by contacting same with a combination of isolated passive and active chaperones from a hyperthermopilic Archaeon, wherein the chaperones may include heat shock proteins, prefoldin and/or chaperonin proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel approach for nitrate removal from a marine recirculating system (10) wherein high concentrations of sulfate found in seawater is used in combination with sludge (20) collected from fish growing tanks (12) to promote dissimilatory sulfate reduction to hydrogen sulfide. The sulfide is used as an electron source to promote autotrophic denitrification in an up-flow fix bed bioreactor (16), followed by nitrification in a nitrification unit (14). By utilizing the symbiotic relationship between the sulfate-reducing and sulfide-oxidizing bacterial community, nitrate accumulation is controlled in the recirculating water of the system thereby reducing water exchange in the marine recirculating system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the anaerobic microbial dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Polyhalogenated ethenes are used to stimulate the growth and dechlorinating activity of PCB dechlorinating bacteria in a contaminated soil or sediment. This method may be further coupled with aerobic microbial degradation of PCBs for the complete destruction of PCBs in soils and sediments. Polyhalogenated ethenes are also used in growth media for the culturing of PCB dechlorinating bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant double stranded RNA phages (rdsRP) that express dsRNA-encoded genes in eukaryote cells. Recombinant dsRNA phages are useful for the expression of dsRNA expression cassettes encoding passenger genes, such as, but not restricted to, vaccine antigens, bioactive proteins, immunoregulatory proteins, antisense RNAs, and catalytic RNAs in eukaryotic cells or tissues. Methods are provided to deliver a recombinant dsRNA phage to eukaryotic cells and tissues, either by direct administration, formulated in lipid or polylactidecoglycolide, or by utilizing a bacterial vaccine vector.

Abstract: The invention relates to chimeric molecules comprising a virus coat sequence and a receptor sequence that can inter-act with each other to form a complex that is capable of binding a co-receptor. Such chimeric molecules therefore exhibit functional properties characteristic of a receptor-coat protein complex and are useful as agents that inhibit virus infection of cells due to occupancy of a co-receptor present on the cell. In particular aspects, the chimeric polypeptide includes an immunodeficiency virus envelope polypeptide, such as that of HIV, SIV, FIV, FeLV, FPV and herpes virus. Receptor sequences suitable for use in a chimeric polypeptide include, for example, CD4 D1D2 and CD4M9 sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition and method for enhancing the efficacy of a vaccine in a subject treated with the vaccine by administering to the subject an antigen in conjunction with a chemokine.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device is provided, along with means for its fabrication and operation for microfluidic and/or biomicrofluidic applications. The MEMS device includes a substrate, optional electrodes on the substrate, a patterned structure on the substrate, the patterned structure having a fluidic microchannel aligned with one or more of the optional electrodes, an encapsulation membrane covering the microchannel, and an optional reactive layer deposited over the electrode in the microchannel. MEMS devices of preferred embodiments permit a leak-tight seal to be formed around the microchannel and fluidic interconnects established for robust operation of fluidics-based processes. MEMS devices of other preferred embodiments permit reversible attachment and separation of the encapsulation membrane relative to the patterned structure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are planctomycetes sp. which convert ammonia to nitrogen under anaerobic conditions, filtration and aquaculture systems comprising said bacteria, filtration media comprising said bacteria, and methods of filtration using said bacteria.

Abstract: The invention relates to chimeric molecules comprising a virus coat sequence and a receptor sequence that can interact with each other to form a complex that is capable of binding a co-receptor. Such chimeric molecules therefore exhibit functional properties characteristic of a receptor-coat protein complex and are useful as agents that inhibit virus infection of cells due to occupancy of co-receptor present on the cell, for example. In particular aspects, the chimeric polypeptide includes an immunodeficiency virus envelope polypeptide, such as that of HIV, SIV, FIV, FeLV, FPV and herpes virus. Receptor sequences suitable for use in a chimeric polypeptide include, for example, CCR5 and CXCR4 sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detection of fluorescence, and more particularly, to the use of fluorescent moieties in proximity to metallic surfaces to change the spatial distribution of fluorescence in an angular dependent manner and detecting emissions at a determined optimal detection angle thereby increasing sensitivity of the detection.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to homogeneous phase enzyme-catalyzed processes for producing modified chitosan polymers or oligomers. An enzyme is reacted with a phenolic substrate in the presence of a chitosan polymer or oligomer to produce a modified chitosan polymer or oligomer. The invention also includes modified chitosan polymers or oligomers produced by the novel processes, in particular modified chitosan polymers or oligomers having useful functional properties, such as base solubility and/or high viscosity.

Abstract: Small heat shock proteins, e.g., Pyrococcus fuiosus (Pfu-sHSP and/or Pfu-tsHSP), confer thermotolerance on cellular cultures and on proteins in cellular extracts during prolonged incubation at elevated temperature, demonstrating the ability to protect cellular proteins and maintain cellular viability under heat stress conditions. Such heat shock proteins are effective to combat enzymatic aggregation and intracellular precipitation during heat stress, and thereby enable enhancement of the utility and stability of enzymes in various applications, e.g., Taq polymerase in PCR applications, digestive enzymes in microbial degradative applications, etc.

Abstract: A VP2 protein isolated from a variant Georgia strain of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) and method of generating such VP2 protein and variant strain for use to reduce or prevent infection in poultry by IBDV.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for inducing sterility in fish by administering at least one compound that disrupts the establishment of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone system during early development thereby inhibiting sexual maturity in the treated fish. Effective compounds include GABA, GABA receptor agonists, or GABA receptor antagonists.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of activating ?/? T cells to provide temporary protection against a broad spectrum of infectious biological threats to the military and support personnel and exposed persons. ?/? T cells are activated by administration of high doses of bisphosphonates.