Abstract: Provided is a multivalent protein that targets interaction of SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor binding domain (RBD) with the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor protein. The multivalent proteins may also be used to treat subjects having cancer and/or a disease and/or viral infection. Also presented is a multiplex lateral flow test strips for simultaneous detection of the virus and viral antibodies.

Abstract: A recombinant system for improving genome editing via homologous recombination is disclosed. The system comprising a first nucleic acid sequence encoding a DNA editing agent having a double strand DNA cutting activity and a second nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide capable of increasing homologous recombination in a target cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to composition and methods for expressing UDP-GlcNAc 2-Epimerase/ManNAc Kinase enzyme (GNE) in a living organism. In preferred embodiments, the invention relates to treating disease condition that involves use of therapeutically effective amount of a composition described herein.

Abstract: Engineered CRISPR-Cas9 nucleases with altered and improved PAM specificities and their use in genomic engineering, epigenomic engineering, and genome targeting.

Abstract: A crtW gene from a strain of Brevundimonas is disclosed that encodes a novel ketolase for carotenoid synthesis. An exemplary synthetic operon containing additional relevant carotenoid gene sequences is also provided, where the expression of the synthetic operon is used to produce ketocarotenoids. Suitable DNA expression constructs derived from these sequences are inserted into an expression host for expression. The expression product is a ketolase enzyme that is operable for transforming beta-carotene into canthaxanthin and astaxanthin.

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: 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: As described herein, a hybrid voltage sensor genetically-encoded voltage indicator (GEVI) for mitochondria or endoplasmic reticulum includes a transmembrane domain, and a fluorescent protein, wherein a terminus of the transmembrane domain and a terminus of the fluorescent protein are covalently linked directly or by a linker comprising 1 to 20 amino acids, and wherein the transmembrane domain comprises SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4 or a peptide with greater than 85%, 90%, 95% or 98% identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 4. Also described are expression vectors, expression cassettes, and organelle membranes, as well as methods of determining the voltage across an organelle using the GEVIs.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for specifically altering the DNA sequence in a genome, in particular for genome editing by deleting or replacing a sequence of interest. Advantageously, the invention uses two non-identical sequences naturally occurring in a genome as target sites two which DNA-recombining enzymes are generated. The invention is in particular useful for medicine, in particular to repair a mutation in a genome or to delete predefined genetic material from cells or tissue and to cure diseases. An advantage of the invention is that it allows precise site directed altering of DNA without engaging host DNA repair pathways and thereby works without inducing random insertions and deletions (indels).

Abstract: The invention provides for systems, methods, and compositions for targeting nucleic acids. In particular, the invention provides non-naturally occurring or engineered RNA-targeting systems comprising a novel RNA-targeting CRISPR effector protein and at least one targeting nucleic acid component like a guide RNA.

Abstract: A recombinant yeast cell comprising a heterologous polynucleotide encoding an anti-staling/freshness amylase; in particular an anti-staling/freshness amylase selected from the group consisting of a maltogenic amylase (EC 3.2.1.133), a beta-amylase (EC 3.2.1.2), and a glucan 1,4-alpha-maltotetrahydrolase (EC 3.2.1.60).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods useful for the production of heterologous proteins in filamentous fungal cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes compositions of matter comprising a ribonucleoprotein complex comprising a nucleic acid-guided nuclease and a guide RNA, and further comprising and a blocking nucleic acid molecule represented by Formula I, wherein Formula I in the 5?-to-3? direction comprises: A-(B-L)J-C-M-T-D; wherein A is 0-15 nucleotides in length; B is 4-12 nucleotides in length; L is 3-25 nucleotides in length; J is an integer between 1 and 10; C is 4-15 nucleotides in length; M is 1-25 nucleotides in length or is absent, wherein if M is absent then A-(B-L)J-C and T-D are separate nucleic acid strands; T is 17-135 nucleotides in length and comprises at least 50% sequence complementarity to B and C; D is 0-10 nucleotides in length and comprises at least 50% sequence complementarity to A; and wherein the blocking nucleic acid molecule comprises a sequence complementary to a gRNA.

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: Multi-carbon compounds such as ethanol, n-butanol, sec-butanol, isobutanol, tert-butanol, fatty (or aliphatic long chain) alcohols, fatty acid methyl esters, 2,3-butanediol and the like, are important industrial commodity chemicals with a variety of applications. The present invention provides metabolically engineered host microorganisms which metabolize methane (CH4) as their sole carbon source to produce multi-carbon compounds for use in fuels (e.g., bio-fuel, bio-diesel) and bio-based chemicals. Furthermore, use of the metabolically engineered host microorganisms of the invention (which utilize methane as the sole carbon source) mitigate current industry practices and methods of producing multi-carbon compounds from petroleum or petroleum-derived feedstocks, and ameliorate much of the ongoing depletion of arable food source “farmland” currently being diverted to grow bio-fuel feedstocks, and as such, improve the environmental footprint of future bio-fuel, bio-diesel and bio-based chemical compositions.

Abstract: This application provides methods and compositions related to constructing nucleic acid hydrogels (e.g., RNA hydrogels) having repetitive monomer units, each monomer unit includes one or more G-quadruplex sequences. These G-quadruplex sequences cross-link the nucleic acid concatemer such that it self-assembles into a hydrogel under appropriate conditions. In some embodiments, each monomeric unit of the nucleic acid concatemer comprises a coding sequence for polypeptide of interest; and the nucleic acid hydrogel formed by the nucleic acid concatemer can be used for expressing the polypeptide in high quantities. In some embodiments, at least two RNA concatemers comprising G-quadruplex sequences are produced, one further comprising a spacer and the other further comprising a sequence encoding a polypeptide of interest. These two RNA concatemers are combined and self assembled to form a single, wideband RNA hydrogel.

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: Provided are a novel polypeptide, a fusion polypeptide comprising the polypeptide, and a use thereof as an antibiotic. More specifically, provided are a novel polypeptide derived from a bacteriophage, a novel fusion polypeptide comprising cecropin A, and an antibiotic against Gram-negative bacteria comprising the polypeptide and/or the fusion polypeptide.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are means for the detection and characterization of neurotoxins such as botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) or tetanus neurotoxin. The present disclosure provides methods for determining potency and activity of neurotoxins in vitro and in vivo. Also disclosed are polypeptides comprising N- and C-terminal fragments of a reporter protein that are split by a linker comprising a neurotoxin cleavage site. Cleavage of the linker by a neurotoxin decreases reporter protein activity, thereby indicating activity of the neurotoxin. Compositions and kits comprising the disclosed polypeptides, nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences encoding such polypeptides, and cells expressing such polypeptides are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein are engineered variants of archaeal polymerases that exhibit exonuclease-minus activity, enhanced thermostability, enhanced incorporation of 3? modified nucleotides, improved uracil-tolerance and/or reduce sequence-specific errors in polymerase-catalyzed nucleotide binding and extension reactions relative to wild type polymerase enzymes. Also provided are uses of the engineered polymerases for forming complexed polymerases and forming binding complexes, and uses for conducting nucleic acid sequencing reactions.