Abstract: A composition for modulating the immune response in a mammal comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier solution and a plurality of biodegradable nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles comprise a targeting moiety that is able to bind selectively to the surface of a T lymphocyte cell and/or of a vascular endothelial cell and wherein the nanoparticles further comprise leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF). Nanoparticle-mediated targeted delivery of LIF can be used a means to guide tolerogenesis in a patient and has immediate clinical application for recipients of organ grafts and also for patients suffering from autoimmune disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modular transport platform (MTP) configured to penetrate a target cell, deliver the MTP into the target cell, provide a pH dependent membrane disruption activity, direct intracellular transport into a target subcellular compartment of the target cell, and couple the active agent within the modular platform. The modular transport platform includes: (1) a ligand module to target a specific receptor on the surface of the target cell; (2) an endosomolytic module that provides pH-dependent membrane disruption activity within the target cell; (3) an intracellular transport module to cause delivery of the MTP to a particular subcellular compartment; (4) a module for intracellular retention; (5) a module for subcellular recognition; (6) a substance to be transported by the MTP; and (7) a carrier module for unifying the modules and coupling the modules with the transported substance.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, EC progenitors can be used in a method for regulating angiogenesis, i.e., enhancing or inhibiting blood vessel formation, in a selected patient and in some preferred embodiments for targeting specific locations. For example, the EC progenitors can be used to enhance angiogenesis or to deliver an angiogenesis modulator, e.g. anti- or pro-angiogenic agents, respectively to sites of pathologic or utilitarian angiogenesis. Additionally, in another embodiment, EC progenitors can be used to induce reendothelialization of an injured blood vessel, and thus reduce restenosis by indirectly inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Abstract: Novel double and triple fusion reporter gene constructs harboring distinct imagable reporter genes are provided, as well as applications for the use of such double and triple fusion constructs in living cells and in living animals using distinct imaging technologies.

Abstract: Pluripotent cells are maintained in a self-renewing state in serum-free culture medium comprising a MEK inhibitor, a GSK3 inhibitor and, optionally, an antagonist of an FGF receptor. Pluripotent cells are also maintained in a self-renewing state in serum-free culture medium comprising a MEK inhibitor and an antagonist of an FGF receptor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for gene targeting utilizing fusion molecules comprising a recombinase domain and a sequence-specific DNA-binding domain.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of producing genetically modified strains of electricigenic microbes that are specifically adapted for the production of electrical current in microbial fuel cells, as well as strains produced by such methods and fuel cells using such strains. In preferred embodiments, the present invention provides genetically modified strains of Geobacter sulfurreducens and methods of using such strains.

Abstract: This invention relates to a compound that induces or activates telomerase activity based on the nucleotide sequence of the GSE 24.2 fragment of dyskerin or the protein or peptide sequence encoded by said nucleotide sequence. Another part of the invention relates to vectors that comprise said sequence and cells transformed thereby, and pharmaceutical compositions that contain all these elements. These compositions may be used in the treatment of diseases from the following group: ageing or acceleration of ageing, neurodegenerative diseases and dyskeratosis congenita.

Abstract: A serum-stable mixture of lipids capable of encapsulating an active agent to form a liposome, said mixture comprising phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine in a ratio in the range of about 0.5 to about 8. The mixture may also include pH sensitive anionic and cationic amphiphiles, such that the mixture is amphoteric, being negatively charged or neutral at pH 7.4 and positively charged at pH 4. Amphoteric liposomes comprising such a mixture may be used for encapsulating nucleic acid therapeutics, such as oligonucleotides and DNA plasmids. The drug/lipid ratio may be adjusted to target the liposomes to particular organs or other sites in the body.

Abstract: There is provided a bacteriophage capable of lysing a P. acnes bacterium and incapable of lysing a bacterium which is not P. acnes, and which is incapable of sustaining lysogeny in a bacterium. There is also provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising such a bacteriophage.

Abstract: In some aspects, the invention provides compositions and methods for inhibiting viral infection. In some aspects, the invention provides compositions and methods useful for identifying antiviral compounds.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally related to pulmonary autoantigens. The disclosure provides methods and kits for assessing whether a subject has or is predisposed to interstitial lung disease. Additionally the present disclosure provides methods of treatment and animal models of interstitial lung disease.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of identification and characterization of novel insecticidal target sites and, in particular, relates to host cells, assays and antibodies thereto.

Abstract: Methods for rapidly obtaining a nanoscale apolipoprotein bound phospholipid bilayer (NABB) associated with at least one membrane protein are provided. Also disclosed are methods for rapidly obtaining a NABB not associated with membrane proteins. Immunogenic compositions comprising NABBs with native conformational epitopes are also provided along with their methods of use.

Abstract: The invention provides a DNA molecule comprising a multicistronic transcription unit coding for i) a polypeptide of interest, and for ii) a selectable marker polypeptide functional in a eukaryotic host cell, wherein the polypeptide of interest has a translation initiation sequence separate from that of the selectable marker polypeptide, and wherein the coding sequence for the polypeptide of interest is upstream from the coding sequence for the selectable marker polypeptide in the multicistronic transcription unit, and wherein an internal ribosome entry site is present downstream from the coding sequence for the polypeptide of interest and upstream from the coding sequence for the selectable marker polypeptide, and wherein the nucleic acid sequence coding for the selectable marker polypeptide in the coding strand comprises a GTG or a TTG start codon. Also provided are methods for obtaining host cells expressing a polypeptide of interest, such host cells comprising DNA molecules of the invention.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to compositions and methods for engraftment of and increasing survival of muscle cells in a subject in need thereof. In certain embodiments, compositions including myofibers and/or satellite stem cells may be administered to a subject. Other embodiments relate to compositions and methods for introducing one or more compounds to a subject using cell compositions disclosed herein. Still other embodiments relate to uses of these compositions in kits for portable applications and methods.

Abstract: A method for determining the biological activity of embryonated Trichuris eggs is described, in which at least one of the following determinations is carried out: a) Determination and/or confirmation of the stage of the embryonal development of helminth eggs with the aid of quantitative PCR analysis by using suitable marker sequences for ascertaining the copy number of the genomic DNA, b) Determination of the metabolic activity of embryonated helminth eggs by means of biochemical and/or molecular biological methods, c) Determination of the inducibility of gene expression in embryonated helminth eggs, d) Microscopic determination of the motility of helminth larvae in the egg over long periods of observation after pre-incubation at increased temperatures and/or e) Determination of the hatching rate of Trichuris larvae in a laboratory animal, wherein the intact embryonated eggs recovered from the contents of the intestine are quantified compared to an internal standard.

Abstract: The present invention provides muscle-derived progenitor cells that show long-term survival following transplantation into body tissues and which can augment soft tissue following introduction (e.g. via injection, transplantation, or implantation) into a site of soft tissue. Also provided are methods of isolating muscle-derived progenitor cells, and methods of genetically modifying the cells for gene transfer therapy. The invention further provides methods of using compositions comprising muscle-derived progenitor cells for the augmentation and bulking of mammalian, including human, soft tissues in the treatment of various cosmetic or functional conditions, including malformation, injury, weakness, disease, or dysfunction. In particular, the present invention provides treatments and amelioration for dermatological conditions, gastroesophageal reflux, vesico-ureteral reflux, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, heart failure, and myocardial infarction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel mite composition comprising a population of a phytoseiid predatory mite species and a factitious host population comprising a species selected from the Glycyphagidae, which may be employed for rearing said phytoseiid predatory mite species or for releasing the phytoseiid predatory mite species in a crop. According to further aspects the invention relates to a method for rearing a phytoseiid predatory mite species, to the use of the mite composition and to a method for biological pest control in a crop, which employ the mite composition.

Abstract: Methods of expressing LIM mineralization protein in mammalian cells are described. Methods of expressing LIM mineralization protein and assessing glycosylation of the LIM mineralization protein in prokaryotic and non-mammalian eukaryotic cells are also described. The methods involve transfecting the cells with an isolated nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a LIM mineralization protein. Transfection may be accomplished in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo by direct injection of virus or naked DNA, or by a nonviral vector such as a plasmid.