Abstract: The present invention relates to a mutant NNK1 allele, especially a mutant carrying a mutation at position of amino acid 807 of the wild type sequence. The invention relates further to the use of said mutant allele to increase the fermentation rate in yeast, preferably in Saccharomyces. The mutant allele is especially useful to increase the xylose to ethanol fermentation rate.
Abstract: The application relates to the field of cancer, particularly to the field of solid tumors. It was found that a particular long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), NEAT1, an essential architectural component of nuclear paraspeckles, is required for the survival of cancer, but not that of normal, non-transformed, cells. Inhibition of NEAT1 reduces cell viability of cancer cells and induces apoptosis. These data identify NEAT1 as a novel therapeutic target for treatment of solid tumors.
Abstract: The invention relates to mutant forms of the outer membrane located lipoprotein CsgG, in particular, modifications at one or more of positions Tyr51; Asn55; and Phe56. The invention also relates to analyte detection and characterisation using said mutant CsgG.
Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) structural biology and signaling. In particular, the present disclosure relates to binding domains directed against and/or specifically binding to GPCR:G protein complexes. Also provided are nucleic acid sequences encoding such binding domains and cells expressing or capable of expressing such binding domains. The binding domains of the present disclosure can be used as universal tools for the structural and functional characterization of G-protein coupled receptors in complex with downstream heterotrimeric G proteins and bound to various natural or synthetic ligands, for investigating the dynamic features of G protein activation, as well as for screening and drug discovery efforts that make use of GPCR:G protein complexes.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 1, 2017
Publication date:
September 7, 2017
Applicants:
VIB VZW, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, The Regents of the University of Michigan
Inventors:
Jan Steyaert, Els Pardon, Toon Laeremans, Brian Kobilka, Soren G.F. Rasmussen, Sebastien Granier, Roger K. Sunahara
Abstract: The invention relates to methods for producing a plant with altered lignin content by genetically manipulating expression of a PIRIN gene. The said method comprises (a) altering expression of a gene encoding a PIRIN2 polypeptide in the plant; and/or (b) altering expression of a gene encoding a PIRIN4 polypeptide in the plant. A plant with reduced lignin content is produced by increasing expression of a gene encoding a PIRIN2 polypeptide in the plant or decreasing expression of a gene encoding a PIRIN4 polypeptide in the plant. The invention further relates to genetically modified plants produced by the said methods.
Abstract: The present invention relates to a fusion protein, comprising a cytokine antagonist and a targeting moiety, preferably an antibody or anti-body like molecule. In a preferred embodiment, the cytokine antagonist is a modified cytokine which binds to the receptor, but doesn't induce the receptor signalling. The invention relates further to a fusion protein according to the invention for use in treatment of cancer and immune- or inflammation-related disorders.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 1, 2014
Date of Patent:
August 15, 2017
Assignees:
VIB VZW, UNIVERSITEIT GENT, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE, UNIVERSITÉ MONTPELLIER 2, CENTRE HOSPITALIER REGIONAL UNIVERSITAIRE DE MONTPELLIER
Inventors:
Jan Tavernier, Lennart Zabeau, Gilles Uze, Franciane Paul, Yann Bordat, Genevieve Garcin
Abstract: Described are nucleic acid regulatory elements that are able to enhance liver-specific expression of genes, methods employing these regulatory elements and uses of these elements. Expression cassettes and vectors containing these nucleic acid regulatory elements are also disclosed. These are particularly useful for applications using gene therapy.
Type:
Application
Filed:
April 10, 2017
Publication date:
July 27, 2017
Applicants:
VIB VZW, Life Sciences Research Partners VZW, Universiteit Gent
Inventors:
Marinee Chuah, Thierry Vandendriessche, Pieter De Bleser
Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) structural biology and signaling. In particular, the present invention relates to binding domains directed against and/or specifically binding to GPCR:G protein complexes. Also provided are nucleic acid sequences encoding such binding domains and cells expressing or capable of expressing such binding domains. The binding domains of the present invention can be used as universal tools for the structural and functional characterization of G-protein coupled receptors in complex with downstream heterotrimeric G proteins and bound to various natural or synthetic ligands, for investigating the dynamic features of G protein activation, as well as for screening and drug discovery efforts that make use of GPCR:G protein complexes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 21, 2012
Date of Patent:
July 4, 2017
Assignees:
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, VIB VZW, The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior Universitv, The Regents of the University of Michigan
Inventors:
Jan Steyaert, Els Pardon, Toon Laeremans, Brian Kobilka, Søren Rasmussen, Sebastian Granier, Roger K. Sunahara
Abstract: Agents that specifically bind to an opioid receptor in a conformationally specific way can be used to induce a conformational change in the receptor. Such agents have therapeutic applications and can be used in X-ray crystallography studies of the receptor. Such agents can also be used to improve drug discovery via compound screening and/or structure-based drug design.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 30, 2015
Publication date:
June 29, 2017
Applicant:
VIB VZW
Inventors:
Jan Steyaert, Toon Laeremans, Els Pardon, Brian Kobilka, Aashish Manglik
Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of GPCR structure biology and signaling. In particular, the present invention relates to protein binding domains directed against or capable of specifically binding to a functional conformational state of a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). More specifically, the present invention provides protein binding domains that are capable of increasing the stability of a functional conformational state of a GPCR, in particular, increasing the stability of a GPCR in its active conformational state. The protein binding domains of the present invention can be used as a tool for the structural and functional characterization of G-protein-coupled receptors bound to various natural and synthetic ligands, as well as for screening and drug discovery efforts targeting GPCRs. Moreover, the invention also encompasses the diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic usefulness of these protein binding domains for GPCR-related diseases.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 13, 2016
Date of Patent:
June 27, 2017
Assignees:
VIB VZW, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
Inventors:
Jan Steyaert, Juan Jose Fung, Brian Kobilka, Toon Laeremans, Els Pardon, Soren G. F. Rasmussen
Abstract: The application relates to the field of structural biology. More specifically, the disclosure relates to methods for the identification and characterization of biomolecular tools allowing the selective recognition and/or stabilization of distinct conformational states of protein complexes, including transient protein-protein interactions and protein-nucleic acid complexes. Such tools can then be used for purification purposes, crystallization and structure determination of these stabilized protein complexes, for drug discovery, as research tools, as well as for diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 17, 2015
Publication date:
June 8, 2017
Applicants:
VIB VZW, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Inventors:
Jan Steyaert, Alexandre Wohlkönig, Sarah Triest
Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of GPCR structure biology and signaling. In particular, the present invention relates to protein binding domains directed against or capable of specifically binding to a functional conformational state of a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). More specifically, the present invention provides protein binding domains that are capable of increasing the stability of a functional conformational state of a GPCR, in particular, increasing the stability of a GPCR in its active conformational state. The protein binding domains of the present invention can be used as a tool for the structural and functional characterization of G-protein-coupled receptors bound to various natural and synthetic ligands, as well as for screening and drug discovery efforts targeting GPCRs. Moreover, the invention also encompasses the diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic usefulness of these protein binding domains for GPCR-related diseases.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 18, 2017
Publication date:
June 1, 2017
Applicants:
VIB VZW, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
Inventors:
Jan Steyaert, Els Pardon, Soren G.F. Rasmussen, Juan Jose Fung, Brian Kobilka, Toon Laeremans
Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant microorganisms comprising an isobutanol producing metabolic pathway and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce isobutanol. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise one or more modifications resulting in the reduction in the expression and/or activity of an endogenous transporter protein. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces clade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.
Abstract: The disclosure provides compositions and methods comprising a sialoadhesin binding moiety for treating metabolic and genetic bone disease, especially for treating a bone disorder of hyper-resorption of bone and/or enhanced activation of osteoclasts.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 30, 2015
Publication date:
May 11, 2017
Applicants:
Universiteit Gent, VIB VZW
Inventors:
Dirk Elewaut, Els Louagie, Nele Juchtmans
Abstract: The disclosure relates to the field of cardiovascular diseases. In particular, immunoglobulin single variable domains directed against macrophage mannose receptor (MMR) are provided that can be used in the diagnosis, prognosis and/or monitoring of cardiovascular diseases or as therapeutics. Also, the anti-macrophage mannose receptor (MMR) immunoglobulin single variable domains of the disclosure are useful at different stages of cardiovascular diseases, including post-infarction cardiovascular events. Further, the anti-macrophage mannose receptor (MMR) immunoglobulin single variable domains of the disclosure are particularly useful for the in vivo targeting and/or imaging of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 17, 2014
Date of Patent:
April 11, 2017
Assignees:
VIB VZW, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Inventors:
Patrick De Baetselier, Geert Raes, Steve Schoonooghe, Jens De Vos, Tony Lahoutte, Nick Devoogdt, Sophie Hernot, Gezim Bala, Simon Tierens
Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid regulatory elements that are able to enhance liver-specific expression of genes, methods employing these regulatory elements and uses of these elements. Expression cassettes and vectors containing these nucleic acid regulatory elements are also disclosed. The present invention is particularly useful for applications using gene therapy.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 21, 2009
Date of Patent:
April 11, 2017
Assignees:
VIB VZW, Life Sciences Research Partners VZW, Universiteit Gent
Inventors:
Marinee Chuah, Thierry Vandendriessche, Pieter De Bleser
Abstract: Described are polypeptides and their use for screening and drug discovery. More specifically, the disclosure provides chimeric polypeptides comprising a membrane protein, in particular a GPCR, fused to a binding domain, wherein the binding domain is directed against and/or specifically binds to the membrane protein. In particular, the chimeric polypeptides are single proteins wherein, in an intramolecular reaction, the binding domain stabilizes the membrane protein in a conformation of interest. Also provided are nucleic acid sequences encoding such chimeric polypeptides, cells capable of expressing such chimeric polypeptides as well as cellular compositions derived thereof. Also screening methods for compounds using the chimeric polypeptides.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 30, 2014
Date of Patent:
March 14, 2017
Assignees:
VIB VZW, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Inventors:
Jan Steyaert, Toon Laeremans, Els Pardon
Abstract: A method and apparatus for the imaging of a labeled biological sample. The method comprises illuminating the labeled biological sample, generating members of a time series of images if the labeled biological sample, generating a plurality of difference images between later members of the time series of images of earlier members of the time series of images and combining the plurality of difference images to generate a final image of the labeled biological sample.
Abstract: The disclosure relates to immunoglobulin single variable domains directed against human macrophage mannose receptor (MMR) and their uses in the field of oncology. More specifically, it concerns immunoglobulin single variable domains, including single-domain antibodies (sdAbs), against human MMR and their use in targeting and in vivo imaging of tumor-associated macrophages, with applications in the field of cancer diagnostics and therapeutics and monitoring of the disease.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 15, 2013
Date of Patent:
January 31, 2017
Assignees:
VIB VZW, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Inventors:
Jo Van Ginderachter, Patrick De Baetselier, Nick Devoogdt, Tony Lahoutte, Damya Laoui, Kiavash Movahedi, Geert Raes, Steve Schoonooghe