Abstract: Compositions comprise statistically random heteropolymers complexed with active proteins, and are formulated and used in stimuli-responsive materials and nanoreactors composed of proteins and synthetic materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to proteins that contain the CD4 domain 1 and the CD4 domain 2 (CD4 D1D2), wherein the CD4 D1D2 contains one or more mutations compared to wild-type human CD4 D1D2, and to methods of using the proteins for treating a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in a subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to plasmids, systems, and methods for the transformation of Wolbachia. Disclosed herein are plasmids and systems for use in methods of transforming Wolbachia. The inventors have identified extrachromosomal plasmids within Wolbachia. Disclosed herein is a non-naturally occurring plasmid comprising a nucleic acid encoding a transposase. Disclosed herein is a method for transforming a Wolbachia cell, comprising introducing a non-naturally occurring plasmid into the cell, wherein the plasmid comprises a nucleic acid sequence capable of transforming a Wolbachia cell.

Abstract: This document relates to materials and methods for modulating ligand gated ion channel (LGIC) activity. For example, modified LGICs including at least one LGIC subunit having a modified ligand binding domain (LBD) and/or a modified ion pore domain (IPD) are provided. Also provided are exogenous LGIC ligands that can bind to and activate the modified LGIC, as well as methods of modulating ion transport across the membrane of a cell of a mammal, methods of modulating the excitability of a cell in a mammal, and methods of treating a mammal having a channelopathy.

Abstract: The present invention includes novel systems, methods, and compositions for the enzymatic/chemical production of pseudouridine (?) and its variants, such as N1-methyl-pseudouridine-5?-triphosphate (m1?TP).

Abstract: The disclosure provides genetically engineered C1-fixing microorganisms capable of producing nanobodies. Additionally, the disclosure provides engineered microorganisms comprising one or more disrupted genes to strategically divert carbon flux away from nonessential or undesirable products towards products and/or co-products of interest. The disclosure enables co-production of useful chemicals from gaseous substrates.

Abstract: The present invention is related to modified sterol acyltransferase enzymes with improved activity and/or specificity towards acylation of the vitamin D3 precursor 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) to be used in biotechnological production of vitamin D3. The invention further relates to a yeast strain expressing said modified enzymes and their use in a process for production of vitamin D3 or derivatives and/or metabolites thereof.

Abstract: Novel hyperthermophilic Dictyoglomus beta-mannanases are provided for use in high temperature industrial applications requiring enzymatic hydrolysis of 1,4-?-D-mannosidic linkages in mannans, galactomannans, and glucomannans. Also provided are methods and compositions for fracturing a subterranean formation in which a gellable fracturing fluid is first formed by blending together a hydratable polymer and a Dictyoglomus beta-mannanase as an enzyme breaker. An optimized and stabilized recombinant Dictyoglomus beta-mannanase is provided that shows superior performance/effectiveness and properties in degrading guar and derivatized guars at pH ranges from 3.0 to 12 and temperatures ranging from 130° F. to in excess of 270° F.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods involved in the production of flavonoids, anthocyanins and other organic compounds. The invention provides cells engineered for the production of flavonoids, anthocyanins and other organic compounds, where the engineered cells include one or more genetic modifications that increase flavonoid production by increasing metabolic flux to flavonoid precursors and/or reducing carbon losses resulting from the production of byproducts.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides thiolases and polypeptide variants of 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase, nucleic acids encoding the same, vectors comprising the nucleic acids, and cells comprising the polypeptide variants and/or thiolase, the nucleic acids, and/or the vectors. The present disclosure also provides methods of making and using the same, including methods for culturing cells, and for the production of various products, including 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA (3-HB-CoA), 3-hydroxybutyraldehyde (3-HBal), 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-HB), 1,3-butanediol (1,3-BDO), and esters and amides thereof, and products made from any of these.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions, methods and kits for the treatment of cancer. Particularly, the present disclosure provides synergistic compositions comprising at least one cytotoxic ribonuclease and at least one MAPK-pathway inhibitor.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for assessing cytotoxicity of an agent. The methods include providing a target cell that has been engineered to express intracellularly a reporter that is not expressed endogenously by the target cell, exposing the target cell to an agent capable of modulating cytotoxicity and assaying the activity of the reporter, wherein a change in reporter activity relative to a reference value is indicative of the agent being able to modulate cytotoxicity of the target cell.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides gRNA compositions, CRISPR/Cas systems comprising the same, and methods of their use in the modification of immune effector cells. Methods of treating a cell proliferative disorder, such as a cancer, using the modified immune effector cells described herein are also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a technique that can be used to detect a pathogenic microorganism such as influenza virus with high sensitivity, and specifically, a method for detecting a reaction product, including reacting an enzyme with a substance serving as a substrate for a reaction involving the enzyme in a hydrophilic solvent that is in interfacial contact with a hydrophobic solvent, wherein the reaction product is produced directly and released from the substrate, and wherein the hydrophilic solvent contains at least one of a buffering substance or trimethylamine oxide (TMAO).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing botulinum toxin in various fragments to then be reassembled, for safely producing same. In the present invention, devised is a method in which: botulinum toxin is produced in fragments by cleaving light and heavy chains thereof into two or three pieces, respectively, and then combined as a full-length toxin, thereby allowing high complexity in production, due to toxicity, as well as low safety and economic feasibility, to be overcome; production of water-soluble botulinum toxin is enabled by using bacteria, thereby markedly shortening the production time as compared to existing production methods; and conjugation of the produced fragments with other proteins and nanoparticles is also enabled, thereby increasing the pharmaceutical extensibility of the toxin.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to modified bacteria, such as E. coli, with modification in the expression of at least one gene encoding a type I and/or type II toxin-antitoxin (TA) system protein and/or at least one gene encoding a structural protein that modulates ribosomes and methods of using the disclosed bacteria for producing a biological compound of interest. The modifications of the bacteria result in enhanced bioproduction.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials for modulating one or more properties of transporter proteins. For example, inverted transporter polypeptides including a leader sequence fused to a transporter protein, and methods of using one or more inverted transporter polypeptides to modulate (e.g., stimulate or inhibit) the excitability of one or more cells (e.g., neurons and myocytes) are provided.

Abstract: Bridge helix-modified variant Cas12a and Cas12b proteins having improved DNA cleavage selectivity in comparison to wild type versions of the Cas12a and Cas12b proteins, nucleic acids encoding the variant proteins, host cells containing the nucleic acids, and methods of their use.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for systemically editing a gene in a subject and for systemically treating a genetic condition in a subject using a dual-vector CRISPR-Cas therapy. The methods comprise administering to the subject, via systemic administration, a gene editing AAV vector encoding a CRISPR effector protein (e.g., a Cas protein) and a targeting AAV vector providing one or more gRNAs targeted to the gene. In the methods, the ratio of the targeting AAV vector to the gene editing vector is greater than or equal to 2. Also provided are dual-vector systems for editing a gene or treating a genetic disease in a subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for restoring or augmenting bactericidal activity of an antibiotic in an organ or tissue in which pulmonary surfactant is present. More specifically, the present disclosure describes that inhibition of antibiotics due to environmental factors, such as the presence of pulmonary surfactant in an organ or tissue such as the respiratory epithelium can be sidestepped or overcome and the effectiveness of the antibiotic in that milieu restored or augmented by co-administration of an antibiotic and a lysin.