Abstract: The method for direct detection of lipid binding agents in membrane includes dissolving a lipid in an organic solvent in a container; evaporating off the organic solvent to create a lipid film on the inside wall of the container; adding a buffer solution; adding a known volume of a membrane active agent to the buffer solution; incubating the solution in the dark for a period of time; removing the buffer solution from the container to provide a solution of sample A; washing the container with a buffer solution; adding an organic solvent while stirring the container to dissolve the lipid film to create a homogenous solution B; and measuring the absorbance of the samples A and B by absorption spectroscopy. The method may further include developing a universal probability function to test and quantify a membrane-based cytotoxicity of general drug candidates.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions comprising lanthanide-doped nanoparticles which upconvert electromagnetic radiation from infrared or near infrared wavelengths into the visible light spectrum. Also provided herein are methods activating light-responsive opsin proteins expressed on plasma membranes of neurons and selectively altering the membrane polarization state of the neurons using the light delivered by the lanthanide-doped nanoparticles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for design and use of engineered TALEs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a preferably nebulizable pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable protein-based nanocarrier preferably in the size range 150 to 300 nm and a preventative or therapeutic amount of an active agent for use in the prevention and/or treatment of an allergic and/or inflammatory disease of the lower airways in a mammal. Preferably, the active agent is a CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG-ODN), and preferably the composition exhibits a prolonged clinical effect.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising a carrier comprising a continuous phase of a hydrophobic substance, liposomes, and a polynucleotide, and methods for using such compositions for delivering a polynucleotide to a subject.

Abstract: Methods for the conditioning of bioprosthetic material employ bovine pericardial membrane. A laser directed at the fibrous surface of the membrane and moved relative thereto reduces the thickness of the membrane to a specific uniform thickness and smoothes the surface. The wavelength, power and pulse rate of the laser are selected which will smooth the fibrous surface as well as ablate the surface to the appropriate thickness. Alternatively, a dermatome is used to remove a layer of material from the fibrous surface of the membrane. Thinning may also employ compression. Stepwise compression with cross-linking to stabilize the membrane is used to avoid damaging the membrane through inelastic compression. Rather, the membrane is bound in the elastic compressed state through addition cross-linking. The foregoing several thinning techniques may be employed together to achieve strong thin membranes.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of inhibiting epigenetic gene silencing in a cell expressing NPM/ALK or decreasing NPM/ALK content in a cell, by contacting a cell with an agent capable of increasing the concentration of Stat5a protein or its functional analog. Further, the invention provides a method of treating malignancies expressing oncogenic kinase by administering to a patient affected with a malignancy an agent capable of increasing the concentration of Stat5a protein or its epigenetically silenced functional tumor suppressor analog in a malignant cell. Finally, it provides a method to diagnose malignancy and monitor patient's response to therapy by analysis of the degree of DNA methylation of the gene encoding for Stat5a or its analog, their mRNA, or protein.

Abstract: The invention provides a controlled release biodegradable polymer formulation adapted for administering bioactive agents such as therapeutic proteins to a patient through implantation of a bolus that forms a depot within the patient's body tissues. The formulation includes a dehydrated inclusion complex of the bioactive agent within a hydrogel, wherein the hydrogel can comprise a polymerized polyalkyleneglycolyl diacrylate, and, optionally, polyalkyleneglycolyl monoacrylates, including methacrylates. Alternatively, the hydrogel can comprise hyaluronic acid, chitosan, agarose, polyvinylacetate, polyvinylpyrrolide, or polyvinylalcohol nanoparticles. The bioactive agent can be a macromolecular material, such as a protein. A method of forming the inventive formulation is also provided, as well as a method for using the formulation in the treatment of a malcondition in a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: Described are novel N- and C-terminally double truncated tau molecules, (“type IA, IB, IIA and IIB tau molecules”) as well as methods for providing these molecules, both from recombinant and biological sources. Moreover, screening methods using these molecules in connection with Alzheimer's diagnosis and therapy are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are advantageous methods for patterning and/or mineralizing biomaterial surfaces. The techniques described are particularly useful for generating three-dimensional or contoured bioimplant materials with patterned surfaces or patterned, mineralized surfaces. Also provided are various methods of using the mineralized and/or patterned biomaterials in tissue engineering, such as bone tissue engineering, providing more control over ongoing biological processes, such as mineralization, growth factor release, cellular attachment and tissue growth.

Abstract: The invention relates to polynucleotides, particularly chimeric polynucleotides useful for optimal production of functional immunoglobulins with human idiotypes in rodents. The invention further relates to rodents comprising such polynucleotides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds for and a method of detecting beta-lactamase activity in a sample. The sample is contacted with a nanoparticulate tag. The nanoparticulate tag comprises a metal or a combination of metals, or it comprises a nanotube of a metal, boron nitride and/or carbon. The respective metal is capable of forming one of a covalent bond, a coordinative bond and a non-covalent interaction with a thio or a seleno group. The sample is contacted with a compound of one of general formulas (I)-(III) and (VII)-(IX). At least one beta-lactam moiety of the compound is cleaved by the beta-lactamase activity in the sample. As a result a cleavage moiety Z-A-Z, Z-A-Z—R15, Z-A-Z—R16, Z-A-Z—R17, Z-A-Z—R18 or Z-G-N(R8)R9 is released that is immobilized on the surface of the nanoparticulate tag by a covalent bond via a Z atom. The presence of beta-lactamase activity is determined based on the presence of the cleavage moiety immobilized onto the surface of the nanoparticulate tag.

Abstract: Described herein are carrier nanoparticles comprising a polymer containing a polyol coupled to a polymer containing a boronic acid, configured to present the polymer containing a boronic acid to an environment external to the nanoparticle. Targeted versions of the described nanoparticles are also described, as are related compositions, methods and systems.

Abstract: Provided is a platform for entrapment within alumina sol-gel carriers of labile biologically active materials such as proteins, therapeutic enzymes, enzymes of industrial relevance, antigens, and small molecules for achieving successful and efficient protective storage, protection from harsh environmental conditions such as heat, pH and chemicals, delivery to site and subsequent treatment and/or vaccination against diseases against which the active agents are targeted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for enhancing the health of a human comprising administering to the human an effective amount of a composition comprising Bacillus subtilis QST713 or a mutant thereof.

Abstract: Microbial type rhodopsins, such as the light-gated cation-selective membrane channel, channel-rhodopsin-2 (Chop2/ChR2) or the ion pump halorhodopsin (HaloR) are expressed in retinal ganglion cells upon transduction using recombinant AAV vectors. Selective targeting of these transgenes for expression in discrete subcellular regions or sites is achieved by including a sorting motif in the vector that can target either the central area or surround (off-center) area of these cells. Nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences encoding such rhodopsins and sorting motifs and their use in methods of differential expression of the transgene are disclosed. These compositions and methods provide significant improvements for restoring visual perception and various aspects of vision, particular in patients with retinal disease.

Abstract: This invention relates to synthetic adeno-associated virus (AAV) inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) that exhibit altered activities compared to a naturally occurring AAV ITR and methods of using the same for delivery of nucleic acids to a cell or a subject. The synthetic ITRs provide a larger packaging capacity and the ability to manipulate activities such as transduction efficiency, cellular response to transduction, and transcription.

Abstract: Described herein are polymer conjugates comprising a polymer containing a polyol coupled to a polymer containing a nitroboronic acid.

Abstract: The present specification discloses honeybee repellents exhibiting repellent properties similar to 2-heptanone, compositions comprising such repellents, uses to repel a honeybee from a mammal, location, plant, structure treated of such repellents, and methods of treating a mammal, location, plant, structure by applying such repellents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optimized in vivo delivery system with endosomolytic agents for nucleic acid of therapeutic interest conjugated to molecules facilitating endocytosis, in particular for use in the treatment of cancer.