Abstract: Provided are valencene synthase polypeptides, nucleic acid molecules encoding the valencene synthases, host cells containing the nucleic acids and methods for producing products whose production is catalyzed by the polypeptides. Also provided are methods for producing valencene and nootkatone.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for isolating a nucleic acid from a sample. The method includes contacting the sample with boron carbide under conditions sufficient to form a boron carbide-nucleic acid complex. The complex is separated from the sample.

Abstract: A method comprises: sorbing a sample solution comprising nucleic acids to a sample receiving portion of a quartz fiber filter by contacting the sample solution with the sample receiving portion; and washing the sample receiving portion while keeping most of nucleic acids around the sample receiving portion by flowing a wash solution through the sample receiving portion under a wicking force directed away from the sample receiving portion. An associated apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions, compounds, and methods of modulating gene expression. In certain embodiments described herein is a composition, wherein the composition comprises an antagoNAT. In some embodiments, the antagoNAT is an oligonucleotide comprising modified and unmodified sugar subunits, wherein the antagoNAT hybridizes with a natural antisense transcript. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method for modulating gene expression in a cell comprising contacting the cell with an antagoNAT. In some embodiments, the method includes forming a hybrid comprising the antagoNAT and a natural antisense transcript of the gene, wherein the hybrid sterically blocks the normal function of the natural antisense transcript.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an RNA interference (RNAi) agent and the use of that RNAi agent to treat Age-related Macular Degeneration, as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing the RNAi agents of the invention. The RNAi agent is a DNA-directed RNA interference (ddRNAi) agent (being an RNA molecule), together with an expression cassette or construct to express that agent in a cell (including in vivo), for inhibiting, preventing or reducing expression of an AMD associated gene. Preferably that AMD associated gene is one that is associated with wet AMD.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and reagents useful in modulating gene expression in a variety of applications, including use in therapeutic, diagnostic, target validation, and genomic discovery applications. Specifically, the invention relates to synthetic chemically modified small nucleic acid molecules, such as short interfering nucleic acid (siNA), short interfering RNA (siRNA), double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), micro-RNA (miRNA), and short hairpin RNA (shRNA) molecules capable of mediating RNA interference (RNAi) against target nucleic acid sequences. The small nucleic acid molecules are useful in the treatment of any disease or condition that responds to modulation of gene expression or activity in a cell, tissue, or organism.

Abstract: It is disclosed herein that cultured primary placental human trophoblast (PHT) cells are highly resistant to infection by a number of disparate viruses, and confer this resistance to non-placental recipient cells by exosome-mediated delivery of microRNAs (miRs). PHT cells express high levels of unique, primate-specific miRNAs, expressed from the chromosome 19 miRNA cluster (C19MC). It is further disclosed herein that C19MC miRNAs are packaged within PHT-derived exosomes and attenuate viral replication in recipient cells by inducing autophagy. Thus, provided herein are methods of inhibiting, treating or preventing microbial infections by administering one or more miRs of the C19MC. Also provided are methods of inducing autophagy in a cell by contacting the cell with one or more miRs of the C19MC.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for regulating microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis. The invention also relates to compositions and methods for treating or preventing cancer in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: A gene vector comprising a miRNA sequence target.

Abstract: Provided herein is a non-naturally occurring microbial organism having a methanol metabolic pathway that can enhance the availability of reducing equivalents in the presence of methanol. Such reducing equivalents can be used to increase the product yield of organic compounds produced by the microbial organism, such as 3-hydroxyisobutyrate or MAA. Also provided herein are methods for using such an organism to produce 3-hydroxyisobutyrate or MAA.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a specific yeast allele of KIN3 that is involved in maximal alcohol accumulation and/or in tolerance to high alcohol levels. Preferably, the alcohol is ethanol. In a preferred embodiment, this specific allele is combined with specific alleles of ADE1 and/or VPS70. More specifically, the disclosure relates to the use of these alleles for the construction and/or selection of high alcohol tolerant yeasts, by stacking of positive alleles, or the selection and construction of low alcohol producing yeasts by stacking of negative alleles.

Abstract: Yeast and a yeast extract with a high content of Abu, ?-Glu-Abu, and/or ?-Glu-Abu-Gly are provided. By modifying yeast so that intracellular acetolactate synthase activity is reduced, yeast with a high content of Abu, ?-Glu-Abu, and/or ?-Glu-Abu-Gly is obtained. An yeast extract is prepared by using the yeast obtained in such a manner as a raw material.

Abstract: A DNA molecule comprising the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, a recombinant Pichia plasmid into which the DNA molecule is inserted, and a recombinant Pichia strain obtained by the transformation of the recombinant Pichia plasmid into a competent Pichia cell and efficiently expressing the PprI protein of Deinococcus radiodurans.

Abstract: Transcription regulatory elements, namely promoter and terminator sequences, obtained from Sorghum bicolor that drive RNA transcription predominately in root hair cells are described, as well as cassettes, expression vectors, and genetically modified plants containing these transcription regulatory elements. The genetically modified plants can be gymnosperms, dicots, or monocots. Methods of directing transcription of a heterologous polynucleotide under control of these transcription regulatory elements in a genetically modified plant's root hair cells are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for enhancing the overall pathway of polyisoprenoid biosynthesis. The present invention further provides an isoprenoid-producing plant having an overall enhanced pathway of polyisoprenoid biosynthesis, and a method of producing a polyisoprenoid using such an isoprenoid-producing plant. The present invention relates to a method of regulating by a cytokinin-responsive transcription factor the expression of at least one protein selected from the group consisting of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase, isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase, cis-prenyltransferase, and small rubber particle protein.

Abstract: A gene having novel functions is searched for, by which plant weight (that is, biomass level) can be increased and by which substance productivity can be increased or decreased. A chimeric protein is expressed in which a transcriptional factor comprising the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, or 6 is fused to a functional peptide that converts an arbitrary transcriptional factor into a transcriptional repression factor.

Abstract: To identify a cytochrome P450 involved in the detoxification and metabolism of a specific growth inhibitor. Provided is a gene encoding a cytochrome P450 classified into Indica rice-derived CYP72A31, comprising a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.

Abstract: Provided is a strategy for generating transgenic plants with concurrent resistance to DNA and RNA viruses at one construction, so as to develop an RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) transgenic system using a hairpin construct of Ageratum yellow vein virus (AYVV) promoter region residing in an intron to resist DNA virus infection by RdDM. Furthermore, the hairpin construct of the AYVV promoter region coupled with an untranslatable nucleocapsid protein (NP) fragment of Melon yellow sport virus (MYSV) is created to induce post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) against MYSV. A method for providing transgenic plants conferring concurrent resistance to both AYVV and MYSV for control of DNA and RNA virus at the same time, and underlying RdDM and PTGS mechanisms, respectively, is also provided.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions to improve fungal disease resistance in various crop plants. Also provided are combinations of compositions and methods to improve fungal disease resistance in various crop plants.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for increasing resistance or tolerance to a nematode plant pest in a plant or part thereof. Nucleotide sequences that confer resistance or tolerance to nematode plant pests when expressed in a plant are provided as well as compositions comprising the polypeptides encoded by the nucleotide sequences, and transgenic plants and parts thereof comprising the nucleotide sequences.

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. 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: The invention relates to newly identified selectable marker systems, cells for use in a selectable marker system, and methods for using the selectable marker systems.

Abstract: Isolated peptides comprising nuclear targeting activity or being capable of preventing endogenous nuclear targeting activity are disclosed. Polynucleotides encoding same, pharmaceutical compositions comprising same, as well as uses thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a DNA-targeting RNA that comprises a targeting sequence and, together with a modifying polypeptide, provides for site-specific modification of a target DNA and/or a polypeptide associated with the target DNA. The present disclosure further provides site-specific modifying polypeptides. The present disclosure further provides methods of site-specific modification of a target DNA and/or a polypeptide associated with the target DNA The present disclosure provides methods of modulating transcription of a target nucleic acid in a target cell, generally involving contacting the target nucleic acid with an enzymatically inactive Cas9 polypeptide and a DNA-targeting RNA. Kits and compositions for carrying out the methods are also provided. The present disclosure provides genetically modified cells that produce Cas9; and Cas9 transgenic non-human multicellular organisms.

Abstract: The present invention provides the nucleic acid and the amino acid sequences of a cytochrome P450 capable of oxidizing terpene molecules. It also provides a method of oxidizing terpene molecules comprising contacting the cytochrome P450 of the invention with the terpene molecule intended to be oxidized. In particular, said method may be carried out in vitro or in vivo to produce oxidized terpene molecules, which may be used in different technical fields such as for example perfumery and flavoring. The present invention also provides an expression vector containing the nucleic acid. A non-human host organism or a cell transformed with the nucleic acid is also an object of the invention.

Abstract: Provided are a transformant produced by introducing a gene coding for a cis-prenyltransferase and a gene coding for a Nogo-B receptor, which are considered to be involved in polyisoprenoid biosynthesis, into a host to allow the host to express the cis-prenyltransferase and the Nogo-B receptor, and a method for producing a polyisoprenoid using the transformant. The present invention relates to a transformant produced by introducing a gene coding for a cis-prenyltransferase and a gene coding for a Nogo-B receptor into a host to allow the host to express the cis-prenyltransferase and the Nogo-B receptor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the biosynthesis of 1-undecene and related terminal olefins. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to methods of using proteins to produce 1-undecene and related terminal olefins.

Abstract: A method of enzyme conversion comprises the steps of immobilising an enzyme composition on a support material; drying the support material and enzyme composition to form a solid phase immobilised enzyme system; contacting the system with one or more reagents in the gas phase; allowing the enzyme system to convert the reagent(s) to product(s); wherein the enzyme composition may comprise a single enzyme or a first enzyme plus a second enzyme or multiple enzymes; and a co-factor which may be converted between first and second states; wherein the co-factor in the first state promotes reaction of the first enzyme; and wherein the co-factor in the second state promotes reaction of the second enzyme; or wherein the co-factor oscillates between first and second states with multiple enzymes.

Abstract: Ear corn is picked from corn fields by ear corn harvesters and transported to a central shelling station associated with an ethanol manufacturing facility. Shelled corn from the central shelling station is processed into ethanol at the ethanol manufacturing facility, and corn cobs from the central shelling station are burned to provide process heat for the ethanol manufacturing process. Energy is conserved and costs are reduced during the picking and shelling of the ear corn and by the burning of cobs for process heat.

Abstract: The efficient production of ethanol from low-cost biomass (e.g., corn, sugar beets, sugar cane, switchgrass and/or paper) has become increasingly important in making ethanol competitive with gasoline and decreasing the United States' dependence on foreign oil. For example, to reduce the cost of transporting biomass to ethanol production facilities, mobile systems for producing ethanol from biomass are provided. Also provided are small-scale ethanol production facilities. For example, instead of transporting biomass to the production facility, the facility is transported to the biomass or is located nearby the source of the biomass. The ethanol production facilities or components thereof may be transported via land, water, or air. Production of other products, such as hydrocarbons, natural gas, hydrogen gas, plastics, polymers, and proteins, can also be made by the methods and facilities. Any product described herein can be made in finished form or un-finished form and moved, e.g., to a fixed facility, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a two stage continuous microbiological process for the production of solvents such as acetone, butanol and ethanol. The process involves the use of a solventogenic bacteria such as clostridia. In the first(acidogenic) stage, the culture vessel is fed with fresh growth media at dilution rates that support fast growth and acid production. The culture flows into the second (solventogenic) stage, which is a separate culture vessel or vessels, designed to provide the culture with sufficient residence time to convert acids into solvents. This vessel can be tubular or a series of linked batch vessels.

Abstract: Disclosed are variants of Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase I, and methods for using such variants to break down cellulose and produce biofuel.

Abstract: A method for replicating and amplifying a target nucleic acid sequence is described. A method of the invention involves the formation of a recombination intermediate without the prior denaturing of a nucleic acid duplex through the use of a recombination factor. The recombination intermediate is treated with a high fidelity polymerase to permit the replication and amplification of the target nucleic acid sequence. In preferred embodiments, the polymerase comprises a polymerase holoenzyme. In further preferred embodiments, the recombination factor is bacteriophage T4 UvsX protein or homologs from other species, and the polymerase holoenzyme comprises a polymerase enzyme, a clamp protein and a clamp loader protein, derived from viral, bacteriophage, prokaryotic, archaebacterial, or eukaryotic systems.

Abstract: Recombinant microorganisms, plants, and plant cells are disclosed that have been engineered to have reduced levels or activity of one or more alcohol dehydrogenases or aldehyde reductase thereby increasing the production of vanillin or vanillin beta-D-glucoside.

Abstract: Steviol glucosyltransferases and methods for producing steviol glycosides using the enzymes are provided. The present invention provides steviol glucosyltransferases and methods for producing steviol glycosides using the enzymes. The invention also provides transformants into which steviol glucosyltransferase genes are introduced and methods for preparing the transformants.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to creatinine biosensors and the uses thereof. More specifically, this disclosure describes potentiometric creatinine sensors which utilizes one or both of a type of enzyme capable of directly producing ammonium ions (NH4+) as a consequence of coming into contact with a liquid sample and an internal fill solution with a low free ammonium ion concentration.

Abstract: A composition of redox-reagent containing metal-containing complex and thionine or its derivative as electron transfer mediator for use in an electrochemical biosensor, and a biosensor containing the same are provided. With the increase in reaction rate between redox enzyme-thionine (or its derivative)-metal-containing complex in the composition of redox-reagent containing metal-containing complex and thionine or its derivative, glucose detection efficiency markedly increases, and the composition is hardly influenced from high humidity and interfering substances. Accordingly, the composition of redox-reagent is useful in fabricating an electrochemical biosensor for detecting glucose in blood.

Abstract: By using the method and equipment according to this invention it is possible to analyze rapidly a large number of microbiological culture samples, or alternatively of liquid phase samples, based on the gases or gaseous compounds released by them. This invention exploits generally a sample line, along which the samples move, and it can be used for the microbial control tasks in hospitals, industry, hygiene and environmental fields. In this system gas is led into the culture vessels during the growth of the microbe, and gases released by the culture or liquids derived from them are collected into the chambers, capsules or equivalents.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of determining the presence or absence of a bacterial infection in a patient using isotopically-labeled tyrosine and/or isotopically-labeled p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid.

Abstract: The invention features methods for rapidly and sensitively identifying molecular targets in medical, industrial, and environmental samples. The invention labels target molecules and then images them using large area imaging. Diagnostic tests based on the invention can be rapid, ultrasensitive, quantitative, multiplexed, and automated. A broad range of infectious agents (e.g., bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites) and molecules (e.g., proteins, DNA, RNA, hormones, and drugs) can be detected by the methods. The invention enables rapid, ultra-sensitive, cost-effective, and portable assays. The ability of the invention to detect low levels of target molecules rapidly and cost-effectively results from the combination of high intensity labeling, formats that facilitate rapid reaction kinetics, and large area imaging based using either instrumentation made from off-the-shelf commercial components or no instrumentation at all.

Abstract: A sampling probe, system and analysis method is disclosed. The sampling probe in one embodiment is constructed of a silicon substrate having a first channel, a second channel, a first tapered tip with an opening, and a second tapered tip with an opening, wherein the first channel extends from the first tapered tip opening to the second tapered tip opening, and wherein the second channel extends from an inlet port to a junction with the first channel.

Abstract: The subject invention provides materials and methods for detecting the presence of an electron donor. In a specific embodiment, the device detects the presence of dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) via a colorimetric change output by the sensing device. In another specific embodiment, the presence of an enzyme capable of catalyzing, or an agent capable of inhibiting, the production of NADH can also be detected by a colorimetric readout using the same device. In some embodiments, dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) can also be detected using the device provided herein. Advantageously, preferred embodiments of the subject invention provide a low-cost, sensitive device for monitoring the presence of critical biological analytes in a variety of applications.

Abstract: A measurement method for human pancreatic lipase activity in a sample, includes bringing a bile acid that makes a pH for giving a maximum value of human pancreatic lipase activity to be lower than 7.7, a diglyceride and a colipase into contact with the sample at pH 7.4 or lower; and detecting a signal amount varying in accordance with the human pancreatic lipase activity in the sample, and the bile acid is a bile acid containing: one of or two or more of a-type bile acids selected from the group consisting of GDCA, GCDCA, TDCA, TCDCA and salts thereof; and/or a combination of one of or two or more of b-1-type bile acids selected from the group consisting of GCA, GUDCA, TCA, TUDCA and salts thereof, and one of or two or more of b-2-type bile acids selected from the group consisting of DCA, CDCA and salts thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to cellular analysis tools and more particularly to methods for detecting or determining cyclic nucleotide concentrations in samples. Samples containing cyclic nucleotides may be contacted with a cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinase and a detection system which includes a substrate for the cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinase. The activities in cyclic nucleotide related pathways may be measured using the detection system.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method for the enumeration of mammalian cell micronuclei, while distinguishing micronuclei from the chromatin of dead and dying cells. The method utilizes differential staining of chromatin from dead and dying cells, to distinguish the chromatin from micronuclei and nuclei that can be detected based upon fluorescent emission and light scatter following exposure to an excitatory light source. Counting of micronuclei events relative to the number of nuclei can be used to assess the DNA-damaging potential of a chemical agent, the DNA-damaging potential of a physical agent, the effects of an agent which can modify endogenously-induced DNA damage, and the effects of an agent which can modify exogenously-induced DNA damage. Kits for practicing the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of storing a stream of droplets at least some of which comprise one or more single nucleotides and/or oligonucleotides, and a droplet fluid is provided. It is characterized by the step of introducing each droplet sequentially onto a surface of a substrate at a corresponding unique location and further characterized in that the stream of droplets is prepared by a process which includes the steps of generating an ordered stream of nucleotides from the analyte by progressive pyrophosphorolysis or exo nucleolysis and capturing each nucleotide in a corresponding droplet. The method can advantageously be used in association with microdroplet droplet sequencers and an analysis unit in which the sequence of nucleotides in a precursor polynucleotide analyte is determined using fluorescence spectroscopy. A device for carrying out the method is also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition and method for stabilizing ribonucleic acid (RNA) from biological samples such that the ribonucleic acid within the sample remains stable at room temperature. The composition comprises an anionic detergent and a buffering agent at a pH of about 5 to about 8.2 and is used in methods for extracting and storing ribonucleic acid from the biological sample.

Abstract: A method for analyzing planar sample is provided. In some cases the method comprises: (a) incubating the planar sample with a capture agent that is linked to an oligonucleotide, wherein the capture agent specifically binds to complementary sites in the planar sample; (b) reading a fluorescent signal caused by extension of a primer that is hybridized to the oligonucleotide, using fluorescence microscopy. Several implementations of the method, and multiplexed versions of the same, are also provided.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for performing digital measurements are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compositions, methods and apparatus for DNA sequencing that can be performed, e.g., in a two-electrode chamber. The present invention also provides a method for sequencing a nucleic acid comprising immobilizing a plurality of complexes comprising a target nucleic acid, a primer nucleic acid, and a polymerase onto a surface, contacting the surface with a plurality of charged particles comprising a nucleotide phosphate by applying an electric field, reversing the electric field to transport unbound charged particles away from the surface, and detecting the incorporation of a nucleotide phosphate into a single molecule of the primer nucleic acid.