Abstract: A method of generating a protein with an improved functional property, the method comprising: (a) identifying at least one Target amino acid Residue in a first protein, wherein said Target amino acid Residue is associated with said functional property; (b) comparing at least one homologous second protein from the same or a different phylogenetic branch as the first protein with the first protein and identifying at least one Variant amino acid Residue between the first protein and the second protein; (c) selecting at least one Candidate amino acid Residue from the Variant amino acid Residue identified in (b) on the basis of said Candidate amino acid Residue affecting said Target amino acid Residue with respect to said functional property; (d) forming at least one Candidate Mutant protein in silico or producing at least one Candidate Mutant protein in vitro in which said at least one Candidate amino acid Residue from the second protein substitutes a corresponding residue in the first protein; and (e) screeni

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel gellant capable of favorably gelatinizing an oily base. The present invention relates to a gellant for an oily base, which contains the peptide compound represented by the formula (1), and further relates to a gelatinous composition containing (A) the gellant for an oily base, and (B) an oily base. Formula (1): wherein the symbols are as described in the DESCRIPTION.

Abstract: Nutritive proteins are provided. In some embodiments the nutritive proteins comprise a first polypeptide sequence comprising a fragment of a naturally-occurring nutritive protein. In some embodiments the fragment comprises at least one of a) an enhanced ratio of branch chain amino acid residues to total amino acid residues present in the nutritive protein; b) an enhanced ratio of leucine residues to total amino acid residues present in the nutritive protein; and c) an enhanced ratio of essential amino acid residues to total amino acid residues present in the nutritive protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to non-competitive allosteric peptide inhibitors of DPP9 and/or DPP8, competitive peptides binding to SUMO1, nucleic acid molecules and expression vectors coding said peptide inhibitors, host cells expressing said inhibitors, kits comprising said inhibitors, as well as methods of producing said inhibitors, and uses of said peptide inhibitors; as further defined in the Claims.

Abstract: Compounds effective in inhibiting replication of Hepatitis C virus (“HCV”) are described. This invention also relates to processes of making such compounds, compositions comprising such compounds, and methods of using such compounds to treat HCV infection.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are non-natural amino acids and polypeptides that include at least one non-natural amino acid, and methods for making such non-natural amino acids and polypeptides. The non-natural amino acids, by themselves or as a part of a polypeptide, can include a wide range of possible functionalities, but typical have at least one aromatic amine group. Also disclosed herein are non-natural amino acid polypeptides that are further modified post-translationally, methods for effecting such modifications, and methods for purifying such polypeptides. Typically, the modified non-natural amino acid polypeptides include at least one alkylated amine group. Further disclosed are methods for using such non-natural amino acid polypeptides and modified non-natural amino acid polypeptides, including therapeutic, diagnostic, and other biotechnology uses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition, and methods of use thereof, for treating ocular boundary deficiency, symptoms associated therewith, or an undesired condition that is associated with or causes discomfort at the ocular surface. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises a human PRG4 protein, or a lubricating fragment thereof, suspended in an ophthalmically acceptable vehicle. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may also comprise one or more ophthalmically acceptable agents selected from the group consisting of an ophthalmically acceptable demulcent, excipient, astringent, vasoconstrictor, emollient, sodium hyaluronate, hyaluronic acid, and surface active phospholipids, in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for topical administration.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to self-assembling peptides that form hydrogels comprising peptide sequences for the activation of signaling pathways. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to compositions comprising a recombinant polypeptide comprising a cell signaling sequence, e.g., JAG-1 sequence, fused to a hydrogel polypeptide sequence. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of cell culture on three dimensional scaffolds/hydrogels composed of self-assembling peptides disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to prodrugs of parent drug compounds containing heteroaromatic NH groups.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of treating, ameliorating or preventing a disorder comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a protein which inhibits IL-4 and/or IL-13 from binding to their respective receptors to a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the disorder is preferably associated with an increase of the Th2 immune response. In some embodiments, administration is preferably locally to the lung in order to treat, ameliorate or prevent allergic asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, lung fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis or adult respiratory distress syndrome.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of modulating the phagocytic activity of at least one phagocyte in a subject. The present invention also includes a method of providing a composition resistant to phagocytosis to a subject. The present invention further includes a method of treating, ameliorating or preventing an inflammatory disease in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for acylating one or more amino groups of a peptide where the acylation reaction is to be performed in an aqueous mixture containing less than 10% w/w aprotic polar solvent.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of delivering a therapeutic agent into and across an endothelial cell (EC) in a subject in need thereof, comprising: attaching to a T Cell receptor mimic (TCR mimic) an active agent to form a therapeutic agent; and administering to the subject the therapeutic agent in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the therapeutic agent effectively crosses the EC microvascular barrier. Furthermore, the present invention relates to methods of treating diseases (particularly neuronal diseases) or conditions comprising identifying a subject in need of such a treatment and administering to said subject a composition comprising a TCR mimic conjugated to an active agent.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of evaluating efficacy of a treatment in a subject having eye inflammation (e.g., a subject having dry eye syndrome) and selecting a subject for participation in a clinical study. Also provided are methods of treating a subject having eye inflammation (e.g., a subject having dry eye syndrome).

Abstract: Fusion proteins comprising a tafazzin peptide and a cellular permeability peptide are disclosed. The tafazzin peptide may be coupled to the permeability peptide through a polypeptide linker. Methods of making and using the fusion proteins are also disclosed. For example, the disclosed fusion proteins may be used to treat a patient having a disorder associated with a tafazzin deficiency or a remodeled cardiolipin deficiency (e.g., Barth syndrome). Additionally, the disclosed fusion proteins may be used in prophylaxis against developing a disorder associated with a tafazzin deficiency or a remodeled cardiolipin deficiency in a patient at risk of developing such a disorder.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of colonic cleansing.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of specifically designed lipid component with optimal fatty acid profile, an enhanced portion of the palmitic acid residues in the sn-2 position and present as lipid globules with a phospholipid coating for an early in life diet for improving the development of a healthy body composition, in particular prevention of obesity, later in life.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of compounds, especially peptides or polypeptides, that have thrombopoietic activity. The peptides and polypeptides of the invention may be used to increase platelets or platelet precursors (e.g., megakaryocytes) in a mammal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a concentrate of serum proteins with reduced lactose content from a sample of lactoserum, wherein said concentrate is characterized in that it comprises a concentration of 0.5 grams of lactose per kilogram of protein, the concentrate obtainable from said process and food products containing said concentrate.

Abstract: The present invention related to methods and compositions for producing therapeutic proteins in yeast cell lines, and in particular Pichia pastoris, lacking dipeptidyl aminopeptidase (DAP) activity. DAP activity has been eliminated by genetically modifying a Pichia pastoris cell line such that STE13 and DAP2 have been deleted.