Abstract: The invention relates to the field of medicine, specifically to the field of treatment of conditions associated with Staphylococcus infection. The invention relates to a novel endolysin polypeptide specifically targeting a bacterial Staphylococcus cell. The invention further relates to said endolysin polypeptide for medical use, preferably for treating an individual suffering from a condition associated with Staphylococcus infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having lysozyme activity and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having lysozyme activity and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. 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.

Abstract: Disclosed are bacterial toxins and uses thereof as specific proteases for Ras sarcoma oncoproteins (Ras proteins). The bacterial toxins may be modified for use as pharmaceutical agents for treating Ras-dependent diseases and disorders including cell proliferation diseases and disorders such as cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having protease activity, and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel proteases, more particularly to protease variants having improved activity compared to the protease of SEQ ID NO:1 and the uses thereof for degrading polyester containing material, such as plastic products. The proteases of the invention are particularly suited to degrade polylactic acid, and material containing polylactic acid.

Abstract: A genetically engineered arginine deiminase reconstructed by site-directed mutagenesis belongs to the technical field of genetic engineering technology. Its amino acid sequence is shown as SEQ ID No. 1. In the amino acid sequence of the arginine deiminase reconstructed by site-directed mutagenesis, glycine at position 264 is mutated to proline, compared to an amino acid sequence of native arginine deiminase. Compared with wild type enzyme, the effective pH range effect of the mutated arginine deiminase according to the present invention is broadened to a certain extent, and especially a good enzyme activity is achieved at physiological pH 7.4. With the broadening of the effective pH effect range, the mutant enzyme still has higher stability under the condition of pH 5.5-7.5.

Abstract: 2-ketoacid decarboxylase enzymes, compositions encoding for 2 ketoacid decarboxylase enzymes, and host cells comprising such enzymes or compositions are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for peptides derived from membrane-anchored ubiquitin-fold proteins (MUB), particularly those containing a Lap-Bar-Lopp motif, for use in inhibiting ubiquitinylation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a highly automatable method for isolation and/or purification of nucleic acids from a biological sample, which is particularly suitable for nucleic acids-shorter than 250 bp and can be performed without a proteolytic pre-digestion step in an automated system, preferably a cartridge-based system. In a further aspect, the present invention also provides automated nucleic acid detection methods based on said isolation and/or purification method, as well as buffers and kits to be used in performing said methods.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to reduction of sequence errors generated during synthesis of nucleic acids on a microarray chip. The error reduction can include synthesis of complementary stands (to template strands), using a short universal primer complementary to the template strands and polymerase. Heteroduplex can be formed be melting and re-annealing complementary stands and template strands. The heteroduplexes containing a mismatch can be recognized and cleaved by a mismatch endonuclease. The mismatch-containing cleaved heteroduplexes can be removed from the microarray chip using a global buffer exchange. The error free synthetic nucleic acids generated therefrom can be used for a variety of applications, including synthesis of biofuels and value-added pharmaceutical products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an RNAi-inducing nucleic acid molecule having a new structure and the use thereof, and more particularly to a novel nucleic acid molecule having a structure comprising a first strand, which is 24-121 nt in length and comprises a region complementary to a target nucleic acid, and a second strand which is 13-21 nt in length and has a region that binds complementarily to the region of the first strand, which is complementary to the target nucleic acid, so that the nucleic acid molecule inhibits the expression of a target gene with increased efficiency, and to a method of inhibiting the expression of a target gene using the nucleic acid molecule. The nucleic acid molecule structure of the present invention increases the efficiency with which the nucleic acid molecule inhibits the target gene.

Abstract: In certain aspects, provided herein are RNA complexes (e.g., asymmetric RNA complexes, such as asiRNAs or cell penetrating asiRNAs) that inhibit CTGF expression and are therefore useful for treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Abstract: Provided are a method for preventing or treating obesity by using a composition including an inhibitor of expression of the Hoga1 gene or an inhibitor of activity of the Hoga1 protein as an active ingredient, and a method of screening a preventive or therapeutic agent for obesity by using the composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to RNAi agents, e.g., double-stranded RNAi agents, targeting the TMPRSS6 gene, and methods of using such RNAi agents to inhibit expression of TMPRSS6 and methods of treating subjects having a TMPRSS6 associated disorder, e.g., an iron overload associated disorder, such as ?-thalassemia or hemochromatosis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to antisense oligomeric compounds that may be used in the treatment Pompe disease as well as method for modulating the splicing of the GAA gene and method to treat Pompe disease. Also pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antisense oligomeric compounds are part of the invention.

Abstract: Described herein, inter alia, are STAT-binding nucleic acids-including compositions and methods of using the same.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are chimeric polypeptides, including compositions thereof, expression vectors, and methods of use thereof, for the generation of transgenic cells, tissues, plants, and animals. The compositions, vectors, and methods of the present invention are also useful in gene therapy techniques.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated and purified nucleic acid sequence encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) directed against B-cell Maturation Antigen (BCMA). The invention also provides host cells, such as T-cells or natural killer (NK) cells, expressing the CAR and methods for destroying multiple myeloma cells.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated and purified nucleic acid sequence encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) directed against B-cell Maturation Antigen (BCMA). The invention also provides host cells, such as T-cells or natural killer (NK) cells, expressing the CAR and methods for destroying multiple myeloma cells.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated and purified nucleic acid sequence encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) directed against B-cell Maturation Antigen (BCMA). The invention also provides host cells, such as T-cells or natural killer (NK) cells, expressing the CAR and methods for destroying multiple myeloma cells.

Abstract: Polynucleotides encoding fusion proteins contain a secretable luciferase fused to a modified polypeptide of interest are disclosed. The polypeptide of interest has been modified to remove a native N-terminal secretion sequence and has been replaced by the secretable luciferase. One example of a modified polypeptide of interest is interferon. The polynucleotides and fusion proteins have biotherapeutic, diagnostic, and quality control applications in biotechnological, medical, and veterinary fields. Methods for producing the secretable fusion protein are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for displaying a protein of interest (POI) on the surface of a eukaryotic cell by fusing the POI to a signal polypeptide, a stalk polypeptide, and a surface anchor polypeptide to generate a surface accessible fusion protein. Nucleic acids are provided that include nucleotide sequences encoding a signal polypeptide, a stalk polypeptide, and a surface anchor polypeptide. In some cases, a subject nucleic acid includes and insertion site for the insertion of a POI. In some cases, a subject nucleic acid includes a nucleotide sequence that encodes a POI. In some cases a stalk polypeptide is a synthetic stalk polypeptide and various example synthetic stalk polypeptides are disclosed. In some cases, a surface anchor polypeptide is a glycosylphosphatidylinisotol (GPI) anchor domain, which can be synthetic. Kits are also provided for practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: The current invention provides a modular vector system that enables the insertion of gene expression cassettes in a recursive directional stacking fashion by rare restriction sites which requires only one type of vector. The invention also provides DNA molecules, compositions, and transgenic organisms, plants, plant tissues, plant seeds, and cells comprising recombined restriction sites for rare restriction enzymes.

Abstract: A recombinant DNA construct is disclosed. When the recombinant DNA construct is expressed in a plant or a plant cell, endogenous HD-Zip class II proteins become less able to repress DNA transcription of the genes they typically regulate. The recombinant DNA construct can be expressed in plant cells to produce plants with enhanced phenotypes. Methods of making transgenic plants comprising the recombinant DNA construct, and plants produced thereby are also disclosed.

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 the field of molecular biology and concerns increasing the tocopherol content of a plant relative to a control plant, comprising expressing in a plant at least one polynucleotide encoding a delta-12-desaturase, at least one polynucleotide encoding a delta-6-desaturase, at least one polynucleotide encoding a delta-6-elongase, and at least one polynucleotide encoding a delta-5-desaturase. The present invention also relates to methods for the manufacture of oil, fatty acid- or lipids-containing compositions, and to such oils and lipids as such.

Abstract: Provided are methods of increasing nitrogen use efficiency, fertilizer use efficiency, yield, growth rate, vigor, biomass, oil content and/or abiotic stress tolerance of a plant by expressing within the plant an exogenous polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2560, 2557, 184, 238, 188, 154-156, 158-161, 163-183, 185-187, 189-197, 200-237, 239-264, 266-269, 1351, 1365-1425, 1429-1457, 1459, 1461-1730, 1735, 1739-2397, 2533-2541, 2544-2556, 2558, 2559, 2561-2562 or 2563. Also provided are isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides which can be used to increase nitrogen use efficiency, fertilizer use efficiency, yield, growth rate, vigor, biomass, oil content and/or abiotic stress tolerance of a plant of a plant.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides having a nucleic acid sequence at least 80% homologous to SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162-204, 206-211, 214-287 and/or encoding polypeptides having an amino acid sequence at least 80% homologous to SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13-56, 58-63, 66-121, 141-156 or 157 are provided. Also provided are methods of utilizing same for increasing the tolerance of a plant to abiotic stresses and/or increasing the biomass, vigor and/or yield of a plant.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for controlling undesired vegetation at a plant cultivation site, the method comprising the steps of: providing, at said site, a plant that comprises at least one nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a wild-type hydroxyphenyl pyruvate dioxygenase or a mutated hydroxyphenyl pyruvate dioxygenase (mut-HPPD) which is resistant or tolerant to a N-heterocyclyl-arylcarboxamide and/or a nucleotide sequence encoding a wild-type homogentisate solanesyl transferase or a mutated homogentisate solanesyl transferase (mut-HST) which is resistant or tolerant to a N-heterocyclyl-arylcarboxamide, and applying to said site an effective amount of said herbicide.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for producing plants displaying enhanced disease resistance by transgenic over-expression of Elongator Complex subunit ELP3 or ELP4 genes. Methods and compositions for production of plants with altered growth habit (e.g. runner development) are also provided.

Abstract: An attenuated strain of cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) is useful to protect cucumber plants from infection with the wild-type infectious CGMMV strain. The genome of the attenuated virus contains at least one mutation or group of mutations selected from c.4969G>A, c.3334C>T, and a group of at least six of the mutations c.315G>A; c.1498A>G; c.1660C>T; c.3430C>T; c.3528A>G; c.4144C>T; c.4248C>T; and c.6228C>T. These mutated genomes encode one or more mutations selected from R1637H in the 186 kDa readthrough replication protein, A1092V in the 129 kDa replication protein and/or the 186 kDa readthrough replication protein, and at least six mutations selected from G86S, E480G, S534F, A1124V, N1157D, P1362L, P1397S in the 129 kDa replication protein and/or the 186 kDa readthrough replication protein, and the A156V mutation in the coat protein.

Abstract: The invention relates to identifying and evaluating target coding sequences for control of plant parasitic nematodes by inhibiting one or more biological functions, and their use. The invention provides methods and compositions for identification of such sequences and for the control of a plant-parasitic nematode population. By feeding one or more recombinant double stranded RNA molecules provided by the invention to the nematode, a reduction in disease may be obtained through suppression of nematode gene expression. The invention is also directed to methods for making transgenic plants that express the double stranded RNA molecules, and the plant cells and plants obtained thereby.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Cucumis melo plant which carries QTL1 in its genome that leads to resistance against the Bemisia tabaci species complex, which QTL1 is located between flanking marker sequences SEQ ID No. 1 and SEQ ID No. 2 and can be identified by and is in particular linked to one or more markers selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID No. 3, SEQ ID No. 4, SEQ ID No. 5, SEQ ID No. 6, SEQ ID No. 7, SEQ ID No. 8, SEQ ID No. 9, SEQ ID No. 10, SEQ ID No. 11, and SEQ ID No. 12, or combinations thereof. In a further embodiment, the Cucumis melo plant further comprises another Bemisia resistance conferring QTL, which combination of QTLs leads to an improved level of resistance to the Bemisia tabaci species complex when compared to a plant in which only the other QTL is present.

Abstract: Some aspects of this invention provide nucleic acid constructs for transgene expression. Some aspects of this invention provide multicistronic nucleic acid constructs, for example, comprising an expression cassette encoding a hairpin RNA and a reporter expression cassette. Some aspects of this invention provide nucleic acid constructs comprising two or more self-complementary nucleic acid sequences, for example, hairpin RNA encoding nucleic acid sequences and AAV inverse terminal repeats. Methods for the use of the constructs in therapy and research are also provided.

Abstract: A method for producing recombinant adeno-associated virus, the method including: (1) transforming a gene of interest (GOI) into a recombinant baculovirus, where the recombinant baculovirus has a genome integrated with AAV Rep gene, Cap gene, and rAAV genome ITR-GOI that are needed in the production of the rAAV; and where the ITR-GOI is linked to expression cassette of the Cap gene and the Rep gene by a 5? terminal nucleic acid segment or a 3? terminal nucleic acid segment; (2) infecting host insect larvae with the recombinant baculovirus prepared in (1), such that the rAAV is produced in vivo in the host insect larvae; and (3) lysing the host insect larvae obtained in (2), and extracting and purifying the rAAV.

Abstract: Novel forward primer, reverse primer and poly-linker suitable for replication of nucleic acids in e.g., 293 cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to one or more modified avian-virus based agents, therapies, treatments, and methods of use of the modified avian-virus based agents and/or therapies and/or treatments for cancer. The disclosure also provides for methods of generating modified avian-virus based agents.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods useful, inter alia, for the delivery of ribonucleoprotein complexes (e.g., Cas9/guide RNA complexes) into cells. The compositions and methods provided herein are particularly useful for the delivery of ribonucleoprotein complexes into pluripotent cells and lymphatic cells.

Abstract: A multi-stage anaerobic digester is designed to treat a high solids, stackable feedstock. The system may also receive a pumpable feedstock such as a slurry or sludge. In a first stage, the digestate circulates in one direction around a raceway such that the digestate may pass a feed inlet multiple times before leaving the first tank. An optional side stream loop withdraws fibrous material from near the top of the raceway and return digestate with chopped fibers, preferably lower and further along the raceway. An outlet from the raceway located near, but upstream of, the feed inlet discharges partially digested substrate to a second stage, which is operated as a stirred tank reactor. The two stages may be provided in a single tank with an internal wall separating a ring shaped outer portion from a cylindrical inner portion. The digester may be operated in a thermophilic temperature range.

Abstract: Provided herein are novel xylose transporters and their variants, as well as nucleic acid encoding the novel xylose transporters and their variants. Provided herein are also non-naturally occurring microbial organisms having increased xylose uptake and increased production of bioderived compounds using xylose as a substrate, as well as methods to make and use these microbial organisms.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a production method of Danshensu, belonging to the technical field of bioengineering. The present disclosure constructs a novel genetic engineering strain co-expressed by three enzymes, which can be applied to the production of optically pure 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxypropionic acid. All of the (D/L)-?-hydroxycarboxylic acid dehydrogenase selected by the present disclosure have the characteristics of poor substrate specificity and strong optical specificity, and can produce optically pure D-danshensu and L-danshensu. Further, the production efficiency of the recombinant strain is improved by knocking out or enhancing the expression of a related gene on the E. coli genome to promote substrate transport and reduce product decomposition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing itaconic acid. Further the present invention relates to nucleic acids encoding an aconitate-delta-isomerase (ADI) and trans-aconitate decarboxylase (TAD) and uses of such nucleic acids. Provided is additionally a recombinant host cell engineered to overexpress nucleic acids of the present invention. Furthermore an expression cassette and a vector are provided which include the respective nucleic acid.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for producing products containing strained carbocycles, such as cyclopropene moieties and/or bicyclobutane moieties. The methods include combining an alkyne and a carbene precursor in the presence of a heme protein, e.g., a cytochrome P450, under conditions sufficient to form the strained carbocycle. Reaction mixtures for producing strained carbocycles are also described, as well as whole-cell catalysts comprising heme proteins and variants thereof for forming cyclopropenes, bicyclobutanes, and related products.

Abstract: Provided are a transformant that produces a copolymerized PHA containing 3HH units in a higher composition proportion; and a method for producing a copolymerized PHA, using this transformant. The transformant is a transformant that produces a copolymerized PHA containing 3HH units, in which a gene encoding an enzyme having trans-2-enoyl-CoA hydratase activity and (R)-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase activity is introduced into a prokaryotic microorganism having a PHA synthetase gene capable of synthesizing the copolymerized PHA containing the 3HH units. The method is a method for producing a copolymerized PHA containing 3HH units, which includes a step of culturing this transformant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant cells and microorganisms of the phylum Labyrinthulomycota and their use in heterologous protein production. Novel promoter, terminator, and signal sequences for efficient production and, optionally, secretion of polypeptides from recombinant host cells and microorganisms are also encompassed by the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, components, and compositions for cell-free synthesis of glycosylated proteins. The glycosylated proteins may be utilized in vaccines, including anti-bacterial vaccines. The glycosylated proteins may include a bacterial polysaccharide conjugated to a carrier, which may be utilized to generate an immune response in an immunized host against the polysaccharide conjugated to the carrier. The glycosylated proteins may be synthesized in cell-free glycoprotein synthesis (CFGpS) systems using prokaryote cell lysates that are enriched in components for glycoprotein synthesis such as oligosaccharyltransferases (OSTs) and lipid-linked oligosaccharides (LLOs) including OSTs and LLOs associated with synthesis of bacterial O antigens.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, methods and kits for bacteria identification and anti-microbial susceptibility testing for the treatment of, for example, acute and chronic infections including infectious disease. The present invention is particularly useful in the identification of bacteria causing mastitis, and to antibiotic susceptibility testing to facilitate in the identification of an appropriate treatment for mastitis.

Abstract: A method for determining the antimicrobial susceptibility of a microorganism in a clinical sample includes removing a test aliquot from a clinical sample culture before the culture reaches 0.5 McFarland units and isolating the microbial cells. The cells are transferred into a suitable culture medium for microbial growth and an AST assay is performed using the isolated microbes. The concentration of microbial cells in the microbial cells used to set up the AST assay is measured before measuring the degree of microbial growth in different conditions of the AST assay. Devices for determining the anti-microbial susceptibility of a microorganism in a clinical sample are also disclosed.

Abstract: Traditional enzyme characterization methods are low-throughput, and therefore limit engineering efforts in synthetic biology and biotechnology. Here we propose a DNA-linked enzyme-coupled assay (DLEnCA) to monitor enzyme reactions in a high-throughput manner. Throughput is improved by removing the need for protein purification and by limiting the need for liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS) product detection by linking enzymatic function to DNA modification. DLEnCA is generalizable for many enzymatic reactions, and here we adapt it for glucosyltransferases, methyltransferases, and oxidoreductases. The assay utilizes cell free transcription/translation systems to produce enzymes of interest, while UDP-Glucose and T4-?-glucosyltransferase are used to modify DNA, which is detected post-reaction using qPCR or similar means of DNA analysis. For monitoring methyltransferases, consumption of SAM is observed by coupling to EcoRI methyltransferase.