Abstract: The invention relates to compounds that specifically bind a T1R1/T1R3 or T1R2/T1R3 receptor or fragments or sub-units thereof. The present invention also relates to the use of hetero-oligomeric and chimeric taste receptors comprising T1R1/T1R3 and T1R2/T1R3 in assays to identify compounds that respectively respond to umami taste stimuli and sweet taste stimuli. Further, the invention relates to the constitutive of cell lines that stably or transiently co-express a combination of T1R1 and T1R3; or T1R2 and T1R3; under constitutive or inducible conditions. The use of these cells lines in cell-based assays to identify umami and sweet taste modulatory compounds is also provided, particularly high throughput screening assays that detect receptor activity by use of fluorometric imaging.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a driver gene signature for predicting survival in patients with solid tumors, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and breast cancer. The gene signature includes ten tumor-associated genes, SH2D4A, CCDC25, ELP3, DLC1, PROSC, SORBS3, HNRPD, PAQR3, PHF17 and DCK. A decrease in DNA copy number or mRNA expression of SH2D4A, CCDC25, ELP3, DLC1, PROSC and SORBS3 in solid tumors is associated with a poor prognosis, while a decrease in DNA copy number or mRNA expression of HNRPD, PAQR3, PHF17 and DCK in solid tumors is associated with a good prognosis. Thus, provided herein is a method of predicting the prognosis of a patient diagnosed with HCC or breast cancer by detecting expression of one of more tumor-associated genes in a tumor sample and comparing expression of the one or more tumor-associated genes in the tumor sample to a control.

Abstract: The present invention deals with reagents and compositions capable of effectively inhibiting peroxidase activity. According to the invention, peroxidase enzymatic activity is blocked with an acidic aqueous solution of a protein denaturing agent. preferred protein denaturing agents are detergents and chaotropic substances.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a biochip with a three-dimensional structure. The surface of the three-dimensional mesoporous layer is chemically modified to recognize labeled DNAs, proteins, peptides, saccharides, and cells. In addition, this invention also discloses a method for preparing the biochip with a three-dimensional mesoporous layer, including a blending process, a heating process, a coating process, a gelation process, a cleaning process, a drying process, and a surface modification process.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method of diagnosing a disease condition, comprising measuring presence or amount of a targeted protein or a degradation product of said protein in a collected biological sample as a marker for the disease condition. The targeted protein or degradation product is selected for measurement based on a prior identification of a measurable half-life at a predetermined time period, including the time at which said method is conducted, and correlating said measuring with the presence or absence of the disease condition. The targeted protein or degradation product may be identified by selecting a protein known or suspected to be a diagnostic marker for the disease condition, analyzing degradation of the protein in the collected biological sample, and selecting a protein or degradation product that exhibits a measurable half-life at a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: The invention provides a kit for measuring the thrombin generation in a sample of a patient's blood or plasma, or in a sample of clotting factors. The kit contains lyophilized tissue factor/phospholipid-complex and a lyophilized mixture containing a thrombin-substrate and CaCl2. The invention also provides processes for preparing the reagents for the kit. The kit can be used in a method for measuring the thrombin generation in a sample, wherein it is possible to detect changes in thrombin generation kinetics, for example after administration of inhibitor bypassing agents to a patient who has developed inhibitors to an exogenous clotting factor such as Factor VIII.

Abstract: The present invention provides a use for alkaline phosphatase for the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention or reduction of toxic LPS influx through a mucosal lining of a mammalian body cavity. A source of alkaline phosphatase is administered for the prophylaxis or treatment of LPS mediated or exacerbated diseases. The invention also provides compositions comprising a source of alkaline phosphatase for the prevention or reduction of (toxic) LPS influx or passage through mucosal layers.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to microfluidic devices adapted for post-centrifugation use with selective sample extraction, and methods for their use. Certain embodiments make use of a dye-selective sample extraction. Other embodiments make use of a geographically-selective sample extraction. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method using Caenorhabditis elegans for screening of food grade bacteria which have a protective effect against oxidative stress.

Abstract: The present invention concerns compositions and methods of extracting infectious pathogens from a volume of blood. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of creating a fibrin aggregate confining the pathogens and introducing a fibrin lysis reagent to expose the pathogens for analysis. The present invention also concerns materials and methods for removing aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) from a sample.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for inactivation and/or extraction of acid-fast bacteria (e.g., mycobacteria or nocardia), the method comprising the following sequential steps: (a) acquiring a test sample known to contain or that may contain acid-fast bacteria and suspending the test sample in a container containing ethanol and beads; (b) bead beating and/or vortexing the container to break up clumps and/or disrupt acid-fast bacteria cells in the container; and (c) subsequently incubating the suspension for at least about 3 minutes at room temperature to inactivate any acid-fast bacteria contained in the test sample. In accordance with the present invention, the test sample can subsequently be pelleted by centrifugation, resuspended with formic acid, acetonitrile added, and subjected to mass spectrometry for characterization and/or identification of the acid-fast bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a glucose-induced inactivation- or degradation-resistant transporter gene and use thereof, and more particularly, to a brewing yeast having excellent assimilation of oligosaccharides (e.g., maltose or maltotriose), an alcoholic beverage prepared using the yeast, and a method of producing the alcoholic beverage. More specifically, the present invention relates to a glucose-induced inactivation- or degradation-resistant transporter including, for example, Mal21p, mutant Mal31p, mutant Mal61p, mutant Mtt1p or mutant Agt1p, a gene encoding the transporter, and a method of producing an alcoholic beverage using the same.

Abstract: Method for incorporating a lysine derivative (particularly an N?-benzyloxycarbonyl-lysine (Z-Lys) derivative) having useful functional group such as heavy atom, selenium, reactive functional group, fluorescent group or crosslinker, which is suitable as a non-natural amino acid, into a desired protein in a site-specific manner. A mutant pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase has substitution of at least one amino acid residue selected from tyrosine residue at position 306, leucine residue at position 309 and cysteine residue at position 348 each constituting a pyrrolysine-binding site in the amino acid sequence for pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase of SEQ ID NO:2. The substitution of the amino acid residue is: of tyrosine residue at position 306 by glycine or alanine residue, of leucine residue at position 309 by glycine or alanine residue, and/or of a cysteine residue at position 348 by valine, serine or alanine residue.

Abstract: Promoter regions associated with the Yarrowia lipolytica n-alkane-hydroxylating cytochrome P450 (ALK2) gene are disclosed and have been found to be particularly effective for the expression of heterologous genes in yeast. These promoter regions will be useful for driving high-level expression of genes involved in the production of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid molecules that encode antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, which specifically bind human interleukin-4 receptor (IL-4R). Also provided are expression vectors comprising nucleic acid molecule that encode anti-IL-4R antibodies, host cells comprising the expression vectors, and methods of producing anti-IL-4R antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof comprising growing the host cells under conditions permitting production of the antibody or fragment, and recovering the antibody or fragment so produced.

Abstract: Engineered fusion proteins comprising photochromic protein domains are disclosed. In particular, the inventors have constructed fusion proteins containing photoswitchable photochromic fluorescent protein domains linked to selected proteins and shown that such fusion proteins can be used to control the activity or localization of selected proteins with light.

Abstract: The invention relates to proteins, notably SAP-2 and SAP-3, having an antibiotic action. The invention also relates to a method for purifying certain antimicrobial proteins, as well as to a use of said antimicrobial proteins for antibiotic therapy or to a use of cells which were transfected with a DNA which codes for the proteins provided for in the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the fields of molecular biology and protein technology. More specifically, the invention concerns signal sequences for the secretion of heterologous polypeptide from bacteria. The invention also concerns recombinant polypeptides and uses thereof.

Abstract: New vectors expressible in a host comprising the promoter region of the melibiose operon operably linked to a transcriptional unit that includes nucleic acid sequence which is heterologous to the host. The expression of the nucleic acid sequence is controlled by the promoter region of the melibiose operon. The new vector can be used for the regulated heterologous expression of a nucleic acid sequence in a prokaryotic host. There is an isolated and purified nucleic acid sequence expressible in a host comprising the promoter region of the melibiose operon operably linked to a transcriptional unit that includes a nucleic acid sequence which is heterologous to the host. The expression of the nucleic acid sequence is controlled by the promoter region of the melibiose operon. A prokaryotic host is transformed with the vector or the isolated and purified nucleic acid sequence. There is a method for producing a polypeptide in a host using the vector.

Abstract: Methods to digest carbohydrates, especially lignocelluloses and hemicelluloses, using fungal proteins previously not recognized as having this activity are described.

Abstract: Glucosyl stevia compositions are prepared from steviol glycosides of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni. The glucosylation was performed by cyclodextrin glucanotransferase using the starch as source of glucose residues. The short-chain glucosyl stevia compositions were purified to >95% content of total steviol glycosides. The compositions can be used as sweetness enhancers, flavor enhancers and sweeteners in foods, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant Bacillus host cell containing a recombinant vector including a nucleic acid segment having a coding region segment encoding enzymatically active hyaluronan synthase (HAS). The recombinant Bacillus host cell is utilized in a method for producing hyaluronic acid (HA).

Abstract: Provided is a natural convection-driven polymerase chain reaction (PCR) apparatus and method, which can periodically change temperature of a sample to make a natural convection-driven flow in a loop-shaped channel on a disposable polymer chip and contacting heating metal members maintained at different temperatures with channels. The natural convection-driven PCR apparatus includes: a polymer chip having a plurality of channels connected together to form a loop-shaped microchannel, a sample being filled inside the channels; a plurality of heating metal members contacting the loop-shaped microchannel of the polymer chip and transferring heat; a temperature controller connected to the heating metal members to maintain the heating metal members at different temperatures; a plurality of heaters connected to the heating metal members and the temperature controller to supply heat to the heating metal members; and temperature sensors connected to the heating metal members and the temperature controller.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for nucleic acid analysis of swab samples without the need for purification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having isoamylase activity derived from Dyella japonica and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides. The invention also relates to the use of said polypeptide having isoamylase activity for producing glucose syrup, fructose syrup, maltose syrup or maltitol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of successively producing D-psicose from D-fructose or D-glucose by using a psicose-epimerase derived from Agrobacterium tumefaciens which is expressed in a food safety form.

Abstract: This invention provides polypeptides having lyase activity, polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In one aspect, the invention is directed to polypeptides having ammonia lyase activity, e.g., phenylalanine ammonia lyase, tyrosine ammonia lyase and/or histidine ammonia lyase activity, including thermostable and thermotolerant activity, and polynucleotides encoding these enzymes, and making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The polypeptides of the invention can be used in a variety of pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial contexts. X?NO2, Cl, Br, NH2, OH, H, alkyl at one or several o, m, and p positions R?H or alkyl.

Abstract: Engineered strains of the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica capable of producing greater than 50 weight percent of eicosapentaenoic acid in the total oil fraction are described. These strains over-express heterologous ?9 elongases, ?8 desaturases, ?5 desaturases, ?17 desaturases, ?12 desaturases and C16/18 elongases, and optionally over-express diacylglycerol cholinephosphotransferases. Gene knockouts are also described, as are methods for producing EPA within host cells, and products comprising EPA from the optimized Yarrowia lipolytica strains.

Abstract: The invention is directed to isolated microorganisms, as well as biomasses, cultures, microbial oils, and compositions thereof. The invention also provides methods of producing the microbial oils and methods of using the isolated microorganisms, biomasses, and microbial oils.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains capable of producing in high yield and preparation methods thereof. The strains anchor an expression vector carrying either or both of a nucleotide sequence coding for acetyl-CoA carboxylase carboxytransferase subunit alpha of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a nucleotide sequence coding for malonyl-CoA-[acyl-carrier-protein] transacylase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and/or a nucleotide sequence coding for acyl-acyl carrier protein thioesterase of Streptococcus pyogenes. The recombinant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains are genetically stable and have high lipid or fatty acid contents, thus being applicable to the mass production of fatty acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for producing industrial products such as hydrocarbon products from non-polar lipids in a vegetative plant part. Preferred industrial products include alkyl esters which may be blended with petroleum based fuels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant yeast comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a heterologous enzyme that catalyses the conversion of malic acid to fumaric acid. The invention further relates to a process for the production of a dicarboxylic acid wherein the yeast according to the present invention is used.

Abstract: Several embodiments of the invention relate generally to a system and methods for the treatment of gaseous emissions comprising methane and one or more non-methane compounds that can influence the metabolism of methane-oxidizing microorganisms. In several embodiments, there is provided a system and methods for the treatment of methane emissions through the use of methanotrophic microorganisms to generate functionally consistent and harvestable products. Certain embodiments of the invention are particularly advantageous because they reduce environmentally-destructive methane emissions and produce harvestable end-products.

Abstract: Methods for the fermentative production of four carbon alcohols is provided. Specifically, butanol, preferably isobutanol is produced by the fermentative growth of a recombinant bacterium expressing an isobutanol biosynthetic pathway.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to methods for increasing the efficiency of microbial growth and production of products, such as alcohols and acids by microbial fermentation of substrates containing carbon monoxide. More particularly the invention relates to the provision of an alternative sulphur source to a liquid nutrient medium, such that sulphur is available to one or more microorganisms of the fermentation.

Abstract: A method for making a tissue includes seeding cells at a selected concentration on a support to form a cell spot, incubating the cells to allow the cells to partially attach, rinsing the cells to remove any unattached cells, adding culture medium to enable the cells to proliferate at a periphery of the cell spot and to differentiate toward a center of the cell spot, and further incubating the cells to form the tissue. The cells may be C2C12 cells or other subclones of the C2 cell line, H9c2(2-1) cells, L6 cells, L8 cells, QM7 cells, Sol8 cells, G-7 cells, G-8 cells, other myoblast cells, cells from other tissues, or stem cells. The selected concentration is in a range from about 1×105 cells/ml to about 1×106 cells/ml. The tissue formed may be a skeletal muscle tissue, a cardiac muscle tissue, nerve tissue, or a bone tissue.

Abstract: In on aspect, the invention includes a microcarrier bead having a porous three-dimensional core having (a) a polymeric porous three-dimensional body having porosity of about 15 to about 90% such that at least 99% of pores are interconnected and have diameters of at most 200 microns, (b) an outer protective layer and optionally (c) a filler. In another aspect, the invention includes a method of making an artificial scaffold wherein a scaffolding material is extruded into a coolant and thereby creating a porous material having a porosity of between 15-90% such that at least 99% of pores are interconnected and have diameters of at most 200 microns.

Abstract: A xylanase composition and a method for manufacturing the xylanase composition are provided, wherein the xylanase composition comprises a xylanase and a stabilizer, and the xylanase is from an anaerobic fungus, the stabilizer comprises a polyol, and the content of the polyol is at least 40 wt %, based on the total weight of the xylanase composition.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to polypeptides having colanic acid-degrading activity and methods of using the same. Polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides are also described. The polypeptides may be used, for example, in processes for degrading colanic acid, processes for the removal of endotoxins from biological samples, and processes for purifying plasmid DNA.

Abstract: Disclosed are mutant DNA polymerases having increased 3?-mismatch discrimination relative to a corresponding, unmodified polymerase. The mutant polymerases are useful in a variety of disclosed primer extension methods. Also disclosed are related compositions, including recombinant nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells, which are useful, e.g., for production of the mutant DNA polymerases.

Abstract: Disclosed are mutant DNA polymerases having increased 3?-mismatch discrimination relative to a corresponding, unmodified polymerase. The mutant polymerases are useful in a variety of disclosed primer extension methods. Also disclosed are related compositions, including recombinant nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells, which are useful, e.g., for production of the mutant DNA polymerases.

Abstract: Recombinant purified DnaK—having a ATPase activity without the addition of an other chaperone protein—essentially free of T-cell stimulating impurities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a feed supplement comprising a phytase and a lipolytic enzyme, wherein said lipolytic enzyme has lipase activity at a pH in the range of about pH1.5 to about pH3.5.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of serum paraoxonase (PON1) having catalytic efficiency of kcat/KM?106-5·107 M?1min?1 for a G-type organophosphate.

Abstract: An acetyl xylan esterase variant having perhydrolytic activity is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters and a source of peroxygen. More specifically, a Thermotoga maritima acetyl xylan esterase gene was modified using error-prone PCR and site-directed mutagenesis to create an enzyme catalyst characterized by an increase in specific activity. The variant acetyl xylan esterase may be used to produce peroxycarboxylic acids suitable for use in a variety of applications such as cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, bleaching, wood pulp processing, and paper pulp processing applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to reagents and methods for the modulation of viability of bacteria. A process is provided wherein a protein sequence from A. americanum saliva effective in reducing the viability of gram positive, gram negative, or acid-fast bacteria and spirochetes including B. burgdurferi is administered. The inventive protein from A. americanum saliva has utility as a therapeutic for the treatment of an organism infected with bacteria, particularly the spirochete B. burgdorferi.

Abstract: A method of preventing, inhibiting and/or reversing cell motility, actin filament assembly or disassembly, proliferation, colonization, differentiation, accumulation and/or development of abnormal cells in a subject is disclosed. The method is effected by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a ribonuclease of the T2 family having actin binding activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having alpha-glucuronidase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel ginsenoside glycosidase protein derived from the genus Terrabacter, the protein having an activity of converting protopanaxadiol (PPD)-type saponins into highly active substances, which can be absorbed inside the body, by selective hydrolysis of a particular bond of ginsenoside. More specifically, the present invention relates to an amino acid sequence of the protein, a nucleic acid sequence encoding the protein, a recombinant vector comprising the nucleic acid sequence, and a transformant transformed with the vector, and a method for producing ginsenoside glycosidase derived from the genus Terrabacter by culturing the transformant, a method for converting PPD-type major saponins into the minor saponin forms using the protein, and a composition for converting PPD-type saponins into soluble saponins, comprising the protein as an active component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having glucoamylase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.