Abstract: A method of simultaneously co-purifying and concentrating nucleic acid and protein targets is described. The method includes automation of the entire sample preparation process, performed by having an analyst add a sample into a device that performs all of the steps necessary to prepare a sample for analysis. The method provides for samples that are not split during the sample preparation process and where common purification methods can be used for purifying multiple analytes.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits for determining which microRNAs bind to a target mRNA where the methods comprise the steps of (a) creating a bait sequence from the target mRNA, where the bait sequence comprises a label that binds to a binding agent; (b) adding a mixture of microRNAs to the bait sequence; (c) separating the microRNAs that bind to the bait sequence from those microRNAs that do not bind; and (d) identifying the microRNAs that bind to the bait sequence, wherein the microRNAs identified are those that bind to the target mRNA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to non-catalytic carbohydrate-binding modules (CBM) belonging to a new family of CBM's. A CBM of the invention was found attached to a glycosyl hydrolase family 61 (GH61) polypeptide and was shown to have little homology with known CBM's indicating that it is the first known member of a new family of CBM's. The present invention further relates to CBM's preferably exhibiting binding affinity for cellulose; to a method of producing such CBM's; and to methods for using such CBM's in the textile, detergent and cellulose fiber processing industries, for purification of polypeptides, immobilization of active enzymes, baking, manufacturing of biofuel, modification of plant cell walls.

Abstract: The invention relates to a recombinant cell line capable of inducible expression of an ? and/or ?subunit of interleukin 12 (IL-12), and an ecdosyme-inducible expression vector capable of transfecting a host cell to produce the recombinant cell line of the invention. The invention also relates to a method of screening a candidate compound for the ability to inhibit IL-12 formation and secretion which comprises the steps of incubating a cell line according to the invention with the candidate compound and then assaying the cell line culture for secreted IL-12, or a subunit thereof.

Abstract: Engineered strains of the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica capable of producing carotenoids (e.g., ?-carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, canthaxanthin, astaxanthin) are provided. The strains may also be engineered to co-produce at least one ?-3/?-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid and/or at least one additional antioxidant. Methods of using the carotenoid products obtained (e.g., biomass and/or pigmented oils) in food and feed applications are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of unsaturated fatty acids and to a process for the preparation of triglycerides with an increased content of unsaturated fatty acids. The invention relates to the generation of transgenic organism, preferably of a transgenic plant or of a transgenic microorganism, with an increased content of fatty acids, oils or lipids with ?6 double bonds owing to the expression of a moss ?-6-desaturase [sic]. The invention furthermore relates to transgenic organisms comprising a ?6-desaturase gene, and to the use of the unsaturated fatty acids or of the triglycerides with an increased content of unsaturated fatty acids prepared in the process.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, methods and kits for generating synthetic genetic circuits in biological systems. In particular, the present invention provides vectors, reagents and methods of their use in constructing synthetic genetic circuits in bacteria.

Abstract: In accordance with some preferred embodiments, without limitation, the present invention comprises compositions, methods and systems for preparation of stem-cell enriched cell populations from sources of biological materials by sorting cell types in relation to size.

Abstract: A method for transferring a gene into a fat cell or progenitor fat cell comprising the step of infecting the fat cell or progenitor cell with a retrovirus vector having a foreign gene in the presence of a substance having both of a retrovirus-binding site and a target cell-binding site in the molecule or a mixture of a substance having a retrovirus-binding site and a substance having a target cell-binding site, the target cell-binding site having a region that can bind to VLA-5 and/or a region that can bind to VLA-4.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetically modified eukaryotic host cells that produce isoprenoid precursors or isoprenoid compounds. A subject genetically modified host cell comprises increased activity levels of one or more of mevalonate pathway enzymes, increased levels of prenyltransferase activity, and decreased levels of squalene synthase activity. Methods are provided for the production of an isoprenoid compound or an isoprenoid precursor in a subject genetically modified eukaryotic host cell. The methods generally involve culturing a subject genetically modified host cell under conditions that promote production of high levels of an isoprenoid or isoprenoid precursor compound.

Abstract: This disclosure provides recombinant replication competent retroviral vectors having increased stability. The disclosure further relates compositions and uses of such vectors in the treatment of disease and disorders.

Abstract: Circular nucleic acid vectors that provide for persistently high levels of protein expression are provided. The circular vectors of the subject invention are characterized by being devoid of expression-silencing bacterial sequences, where in many embodiments the subject vectors include a unidirectional site-specific recombination product hybrid sequence in addition to an expression cassette. Also provided are methods of using the subject vectors for introduction of a nucleic acid, e.g., an expression cassette, into a target cell, as well as preparations for use in practicing such methods. The subject methods and compositions find use in a variety of different applications, including both research and therapeutic applications. Also provided is a highly efficient and readily scalable method for producing the vectors employed in the subject methods, as well as reagents and kits/systems for practicing the same.

Abstract: Articles and methods for the delivery of drugs and/or nucleic acids. Articles including a nanoparticle are provided that may be used for the delivery of a drug, a nucleic acid, or both, to a subject. The articles may be of polymeric material and may self-assemble.

Abstract: A method for cultivating tendon cells from non-embryonic pluripotent cells of mesenchymal origin includes the cultivation of isolated cells in a culture medium under standard culture conditions in a culture vessel. In order to increase the collagen secretion, before their complete confluence, the cells are further cultivated in a culture medium mixed with ascorbic acid and/or ascorbic acid-2-phosphate in a concentration of 25 to 75 ?g/ml and are subjected to hyperosmolar treatment in a culture medium whose osmolarity is adjusted to 350 to 500 mosmol/l.

Abstract: This invention relates to the transient expression of heterologous polypeptides in mammalian cell lines. Specifically it relates to an expression-enhanced cell line derived from a parent cell line, the expression-enhanced cell line comprising nucleic acid encoding Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen 1 or a functional derivative, analogue, or variant thereof; and further comprising: (a) a nucleic acid encoding an exogenous glutamine synthetase; (b) a nucleic acid encoding an endogenous glutamine synthetase, wherein the endogenous glutamine is arranged to have enhanced enzymatic activity and/or enhanced expression relative to the parent cell line under comparable conditions; or (c) both (a) and (b).

Abstract: Compositions and methods for targeted delivery of therapeutic agents, and particularly for mucosal, oral, nasal, or parenteral delivery of therapeutic agents. The compositions comprise carrier particles containing or encapsulating a therapeutic agent or agents, which have been modified on their surface to contain one or more targeting moieties that enable the enhanced uptake and transport of the therapeutic agent via receptor-mediated processes such as endocytosis or transcytosis.

Abstract: A method for the production of adeno-associated virus stocks and recombinant adeno-associated virus stocks that are substantially free of contaminating helper virus is described. The method utilizes transfection with helper virus vectors to replace the infection with helper virus used in the conventional method.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for detecting a target nucleotide sequence by tagging the nucleotide sequence with a nucleotide tag, providing a probe oligonucleotide with a melting temperature Tm1, comprising a regulatory sequence and a nucleotide tag recognition sequence; incorporating the probe oligonucleotide into the tagged polynucleotide in a polynucleotide amplification reaction, providing a regulatory oligonucleotide with a melting temperature Tm2, comprising a sequence segment that is at least partially complementary to the regulatory sequence, amplifying the tagged target nucleic acid sequence in a PCR amplification reaction using the probe oligonucleotide as a primer, and detecting the amplification product; wherein Tm1 and Tm2 are higher than the annealing temperature associated with the polynucleotide amplification reaction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to modify the genetic regulation of mammalian tissue, bone, or any combination.

Abstract: Provided are an expression vector for an animal cell including a promoter, a cloning site or a polynucleotide encoding foreign product, and a transcription terminator, all of which are operably connected each other within the expression vector, in which at least one copy of human ?-globin MAR sequence is attached to the 31 terminal of the transcription terminator, and a method of expressing a foreign gene using the expression vector.