Abstract: The present invention relates to a fusion protein comprising at least two cytokines, of which at least one is a modified cytokine with a strongly reduced binding affinity to its receptor, or to one of its receptors. Preferably, both cytokines are connected by a linker, preferably a GGS linker. The invention relates further to said fusion protein for use in treatment of diseases.

Abstract: Methods of assembling modified adenoviruses, libraries of adenoviral gene modules and compositions thereof are provided herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to biomarkers associated with preterm delivery. More specifically, the invention provides methods of measuring biomarkers including but not limited to cytokines, cytokine receptors, cytokine receptor antagonists, chemokines, chemokine receptors, and/or chemokine receptor antagonists found in women that are at risk for preterm delivery. The diagnostic methods may be performed on whole blood.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating multiple sclerosis (MS), and for reducing flu-like symptoms associated with administration of an interferon to a patient with MS. The method involves intramuscularly administering the interferon to the MS patient according to an escalating dosing regimen in weeks 1 to 3, and a full therapeutically effective dose of interferon in week 4. In one embodiment of the invention, the escalating dosing regimen comprises administering one quarter of the therapeutically effective dose in week 1, half of the therapeutically effective dose in week 2, and three-quarters of the therapeutically effective dose in week 3. Also provided are titration packages for enabling compliance with a regimen of changing dosage of an interferon over a period of time.

Abstract: The methods and uses described herein relate to the modulation of the immune system by modulation of Sema3F levels and/or activity, e.g. suppressing allograft rejection or inflammation by administering a Sema3F agonist or increasing an immune response by administering a Sema3F inhibitor.

Abstract: A method for performing homologous recombination between at least a first nucleic acid molecule and a second nucleic acid molecule which share at least one region of sequence homology. A method for improving the efficiency of homologous recombination.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide swallowable devices, preparations and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic agents within the GI tract. Many embodiments provide a swallowable device for delivering the agents. Particular embodiments provide a swallowable device such as a capsule for delivering drugs into the intestinal wall or other GI lumen. Embodiments also provide various drug preparations that are configured to be contained within the capsule, advanced from the capsule into the intestinal wall and degrade to release the drug into the bloodstream to produce a therapeutic effect. The preparation can be operably coupled to delivery means having a first configuration where the preparation is contained in the capsule and a second configuration where the preparation is advanced out of the capsule into the intestinal wall. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of drugs which are poorly absorbed, tolerated and/or degraded within the GI tract.

Abstract: Methods and assays are provided for isolating factors including polypeptides, ribonucleic acids (RNAs) and polypeptide complexes that are associated with a target nucleic acid sequence. The target nucleic acid sequence may be comprised within chromatin. The methods are suitable for identification and characterisation of factors including non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that associate with specified genomic loci.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for labeling target nucleic acid molecules with molecular barcodes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are matrices for isolating a biological macromolecule from a biological sample, the matrix comprising: a biopolymer capable of binding to the biological macromolecule, wherein the biopolymer is about 0% to about 10% dissolvable in water at a pH of about 6 to about 8 and at ambient temperature but is about 10% to 100% dissolvable in a chaotropic solvent or an organic solvent, and wherein the biopolymer is not squid ring teeth protein; and a surfactant, excipient, or combination thereof. Also provided are methods of using, and kits comprising, the matrices. The disclosed matrices aid in collecting and releasing near quantitative amounts of a biological macromolecule from a biological and/or test sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of analyzing a blood sample of a subject for the presence of a disease marker, said method comprising the steps of a) extracting nucleic acid from anucleated blood cells in said blood sample to provide an anucleated blood cells-extracted nucleic acid fraction, and b) analyzing said anucleated blood cells-extracted nucleic acid fraction for the presence of a disease marker, wherein said disease marker is a disease-specific mutation in a gene of a cell of said subject, or wherein said disease marker is a disease-specific expression profile of genes of a cell of said subject.

Abstract: This invention pertains to improved methods for the synthesis of long, double stranded nucleic acid sequences containing difficult to clone or variable regions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microcolumn device for selecting nucleic acid aptamers for single and multiple target molecules, as well as a method for making the microcolumn device. The present invention also relates to a system for selecting nucleic acid aptamers for single and multiple target molecules. The present invention further relates to methods of using the microcolumn device for selecting nucleic acid aptamers for multiple target molecules. Kits that include one or more microcolumn device and/or system of the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: Molecular constructs, populations thereof, arrays, compositions, methods and kits for differentiating a target molecule from an off-target molecule are provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for DNA barcoding of designer mononucleosome and polynucleosome (chromatin array) libraries for use, for example, for the profiling of chromatin readers, writers, erasers, and modulators thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and reagents for diagnosing breast cancer that are based on the detection of biomarkers in the circulating nucleic acids from a patient to be evaluated.

Abstract: Disclosed is an immune library obtained from a Camelid species containing at antibody chains belonging to at least 7 human germline antibody chains. The presence of a large number of human germline antibody chain families in the library contributes to the usefulness of the library in producing antibodies to human target antigens. The antibodies produced from the library have low inherent immunogenicity.

Abstract: A novel method for displaying proteins and peptides is disclosed in which individual proteins or peptides remain associated with the DNA encoding them. Proteins or peptides can be generated by in vitro translation of DNA templates, either free in solution or arrayed on a solid support, such that the proteins or peptides remain immobilized on their DNA templates. In particular, high throughput sequencing can be combined with high throughput functional characterization of encoded proteins and peptides, wherein the identity of each protein or peptide is determined by DNA sequencing, and functional studies are carried out directly on each protein or peptide while immobilized on the DNA template encoding it. The methods of the invention should find numerous applications, for example, in high throughput genetic or pharmacological screening, epitope mapping, and protein engineering and directed evolution.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for accurately detecting mutations by uniquely tagging double stranded nucleic acid molecules with dual cyphers such that sequence data obtained from a sense strand can be linked to sequence data obtained from an anti-sense strand when sequenced, for example, by massively parallel sequencing methods.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods of generating antibodies against a species of pathogen that involve identifying the pathogen that is most genetically representative of member of pathogen species and using the identified pathogen to generate an antibody.