Abstract: The present invention relates to cells that have been genetically manipulated to have an altered capacity to express and/or produce proteins of interest. In particular, the present invention relates to modified host cells of Gram-positive microorganisms, such as Bacillus species that are capable of overexpressing ymaH. The invention encompasses polynucleotide constructs and expression vectors containing polynucleotide sequences that encode YmaH, and the modified host cells comprising them. In particular, the present invention relates to compositions and methods of overexpressing YmaH for enhancing the expression and production of proteins of interest (e.g., proteases) in Bacillus species.

Abstract: Variants of Bacillus sp. TS-23 strain alpha-amylases exhibit improved enzymatic performance, including increased thermostability, reduced calcium dependence, increased washing/cleaning performance, and baking ability. Compositions comprising these variants are useful in methods of starch processing, starch liquefaction, fermatation, starch saccharification, cleaning, laundrying, textile desizing, baking, and biofilm removal.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides and supported peptides for treating proliferative diseases. In particularly preferred embodiments, the present invention provides peptides and supported peptides for treating diseases of the skin, such as rosacea. In some particularly preferred embodiments, the supported peptides of the present invention are anti-VEGF peptides. In alternative particularly preferred embodiments, the anti-VEGF peptides are expressed on a scaffold protein. In some most preferred embodiments, the scaffold protein is BBI.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified variant Bowman Birk Protease Inhibitor proteins (BBPIs) that comprise peptides that bind target proteins, and that are further modified to have greater protease inhibitory activity and/or be produced at greater yields than the unmodified BBPIs. The invention encompasses polynucleotide constructs and expression vectors containing polynucleotide sequences that encode the modified variant BBPIs, the transformed host cells that express and produce the modified variant BBPIs, the modified variant BBPI proteins, the compositions comprising the modified variant BBPIs, and the methods for making and using the modified variant BBPIs in personal care.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising variants of alpha-amylase that have alpha-amylase activity and which exhibit altered properties relative to a parent AmyS-like alpha-amylase from which they are derived. The compositions comprise an additional enzyme such as a phytase. Also disclosed are methods of using the compositions, and kits related thereto.

Abstract: Alpha-amylases from Bacillus subtilis (AmyE), variants thereof, nucleic acids encoding the same, and host cells comprising the nucleic acids are provided. Methods of using AmyE or variants thereof are disclosed, including liquefaction and/or saccharification of starch. Such methods may yield sugars useful for ethanol production or high fructose corn syrup production. In some cases, the amylases can be used at low pH, in the absence of calcium, and/or in the absence of a glucoamylase.

Abstract: Variants of Bacillus sp. TS-23 strain alpha-amylases exhibit improved enzymatic performance, including increased themostability, reduced calcium dependence, increased washing/cleaning performance, and baking ability. Compositions comprising these variants are useful in methods of starch processing, starch liquefaction, fermatation, starch saccharification, cleaning, laundrying, textile desizing, baking, and biofilm removal.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising variants of alpha-amylase that have alpha-amylase activity and which exhibit altered properties relative to a parent AmyS-like alpha-amylase from which they are derived. The compositions comprise an additional enzyme such as a phytase. Also disclosed are methods of using the compositions, and kits related thereto.

Abstract: Variants of Bacillus sp. TS-23 strain alpha-amylases exhibit improved enzymatic performance, including increased themostability, reduced calcium dependence, increased washing/cleaning performance, and baking ability. Compositions comprising these variants are useful in methods of starch processing, starch liquefaction, fermatation, starch saccharification, cleaning, laundrying, textile desizing, baking, and biofilm removal.

Abstract: Hybrid alpha-amylases are provided that share a conserved 3D structure in whole or in part with a wild-type Termamyl-like ?-amylase, e.g., a Bacillus amylase. In the hybrid, an N terminal portion of a Termamyl-like ?-amylase is replaced with sequences from an archae ? amylase. The sequence similarity between the two amylase sequences may be less than 60%. Conserving the wild-type 3D structure in the hybrid facilitates obtaining enzymatically active amylases. In one embodiment, one or both amylase sequences contribute residues to the B domain, resulting in particularly advantageous properties. For instance, replacement of the Ca2+ binding site in the B domain of the Termamyl-like ?-amylase with a B domain sequence of an archae ? amylase that does not bind Ca2+ can produce a hybrid that is fully active in the absence of Ca2+.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides and supported peptides for treating various diseases and conditions. In particularly preferred embodiments, the present invention provides compositions and methods for personal care. In some embodiments, the present invention provides compositions for use in skin and/or hair care, as well as cosmetic compositions. In alternative particularly preferred embodiments, the present invention provides peptides and supported peptides for treating diseases of the skin, such as rosacea. In some particularly preferred embodiments, the supported peptides of the present invention are anti-VEGF peptides. In alternative particularly preferred embodiments, the anti-VEGF peptides are expressed on a scaffold protein. In some most preferred embodiments, the scaffold protein comprises BBI.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the identification of CD4+ T-cell epitopes in the sequences of various proteins, namely, human cytokines and cytokine receptors, as well as the production of peptides which when incorporated into the protein sequence, are no longer capable of initiating the CD4+ T-cell response. In some embodiments, the present invention provides means and compositions suitable for reducing the immunogenicity of cytokines and cytokines receptors such as interferon-?, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-1, erythoropoietin, and thrombopoietin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified variant Bowman Birk Protease Inhibitor proteins (BBPIs) that comprise peptides that bind target proteins, and that are further modified to have greater protease inhibitory activity and/or be produced at greater yields than the unmodified BBPIs. The invention encompasses polynucleotide constructs and expression vectors containing polynucleotide sequences that encode the modified variant BBPIs, the transformed host cells that express and produce the modified variant BBPIs, the modified variant BBPI proteins, the compositions comprising the modified variant BBPIs, and the methods for making and using the modified variant BBPIs in personal care.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides and supported peptides for treating proliferative diseases. In particularly preferred embodiments, the present invention provides peptides and supported peptides for treating diseases of the skin, such as rosacea. In some particularly preferred embodiments, the supported peptides of the present invention are anti-VEGF peptides. In alternative particularly preferred embodiments, the anti-VEGF peptides are expressed on a scaffold protein. In some most preferred embodiments, the scaffold protein is BBI.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for the production of monoclonal antibodies in filamentous fungi host cells. The monoclonal antibodies are expressed as full-length fusion proteins that retain functional antigen binding and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity capabilities. Improvements in the cleavage of the glucoamylase-light chain fusion protein to yield a mature antibody are also provided. The antibodies produced in filamentous fungi show equivalent pharmacokinetic disposition to antibodies produced in mammalian cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified variant Bowman Birk Protease Inhibitor proteins (BBPIs) that comprise peptides that bind target proteins, and that are further modified to have greater protease inhibitory activity and/or be produced at greater yields than the unmodified BBPIs. The invention encompasses polynucleotide constructs and expression vectors containing polynucleotide sequences that encode the modified variant BBPIs, the transformed host cells that express and produce the modified variant BBPIs, the modified variant BBPI proteins, the compositions comprising the modified variant BBPIs, and the methods for making and using the modified variant BBPIs in personal care.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cells that have been genetically manipulated to have an altered capacity to express and/or produce proteins of interest. In particular, the present invention relates to modified host cells of Gram-positive microorganisms, such as Bacillus species that are capable of overexpressing ymaH. The invention encompasses polynucleotide constructs and expression vectors containing polynucleotide sequences that encode YmaH, and the modified host cells comprising them. In particular, the present invention relates to compositions and methods of overexpressing YmaH for enhancing the expression and production of proteins of interest (e.g., proteases) in Bacillus species.

Abstract: Chimeric alpha amylases having the characteristics of high thermostability and good performance in starch degradation, especially high-temperature liquefaction processes, are provided. The alpha-amylases are chimeras of AmyL and AmyS enzymes, and are useful in starch degradation processes. Methods of making the chimeric enzymes, and methods of using the chimeric alpha-amylases for liquefaction, cleaning starch residue from a surface, and treating woven material to remove coatings. Kits for practicing the methods are provided. Polynucleotides encoding the chimeric amylases, vectors, and expression hosts also are provided.

Abstract: Described are compositions and methods relating to cellulase/hemicellulase enzyme blends for improving the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulosic and hemicellulosic materials, as commonly found in biomass

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of biology. In particular, it relates to multi-epitope nucleic acid and peptide vaccines and methods of designing such vaccines to provide increased immunogenicity.