Abstract: The present invention provides non-naturally occurring polypeptides that specifically bind hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA; and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The present invention further provides methods of detecting HBV DNA; methods of detecting a covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) form of HBV; and methods for treating HBV infection.

Abstract: Methods and assays for oversulfated glycosaminoglycans are provided. In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for detecting oversulfated glycosaminoglycan (OS-GAG) in a heparin sample. The method comprises placing the heparin sample onto a support comprising immobilized heparin and contacting the heparin sample on the support with a binding compound that attaches to the heparin and forms a heparin-binding compound complex. The binding compound also has a greater affinity for attaching to the OS-GAG than to the heparin in the heparin sample and forms an OS-GAG-binding compound complex. The method can further comprise detecting an amount of the heparin-binding compound complex on the support, and determining an amount of OS-GAG in the heparin sample based on the amount of the heparin-binding compound complex on the support.

Abstract: This invention provides quantitative, systematic and standardized High Throughput Screening (HTS) methods capable to the identification of both known and unknown sequences without prior knowledge of the sequences of interest. Either coding or non-coding sequences could be targeted, identified and analyzed systematically and respectively at genomic, transcriptional and translational levels with those methods. The genetic algorithms for sequence deducing and standardized universal libraries constructing are provided. The genetic algorithms are 61.sup.(n?m), 61.sup.n, 64.sup.(n?m), 64.sup.n., 20.sup.(n?m) and 20.sup.n. Applications of the standardized universal libraries include gene expression profiling, signature sequence identification and sequence determination by PCR, cloning, dot-blot hybridization, ELISA, DNA and Peptide Arrays.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to branched macromolecules bearing functional moieties. In particular, the invention relates to dendrimers, derived from lysine or lysine analogues, bearing a plurality of functional moieties. The invention further relates to the use of such macromolecules, particularly in therapeutic applications, and compositions comprising them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new antibiotic peptide and a usage thereof, which are derived from ribosomal protein L1, RPL1 of Helicobacter pylori. Specifically, the antibiotic peptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ. ID. NO:1 derived from ribosomal protein L1, RPL1 of Helicobacter pylori is substituted with a Phenylalanine, which is situated at the first and the eighth position from the antibiotic peptide, or in addition an Asparagine, which is situated at the thirteenth position of the antibiotic peptide, is substituted with lysine, wherein the produced peptides have maintained more decreased cytotoxicity when comparing to the existing antibiotic peptides and can be used as a safe antibiotics by showing more antibacterial activity.

Abstract: The invention provides a gene encoding a protein selected from among the following proteins (a) to (c): (a) a protein having any of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, and 108; (b) a protein which has an amino acid sequence equivalent to any of the amino acid sequences of (a), except that one to several amino acid residues are deleted, substituted, or added, and which exhibits cytokine production regulatory activity; and (c) a protein which has an amino acid sequence having 90% or higher identity to any of the amino acid sequences of (a), and which exhibits cytokine production regulatory activity, as well as a gene useful for regulating cytokine production and use of the gene.

Abstract: The present invention features improved in vitro RNA display libraries to allow reliable expression and selection of scFv antibody molecules from expression libraries. The scFv antibody libraries of the invention contain an optimized, shortened inter-domain linker that improves expression scFv antibody expression. The scFv antibody libraries also include short nucleic acid barcodes that allow for identification of individual library clones, libraries or subsets thereof. Primers for generating, amplifying and spectratyping the scFv antibody libraries of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: Libraries of nucleic acids encoding chimeric binding polypeptides based on plant scaffold polypeptide sequences. Also described are methods for generating the libraries.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-hypertensive agent. The anti-hypertensive agent of the present invention contains, as an active ingredient, at least one peptide selected from the group consisting of peptides originally derived from globin proteolysate, each of which consists of one of the following amino acid sequences (1) to (6), or a globin proteolysate containing at least one of the peptides: (1) Val-Val-Tyr-Pro (SEQ ID: NO. 1); (2) Trp-Gly-Lys-Val-Asn (SEQ ID: NO. 2); (3) Trp-Gly-Lys-Val (SEQ ID: NO. 3); (4) Trp-Gly-Lys (SEQ ID: NO. 4); (5) Ala-Ala-Trp-Gly-Lys (SEQ ID: NO. 5); and (6) Phe-Glu-Ser (SEQ ID: NO. 6).

Abstract: A phage-displayed library of llama single heavy domain antibodies (sdAbs) was enriched for species that selectively bind to and are internalized by human cerebromicrovascular endothelial cells (HCEC). From the enriched library, two sdAbs were selected, sequenced, subcloned, and expressed as fusion proteins with c-myc-His5 tags (His5 is SEQ ID NO:101). Similarly as phage-displayed sdAbs, these soluble tagged sdAbs were shown to selectively bind to HCEC and to transmigrate across in vitro human blood-brain barrier (BBB) model. In contrast to an unrelated llama sdAb, these sdAbs were also detected in the brain after i.v. injection into mice. These small (˜13 kDa) antibody fragments have essential characteristics of brain-specific delivery vectors and can be used to facilitate drug transport across the BBB.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of screening one of the RNA hairpins in the small ribosomal subunit of bacteria to identify peptides that bind to it. The RNA hairpin target may be the 970 loop (aka helix 31 (h31)) or a modified version thereof. The identified peptides may inhibit protein synthesis and, therefore, may be used as a model for new antibiotics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fully synthetic albumin analog, to a hemocompatible coating for medical devices containing the fully synthetic albumin analog, as well as to medical devices coated with the hemocompatible coating. The albumin analog preferably has two basic structures which are connected with one another via at least one bridging unit, the basic structures respectively having, in a geometrically defined manner, at least two bound joint regions to which at least one residue is covalently bound, wherein the basic structures are, respectively, a benzene carboxylic acid, and wherein the joint regions are formed via acid amide bonds, and wherein each residue, respectively, comprises a lipophilic region and a hydrophilic region.

Abstract: This invention characterizes the selective apoptotic activity of specially prepared zinc charged alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, alpha 2-HS glycoprotein, and alpha 1-antitrypsin. These proteins cause apoptosis in cancer cells while leaving normal cells intact. In addition, active fragments of zinc charged alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and alpha 2-HS glycoprotein, whether manufactured from the modification of natural alpha 1-acid glycoprotein or alpha 2-HS glycoprotein, recombinantly, or synthetically, selectively induce apoptosis.

Abstract: Micro channel array devices drawn from a bulk preform having an array of components to reduce the cross section. The reduced cross section fiber like structure is cut to produce individual arrays of small scale. End caps are drawn and optionally micro machined. The end caps are used to provide input and output ports and other structures for use with the micro channel arrays. A micro channel array may be used with different end caps for analysis and may form a lab on a chip or a component thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to tuned multifunctional linker molecules for charge transport through organic-inorganic composite structures. The problem underlying the present invention is to provide multifunctional linker molecules for tuning the conductivity in nanoparticle-linker assemblies which can be used in the formation of electronic networks and circuits and thin films of nanoparticles. The problem is solved according to the invention by providing a multifunctional linker molecule of the general structure CON1—FUNC1—X—FUNC2—CON2 in which X is the central body of the molecule, FUNC1 and FUNC2 independently of each other are molecular groups introducing a dipole moment and/or capable of forming intermolecular and/or intramolecular hydrogen bonding networks, and CON1 and CON2 independently of each other are molecular groups binding to nanostructured units comprising metal and semiconductor materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tool for analysis of expression of Macaca fascicularis gene expression analysis tool containing a set of nucleic acids containing base sequences the same or substantially the same as two or more base sequences selected from the group consisting of the base sequences shown by SEQ ID NOs:1-14, or partial sequences thereof, and a method of analyzing the expression of Macaca fascicularis gene, including measuring a gene transcription product in a Macaca fascicularis sample using the tool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to expression cassettes libraries of expression vectors comprising the same, wherein each vector comprises at least one gene of interest and a promoter operatively linked thereto wherein each promoter comprises a nucleic acid, whose sequence is randomly mutated with respect to that of another in the library and cells comprising the same. Methods utilizing either the libraries or cells of this invention, in optimizing gene expression, protein expression, or optimized gene or protein delivery are described.

Abstract: The present method is an improved in vitro selection protocol that relies on magnetic separations for DNA aptamer production that is relatively easy and scalable without the need for expensive robotics. The ability of aptamers selected by this method to recognize and bind their target protein with high affinity and specificity, and detail their uses in a number of assays is also described. Specific TTF1 and His6 aptamers were selected using the method described, and shown to be useful for enzyme-linked assays, Western blots, and affinity purification.

Abstract: The present invention provides engineered glycosyltransferase enzymes and method for making and using the same possessing an expanded substrate specificity as compared to corresponding non-mutated glycosyltransferase enzymes. Such enzymes expand the variety of substrates that can be used in enzymatic glycosylation methods, including enzymatic glycorandomization, thereby providing increased diversity in chemical products.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for detection of microorganisms in a sample. Methods and apparatus of the invention are based on the specificity that phage, for example bacteriophage, have for target microorganisms, for example bacterium. Typically, phage adsorption to target microorganisms act as signal, or a signal target, for the presence of the target microorganism. Typically, the phage are labeled with a detectable signal. Apparatus of the invention are directed toward concentrating the phage adsorbed microorganisms at a predetermined site for flag dependent observation.