Abstract: Expression vectors and mammalian cell lines containing them are described that enable the recombinant production of HIV-1 envelope proteins, including SOSIP modified gp140 trimers capable of inducing broadly neutralizing antibodies.

Abstract: A recombinant expression vector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a herpesvirus transactivator, where the nucleotide sequence is operably linked to a herpesvirus control element is provided as are cell lines genetically modified to express a herpesvirus transactivator under the control of a herpesvirus control element. Also provided are methods of identifying agents that disrupt feedback regulation of a herpesvirus transcriptional control element by a herpesvirus transactivator.

Abstract: Methods for treating cardiovascular disease, and in particular heart failure, are provided comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a modulator of SERCA2a post-translation modification such as SUMOylation or acetylation. Also provided are methods of treating cardiovascular disease by inhibiting SERCA2a degradation. Further provided are methods of diagnosing a propensity to develop heart failure comprising determining if a SERCA2a mutant is present or determining the level of expression of SUMO1 in cardiomyocytes. The disclosure also provides methods of screening for therapeutics that modulate the post-translational modification of SERCA2a, such as by modulating post-translational SUMOylation and/or acetylation.

Abstract: It was the object of the present invention to provide RNA with increased stability and translation efficiency and means for obtaining such RNA. It should be possible to obtain increased grades of expression by using said RNA in gene therapy approaches.

Abstract: Engineered polypeptides useful in synthesizing acyl amino acids are provided. Also provided are methods of making acyl amino acids using engineered polypeptides. In certain embodiments, an acyl amino acid produced using compositions and/or methods of the present invention comprises cocoyl glutamate.

Abstract: A system for controlling gene expression in yeast comprises a repressible gene expression plasmid that has a regulator binding sequence for camR and a target gene sequence. The system also includes a transcription enhancer expression plasmid; wherein said transcriptional activator protein binds to the regulator binding sequence in the absence of a transcriptional inhibitor. The system is used in a method for controlling expression of the target gene through the use of camphor. The target gene is expressed in the absence of camphor but unexpressed if camphor is added to a solution of cells containing the plasmids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new fusion gene, KIAA0368-ROBO2, and the use thereof in methods for diagnosing cancer, in particular a glioblastoma in a subject, wherein the presence and/or expression of said fusion gene in a sample derived from said subject is determined, and wherein the presence or expression of said fusion gene is attributed to the presence of a glioblastoma in said patient. Also methods for the identification of compounds useful in the medical intervention of glioma, in particular glioblastoma, are provided. Accordingly, the present invention also relates to diagnostic means as well as to the medical intervention in cancer, like glioma and in particular glioblastoma. The invention further relates to the use of the fusion gene for diagnosing and/monitoring of tumor progression, preferably of the progression of brain tumors, as well as for the subclassification of brain tumors and other proliferative diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions involving epigenetic and gene expression signatures and their association with Sjögren's syndrome.

Abstract: The present invention provides mutant adeno-associated virus (AAV) that exhibit altered capsid properties, e.g., reduced binding to neutralizing antibodies in serum and/or altered heparin binding and/or altered infectivity of particular cell types. The present invention further provides libraries of mutant AAV comprising one or more mutations in a capsid gene. The present invention further provides methods of generating the mutant AAV and mutant AAV libraries, and compositions comprising the mutant AAV. The present invention further provides recombinant AAV (rAAV) virions that comprise a mutant capsid protein. The present invention further provides nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences that encode mutant capsid proteins, and host cells comprising the nucleic acids. The present invention further provides methods of delivering a gene product to an individual, the methods generally involving administering an effective amount of a subject rAAV virion to an individual in need thereof.

Abstract: The invention is a process for improved production of a recombinant mammalian protein by expression in a Pseudomonad, particularly in a Pseudomonas fluorescens organism. The process improves production of mammalian proteins, particularly human or human-derived proteins, over known expression systems such as E. coli in comparable circumstances. Processes for improved production of isolated mammalian, particularly human, proteins are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a screening method for determining whether or not a candidate compound is a modulator of an insect transient receptor potential V (TRPV) channel. The present invention further provides a method of insect control by applying to an insect-specific TRPV channel modulator determined by the screening method. The present invention further relates to an expression vector that includes a nucleic acid molecule coding for an insect TRPV channel. Also, the present invention relates to cell that includes the expression vector encoding a TRPV channel.

Abstract: Early detection of tumors is a major determinant of survival of patients suffering from tumors, including gastric tumors. Members of the GTM gene family can be differentially expressed in gastric tumor tissue, and thus can be used as markers for the detection of gastric and other types of cancer. The present invention provides for novel GTMs for the detection of tumors, including gastric tumors, and in particular human zymogen granule protein 16 (ZG16). The GTMs can be used in isolation or together with other known GTMs to provide for novel signatures to be used in the detection of tumors, including gastric tumors.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are vectors and components for a nucleic acid cloning system, and methods of use of the vectors and components in cloning nucleic acid fragments of interest. The cloning system includes two families of destination vectors which can be used in alternating form to systematically combine nucleic acid fragments of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mitochondrial UQCRB mutant cell line expressing the UQCRB mutant protein. The present invention is directed to a novel research method for UQCRB activity evaluation using a novel mitochondrial UQCRB mutant cell line, and provides a method for anticancer activity evaluation, a method for angiogenesis inhibitory activity evaluation, and a method for screening a UQCRB activity inhibitor. In particular, the cell line of the present invention is a novel cell line having cell proliferative and angiogenesis inducing activities, and provides a method for screening an angiogenesis inhibitor or an anticancer material through the UQCRB activity inhibitory mechanism, and thus can be applied in the development of therapeutic agents against angiogenesis or mitochondria-mediated diseases and various cancers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of screening a target metabolite-overproducing mutant strain using a synthetic suicide genetic circuit, and more particularly to a method of screening only a metabolite-overproducing mutant strain while killing a mutant strain that does not produce the metabolite, by introducing into mutant strains a synthetic suicide genetic circuit comprising a suicide gene coupled with a riboswitch. The method for screening a target metabolite-overproducing mutant strain according to the present invention has advantages in that a metabolite-overproducing mutant strain having a relatively fast or slow growth rate can be separated by visual observation, and in that the riboswitch that is used in the synthetic suicide genetic circuit can be replaced depending on the kind of target metabolite, and thus the synthetic suicide genetic circuit can be applied commonly to various strains.

Abstract: A recombinant vector enables independent expression of a foreign gene without interfering with a biological circuit of a host cell. A gene encoding a guanylyl cyclase, a gene encoding cGMP receptor protein, and a regulatory nucleotide sequence to which cGMP receptor protein binds, which are derived from a microorganism, are recombined in at least one plasmid. Using the recombinant vector, a foreign gene may be independently expressed without interfering with a biological circuit of a host cell.

Abstract: Provided are age-modified cells and method for making age modified cells using progerin or a progerin-like protein. The aging and/or maturation process can be accelerated and controlled for young and/or immature cells, such as a somatic cell, a stem cell, a stem cell-derived somatic cell, including an induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cell, by contacting with progerin or a progerin-like protein. Methods described by the present disclosure can produce age-appropriate cells from a somatic cell or a stem cell, such as an old cell and/or a mature cell. Such age-modified cells constitute model systems for the study of late-onset diseases and/or disorders.

Abstract: The invention provides novel methods and materials for genetic and genomic analysis using single or multiplex isolation of protein-associated nucleic acids, including transposase-assisted chromatin immunoprecipitation (TAM-ChIP) and antibody-oligonucleotide proximity ligation. These methods comprise tagging and isolating chromatin or other protein-associated nucleic acids and using antibody-oligonucleotide complexes that recognize the proteins associated with such nucleic acids.

Abstract: A method for selectively recovering nucleic acid from a sperm cell in a sample containing cells of at least a sperm cell and an epithelial cell, and a cell suspension medium comprising extracellular impurities, is provided. The method entails introducing a sample into a vessel, sequestering the cells from the remaining sample components, washing the cells with a washing solution either before or after sequestration, removing the impurities-containing cell suspension medium from the vessel while retaining the cells; lysing selectively cells of the first cell type; and isolating the nucleic acid from the lysed cells. Methods for recovering nucleic acid from the second cell type are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for analyzing a clinical response of a patient suffering from or at risk of developing a neoplastic disease towards at least one given mode of treatment, said method comprising the steps of: a) obtaining a biological sample from said patient; b) determining, on a non protein basis, the expression level of three genes of interest, said genes being correlated with the Estrogen receptor (ESR) status in the sample, c) comparing the pattern of expression levels determined in (b) with one or several reference pattern(s) of expression levels; and d) predicting therapeutic success for said given mode of treatment in said patient from the outcome of the comparison in step (c); and treating based on said outcome.