Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a combination of: (i)a macromolecular erythrocyte sedimentation enhancer, and (ii) dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), dimethylglycine (DMG) and/or valine; to recover non-erythrocyte blood cells from a blood cell-containing sample and/or to prime non-erythrocyte blood cells to protect their integrity in subsequent cryopreservation step(s).

Abstract: Methods and solutions for the preservation and procurement of placental stem cells. A method for collecting stem cells from a placenta includes draining cord blood from the placenta and collecting the drained cord blood in a first collection. The drained placenta is perfused with a first perfusion solution including a placental preservative base solution and a vasodilator. The placenta is perfused with a second perfusion solution including placental preservative base solution, a stem cell releasing agent, an antibiotic, and an anticoagulant, and a predetermined amount of time is allowed to elapse as the first and second perfusion solutions perfuse the placenta. The first and second perfusion solutions, which contain stem cells from the placenta, are then collected in a second collection.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods for improving the efficiency of artificial activation of unfertilized mammalian oocytes by reducing the intracellular concentration of Zn2+ in the oocyte. The methods of the invention may additionally comprise a preceding step of increasing the intracellular concentration of Ca2+ in the oocyte prior to reduction of the intracellular Zn2+ concentration. The invention further provides unfertilized oocytes activated by the disclosed methods and viable mammalian animals produced from unfertilized oocytes activated by the disclosed methods.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of generating induced sensory neurons (iSNs) from non-neuronal cells such as fibroblasts. The invention also provides methods of using iSNs in various therapeutic or non-therapeutic applications, e.g., methods to identify agents or cellular modulations that enhance iSN formation from non-neuronal cells.

Abstract: One form of the present invention is directed to a method of remyelinating demyelinated axons by treating the demyelinated axons with oligodendrocyte progenitor cells under conditions which permit remyelination of the axons. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of treating a subject having a condition mediated by a loss of myelin or a loss of oligodendrocytes by administering to the subject oligodendrocyte progenitor cells under conditions effective to treat the condition mediated by a loss of myelin or a loss of oligodendrocytes. A further aspect of the present invention relates to an in vitro method of identifying and separating oligodendrocyte progenitor cells from a mixed population containing other mammalian brain or spinal cord cell types.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for generating SC-? cells, and isolated populations of SC-? cells for use in various applications, such as cell therapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a fibromodulin (FMOD) reprogrammed (FReP) cell. The method comprises steps of treating a human cell with a cell culture medium comprising fibromodulin (FMOD) for a period ranging from a day to a month, and changing the cell culture medium regularly until a FMOD reprogrammed (FreP) cell forms; wherein the FreP cell expresses NANOG and does not form teratoma, and wherein the human cell is a fibroblastic cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to production of proteins in insect cells whereby repeated coding sequences are used in baculoviral vectors. In particular the invention relates to the production of parvoviral vectors that may be used in gene therapy and to improvements in expression of the viral rep proteins that increase the productivity of parvoviral vectors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel infectious bronchitis virus strains and the uses thereof. The invention particularly relates to an inactivated or attenuated IBV, as well as to vaccine compositions comprising the same and the uses thereof to vaccinate avians. The invention also relates to nucleic acids, infected cells and methods for detecting the infectious bronchitis virus strains of the invention in any sample.

Abstract: A modified glucose oxidase for use in a sensor for the continuous or semi-continuous monitoring of glucose is disclosed. The modified glucose oxidase may include a glucose oxidase having at least one amino group substituted with a methacrylate through a hydrophilic linker including at least one alkylene oxide unit. A glucose sensor is also disclosed. The glucose sensor includes a crosslinked, hydrophilic copolymer sensing layer in contact with a surface of an electrode, where the sensing layer includes methacrylate-derived backbone chains covalently bound to glucose oxidase through a hydrophilic linker including at least one alkylene oxide unit. Also included is a method for making the modified glucose oxidase and the glucose sensor.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for production of lactic acid from organic waste or biogas or methane using recombinant methanotrophic bacteria. In one embodiment, the recombinant methanotrophic bacterium includes a heterologous nucleic acid encoding for lactate dehydrogenase (ldh) enzyme. In a further embodiment, the capacity of the recombinant methanotrophic bacterium for producing lactic acid over basal level is increased by overexpression or/and down-regulation or deletion of specified genes. In another embodiment, a process for producing lactic acid from organic waste using the recombinant methanotrophic bacterium is disclosed. The present disclosure provides a cradle to cradle environment-friendly and commercially viable solution for managing organic waste.

Abstract: This application relates to laccase variants and uses thereof as eco-friendly biocatalysts in various industrial processes. More in particular, the disclosure relates to a polypeptide with laccase activity comprising an amino acid sequence that is more than 80% identical to the amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the polypeptide comprises a non-polar amino acid, preferably an amino acid residue selected from the group consisting of proline, alanine, glycine and valine at a position corresponding to amino acid 113 of SEQ ID NO: 1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having glucuronyl esterase activity, catalytic domains and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides or catalytic domains. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides or catalytic domains.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Truncated isoform of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (“TALK”). Expression of this isoform is associated with malignancy and with responsiveness to ALK inhibitors. Detection of the isoform may be used in diagnostic and therapeutic methods. Because it arises as a result of variant transcription rather than genetic rearrangement, its presence would be undetected by genomic testing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymerase HBV mutant polypeptides comprising a mutated polymerase domain which is functionally disrupted for polymerase activity and fusion proteins comprising such polymerase mutant polypeptide. The present invention also relates to a nucleic acid molecule and an expression vector for expressing said polymerase mutant polypeptide as well as a composition which can be used for eliciting an immune response to HBV with the goal of providing a protective or therapeutic effect against HBV infection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Cas9 platform to facilitate single-site nuclease gene editing precision within a human genome. For example, a Cas9 nuclease/DNA-targeting unit (Cas9-DTU) fusion protein precisely delivers a Cas9/sgRNA complex to a specific target site within the genome for subsequent sgRNA-dependent cleavage of an adjacent target sequence. Alternatively, attenuating Cas9 binding using mutations to the a protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) recognition domain makes Cas9 target site recognition dependent on the associated DTU, all while retaining Cas9's sgRNA-mediated DNA cleavage fidelity. Cas9-DTU fusion proteins have improved target site binding precision, greater nuclease activity, and a broader sequence targeting range than standard Cas9 systems. Existing Cas9 or sgRNA variants (e.g., truncated sgRNAs (tru-gRNAs), nickases and FokI fusions) are compatible with these improvements to further reduce off-target cleavage.

Abstract: The present invention has a purpose of providing a technique for increasing the heat resistance of a ?-galactosidase. According to the present invention, in a reference ?-galactosidase amino acid sequence which shows a 90% or more identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, proline is substituted for one or more amino acids selected from the group consisting of the following amino acids: (1) an amino acid corresponding to lysine at position 166 of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, (2) an amino acid corresponding to glycine at position 307 of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, and (3) an amino acid corresponding to alanine at position 833 of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions that can be used in hydrolyzing biomass such as compositions comprising a polypeptide having glycosyl hydrolase family 61/endoglucanase activity, methods for hydrolyzing biomass material, and methods for reducing viscosity of biomass mixture using a composition comprising a polypeptide having glycosyl hydrolase family 61/endoglucanase activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for obtaining positive transformants of a filamentous fungal host cell, comprising: transforming a tandem construct into a population of cells of the filamentous fungal host a tandem construct and isolating a transformant of the filamentous fungal host cell comprising the tandem construct. The present invention also relates to such tandem constructs, filamentous fungal host cells comprising such tandem constructs, and methods of producing multiple recombinant proteins.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) polypeptides with a modified receptor binding domain of Clostridial botulinum serotype B (B-Hc), comprising one or more substitution mutations corresponding to substitution mutations in serotype B, strain 1, V1118M; Y1183M; E1191M; E1191I; E1191Q; E1191T; S1199Y; S1199F; S1199L; S1201V; or combinations thereof. Specific combination mutations include E1191M and S1199L, E1191M and S1199Y, E1191M and S1199F, E1191Q and S1199L, E1191Q and S1199Y, or E1191Q and S1199F. Other substitution mutations are also disclosed. Isolated modified receptor binding domains, chimeric molecules, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of using the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates antidotes to anticoagulants targeting factor Xa. The antidotes are factor X and factor Xa protein derivatives that bind to the factor Xa inhibitors thereby substantially neutralizing them but do not assemble into the prothrombinase complex. The derivatives describe herein lack or have reduced intrinsic coagulant activity. Disclosed herein are methods of reversing anticoagulation, stopping or preventing bleeding in a patient that is currently undergoing anticoagulant therapy with a factor Xa inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel mutants with cyclase activity and use thereof in a method for biocatalytic cyclization of terpenes, such as in particular for the production of isopulegol by cyclization of citronellal; a method for the preparation of menthol and methods for the biocatalytic conversion of further compounds with structural motifs similar to terpene.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, compositions and kits for segregating a target nucleic acid from a mixed nucleic acid sample. The methods, compositions and kits comprise a non-processive endonuclease (e.g., a restriction enzyme) or an antibody that binds the target nucleic acid (e.g., has methylation specificity). The mixed nucleic acid sample can comprise prokaryotic and eukaryotic nucleic acid and/or nucleic acid from more than one prokaryotic or eukaryotic organisms.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for isolation, separation and detection of a molecular species using a low resource device for processing of samples. Methods include isolation, separation and detection of whole cells as well as biomolecules including viruses, proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, compositions, and kits for assays, many of which involve amplification reactions such as digital PCR or droplet digital PCR. The assays may be used for such applications as sequencing, copy number variation analysis, and others. In some cases, the assays involve subdividing a sample into multiple partitions (e.g., droplets) and merging the partitions with other partitions that comprise adaptors with barcodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to oligonucleotides for inducing skipping of exon 55 of the dystrophin gene. The invention also relates to methods of inducing exon 55 skipping using the oligonucleotides.

Abstract: Disclosed are double-stranded antisense nucleic acid complexes that can efficiently alter the processing of RNA in a cell via an antisense effect, and methods for using the same. One method comprises contacting with the cell a double-stranded nucleic acid complex comprising: a first nucleic acid strand annealed to a second nucleic acid strand, wherein: the first nucleic acid strand comprises (i) nucleotides independently selected from natural DNA nucleotides, modified DNA nucleotides, and nucleotide analogs, (ii) no regions that have 4 or more consecutive natural DNA nucleotides, (iii) the total number of natural DNA nucleotides, modified DNA nucleotides, and nucleotide analogs in the first nucleic acid strand is from 8 to 100, and (iv) the first nucleic acid strand is capable of hybridizing to RNA inside of the cell; and the second nucleic acid strand comprises nucleotides independently selected from natural RNA nucleotides, modified RNA nucleotides, and nucleotide analogs.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for modulating gene expression in insects by administering a composition comprising an RNA effector molecule and a delivery agent. Methods are provided for controlling pest populations by inhibiting insect growth, development, survival, reproduction and/or viability. Also provided herein are methods for treating or preventing disease in an insect caused by a pathogen or by external factors (e.g., pollution, environment, stress, weather, etc.).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for treating soft-tissue calcification by targeting SLC25A24 and/or SLC25A3.

Abstract: Provided herein are a novel Zn-DPA complex compound and an siRNA delivery system including the same as a transporter, the Zn-DPA complex compound including: a phosphate-directing functional part of zinc (II)-dipicolylamine (“Zn-DPA”); a cell membrane-directing functional part; and a linker part that links the phosphate-directing functional part and the cell membrane-directing functional part. The Zn-DPA complex compound has low toxicity and efficiently delivers siRNA to cells, thereby useful in various ways for various studies and diagnosis and treatment of diseases, which use siRNA.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel aptamers, in particular aptamers which are capable of binding to EGFR. The invention also relates to cancer cell binding complexes comprising said aptamers and the use of said cancer cell binding complexes in the treatment of cancer.

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

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to genetically engineered methanotrophic bacteria with the capability of growing on a multi-carbon substrate (e.g., glucose) as a primary or sole carbon source and methods for growing methanotrophic bacteria on the multi-carbon substrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of biotechnology or genetic engineering. Specifically, this invention relates to the field of gene expression. More specifically, this invention relates to novel substitution mutant receptors and their use in a Group H nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system and methods of modulating the expression of a gene in a host cell for applications such as gene therapy, large scale production of proteins and antibodies, cell-based high throughput screening assays, functional genomics and regulation of traits in transgenic organisms.

Abstract: Provided are isolated cDNAs comprising a nucleotide sequence having at least 90% identity to SEQ ID NO: 33, SEQ ID NO: 37, SEQ ID NO: 52 or SEQ ID NO: 53. Also provided are expression cassettes; vectors; transgenic plant cells; plants, plant parts, and seeds; isolated polypeptides; amplicons and informative fragments of the presently disclosed nucleic acids; compositions that include amplification primer pairs; methods for producing plants that exhibit HI; methods for identifying the presence or absence of an allele associated with HI in a plant; methods for introgressing Haploid-inducing nucleotide sequences into plants; and methods for selecting parental plants predicted to produce progeny generations with plants that exhibit Haploid Induction trait.

Abstract: This application provides and discloses small RNAs and their target genes that are involved in controlling the levels of sucrose, glucose, and fructose and methods of modulating expression or activity of these mi RNAs and target genes. This application further provides transgenic plants, plant parts, e.g., seeds, that have altered expression of these mi RNAs and target genes and have increased levels of sucrose, increased sucrose to glucose ratios, increased sucrose to hexose ratios, altered carbohydrate levels, or increased Brix in fruit from transgenic plants. This application also provides methods of producing and growing transgenic plants or seeds that have increased levels of sucrose, increased sucrose to glucose ratios, increased sucrose to hexose ratios, altered carbohydrate levels, or increased Brix in fruit from transgenic plants.

Abstract: Methods and means are provided for reducing the phenotypic expression of a nucleic acid of interest in eukaryotic cells by providing aberrant, preferably unpolyadenylated, target-specific RNA to the nucleus of the host cell. Preferably, the unpolyadenylated, target-specific RNA is provided by transcription of a chimeric gene comprising a promoter and a DNA region encoding the target-specific RNA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to kits comprising plus-sense single stranded RNA viral vectors, as well as mixtures of these vectors and uses thereof, and methods for producing in a plant, or plant tissue, or plant cell simultaneously two or more polypeptides using the kits and vectors.

Abstract: Four genes, A622, NBB1, PMT, and QPT, can be influenced for increasing nicotinic alkaloid levels in Nicotiana plants, as well as for synthesizing nicotinic alkaloids in non-nicotine producing plants and cells. In particular, overexpressing one or more of A622, NBB1, PMT, and QPT may be used to increase nicotine and nicotinic alkaloid levels in tobacco plants. Non-nicotine producing cells can be engineered to produce nicotine and related compounds by overexpressing A622 and NBB1.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to polysaccharide synthases. More particularly, the present invention relates to (1,3;1,4)-?-D-glucan synthases. The present invention provides, among other things, methods for influencing the level of (1,3;1,4)-?-D-glucan produced by a cell and nucleic acid and amino acid sequences which encode (1,3;1,4)-?-D-glucan synthases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing eicosapentanoic acid, docosapentanoic acid and/or docohexanoic acid in transgenic plants. According to said method, the plant is provided with at least one nucleic acid sequence coding for a polypeptide with a ?6 desaturase activity, at least one nucleic acid sequence coding for a polypeptide with a ?6 elongase activity, at least one nucleic acid sequence coding for a polypeptide with a ?5 desaturase activity, and at least one nucleic acid sequence coding for a polypeptide with a ?5 elongase activity, the nucleic acid sequence coding for a polypeptide with a ?5 elongase activity being modified in relation to the nucleic acid sequence in the organism from which the sequence originates, such that it is adapted to the codon use in at least one type of plant. For the production of docosahexanoic acid, at least one nucleic acid sequence coding for a polypeptide with a ?4 desaturase activity is also introduced into the plant.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing influenza virus-like particles (VLPs) within a plant or a portion of a plant is provided. The method involves expression of influenza HA in plants and the purification by size exclusion chromatography. The invention is also directed towards a VLP comprising influenza HA protein and plant lipids. The invention is also directed to a nucleic acid encoding influenza HA as well as vectors. The VLPs may be used to formulate influenza vaccines, or may be used to enrich existing vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for improving the abiotic stress tolerance of plants. Plants and plant parts identified, selected and/or produced using compositions and methods of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided which employ a silencing element that, when ingested by a pest, such as a Pentatomidae plant pest, decrease the expression of a target sequence in the pest. The present invention provides various target polynucleotides set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 6-12, 18-40 or active variants and fragments thereof, wherein a decrease in expression of one or more the sequences in the target pest controls the pest (i.e., has insecticidal activity). Plants, plant part, bacteria and other host cells comprising the silencing elements or an active variant or fragment thereof of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to chimeric post-transcriptional regulatory elements (PRE) and vectors useful for expressing a protein in a cell. The PRE contains alpha, beta and optionally gamma subelements selected from different native PRE sequences and are discovered to be more potent than their native counterparts.

Abstract: Transgenic non-human animals, e.g., rodents, e.g., mice comprising genomic mutations that inactive all of the serpin1A genes and thus lack any functional serpinA1 genes. As a result of the genomic mutations, the animals express no hepatic or circulatory AAT protein. Also provided herein are cells and tissues derived from the transgenic mice.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions useful in targeting a payload to, or editing a target nucleic acid, where a governing gRNA molecule is used to target, optionally inactivate, a Cas9 molecule or a Cas9 molecule/gRNA complex.

Abstract: A process for the use of peracid compositions to replace antibiotic compounds and still eliminate and/or control the growth of undesirable bacteria, including contaminating bacteria, in the fermentation production of alcohol is disclosed. Beneficially, the peracid compositions and methods of use of the same can replace or act as a substitute for antibiotics, but do not interfere or inhibit the growth or replication of yeast and have low or no adverse environmental impact.

Abstract: Tools and methods for producing organic acids using strains of Monascus which are tolerant to high organic acid concentrations at low pH.

Abstract: This invention provides recombinant cells and methods for producing terpenes and terpenoids by increasing production or accumulation or both of isoprenoid precursors thereof.