Abstract: Recombinant cells and methods are provided that relate to the use of isolated, engineered recombinant cells to directly or indirectly treat diseases or disorders in a mammalian host such as endocrine, gastrointestinal or autoimmune disorders. A recombinant cell is provided that comprises a signal sequence and a promoter, wherein: the signal sequence is capable of regulating signal-dependent expression of a target nucleic acid in a host or is capable of regulating signal-dependent expression of a target nucleic acid in response to an environmental stimulus, the cell is derived from an enteric or a commensal bacterium, and the target nucleic acid encodes a mammalian factor that promotes normal functioning of a physiological process in the host or is effective in preventing onset, establishment, or spread of a non-infectious disease in the host. The recombinant cell is administered to the host to treat the disease or disorder.

Abstract: Recombinant cells and methods are provided that relate to the use of isolated, engineered recombinant cells to directly or indirectly treat diseases or disorders in a mammalian host such as endocrine, gastrointestinal or autoimmune disorders. A recombinant cell is provided that comprises a signal sequence and a promoter, wherein: the signal sequence is capable of regulating signal-dependent expression of a target nucleic acid in a host or is capable of regulating signal-dependent expression of a target nucleic acid in response to an environmental stimulus, the cell is derived from an enteric or a commensal bacterium, and the target nucleic acid encodes a mammalian factor that promotes normal functioning of a physiological process in the host or is effective in preventing onset, establishment, or spread of a non-infectious disease in the host. The recombinant cell is administered to the host to treat the disease or disorder.

Abstract: Genetically engineered cells and microorganisms are provided for preventing or ameliorating diseases through genetically engineered quorum signaling. Therapeutic methods for using the cells and microorganisms to prevent or ameliorate diseases are also provided. The genetically engineered cells or microorganisms can be engineered to express a signal and used to interrupt the signaling-dependent virulence of an invading pathogen. The cells or microorganisms can be used to provide signal-dependent expression of a desirable gene in order to interrupt, prevent, and/or ameliorate a disease of mammals, such as parasitic diseases, infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases and genetic disorders.

Abstract: Recombinant cells and methods are provided that relate to the use of isolated, engineered recombinant cells to directly or indirectly treat diseases or disorders in a mammalian host such as endocrine, gastrointestinal or autoimmune disorders. A recombinant cell is provided that comprises a signal sequence and a promoter, wherein: the signal sequence is capable of regulating signal-dependent expression of a target nucleic acid in a host or is capable of regulating signal-dependent expression of a target nucleic acid in response to an environmental stimulus, the cell is derived from an enteric or a commensal bacterium, and the target nucleic acid encodes a mammalian factor that promotes normal functioning of a physiological process in the host or is effective in preventing onset, establishment, or spread of a non-infectious disease in the host. The recombinant cell is administered to the host to treat the disease or disorder.

Abstract: Genetically engineered cells and microorganisms are provided for preventing or ameliorating diseases through genetically engineered quorum signaling. Therapeutic methods for using the cells and microorganisms to prevent or ameliorate diseases are also provided. The genetically engineered cells or microorganisms can be engineered to express a signal and used to interrupt the signaling-dependent virulence of an invading pathogen. The cells or microorganisms can be used to provide signal-dependent expression of a desirable gene in order to interrupt, prevent, and/or ameliorate a disease of mammals, such as parasitic diseases, infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases and genetic disorders.

Abstract: Genetically engineered cells and microorganisms are provided for preventing or ameliorating diseases through genetically engineered quorum signaling. Therapeutic methods for using the cells and microorganisms to prevent or ameliorate diseases are also provided. The genetically engineered cells or microorganisms can be engineered to express a signal and used to interrupt the signaling-dependent virulence of an invading pathogen. The cells or microorganisms can be used to provide signal-dependent expression of a desirable gene in order to interrupt, prevent, and/or ameliorate a disease of mammals, such as parasitic diseases, infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases and genetic disorders.

Abstract: Recombinant cells and methods are provided that relate to the use of isolated, engineered recombinant cells to directly or indirectly treat diseases or disorders in a mammalian host such as endocrine, gastrointestinal or autoimmune disorders. A recombinant cell is provided that comprises a signal sequence and a promoter, wherein: the signal sequence is capable of regulating signal-dependent expression of a target nucleic acid in a host or is capable of regulating signal-dependent expression of a target nucleic acid in response to an environmental stimulus, the cell is derived from an enteric or a commensal bacterium, and the target nucleic acid encodes a mammalian factor that promotes normal functioning of a physiological process in the host or is effective in preventing onset, establishment, or spread of a non-infectious disease in the host. The recombinant cell is administered to the host to treat the disease or disorder.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and compositions for targeted mutagenesis of specific genes in a bacterial strain. By inducibly over-expressing error-prone polymerases such as Pol IV or Pol V in conjunction with nickase in a bacterial strain, and housing the targeted gene(s) on an episome or plasmid which contains one or more nickase recognition sequences, the targeted gene(s) can be selectively mutated at rates significantly greater than genes contained on the chromosome. The methods disclosed herein are useful for engineering desirable bacterial phenotypes and novel strains, including for example strains useful for treating or degrading waste and/or environmental contaminants, for optimizing bioprocesses, and for converting low-value feed-stock into value-added products.

Abstract: Three-dimensional biomimetic tissue scaffolds, as well as methods of manufacture of these scaffolds. The method is fully customizable to create a biomimetic tissue scaffold with shapes, densities, and geometries similar or identical to the tissue it imitates. For example, physiologically realistic collagen/PEG villi created using the method are designed to have a high-aspect ratio and curvature similar to villi found in the human small intestine. Accordingly, the biomimetic tissue scaffolds serve as an improved in vitro model for a wide variety of physiological research, as well as pharmacological testing and drug, compound, and/or metabolite uptake by cells growing on the scaffold, among many other uses.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and compositions for targeted mutagenesis of specific genes in a bacterial strain. By inducibly over-expressing error-prone polymerases such as Pol IV or Pol V in conjunction with nickase in a bacterial strain, and housing the targeted gene(s) on an episome or plasmid which contains one or more nickase recognition sequences, the targeted gene(s) can be selectively mutated at rates significantly greater than genes contained on the chromosome. The methods disclosed herein are useful for engineering desirable bacterial phenotypes and novel strains, including for example strains useful for treating or degrading waste and/or environmental contaminants, for optimizing bioprocesses, and for converting low-value feed-stock into value-added products.

Abstract: Genetically engineered cells and microorganisms are provided for preventing or ameliorating diseases through genetically engineered quorum signaling. Therapeutic methods for using the cells and microorganism to prevent or ameliorate diseases are also provided. The genetically engineered cells or microorganisms can be engineered to express a signal and used to interrupt the signaling-dependent virulence of an invading pathogen. The cells or microorganisms can be used to provide signal-dependent expression of a desirable gene in order to interrupt, prevent, and/or ameliorate a disease of mammals, such as parasitic diseases, infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases and genetic disorders.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system of decomposing municipal solid waste (MSW) within a landfill by converting the landfill to aerobic degradation in the following manner: (1) injecting air via the landfill leachate collection system (2) injecting air via vertical air injection wells installed within the waste mass; (3) applying leachate to the waste mass using a pressurized drip irrigation system; (4) allowing landfill gases to vent; and (5) adjusting air injection and recirculated leachate to achieve a 40% to 60% moisture level and a temperature between 120° F. and 140° F. in steady state.