Abstract: Disclosed are recombinant host cells comprising a promoter-effective nucleic acid molecule operably coupled to a nucleic acid molecule that encodes a plant effector protein or polypeptide that induces an active plant response including, among others, growth enhancement, disease resistance, pest or insect resistance, and stress resistance. Use of these recombinant host cells for modulating plant biochemical signaling, imparting disease resistance to plants, enhancing plant growth, imparting tolerance to biotic stress, imparting tolerance and resistance to abiotic stress, imparting desiccation resistance to cuttings removed from ornamental plants, imparting post-harvest disease or post-harvest desiccation resistance to a fruit or vegetable, or enhancing the longevity of fruit or vegetable ripeness are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for forming microparticles useful for cell seeding and for conjugating protein to the surface of the microparticles. The method comprises co-injecting an organic solution of PLGA or other polymer with an aqueous solution into a flow focusing tube.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, devices and methods for processing tissue, such as autologous tissue. Implementations of a Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) system are described that can isolate and wash harvested cells contained within various tissues, such as isolate and wash stem cells from fat tissue. The SVF system can minimize the handling and transferring of tissue and fluids, including minimizing the number of human interventions and manipulations required throughout processing. The SVF system can ensure sterility of processed tissue and harvested cells, as well as significantly reduce cost and time associated with the processing.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods to promote thymic regeneration following injury or damage to the thymus by administering to the thymus an effective amount of (1) bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), (2) thymus-derived endothelial cells that express BMP4 or (3) a combination of BMP4 and BMP4-secreting thymus-derived endothelial cells.

Abstract: A method for differentiation of neural stem cells, neurons and GABAergic neurons from mesenchymal stem cells includes culturing the mesenchymal stem cells in a medium containing SB431542, Noggin and LDN193189. By this method, the mesenchymal stem cells are differentiated into neural stem cells, neurons and GABAergic neurons at a high transformation rate without gene manipulation.

Abstract: Disclosed are an inflammation-targeted neutrophil granulocyte drug delivery system and use thereof, wherein the drug delivery system includes neutrophil granulocytes and a therapeutic substance or a detectable substance loaded into the neutrophil granulocytes or onto the surface of the neutrophil granulocytes in a direct or indirect way. By using the neutrophil granulocytes as a carrier of a drug, the drug is actively targeted to an inflammatory site, thereby increasing the drug concentration at the inflammatory site. Under the stimulation of cytokines, the neutrophil granulocytes arriving at the inflammatory site are abnormally activated, disintegrate rapidly, and die in the way of “Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs)”. This helps to rapidly release the loaded drug to the targeted site, so as to improve the therapeutic effect and reduce the toxic and side effects.

Abstract: An ex-vivo culturing method of osteoblasts for implantation, comprising a culturing of adult live osteoblasts as an ex-vivo procedure. The ex-vivo culture, which leads to the formation of the active substance, further comprises the steps of isolation of osteo-progenitor cells, differentiation of osteo-progenitor cells in to osteoblasts, expansion culture, cell culture harvest and wash followed by filling and packaging. This method is instrumental in accelerating the process of bone formation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are bacterial proteins that increase pancreatic beta (?) cell number and/or proliferation, methods of increasing ? cell number and/or proliferation using such proteins, and methods of treating or inhibiting diabetes in a subject by administering such proteins to the subject. In some embodiments, the protein has at least 80% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence set forth as any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-7, or fragments thereof. Recombinant vectors including a nucleic acid encoding the protein (such as a nucleic acid encoding a protein with at least 80% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-7 or fragments thereof) operably linked to a heterologous promoter are also disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of identifying compounds that increase ? cell number and/or proliferation by determining the effect of test compounds on ? cell number or proliferation in zebrafish pancreas.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for making a vascularized hollow organ derived from human intestinal organoid (HIOs). The HIOs may be obtained from human embryonic stem cells (ESC's) and/or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), such that the HIO forms mature intestinal tissue. Also disclosed are methods for making a human intestinal tissue containing a functional enteric nervous system (ENS).

Abstract: Microfluidic devices for modeling three-dimensional tissue structures and methods for making and using the same are described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to modulate the level of activation of an engineered immune cell (such as a Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell) for immunotherapy. The present invention also relates to cells obtained by the present method, preferably comprising said modulable/tunable chimeric antigen receptors for use in therapeutic or prophylactic treatment.

Abstract: Provided herein are genetically engineered Pichinde viruses that include three ambisense genomic segments. The first genomic segment includes a coding region encoding a Z protein and a coding region encoding a L RdRp protein. The second genomic segment includes a coding region encoding a nucleoprotein (NP) and the third genomic segment includes a coding region encoding a glycoprotein. Each of the second and third genomic segments optionally include an additional coding region that may encode an antigen or a detectable marker. Also provided herein is a reverse genetics system for making a genetically engineered Pichinde virus, and a collection of vectors that can be used to produce a genetically engineered Pichinde virus. Further provided are methods for using a reverse genetics system, and methods for producing an immune response in a subject.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a recombinant microorganism engineered to express an enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of a primary amine and an acyl thioester to a fatty amide. The disclosure further encompasses a method of producing a fatty amide by culturing the recombinant microorganism in the presence of a carbon source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel mutant thioesterase enzymes and naturally-occurring equivalents thereof, compositions made from such enzymes and uses of thioesterase enzymes. In particular, the present invention provides mutant thioesterase enzymes that have altered properties, for example, altered substrate specificity, altered activity, altered selectivity, and/or altered proportional yields in the product mixtures. The present invention also provides polynucleotides encoding such mutant thioesterase enzymes, and vectors and host cells comprising such polynucleotides. The invention further provides for novel uses of thioesterases in the production of various fatty acid derivatives, which are useful as, or as components of, industrial chemicals and fuels.

Abstract: A process for purifying nucleic acids, especially plasmid DNA, from a nucleic acid-containing, biologic sample, consisting of the following steps: a) Preparation of a fluid sample containing nucleic acid and endotoxin each in dissolved form; b) Precipitation at least of nucleic acid and endotoxin from the fluid sample; c) Washing of the components of the fluid sample precipitated out in step b) in order to at least partially remove the endotoxin with at least one washing solution, which contains (i) at least one amine compound with at least two carbon atoms and with a molar mass of ?500 g/mol and; (ii) at least one organic solvent different from the aforementioned amine compound and has a pH-value (20° C.) in the range from pH 3.0 to pH 8.5, and; d) Dissolution of the remaining nucleic acid from the washed, precipitated constituents from step c) using a dissolving buffer and collection of the dissolved nucleic acids in a separate receptacle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for purifying nucleic acids composed of a one-piece hollow body (2) comprising an upper portion (3) having an inlet port (5) and a lower portion (4) having an outlet port (6), wherein within the hollow body (2) at the least one nucleic acid-binding matrix (7) is arranged, wherein the device (1) is characterized in that between the upper portion (3) and the lower portion (4) a predetermined breaking point (10) is provided and the nucleic acid-binding matrix (7) is arranged in the lower portion (4). The invention further relates to a method for producing such a device, a method for purifying nucleic acids by means of a device according to the invention, and a kit comprising a device according to the invention.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to nucleic acid amplification systems and methods suitable for construction of nucleic acid samples, including construction of normalized nucleic acid libraries. In some embodiments, the method includes providing one or more input nucleic acid samples, contacting each of the input nucleic acid samples (e.g., input library) with a reaction mixture including first amplification or normalization primers and second amplification or normalization primers, wherein the first amplification or normalization primers are immobilized on a solid support and the second amplification or normalization primers are in solution phase, and amplifying the input nucleic acid samples under conditions such that substantially all of the first amplification or normalization primers are incorporated into amplification products. Further provided are systems and droplet actuator devices that are configured to carry out the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: Provided are antisense molecules capable of binding to a selected target site in the human dystrophin gene to induce exon skipping, and methods of use thereof to treat muscular dystrophy.

Abstract: Provided herein are neuroprotective molecules containing a sequence of 25-35 contiguous nucleotides that is at least 80% identical to a contiguous sequence between nucleotide 1 and nucleotide 50 of a mature human tRNA and at least four contiguous guanosine-containing nucleotides, where the sequence of 25-35 contiguous nucleotides contains a D-loop stem structure, the at least four contiguous guanosine-containing nucleotides are located at the 5? end of the neuroprotective molecule, and the neuroprotective molecule contains at least one deoxyribonucleotide.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to, among other things, agents that modulate the homophilic interaction between two CRACC polypeptides, methods for making such agents, and therapeutic applications in which the agents are useful. For example, the agents described herein are useful for modulating an immune response in a mammal. Also featured are screening methods for identifying additional agents capable of modulating the activation of an immune cell exposed to an antigen.

Abstract: The present invention features methods for stimulating clearance of misfolded or aggregated proteins or peptides in microglia or neurons, and treating neurodegenerative diseases associated with such pathology in brain by selectively inhibiting the expression or activity of Acyl-CoA: Cholesterol Acyltransferase 1, but not Acyl-CoA: Cholesterol Acyltransferase 2.

Abstract: A repeat expansion in C90RF72 causes frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (c9FTD/ALS). RNA of the expanded repeat (r(GGGGCC)exp) forms nuclear foci or undergoes repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) translation producing “c9RAN proteins”. Since neutralizing r(GGGGCC)exp could inhibit these potentially toxic events, we sought to identify small molecule binders of r(GGGGCC)exp, Chemical and enzymatic probing of r(GGGGCC)8 indicate it adopts a hairpin structure in equilibrium with a quadruplex structure, Using this model, bioactive small molecules targeting r(GGGGCC)exp were designed arid found to significantly inhibit RAN translation and foci formation in cultured cells expressing r(GGGGCC)66 and neurons trans-differentiated from fibroblasts of repeat expansion carriers. Finally, we show that poly(GP) c9RAN proteins are specifically detected in c9ALS patient cerebrospinal fluid.

Abstract: A heat-tolerant tomato plant exhibiting a high capacity for developing seed-containing fruits under high temperature conditions is provided. The present invention relates to a method for producing a heat-tolerant tomato plant comprising introducing a genetic mutation into a tomato plant, wherein the mutation improves the pollen viability and the capacity for developing seed-containing fruits under high temperature conditions compared with wild-type plant; and a heat-tolerant tomato plant into which the mutation has been introduced.

Abstract: Transgenic seed for crops with improved traits are provided by trait-improving recombinant DNA where plants grown from such transgenic seed exhibit one or more improved traits as compared to a control plant. Exemplary recombinant DNA expresses a succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase.

Abstract: Described herein are synonymously altered gene sequences which express protein in differing levels within secretory as compared to non-secretory target tissue. An expression cassette comprising an open reading frame (ORF) for a protein under the control of regulatory sequences which direct expression of the product in cell, which ORF has been modified to preferentially increase expression levels in a selected tissue, wherein the modified ORF is characterized by a triplet frequency of any one of Tables 3-12, 16 or 17.

Abstract: A process for preparing lactic acid and/or a lactate salt via the fermentation of carbohydrates obtained from lignocellulosic material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mutant microorganism having the ability to produce 5-aminolevulinic acid, and more particularly, to a mutant microorganism having the ability to produce 5-aminolevulinic acid wherein a glutamyl-tRNA reductase-encoding gene is introduced in a glutamic acid-producing microorganism, and to a method for producing 5-aminolevulinic acid using the same. According to the present invention, 5-aminolevulinic acid that is useful in the medical or agricultural field can be produced in a significantly higher yield than that of conventional production methods.

Abstract: Provided are a Corynebacterium glutamicum mutant that is resistant to high concentrations of L-glutamine, and a method of producing L-glutamine by using the mutant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cellobiohydrolase variants. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the variants.

Abstract: A method of cleaving DNA molecules into smaller fragments by the creation of “cleavage trigger sites” followed by enzymatic processing. In some embodiments the “cleavage trigger sites” are created by the incorporation of nucleotides having uracil bases into a DNA molecule and processing with uracil DNA glycosylase, endonuclease IV and T7 endonuclease I.

Abstract: Provided herein, in some aspects, are methods and compositions for cell-free production of ribonucleic acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of producing a rare amino acid- or non-natural amino acid-containing protein in a cell free protein synthesis system and kits for use in and for accomplishing same. Specifically, the methods comprise the steps of expressing at least one orthogonal suppressor tRNA (o-tRNA)/aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (aaRS) pair or derivatives thereof specific for incorporation of a rare amino acid- or non-natural amino acid in an E. coli organism; preparing a lysate of said E.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for purifying a target protein, comprising steps of: bringing a fusion protein containing an amino acid sequence of a peptide tag, an amino acid sequence of a cleavable site of a protease and an amino acid sequence of a target protein, into contact with the protease in a solution, to cleave the peptide tag from the fusion protein; and bringing the solution containing the peptide tag, the target protein and the protease into contact with an ion exchange resin to separate the target protein and the peptide tag, thereby acquiring a solution containing the target protein, wherein, in the fusion protein, the amino acid sequence of a cleavable site of the protease exists between the amino acid sequence of the peptide tag and the amino acid sequence of the target protein, and the peptide tag is polyanionic or polycationic.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the use of an amino acid dehydrogenase in combination with a cofactor regenerating system comprising a ketoreductase. In particular embodiments, the process can be used to prepare L-tert-leucine using a leucine dehydrogenase.

Abstract: Methods for the detection or diagnosis of a bacterial infection or colonisation utilising mass spectrometric analysis are provided. The methods involve short-term enrichment of samples followed by mass spectrometric analysis of biomarker profiles. Also provided are methods for preparing short-term enrichment cultures.

Abstract: The biological functionality of living microbial spores is modified using phenotypic engineering to endow the resulting modified spores with novel functionality that extends the usefulness of the spores for a variety of practical applications including, for example, sterility testing, the release of active compounds, and cell-based biosensing systems. An embodiment entails engineering Bacillus spores to acquire synthetic new functions that enable the modified spores to sense and rapidly transduce specific germination signals in their surroundings. The newly acquired functions allow the spores to perform, for example, as self-reporters of cellular viability, self-indicating components of cell-based biosensors, and in other analytical systems. Also disclosed are methods for testing adequate sterility of a system by using engineered spores.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and kits for synthesizing, detecting, and/or quantifying nucleic acids are provided herein. Embodiments comprise a nucleic acid amplification composition comprising a thermostable DNA polymerase and agents which improve nucleic acid synthesis, amplification, detection, and/or quantification of nucleic acid targets in a crude extract or crude lysate sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new methods and uses for the qualitative and quantitative detection of microbial nucleic acids using at least a first control nucleic acid, or a first and a second control nucleic acid in different concentrations. The method is based on amplification of nucleic acids, for example the polymerase chain reaction. Further provided are kits comprising components for performing said methods and uses.

Abstract: Methods and devices for isolating microbial cells from a sample, extracting eukaryotic DNA from a sample, and identifying the microbial species in the sample are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Methods of determining a haplotype or partial haplotype of a DNA sample containing high molecular weight segments of genomic DNA are disclosed. Such methods may include sequencing DNA in an enriched DNA sample to produce a plurality of sequence reads, where some of the sequence reads contain a first allele of the first haplotype and other of the sequence reads contain a second allele of the first haplotype. Some methods align the sequence reads to a reference genome to produce aligned reads, where aligned reads from the first high molecular weight segment tend to cluster into islands on the reference genome. Some methods further determine distances separating adjacent aligned reads on the reference genome and select a first group of the aligned reads having separation distances to adjacent aligned reads that are smaller than a cutoff value. Using alleles from the first group of aligned reads, the method may define a first haplotype or first partial haplotype.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and system for the PCR amplification of a target sequence which suppresses non-specific amplification products. The disclosure concerns the use of a primer pair optimized to amplify a nucleic acid of a contaminant in the background of genomic DNA of a first organism. When DNA from a second organism suspected for comprising the contaminant is subjected to the same PCR-based amplification reaction, detection sensitivity and specificity of the contaminant is enhanced when an amount of genomic DNA of the first organism is present in the amplification reaction.

Abstract: Methods are provided for correction of amplification bias and quantitation of adaptive immune cells in a sample using synthetic templates that include random oligonucleotide sequences.

Abstract: Provided are imaging agents comprising a compound of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and methods of their use.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge for preparing a nucleic acid sample including a stationary cartridge body and a cylindrical rotor rotationally mounted to the cartridge body. The cartridge body includes: (i) a cylindrical surface defining a fixed port and (ii) a syringe barrel defining a bore in fluid communication with the fixed port. When the disposable cartridge is disposed in combination with an assay system, syringe barrel is configured to receive a moveable plunger, i.e., to stroke the plunger into and out of the barrel. The rotor is seated within a cavity of the cartridge body such that a mating surface thereof slideably engages a cylindrical surface of the cavity. The rotor comprises a plurality of chambers fluidly connecting to a plurality of ports along the mating surface at different radial positions such that at least one of the chambers is fluidly connected to one of the ports by a connecting channel.

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: Provided are a method for breaking a nucleic acid and adding an adaptor by means of a transposase, and a reagent.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions for evaluating nucleic acids, standardized mixture for assessing amounts of at least one target nucleic acid in a sample, and kits comprising the same.

Abstract: Short Tandem Repeats are currently used by law enforcement and others, for example, for the identification of individuals by DNA matching. A method is described herein that uses WPD to classify and identify repeating sequences in nucleotide sequences from the position and frequency information contained within nucleotide sequences. This decomposition allows for the quick classification of nucleotide sequences (i.e., reads) into two different classes, including, for example, one class that contains sequencer reads that contain a repeat motif with non-repeat sequence on either flank, and another class that contains sequencer reads that do not contain any repeat sequence.

Abstract: Methods, compositions, systems, apparatuses and kits comprising modified proteins, particularly modified nucleic acid-binding proteins with altered buffering properties are provided. For example, in some embodiments, methods of forming modified proteins including one or more amino acid modifications to achieve desired pKa values are described. Furthermore, the invention provides methods for using such modified proteins in ion-producing reactions, such as ion-based nucleic acid sequencing reactions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for acquiring nucleotide sequence information of target sequences. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions for improving the efficiency of sequencing reactions by using fewer labels to distinguish between nucleotides and by detecting nucleotides at multiple detection positions in a target sequence.