Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing a retinal pigment epithelial cell by (1) maintaining and/or expanding human pluripotent stem cells comprising culturing the human pluripotent stem cells in the absence of a feeder cell in a medium comprising a factor for maintaining an undifferentiated state, (2) a first step for culturing the maintained and/or expanded human pluripotent stem cells in a medium comprising a MEK inhibitor in the absence of feeder cells for a period of not less than 2 days and not more than 30 days, wherein the culture condition in the first step is a condition sufficient for inducing gene expression of at least one eye field transcription factor, and (3) a second step for culturing the cells obtained in the first step in the presence of a Nodal signal transduction pathway inhibitor and/or a Wnt signal transduction pathway inhibitor to form a retinal pigment epithelial cell.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for improved production of steviol glycosides in a host cell. In some embodiments, the host cell is genetically modified to comprise a heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding a Stevia rebaudiana kaurenoic acid hydroxylase. In some embodiments, the host cell further comprises one or more heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding further enzymes of a pathway capable of producing one or more steviol glycosides in the host cell. The compositions and methods described herein provide an efficient route for the heterologous production of steviol glycosides, including but not limited to, rebaudioside D and rebaudioside M.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel Spirulina strain having a linear shape, which Spirulina strain can be used to achieve a harvest of Spirulina strain with high yield.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for cancer immunotherapy. Specifically, the invention provides an antigen-presenting cell, for example, a dendritic cell that comprises a tumor mitochondrial molecule or a tumor mitochondrial molecule derived from tumor mitochondrial protein lysate or a specific mitochondria derived protein of mitochondrial protein lysate as antigen source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to organic thin film sensors and the preparation and use thereof in sensing applications, and in particular in glucose sensing. The sensor is characterised by a layered structure comprising a porous wicking layer whose surface is configured to receive a liquid sample. An enzyme is disposed on or within the porous layer for facilitating the generation of a charge carrier from an analyte. A polymer layer in contact with the porous layer is connected to an ohmic conductor for applying a gate voltage to the polymer layer, the polymer layer being conductive to the charge carrier; and an organic semiconducting layer is connected to a source electrode and a drain electrode.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to targeted protease compositions and uses related thereto. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to nanoparticles wherein a targeting molecule is linked to the nanoparticle and wherein a catalytic domain of a protease is linked to the nanoparticle. In certain embodiments, the targeting molecule and the catalytic domain are within a single polypeptide sequence. In certain embodiments, the targeting molecule binds a molecule more highly expressed on cancer cells then non-cancerous cells, and the nanoparticles disclosed herein are used for the treatment of cancer by further attaching an anti-cancer agent to the nanoparticle or incorporating an anticancer agent within the nanoparticle.

Abstract: An oral biology model which comprises biofilm, oral epithelial tissue and a suspension of neutrophil-like cells in media is disclosed. The biofilm, which comprises oral bacteria, is produced by culturing oral bacteria on a solid substrate. The oral epithelial tissue may be gingival epithelial tissue to model the gingival crevice or buccal epithelial tissue to model the oral check. The suspension of neutrophil-like cells in media comprises neutrophil-like cells that are differentiated HL60 cells induced to a neutrophil-like phenotype by treatment with retinoic acid. Methods of using the oral biology model to test and compare compounds and formulations or to screen compounds and formulations for their effect on release of inflammatory signals, their effect on biofilm and oral bacteria and/or their effect on the cellular components are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to purified, tissue-specific progenitors, methods of making and using such tissue-specific progenitors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel polypeptides, which are derived from Arginase 1. The invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to compositions comprising the polypeptides and polynucleotides. The invention also concerns uses of the polypeptides, polynucleotides, and compositions.

Abstract: A system and method for modulating stress granule assembly, utilizing a protein construct that has a cell penetrating protein fused to one or more proteins that can bind with an NTF2-like domain of a G3BP protein. By configuring the protein construct with an appropriate number of proteins that being with NTF2-like domains, stress granule assembly can be upregulated or downregulated as needed to treat patients.

Abstract: Nowadays consumers are looking for “natural” food ingredients for keeping them healthy and fit in all foods. “An Organic Natural Microbial Inhibitor” is an organic antimicrobial ingredient that is synthesized from the fermentation of natural raw materials including rice flour, wheat hydrolysate and corn steep liquor. An amount of 0.1 to 1.5% during preservation of different food products like pickles, salads, beverages, and meat etc., keeps the food free from the microbial contaminations, increases flavor, and meat tenderness. It is produced through co-fermentation of Acetobacter aceti and Lactobacillus delbrueckii that are modified by way of strain improvement through medium optimization experiments. The major ingredients of the product include combination of naturally produced organic acids like acetic, lactic and propionic acids in addition to other acids in trace amounts in liquid form and also in powdered form.

Abstract: A method of producing liquid fuel and/or chemicals from a carbonaceous material entails combusting a conditioned syngas in pulse combustion heat exchangers of a steam reformer to help convert carbonaceous material into first reactor product gas which includes carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide and other gases. A portion of the first reactor product gas is transferred to a hydrogen reformer into which additional conditioned syngas is added and a reaction carried out to produce an improved syngas. The improved syngas is then subject to one or more gas clean-up steps to form a new conditioned syngas. A portion of the new conditioned syngas is recycled to be used as the conditioned syngas in the pulse combustion heat exchangers and in the hydrocarbon reformer. A system for carrying out the method include, a steam reformer, a hydrocarbon reformer, first and second gas-cleanup systems, a synthesis system and an upgrading system.

Abstract: A method for providing a C5/C6 product from a lignocellulosic material is disclosed, said method comprising the steps: (i) pretreatment of the lignocellulosic material; (ii) solid/liquid separation of the pretreated lignocellulosic material from step (a) into a first solid fraction and a first liquid fraction; (iii) enzymatic fiber hydrolysis of said first solid fraction from step (b) by use of an enzyme composition capable of degrading lignocellulosic material, thereby providing a C5/C6 fiber slurry comprising C5 and/or C6 sugars; (iv) solid/liquid separation of the C5/C6 fiber slurry from step (c) into a second solid fraction and a second liquid fraction; and optionally (v) combining said first liquid fraction and said second liquid fraction for enzymatic mixed sugar hydrolysis (MSH), whereby a MSH C5/C6 product is provided.

Abstract: A cell tissue gel, comprising one or more matrix molecules cross-linked with a cross-linking agent, and a quenching agent bound to a reactive group of the cross-linking agent, wherein the quenching agent contains a moiety that is capable of reacting with the reactive group of the cross-linking agent and the one or more matrix molecules contain one or more functional groups that are capable of cross-linking with the reactive group, the amount of the reactive group of the cross-linking agent being equal to or less than a total amount including the amount of the one or more functional groups and the amount of the moiety.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a microfluidic devices and methods for culturing bone marrow cells. Aspects include methods of preparing microfluidic devices and culturing bone marrow cells with the microfluidic devices. In some aspects, a method includes providing a microfluidic device having an upper chamber, a lower chamber, and a porous membrane separating the upper chamber from the lower chamber. The method further includes seeding walls of the lower chamber and a bottom surface of the membrane with endothelial cells. The method further includes providing a matrix within the upper chamber. The matrix includes fibrin gel and bone marrow cells. The method further includes filling or perfusing the upper chamber with a media.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in part, formulations comprising a beta-lactamase. Particularly, modified-release formulations comprising a beta-lactamase are provided which release a substantial amount of the beta-lactamase in the intestines. Therapeutic uses of the beta-lactamase formulations are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions wherein foodstuffs act as carriers of freeze-dried probiotics provide new means for administration of probiotics. The products that are easily shipped may be eaten as purchased or mixed with other ingredients to provide variety in the diet while administering beneficial probiotic organisms to the gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract: An antigen protection method for enabling delayed sample processing may include: fixing a sample; embedding the sample; sectioning the sample and placing a section of the sample in contact with a microscope slide to produce a sectioned sample; de-embedding the sectioned sample; optionally rehydrating the sectioned sample; performing target retrieval on the sectioned sample; and optionally performing target visualization on the sectioned sample. The method may further include the steps of: applying a protecting reagent onto the sectioned sample; drying the protecting reagent; and waiting a period of time, such as greater than six hours, and these steps may be performed after the de-embedding step, rehydrating step, and/or target retrieval step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the remediation of contaminated solids and liquids. In particular, embodiments of the present invention relate to the bioremediation of solids and liquids by a composition comprising a biocatalyst or mixture of biocatalysts. The present invention also relates to methods for producing the bioremediation compositions and methods for applying the bioremediation compositions to contaminated sites, including treatment, storage, and disposal facilities, as well as various contaminated water sources, such as aquifers and reservoirs.

Abstract: Some aspects of the invention provide for a method of treating hepatic disorders, lipidemias and cardiac-related risk factors using polyunsaturated fatty acids which are modified in certain positions to attenuate oxidative damage by Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and/or suppress the rate of formation of reactive products and toxic compounds.