Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method capable of inexpensively and conveniently preparing cells having pluripotency and a very low risk of tumorigenic transformation.

Abstract: A somatic stem cell that is CD10+, CXCR4+, and CD31+ and another somatic stem cell that is CD105+, CD44+, and nestin+. Also disclosed are both a method of preparing these stem cells and a method of using them to treat degenerative diseases, e.g., a muscle-degenerative disease. The invention further includes making and using liver cells derived from the somatic cell that is CD105+, CD44+, and nestin+.

Abstract: Self-aligned fibrous scaffolds are disclosed. The scaffolds are capable of automechanoinduction of cell cultures and methods to induce authomechanoinduction in cancer cells and stem cells are disclosed as well.

Abstract: Provided are a method of preparing retinal ganglion cells by differentiation of stem into retinal ganglion cells, retinal ganglion cells differentiated by the method, a method of screening for a death inhibitor or a proliferation promoter of retinal ganglion cells using the retinal ganglion cells differentiated by the method, a kit of screening for the death inhibitor or the proliferation promoter of retinal ganglion cells including the retinal ganglion cells differentiated by the method, a pharmaceutical composition for treating glaucoma or optic neuropathy including the retinal ganglion cells, a method of treating glaucoma or optic neuropathy including the step of administering the retinal ganglion cells to a subject suspected of having glaucoma or optic neuropathy, and a method of preparing a mature retinal ganglion cell line.

Abstract: A population of human polygonal RPE cells is disclosed. At least 95% of the cells thereof co-express premelanosome protein (PMEL17) and cellular retinaldehyde binding protein (CRALBP), wherein the trans-epithelial electrical resistance of the cells is greater than 100 ohms. Methods of generating same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medium, which contains human serum albumin, is useful for proliferating neural stem cells and/or neural progenitor cells.

Abstract: Methods of identifying and using SLAMF1 antagonists are provided.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of producing induced beta cells from urine-derived cells, the method comprising providing urine-derived cells; inducing the urine-derived cells by culturing said urine-derived cells in a primary induction culture medium comprising an effective amount of at least one small molecule reprogramming factor(s) for a first period of time to obtain induced endoderm cells; inducing the induced endoderm cells by culturing said induced endoderm cells in a secondary induction culture medium comprising an effective amount of at least one small molecule reprogramming factor(s) for a second period of time to obtain induced pancreatic precursor cells; and inducing the induced pancreatic precursor cells by culturing said pancreatic precursor cells in a tertiary induction culture medium comprising an effective amount of at least one small molecule reprogramming factor(s) for a third period of time to obtain induced beta cells.

Abstract: Methods for mimicking a tumor microenvironment in vitro are provided. The methods comprise indirectly applying a shear stress upon at least one tumor cell type plated on a surface within a cell culture container. Methods for mimicking tumor metastasis and methods for testing drugs or compounds in such systems are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stock solution (RLP Stock Solution) of mammalian cell-endogenous retrovirus like particles (RLP, a method of preparing a RLP stock solution, a kit containing a RLP stock solution, and a method of quantifying the amount of RLP removed from a solution. An RLP stock solution will contain a high concentration of RLP and an extremely low amount of any therapeutic proteins of interest. In some instances, an RLP stock solution will contain a very low amount of natural mammalian host cell protein (HCP) and DNA. The method of preparing a RLP stock solution will consist of the production of RLP during fermentation or cell culturing and the subsequent purification of RLP from fermentation or cell culture solution. The kit will comprise at least two containers. One container comprised of RLP stock solution and one comprised of PCR primers or one or more antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant MDV1 viruses and the uses thereof. The invention is particularly suited to vaccinate poultry against avian pathogens.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel influenza virus wherein both the NS and the PB1 gene segments are modified and wherein the PB1-F2 open reading frame is modified by introduction of at least one stop codon. Specifically, the influenza virus is lacking functional NS1 and PB1-F2 proteins. Additionally, a vaccine formulation comprising said modified influenza virus is provided and its use for prevention of influenza infection.

Abstract: A method of producing a rotavirus-like particle (RLP) in a plant is provided. The method comprises expressing within a host or host cell for example a plant, portion of a plant or plant cell one or more nucleic acid comprising one or more regulatory region operatively linked to a first, second and third nucleotide sequence, the regulatory region active in the host or host cell. The first nucleotide sequence encoding a first rotavirus protein, the second nucleotide sequence encoding a second rotavirus protein and the third nucleotide sequence encoding a third rotavirus protein. The first, second and third encode rotavirus protein NSP4 and VP2 or VP6 and VP4 or VP7. The host or host cell is incubated under conditions that permit the expression of the nucleic acids, so that NSP4 and either VP2 of VP6 and VP4 or VP7 are expressed, thereby producing the RLP. Hosts comprising the RLP, compositions comprising the RLP and method for using the composition are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a method tar increasing the stability and/or activity of a polypeptide at low pH and/or elevated temperatures The invention farther provides a method for increasing the melting temperature of a polypeptide. Also provided are paleoenzymologically reconstructed thioredoxin polypeptides having activity at higher temperatures and/or lower pH than extant thioredoxin polypeptides, as well as paleoenzymologically reconstructed thioredoxin polypeptides having higher melting temperatures than extant thioredoxin polypepetides.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to polypeptides having alpha-glucosidase activity isolated, derived or derivable from Rasamsonia or engineered polypeptides having alpha-glucosidase activity isolated, derived or derivable from Rasamsonia homologs. The present disclosure also pertains to polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, nucleic acid constructs, vectors, host cells and mutant cells comprising the polynucleotides. The disclosure further pertains to compositions comprising such polypeptides, methods of producing the polypeptides and compositions, as well as methods for using such polypeptides and compositions for industrial applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for production of recombinant human alpha-galactosidase A (rh alpha-Gal A) in a large scale, with a high purity. The method comprises the steps of (a) culturing rh alpha-Gal A-producing mammalian cells in a serum-free medium, (b) collecting culture supernatant, (c) subjecting the culture supernatant to anion-exchange column chromatography, (d) to hydrophobic column chromatography, (e) to a column chromatography employing as solid phase a material having affinity for phosphate group, (f) to cation-exchange column chromatography, (g) to dye-affinity column chromatography, and (h) to gel filtration column chromatography, in the order.

Abstract: A novel mannanase. A polypeptide having a specific amino acid sequence such as the amino acid represented by SEQ ID NO:2 exhibits a mannanase activity. Although this mannanase does not have homology with known mannanase at the amino acid level, the polypeptide has a mannanase activity as well as heat resistance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detergent compositions comprising protease variants and alpha-amylases or variants thereof. Furthermore, the present invention relates to methods of using the detergent compositions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for the production of thrombin from a source of prothrombin using a given BaSO4 reagent as an adsorbent of prothrombin as well as methods for evaluating the suitability of a given BaSO4 reagent for use in preparation of thrombin. In at least one embodiment, the method includes contacting a sample of the given BaSO4 reagent with a source of prothrombin to obtain BaSO4-adsorbed prothrombin, and subsequently evaluating the pro-coagulant activity of the BaSO4-adsorbed prothrombin. In another embodiment, the method includes the step of evaluating relative to the pro-coagulant activity of normal mammalian plasma.

Abstract: The present invention provides engineered phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) polypeptides and compositions thereof, as well as polynucleotides encoding the engineered phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) polypeptides.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a nanoparticle comprising a three dimensional DNA nanocage and a payload biological macromolecule, and methods of assembly thereof.

Abstract: Acoustophoretic devices and methods for concentrating targeted biological cells in a reduced volume using multi-dimensional acoustic standing waves are disclosed. The methods include flowing a mixture of a host fluid and the biological cells through an acoustophoretic device. The acoustophoretic devices include an inlet, an outlet, and a flow chamber having an ultrasonic transducer-reflector pair. Biological cells, such as T cells, are separated from a host fluid for utilization in allergenic or autologous cell therapies. The disclosed devices and methods are capable of concentrating biological cells to at least 100 times their original cell concentration. The disclosed methods and devices are further capable of decreasing an original feed volume to a final concentrated volume that is less than one percent of the original feed volume.

Abstract: Presented herein are methods and compositions for tagmentation of nucleic acids. The methods are useful for generating tagged DNA fragments that are qualitatively and quantitatively representative of the target nucleic acids in the sample from which they are generated.

Abstract: Provided are methods, compositions, reagents, kits that are useful for detecting a specific nucleic acid region in genome with high efficiency and high sensitivity.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for handling sample liquids, encapsulating liquids and magnetic particles are disclosed.

Abstract: Antisense molecules capable of binding to a selected target site in the human dystrophin gene to induce exon 44 skipping are described.

Abstract: The present relates to LNA gapmer antisense oligonucleotides which comprise stereodefined phosphoramidite linkages. The use of stereodefined phosphoramidite linkages in LNA gapmers has been found to provide enhanced RNaseH activity, and modifying stereospecificity enables the reduced toxicity, altered biodistribution, and enhanced mismatch discrimination.

Abstract: The present invention provides a therapeutic agent for sepsis and/or septic shock and a method for screening for the therapeutic agent. The present invention relates to a therapeutic agent for sepsis and/or septic shock comprising an Arid5A inhibitor as an active ingredient. The present invention also relates to a method for screening for a candidate substance useful for the treatment of sepsis and/or septic shock, the method comprising: (a) determining an effect of test agents on the expression and/or function of Arid5A and (b) selecting the agents that decrease the expression and/or function of Arid5A as compared to the absence of the test agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acids, compositions and methods for the treatment of facioscapulohumeral dystrophy.

Abstract: Agents and methods for increasing dystrophin protein expression in muscle through blocking of specific microRNAs and microRNA binding sites on the dystrophin 3? untranslated region (miR-146a, miRNA-146b, miR-223, miR-320a, miR374a, and miR-382). Methods for increasing the amount of dystrophin useful for effective therapeutic intervention for Becker muscular dystrophy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and other disorders where loss of dystrophin from muscle causes pathology.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating a Leber congenital amaurosis in a patient harbouring the mutation c.2991+1655 A>G in the CEP290 gene, comprising the step of administering to said patient at least one antisense oligonucleotide complementary to nucleic acid sequence that is necessary for preventing splicing of the cryptic exon inserted into the mutant c.

Abstract: Using a morpholino nucleotide wherein 5?-hydroxy group or a hydroxy group present on the substituent of the 5?-hydroxy group is protected by a protecting group having an alkyl group having not less than 10 and not more than 300 carbon atoms and/or an alkenyl group having not less than 10 and not more than 300 carbon atoms as a starting material, a method capable of efficiently producing the morpholino oligonucleotide in a high yield by a liquid phase synthesis can be provided.

Abstract: Described herein are aptamers capable of binding to growth differentiation factor 8 (GDF8) protein; compositions comprising a GDF8 binding aptamer; and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a novel DNA aptamer useful for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of metastasis, and the like, of lung cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising therapeutic nucleic acids such as siRNA that target Hepatitis B virus (HBV) gene expression, lipid particles comprising one or more (e.g., a combination) of the therapeutic nucleic acids, and methods of delivering and/or administering the lipid particles (e.g., for treating HBV infection and/or HDV infection in humans).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for inducing expression of Ube3a in a cell by contacting the cell with a topoisomerase inhibitor. Particular embodiments include a method of treating a genomic imprinting disorder, such as Angelman syndrome, in a subject by administering to the subject an effective amount of a topoisomerase inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving the heterologous synthesis of a polyketide by E. coli and use thereof. The yield of the polyketide heterologously synthesized by E. coli is significantly increased by attenuating the expression of seventy-two genes, such as sucC and talB, in a host strain, wherein the highest yield increase rate can reach 60% or more. Currently, erythromycin is the most clear model compound in the study on the biosynthesis of polyketids. The production strain of the present invention enables massive accumulation of 6-deoxyerythronolide (6-dEB), an erythromycin precursor, in the fermentation process, laying the foundation for the industrial production of the heterologous synthesis of erythromycin by E. coli.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new L-arabinose assimilation pathway and uses thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to polypeptides exhibiting L-arabinose isomerase, L-ribulokinase or L-ribulose-5-phosphate-4-epimerase activity, and recombinant host cells expressing said polypeptides. The present invention also relates to a method of producing a fermentation product, preferably ethanol, from an arabinose containing substrate, using a polypeptide or a host cell of the invention.

Abstract: Lactococcus lactis strains with improved preservation characteristics, and improved acid and bile salt tolerance are disclosed. More specifically, a L. lactis strain having a heterologous trehalose-6-phosphate synthase gene and/or a trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase gene, results in an accumulation of trehalose in the cytoplasm and/or in the cytoplasmic membrane. A L. lactis strain, having an internal trehalose concentration of at least 10 mg per gram cells (w/w) is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are yeast cells expressing a polypeptide comprising a signal sequence and a human amyloid beta protein. Also disclosed are methods of screening yeast cells to identify compounds that prevent or suppress amyloid beta-induced toxicity and genetic suppressors or enhancers of amyloid beta-induced toxicity. Compounds identified by such screens can be used to treat or prevent neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for site-directed modification of whole plant through gene transient expression. The method as provided for conducting site-directed modification to a target fragment of a target gene in a whole plant comprises the following steps: transiently expressing a sequence-specific nuclease in said plant, wherein a whole plant is used as the subject for transient expression, said sequence-specific nuclease targets and cleaves said target fragment, thereby the site-directed modification is achieved via the self DNA repairing of said plant.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate to inbred transgenic canola line NS-B50027-4; seeds and oils obtained from NS-B50027-4; and progeny derived from NS-B50027-4. In particular, NS-B50027-4 is a true-breeding canola line capable of producing at least 5% DHA in its seed oil.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate to elite event NS-B50027-4, seeds and oils obtained from NS-B50027-4, progeny derived from NS-B50027-4, the genetic and phenotypic characteristics of NS-B50027-4, and compositions and methods for the identification of elite event NS-B50027-4. In particular, NS-B50027-4 is a transgenic canola line capable of producing at least 5% DHA in its seed oil.

Abstract: This disclosure provides genetically modified plants having desirable levels of sugar release and syringyl/guaiacyl (S/G) ratio; methods of genetically modifying plants to modulate sugar release and S/G ratio; and uses of such plants. The inventors have determined that genetic modification of a laccase gene (LAC2) from Populus, encoded by locus Potri.008G064000 resulted in transgenic Populus trees with changes in syringyl/guaiacyl ratios as well as altered sugar release phenotypes. Plants with altered sugar release, and S/G ratio, based on modulation of the expression or activity of the LAC2 gene, have divergent uses including pulp and paper production, and biofuel and bioproducts production.

Abstract: Herbicide-resistant sunflower plants, isolated polynucleotides that encode herbicide-resistant and wild-type acetohydroxyacid synthase large subunit 1 (AHASL1) polypeptides, and the amino acid sequences of these polypeptides, are described. Expression cassettes and transformation vectors comprising the polynucleotides of the invention, as well as plants and host cells transformed with the polynucleotides, are described. Methods of using the polynucleotides to enhance the resistance of plants to imidazolinone herbicides, and methods for controlling weeds in the vicinity of herbicide-resistant plants are also described.

Abstract: The Applicant has identified a novel DON-responsive orphan gene (ENST1—SEQ ID NO: 1), and its promoter, which features DON-responsive elements, which can be used to drive the expression of FHB resistance genes. The Applicant has isolated two variants of the gene from wheat that share approximately 94% homology with ENST1. The Applicant has shown that this gene has homologs of >62% nucleotide sequence identity exist in Aegilops tauschii, Brachypodium distachyon, Festuca pratensis, Hordeum vulgare and Triticum aestivum.

Abstract: The invention relates to the isolation and the cloning and breeding application of a tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) resistant N'au gene. The invention discloses the nucleotide sequence of the TMV resistant N'au gene shown as SEQ ID NO.1. The amino acids of polypeptide encoded by the TMV resistant N'au gene are shown as SEQ ID NO.2. A non-transgenic TMV resistant tobacco variety can be obtained by transferring an N'au gene which is contained by germplasm resources into a TMV infected popular tobacco variety by conventional breeding means. The N'au gene of the invention has a homologous sequence with high identity rate of nucleotides in the popular tobacco variety, so that it is easy to obtain a shorter introgression segment single plant carrying the N'au gene by conventional breeding, and thereby to obtain a TMV resistant variety with lower linkage drag. The gene can resist both U1 strain and Cg strain of TMV.

Abstract: Nucleic acid constructs encoding Geraniol Synthase (GS), Geraniol Reductase (GR), Geraniol Dehydrogenase (GD), and/or Citral Reductase (CR) and plants comprising same are provided.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method of promoting polyploidization of megakaryocytes and thereby producing highly polyploidized megakaryocytes, a method of efficiently producing platelets from polyploidized megakaryocytes, and the like. The present invention provides a method of producing polyploidized megakaryocytes comprising a step of forcing expression of an apoptosis suppressor gene in megakaryocytes before polyploidization and culturing the resulting cells.

Abstract: A recombinant vector comprises simian adenovirus 43, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 or 50 sequences and a heterologous gene under the control of regulatory sequences. A cell line which expresses simian adenovirus 43, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 or 50 gene(s) is also disclosed. Methods of using the vectors and cell lines are provided.