Abstract: The invention provides human transmembrane proteins (HTMPN) and polynucleotides which identify and encode HTMPN. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, antibodies, agonists, and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for diagnosing, treating, or preventing disorders associated with expression of HTMPN.

Abstract: Molecular targets and vaccines against them in the treatment of sea lice infection of fish are provided, particularly caligid copepods. Vaccines targeted to L. salmonis trypsin are shown to reduce the quantity of sea lice present in challenged salmon from day 14 p.i. onward. Additional and novel molecular targets for vaccines are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates in part to isolated nucleic acid molecules (polynucleotides) which encode Dermacentor variabilis ligand gated ion channel proteins. The present invention also relates to recombinant vectors and recombinant hosts which contain a DNA fragment encoding D. variabilis LGIC/GluCl channels, substantially purified forms of associated D. variabilis channel proteins and recombinant membrane fractions comprising these proteins, associated mutant proteins, and methods associated with identifying compounds which modulate associated Dermacentor variabilis LGIC/GluCl, which will be useful as insecticides and acaricides.

Abstract: The present invention discloses genetically-modified cyanobacteria with ethanol-production capabilities enhanced over the currently-reported art, and methods of making such cyanobacteria. The invention provides a genetically modified photoautotrophic, ethanol producing host cell comprising an overexpressed pyruvate decarboxylase enzyme converting pyruvate to acetaldehyde and an overexpressed Zn2+ dependent alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme converting acetaldehyde to ethanol.

Abstract: Oligonucleotides containing unthylated CpG dinucleotides and therapeutic utilities based on their ability to stimulate an immune response in a subject are disclosed. Also disclosed are therapies for treating diseases associated with immune system activation that are initiated by unthylated CpG dinucleotides in a subject comprising administering to the subject oligonucleotides that do not contain unmethylated CpG sequences (i.e. methylated CpG sequences or no CpG sequence) to outcompete unmethylated CpG nucleic acids for binding. Further disclosed are methylated CpG containing dinucleotides for use antisense therapies or as in vivo hybridization probes, and immunoinhibitory oligonucleotides for use as antiviral therapeutics.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of allergic airway diseases in mammals related to Pythiosis insidiosum is described. The method relies upon an immunotherapeutic product of pythium proteins as antigens. The method is particularly useful in equine cicatrix.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a signal peptide with a cleavage site to a recombinant protein, wherein the last three amino acids before the cleavage site are alanine-phenylalanine-alanine (AFA).

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that biological peptide-based mimotopes of mannose-containing cell-wall compounds of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, specifically, ManLAM, have an anti-inflammatory effect and immunoregulator effect in animal models of inflammation. Such models include animal models of allergic peritonitis, allergic asthma and septic shock model (mice injected with LPS) and in Crohn's disease model (TNBS-induced colitis). Thus, the present invention concerns the use a molecule, particularly, an amino acid based molecule for the production of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of an inflammatory condition, the amino acid comprising one or more peptides characterized in that it can bind to ManLAM binding antibodies; and/or it can elicit an immune response in a subject inoculated therewith, giving rise to production of ManLAM-binding antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention include a method of protecting an animal against Lawsonia intracellularis infections, the method including administering a dose of live virulent L. intracellularis to the animal, allowing a subclinical L. intracellularis infection to develop in the animal, and administering one or more antibiotics to the animal, wherein the one or more antibiotic is administered in a dose sufficient to abbreviate the subclinical L. intracellularis infection.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of biology, more specifically to the field of immunology and microbiology. The invention further relates to the field of vaccines against microbial infections and especially bacterial vaccines, in particular to pneumococcal vaccines. More in particular, the invention relates to means and methods to identify, select and isolate a vaccine component for passive and/or active immunisation against a microorganism that can be killed by opsonophagocytic cells. The invention relates to a method to identify an opsonophagocytosis inducing antigen as a vaccine component for immunisation against a microorganism. The invention describes three pneumococcal proteins SlrA, IgAl proteinase, and PsaA, and their use as a vaccine component with or without PpmA. The invention also discloses the use of antibodies against said proteins for passive immunization and diagnosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Bacillus licheniformis B1 strain, alkalophilic enzyme solution and a method for preparing the same, in particular the method for producing cellulase demonstrating optimal activity at pH 10-13 by using Bacillus licheniformis B1 strain. The enzyme produced by the method of the present invention and the enzyme solution containing the same have excellent enzyme activity in alkali condition, so that they can be effectively applied in diverse uses including the production of detergent or bio-fuel.

Abstract: The invention is a method for the purification of mono-PEGylated erythropoietin using two cation exchange chromatography steps wherein the same type of cation exchange material is used in both cation exchange chromatography steps and a method for producing a mono-PEGylated erythropoietin in substantially homogeneous form.

Abstract: A molecular construct capable of fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET), comprising a linker peptide, a donor fluorophore moiety and an acceptor fluorophore moiety, wherein the linker peptide is a substrate of a botulinum neurotoxin selected from the group consisting of synaptobrevin, syntaxin and SNAP-25, or a fragment thereof capable being cleaved by the botulinum neurotoxin, and separates the donor and acceptor fluorophores by a distance of not more than 10 nm, and wherein emission spectrum of the donor fluorophore moiety overlaps with the excitation spectrum of the acceptor fluorophore moiety; or wherein the emission spectra of the fluorophores are detectably different. Also provided are isolated nucleic acid expressing the construct, kits comprising said construct and cell lines comprising said nucleic acid. Further provided are methods of detecting a BoNT using the above described construct via FRET, and methods for detecting a BoNT using surface plasmon resonance imaging.

Abstract: Positional cloning has been carried out to identify the gene responsible for the hypochromic anemia of the zebrafish mutant weissherbst. The gene, ferroportin1, encodes a novel multiple-transmembrane domain protein, expressed in the yolk sac. Zebrafish ferroportin1 is required for the transport of iron from maternally-derived yolk stores to the circulation, and functions as an iron exporter when expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Human and mouse homologs of the ferroportin1 gene have been identified. The invention includes isolated polynucleotides, vectors and host cells comprising nucleotide sequences encoding Ferroportin1 proteins and variants thereof, including those having iron transport function. The invention also includes polypeptides encoded by ferroportin1 genes and variants of such polypeptides, and fusion polypeptides comprising a Ferroportin1 or a portion thereof.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the simultaneous detection of different bacteria, comprising the following steps: coupling one or more species of bacteriophage tail proteins onto a support, incubating the support coupled with the bacteriophage tail proteins with a sample, optionally removing the sample and the bacteria of the sample not bound to the bacteriophage tail proteins, contacting the bacteria bound to the bacteriophage tail proteins with the bacteriophages and/or bacteriophage proteins specifically binding the bacteria to be detected, removing the bacteriophages and/or bacteriophage proteins not bound to the bacteria, and performing the detection reaction by means of an enzyme coupled to the specifically binding bacteriophages and/or bacteriophage proteins or by means of an immuno assay.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to diagnostic devices and methods for detecting Trichomonas infections.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of raising an immune response in an animal. The method comprises administering to the animal a composition comprising a carrier and an antigen bound to a targeting moiety wherein the targeting moiety binds to at least one receptor present in circulatory vessels in Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue. It is preferred that the targeting moiety binds to Mucosal Addressin Cellular Adhesion Molecule-1.

Abstract: The invention concerns novel Salmonella enterica attenuated strains, characterized in that they are inactivated at the level of the znuABC operon through mutation in at least one of the znuA, znuB, znuC genes of such operon, for uses in medical or veterinary fields as vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with non-soluble proteins and soluble or insoluble fragments thereof, which bind TNF, in homogeneous form, as well as their physiologically compatible salts, especially those proteins having a molecular weight of about 55 or 75 kD (non-reducing SDS-PAGE conditions), a process for the isolation of such proteins, antibodies against such proteins, DNA sequences which code for non-soluble proteins and soluble or non-soluble fragments thereof, which bind TNF, as well as those which code for proteins comprising partly of a soluble fragment, which binds TNF, and partly of all domains except the first of the constant region of the heavy chain of human immunoglobulins and the recombinant proteins coded thereby as well as a process for their manufacture using transformed pro- and eukaryotic host cells.

Abstract: Various specific meningococcal proteins are disclosed. The invention provides related polypeptides, nucleic acids, antibodies and methods. These can all be used in medicine for treating or preventing disease and/or infection caused by meningococcus, such as bacterial meningitis.