Abstract: The invention includes a mutant Taq polymerase, which can significantly extend and amplify a target sequence where the extension conditions are time limited to as little as one second. The mutant Taq polymerase, or a biologically active fragment thereof, has one or more substitutions differing from the wild type as shown in Table I.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mutated HPV18 L1 protein (or a variant thereof), a sequence encoding the same, a method for preparing the same, and a virus-like particle comprising the same, wherein the protein (or a variant thereof) and the virus-like particle can induce the generation of neutralizing antibodies against at least two HPV types (for example, HPV18 and HPV45, or HPV18, HPV45 and HPV59), and therefore can be used to prevent infection by said at least two HPV types, and a disease caused by said infection, such as cervical cancer and condyloma acuminatum. The invention further relates to the use of the protein and the virus-like particle in the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition or a vaccine for preventing infection by said at least two HPV types, and a disease caused by said infection, such as cervical cancer and condyloma acuminatum.

Abstract: An imaging system that can include a microscope for directly viewing a biological specimen and a multi-spectral imaging apparatus for outputting digitally enhanced images, near-video rate imaging, and/or videos of the specimen. An imaging system that can include a digital scanner that digitally processes images to produce a composite image with enhanced color contrast of features of interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides for novel methods for regulating and detecting the cytosine methylation status of DNA. The invention is based upon identification of a novel and surprising catalytic activity for the family of TET proteins, namely TET1, TET2, TET3, and CXXC4. The novel activity is related to the enzymes being capable of converting the cytosine nucleotide 5-methylcytosine into 5-hydroxymethylcytosine by hydroxylation.

Abstract: This invention provides for an improved method of stabilizing freeze dried bacterial extracts with a carbohydrate lyoprotectant such that the extracts can be for use in cell free protein synthesis. Also provided herein are formulations for stable, freeze dried bacterial extracts that when stored at room temperature retain at least about 70% protein synthesis activity compared to undried frozen bacterial extracts.

Abstract: The invention relates to genomically recoded organisms, platforms for preparing sequence defined biopolymers in vitro comprising a cellular extract from a genomically recorded organism, and methods for preparing sequence defined biopolymers in vitro are described. In particular, the invention relates to genomically recoded organisms comprising a strain deficient in release factor 1 (RF-1) or a genetic homolog thereof and at least one of at least one additional genetic knock-out mutation, at least one additional upregulated gene product, or both at least one additional knock-out mutation and at least one additional upregulated gene product.

Abstract: Recombinant cells and recombinant organisms persistently expressing nonstandard amino acids (NSAAs) are provided. Methods of making recombinant cells and recombinant organisms dependent on persistently expressing NSAAs for survival are also provided. These methods may be used to make safe recombinant cells and recombinant organisms and/or to provide a selective pressure to maintain one or more reassigned codon functions in recombinant cells and recombinant organisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for endotoxin removal from a sample comprising the following steps: combining the sample comprising one or more target molecule(s) with a chromatography media comprising beads having an inner porous core functionalized with ligands capable of binding endotoxin and an outer porous layer without functional groups and a pore size small enough to exclude the target molecule from the inner core; and collecting the sample from the media, wherein the sample comprises an endotoxin level which is at least 75% less, preferably 90% less, than before the removal and the yield of the target molecule is at least 75%.

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: A concentration agent for microorganisms is provided that contains both lanthanum and carbonate. Additionally, articles that include the concentration agent and methods of concentrating a microorganism using the concentration agent are provided.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for continuous cell culture and other reactions are generally described. In some embodiments, chambers (e.g., cell growth chambers) including at least a portion of a wall formed of a flexible member are provided. A retaining structure can be incorporated outside and proximate to the chamber such that when liquid is added to the chamber, the flexible member is consistently and predictably deformed, and a consistent volume of liquid is added. The flexible member can be formed of, in some embodiments, a gas-permeable medium. In some embodiments, reaction chambers can be arranged in a fluidic loop, and a bypass channel can be used to introduce and/or extract fluid from the loop without affecting loop operation.

Abstract: A mixing vessel (10) for containing a liquid, comprises a chamber having a lower chamber portion and an upper chamber portion wider than the lower portion, gas inlet means (14) for supplying gas to the lower portion and means for redirecting rising gas (24), such that, in use, rising gas in the form of bubbles, initially rises substantially vertically and is redirected in a substantially horizontal direction by the means for redirecting rising gas.

Abstract: Described herein are monomers capable of forming a biologically useful multimer when in contact with one, two, three or more other monomers in an aqueous media. In one aspect, such monomers may be capable of binding to another monomer in an aqueous media (e.g. in vivo) to form a multimer, (e.g. a dimer). Contemplated monomers may include a ligand moiety, a linker element, and a connector element that joins the ligand moiety and the linker element. In an aqueous media, such contemplated monomers may join together via each linker element and may thus be capable of modulating one or more biomolecules substantially simultaneously, e.g., modulate two or more binding domains on a protein or on different proteins.

Abstract: A mixing vessel (10) for containing a liquid, comprises a chamber having a lower chamber portion and an upper chamber portion wider than the lower portion, gas inlet means (14) for supplying gas to the lower portion and means for redirecting rising gas (24), such that, in use, rising gas in the form of bubbles, initially rises substantially vertically and is redirected in a substantially horizontal direction by the means for redirecting rising gas.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of pro biotic micro-organisms, in particular to the field of non-replicating probiotic micro-organisms. Embodiments of the present invention relate to compositions comprising probiotic microorganisms that were rendered non-replicating by extrusion. Such compositions may be used to treat or prevent disorders that are related to a compromised immune system.

Abstract: A method for cultivating a bacterial cell comprising the addition of an amino acid in an alkaline solution used for pH regulation. Also an aspect is a method for producing a polypeptide comprising the steps of a) providing a bacterial cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide, b) cultivating the provided cell, c) adjusting the pH value during the cultivating with a basic solution comprising an amino acid, d) recovering the polypeptide from the cell or the cultivation medium and thereby producing the polypeptide.

Abstract: Compositions relating to a combination of two types of separation matrix; and to variant host cells which contain at least one essential host protein that is fused to an affinity binding tag or has been mutated to replace at least two of a plurality of histidines or basic amino acids are provided. Methods are also provided that relate to isolating a recombinant protein from a lysate.

Abstract: A method of deactivating an explosive composition being used in a blasting operation, which method comprises exposing the explosive composition to a micro-organism that is indigenous to the environment in which the explosive composition is being used and that is capable of producing an enzyme that degrades the explosive composition, wherein the explosive composition has associated with it a chemical inducing agent that promotes production of the enzyme by the micro-organism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new bacterial strain of Samonella enterica serovar Typhimurium VNP20009 deposited in the Polish Collection of Microorganisms under access no. B/00024 and its us in the production of a vaccine, especially an anti-cancer vaccine. The present invention also relates to a method of obtaining a therapeutic vaccine vector, characterized in that a genetic modification is introduced into the vector strain specific to cancer cells, resulting in the delayed over expression of a gene encoding a protein responsible for the invasive ability of this strain.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the discovery of a method of inhibiting, preventing or treating bacterial infections. The invention also relates to a method of inhibiting bacterial capsule biogenesis.

Abstract: An apparatus for cultivating cells utilizing wave motion comprising a container, a retaining member configured to retain the container, a drive assembly for swiveling the container with respect to the substantially horizontal pivot axis and to swivel, such that during swiveling the pivot axis follows a cyclical closed-loop path.

Abstract: 7-(substituted) derivatives of 7H-pyrrolo[3,2-f]-quinazoline-1,3-diamines, derivative thereof, and methods of using them are provided. The pharmaceutical formulations prepared from the compounds can be used to treat a variety of conditions, which include, but are not limited to bacterial and fungal infections. The compounds can also be used as a sterilizing or disinfecting agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mutant microorganism with enhanced sugar utilization and methods for preparing the same. The mutant strain is capable of effectively utilizing various sugars including cellobiose and xylose, and can thus be useful in the production of biofuels, physiologically active materials, medicinal materials or industrial chemicals from cellulosic biomass. It also reduces the need for addition of one out of the three enzymes used in the saccharification of lignocellulose. It also eliminates the need for separate reactors to ferment pentose and hexose sugar.

Abstract: Detergent compositions containing high efficiency lipase enzymes and specific detergent formulations comprising less than 10 wt % zeolite and phosphate builder are described. Preferred formulations comprise surfactants selected from alkyl benzene sulphonates in combination with alky ethoxylated sulfates or MES or non-ionic surfactants.

Abstract: A method for producing a basic substance by fermentation comprising culturing a microorganism having an ability to produce the basic substance in a liquid medium contained in a fermentation tank to produce and accumulate the basic substance in the medium, wherein amount of sulfate and/or chloride ions used as counter ions of the basic substance is reduced by adjusting total ammonia concentration in the medium to be within a specific concentration range during at least a part of the total period of culture process.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a process to produce organic products from a single-carbon substrate; microbial compositions used in the process; and a process to isolate microorganisms for the process.

Abstract: A microorganism of the genus Escherichia having enhanced L-amino acid productivity, wherein the microorganism is transformed to have an enhanced NAD kinase activity and an inactivated activity of an enzyme having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 encoded by tehB gene and a method for producing L-amino acids using the microorganism of the genus Escherichia.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of incorporating nonstandard amino acids into a protein by utilizing a modified aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase to charge the nonstandard amino acid to a modified tRNA, which forms strict Watson-Crick base-pairing with a codon that normally forms wobble base-pairing with natural tRNAs.

Abstract: This invention belongs to the technical field of industrial microorganism fermentation and relates to a type of chemical defined medium used for succinic acid production by fermentation and its application. The chemical defined medium of this invention used for succinic acid production by fermentation includes conventional compositions and critical growth factor compositions. Said critical growth factor compositions include biotin or 5-ALA, niacin, amino acid, and methionine. This formula determines four critical growth factors of succinic acid fermentation through reasonable technical means. The culture medium is free of complicated and expensive nutritious compositions such as yeast powder and peptone.

Abstract: The invention features methods for producing isoprene from cultured cells using a feedback-resistant mevalonate kinase polypeptide, such as an archaeal mevalonate kinase polypeptide. The resulting isoprene compositions may have increased yields and/or purity of isoprene.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating or preventing allergic responses, particularly anaphylactic allergic responses, in subjects who are allergic to allergens or susceptible to allergies. Methods of the present invention utilize administration of microorganisms to subjects, where the microorganisms produce allergens and protect the subjects from exposure to the allergens until phagocytosed by antigen-presenting cells. Particularly preferred microorganisms are gram-negative bacteria, gram-positive bacteria, and yeast. Particularly preferred allergens are proteins found in foods, venoms, drugs and latex that elicit allergic reactions and anaphylactic allergic reactions in individuals who are allergic to the proteins or are susceptible to allergies to the proteins. The proteins may also be modified to reduce the ability of the proteins to bind and crosslink IgE antibodies and thereby reduce the risk of eliciting anaphylaxis without affecting T-cell mediated Th1-type immunity.

Abstract: Provided is a fusion protein, which comprises human fibroblast growth factor 21 and glucagon-like-peptide-1 or its analogs. Also provided is the medicament composition comprising the fusion protein, which can be used for treating or preventing obesity, diabetes, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia etc.

Abstract: The invention encompasses phage ?mru including phage induction, phage particles, and the phage genome. Also encompassed are phage polypeptides, as well as polynucleotides which encode these polypeptides, expression vectors comprising these polynucleotides, and host cells comprising these vectors. The invention further encompasses compositions and methods for detecting, targeting, permeabilising, and inhibiting microbial cells, especially methanogen cells, using the disclosed phage, polypeptides, polynucleotides, expression vectors, or host cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for the use of oil-containing materials as feedstocks for the production the bioproducts by biofermentation. In one preferred embodiment, surfactants are not used in compositions and the methods of the invention. In one preferred embodiment the oil-containing feedstocks are the by-products of other industrial processes including microbial, plant and animal oil processing.

Abstract: A composition comprising intact minicells that contain a drug molecule is useful for targeted drug delivery. One targeted drug delivery method employs bispecific ligands, comprising a first arm that carries specificity for a bacterially derived minicell surface structure and a second arm that carries specificity for a mammalian cell surface receptor, to target drug-loaded minicells to specific mammalian cells and to cause endocytosis of the minicells by the mammalian cells. Another drug delivery method exploits the natural ability of phagocytic mammalian cells to engulf minicells without the use of bispecific ligands.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of artificially repressing gene expression, which is simpler to design than conventional methods (the RNAi, ribozyme and antisense methods) and which allows for easier confirmation of the effect. A method of inhibiting the translation reaction of a target gene, comprising cutting out a part of the poly(A) tail and/or 3?-terminal sequence of the target mRNA is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bacterium having a genome that is genetically engineered to be smaller than the genome of its native parent strain. A bacterium with a smaller genome can produce a commercial product more efficiently. The present invention also provides methods for deleting genes and other DNA sequences from a bacterial genome. The methods provide precise deletions and seldom introduces mutations to the genomic DNA sequences around the deletion sites. Thus, the methods can be used to generate a series of deletions in a bacterium without increasing the possibility of undesired homologous recombination within the genome. In addition, some of the methods provided by the present invention can also be used for replacing a region of a bacterial genome with a desired DNA sequence.

Abstract: Some aspects of this invention relate to methods useful for the conversion of a carbon source to a biofuel or biofuel precursor using engineered microbes. Some aspects of this invention relate to the discovery of a key regulator of lipid metabolism in microbes. Some aspects of this invention relate to engineered microbes for biofuel or biofuel precursor production.

Abstract: Provided are a microorganism for use in quantification of homocysteine and methionine and a method of quantifying homocysteine and methionine in a sample by using the microorganism.

Abstract: The invention provides a microorganism belonging to Enterobacteriaceae in which a function of CsrC RNA has been decreased or lost, and which has the ability to produce and accumulate an amino acid, and a process in which the microorganism is cultured in a medium to produce and accumulate the amino acid in the culture, and the amino acid is recovered from the culture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant N-glycosylated proteins, comprising one or more introduced N-glycosylated optimized amino acid sequence(s), nucleic acids encoding these proteins as well as corresponding vectors and host cells. In addition, the present invention is directed to the use of said proteins, nucleic acids, vectors and host cells for preparing medicaments. Furthermore, the present invention provides methods for producing said proteins.

Abstract: The invention relates to a truncated L1 protein of the Human Papillomavirus Type 6, a virus-like particle consisting of the protein, a vaccine comprising said virus-like particle, and the use of the vaccine in the prevention of condyloma acuminatum or HPV infections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for splitting droplets on demand in a microfluidic junction, comprising the supply channel, the first drain channel and the second drain channel, the method comprises the following steps: a. delivering a droplet (1) to the said microfluidic junction (3) through said supply channel (2) by means of a flow of continuous liquid through the supply channel (2) and said first drain channel, b. stopping the flow in said first drain channel and opening the flow in said second drain channel until a fraction (7) of the droplet (1) is present in the second drain channel, c. resuming the flow in the first drain channel and closing the flow in the second drain channel, at least until the fraction (7) of the said droplet (1) being present in the first drain channel separates from the rest of the droplet.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions for treating an animal to inhibit the incidence and growth of E. coli O157:H7 and other pathogenic bacteria. The composition is a therapeutically effective amount of a Lactobacillus bacterium, or one, or a combination of a number of other probiotic bacteria. An alternative composition is a therapeutically effective amount of a lactic acid producing bacterium such as Lactobacillus bacterium in combination with a lactate utilizing bacterium such as Propionibacterium. One example of the Lactobacillus bacterium is Lactobacillus acidophilus, and one example of the Propionibacterium is Propionibacterium freudenreichii.

Abstract: The invention relates to identification of mutations and genetic targets for enhanced L-tyrosine production, and bacterial strains capable of L-tyrosine production.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is the use of tigemonam and carumonam in treating bacterial infection caused by bacteria producing K. pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of bacteriology. In particular, the invention relates to compositions of probiotic microbes and methods for making and using such compositions, e.g. in the treatment and prevention of catheter associated urinary tract infections.

Abstract: A process for producing an interferon alpha 5 (IFNa5) protein by expression in an IFNa5 producing Escherichia coli host cell, wherein incorporation of an extra methionine residue in the N-terminal end of the polypeptide chain is minimized as well as the generation of its oxidized species is disclosed. The IFNa5 protein can be purified by an efficient process to render a biologically active IFNa5.

Abstract: Novel fungal endoglucanases Cel5 and Cel12 are disclosed. The endoglucanases are conveniently produced by recombinant technology, and means for their production are described. The endoglucanases are used for treating cellulosic material, especially in textile industry, e.g. in biofinishing or biostoning. They may also be used in detergents, in animal feed and/or in pulp and paper industry, or in hydrolysis of lignocellulosic material for, e.g. bioethanol production.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of F4+ non-pathogenic Escherichia coli strains to promote growth in an animal. The present invention also relates to the use of such strains to homogenize growth among a herd of animals. More specifically, the animal(s) of interest in the present invention are those wherein growth promotion or growth homogenization are desired goals, such as animals reared for meat production. The present invention further relates to a method for promoting growth of an animal as well as a method for homogenizing growth among a herd of animals.