Abstract: The present invention relates to a transport protein which can be obtained by modifying the heavy chain of the neurotoxin formed by Clostridium botulinum wherein (i) the protein binds specifically to nerve cells with a higher or lower affinity as the native neurotoxin; (ii) the protein has an increased or reduced neurotoxicity compared to the native neurotoxin, the neurotoxicity being preferably determined in the hemidiaphragm assay; and/or (iii) the protein comprises a lower affinity against neutralizing antibodies compared to the native neurotoxin. The invention also relates to methods for producing the same and the use thereof in cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: Described are methods and systems useful in the processing of food samples to detect pathogenic cells in the samples. Embodiments include homogenizing a food sample, digesting solids of the homogenized food sample, and removing lipids from the homogenized food sample. Cells in the sample can then be concentrated using hollow fiber membrane filtration. Regeneration cycles can enable multiple reuses of the hollow fiber membrane filter. Systems and processes herein can be automated, under the control of a computer.

Abstract: Provided herein are recombinant Listeria strains expressing a tumor-specific antigenic polypeptide and, optionally, an angiogenic polypeptide wherein a nucleic acid molecule encoding at least one of the polypeptides is operably integrated into the Listeria genome in an open reading frame with a nucleic acid sequence encoding a PEST-containing polypeptide, methods of preparing same, and methods of inducing an immune response, and treating, inhibiting, or suppressing cancer or tumors comprising administering same.

Abstract: Provided herein are recombinant Listeria strains expressing a tumor-specific antigenic polypeptide and, optionally, an angiogenic polypeptide wherein a nucleic acid molecule encoding at least one of the polypeptides is operably integrated into the Listeria genome in an open reading frame with a nucleic acid sequence encoding a PEST-containing polypeptide, methods of preparing same, and methods of inducing an immune response, and treating, inhibiting, or suppressing cancer or tumors comprising administering same.

Abstract: The invention is based on the identification of aminopeptidase N (APN) as the receptor for F4 fimbriae of enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC). Based on the observation that oral administration of F4 fimbriae induces a protective intestinal mucosal immune response against a subsequent challenge with F4 ETEC, and the observation that the internalization of said F4fimbriae is clathrin-mediated, the present invention provides the characterization of APN as a target useful in: in an in vitro assay to screen for molecules that are capable to mimic the clathrin-mediated F4 endocytosis; in an in vitro assay to screen for molecules that are capable to modulate the binding of F4 fimbriae with APN; in the development of a carrier for the delivery of antigens/therapeutics, i.e. immunomodulators to the intestinal submucosa or the intestinal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, wherein said carrier comprises an APN specific target molecule that mimics the clathrin-mediated F4 endocytosis.

Abstract: Embodiments of various aspects described herein are directed to methods, compositions, kits and systems for rapid determination of antibiotic susceptibility of a microbe within hours after a sample is collected. In some embodiments, the methods, compositions, kits and systems described herein can allow determination of antibiotic susceptibility of a microbe based on a small number of microbes, e.g., as few as 5-10 microbes bound to a microbe-targeting substrate described herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and reagents for directing the selective targeting and entry of bacterial toxins to mammalian cells. Methods include the step of contacting a cell with a bacterial toxin or toxic bioactive fragment thereof associated with an antibody or ligand that is specific to a target on the cell, wherein the antibody or ligand selectively binds the target on the cell and the bacterial toxin or fragment thereof is internalized and enters the cell. The invention further encompasses compositions and kits to carry out the methods.

Abstract: A cell based assay for detection for protease activity is disclosed. In the assay a cell is engineered to express a protease substrate with at least one label, preferably on its C-terminus. Cleavage of the substrate by the protease that recognizes it results in a C-terminal fragment and a N-terminal fragment, where the fragment having the label is subject to ubiquitin proteasome degradation. The assay measures the disappearance of the label due to degradation of the fragment to which it is attached. A cell free assay is also described for detection of protease activity. In the cell free assay, the protease substrate is expressed in a solution that includes the elements of the ubiquitin proteasome pathway for degradation of the fragment. The assay measures the disappearance of the label attached to the fragment that results from cleavage by the protease.

Abstract: The present invention provides cells that have been genetically manipulated to have an altered capacity to produce expressed proteins. In particular, the present invention relates to Gram-positive microorganisms, such as Bacillus species having enhanced expression of a protein of interest, wherein one or more chromosomal genes have been inactivated, and preferably wherein one or more chromosomal genes have been deleted from the Bacillus chromosome. In some further embodiments, one or more indigenous chromosomal regions have been deleted from a corresponding wild-type Bacillus host chromosome.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a genetically modified thermophilic or mesophilic microorganism, wherein a first native gene is partially, substantially, or completely deleted, silenced, inactivated, or down-regulated, which first native gene encodes a first native enzyme involved in the metabolic production of an organic acid or a salt thereof, thereby increasing the native ability of said thermophilic or mesophilic microorganism to produce lactate or acetate as a fermentation product. In certain embodiments, the aforementioned microorganism further comprises a first non-native gene, which first non-native gene encodes a first non-native enzyme involved in the metabolic production of lactate or acetate. Another aspect of the invention relates to a process for converting lignocellulosic biomass to lactate or acetate, comprising contacting lignocellulosic biomass with a genetically modified thermophilic or mesophilic microorganism.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated genetically modified non-mammalian organism, wherein the activity of acyl-CoA:sterol acyltransferase/sterol O-acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.26) and/or diacylglycerol acyltransferase/diacylglycerol O-acyltranferase (EC 2.3.1.20) and/or lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase/phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.158) and/or acyl CoA-wax alcohol acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.75) is reduced or abolished in comparison with a corresponding wildtype organism, methods of use of such an organism, shuttle vehicles for making such an organism and methods for producing such an organism.

Abstract: This present invention provides C-TAB.G5 and C-TAB.G5.1 isolated polypeptides comprising the receptor binding domains of C. difficile toxin A and toxin B as set forth in the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 2 and SEQ ID NO: 4. The C-TAB.G5 and C-TAB.G5.1 isolated polypeptides may be used to neutralize toxic effects of C. difficile toxin A and/or toxin B.

Abstract: Described are compositions and methods relating to variant filamentous fungi having altered growth characteristics. Such variants are well-suited for growth in submerged cultures, e.g., for the large-scale production of enzymes and other proteins for commercial applications.

Abstract: Provided herein methods of alleviating the symptoms of multiple myeloma in a patient or subject in need thereof, methods of treating multiple myeloma in a patient or subject, and methods of preventing development of multiple myeloma in a patient at risk thereof, such as a patient with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), which methods include administering an agent effective to treat a Mycoplasma infection. The invention also relates to a new class of antigen, MG281 protein {also referenced as Protein M), that binds to various immunoglobulins with high affinity, and their uses in purifying immunoglobulins. The invention additionally relates to using MG281 protein and analog or derivative molecules for treating autoimmune diseases. Further provided are antigens and antibodies for use in the disclosed methods, and the identification of molecules that bind to MG281 protein.

Abstract: Strains of Sarcocystidae selected from Toxoplasma spp or Neospora spp isolated from their natural environment and having an immunostimulant effect, for the use thereof in the prevention or the treatment, in a mammal, of a pathology associated with an apicomplexan of the family Cryptosporidiidae.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are therapeutic compositions containing non-pathogenic, germination-competent bacterial spores, for the prevention, control, and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, disorders and conditions and for general nutritional health.

Abstract: Described are compositions and methods relating to variant filamentous fungi having altered growth characteristics. Such variants are well-suited for growth in submerged cultures, e.g., for the large-scale production of enzymes and other proteins for commercial applications.

Abstract: Factor H binding protein (fHBP) has been proposed for use in immunising against serogroup B meningococcus (‘MenB’). This antigen can be efficiently adsorbed to an aluminium hydroxyphosphate adjuvant by (i) ensuring that adsorption takes place at a pH which is equal to or below the adjuvant's point of zero charge (PZC), and/or (ii) selecting a fHBP and adjuvant with an isoelectric point/PZC within the range of 5.0 to 7, and/or (iii) selecting a fHBP with an isoelectric point above the adjuvant's PZC and using a buffer to bring the pH to within 1.2 pH units of the PZC. The adsorption is particularly useful for compositions which include multiple fHBP variants, and also in situations where an aluminium hydroxide adjuvant should be avoided. Buffered pharmaceutical compositions can include at least two different meningococcal fHBP antigens, both of which are at least 85% adsorbed to aluminium hydroxyphosphate adjuvant.

Abstract: There is provided an epsilon toxin epitope polypeptide comprising a sequence of at least 10 contiguous amino acids from SEQ ID NO:3, the sequence comprising a mutation of at least one tyrosine residue compared to the equivalent sequence in SEQ ID NO:3, the polypeptide being capable of binding an antibody which binds to SEQ ID NO:5 and having reduced toxicity compared with the toxicity of SEQ ID NO:5. The polypeptide is useful in a method of vaccinating a subject against developing a disease caused by clostridium perfringens and/or caused by (or associated with the presence of) active epsilon toxin.

Abstract: A method of detecting and/or specifically identifying bacteria producing OXA-048-type carbapenemase in a biological sample, includes the steps of: (a) placing the biological sample likely to contain the bacteria in contact with a reaction medium including at least one chromogenic substrate to detect an enzymatic activity, and temocillin at a concentration equal to or greater than 150 mg/L, preferably between 200 and 500 mg/L, (b) incubating the sample in the medium to allow the bacteria to grow, and (c) detecting the strains corresponding to the OXA-48 carbapenemase producing bacteria. A culture medium as implemented in step (a) is also provided.