Abstract: The invention relates to a new method of characterising a target polynucleotide. The method uses a pore and a Dda helicase. The helicase controls the movement of the target polynucleotide through the pore. The invention also relates to modified Dda helicases which can be used to control the movement of polynucleotides and are particularly useful for sequencing polynucleotides.

Abstract: A mammalian or avian cell line that expresses high levels of human influenza virus receptors is provided. In one embodiment, the cell line supports human influenza virus, e.g., human A/H3 influenza virus, isolation and growth much more effectively than corresponding conventional (unmodified) cells or in corresponding human virus receptor-overexpressing cells, and the propagated viruses may maintain higher genetic stability than in the corresponding cells.

Abstract: The invention includes a mutant Taq polymerase, which can significantly extend and amplify a target sequence where the extension conditions are time limited to as little as one second. The mutant Taq polymerase, or a biologically active fragment thereof, has one or more substitutions differing from the wild type as shown in Table I.

Abstract: The invention relates to modified helicases with reduced unbinding from polynucleotides. The helicases can be used to control the movement of polynucleotides and are particularly useful for sequencing polynucleotides.

Abstract: The present invention provides DNA polymerases that are highly resistant to inhibitors, and that can shorten the entire nucleic acid amplification reaction time by shortening the reverse transcription reaction time in a nucleic acid amplification method, in particular, in PCR or RT-PCR. The DNA polymerase is characterized by having reverse transcription activity, and comprising at least one amino acid modification at position 509 or 744 in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2. In particular, the amino acid modification at position 509 or 744 in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2 is substitution with histidine, lysine, or arginine.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for genetically modified organisms that provide numerous health benefits but also have an improved flavor profile and a more palatable aroma for the consumer of the organism.

Abstract: Cas-protein-ready tau biosensor cells, CRISPR/Cas synergistic activation mediator (SAM)-ready tau biosensor cells, and methods of making and using such cells to screen for genetic modifiers of tau seeding or aggregation are provided. Reagents and methods for sensitizing such cells to tau seeding activity or tau aggregation or for causing tau aggregation are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, systems, kits, and methods for detecting an analyte or target molecule in a sample by regulated in vitro transcription. The compositions, systems, kits, and methods typically comprise and/or utilize one or more components selected from: (a) an RNA polymerase; (b) an allosteric transcription factor (ATT), wherein the ATT binds an analyte or target molecule as a ligand; (c) an engineered transcription template; and/or any combination thereof. The engineered transcription template typically comprises a promoter sequence for the RNA polymerase and an operator sequence for the ATT. The promoter sequence and operator sequence are operably linked to a sequence encoding an RNA, wherein the ATT modulates transcription of the encoded RNA when the ATT binds the analyte or target molecule as a ligand, wherein the transcribed RNA generates a detectable signal in conjunction with a reporter molecule.

Abstract: A crystal structure of a Non-LTR-retroelement reverse transcriptase and methods of using the same to identify enzymes with improved activity are provided. Mutant reverse transcriptase enzymes and methods of using the same are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for enzyme replacement therapy using modified human cystathionine beta synthase (CBS) in the treatment of homocystinuria and related diseases and disorders.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for making bacteriocins are described in some embodiments herein. In some embodiments, pro-polypeptide comprising the bacteriocins in the desired ratios in cis, and separated by cleavage sited can be produced by a microbial cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding the pro-polypeptide. In some embodiments microfluidic devices and methods for making specified mixtures of antimicrobial peptides and/or bacteriocins are described.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to acyl-ACP reductase (AAR) enzyme variants that result in improved fatty aldehyde and fatty alcohol production when expressed in recombinant host cells. The disclosure further relates to methods of making and using such AAR variants for the production of fatty alcohol compositions having particular characteristics.

Abstract: The invention concerns methods for preventing the reduction of disulfide bonds during the recombinant production of disulfide-containing polypeptides. In particular, the invention concerns the prevention of disulfide bond reduction during harvesting of disulfide-containing polypeptides, including antibodies, from recombinant host cell cultures.

Abstract: Provided are MTSP-1 polypeptides modified to have altered activity and/or specificity so that they cleave a complement protein, such as complement protein C3, to inhibit its activity and thereby inhibit complement activation. The modified MTSP-1 polypeptides that inhibit complement activation can be used for treatment of diseases and conditions in which complement activation plays a role. Such diseases and conditions include inflammatory diseases and diseases with an inflammatory component. Exemplary of these disorders are ischemic and reperfusion disorders, including myocardial infarction and stroke, sepsis, autoimmune diseases, ophthalmic disorders, such as diabetic retinopathies and macular degeneration, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and transplanted organ rejection, such as renal delayed graft function (DGF).

Abstract: A process of recovering oil, comprising (a) converting a starch-containing material into dextrins with an alpha-amylase; (b) saccharifying the dextrins using a carbohydrate source generating enzyme to form a sugar; (c) fermenting the sugar in a fermentation medium into a fermentation product using a fermenting organism; (d) recovering the fermentation product to form a whole stillage; (e) separating the whole stillage into thin stillage and wet cake; (e?) optionally concentrating the thin stillage into syrup; (f) recovering oil from the thin stillage and/or optionally the syrup, wherein a protease and a phospholipase are present and/or added during steps (a) to (c). Use of a protease and a phospholipase for increasing oil recovery yields from thin stillage and/or syrup in a fermentation product production process.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions, kits, and methods of making RNA vaccines having an appropriate cap structure. Systems, apparatus, compositions, and/or methods may include and/or use, in some embodiments, non-naturally occurring single-chain RNA capping enzymes. In some embodiments, an RNA capping enzyme may include an FCE variant having (a) an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to positions 1 to 878 of SEQ ID NO: 1, and/or (b) one or more substitutions relative to SEQ ID NO: 1 at a position selected from positions corresponding to positions 215, 337, 572, 648, and 833 (e.g., a position selected from positions corresponding to position 215, 337, and 572) of SEQ ID NO: 1.

Abstract: Disclosed herein include methods and compositions for incorporating an effector gene into the genome of a cell. The method can comprise introducing into a cell a donor nucleic acid comprising a recognition site, a splice acceptor site, a self-cleaving peptide sequence, an effector gene, and an optional transcript stabilization element. The donor nucleic acid can be incorporated into the intron of a target gene differentially expressed in a unique cell type and/or in a cell during a unique cell state via non-homologous end joining (NHEJ)-dependent DNA repair. There are also provided, in some embodiments, methods and compositions for treating a disease or disorder in a subject.

Abstract: A mutant SaCas9 protein such as a protein having an amino acid sequence resulting from mutations of glutamic acid at the 782-position to lysine (E782K), leucine at the 800-position to arginine (L800R), asparagine at the 968-position to arginine (N968R), asparagine at the 985-position to alanine (N985A), arginine at the 991-position to alanine (R991A), alanine at the 1021-position to serine (A1021S), threonine at the 927-position to lysine (T927K), lysine at the 929-position to asparagine (K929N), and isoleucine at the 1017-position to phenylalanine (I1017F) in SEQ ID NO: 2 has relaxed restriction on target sequence while maintaining binding ability to guide RNA, and is useful as a tool for gene editing.

Abstract: The invention concerns methods for preventing the reduction of disulfide bonds during the recombinant production of disulfide-containing polypeptides. In particular, the invention concerns the prevention of disulfide bond reduction during harvesting of disulfide-containing polypeptides, including antibodies, from recombinant host cell cultures.

Abstract: The disclosure provides systems, methods, and compositions for a target specific nuclease and a blunting enzyme to correct frameshift mutations for genome editing and treatment of diseases. In some embodiments, the target specific nuclease and the blunting enzyme are combined with a guide RNA and/or a microhomology-mediated end joining (MMEJ) inhibitor.