Abstract: The present invention is directed to particle comprising a supramolecular complex comprising a monofunctional and/or a bifunctional subunit comprising a quadruple hydrogen bonding unit, an apolar linker, an urea group, and a polyethyleneglycol linker. The monofunctional subunits comprise a functional group. The particles are very suitable as drug delivery system as they bind and enter the cell and may have slow release properties.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are drawn to methods of improving the expression of secreted cuproenzymes from host cells by manipulating the expression level of one or more proteins involved in copper transport in the host cell, e.g., membrane-bound copper transporting ATPases and soluble copper transporters. The present disclosure also provides compositions containing such improved host cells as well as products derived from the improved host cells that contain one or more cuproenzymes of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of generating fusion proteins to be used in cancer therapy, and more specifically, to nucleotide sequences encoding the fusion proteins, wherein the chimeric fusion proteins comprises at least one targeting moiety and at least one immunomodulatory moiety that counteracts the immune tolerance of cancer cells.

Abstract: The invention, in some aspects relates to compositions comprising synthetic minimal cells (SMCs) and use of SMCs, pluralities of SMCs in relation to engineering genetic circuit interactions.

Abstract: Nucleic acids encoding mutant elongation factor proteins (EF-Sep), phosphoseryl-tRNA synthetase (SepRS), and phosphoseryl-tRNA (tRNASep) and methods of use in site specific incorporation of phosphoserine into a protein or polypeptide are described. Typically, SepRS preferentially aminoacrylates tRNASep with O-phosphoserine and the tRNASep recognizes at least one codon such as a stop codon. Due to the negative charge of the phosphoserine, Sep-tRNASep does not bind elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu). However, mutant EF-Sep proteins are disclosed that bind Sep-tRNASep and protect Sep-tRNASep from deacylation. In a preferred embodiment the nucleic acids are on vectors and are expressed in cells such as bacterial cells, archeacbacterial cells, and eukaryotic cells. Proteins or polypeptides containing phosphoserine produced by the methods described herein can be used for a variety of applications such as research, antibody production, protein array manufacture and development of cell-based screens for new drug discovery.

Abstract: This invention is related to bacterial engineering and the heterologous expression of useful compounds. In particular, the invention relates to a heterologous host that has been engineered for expression of a gene which is capable of polyketide or non-ribosomal peptide synthesis. Methods of treating cancer are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing a biological substance, comprising: (a) cultivating a fungal host cell in a medium conducive for the production of the biological substance, wherein the fungal host cell comprises a first nucleic acid sequence encoding the biological substance operably linked to a second nucleic acid sequence comprising a promoter variant selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 11, and SEQ ID NO: 12; and a subsequence thereof; and hybrid and tandem promoters thereof; and (b) isolating the biological substance from the cultivation medium. The present invention also relates to the isolated promoter variants and to constructs, vectors, and fungal host cells comprising the promoter variants operably linked to nucleic acid sequences encoding biological substances.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for modifying a predetermined nucleic acid sequence. A programmable nucleoprotein molecular complex containing a polypeptide moiety and a specificity conferring nucleic acid (SCNA) which assembles in-vivo, in a target cell, and is capable of interacting with the predetermined target nucleic acid sequence is provided. The programmable nucleoprotein molecular complex is capable of specifically modifying and/or editing a target site within the target nucleic acid sequence and/or modifying the function of the target nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: A strategy for eliminating or greatly reducing the need for physical/chemical treatments or the use of whole microbes for lignocellulosic biomass and organopollutant degradation is disclosed. The soybean is a practical, cost-efficient and sustainable bioreactor for the production of lignin-degrading and cellulose-degrading enzymes. The use of soybean as a transgenic overexpression platform provides advantages that no other industrial scale enzyme expression system can match. Availability of a battery of related plant biomass degrading enzymes in separate transgenic soybean lines provides unprecedented flexibility in industrial and bioremediation processes. Depending upon the particular application, selected soybean-derived powdered enzyme formulations can be used, and their sequential addition can be orchestrated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to materials and methods for modulating growth rates, yield, and/or resistance to drought conditions in plants. In one embodiment, a method of the invention comprises increasing expression of an hc1 gene (or a homolog thereof that provides for substantially the same activity), or increasing expression or activity of the protein encoded by an hc1 gene thereof, in a plant, wherein expression of the hc1 gene or expression or activity of the protein encoded by an hc1 gene results in increased growth rate, yield, and/or drought resistance in the plant.

Abstract: This disclosure provides transgenic plants having enhanced traits such as increased yield, increased nitrogen use efficiency and enhanced drought tolerance; propagules, progeny and field crops of such transgenic plants; and methods of making and using such transgenic plants. This disclosure also provides methods of producing hybrid seed from such transgenic plants, growing such seed and selecting progeny plants with enhanced traits. Also disclosed are transgenic plants with altered phenotypes which are useful for screening and selecting transgenic events for the desired enhanced trait.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modifying genomic DNA sequences are provided. The methods produce double-stranded breaks (DSBs) at pre-determined target sites in a genomic DNA sequence, resulting in mutation, insertion, and/or deletion of DNA sequences at the target site(s) in a genome. Compositions comprise DNA constructs comprising nucleotide sequences that encode a Cpf1 or Csm1 protein operably linked to a promoter that is operable in the cells of interest. The DNA constructs can be used to direct the modification of genomic DNA at pre-determined genomic loci. Methods to use these DNA constructs to modify genomic DNA sequences are described herein. Additionally, compositions and methods for modulating the expression of genes are provided.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the detection of genetic differences among soybeans. More particularly, soybean quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with herbicide tolerance, including tolerance to one or more of an HPPD-inhibitor herbicide, such as mesotrione and isoxazole herbicides, and/or a PPO inhibitor herbicide; soybean plants possessing these QTLs; and genetic markers that are indicative of phenotypes associated with such herbicide tolerance are provided. Methods and compositions for use of these markers in genotyping of soybean and selection are also disclosed, as are methods and compositions for use of herbicides for weed control. Also disclosed are isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides relating to such tolerance or sensitivity and methods of introgressing such tolerance into a plant by breeding or transgenically, or by a combination thereof. Plant cells, plants, and seeds produced are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention refers to the next-generation three genes cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) expressing chloroplast-targeted herbicide tolerant gene resistant to broad and narrow-leaved weedicide sprays and two B. thuringiensis insecticidal genes ?-endotoxin Cry2A and vegetative insecticidal protein gene VIP3A. Both Cry2A and VIP3A genes have different modes of action in controlling a wide spectrum of lepidopteron insect pests, therefore, likely risk of pest resistance will be minimized which is a prevalent problem with single gene Bt cotton expressing Cry1Ac in Pakistan. The invention comprises novel nucleic acid segments encoding proteins comprising herbicide tolerance, Cry2A and VIP3A insecticidal toxins. The polynucleotide segments are revealed, as are Agro-bacterium-mediated transformation vectors holding the nucleic acid segments, plants transformed with claimed segments, methods for transforming plants, and methods for controlling plant infestation by pests.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acids, and variants and fragments thereof, obtained from strains of Bacillus thuringiensis encoding polypeptides having pesticidal activity against insect pests, including Lepidoptera and Coleoptera. Particular embodiments of the invention provide isolated nucleic acids encoding pesticidal proteins, pesticidal compositions, DNA constructs, and transformed microorganisms and plants comprising a nucleic acid of the embodiments. These compositions find use in methods for controlling pests, especially plant pests.

Abstract: Biologically active nucleotide molecules are configured, with the nucleotide sequence thereof, to be able to trigger several, in particular a plurality of “off-target” effects to cause cell-killing stress by means of binding of same, by means of which off-target effects cells are so massively influenced that the cells die off or programmed cell death (apoptosis) is induced in the cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid vector referred to as pVec constructed through molecular biotechnologies. pVec contains CMV enhancer/promoter, T7 promoter, 5?UTR, MCS, 3?UTR, poly A (120A)-TTATT, BGH poly (A) signal, kanamycin resistance gene and pUC origin, etc. So pVec can be used as a vector for both DNA vaccines or therapeutic drugs and mRNA vaccines or mRNA therapeutic drugs. The 5?UTR, 3?UTR and poly A (120A)-TTATT of pVec can be added to the 5? and 3? ends of the in vitro transcribed mRNA respectively and further stabilize the transcribed mRNA. The present invention also provides the constructed pVec-GM-CSF, pVec-hIL-12 and pVAX1-hIL-12, which are used for evaluating the benefits of pVec.

Abstract: Scaffold RNAs are provided. Compositions and methods are also provided for making and using scaffold RNAs.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes improved adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors for gene therapy applications in the treatment of glycogen storage disease, particularly glycogen storage disease type Ia (GSD-Ia). Described are recombinant nucleic acid molecules, vectors and recombinant AAV that include a G6PC promoter/enhancer, a synthetic intron, a G6PC coding sequence (such as a wild-type or codon-optimized G6PC coding sequence), and stuffer nucleic acid sequence situated between the G6PC promoter/enhancer and the intron, as well as between the intron and the G6PC coding sequence. The recombinant AAVs disclosed herein exhibit highly efficient liver transduction and are capable of correcting metabolic abnormalities in an animal model of GSD-Ia.

Abstract: The present invention relates, e.g., to in vitro method, using isolated protein reagents, for joining two double stranded (ds) DNA molecules of interest, wherein the distal region of the first DNA molecule and the proximal region of the second DNA molecule share a region of sequence identity, comprising contacting the two DNA molecules in a reaction mixture with (a) a non-processive 5? exonuclease; (b) a single stranded DNA binding protein (SSB) which accelerates nucleic acid annealing; (c) a non strand-displacing DNA polymerase; and (d) a ligase, under conditions effective to join the two DNA molecules to form an intact double stranded DNA molecule, in which a single copy of the region of sequence identity is retained. The method allows the joining of a number of DNA fragments, in a predetermined order and orientation, without the use of restriction enzymes.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for integrating one or more genes of interest into cellular DNA without substantially disrupting the expression of the gene at the locus of integration, i.e., the target locus. These compositions and methods are useful in any in vitro or in vivo application in which it is desirable to express a gene of interest in the same spatially and temporally restricted pattern as that of a gene at a target locus while maintaining the expression of the gene at the target locus, for example, to treat disease, in the production of genetically modified organisms in agriculture, in the large scale production of proteins by cells for therapeutic, diagnostic, or research purposes, in the induction of iPS cells for therapeutic, diagnostic, or research purposes, in biological research, etc. Reagents, devices and kits thereof that find use in practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method for enhancing extracellular vesicle production is described. A peptide that induces polymer formation is incubated with a cell culture which results in enhanced EV production. The peptide penetrates the cells and subsequently polymerizes upon exposure to enzymes (e.g. phosphatase) within the cell. The cells that contain the newly formed polymers have an increased production of EVs. These EVs can be harvested using centrifugation techniques.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the simultaneous production of a fermented, solid product and ethanol comprising the following steps: 1) providing a mixture of milled or flaked or otherwise disintegrated biomass, comprising oligosaccharides and/or polysaccharides and live yeast in a dry matter ratio of from 2:1 to 100:1, and water; 2) fermenting the mixture resulting from step (1) under conditions where the water content in the initial mixture does not exceed 65% by weight, for 1-36 hours at a temperature of about 25-60° C. under anaerobic conditions; 3) incubating the fermented mixture resulting from step (2) for 0.5-240 minutes at a temperature of about 70-150° C.

Abstract: The present technology relates to methods of reducing the batch time in a fermentation process, wherein the fermentation medium is subjected before, during and/or after the fermentation process to an enzyme composition comprising at least a xylanase and a pectinase.

Abstract: The present technology provide a method of dewatering whole stillage. The addition of a xylanase in combination with a pectinase results in a wet cake with a higher dry mass. The advantage here is less energy consumption while drying.

Abstract: At least one isolated microorganism and a fermentation method to convert hydrogen gas, carbon dioxide gas, and/or carbon monoxide gas to a lower alkyl alcohol and/or carboxylic acid and to produce at least 2% by volume of the lower alkyl alcohol or carboxylic acid in an aqueous-based medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to the fields of industrial microbiology and alcohol production including production of yeast products with features suitable for transport, storage, and utilization in fermentation

Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling and processing materials are disclosed.

Abstract: There is described a method for producing 3-hydroxypropanal, the method comprising: culturing an Acetobacter lovaniensis bacterium in a growth medium containing phosphate at a level which is more than 1 g/litre and nitrate at a level which is more than 0.1 g/litre, wherein culturing of the bacterium produces the 3-hydroxypropanal. The 3-hydroxypropanal can be separated from the growth medium or, when the microorganism has converted some or all of the 3-hydroxypropanal to 3-hydroxypropionic acid and/or a 3-hydroxypropionate ester, it may be separated as 3-hydroxypropionic acid or a 3-hydroxypropionate ester. The separated product can be converted into other chemicals such as an ester of 3-hydroxypropionic acid, 3-hydroxypropionic acid, 3-hydroxypropionate salts (including ammonium, sodium and calcium 3-hydroxypropionate), acrylic acid, acrylates, acrylamide, acrylonitrile, acrolein and 1,3 propanediol.

Abstract: A method of producing butyric acid, comprising: (a) providing a microorganism co-culture system comprising an air-tight container and the following (1) to (3) contained in the air-tight container: (1) a substrate, comprising a saccharide; (2) at least one of a first strain and a second strain, wherein the first strain is able to fix a carbon oxide and the second strain is able to fermentatively metabolize an amino acid, and wherein the first strain produces a first metabolite in the fermentation, the second strain produces a second metabolite in the fermentation, and each of the first metabolite and the second metabolite comprises acetic acid; and (3) a third strain, being able to metabolize the saccharide, the first metabolite and the second metabolite in the fermentation to produce butyric acid and a metabolic byproduct in fermentation, wherein the metabolic byproduct comprises carbon oxide and hydrogen, wherein, when the second strain is present in the co-culture system, the substrate further comprises

Abstract: A process for production of biofuels from algae can include cultivating an oil-producing algae by promoting sequential photoautotrophic and heterotrophic growth. The method can further include producing oil by heterotrophic growth of algae wherein the heterotrophic algae growth is achieved by introducing a sugar feed to the oil-producing algae. An algal oil can be extracted from the oil-producing algae, and can be converted to form biodiesel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for synthesizing diglyceride using a bubble column reactor. The method comprises the steps of: an immobilized enzyme is placed on the bearing mechanism of the bubble column reactor; a hot bath mechanism is actuated to heat the reactor body to 55-75° C.; glycerol, fatty acid and water are added into a feed chute, preheated to 55-75° C.

Abstract: This document describes biochemical pathways for producing adipyl-[acp] and either hexanoic acid or acetic acid from a long chain acyl-[acp] such as dodecanoyl-[acp] or octanoyl-[acp] using a polypeptide having pimeloyl-[acp] synthase activity and biochemical pathways for converting adipyl-[acp] and/or hexanoic acid to one of more of adipic acid, 6-aminohexanoic acid, 6-hydroxyhexanoic acid, hexamethylenediamine, caprolactam, and 1,6-hexanediol.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and methods for producing tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabichromenic acid (CBCA) and cannabichromenic acid (CBCA) in different ratios. The apparatus comprises: (i) a bioreactor comprising (a) an automated supply system configured to deliver a first automated supply of cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), a cannabinoid acid synthase, and a reaction mixture; and (b) a second automated system to cease the reaction; (ii) a controller configured to modify a property of the reaction mixture to produce the desired products; and (iii) an extractor configured to recover the tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabichromenic acid (CBCA) or cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and cannabichromenic acid.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules encoding polypeptides having polyketide synthase activity have been identified and characterized. Expression or over-expression of the nucleic acids alters levels of cannabinoid compounds in organisms. The polypeptides may be used in vivo or in vitro to produce cannabinoid compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for cyclizing geranyllinalool using the squalene-hopene cyclase from Zymomonas mobilis (Zm-SHC) or a cyclase with at least 80% sequence identity to the Zm-SHC, and cyclization products obtained in this process.

Abstract: Provided are improved methods for identifying the substrate recognition specificity or activity of a protease, convertase (sortase), or kinase. In some embodiments, methods are provided for identifying the endogenous protease or convertase cleaving patterns (e.g., “cleaveOme”) inside the secretory pathway of a living cell. Select embodiments involve aspects of yeast endoplasmic reticulum sequestration screening and next generation sequencing. Methods of producing polypeptides in Kex2 knockout yeast are also provided.

Abstract: Polypeptide preparations having target levels of glycans, and methods of producing such polypeptide preparations using ammonium and/or lysine, are described.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing and an actuator. The housing, which defines a reagent volume that can receive a reagent container, can be removably coupled to a reaction chamber. The housing includes a puncturer that defines a transfer pathway in fluid communication with the reagent volume. A delivery portion of the housing defines a delivery pathway between the transfer pathway and the reaction chamber when the housing is coupled to the reaction chamber. The actuator has a plunger portion disposed within the reagent volume. An engagement portion of the actuator can be manipulated to move the plunger portion within the reagent volume to deform the reagent container. The puncturer can pierce a frangible portion of the reagent container to convey a reagent from the reagent container into the reaction chamber via the transfer pathway and/or the delivery pathway.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting Serpula lacrymans contamination in an internal environment, taking into account the absence and presence of VOCs produced by the metabolism of Serpula lacrymans, especially by means of the calculation of a contamination index.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a device for detecting a target analyte in a liquid sample. The device can comprise a housing. The housing can include an inlet for receiving a liquid sample, an outlet for removing a volume of the liquid sample from the device, a filter associated with the outlet and being sized and dimensioned to retain a target analyte on a surface thereof, and a flow system comprising at least one channel that is in communication with the inlet and the outlet. At least a portion of the at least one channel can be located substantially adjacent the surface of the filter and be shaped and dimensioned to reduce the amount of unreacted fluorescent probe available to create the background interference during detection of the target analyte.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel bioactivity testing structure for single cell tracking using a gelling agent and a bioactivity testing system including the testing structure. The present invention also relates to bioactivity testing, drug susceptibility testing, antibiotic screening, and diagnostic methods using the testing structure. The bioactivity testing structure of the present invention enables very rapid and simple drug susceptibility testing of bacteria, particularly Mycobacterium tuberculosis, drug screening, and bacterial diagnosis. Particularly, the use of the testing structure enables DST and diagnosis of bacteria only by pretreatment without the need to concentrate human sputum samples irrespective of inoculum effect, ensuring rapid, accurate, and simple testing compared to conventional tuberculosis diagnosis or DST systems. In addition, the testing structure of the present invention simultaneously enables the diagnosis and drug susceptibility testing of tuberculosis.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the detection of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) enzyme activity in blood samples are described. Some embodiments disclosed herein provide methods for detecting G6PD activity in undiluted or minimally diluted blood samples, including obtaining a blood sample, and detecting G6PD activity present in the undiluted or minimally diluted blood sample by epifluorescence. Also provided are methods for detecting G6PD activity and detecting a bloodborne microorganism as two parts of a single test.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of activated biological molecules for use in profiling biological molecule interactions. The activated biological molecule may be a ubiquitin (Ub) and ubiquitin-like conjugation enzyme as well as other proteins with internal reactive cysteine residues.

Abstract: Described are coelenterazine analogues, methods for making the analogues, kits comprising the analogues, and methods of using the compounds for the detection of luminescence in luciferase-based assays.

Abstract: An array device including a base having wells, a cover positioned over the base with a gap from the base such that openings of the wells are covered by the cover with the gap in between, an injection port communicating with the gap, a discharge port communicating with the gap and positioned apart from the injection port, and a waste liquid vessel which collects liquid that flows from the gap via the discharge port and is positioned at a level different from the gap forming a channel. The discharge port is placed to discharge a surplus aqueous solution outside the wells from the discharge port by an oleaginous sealing liquid to be delivered from the injection port.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for performing PCR with primers with blocked 3?-ends that are unblocked when these primers anneal to the template. The multiplexed PCR can be used as real-time qPCR, for end-point detection or as enrichment method for next generation sequencing (NGS). Also described herein are methods and compositions to improve sensitivity of mutation-specific PCR when targeting closely-spaced mutations.

Abstract: A novel fixation method is presented that will circumvent both biological and safety concerns with current fixation methods.

Abstract: The testing for the Lyme disease pathogen, (Borrelia bergdorferi (Bb) and all other Lyme Borrelia), is notoriously difficult. Bb is not by nature a blood loving bacteria, and prefers the climate of avascular tissues such as cartilage. The Borrelia Provocation Procedure disclosed herein proposes to uniquely lure the Lyme Borrelia spirochetes into the blood through a simple procedure of sub-dermal injection of benign tick saliva and co-factors. Lyme Borrelia can then be tested accurately after the provocation injection (BPP), utilizing any Lyme Borrelia detection test ideally as a specific PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test for the most accurate results as there will be abundantly available DNA present in the blood if there is an existing infection. Treatment is more effective after provocation as well, due to the same action of the Bb. The provocation protocol taught herein makes accurate, non-invasive, active direct Lyme infection testing possible, and creates a platform for an effective treatment as well.

Abstract: The invention provides a rapid, sensitive and specific nucleic acid detection system which utilizes isothermal nucleic acid amplification in combination with a lateral flow chromatographic device, or DNA dipstick, for DNA-hybridization detection. The system of the invention requires no complex instrumentation or electronic hardware, and provides a low cost nucleic acid detection system suitable for highly sensitive pathogen detection. Hybridization to single-stranded DNA amplification products using the system of the invention provides a sensitive and specific means by which assays can be multiplexed for the detection of multiple target sequences.