Patents Issued in February 11, 2016
  • Publication number: 20160040103
    Abstract: The present invention is to a liquid laundry detergent composition comprising an anionic surfactant, a non-ionic surfactant, between 0.5 wt % and 25 wt % water and 0.05% and 2% by weight of the composition of a cationic polymer being an hydroxyethyl cellulose polymer derivatised with trimethyl ammonium substituted epoxide, wherein the anionic surfactant comprises fatty acid; and wherein; the weight ratio of cationic polymer to anionic surfactant is less than 1:5; the weight ratio of cationic polymer to non-ionic surfactant is more than 1:10; the weight ratio of cationic polymer to total surfactant is less than 1:5; and wherein the weight ratio of anionic to non-ionic surfactant is from 5:1 to 23:1, wherein ‘total surfactant’ means the level of all surfactant present in the liquid laundry detergent composition, including but not limited to all anionic, non-ionic and cationic surfactant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Karel Jozef Maria DEPOOT, Katrien Andrea Lieven VAN ELSEN
  • Publication number: 20160040104
    Abstract: Liquid laundry detergent compositions containing a microcapsule with a cationically charged coating and a fluorescent brightener with a distyrylbiphenyl unit, preferably Fluorescent Brightener-49, are provided. The compositions provide improved delivery efficiency of microcapsules and brightening of fabric whilst minimizing phase stability issues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Xiaoyan LIU, Amaranta RAMIREZ-ALMARAZ, Li LV, Xu HUANG
  • Publication number: 20160040105
    Abstract: A water-soluble laundry unit dose article comprising a liquid composition, wherein said composition comprises; an anionic surfactant; an ethoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactant; water; wherein the weight ratio of total anionic: non-ionic is between 5:1 and 23:1; and wherein the composition comprises between 0.1 wt % and 5 wt % of a perfume and between 0.1 wt % and 5 wt % of an encapsulated perfume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Karel Jozef Maria DEPOOT, Katrien Andrea Lieven VAN ELSEN
  • Publication number: 20160040106
    Abstract: An artificial aging apparatus for spirits and other alcoholic beverages to decrease the time it takes for alcoholic beverages to mature. The artificial aging apparatus includes an inlet, an outlet, a processing pipe, a pump, a housing, a plurality of electromagnets, a plurality of copper probes, an ultraviolet (UV) radiation source, and a power source. The alcoholic beverage is pumped through the inlet and then into the processing pipe. Subsequently, the alcoholic beverages passes through an electromagnetic field generated to expedite aging, past a plurality of copper probes to smooth the alcoholic beverage, and exposed to the UV radiation source for sanitization. Then, the alcoholic beverage is discharged from the outlet for storage or packaged for consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicants: SPIRITS OF THE U.S.A., CONECUH SPRINGS SPIRITS, INC
    Inventors: Kenneth May, Johnny W. Allen
  • Publication number: 20160040107
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to rotating bioreactors and articles and methods that are useful for adapting a rotating bioreactor for use with tissues or scaffolds of different sizes. In some embodiments, bioreactors comprising a reservoir and an arbor assembly are provided herein, in which the arbor assembly comprises a rotatable support to which a tissue or tissue scaffold can be attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: HARVARD APPARATUS REGENERATIVE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Herbert Hedberg
  • Publication number: 20160040108
    Abstract: A perfusion bioreactor chamber for engineering a broad spectrum of tissues. The bioreactor allows controlled distribution of fluid through or around scaffolding materials of various shapes, structures and topologies during prolonged periods of cultivation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic, Sarindr Bhumiratana, Keith Yeager
  • Publication number: 20160040109
    Abstract: A bioreactor container comprising has an at least locally flexible wall and at least one container opening. The wall of the bioreactor container has a fluid-tight inner sheet, and an at least locally fluid-permeable or structured outer sheet. A method for testing the integrity of the bioreactor container also is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Dahlberg, Isabelle Gay, Lars Boettcher, Stefan Obermann, Rainer Sandrock
  • Publication number: 20160040110
    Abstract: The present invention relates to large-scale bioreactors having at least two impellers, large-scale bioreactor systems and methods for the large scale cultivation and propagation of mammalian cells using these bioreactors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventor: Mohsan KHAN
  • Publication number: 20160040111
    Abstract: A method and device for creating hanging drop cell aggregates. The method and device includes a plurality of pegs that allow for high throughput culture of aggregates. Also disclosed are means of transferring formed aggregates to various destinations, such as well plates, scaffolding, tissues, or wounds. Use of the device permits aggregates to be prepared or created in larger quantities than current methods, and allows for them to be transferred more efficiently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA PATENT FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Blair Taylor Stocks, Shayn Peirce Cottler, Adam J. Katz
  • Publication number: 20160040112
    Abstract: Fluid circulation and leveling systems and methods of using the same are described. A fluid circulation system includes a fluid mixing chamber and open fluid chambers in fluid communication with the fluid mixing chamber. Each open fluid chamber includes a microfluidic fluid leveling conduit with an orifice disposed in the open fluid chamber at a minimum fluid level associated with a corresponding minimum fluid volume. A controller causes a first pump to generate a first direction of fluid flow during a first time period between the open fluid chambers, and causes the first pump to generate a second direction of fluid flow during a second time period between the first and second open fluid chambers. The controller also causes a second pump to generate a flow of fluid during a third time period from one of the first and second open fluid chambers into the fluid mixing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Coppeta, Brett Isenberg, Mark Mescher
  • Publication number: 20160040113
    Abstract: A container, such as a disposable or single use bioreactor, optionally having one or more inlets and one or more outlets and a mixer associated with the container to cause mixing, dispersing, homogenizing and/or circulation of one or more ingredients contained or added to the container. The container includes a flexible baffle shaped and positioned within the container to improve mixing, particularly to improve low shear mixing. The baffle is positioned within the container so as to disrupt the vortex formed by the mixer, or prevent formation of a vortex. The baffle is shaped with both horizontal and vertical elements to enhance disruption of the vortex across the entire vessel height and provide homogeneous mixing throughout all operating volumes. In certain embodiments, the baffle is X-shaped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: EMD Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Kara Der, Anne Hansen, James McSweeney, David Kraus, Jeffrey Pearsons, Amy Wood
  • Publication number: 20160040114
    Abstract: A coupling device configured to form a sample access assembly is provided. The sample access assembly is configured to house a sample. The coupling device includes a heating component and a separating component. Further, the separating component is configured to separate portions of first and second containers that form first and second compartments of the sample access assembly. Moreover, the heating component is configured to heat at least a portion of the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Ying Mao, Kenneth Roger Conway, Weston Blaine Griffin, Reginald Donovan Smith, Evelina Roxana Loghin, Vandana Keskar, Chengkun Zhang, Zhipeng Zhang
  • Publication number: 20160040115
    Abstract: A device for preparing biological samples including a fixed support of which the base extends in a first plane, a filtration block that can be removable, the filtration block including a collecting tank that itself includes a filtering device extending in a second plane and dividing the collecting tank into a collection area and a suction area, the suction area being designed to be connected to a suction device, the second plane of the filtering device being inclined relative to the plane of the base of the fixed support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Patrick BROYER, Laurent VERON, Hervé ROSTAING
  • Publication number: 20160040116
    Abstract: Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy materials, to produce a product or intermediate, e.g., energy, a food, a fuel, or a material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Marshall Medoff, Thomas Craig Masterman
  • Publication number: 20160040117
    Abstract: The invention provides improved methods and an apparatus for transporting a starter culture of living cells including fungi, bacteria, animal and plant cells. The methods and apparatus enable on-demand feeding and on-demand supply of nutrient gas resulting in increased cell viability and improved fermentations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventor: James David Pfau
  • Publication number: 20160040118
    Abstract: The present invention relates to genetically modified methylotrophic bacteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher J. Marx, Dipti D. Nayak
  • Publication number: 20160040119
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a plant or plant part coated with a composition comprising a bacterial spore and a germinative compound. In another aspect the present invention is directed to a method of enhancing the growth of a plant or plant part comprising coating such plant or plant part with such a composition. In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to a composition comprising a bacterial spore and a germinative compound where such components are maintained in an inactive form. The present invention also relates to use of the compositions in wastewater treatment, environmental remediation, oil recovery, aquaculture systems, and direct fed microbials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: ENVERA, LLC
    Inventor: Tommie Eugene Hashman
  • Publication number: 20160040120
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-dimensional (3D) model of a hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) niche, that comprises the coculture of human HSPC and human mesenchymal stromal cells in a defined 3D environment and thereby procures vital stem cell functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Eric Gottwald, Stefan Giselbrecht, Patrick Wuchter, Rainer Saffrich
  • Publication number: 20160040121
    Abstract: A stimuli responsive nanofiber that includes a stimuli responsive polymer, such as a thermally responsive polymer, and a cross-linking agent having at least two latent reactive activatable groups. The nanofiber may also include a biologically active material or a functional polymer. The stimuli responsive nanofiber can be used to modify the surface of a substrate. When the nanofiber includes a thermally responsive polymer, the physical properties of the surface can be controlled by controlling the temperature of the system, thus controlling the ability of the surface to bind to a biologically active material of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Tahmina Naqvi, Jie Wen, Patrick Guire
  • Publication number: 20160040122
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to nanofibers. In particular, the present disclosure relates to nanofibers comprising multiple layers and their uses in cell culture and tissue engineering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: MARVIN SLEPIAN, VALERIE MERKLE, XIAOYI WU
  • Publication number: 20160040123
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of removing or reducing undifferentiated cells from a differentiated cell population contaminated or having a risk of contamination with undifferentiated cells by contacting a pigment epithelium-derived factor with the differentiated cell population to induce apoptosis of the undifferentiated cells. The invention also provides an agent for cell transplantation therapy, containing a differentiated cell population substantially free of an undifferentiated cell, which is obtained by the method, as well as an agent for inducing apoptosis of an undifferentiated cell, containing a pigment epithelium-derived factor, and combined use of the aforementioned agent for cell transplantation therapy and the aforementioned agent for inducing apoptosis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Hoshimi KANEMURA, Masahiro GO, Shin KAWAMATA, Naoki NISHISHITA
  • Publication number: 20160040124
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of increased culture pH, relative to standard insect cell culture conditions, during baculovirus infection of lepidopteran insect cells to enable production of recombinant chikungunya (CHIKV) virus like particles (VLPs). The invention further relates to adapted insect cell lines derived from insect cells such as Sf21, which can grow robustly at elevated culture pH, the use of said cell lines to recombinantly produce pH sensitive proteins in the correct conformation and increase expression of recombinant proteins relative to standard insect cell lines. In some embodiments of the invention, the cells are useful for recombinant production of CHIKV VLPs. The invention also relates to a method for the production of a pH-adapted lepidopteran insect cell line. In some embodiments of said method, the cell line is produced and/or maintained in reduced phosphate serum-free insect cell media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: James M. Wagner, Shyamsundar Subramanian, David Pajerowski, Danilo Casimiro, John Balliet (DECEASED), Jessica Flynn, Jennifer Galli, Patrick McHugh, Dawn Hall, Christopher Daniels, Jennifer Girard
  • Publication number: 20160040125
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for obtaining human brain-like endothelial cells by contacting a population of cells isolated from stem cells with a differentiation medium to obtain endothelial cells and co-culturing said endothelial cells with pericytes, with cells of the neurovascular unit or with a pericytes conditioned medium, to obtain brain-like endothelial cells. The present disclosure also relates to the use of the brain-like endothelial cells as an in vitro model of human blood-brain barrier and a kit for measuring blood-brain barrier permeability of a substance, comprising in vitro human endothelial cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Lino DA SILVA FERREIRA, Emmanuel Bernard SEVIN, Roméo Paul CECCHELLI, Sezin ADAY
  • Publication number: 20160040126
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for regulating the differentiation of neural stem cells or neural progenitor cells into dopaminergic neural cells, the method comprising increasing or inhibiting the activity of ADAM17 and/or ADAM10 in neural stem cells or neural progenitor cells, and to the use of an activator or inhibitor of ADMA17 and/or ADAM10. The method and composition according to the invention can regulate the activity of ADAM17 and/or ADAM10 in neural stem cells or neural progenitor cells to increase dopaminergic neural cells in the midbrain area, and thereby providing the effect of treating diseases induced by the death of dopaminergic neural cells such as Parkinson's disease. In addition, the method and composition according to the invention can inhibit the activity of ADAM17 and/or ADAM10, and thereby improving effect of treating diseases such as tumor. Thus, the present invention is very useful.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Ja-Hyun Baik, Se Hyoun Yoon
  • Publication number: 20160040127
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for isolating, cultivating, and/or cells including regulatory T cells (Tregs). The methods typically include cultivating cells including Tregs in a culture media comprising a ligand for programmed cell death receptor (PD-1) conjugated to a solid support. Suitable ligands may include PD-L1 and suitable solid supports may include magnetic or paramagnetic beads where the methods further include removing the PD-L1/bead conjugates after the Tregs have been isolated, cultured, and/or expanded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Joseph R. Leventhal, James M. Mathew, Lorenzo Gallon, M. Javeed Ansari
  • Publication number: 20160040128
    Abstract: The present invention provides an in vitro method of expressing an antigenic molecule or a part thereof on the surface of a dendritic cell using a PCI method with TPCS2a at a concentration of 0.020-0.1 ?g/ml, using light of a wavelength of between 400 and 500 nm. Methods of treatment such as vaccination comprising this method, together with compositions comprising said cells and uses involving said cells expressing antigenic molecules are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: PCI BIOTECH AS
    Inventors: Pål JOHANSEN, Anders HØGSET
  • Publication number: 20160040129
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for conditionally immortalizing stem cells, including adult and embryonic stem cells, the cells produced by such methods, therapeutic and laboratory or research methods of using such cells, and methods to identify compounds related to cell differentiation and development or to treat diseases, using such cells. A mouse model of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and cells and methods related to such mouse model are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: John C. CAMBIER, Yosef REFAELI, Sara Ann JOHNSON, Brian Curtis Turner
  • Publication number: 20160040130
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into insulin producing cells. In particular, the present invention provides a method utilizing a CYP26A inhibitor to produce a population of pancreatic endocrine precursor cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: Janssen Biotech, Inc.
    Inventor: Alireza Rezania
  • Publication number: 20160040131
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide methods of treating diabetes and other glucose regulation disorders. In one embodiment, the method comprises removing L-cells from a donor, obtaining stem cells from a patient, and culturing the L-cells in the presence of the stem cells under conditions such that the stem cells differentiate into stem cell-derived L-cells (SCDLC). An amount of the SCDLC is introduced into the patient sufficient to cause a lowering of the patient's blood glucose level after ingestion of food. In another embodiment, the method comprises removing K-cells from a donor, obtaining stem cells from a patient, and culturing the K-cells in the presence of the stem cells under conditions such that the stem cells differentiate into stem cell-derived K-cells (SCDKC). An amount of the SCDKC is introduced into the patient sufficient to cause a lowering of the patient's blood glucose level after ingestion of food.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventor: Mir Imran
  • Publication number: 20160040132
    Abstract: Described are three-dimensional bioprinted pancreatic tumor tissue structures that are multilayer, multicellular three-dimensional structures generated with pancreatic cancer cells surrounded by cell types known to be found in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Rosalie Sears, Brittany Allen-Petersen, Ellen Langer
  • Publication number: 20160040133
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention relate to mutant forms of flock house virus B2 protein characterized by having enhanced suppressor of RNA silencing activity as compared to wild type flock house virus B2 protein. Certain embodiments of the invention relate to nucleic acid sequences and vectors that encode and/or direct expression of such mutant forms of flock house virus B2 protein in eukaryotic cells. Certain embodiments of the invention relate to methods of using such mutant forms of flock house virus B2 protein and/or nucleic acid sequences and vectors that encode and/or direct expression thereof in eukaryotic cells to increase a replication rate of a plant or animal virus in a plant or animal cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: ALN Rao, Jang-Kyung Seo
  • Publication number: 20160040134
    Abstract: A virus like particle comprising a viral structural protein which comprises modified envelope protein E3. The viral structural protein may be that derived from or alphavirus or flavivirus. Especially, the viral structural protein may be derived from Chikungunya virus or Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: VLP THERAPEUTICS, LLC
    Inventors: Wataru AKAHATA, Ryuji UENO
  • Publication number: 20160040135
    Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) virus containing restructured sites useful for the integration of heterologous nucleic acid sequences into an intergenic region (IGR) of the virus genome, where the IGR is located between two adjacent, essential open reading frames (ORFs) of the vaccinia virus genome, wherein the adjacent essential ORFs are non-adjacent in a parental MVA virus used to construct the recombinant MVA virus, and to related nucleic acid constructs useful for inserting heterologous DNA into the genome of a vaccinia virus, and further to the use of the disclosed viruses as a medicine or vaccine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Bernard Moss, Linda S. Wyatt, Patricia L. Earl
  • Publication number: 20160040136
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of attenuated live viruses useful as vaccine or medicament for preventing or treating Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) in swine, and is based on the surprising finding of a PRRS virus which is able to induce the interferon type I response of a cell infected by said virus. In one embodiment, the PRRS virus according to the invention is a PRRS virus mutant comprising, in comparison with the genome of a wild type strain, a mutation in the gene encoding the non structural protein 1 (nsp1) of said virus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventor: Andreas GALLEI
  • Publication number: 20160040137
    Abstract: A method for producing AAV, without requiring cell lysis, is described. The method involves harvesting AAV from the supernatant. For AAV having capsids with a heparin binding site, the method involves modifying the AAV capsids and/or the culture conditions to ablate the binding between the AAV heparin binding site and the cells, thereby allowing the AAV to pass into the supernatant, i.e., media. Thus, the method of the invention provides supernatant containing high yields of AAV which have a higher degree of purity from cell membranes and intracellular materials, as compared to AAV produced using methods using a cell lysis step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Martin Lock, Luc H. Vandenberghe, James M. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20160040138
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to modify a wild-type enzyme that is less reactive in the presence of an organic solvent to provide altered carbonyl reductases having better reactivity in the presence of the organic solvent than the wild-type enzyme, and/or to provide transformants producing such reductases. The present inventors have found altered carbonyl reductases having better reactivity in the presence of an organic solvent than the wild-type enzyme, from among a mutant enzyme library prepared by randomly mutating the wild-type enzyme gene, thereby arriving at completion of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: KANEKA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Misato MATSUI, Noriyuki ITO, Shigeru KAWANO, Yoshihiko YASOHARA
  • Publication number: 20160040139
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions suitable for use in the conversion of xylose to xylitol and xylulose, including nucleic acid constructs, recombinant fungal host cells, and related materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Xiyun Zhang, Ryan C. Fong, Ezhilkani Subbian
  • Publication number: 20160040140
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides engineered polypeptides having imine reductase activity, polynucleotides encoding the engineered imine reductases, host cells capable of expressing the engineered imine reductases, and methods of using these engineered polypeptides with a range of ketone and amine substrate compounds to prepare secondary and tertiary amine product compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Haibin Chen, Steven J. Collier, Jovana Nazor, Joly Sukumaran, Derek Smith, Jeffrey C. Moore, Gregory Hughes, Jacob Janey, Gjalt W. Huisman, Scott J. Novick, Nicholas J. Agard, Oscar Alvizo, Gregory A. Cope, Wan Lin Yeo, Stefanie Ng Minor
  • Publication number: 20160040141
    Abstract: Disclosed is a transglutaminase having excellent stability. Also disclosed is a process for producing the transglutaminase. Specifically disclosed is a stabilized transglutaminase, which has such a structure in which a pro-sequence peptide of transglutaminase is bound to a mature transglutaminase. Also specifically disclosed is a process for producing stabilized transglutaminase, which includes the steps of culturing a microorganism capable of producing transglutaminase under the conditions where transglutaminase can be produced; and separating and collecting matured transglutaminase having a pro-sequence peptide bound thereto from a culture medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Masamichi Okada, Yoshiaki Kurono, Hitoshi Amano, Shotaro Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20160040142
    Abstract: The present invention provides of compositions of matter comprising a CSF-1 fusion protein and methods of using the same in enhancing regeneration or restoring function of an injured liver. The compositions of matter are useful in the treatment of hepatic disorders, for example, in the prevention and/or treatment of liver disease and to improve outcomes following liver surgery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Stuart Forbes, David Hume, Ben Stutchfield, Deborah Gow, Graeme Bainbridge, Theodore Oliphant, Thomas L. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20160040143
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for replicating, amplifying, and sequencing of nucleic acids using the thermostable, bifunctional replicase “TthPrimPol” from Thermus thermophilus HB27. The TthPrimPol enzyme is extremely tolerant to alterations of the nucleotides of the template nucleic acid. Therefore, in one aspect the invention discloses methods for replicating, amplifying and sequencing of damaged polynucleotide templates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: SYGNIS BIOTECH S.L.U.
    Inventors: Angel J. PICHER, Luis BLANCO
  • Publication number: 20160040144
    Abstract: Described are compositions and methods relating to the thermostable fungal cellulase enzyme, EGV, and Trichoderma host cells having a modification comprising or consisting essentially of disruption or deletion of nucleotide(s) for expression of this cellulose, whereby EGV expression is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: DANISCO US INC.
    Inventors: Andrei Miasnikov, Michael Schelle, Michael Ward
  • Publication number: 20160040145
    Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase activity and 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: Novozymes, Inc.
    Inventor: Nikolaj Spodsberg
  • Publication number: 20160040146
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of purifying recombinant alpha-galactosidase A. The method includes obtaining a lysate from cells recombinantly expressing alpha-galactosidase A grown in a cell culture medium having non-precipitating phosphate; contacting said lysate with a first chromatography media that binds ?-D-mannopyranosyl or ?-D-glucopyranosyl; eluting alpha-galactosidase A from the first chromatography media to generate a first eluate having alpha-galactosidase A, wherein said eluting includes at least one elution pause between 4 and 16 hours; contacting the first eluate with a second chromatography media that binds galactose binding proteins; and eluting alpha-galactosidase A from said second chromatography media to generate a second eluate containing said recombinant alpha-galactosidase A.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
    Inventors: David H. Calhoun, Abass Abdullahi
  • Publication number: 20160040147
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the production of mature proteases in bacterial host cells. The compositions include modified polynucleotides that encode modified proteases, which have at least one mutation in the pro region; the modified serine proteases encoded by the modified polynucleotides; expression cassettes, DNA constructs, and vectors comprising the modified polynucleotides that encode the modified proteases; and the bacterial host cells transformed with the vectors of the invention. The methods include methods for enhancing the production of mature proteases in bacterial host cells e.g. Bacillus sp. host cells. The produced proteases find use in the industrial production of enzymes, suitable for use in various industries, including but not limited to the cleaning, animal feed and textile processing industry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: DANISCO US INC.
    Inventors: Eugenio Ferrari, Carol Fioresi, Anita van Kimmenade
  • Publication number: 20160040148
    Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polypeptides comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, or a variant, derivative or fusion thereof, which is capable of binding specifically to and lysing cells of Clostridium difficile, wherein the polypeptide exhibits greater lytic activity on cells of Clostridium difficile than the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:1. The invention further provides means for producing the same, methods for killing bacterial cells such as cells of Clostridium difficile, as well as methods for diagnosing, treating and preventing diseases and conditions associated with infection of the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Melinda Mayer, Arjan Narbad
  • Publication number: 20160040149
    Abstract: Compositions and methods comprising polynucleotides and polypeptides having dicamba decarboxylase activity are provided. Further provided are nucleic acid constructs, host cells, plants, plant cells, explants, seeds and grain having the dicamba decarboxylase sequences. Various methods of employing the dicamba decarboxylase sequences are provided. Such methods include, for example, methods for decarboxylating an auxin-analog, method for producing an auxin-analog tolerant plant, plant cell, explant or seed and methods of controlling weeds in a field containing a crop employing the plants and/or seeds disclosed herein. Methods are also provided to identify additional dicamba decarboxylase variants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Eric Althoff, Yi-En Andrew Ban, Linda A. Castle, Daniela Grabs, Jian Lu, Phillip A. Patten, Yumin Tao, Alexandre Zanghellini
  • Publication number: 20160040150
    Abstract: Synthetic polynucleotides encoding human methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (synMUT) and exhibiting augmented expression in cell culture and/or in a subject are described herein. An adeno-associated viral (AAV) gene therapy vector encoding synMUT under the control of a liver-specific promoter (AAV2/8-HCR-hAAT-synMUT-RBG) successfully rescued the neonatal lethal phenotype displayed by methylmalonyl-CoA mutase-deficient mice, lowered circulating methylmalonic acid levels in the treated animals, and resulted in prolonged hepatic expression of the product of synMUT transgene in vivo, human methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MUT).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Charles P. VENDITTI, Randy J. CHANDLER
  • Publication number: 20160040151
    Abstract: A eukaryotic cell having xylose utilization ability. Provided is a protein that has xylose isomerase activity and has an amino acid sequence including, when aligned with an amino acid sequence expressed by SEQ ID NO:1, the 1st to 6th motifs expressed respectively by SEQ ID NOs:2 to 7 from the N-terminus side in the order described, and having, in place of asparagine (N) in an amino acid sequence of the 6th motif, another amino acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Satoshi KATAHIRA, Risa NAGURA, Kenro TOKUHIRO, Nobuhiro ISHIDA, Chie IMAMURA, Toru ONISHI, Noriko YASUTANI, Nobuki TADA
  • Publication number: 20160040152
    Abstract: There is provided chimeric polypeptides capable of converting xylose to xylulose, engineered host cells that express the chimeric polypeptides, methods of creating chimeric polypeptides, and methods of fermenting cellulosic biomass to produce biofuels, including ethanol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Allan Froehlich, Brooks Henningsen