Abstract: Disclosed are variants of ACE2, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the variants of ACE2, and treatment methods for reducing Angiotensin II (1-8) plasma levels and/or increasing Angiotensin (1-7) plasma levels in a subject in need thereof. The disclosed variants of ACE2 may include polypeptide fragments of ACE2 having ACE2 activity for converting AngII(1-8) to Ang(1-7). Suitable subjects suitable for the disclosed methods of treatment may include subjects having or at risk for developing diabetic and non-diabetic chronic kidney disease, acute renal failure and its prevention, chronic kidney disease, severe hypertension, scleroderma and its skin, pulmonary, kidney and hypertensive complications, malignant hypertension, renovascular hypertension secondary to renal artery stenosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, liver fibrosis such as in liver cirrhosis patients, an aortic aneurysm, cardiac fibrosis and remodeling, left ventricular hypertrophy, and an acute stroke.

Abstract: Methods for crystallizing a molecule of interest, such as a polypeptide, in complex with nucleic acid, including contacting the molecule of interest with selenium-derivatized nucleic acid and crystallizing the molecule of interest/selenium-derivatized nucleic acid complex are provided. Methods for determining the X-ray crystal structure of molecule of interest/selenium-derivatized nucleic acid complexes are also provided. Typically, the method of X-ray crystal structural determination includes selenium single-wavelength anomalous phasing of the selenium-derivatized nucleic acid. In some embodiments the phases for the X-ray crystal structure of the molecule of interest are not provided from another crystal. Also disclosed are methods of affecting a biological process by administering a functional nucleic acid to a cell or a subject and/or by bringing into contact a nuclease and a functional nucleic acid, where the functional nucleic acid is selenium-derivatized nucleic acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a sugar and/or fermentation product from lignocellulosic material.

Abstract: Provided herein are Metschnikowia species that produce xylitol from xylose when cultured, as well as methods to make and use these Metschnikowia species.

Abstract: The invention provides engineered enzymes of transsialidase and/or sialyl transferase activity that have increased regioselectivity and/or increased thermostability.

Abstract: The invention concerns the determination and evaluation of the crystal structure of autolysin E (AtlE) of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), or a crystallizable fragment of AtlE, a method for producing a crystal of AtlE and the respective crystallization kit, and its use in a method for screening an inhibitor of the N-acetylglucosaminidase activity of AtlE, for obtaining atomic spatial relationship data, and for identifying a binding compound of AtlE, e.g. by in silico screening.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward mutant, non-wild-type organophosphorus acid anhydrolases (OPPAs) having three or more site mutations, methods of production, kits and methods of use to effectively degrade toxic V-agent type chemical compounds such as VX, VR, CVX, and VM.

Abstract: Methods that may be used for the electrochemical detection of multiple parameters, including chemical compounds. Further provided are cells that may be used in the electrochemical detection of multiple parameters, including chemical compounds, as well as a kit for the electrochemical detection of multiple parameters, including chemical compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides polypeptides related to Ralstonia proteins, nucleic acids encoding the same, compositions comprising the same, kits comprising the same, non-human transgenic animals comprising the same, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: A method for producing an octaketide derived aromatic compound of interest (e.g. carminic acid), wherein the method comprises (I): heterologous expression of a recombinantly introduced Type III polyketide synthase (PKS) gene encoding an octaketide synthase (OKS) to obtain non-reduced octaketide in vivo within the recombinant host cell and (II): converting in vivo the non-reduced octaketide of step (I) into a C14-C34 aromatic compound of interest (e.g. carminic acid).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a genetically modified microorganism for the production of 2,4-dihydroxybutyrate, by metabolic transformation of xylose via the 1,2,4-butanetriol intermediate. The invention also relates to a method for the production of 2,4-dihydroxybutyrate by culturing said genetically modified microorganism in a fermentation medium and recovering 2,4-DHB from said medium.

Abstract: A mutant of EndoS2 includes one or more mutations in the sequence of a wild-type EndoS2 (SEQ ID NO:1), wherein the one or more mutations are in a peptide region located within residues 133-143, residues 177-182, residues 184-189, residues 221-231, and/or residues 227-237, wherein the mutant of EndoS2 has a low hydrolyzing activity and a high tranglycosylation activity, as compared to those of the wild-type EndoS2. A method for preparing an engineered glycoprotein using the mutant of EndoS2 includes coupling an activated oligosaccharide to a glycoprotein acceptor. The activated oligosaccharide is a glycan oxazoline.

Abstract: A2M polypeptide compositions containing a non-natural bait region are disclosed. Methods of producing wild-type and variant A2M polypeptides and polynucleotides containing a non-natural bait region are also disclosed. The bait regions of the variant A2M polypeptides demonstrate enhanced protease inhibitory characteristics compared to wild-type A2M. Variant A2M polypeptides that demonstrate longer half-lives upon administration to an organism compared to wild-type A2M are disclosed. The A2M compositions are useful in treating a number of diseases and conditions including inflammation, chronic wounds, and diseases with a pathology associated with proteases.

Abstract: The invention discloses a novel high-temperature resistant superoxide dismutase (SOD) and a coding gene and application thereof. The superoxide dismutase has a very high stability and activity under various severe conditions such as high temperature, high acidity or alkalinity and various proteases such as pepsin and trypsin. The superoxide dismutase of the present invention overcomes the problems of the existing SOD products, such as unstability, low in activity or even a complete lack of activity and prone to degradation and inactivation in the digestive tract. And the superoxide dismutase of the present invention is expected to be developed into cosmetics or health-care foods or medicines which are stable in activity and have a good effect.

Abstract: A biosynthetic method of making carboxyl CoA from long-chain carboxylic acid including expressing an ACS in a cellular system, feeding a long-chain carboxylic acid to the cellular system, growing the cellular system in a medium, and producing carboxyl CoA.

Abstract: Topical compositions, packaging systems and methods for improving the appearance of skin or at least one sign of aging in skin are described.

Abstract: A colostrum solid extraction process utilizes rennet coagulation prior to pH adjustment to alter the protein profile resulting in an animal feed supplement which enhances feed efficiency and general health. Rennet coagulation is used to produce extracted whey from colostrum. A pH of the extracted whey is adjusted by cooling the extracted whey to below 70 degrees Fahrenheit, adding an first solution to lower the pH of the extracted whey to 4.2 pH, adding a second solution to lower the pH of the extracted whey to 2.5 pH, agitating the extracted whey after reaching 2.5 pH, resting the extracted whey after agitation, and adding a third solution to raise the pH of the extracted whey to 4.2 pH.

Abstract: Described herein are methods to produce keratin protein-based biomaterials, the parameters required to achieve improved extraction, the parameters required to improve isolation, the parameters of lyophilization and the grinding process to achieve consistent particulate sizes of protein materials.

Abstract: This invention provides a recombinant microorganism into which an acyl-CoA reductase exhibiting excellent activity in a reduction reaction using acyl-CoA as a substrate has been introduced. Such recombinant microorganism comprises a nucleic acid encoding an acyl-CoA reductase comprising any of characteristic Common sequences 1 to 3 introduced into a host microorganism.

Abstract: A process of forming a gluten-derived flame retardant material includes forming an amine-functionalized flame retardant molecule that includes an aryl halide group and a phosphorus moiety. The process also includes chemically reacting the amine-functionalized flame retardant molecule with a gluten protein under transamidation conditions to bind the phosphorus moiety to a first portion of the gluten protein. The process further includes initiating a cross-coupling reaction between the aryl halide group and amine group of a second portion of the gluten protein to form a gluten-derived flame retardant material.