Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing cell populations enriched for stable, regulatory T cells (Tregs). In particular, the invention relates to methods for culturing T cells such that the final culture is enriched for stable, regulatory T cells. It also relates to methods for stabilizing regulatory T cells. Also provided are compositions enriched for stable, regulatory T cells, which are useful for treating individuals in need of such treatment. The methods and compositions disclosed herein can also be used to treat an individual suffering from an immune-mediated disease.

Abstract: A method of rapidly inducing large-scale and high-purity mesenchymal stem cells to transdetermine into hematopoietic stem cells is provided with the steps of preparing homogeneous medium of mesenchymal stem cells; combining a plurality of small RNA molecules; assembling and transfecting nanoparticles of nucleic acids and polypeptides; inducing and amplifying medium of post-transdetermined hematopoietic stem cells; and activating a plurality of hemopoiesis-related genes.

Abstract: Disclosed are renal tissues and arrays thereof that include a layer of renal interstitial tissue, the renal interstitial tissue comprising renal fibroblasts and endothelial cells; and a layer of renal epithelial tissue, the renal epithelial tissue comprising renal tubular epithelial cells, the renal epithelial tissue in contact with the layer of renal interstitial tissue to form a three-dimensional, engineered, biological renal tissue. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating and using the same.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to host cells with artificial endosymbionts, wherein the artificial endosymbiont and the host cell communicate with each other to alter a phenotype of the host cell. In some embodiments, the communication comprises the secretion of a polypeptide from the artificial endosymbiont into the host cell. The secreted polypeptide can be a selectable marker, a reporter protein, a transcription factor, a signal pathway protein, a receptor, a growth factor, a cytokine, an effector molecule or other factors that can produce a phenotype in the host cell.

Abstract: A method for efficiently producing an optically active amino compound useful as an intermediate for pharmaceutical preparations, agricultural chemicals, or the like, from a ketone compound is provided. Specifically, a polypeptide having high resistance to a water-soluble organic solvent and novel transaminase activity for generating (S)-1-benzyl-3-pyrrolidinone with high optical purity of 93% or more, a gene encoding the same, and a transformant expressing the gene at a high level are also provided herein.

Abstract: A method for inexpensively and efficiently producing an optically active amino compound useful as an intermediate for pharmaceutical preparations, agricultural chemicals, or the like, from a ketone compound is provided. Specifically, a polypeptide exhibiting higher activity for glutamic acid as an amino donor than that for L-alanine, and, having novel transaminase activity for generating (S)-1-benzyl-3-pyrrolidinone with high optical purity of 93% or more, a gene encoding the same, and a transformant expressing the gene at a high level are also provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides thermostable enzymes, such as DNA polymerases and restriction endonucleases, that are substantially free from contamination with nucleic acids. The invention also provides methods for the production of these enzymes, and kits comprising these enzymes which may be used in amplifying or sequencing nucleic acid molecules, including through use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having ferulic acid esterase 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 protein engineering, and concerns especially family G/11 xylanases, and genes encoding said enzymes. In specific, the invention concerns Trichoderma reesei XYNII gene, which codes for endo-1,4-?-xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8). The invention describes how site-directed mutagenesis can be used to improve the properties of an enzyme to match the industrial conditions where it is used. Protein engineering can be used to improve thermoactivity and thermostability of xylanases, as well as to broaden their pH range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the provision of immunogens comprising an antigenic PCSK9 peptide linked to an immunogenic carrier for the prevention, treatment or alleviation of PCSK9-mediated disorders. The invention further relates to methods for production of these medicaments, immunogenic compositions and pharmaceutical compositing thereof and their use in medicine.

Abstract: Human cathepsin L inhibitors and probes containing a vinyl sulfonate ester moiety are described. The inhibitors are highly potent (low nM affinity), selective, and cell permeable, and can inhibit ultra-low concentration of active cathepsin L. The developed probes are highly sensitive and can detect an ultra-low amount of probe-labeled active cathespin L.

Abstract: Methods and compositions relating to the engineering of an improved protein with methionine-?-lyase enzyme activity are described. For example, in certain aspects there may be disclosed a modified cystathionine-?-lyase (CGL) comprising one or more amino acid substitutions and capable of degrading methionine. Furthermore, certain aspects of the invention provide compositions and methods for the treatment of cancer with methionine depletion using the disclosed proteins or nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and compositions for forming immunotoxin complexes having a high efficacy and low systemic toxicity. In preferred embodiments, the toxin moiety is a ranpirnase (Rap), such as Rap(Q). In more preferred embodiments, the immunotoxin is made using dock-and-lock (DNL) technology. The immunotoxin exhibits improved pharmacokinetics, with a longer serum half-life and significantly greater efficacy compared to toxin alone, antibody alone, unconjugated toxin plus antibody or even other types of toxin-antibody constructs. In a most preferred embodiment the construct comprises an anti-Trop-2 antibody conjugated to Rap, although other combinations of antibodies, antibody fragments and toxins may be used to form the subject immunotoxins. The immunotoxins are of use to treat a variety of diseases, such as cancer, autoimmune disease or immune dysfunction.

Abstract: There is provided a method of producing a stabilized microcrystalline cellulose powder containing catalase enzyme. In the method, cellulose is thoroughly mixed with phosphate borate and catalase, rinsed with water and a surfactant added. The stabilized powder may be mixed with various skin solutions (lotions, ointments and the like). The catalase enzyme can catalyze the reaction of peroxide to oxygen.

Abstract: The presently disclosed invention relates to methods of installing a genome isolated from one species (the donor) into suitably prepared cells of a second species (the recipient). Introduction of the donor genetic material into the recipient host cell effectively converts the recipient host cell into a new cell that, as a result of the operation of the donated genetic material, is functionally classified as belonging to the genus and species of the donor genetic material.

Abstract: The present invention provides eluent for ion-exchange chromatography, wherein the eluent allows separation and detection of a target nucleic acid such as a PCR-amplified product, a restriction enzyme fragment of the PCR-amplified product, or a restriction enzyme fragment of a nucleic acid in a short time with high separation performance. The present invention also provides a method of analyzing nucleic acid chains by ion-exchange chromatography using the eluent.

Abstract: A method for analyzing biomolecular interactions, which method can be carried out without performing affinity selection using an immobilized bait, is provided. mRNA portions of assignment molecules that interacted with each other are linked together by annealing via a DNA linker for linking mRNA portions of assignment molecules together, the DNA linker comprising, at the 5?-end, an mRNA-complementary region complementary to a sequence at the 5?-end of each mRNA portion, and, at the 3?-end, a self-complementary region complementary between molecules of the DNA linker, the DNA linker being phosphorylated at the 5?-end.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing a molecular array comprising a plurality of molecules immoblized to a solid substrate at a density which allows individual immobilized molecules to be individually resolved, wherein each individual molecule in the array is spatially addressable and the identity of each molecule is known or determined prior to immobilization. The use of spatially addressable low density molecular arrays in single molecule detection and analysis techniques is also provided. Novel assays and methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of enabling the use of long dsRNA for gene silencing in mammalian cells through bacteria, preferably non-pathogenic or therapeutic strains of bacteria. DNA that encodes long double-strand RNAs are transformed into bacteria and processed in the bacterial cells into a mixture of smaller RNA duplexes and then released into the cytoplasm of the target cells, resulting in modulation of gene expression in the target cells. The methods overcome the incompatibility between long strong dsRNA and mammalian cells by eliminating, or mitigating, the non-specific innate immune response. The eukaryotic cells can be mammalian cells or avian cells. The gene of interest can be a mammalian, avian, bacterial, eukaryotic, or viral gene.

Abstract: The present invention provides materials and methods related to the discovery that tumor secreted miR-21 and miR-29a can function by binding as ligands to receptors of the Tolllike receptor family, murine TLR7 and human TLR8, in immune cells, triggering a TLR-mediated prometastatic inflammatory response, which leads to tumor growth and metastasis. Thus, by acting as paracrine agonists of TLRs, secreted miRNAs are key regulators of the tumor microenvironment. This mechanism of action of miRNAs is important in the tumor-immune system communication, in tumor growth and spread, and in cancer treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant DNA constructs for inactivation of viral or endogenous genes in a cell, wherein the construct comprises viral sequence sufficient to activate RNA silencing. In another aspect, the invention provides methods for identifying RNA silencing suppressors by sequence analysis and functional tests. In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method for identifying inhibitors of RNA silencing suppressors. In still other aspects, the invention comprises methods for identifying genes in the antiviral RNA silencing pathway, enhancers of the antiviral pathway, and methods of treating or preventing viral infections using enhancers of the pathway.

Abstract: Materials and methods related to using multimeric DNA aptamers to treat demyelinating diseases are provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recombinant bacterium and methods of using the recombinant bacterium to induce an immune response.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences for predicting and controlling shell phenotype in palm.

Abstract: A method of modifying morphology in a plant comprising introducing into a plant at least one chimaeric gene comprising a promoter sequence operably associated with a nucleic acid sequence, the promoter sequence being operable to direct expression in specific cells of the plant and the nucleic acid sequence encoding at least one gene product capable of altering the metabolism of or causing death of the specific cells and/or nearby cells. In particular, the promoter sequence is operable to direct expression in lateral bud or lateral shoot and the nucleic acid encoding at least one gene product capable of disrupting the metabolism of or causing the death of the lateral bud or lateral shoot or nearby cells. Preferably the promoter sequence comprises the sequence shown as SEQ ID No. 1 or SEQ ID No. 7 or SEQ ID No. 4, or a part thereof capable of regulating expression of a gene, or a sequence having at least 60%, preferably at least 75%, homology to SEQ ID No. 1 or SEQ ID No.

Abstract: The soybean variety DLL1206 is disclosed. The invention relates to seeds, plants, plant cells, plant tissue, harvested products and soybean lint as well as to hybrid soybean plants and seeds obtained by repeatedly crossing plants of variety DLL1206 with other plants. The invention also relates to plants and varieties produced by the method of essential derivation from plants of DLL1206 and to plants of DLL1206 reproduced by vegetative methods, including but not limited to tissue culture of regenerable cells or tissue from DLL1206.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acids, vector constructs which allow the controlled activation and inhibition of retrotransposition of non-LTR retrotransposons. The methods of this invention are useful for preparing said nucleic acids and vector constructs and introducing them into cells.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleotide sequences that function as enhancers and induce osteoblast-specific expression, expression vectors comprising such an enhancer, a promoter, and a gene containing a coding region, as well as screening methods utilizing such expression vectors.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and pharmaceutical compositions for inducing pancreatic hormone production.

Abstract: Methods and kits for lentiviral production are provided. By separating certain components of the vector including but not limited to promoter, reporter and selection marker preference components from the genetic content of interest, one can create libraries that allow for the efficient generation of custom selected lentiviral vectors.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for generating a transgenic eukaryotic cell population having a modified human Rosa26 locus, which method includes introducing a functional DNA sequence into the human Rosa26 locus of starting eukaryotic cells. Also provided are targeting vectors useful in the method, as well as a cell population and a transgenic non-human animal comprising a modified human Rosa26 locus. Finally, the invention provides an isolated DNA sequence corresponding to the human Rosa26 locus.

Abstract: The present invention provides hybrid polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase activity. The present invention also provides polynucleotides encoding the hybrid polypeptides; nucleic acid constructs, vectors and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and processes of using the hybrid polypeptides.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a process that converts CO2 to higher alcohols (e.g. isobutanol) using electricity as the energy source. This process stores electricity (e.g. from solar energy, nuclear energy, and the like) in liquid fuels that can be used as high octane number gasoline substitutes. Instead of deriving reducing power from photosynthesis, this process derives reducing power from electrically generated mediators, either H2 or formate. H2 can be derived from electrolysis of water. Formate can be generated by electrochemical reduction of CO2. After delivering the reducing power in the cell, formate becomes CO2 and recycles back. Therefore, the biological CO2 fixation process can occur in the dark.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for producing aldehydes, alkanes, and alkenes are described herein. The aldehydes, alkanes, and alkenes can be used in biofuels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polypeptide having oxidoreductase activity which comprises the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 3 or an amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or a variant polypeptide thereof having 45% or more sequence identity with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. The invention also relates to a process for the production of 2,5-furan-dicarboxylic acid (FDCA) or production of 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxylic acid (HMF acid).

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of upregulating the high mannose glycoform content of a recombinant protein during a mammalian cell culture by manipulating the mannose to total hexose ratio in the cell culture media formulation.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to the use of certain glycosyltransferase variants having N-terminal truncation deletions. It was found that the combination of two different truncation variants of human ?-galactoside-?-2,6-sialyltransferase I (hST6Gal-I) exhibited different specific sialyltransferase enzymatic activities. In one example, under conditions wherein the first variant ?89 hST6Gal-I catalyzed formation of bi-sialylated target molecules the second variant ?108 hST6Gal-I catalyzed formation of mono-sialylated target molecules. Thus, disclosed are variants of mammalian glycosyltransferase, nucleic acids encoding the same, methods and means for recombinantly producing the variants of mammalian glycosyltransferase and use thereof, particularly for sialylating in a quantitatively controlled manner terminal acceptor groups of glycan moieties being part of glycoproteins such as immunoglobulins.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and/or identifying target cells (e.g., bacteria) using engineered transduction particles are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes mixing a quantity of transduction particles within a sample. The transduction particles are associated with a target cell. The transduction particles are non-replicative, and are engineered to include a nucleic acid molecule formulated to cause the target cell to produce a series of reporter molecules. The sample and the transduction particles are maintained to express the series of the reporter molecules when target cell is present in the sample. A signal associated with a quantity of the reporter molecules is received. In some embodiments, a magnitude of the signal is independent from a quantity of the transduction particle above a predetermined quantity.

Abstract: Electrokinetic methods are described with the purpose of collecting assayable agents directed by creation of an electrokinetic potential well. Environmental agents such as biowarfare agents, pathogens, allergens or pollutants are collected autonomously. The dielectric fluid medium, such as air, is sampled by electrokinetic propulsion. A further embodiment for collection of pathogen samples entails exposing the sample to an electric plasma in the neighborhood of a high voltage electrode or electrodes, further transported through a potential well created at a sample collection device conductive liquids, such as oils may be sampled for the presence of contaminants, contaminating organisms or bio-degrading organisms.

Abstract: A method of using Neutrilized DNA (N-DNA) as a surface probe for a high throughput detection platform is disclosed. FET and SPRi are used as high throughput detection platforms to demonstrate that the N-DNA surface probe produces good results and enhances detection sensitivity. The N-DNA modifies the charged oxygen ions (O?) on the phosphate backbone through methylation, ethylation, propylation, or alkylation, so that the backbone is not charged after this modification to increase the hybridization efficiency, sensitivity and to make the signal more clear.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic response/light measurement device and a method therefor, and the purpose is to effectively and quickly perform an optical measurement relating to a reaction with high reliability without increasing a device size. The device is configured to have: a container group in which a plurality of reaction containers are arranged; a measurement mount provided with a plurality of coupling ends that are joinable with apertures of the reaction containers, and have light guide portions that optically connect with the interior of the joined reaction containers; a mount transfer mechanism; a measuring device having a measuring end having at least one light guide portion that is optically connectable to the light guide portions of the coupling ends, that is able to receive light based on an optical state within the reaction containers; an on-mount measuring end transfer mechanism; and a measurement control portion.

Abstract: A two-step multiplex amplification reaction includes a first step which truncates the standard initial multiplex amplification round to “boost” the sample copy number by only a 100-1000 fold increase in the target. Following the first step the product is divided into optimized secondary single amplification reactions, each containing one of the primer sets that were used previously in the first or multiplexed booster step. The booster step can occur using an aqueous target nucleic acid or using a solid phase archived nucleic acid. In particular, nucleic acid sequences that uniquely identify E. Coli were identified using the multiplex amplification method.

Abstract: The invention herein disclosed provides for devices and methods that can detect and control an individual polymer in a mixture is acted upon by another compound, for example, an enzyme, in a nanopore in the absence of requiring a terminating nucleotide. The devices and methods are also used to determine rapidly (˜>50 Hz) the nucleotide base sequence of a polynucleotide under feedback control or using signals generated by the interactions between the polynucleotide and the nanopore. The invention is of particular use in the fields of drug discovery, molecular biology, structural biology, cell biology, molecular switches, molecular circuits, and molecular computational devices, and the manufacture thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for simultaneous quantification of human nuclear DNA and human male DNA in a biological sample while also detecting the presence of PCR inhibitors in a single reaction. The multiplex quantification method also provides a ratio of human nuclear and male DNA present in a biological sample. Such sample characterization is useful for achieving efficient and accurate results in downstream molecular techniques such as genotyping.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the detection of novel BRAF splice variants that mediate resistance to BRAF and/or pan-RAF inhibitors. In particular, the invention provides PCR primer(s) to be used in the disclosed methods of detection. In some embodiments, the compositions and methods of the present invention are used to predict resistance to BRAF and/or pan-RAF inhibitors in a subject suffering from or suspected of having cancer and further provides alternative treatment strategy(ies) for a subject predicted to be resistant to BRAF and/or pan-RAF inhibitors. In a further embodiment, methods and composition for the identification of novel agents useful to overcome resistance to BRAF and/or pan-RAF inhibitors are disclosed. The present invention also provides isolated polynucleotide sequences of novel 5? BRAF splice variant(s) and proteins produced from such polynucleotide sequences as well as cell line(s) that endogenously or exogenously express the splice variant(s).

Abstract: [Problem] The present invention aims to elucidate a polynucleotide as a novel responsible gene for cancer and aims to thus provide a method for detecting the polynucleotide and a polypeptide encoded by the polynucleotide and a detection kit, a probe set, and a primer set for the detection. The present invention also aims to provide a pharmaceutical composition for treating cancer. [Means for Solution] The method detects a fusion gene composed of a portion of an FGFR3 gene and a portion of a TACC3 gene or a fusion protein encoded by the fusion gene. The primer set, the probe set, or the detection kit comprises a sense primer and a probe set designed from the portion encoding FGFR3 and an antisense primer and a probe set designed from the portion encoding TACC3. Since an inhibitor of the polypeptide exhibits antitumor effect, a pharmaceutical composition for treating cancer which is positive for either the fusion gene or the polypeptide is provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions and methods for isolating, detecting, amplifying, and quantitating pathogen-specific nucleic acids in a biological sample. The invention also provides diagnostic kits containing specific amplification primers, and labeled detection probes that specifically bind to the amplification products obtained therefrom. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for the isolation and characterization of nucleic acids that are specific to one or more pathogens, including for example Influenza virus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, from a wide variety of samples including those of biological, environmental, clinical and/or veterinary origin.

Abstract: This invention relates to a rapid method for detection and characterization of Escherichia coli bacteria serotype O157:H7 based on the presence of nucleic acid sequences, in particular, to a PCR-based method for detection, and to oligonucleotide molecules and reagents and kits useful therefore. This method is preferably employed to detect E. coli O157:H7 in a food or water sample, such as a beef enrichment. The present invention further relates to replication compositions and kits for carrying out the method of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis based on an analysis of a patient sample. For example, patient test samples are analyzed for the presence or absence of one or more lactobacilli and two or more pathogenic organisms. The presence or absence of one or more lactobacilli and two or more pathogenic organisms may be detected using PCR analysis of nucleic acid segments corresponding to each target organism. The quantity of the target organisms can then be used to determine a score which is indicative of a diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a drug screening method, drugs promoting extracellular matrix protein crosslinking and their applications, the said drug screening method, is used to screen out materials promoting the expression of LOXL1 gene, wherein, the said drug screening method contains the following steps: A, Construct the 2nd generation lentiviral vector used to control the ZsGreen expression by human LOXL 1 gene promoter. B, Infect human fibroblasts with the 2nd generation lentiviral vector, and construct the new human fibroblasts which integrate PLOXL1-ZsGreen components. C, Drug screening: Inoculate the said human fibroblasts integrating PLOXL1-ZsGreen components into culture medium. Add the analyte into the cell culture medium containing human fibroblast cells. After culturing, detect the green fluorescence intensity of these fibroblast cells, then decide if the analyte promotes LOXL1 gene expression by checking if the green fluorescence intensity is increased.