Abstract: An improved method of purifying bean extract alpha-amylase inhibitor protein material is described. The materials purified by this process provide significantly more amylase inhibition than materials purified by other processes. In this process: (a) bean extract-derived alpha-amylase inhibitor is suspended in an aqueous solution having a pH of from about 3.0 to about 3.5; (b) a preservative is added to the solution; (c) the solution is heated to about 175 to about 195 F for about 10 to about 120 seconds; (d) the solution is cooled to about 65 to about 85 F and allowed to sit, in a non-agitated state, for about 3 to about 24 hours, such that bean extract particles settle out of solution; and (e) the supernatant, which contains the purified amylase inhibiting protein, is separated from the particles.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to variants of a parent glucoamylase having altered properties (e.g., improved thermostability and/or specific activity). In particular, the present disclosure provides compositions comprising the variant glucoamylases, including starch hydrolyzing compositions and cleaning compositions. The disclosure also relates to DNA constructs encoding the variants and methods of producing the glucoamylase variants in host cells.

Abstract: This invention relates to, in part, compositions of beta-lactamases and methods of using these enzymes in, for example, gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) disorders such as C. difficile infection (CDI).

Abstract: This invention relates to polypeptides having aldolase activity, including pyruvate activity such as, without limitation, HMG and/or KHG aldolase activity, polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In some embodiments, the invention is directed to polypeptides having aldolase activity, including pyruvate activity such as, without limitation, HMG and/or KHG aldolase activity, including thermostable and thermotolerant activity, and polynucleotides encoding these enzymes, and making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The polypeptides in accordance with the invention can be used in a variety of pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial contexts.

Abstract: Provided herein are apparatus and methods relating to the development of instrumentation for high throughput network electrophysiology and cellular analysis. More specifically, provided herein are multiwell microelectrode arrays (MEAs) and methods for the development of such an apparatus in an inexpensive fashion with a flexible, ANSI/SBS-compliant (American National Standards Institute/Society for Biomolecular Screening) format. Microelectrode arrays are a grid of tightly spaced microelectrodes useful for stimulating and sensing electrically active cells, networks and tissue. The techniques described herein relate to the use of microfabrication in combination with certain large-area processes that have been employed to achieve multiwell MEAs in ANSI/SBS-compliant culture well formats, which are also transparent for inverted/backside microscopy compatibility.

Abstract: Methods for identifying modified proteases with modified substrate specificity or other properties are provided. The methods screen candidate and modified proteases by contacting them with a substrate, such as a serpin, an alpha macroglobulins or a p35 family protein or modified serpins and modified p35 family members or modified alpha macroglobulins, that, upon cleavage of the substrate, traps the protease by forming a stable complex. Also provided are modified proteases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oligomer compounds (oligomers), which target APO-B100 mRNA in a cell, leading to reduced expression of APO-B100. Reduction of APO-B100 expression is beneficial for the treatment of certain medical disorders, such as diseases associated with apolipoproteinB activity, such as in non-limiting example, different types of HDL/LDL cholesterol imbalance; dyslipidemias, e.g., familial combined dyslipidemia (FCHL), acquired hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, statin-resistant hypercholesterolemia; coronary artery disease (CAD), coronary heart disease (CHD), atherosclerosis.

Abstract: The invention provides optimized miRNA sequences and their therapeutic use. The invention provides optimized miRNA constructs for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides effective motifs for RNA agents conjugated to at least one ligand, which are advantageous for the in vivo delivery of iRNA duplex agents. Additionally, the present invention provides methods of making these compositions, as well as methods of introducing these iRNA duplex agents into cells using these compositions, e.g., for the treatment of various disease conditions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the finding that microRNA-155 plays a role in inflammation, hematopoiesis and myeloproliferation, and that dysregulation of microRNA-155 expression is associated with particular myeloproliferative disorders. Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for diagnosing an treating disorders, including inflammation and myeloproliferation, modulating the levels of expression of one or more genes selected from the group consisting of Cutl1, Arntl, Picalm, Jarid2, PU.1, Csflr, HIF1?, Sla, Cepb?, and Bach1, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to double-stranded oligonucleotides, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and use of such double-stranded oligonucleotides and pharmaceutical compositions to modulate nociceptive signaling in a cell or prevent and/or treat pain in a patient.

Abstract: A method for designing a bi-shRNA expression cassette encoding a bi-shRNA comprising: selecting one or more target site sequences; providing a backbone sequence comprising a first and a second stem-loop structure, inserting a first passenger strand and a second passenger strand and providing for synthesis of the bi-shRNA expression cassette.

Abstract: The present invention describes a new non-compound based approach for insect and/or arachnid control. The present inventors have identified for the first time novel targets for RNAi, which can effectively control insect and/or arachnid pest populations. Accordingly, the invention provides both nucleotide and amino acid sequences for the novel targets. Also provided are RNA constructs including double stranded RNA regions for mediating RNAi in insects, DNA constructs, expression vectors, host cells and compositions for controlling insects and/or arachnids using RNAi. Finally, the invention also provides for the use of the constructs, vectors, host cells and compositions in control of insects and/or arachnids populations and suitable kits for use in an RNAi based method of controlling insect and/or arachnid pests.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of endothelial barrier dysfunction, particular, the invention relates to new methods for the treatment of endothelial barrier dysfunction, such as inflammatory edema by inhibiting Abl-related gene (ARG).

Abstract: The present invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides that modulate the expression of and/or function of an Adiponectin (ADIPOQ), in particular, by targeting natural antisense polynucleotides of an Adiponectin (ADIPOQ). The invention also relates to the identification of these antisense oligonucleotides and their use in treating diseases and disorders associated with the expression of Adiponectins (ADIPOQ)s.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oligonucleotides for modulation of target RNA activity. Thus, the invention provides oligonucleotides that bind to microRNA binding sites of target RNA. The oligonucleotides may activate RNase H or RNAi. In a preferred embodiment, the oligonucleotides prevents a micro RNA from binding to its binding site of the target RNA and thereby prevent the microRNA from regulating the target RNA. Such oligonucleotides have uses in research and development of new therapeutics.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of genetically modifying microorganisms to enhance resistance to ionic liquids, host cells genetically modified in accordance with the methods, and methods of using the host cells in a reaction comprising biomass that has been pretreated with ionic liquids.

Abstract: Provided is a nitrogen fixation gene island suitable for expressing in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems, wherein the prokaryotic nitrogen fixation genes are modified using T7 promoters to make them suitable for eukaryotic expression.

Abstract: A transformant obtainable by introducing one or more of the following DNAs (a), (b), and (c) into a coryneform bacterium as a host. (a) A DNA which encodes acetohydroxy acid synthase derived from Corynebacterium glutamicum and which has a mutation changing the glycine at position 156 to glutamic acid (G156E) in an amino acid sequence encoded by the DNA, or an analog thereof. (b) A DNA which encodes acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase derived from Corynebacterium glutamicum and which has mutations changing the serine at position 34 to glycine (S34G), the leucine at position 48 to glutamic acid (L48E), and the arginine at position 49 to phenylalanine (R49F) in an amino acid sequence encoded by the DNA, or an analog thereof. (c) A DNA which encodes leucine dehydrogenase derived from Lysinibacillus sphaericus, or an analog thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant microorganism having enhanced ability to produce putrescine at high yield, wherein the activity of NCg10101 is weakened in a microorganism of genus Corynebacterium that has been modified to produce putrescine, and a method for producing putrescine using the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nucleic acid sequence encoding an Aspergillus mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid transporter that can be used in the production of itaconic acid in micro-organisms. Preferably said transporter protein is the protein encoded by the nucleic acid which is located on a chromosome segment of A. terreus that also harbors other genes involved in the itaconic acid biosynthesis and the lovastatin biosynthesis. Also, vectors, hosts and transformed micro-organisms are part of the invention.

Abstract: This invention provides transgenic plant cells with recombinant DNA for expression of proteins that are useful for imparting enhanced agronomic trait(s) to transgenic crop plants. This invention also provides transgenic plants and progeny seed comprising the transgenic plant cells where the plants are selected for having an enhanced trait selected from the group of traits consisting of enhanced water use efficiency, enhanced cold tolerance, increased yield, enhanced nitrogen use efficiency, enhanced seed protein and enhanced seed oil. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing transgenic seed and plants with enhanced traits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Lactuca sativa seed designated 79-69 RZ, which exhibits a combination of traits including resistance to downy mildew races B1:1 to B1:28, CA-I, CA-IIA, CA-IIB, CA-III to CA-VIII (Bremia lactucae) and currant-lettuce aphid (Nasonovia ribisnigri) biotype Nr:0, and which has crisp, deeply red, deeply dentate leaves, and exhibits very slow bolting. The present invention also relates to a Lactuca sativa plant produced by growing the 79-69 RZ seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the lettuce cultivar, represented by lettuce variety 79-69 RZ.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Lactuca sativa seed of the Latin type designated 41-144 RZ, which may exhibit a combination of traits including resistance against downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) races Bl:1 to Bl:27 and CA-I to CA-VIII, currant-lettuce aphid (Nasonovia ribisnigri) biotype Nr:0, corky root race CA1, and lettuce mosaic virus (LMV) race LMV:1. The present invention also relates to a Lactuca sativa plant produced by growing the 41-144 RZ seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the lettuce cultivar, represented by lettuce variety 41-144 RZ.

Abstract: A novel maize variety designated PH25W1 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH25W1 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH25W1 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH25W1 or a locus conversion of PH25W1 with another maize variety.

Abstract: A method of modulating the expression of at least one trait in a plant, the method comprising the step of modulating the expression of at least one polypeptide by the plant, wherein the polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of: i) a polypeptide which comprises the amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO:1; ii) a polypeptide which comprises an amino acid sequence which is selected from the group consisting of any one or more of from amino acid 1 to amino acid 7, from amino acid 9 to amino acid 230, from amino acid 1 to amino acid 58, from amino acid 77 to amino acid 485, from amino acid 59 to amino acid 76, from amino acid 150 to amino acid 191, from amino acid 231 to amino acid 405, and from amino acid 406 to amino acid 438 of SEQ ID NO: 1, or at equivalent positions in a homologue thereof, and which is capable of modulating cytokinin signaling in the plant; iii) a polypeptide which comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 70% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence according to SEQ

Abstract: A vector production system is provided. The system comprises recombinant cells designed to encode at least a first recombinase under the control of an inducible promoter and the cells include an expression vector encoding a nucleic acid of interest within the regulatory elements of the expression vector which are flanked on either side by a target sequence for at least the first recombinase. The vector production system provides an efficient one-step process for producing linear or circular covalently closed vectors that incorporate a nucleic acid sequence of interest.

Abstract: A low toxicity, highly efficient transfection composition is described with an amphipathic compound containing at least one imidazole. The composition may be used in the process of transfecting nucleic acids into an animal cell.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, to proceed ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a composition containing 2-acyl-lysophosphatidylserine, including (a) a step of obtaining a composition containing phosphatidylserine by allowing phospholipase D to act on a raw material containing phosphatidylcholine in the presence of serine and (b) a step of obtaining a composition containing 2-acyl-lysophosphatidylserine by allowing phospholipase A1 to act on the composition containing phosphatidylserine in the presence of one or more additives selected from the group consisting of the following (I), (II), and (III), in which (I) one or more salts selected from the group consisting of sulfate salts, phosphate salts, nitrate salts, citrate salts, and tartarate salts of monovalent cations, (II) a gum, and (III) an emulsifier.

Abstract: Methods, processes, and systems for the production of lipids and starch from modified algae are disclosed. In one embodiment, the modified algae over-expresses isoamylase and accumulates much higher amounts of starch than unmodified algae. In some embodiments, the modified algae comprises one or more copies of an isoamylase expression construct. In one embodiment, the modified algae is a sta7 Chlamydomonas reinhardtii mutant with a starchless phenotype that has been complemented with one or more copies of the wild-type genomic STA7 isoamylase gene construct. The complemented, modified algae accumulates much greater amount of starch than an unmodified algae and may be used to produce large amounts of starch and/or lipids.

Abstract: The invention relates to mutant strains of the genus Sphingomonas which have a mutation in at least one gene encoding a protein involved in polyhydroxybutyrate (“PHB”) synthesis that allows the mutant strains to produce PHB-deficient Sphingans. The invention is also directed to a process for preparing a clarified Sphingan solution comprising heating aqueous Sphingan solution, in particular PHB-deficient Sphingan solution, to a clarification temperature of about 30° C. to about 70° C., and treating the solution with a clarification agent and enzymes. In addition, the invention is directed to a food or industrial product comprising a PHB-deficient and/or clarified Sphingan. One particular embodiment of the invention is directed to a clarified, PHB-deficient high-acyl gellan and the processes of making thereof.

Abstract: A genetically modified organism comprising: at least one nucleic acid sequence and/or at least one recombinant nucleic acid isolated from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius and encoding a polypeptide involved in at least partially degrading, cleaving, transporting, metabolizing, or removing polysaccharides, cellulose, lignocellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, sugars, sugar oligomers, carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, chitin, heteroxylans, glycosides, xylan-, glucan-, galactan-, or mannan-decorating groups; and at least one nucleic acid sequence and/or at least one recombinant nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide involved in fermenting sugar molecules to a product. Additionally, enzymatic and/or proteinaceous extracts may be isolated from one or more genetically modified organisms. The extracts are utilized to convert biomass into a product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of hyaluronic acid (HA) in Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli through plasmid vectors wherein the gene is under the control of strong promoter Pgrac, and a system for the selection of stable bacterial strains for the production of high levels of hyaluronic acid.

Abstract: A method for producing a clone of an immortalized human B memory lymphocyte, comprising the step of transforming human B memory lymphocytes using Epstein Barr virus (EBV) in the presence of a polyclonal B cell activator. The method is particularly useful in a method for producing a clone of an immortalized human B memory lymphocyte capable of producing a human monoclonal antibody with a desired antigen specificity, comprising the steps of: (i) selecting and isolating a human memory B lymphocyte subpopulation; (ii) transforming the subpopulation with Epstein Ban virus (EBV) in the presence of a polyclonal B cell activator; (iii) screening the culture supernatant for antigen specificity; and (iv) isolating an immortalized human B memory lymphocyte clone capable of producing a human monoclonal antibody having the desired antigen specificity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing and purifying ?-carotene by Blakeslea trispora fermentation and use thereof. The method comprises the following steps: a) separately inoculating the Blakeslea trispora strains onto a PDA culture medium so as to obtain a spore suspension; b) propagating spores in a seeding tank so as to obtain seeds for fermentation; c) inoculating the seeds for fermentation onto a fermenter and fermenting said seeds; d) adjusting the fermentation liquid to be basic by using an organic or inorganic base, and filtering so as to obtain wet mycelia; e) treating the wet mycelia with a hydrophobic non-polar organic solvent; f) mixing the wet mycelia with an organic solvent of ester and obtaining a concentrated solution by extracting; g) adding a saturated monohydric alcohol into the concentrated solution, and filtering and crystallizing so as to obtain pure ss-carotene. The content of the ss-carotene in the present invention exceeds 96%, and the yield is above 85%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for determining or studying the state of stimulation of the natural defenses of plants or plant portions, which plants advantageously belong to the Rosaceae family. The corresponding device includes means for determining the expression level, in a sample of plants or plant portions, of at least one target gene in each of the following groups (a) to (i): (a) PR-1, PR-2, PR-4 PR-5, PR-8, PR-14, PR-15; (b) PAL, CHS, DFR, ANS, PPO; (c) HMGR, FPPS, Far; (d) CSL; (e) APOX, GST, POX; (f) CalS, Pect, CAD; (g EDS1, WRKY; (h) LOX2, JAR; and (i) ACCO, EIN3. Said device preferably consists of a kit which contains a determination means in the form of pairs of primers, for implementing a quantitative PCR technique.

Abstract: A method and a means are provided, by which multiple types of cells can be simultaneously measured with high sensitivity by an ATP luminescence method. A method for measuring cells in a sample is provided, which comprises the steps of adding methanol to a sample suspected of containing viable cells to increase ATP within viable cells, extracting intracellular ATP, and causing extracted ATP to emit luminescence.

Abstract: This invention relates to an antimicrobial susceptibility test made upon pure microbial cultures—a laboratory culture containing a single species of organism—or directly from biological samples uncultured. Some preferred embodiments do not require the use a pure culture obtained from a biological product which would otherwise take at least 24 hours for the microorganisms to grow—so, is performed an antimicrobial susceptibility test directly from uncultured biological samples like urine, blood cultures or water by fluorescence analysis.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of preparing a sirtuin complex, a method for detecting a sirtuin in a sample, and a method of screening for compounds which inhibit the deacetylase activity of a sirtuin. The method includes (a) providing a sirtuin substrate having the formula: (b) providing NAD+ or an NAD+ analog having the formula: and (c) providing a sirtuin, wherein R1-R4, A1, A2, and n are as defined herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measuring the activity of calcineurin in a biological sample wherein a kinase inhibitor is present in the assay reaction mix.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, methods for the characterization of recombinant Heparan N-Sulfatase (HNS) during manufacture. The present invention uses capillary zone electrophoresis to determine the charge profile, isoform distribution, and/or glycan profile of recombinant HNS; and represents a quality feature for the batch consistency, storage stability, biological half-life, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and biological activity of the enzyme. In particular, such characterization methods may be beneficial to optimize conditions and ensure consistency for the manufacture of HNS for the treatment of a patient diagnosed with Sanfilippo syndrome using enzyme replacement therapy.

Abstract: A polynucleotide encoding a biosensor polypeptide comprising a modified circularly-permuted thermostable luciferase and a linker linking the C-terminal portion of the thermostable luciferase to the N-terminal portion of the thermostable luciferase. The modified circularly-permuted thermostable luciferase is modified relative to a parental circularly-permuted thermostable luciferase. The linker contains a sensor region capable of interacting with a target molecule in a cell. The modified circularly-permuted thermostable luciferase has an enhanced response after interaction of the biosensor with the target molecule relative to the parental circularly-permuted thermostable luciferase in the presence of the target molecule. Alternatively, the modified circularly-permuted thermostable luciferase has an enhanced response after interaction of the biosensor with the target molecule relative to the modified circularly-permuted thermostable luciferase in the absence of the target molecule.

Abstract: A nucleic acid amplification apparatus for amplifying a target nucleic acid derived from living organism, comprising: a measurement unit for amplifying the target nucleic acid in a measuring sample prepared from the living organism, and measuring a product of the amplification of the target nucleic acid; a measurement value obtaining unit for obtaining a measurement value related to an amount of the product of the amplification; and a judging unit for judging whether amplification inhibition of the target nucleic acid occur or not based on a first measurement value and a second measurement value, the first measurement value obtained from a first measurement sample and the second measurement value obtained from a second measurement sample having a difference dilution ratio from the first measurement sample.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the detection of problematic foaming and bulking bacterial species in the biological wastewater treatment process. The invention provides various compositions of matter and methods for the detection of foaming and bulking bacterial species and genera in wastewater and other samples. PCR primers capable of amplifying 16s rRNA gene sequences from various foaming and bulking bacterial species are provided, as are probes that will specifically hybridize with PCR amplification products produced by the disclosed primers. In certain embodiments, the use of the disclosed PCR primers and probes in detection assays is disclosed.

Abstract: A cleavage-based real-time PCR assay method is provided. In general terms, the assay method includes subjecting a reaction mixture comprising a) PCR reagents for amplifying a nucleic acid target, and b) flap cleavage reagents for performing a flap cleavage assay on the amplified nucleic acid target to two sets of thermocycling conditions. No additional reagents are added to the reaction between said first and second sets of cycles and, in each cycle of the second set of cycles, cleavage of a flap probe is measured.

Abstract: The invention provides methods to process multiple microarrays by providing a microarray plate and processing plates. In an embodiment of the invention, methods for assembling microarray plates by using wafers are described for high throughput microarray processing.

Abstract: A method of identifying a target biological material by using captures and probes. Each capture is specific for a kind of target. Each probe is designed to distinguish the type of the target. The captures and probes are each labeled with one or more detectable labels.

Abstract: Methods for amplifying a desired target region of a nucleic acid through rolling circle amplification with a strand-displacing polymerase are provided. Concatameric hairpin products are resolved with endonuclease digestion, and the resulting amplified product hairpins or fragments can be circularized and employed as templates in a subsequent round of amplification. The methods are effective for targeted amplification of even highly repetitive sequences. Compositions, kits, and systems related to or useful in the methods are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for detecting miRNA based on polymerase chain reaction comprising EvaGreen dye, and the use of EvaGreen dye in elevating the binding specificity of primers to templates in PCR.