Abstract: The present invention is related to compound capable of modulating the activity and/or expression of the protein kinase GRK5, thereby enhancing the expression and/or release of insulin. The invention is further related to methods of identifying said compounds for the treatment of diseases of the carbohydrate metabolism. The invention is further related to methods of treatment of diseases of the carbohydrate metabolism, particularly diabetes mellitus type 2.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to therapeutic compositions comprising recombinant bacteria. Further, the disclosure elaborates upon methods of utilizing the taught therapeutic compositions to treat autoimmune and inflammatory disease. The present teachings also relate to the disclosed recombinant bacteria and methods of producing the recombinant bacteria utilized in the compositions and methods. Further taught herein are dietary supplements and food additive compositions comprising the taught recombinant bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides of the enolase protein from Staphylococcus aureus as well as nucleic acid and nucleic acid sequence homologs encoding the peptides. The present invention also relates to a composition, particularly a S. aureus vaccine, comprising one or more of the enolase peptides described herein or a fragment, derivative or variant thereof capable of generating an immune response that induces a protective antibody response or opsonophagocytic activity of human neutrophils for S. aureus. The present invention also encompasses methods of treating and/or reducing the likelihood of a Staphylococcus infection by administering a composition of the invention.

Abstract: A recombinantly modified Corynebacterium glutamicum microorganism with an improved 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BDO) productivity relative to an unmodified Corynebacterium glutamicum microorganism, wherein activity of an enzyme catalyzing a conversion reaction between malate and oxaloacetate is inactivated or reduced relative to an unmodified Corynebacterium glutamicum microorganism, as well as a method of making and using same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bacterial cell with texturizing property, starter cultures comprising the cell, and dairy products fermented with the starter culture.

Abstract: The invention provides, inter alia, methods for the production of acetone, isopropanol and/or precursors of acetone and/or isopropanol by microbial fermentation of substrates comprising CO, genetically modified microorganisms of use in such methods, nucleic acids suitable for preparation of genetically modified microorganisms, a novel alcohol dehydrogenase and nucleic acids encoding same.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acids encoding B7-related factors that modulate the activation of immune or inflammatory response cells, such as T-cells. Also provided are expression vectors and fusion constructs comprising nucleic acids encoding B7-related polypeptides, including BSL1, BSL2, and BSL3. The present invention further provides isolated B7-related polypeptides, isolated fusion proteins comprising B7-related polypeptides, and antibodies that are specifically reactive with B7-related polypeptides, or portions thereof. In addition, the present invention provides assays utilizing B7-related nucleic acids, polypeptides, or peptides. The present invention further provides compositions of B7-related nucleic acids, polypeptides, fusion proteins, or antibodies that are useful for the immunomodulation of a human or animal subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acids encoding B7-related factors that modulate the activation of immune or inflammatory response cells, such as T-cells. Also provided are expression vectors and fusion constructs comprising nucleic acids encoding B7-related polypeptides, including BSL1, BSL2, and BSL3. The present invention further provides isolated B7-related polypeptides, isolated fusion proteins comprising B7-related polypeptides, and antibodies that are specifically reactive with B7-related polypeptides, or portions thereof. In addition, the present invention provides assays utilizing B7-related nucleic acids, polypeptides, or peptides. The present invention further provides compositions of B7-related nucleic acids, polypeptides, fusion proteins, or antibodies that are useful for the immunomodulation of a human or animal subject.

Abstract: The expression vector includes: the nucleic acids coding for the polypeptides forming a polypeptide complex having an enzyme activity allowing acetoacetyl-CoA to be converted to acetoacetate; optionally, at least one nucleic acid coding for a polypeptide having an enzyme activity allowing acetoacetate to be converted to acetone; and at least one nucleic acid coding for a polypeptide having an enzyme activity allowing acetone to be converted to isopropanol; the expression of the nucleic acids being controlled by a single constitutive promoter located upstream of the abovementioned nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel Salmonella mutants, to a process for producing same and to vaccines containing same, wherein said Salmonella mutants are characterized in that they elicit a humoral response that can be distinguished from the humoral response elicited by the wild type strains. It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide the use of said Salmonella mutants as serological marker strains in the vaccination of animals, in particular mammals and birds, more in particular cattle, poultry and pigs. The serological marker vaccine is of special value in animal farming and provides a (long-lasting) immunization against a wide range of Salmonella strains. The novel mutants are non-reverting and can be used for the efficient immunization of mammals and birds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biosynthetic gene cluster for a chejuenolide of the marine microorganism Hahella chejuensis, and to the function of an enzyme involving the biosynthetic pathway of a chejuenolide encoded by the genes. Since the present invention can be applied to the development of a novel material as a mechanism for biosynthesis by combining of biosynthetic genes for chejuenolide, the present invention can suggest a new direction in the study of polyketide antibiotics, and is thus very useful.

Abstract: This invention relates to recombinant microorganisms capable of producing isoprene and isoprene production with the use of such recombinant microorganism with good efficiency. In this invention, functional activity of the ispA gene is altered to reduce the production of isoprenoid molecules in recombinant cells engineered to produce isoprene or in cells otherwise susceptible to isoprenoid accumulation during fermentation. This decreased ispA gene functional activity enables enhanced synthesis of isoprene in a host microorganism.

Abstract: Fully human antibodies and antigen-binding portions thereof that bind to human 4-1BB and that allow binding of human 4-1BB to a human 4-1BB ligand. In one aspect, the antibody is an IgG4 antibody. Also provided is a method for treating a disease in a subject comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the antibody to said subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biologically pure culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which culture has a characteristic nature capable of highly producing lactic acid. A method for preparing the biologically pure culture and a method for production of lactic acid are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a humanized nucleic acid construct from Bacillus anthracis protective antigen (PA) gene and method of modifying the gene. The humanized gene, and method of producing it, improves the structural fidelity of expressed protein product, when produced in mammalian host cells, to native, bacterially produced protein. The construct is useful in nucleic acid based vaccine formulations against B. anthracis.

Abstract: Provided are newly identified pneumoviruses that can infect mammals, including dogs cats and potentially humans. Isolated polynucleotides and proteins of the viruses, as well as the isolated viruses themselves are provided. The invention includes compositions and methods for detecting the viruses, methods and compositions for prophylaxis and/or therapy of disease signs that are positively correlated with the presence of the viruses, and isolated cells comprising the viruses. Intact virions, viral proteins, and fragments thereof are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a genetically modified host cell capable of producing 1-deoxyxylulose 5-phosphate or 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate (DXP) (12), and optionally one or more DXP derived compounds, comprising: (a) a mutant RibB, or functional variant thereof, capable of catalyzing xylulose 5-phosphate and/or ribulose 5-phosphate to DXP, or (b) a YajO, or functional variant thereof, and a XylB, or functional variant thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides, inter alia, methods for the production of acetone, isopropanol and/or precursors of acetone and/or isopropanol by microbial fermentation of substrates comprising CO, genetically modified microorganisms of use in such methods, nucleic acids suitable for preparation of genetically modified microorganisms, a novel alcohol dehydrogenase and nucleic acids encoding same.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microorganism which produces and/or secretes an organic-chemical compound, wherein the microorganism has increased expression, compared to the particular starting strain, of one or more protein subunits of the ABC transporter having the activity of a trehalose importer, said microorganism being capable of taking up trehalose from the medium; and to a method for the production of an organic-chemical compound, using the microorganism according to the invention, wherein accumulation of trehalose in the fermentation broth is reduced or avoided.

Abstract: Methods and materials related to producing 3-HP as well as other organic compounds are disclosed. Specifically, isolated nucleic acids, polypeptides, host cells, and methods and materials for producing 3-HP and other organic compounds are disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided an antigenic composition comprising (a) a first mycobacterial antigenic polypeptide or a first mycobacterial polynucleotide; and (b) a second mycobacterial antigenic polypeptide or a second mycobacterial polynucleotide; wherein: (i) said first mycobacterial antigenic polypeptide comprises a polypeptide sequence having at least 70% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or 7, or a fragment thereof having at least 7 consecutive amino acids thereof; (ii) said first mycobacterial polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide sequence encoding said first mycobacterial antigenic polypeptide; (iii) said second mycobacterial antigenic polypeptide comprises a polypeptide sequence having at least 70% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5, or a fragment thereof having at least 7 consecutive amino acids thereof; and (iv) said second mycobacterial polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide sequence encoding said second mycobacterial polypeptid

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising polynucleotide molecules encoding certain pesticidal polypeptides which exhibit plant parasitic nematode and/or insect control properties, and are particularly directed to controlling plant parasitic pest species of nematodes and insects known to infest crop plant species. Methods for controlling pests are disclosed in which the toxic proteins are provided in the diet of the targeted plant pests. The invention also provides compositions such as nucleic acids, proteins, and plant and bacterial cells, plants, and seeds containing the nucleic acid and protein compositions, as well as methods and kits for identifying, detecting, and isolating the compositions of the present invention. The invention further provides a method of producing crops from recombinant seeds which contain the polynucleotide molecules encoding the pesticidal polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: Isolated proteins which are at least partially encoded by polynucleotide sequences encoding novel desaturases are provided together with a composition which includes these isolated proteins. A transgenic plant, a transgenic alga, or a transgenic seed transformed by the polynucleotides encoding proteins which are at least partially encoded by novel desaturases are also provided. The invention also includes a process for making a very long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid in a transformed cell, a transgenic alga, or a transgenic plant expressing the isolated protein or proteins which are at least partially encoded by the polynucleotide sequences encoding novel ?5, ?6, or ?12 desaturases.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acids encoding a zingiberene synthase that enables host cells and plants to make zingiberene that is useful in fragrances and for repelling or killing insects. The invention also relates to isolated zingiberene synthases and to methods for making zingiberenes.

Abstract: A bispecific antibody format providing ease of isolation is provided, comprising immunoglobulin heavy chain variable domains that are differentially modified in the CH3 domain, wherein the differential modifications are non-immunogenic or substantially non-immunogenic with respect to the CH3 modifications, and at least one of the modifications results in a differential affinity for the bispecific antibody for an affinity reagent such as Protein A, and the bispecific antibody is isolable from a disrupted cell, from medium, or from a mixture of antibodies based on its affinity for Protein A.

Abstract: This disclosure describes recombinant Caldicellulosiruptor bescii microbes designed to produce greater amounts of acetate, H2, and/or ethanol than a comparable wild type control. this disclosure also describes methods that generally include growing such recombinant microbes under conditions effective for the recombinant microbes to produce acetate, H2, and/or ethanol.

Abstract: There is provided a diagnostic reagent for use in the detection of M. bovis or M. tuberculosis infection in an animal, comprising a peptide which has an epitope from Mycobacterium bovis hypothetic protein Mb3645c (SEQ ID NO: 1) or an epitope from a polypeptide having at least 76% identity with SEQ ID NO: 1.

Abstract: The presently disclosed inventive concepts are directed in certain embodiments to a method of producing protoporphyrin IX by (1) cultivating a strain of Shewanella bacteria in a culture medium under conditions suitable for growth thereof, and (2) recovering the protoporphyrin IX from the culture medium. The strain of Shewanella bacteria comprises at least one mutant hemH gene which is incapable of normal expression, thereby causing an accumulation of protoporphyrin IX. In certain embodiments of the method, the strain of Shewanella bacteria is a strain of S. loihica, and more specifically may be S. loihica PV-4. In certain embodiments, the mutant hemH gene of the strain of Shewanella bacteria may be a mutant of shew_2229 and/or of shew_1140.

Abstract: We provide a Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell which is capable of higher protein sialylation compared to a wild type Chinese Hamster Ovary cell, such as in the presence of functional GnT 1, in which the CHO cell is obtainable by selection with Ricinus communis agglutinin I (RCA-I).

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid molecule that encodes a terpene synthase and is selected from among: a) a nucleic acid molecule comprising the sequence of nucleotides set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 5; b) a nucleic acid molecule that is a fragment of (a); c) a nucleic acid molecule comprising a sequence of nucleotides that is complementary to (a) or (b); and d) a nucleic acid molecule that encodes a terpene synthase having at least or at least about 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% identity to any one of (a)-(c); wherein the nucleic acid molecule encodes a terpene synthase.

Abstract: Described herein is a set of oligonucleotide probes. Also included are methods of using the oligonucleotide probes in profiling the microbiota of the GI tract of a subject and methods of diagnosing or monitoring a disease or condition in a subject or predicting or assessing the risk of a subject developing a disease or condition. Kits comprising the oligonucleotide probe set described herein are also provided.

Abstract: A flavin-bound glucose dehydrogenase (FAD-GDH) with high substrate specificity for D-glucose. A gene encoding a mutant FAD-GDH with its N-terminal region, containing an amino acid sequence corresponding to MKITAAIITVATAFASFASA that exists in the N-terminal region, deleted from the amino acid sequence of a wild-type FAD-GDH derived from Mucor is introduced into E. coli to obtain an E. coli transformant. Subsequently, this E. coli transformant is cultured to obtain an FAD-GDH with a specific N-terminal region deleted. The transformant allows the production of a large amount of GDH in a short time as compared with the original microorganism. An FAD-GDH that is less susceptible to the effects of dissolved oxygen and allows accurate measurement of glucose even in the presence of sugar compounds other than glucose in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cobalamin acquisition protein, compositions containing the cobalamin acquisition protein, and the use of such compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to animal protein-free cell culture media comprising polyamines and a plant- and/or yeast-derived hydrolysate. The invention also relates to animal protein-free culturing processes, wherein cells can be cultivated, propagated and passaged without adding supplementary animal proteins in the culture medium. These processes are useful in cultivating cells, such as recombinant cells or cells infected with a virus, and for producing biological products by cell culture processes.

Abstract: A lactic acid-producing yeast mutant which is a mutant of a yeast prepared by introduction of a lactate dehydrogenase gene that results in lactic acid-producing ability, the mutant having, in a medium at pH 3, a lactic acid-producing ability equivalent to or higher than the lactic acid-producing ability of a parent strain of the mutant at a lactic acid fermentation optimum pH.

Abstract: An Aspergillus mutant strain obtained by deleting a ligD gene from an auxotrophic mutant strain of Aspergillus oryzae strain AOK27L.

Abstract: Protein kinases are important signaling molecules involved in tumorigenesis. Mutational analysis of the human tyrosine kinase gene family (98 genes) identified somatic alterations in ?20% of colorectal cancers, with the majority of mutations occurring in NTRK3, FES, GUCY2F and a previously uncharacterized tyrosine kinase gene called MCCK/MLK4. Most alterations were in conserved residues affecting key regions of the kinase domain. These data represent a paradigm for the unbiased analysis of signal transducing genes in cancer and provide useful targets for therapeutic intervention.

Abstract: A substantially purified substance having the properties of a bacterial microcin methionine analog, methionine synthesis inhibitor, tRNA-methionine synthase inhibitors or methionine competitive inhibitor capable of inhibiting tumor cell growth without inhibiting the growth of normal cells or treating neoplastic diseases, and may be used alone or in combination with other anti-cancer agents. The purified substance may also have anti-hyperhomocysteineuria and/or anti-infective properties, such as antifungal activity. The purified substance can be safely administered to animals including humans for the treatment of neoplastic, hyperhomocysteinemia and/or infectious diseases for the treatment of those diseases.

Abstract: Isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius are provided. Further provided are methods of modulating transcription or transcription or transcriptional control using isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method capable of producing a natural or recombinant protein in high yield. The present invention relates to a method of producing a polypeptide, comprising culturing a cell which strongly expresses cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase and has a transferred DNA encoding a desired polypeptide and thereby allowing the cell to produce the polypeptide. Hamster cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase, a DNA encoding the same, a recombinant vector and a transformed cell are also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides microbial organisms, particularly yeasts such as Yarrowia lipolytica, that have one or more disrupted genes. The gene disruption(s) may yield improved production of fatty acyl-CoA derivatives.

Abstract: A genetically enhanced cyanobacterial host cell, Cyanobacterium sp. ABICyano1, is disclosed. The enhanced Cyanobacterium sp. ABICyano1 produces a compound or compounds of interest.

Abstract: Modified animal erythropoietin polypeptides and uses thereof are provided.

Abstract: A method for producing an L-amino acid comprising: a) cultivating in a medium containing glycerol a recombinant coryneform bacteria which produces the desired L-amino acid and which expresses at least one heterologous polynucleotide of glycerol metabolism, such as glpA, glpB, glpC, glpD, glpE, glpF, glpG, glpK, glpQ, gipT, glpX, gldA, dhaK, dhaL, dhaM, dhaR, fsa, and/or talC, and b) isolating the desired L-amino acid. Preferably, the pathways producing the desired L-amino acid in the coryneform bacteria are amplified.

Abstract: The invention provides Chlamydia antigens for use in the treatment, prevention and/or diagnosis of Chlamydia infection. In particular, the invention provides antigens CT733, CT153, CT601, CT279, CT443, CT372, CT456, CT381, CT255, CT341, CT716, CT745, CT387, CT812, CT869, CT166, CT175, CT163, CT214, CT721, CT127, CT043, CT823 and/or CT600 from C. trachomatis for the treatment, prevention or diagnosis of Chlamydia infection.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, compositions, and systems for transforming silkworms to produce spider silk and analogs of spider silk. In certain embodiments, the method may include inserting a DNA sequence coding for at least a portion of a spider silk fibroin polypeptide, or an analog of a spider silk fibroin polypeptide, positioned between at least a portion of the 5? and 3? ends of a silkworm fibroin gene to generate a fusion gene construct having a sequence that encodes for a polypeptide comprising both spider silk fibroin and silkworm silk fibroin sequences. In certain embodiments, the fused gene is able to replace a native gene present in the silkworm such that the transformed silkworm expresses a polypeptide comprising a spider silk fibroin polypeptide, or an analog thereof, and expresses significantly less of the native silkworm silk.

Abstract: A metabolically enhanced cyanobacterial cell for the production of ethanol is provided. The metabolically enhanced cyanobacterial cell for the production of ethanol comprises at least one recombinant gene encoding a pyruvate decarboxylase enzyme (Pdc) converting pyruvate to acetaldehyde, and at least one recombinant gene encoding a first Zn2+ dependent alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme (Adh) converting acetaldehyde to ethanol. The invention also provides a method for producing the metabolically enhanced cyanobacterium, a method for producing ethanol with the metabolically enhanced cyanobacterium, and a method for screening of alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme expressing cyanobacterial strains for the presence of NADPH-dependent native alcohol dehydrogenase enzymes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (22) for changing the pH of a solvent in which a substance is dissolved. The device includes a housing (24) in contact with the solvent through a housing wall (26) that is permissive to the solvent and the substance. The housing contains enzymes adapted for converting the substance in order to provide hydrogen or hydroxyle ions; the housing wall being non-permissive to the enzymes.

Abstract: A recombinant gram-negative bacterial cell comprising one or more of the following mutated protease genes: a) a mutated Tsp gene, wherein the mutated Tsp gene encodes a Tsp protein having reduced protease activity or is a knockout mutated Tsp gene; b) a mutated ptr gene, wherein the mutated ptr gene encodes a Protease III protein having reduced protease activity or is a knockout mutated ptr gene; and c) a mutated DegP gene encoding a DegP protein having chaperone activity and reduced protease activity; wherein the cell is isogenic to a wild-type bacterial cell except for the mutated Tsp gene and/or mutated ptr gene and/or mutated DegP gene and optionally a polynucleotide sequence encoding a protein of interest.

Abstract: The invention relates to a host cell comprising at least four different heterologous polynucleotides chosen from the group of polynucleotides encoding cellulases, hemicellulases and pectinases, wherein the host cell is capable of producing the at least four different enzymes chosen from the group of cellulases, hemicellulases and pectinases, wherein the host cell is a filamentous fungus and is capable of secretion of the at least four different enzymes. This host cell can suitably be used for the production of an enzyme composition that can be used in a process for the saccharification of cellulosic material.