Abstract: This disclosure concerns nucleic acid molecules and methods of use thereof for control of coleopteran pests through RNA interference-mediated inhibition of target coding and transcribed non-coding sequences in coleopteran pests. The disclosure also concerns methods for making transgenic plants that express nucleic acid molecules useful for the control of coleopteran pests, and the plant cells and plants obtained thereby.

Abstract: Methods and compositions that affect grain shape, width, and yield in rice are disclosed. Methods of transgenic modulation and marker-assisted breeding methods improve grain length to width ratio and grain yield in rice. Down-regulation of OsSPL16 in rice resulted in increased grain quality.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods for the inhibition of miR-21 activity. The compositions have certain nucleoside modification patterns that yield potent inhibitors of miR-21 activity. The compositions may be used to inhibit miR-21, and also to treat diseases associated with abnormal expression of miR-21, such as fibrosis and cancer.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the treatment of Alport Syndrome, using modified oligonucleotides targeted to miR-21. In certain embodiments, a modified oligonucleotide targeted to miR-21 improves kidney function and/or reduces fibrosis in subjects having Alport Syndrome. In certain embodiments, administration of a modified oligonucleotide targeted to miR-21 delays the onset of end-stage renal disease in a subject having Alport Syndrome. In certain embodiments, a modified oligonucleotide targeted to miR-21 delays the need for dialysis or kidney transplant in a subject having Alport Syndrome.

Abstract: This invention provides compounds which comprise modified oligonucleotides capable of inhibitory expression of connective tissue factor and composition containing same as well as methods of treating hyperprolific disorders and fibrotic diseases, and of reducing scarring resulting from wound healing using such compounds.

Abstract: The invention refers to an oligonucleotide consisting of 10 to 20 nucleotides of selected regions of the TGF-beta1, TGF-beta2 or TGF-beta3 nucleic acid sequence, which comprises modified nucleotides such as LNA, ENA, polyalkylene oxide-, 2?-fluoro, 2?-O-methoxy and/or 2?-O-methyl modified nucleotides. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such oligonucleotide, wherein the composition or the oligonucleotide is used in a method for the prevention and/or treatment of glaucoma, posterior capsular opacification, dry eye, Marfan or Loeys-Dietz syndrome, riboblastoma, choroidcarcinoma, macular degeneration, such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular endma, or cataract.

Abstract: The invention relates to Histamine type 4 receptor (H4R) inhibitors for treating tinnitus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and compositions for the treatment of cystic fibrosis.

Abstract: A composition is provided comprising an oligonucleotide aptamer conjugated to an antigen, wherein the aptamer is directed against a cell-surface target of an antigen-presenting cell. Also provided are methods of delivering an antigen to a dendritic cell and of eliciting an immune response in a subject.

Abstract: The inhibitory oligonucleotides (ODNs) which strongly block NF-?B activation induced by TLR9 agonists and TLR7 agonists are provided. The production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha, is inhibited by the inhibitory-ODNs. Interferon production from human PBMC induced by TLR9 agonist is prevented by the inhibitory-ODNs. These ODNs can be used as a remedy for the treatment of immune-mediated disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), sepsis, multiple organ dysfunction syndromes.

Abstract: The invention provides antagonist of TLR9 and methods of use thereof. These compounds inhibit or suppress TLR9-mediated signaling. The methods may have use in the prevention and treatment of diseases or disorders mediated by TLR9.

Abstract: A method of introducing a nucleic acid sequence into a cell is provided where the cell has impaired or inhibited or disrupted DnaG primase activity or impaired or inhibited or disrupted DnaB helicase activity, or larger or increased gaps or distance between Okazaki fragments or lowered or reduced frequency of Okazaki fragment initiation, or the cell has increased single stranded DNA (ssDNA) on the lagging strand of the replication fork including transforming the cell through recombination with a nucleic acid oligomer.

Abstract: This invention provides a plant belonging to the family Solanaceae that does not produce cholesterols, including glycoalkaloids. This invention concerns a protein having activity of an enzyme that reduces position 24 of the steroid skeleton of a plant belonging to the family Solanaceae, a novel plant in which a gene encoding such protein is suppressed, and a method for producing and testing such plant.

Abstract: Provided are methods, vectors and gene constructs for enhancing expression of a recombinant nucleic acid sequence in transgenic plants and plant tissues. According to the present invention, nucleic acid sequences are obtained and/or derived from the 3? untranslated regions of genes encoding ubiquitin proteins and engineered to flank respective portions of a selected coding region of a vector. The vector construct may be introduced into plants and/or plant tissues through conventional or gene targeting procedures, resulting in enhanced expression of the selected coding region. In some embodiments, the selected coding region is a chimeric gene or gene fragment expressing one or more proteins known to impart a level of insecticidal activity to a transgenic plant and/or plant tissue.

Abstract: Applicants have successfully generated heritable phenotypes in plants making them resistant to bacterial blight. TAL effector binding elements, (EBEs) of bacterial pathogen disease susceptibility genes are modified to prevent induction of expression associated with disease states caused by the bacterial pathogens. Surprisingly, Applicants have found that modifications may be made in the EBEs of these genes which prevent bacterial pathogen induction, but still allow for normal plant development and seed production. Nucleic acid sequences for generating such plants, amino acid sequences, cells, vectors and expression constructs are included as well as resistant plants, seeds and lines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to powdery mildew resistance providing genes of the Cucumis family, and especially Cucumis melo, wherein said resistance is provided by impairment of the present genes. Further, the present invention relates plants comprising the present impaired resistance conferring genes and seeds, embryos or other propagation material thereof. Especially, the present invention relates to powdery mildew resistance conferring genes, wherein the amino acid sequence encoded by said resistance conferring gene is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID No. 2, SEQ ID No. 4, SEQ ID No. 6, SEQ ID No. 8, SEQ ID No. 10, SEQ ID No. 12 and SEQ ID No. 14, and amino acid sequences with more than 70% identity, preferably more than 80% identity, more preferably more than 90% identity, and most preferably more than 95% identity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of increasing resistance against fungal pathogens of the family Phacosporaceae in plants and/or plant cells. This is achieved by increasing the expression of an ACD protein or fragment thereof in a plant, plant part and/or plant cell in comparison to wild type plants, wild type plant parts and/or wild type plant cells. Furthermore, the invention relates to transgenic plants, plant parts, and/or plant cells having an increased resistance against fungal pathogens, in particular, pathogens of the family Phacopsoraceae, and to recombinant expression vectors comprising a sequence that is identical or homologous to a sequence encoding an ACD protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gene expression regulating sequence consisting of a combination of HRE, E2F and TERT, and to a gene delivery system having significantly improved selective tumor cell cytotoxicity using same, and more particularly, to a recombinant adenovirus. In addition, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical antitumor composition comprising the recombinant adenovirus. The replication of the recombinant adenovirus of the present invention is tumor-specifically regulated by the novel gene expression regulating sequence of the present invention, thus enabling the recombinant adenovirus of the present invention to exhibit improved selective tumor cell cytotoxicity or apoptotic potential, and exhibit remarkably improved antitumor effects particularly in hypoxic conditions. In addition, the specific expression of the recombinant adenovirus in tumor cells may increase in vivo stability, and thus may induce greatly improved antitumor effects.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides comprising a NOV mini-promoter are provided. The mini-promoter may be operably linked to an expressible sequence, including, but not limited to, reporter genes, genes encoding a polypeptide of interest, and regulatory RNA sequences such as miRNA, siRNA, and anti-sense RNA. In some embodiments a cell comprising a stable integrant of an expression vector is provided, which may be integrated in the genome of the cell. The promoter may also be provided in a vector, for example in combination with an expressible sequence. The polynucleotides find use in a method of expressing a sequence of interest, including, but not limited to, for identifying or labeling cells, monitoring or tracking the expression of cells and gene therapy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing Te(O) in a low toxic form from toxic Te(IV) using metal-reducing bacteria and iron ions. According to the present invention, extracellular tellurium nanorods can be prepared through an environmentally friendly process and are able to provide tellurium utilizable in petroleum refining, electronic devices, batteries, and sensors.

Abstract: A dry grind ethanol production process and system with front end milling method is provided for improving alcohol and/or by-product yields, such as oil and/or protein yields. In one example, the process includes grinding corn kernels into particles then mixing the corn particles with a liquid to produce a slurry including oil, protein, starch, fiber, germ, and grit. Thereafter, the slurry is subjected to a front end milling method, which includes separating the slurry into a solids portion, including fiber, grit, and germ, and a liquid portion, including oil, protein, and starch, then milling the separated solids portion to reduce the size of the germ and grit and release bound starch, oil, and protein from the solids portion. The starch is converted to sugar, and alcohol is produced therefrom then recovered. Also, the fiber can be separated and recovered. Oil and protein may be separated and recovered as well.

Abstract: The invention relates to the fields of industrial microbiology and alcohol production. More specifically, the invention relates to improved production of butanol isomers by recombinant microorganisms containing an engineered butanol pathway and disrupted activity of the genes in pathways for the production of by-products during the fermentation when the microorganisms are grown in a fermentation medium containing acetate. In embodiments, recombinant microorganisms have an increased growth rate in a fermentation medium containing acetate as a C2 supplement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant eukaryotic cell selected from a yeast of a filamentous fungus comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a NAD(H)-dependent fumarate reductase that catalyzes the conversion of fumaric acid to succinic acid. The invention further relates to a process for the production of succinic acid wherein the eukaryotic cell according to the present invention is used.

Abstract: A non-naturally occurring eukaryotic or prokaryotic organism includes one or more gene disruptions occurring in genes encoding enzymes imparting increased fumarate, malate or acrylate production in the organism when the gene disruption reduces an activity of the enzyme. The one or more gene disruptions confers increased production of acrylate onto the organism. Organisms that produce acrylate have an acrylate pathway that at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an acrylate pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce acrylate, the acrylate pathway comprising a decarboxylase. Methods of producing fumarate, malate or acrylate include culturing these organisms.

Abstract: A method is described for producing lactate or lactic acid from a plant extract, such as oil palm frond extract, via fermentation. In particular, the method includes providing a fermentation medium that includes at least 25 wt. % of a plant extract containing fermentable carbohydrates, fermenting the fermentation medium by means of a lactic acid producing microorganism in the presence of a caustic magnesium salt to provide a fermentation broth containing at the most 9.5 wt. % magnesium lactate at the end of fermentation, the magnesium lactate being in soluble form during and at the end of fermentation; and recovering lactate or lactic acid from the magnesium lactate containing fermentation broth.

Abstract: A fermentation method for producing coenzyme Q10 is provided, including stepwisly culturing of microbial strains capable of producing coenzyme Q10, wherein key promoting factors are added in each stage of culture, and in the stage of culture in a fermentor, dissolved oxygen feedback-fed batch culture technique is adopted to realize the feedback regulation of the production of coenzyme Q10, so as to improve the yield of coenzyme Q10.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the production of cysteine or derivates thereof by culturing a microorganism having reduced activity of endogenous phosphoserine phosphatase and the activity of PhnC, PhnD, and PhnE is reduced, and enhanced activity of phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase and/or phosphoserine aminotransferase. The O-phosphoserine produced by such an organism can then be reacted with a sulfide in the presence of a sulfydrylase or a microorganism expressing a sulfhydrylase to produce cysteine or a derivative thereof. Microorganisms having these reduced and enhanced properties noted above are also provided herein.

Abstract: Described is chondroitin sulfate obtained from microbial sources, and related compositions and methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a solid bio-product wherein at least 80% of the original indigestible oligosaccharide (raffinose, stachyose and verbascose) content has been degraded into digestible mono- and disaccharides, comprising the following steps: 1) providing a mixture of milled or flaked or otherwise disintegrated biomass, comprising oligosaccharides and optionally polysaccharides and further comprising proteinaceous plant parts, water and one or more enzyme preparations containing ?-galactosidase(s); 2) reacting the mixture resulting from step (1) under continuous mixing and under conditions where the water content in the initial mixture does not exceed 65% by weight, for 0.15-36 hours at a temperature of about 20-65° C.; 3) incubating the reacted mixture from step (2) at a temperature and in a time period which inactivate said ?-galactosidase(s), as well as solid bio-products obtainable by such method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of assembling a plurality of genetic units to form synthetic genetic constructs. This method involves appending universal adapter oligonucleotides and flexible adapter oligonucleotides to the 5? and 3? ends of separate genetic units to be assembled to form separate dual extended genetic units. The dual extended genetic units are assembled together via homologous recombination between the flexible adapter oligonucleotide portions of the dual extended units to form synthetic genetic constructs. The present invention further relates to synthetic genetic constructs formed using the methods of the present invention, and vectors, cells, and organisms containing such synthetic genetic constructs.

Abstract: Provided are the following: a method, for improving reactivity of a nucleic acid synthesis reaction, comprising a step for adding an ?-amino acid to a reaction solution; a composition, for a nucleic acid synthesis reaction, comprising DNA polymerase, reaction buffer, at least one primer, at least one deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate, and an ?-amino acid; and a reaction buffer, for a nucleic acid synthesis reaction, comprising an ?-amino acid.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method to express and purify polypeptides and proteins. In the present disclosure the use of lysozyme as a fusion partner is disclosed. Furthermore, purification methods to isolate lysozyme-tagged polypeptides and proteins via lysozyme-specific antibodies are described. More specifically, the present disclosure provides a method to express and purify monomeric polypeptides and proteins by using lysozyme as a tag.

Abstract: Methods for demannosylating phosphorylated N-glycans on a glycoprotein are described that use a mannosidase capable of hydrolyzing a terminal alpha-1,2 mannose linkage when the underlying mannose is phosphorylated.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods of reducing the glycosylation of proteins comprising: obtaining a cell that expresses one or more proteins that comprise one or more glycosylation sites and are glycosylated; expressing in the cell one or more glycosidases that cleaves one or more glycosyl groups from the one or more proteins; and isolating the one or more proteins with reduced glycosylation from the cell.

Abstract: Surfactin is produced from Bacillus subtilis ssp. containing sfp gene (lipopeptide biosurfactants produced by fermentation). Production of surfactin at present is mainly by liquid fermentation, but the production costs are high due to difficulty in purification resulted from addition of the defoaming agent during the production process. Therefore, present invention conducts physical or chemical mutation on Bacillus subtilis subsp. isolated from Thailand seawater shrimp ponds and screens for the mutant strain of Bacillus subtilis subsp. based on sfp gene expression and then produces surfactin from the mutant strain by semi-solid state fermentation.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of diagnostic microbiology, and, more particularly, to compositions and methods for detecting and differentiating one or more viruses or other intracellular parasites present in a specimen. The present invention also provides compositions and methods to evaluate the susceptibility of organisms to antimicrobial agents.

Abstract: Disclosed is a biomarker composition for diagnosing the toxicity of nanoparticles, which shows a change in expression by exposure to the nanoparticles, the biomarker composition comprising at least one gene selected from the group consisting of aldehyde dehydrogenase, glutamic-pyruvate transaminase, glutamate dehydrogenase, glutamicoxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic acid decarboxylase and glutamate-ammonia ligase, and to a method for evaluating the toxicity of nanoparticles using the same. The biomarker is a gene marker having a high correlation with the toxicity of nanoparticles, and the use of the biomarker can determine whether nanoparticles have toxicity, with high detection sensitivity. Also, the method is useful in monitoring or evaluating the toxicity of nanoparticles by analyzing factors having a high correlation with toxicity of nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining whether or not a test sample contains a phytopathogenic oomycete selectively from two kinds of oomycetes of a phytopathogenic oomycete and a non-phytopathogenic oomycete. The method according to the present invention comprises: (a) putting the test sample on a front surface of a cellulose film; wherein the cellulose film has a thickness of not less than 0.5 micrometers and not more than 3.7 micrometers; (b) leaving the test sample at rest for more than 8 hours and not more than 12 hours after the step (a); (c) observing a back surface of the film after the step (b); and (d) determining that the test sample contains the phytopathogenic oomycete, if an oomycete is found on the back surface of the film in the step (c).

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for determining the concentration of a free beta-lactam antibiotic in a biological sample. In particular, the present invention relates to methods for measuring a free beta-lactam antibiotic in a biological sample, comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least one class C beta-lactamase, a functional fragment or variant thereof; (b) providing at least one biological sample; (c) contacting said at least one class C beta-lactamase with said at least one biological sample; and (d) determining the concentration of said free beta-lactam antibiotic in said at least one biological sample.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for the rapid and sensitive detection of post-translationally modified proteins, and particularly of those with posttranslational glycosylations. The methods can be used to detect O-GlcNAc posttranslational modifications on proteins on which such modifications were undetectable using other techniques. In one embodiment, the method exploits the ability of an engine˜red mutant of ?-1,4-galactosyltransferase to selectively transfer an unnatural ketone functionality onto O-GlcNAc glycosylated proteins. Once transferred, the ketone moiety serves as a versatile handle for the attachment of biotin, thereby enabling detection of the modified protein. The approach permits the rapid visualization of proteins that are at the limits of detection using traditional methods. Further, the preferred embodiments can be used for detection of certain disease states, such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for molecular detection, particularly to methods utilizing target-specific molecular probes. In exemplary embodiments, target-specific molecular probes include single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or ribonucleic acid (RNA) aptamers. In general, the molecular probe may bind with relatively high specificity to a given target. In one aspect, a method for molecular detection comprises a molecular probe paired to a reporter molecule wherein the molecular probe impairs the amplification of the reporter molecule in the absence of the target molecule.

Abstract: This disclosure provides microwell capsule array devices. The microwell capsule array devices are generally capable of performing one or more sample preparation operations. Such sample preparation operations may be used as a prelude to one more or more analysis operations. For example, a device of this disclosure can achieve physical partitioning and discrete mixing of samples with unique molecular identifiers within a single unit in preparation for various analysis operations. The device may be useful in a variety of applications and most notably nucleic-acid-based sequencing, detection and quantification of gene expression and single-cell analysis.

Abstract: The technique by which simple analysis of an intended subject to be analyzed can be carried out is provided. In this technique, a nucleic acid element 16 for use in analysis including: a first nucleic acid part 12; and a second nucleic acid part 13 is used. In the nucleic acid element 16, the first nucleic acid part 12 is a binding part that can bind to a subject 11 to be analyzed, and the second nucleic acid part 13 is a labeling part that can distinguish between binding and non-binding of the first nucleic acid part 12 to the subject 11. It is preferred that the first nucleic acid part 12 is an aptamer against the subject 11. The subject 11 can be analyzed easily by using the nucleic acid element 16, binding the subject 11 to the first nucleic acid part 12, and then analyzing the binding with the second nucleic acid part 13.

Abstract: Methods for the rapid detection of the presence or absence of a SNP in a target nucleic acid in a sample are described. The methods can include performing an amplifying step, a hybridizing step utilizing a double stranded probe with two overlapping SNP specific hydrolysis probe sequences where one of the probe sequences can include a hairpin structure toward the 3? end, and a detecting step. Furthermore, the double stranded SNP specific hydrolysis probes along with kits are provided that are designed for the detection of a SNP in a target nucleic acid.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method for sample analysis. In some embodiments, the method may involve: a) enzymatically attaching a reactive group to nucleic acid molecules in a sample; b) covalently reacting the reactive group with surface exposed reactive sites on a porous support, thereby covalently tethering the nucleic acid molecules to the porous support; c) performing a primer extension reaction using the tethered nucleic acid molecules as a template to produce primer extension products; and d) eluting the primer extension products from the porous support, while leaving the tethered nucleic acid molecules tethered to the porous support.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for determining the copy number of a first target nucleic acid as compared to the copy number of a second target nucleic acid in a single well with a single detection label. For example, disclosed herein are methods and compositions for determining the copy number of a first target nucleic acid as compared to the copy number of a second target nucleic acid by a monochrome multiplex quantitative PCR (MMQPCR) in a single well with a single detection label.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for processing samples. In a method, a reaction card is provided that has a channel network, a valve, and a micropump, all disposed within the card. The reaction card also has a collection well disposed on a surface of the card and a tubular member extending out from the card. A reaction vessel is provided and affixed to the reaction card such that the tubular member is inserted into the reaction vessel. Amplification reaction reagents and a sample are delivered into the reaction vessel, and an amplification reaction is initiated within the reaction vessel, resulting in an amplification product being disposed within the reaction vessel. The valve is opened to atmosphere, and the first micropump is activated to pump an aliquot of reaction product from the reaction vessel into the tubular member, through the channel network, and into the collection well.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and kits for nucleic acid detection in an assay system.

Abstract: The invention is in general directed to the rapid exponential amplification of short DNA or RNA sequences at a constant temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for sequencing long nucleic acid fragments.