Abstract: The present invention is directed to a synthetic nucleic acid sequence which encodes a protein wherein at least one non-common codon or less-common codon is replaced by a common codon. The synthetic nucleic acid sequence can include a continuous stretch of at least 90 codons all of which are common codons.

Abstract: A method for modulating double-strand break-induced mutagenesis at a genomic locus of interest in a cell, thereby giving new tools for genome engineering, including therapeutic applications and cell line engineering. A method for modulating double-strand break-induced mutagenesis, concerns the identification of effectors that modulate double-strand break-induced mutagenesis by use of interfering agents; these agents are capable of modulating double-strand break-induced mutagenesis through their respective direct or indirect actions on said effectors. Methods of using these effectors, interfering agents and derivatives, respectively, by introducing them into a cell in order to modulate and more particularly to increase double-strand break-induced mutagenesis. Specific derivatives of identified effectors and interfering agents, vectors encoding them, compositions and kits comprising such derivatives for modulating or increasing double-strand break-induced mutagenesis.

Abstract: A method for preparing a transgenic animal of simultaneous multiple-gene expression is provided. Additionally, a method for preparing a transgenic embryo, which introduces both phytase gene and human myxovirus resistant gene A into a target embryo, to obtain a transgenic embryo is provided. The transgenic animal of simultaneous multiple-gene expression can be achieved by transplanting the transgenic embryo into the body of a female target animal. A significant advantage of the foregoing methods, among many others, exists in that the simultaneous expression of multiple genes can be achieved in one transgenosis, which provides a convenient mean for the preparation of combined-gene transferred animals etc.

Abstract: The present technology relates to engineered human Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 (FGF2) proteins and methods of using the same. In particular, the methods and compositions relate to FGF2 mutants with increased thermostability compared to the wild-type protein and method for using the proteins in the culturing of embryonic stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to SorCS1-like agents, including SorCS1, nucleic acid molecule encoding expression of SorCS1 and fragments thereof, as well as vectors containing said nucleic acid and to cells expressing SorCS1 and said fragments, for the treatment of obesity.

Abstract: To provide an immunosuppressing agent having high therapeutic effect and uses thereof. The immunosuppressing agent includes adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells obtained by low-serum culture.

Abstract: Transgenic mammals, cells derived from the animals, and methods of using these to monitor the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response are provided. In some embodiments, the methods allow for monitoring the ER stress response in real time. Some of the methods allow non-invasive in vivo visualization of ER stress response. Also provided are methods of screening molecules and/or treatment conditions for the ability to modulate the ER stress response, methods of treating diseases characterized by ER stress response activity, and methods of detecting the toxicity or therapeutic ratio of molecules that modulate the ER stress response.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for rejuvenating normal somatic cells and for making normal somatic cells of a different type having the same genotype as a normal somatic cell of interest. These cells have particular application in cell and tissue transplantation. Also encompassed are methods of re-cloning cloned animals, particularly methods where the offspring of cloned mammals are designed to be genetically altered in comparison to their cloned parent, e.g., that are “hyper-young.” These animals should be healthier and possess desirable properties relative to their cloned parent. Also included are methods for activating endogenous telomerase, EPC-1 activity, and or the ALT pathway and/or extending the life-span of a normal somatic cell, and other genes associated with cell aging and proliferation capacity.

Abstract: Methods of enhanced protein transduction are provided. Aspects of the methods include contacting a cell with a transduction protein, where the transduction protein includes both a protein-of-interest domain and a protein transduction domain, and a nucleic acid transfection agent. Also provided are systems and kits that find use in practicing methods according to embodiments of the invention. The methods, systems and kits find use in a variety of different applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of several genes of the domestic cat (Felis catus) associated with taste perception. The invention provides, inter alia, the nucleotide sequence of the feline Tas1r1, Tas1r2, and Tas1r3 receptor genes, the amino acid sequences of the polypeptides encoded thereby, and antibodies to the polypeptides. The present invention also relates to methods for screening for compounds that modify the genes' function or activity, the compounds identified by such screens, and mimetics of the identified compounds. The invention further provides methods for modifying the taste preferences, ingestive responses, or general behavior of a mammal, such as a cat, by administering compounds that affect the function or activity of the gene or the polypeptide encoded thereby.

Abstract: An isolated polynucleotide encoding a modified luciferase polypeptide and substrates. The OgLuc variant polypeptide has at least 60% amino acid sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 and at least one amino acid substitution at a position corresponding to an amino acid in SEQ ID NO: 1. The OgLuc variant polypeptide has at least one of enhanced luminescence, enhanced signal stability, and enhanced protein stability relative to the corresponding polypeptide of the wild-type Oplophorus luciferase.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetically modified animals and cells comprising edited chromosomal sequences encoding proteins associated with MD. In particular, the animals or cells are generated using a zinc finger nuclease-mediated editing process. Also provided are methods of using the genetically modified animals or cells disclosed herein to study MD development and methods of assessing the effects of agents in genetically modified animals and cells comprising edited chromosomal sequences encoding proteins associated with MD.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetically modified animals and cells comprising edited chromosomal sequences involved in ADME and toxicology. In particular, the animals or cells are generated using a zinc finger nuclease-mediated editing process. The invention also provides zinc finger nucleases that target chromosomal sequence involved in ADME and toxicology and the nucleic acids encoding said zinc finger nucleases. Also provided are methods of assessing the effects of agents in genetically modified animals and cells comprising edited chromosomal sequences involved in ADME and toxicology.

Abstract: A transgenic cat with a phenotype characterized by the substantial absence of the major cat allergen, Fel d I. The phenotype is conferred in the transgenic cat by disrupting the coding sequence of the target gene with a specialized construct. The phenotype of the transgenic cat is transmissible to its offspring.

Abstract: The present invention is based, in part, on flagellin adjuvant used to enhance immune responses directed against Streptococcus pneumoniae, in particular, to enhance immune responses to polypeptide antigens (e.g., PspA) and capsular polysaccharide from S. pneumoniae. In representative embodiments, the invention provides a fusion protein comprising a flagellin adjuvant and one more polypeptide antigens from S. pneumoniae. In other embodiments, the invention provides a conjugate comprising a flagellin adjuvant covalently linked to a capsular polysaccharide from one or more serotypes of S. pneumoniae. Also provided are compositions comprising the fusion proteins and/or conjugates of the invention as well as immunogenic formulations comprising the inventive fusion proteins, conjugates and/or compositions. The invention also provides methods of producing an immune response against S. pneumoniae and methods of protecting a subject from S.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include inducible expression systems in which a transcription modulator having a distributed protein transduction domain is employed. Aspects of the invention further include methods of using the systems to induce expression of a coding sequence, as well as kits that find use in practicing methods of the invention. The systems, components thereof, methods and kits find use in a variety of different applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for generating and isolating tagged nuclei of specific cell types with a high yield and purity. The compositions, methods, and kits provided herein comprise expressing in a cell a nuclear envelope tagging fusion polypeptide comprising a nuclear envelope targeting domain and an affinity reagent binding region. In some embodiments, expression of the fusion polypeptide is under the control of a cell type-specific promoter. Some embodiments also comprise expressing in a cell a biotin ligase, wherein the affinity reagent binding region comprises a biotin ligase accepting site, and wherein at least one of the nuclear envelope tagging fusion polypeptide and the biotin ligase is expressed under the control of a cell type-specific promoter.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for stabilizing a biological sample for analysis. The invention more particularly provides methods combining heat treatment and chemical fixation of biological samples in order to maintain protein primary structure and post-translational modifications, such as protein phosphorylations.

Abstract: Described herein is a variant of wild type Gaussia luciferase that catalyzes glow-type emission kinetics suited for high-throughput functional screening applications. Polypeptides, functional fragments, variants, and nucleic acids that encode the enhanced luciferase are further described. One such polypeptide corresponds to wild type Gaussia luciferase with a substitution mutation of I for M at position 43 of the mature peptide. Methods of use, assay systems and kits that contain the polypeptides and/or nucleic acids are further described.

Abstract: Methods are described for the delivery of one or more small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to a eukaryotic cell using a bacterium. Methods are also described for using this bacterium to regulate gene expression in eukaryotic cells using RNA interference, and methods for treating cancer of cell proliferative disorders. The bacterium includes one or more siRNAs or one or more DNA molecules encoding one or more siRNAs. Vectors are also described for use with the bacteria of the invention for causing RNA interference in eukaryotic cells.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid molecules having a nucleotide sequence encoding feline pancreatic lipase polypeptides, splice variants, allelic variants, and fragments thereof. Isolated feline pancreatic lipase polypeptides, splice variants, allelic variants, and fragments thereof. Host cells comprising a vector containing the polynucleotide sequences and methods for expressing the polypeptides. The generation of monoclonal antibodies that specifically binds to the feline pancreatic lipase polypeptides, and cell lines secreting the monoclonal antibodies. Methods for determining the presence or amount of feline pancreatic lipase in a biological sample. The methods include using standards or calibrators of recombinant feline pancreatic lipase to quantify the lipase in a sample. Devices and kits for performing methods for detecting feline pancreatic lipase in biological samples.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and fusion proteins comprising a flagellin adjuvant and a Pseudomonas aeruginosa antigen. The invention further provides pharmaceutical formulations and methods for inducing an immune response against P. aeruginosa (e.g., to prevent and/or treat P. aeruginosa infection).

Abstract: The present invention provides genetically modified animals and cells comprising edited chromosomal sequences encoding proteins associated with Parkinson's disease. In particular, the animals or cells are generated using a zinc finger nuclease-mediated editing process. Also provided are methods of assessing the effects of agents in genetically modified animals and cells comprising edited chromosomal sequences encoding proteins associated with Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the generation and maintenance of pluripotent cells by culturing the cells in the presence of an ALK5 inhibitor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for genome editing of a Rosa locus, using fusion proteins comprising a zinc-finger protein and a cleavage domain or cleavage half-domain. Polynucleotides encoding said fusion proteins are also provided, as are cells comprising said polynucleotides and fusion proteins.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and in vitro and ex vivo methods for de-differentiating or re-programming mammalian cells. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides compositions comprising mixtures of Designed Regulatory Proteins (DRPs) or Reprogramming DRP protein (ReD) for de-differentiating or re-programming mammalian cells. The invention also provides compositions and methods for direct reprogramming of a first differentiated phenotype of a cell to a second differentiated phenotype.

Abstract: Cells and cell lines that express voltage-gated sodium ion channels (NaV) and methods for using the cells and cell lines are disclosed herein. The NaV-expressing cells and cell lines are useful in cell-based assays, e.g., high throughput screening assays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to enzymes which are able to hydrolyse phenylureas, carbamates, and/or organophosphates, as well as polynucleotides encoding these enzymes. The present invention also relates to methods of hydrolysing phenylureas, carbamates, and/or organophosphates.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding, cells and organisms comprising novel DNA-binding domains, including TALE DNA-binding domains. Also disclosed are methods of using these novel DNA-binding domains for modulation of gene expression and/or genomic editing of endogenous cellular sequences.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed herein for encoding human readable text conveying a non-genetic message into nucleic acid sequences with a substantially reduced probability of biological impact and decoding such text from nucleic acid sequences. In one embodiment, each symbol of a symbol set of human readable symbols uniquely maps to a respective codon identifier. Mapping may ensure that each symbol will not map to a codon identifier that generates an amino acid residue which has a single-letter abbreviation that is the equivalent to the respective symbol. Synthetic nucleic acid sequences comprising such human readable text, and recombinant or synthetic cells comprising such sequences are provided, as well as methods of identifying cells, organisms, or samples containing such sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to single chain Fc Type III Interferon fusion proteins and methods of using same. The single chain Fc Type III Interferon fusion proteins comprise at least one Type III Interferon, two Fc regions and at least one linker, can be produced in a variety of single chain configurations, and are effector function minus or have a substantially reduced effector function.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for restoring native chondrocyte phenotype and functions of, and/or increasing type II collagen as well as aggrecan mRNA expression levels and GAG accumulation level in dedifferentiated chondrocytes which have been subcultured and expanded in vitro, which comprising culturing the said dedifferentiated chondrocytes in vitro with a medium comprising type II collagen, or its biologically active peptide fragment(s) or analogs with or without growth factor(s), wherein the type II collagen or its biologically active peptide fragment(s) or analogs are effective to restore chondrocyte phenotype and functions of, and/or to increase type II collagen and aggrecan expression levels and GAG accumulation level in the said dedifferentiated chondrocytes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to animal protein free cell culture media comprising a combination of non-animal derived peptides derived from soy hydrolysate and yeast hydrolysate. The invention also provides an animal protein free culture process, wherein cells are cultivated, propagated and passaged without animal-derived components. This process is useful for cultivating cells, such as recombinant cells or cells infected with a virus, and for production biological products by cell culture processes under conditions devoid of animal protein components.

Abstract: Pathogenic effector proteins include one or more virulence motifs of amino acid consensus sequence BXZ, where B=RK or H; X=any amino acid or is absent; Z=L, M, I, W, Y or F) which bind to target polar lipids on a host (plant or animal) cell as a prerequisite for translocation of the pathogenic effector proteins into the cell. Translocation is prevented by binding blocking compounds to one or more motifs of the effector protein or to the lipid ligands of the host cell. The blocking compounds include synthetic or naturally occurring polypeptides which bind the polar lipids or the motifs, various polar lipids, the hydrophilic head-groups of polar lipids, etc. Suitable blocking compounds can be identified by assays demonstrating binding to the motifs or to the target polar lipids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel isolated whitefly ecdysone receptor polypeptide. The invention also relates to an isolated nucleic acid encoding the whitefly ecdysone receptor polypeptide, to vectors comprising them and to their uses, in particular in methods for modulating gene expression in an ecdysone receptor-based gene expression modulation system and methods for identifying molecules that modulate whitefly ecdysone receptor activity.

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 a novel inducible gene expression system and methods of modulating gene expression 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 plants and animals.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetically modified animals and cells comprising edited chromosomal sequences encoding immunodeficiency proteins. In particular, the animals or cells are generated using a zinc finger nuclease-mediated editing process. Also provided are methods of assessing the effects of agents in genetically modified animals and cells comprising edited chromosomal sequences encoding immunodeficiency proteins.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetically modified animals and cells comprising edited chromosomal sequences encoding proteins that are associated with cognitive disorders. In particular, the animals or cells are generated using a zinc finger nuclease-mediated editing process. Also provided are methods of using the genetically modified animals or cells disclosed herein to screen agents for toxicity and other effects.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetically modified animals and cells comprising edited chromosomal sequences encoding proteins associated with Parkinson's disease. In particular, the animals or cells are generated using a zinc finger nuclease-mediated editing process. Also provided are methods of using the genetically modified animals or cells disclosed herein to study PD development and screen agents for assessing their effect on progression or symptoms of PD.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetically modified animals and cells comprising edited chromosomal sequences encoding proteins associated with ASD. In particular, the animals or cells are generated using a zinc finger nuclease-mediated editing process. Also provided are methods of using the genetically modified animals or cells disclosed herein to study ASD development and screen agents for assessing their effect on progression or symptoms of an ASD.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetically modified animals and cells comprising edited chromosomal sequences encoding proteins that are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. In particular, the animals or cells are generated using a zinc finger nuclease-mediated editing process. Also provided are methods of using the genetically modified animals or cells disclosed herein to screen agents for toxicity and other effects.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetically modified animals and cells comprising edited chromosomal sequences associated with schizophrenia. In particular, the animals or cells are generated using a zinc finger nuclease-mediated editing process. The invention also provides zinc finger nucleases that target chromosomal sequence associated with schizophrenia and the nucleic acids encoding said zinc finger nucleases. Also provided are methods of assessing the effects of agents in genetically modified animals and cells comprising edited chromosomal sequences associated with schizophrenia.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetically modified animals and cells comprising edited chromosomal sequences encoding ABC transporter proteins. In particular, the animals or cells are generated using a zinc finger nuclease-mediated editing process. Also provided are methods of assessing the effects of agents in genetically modified animals and cells comprising edited chromosomal sequences encoding ABC transporter proteins.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetically modified animals and cells comprising edited chromosomal sequences encoding proteins that are associated ALS. In particular, the animals or cells are generated using a zinc finger nuclease-mediated editing process. Also provided are methods of using the genetically modified animals or cells disclosed herein to screen agents for toxicity and other effects.

Abstract: The present invention provides a genetically modified feline or cell comprising at least one edited chromosomal sequence. In particular, the chromosomal sequence is edited using a zinc finger nuclease-mediated editing process. The disclosure also provides zinc finger nucleases that target specific chromosomal sequences in the feline genome.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetically modified animals and cells comprising edited chromosomal involved in cardiovascular disease. In particular, the animals or cells are generated using a zinc finger nuclease-mediated editing process. The invention also provides zinc finger nucleases that target chromosomal sequences involved in cardiovascular disease and the nucleic acids encoding said zinc finger nucleases. Also provided are methods of using the genetically modified animals or cells disclosed herein to screen agents for toxicity and other effects.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetically modified animals and cells comprising edited chromosomal sequences involved in tumor suppression. In particular, the animals or cells are generated using a zinc finger nuclease-mediated editing process. The invention also provides zinc finger nucleases that target chromosomal sequence involved in tumor suppression and the nucleic acids encoding the zinc finger nucleases. Also provided are methods of assessing the effects of agents in genetically modified animals and cells comprising edited chromosomal sequences involved in tumor suppression.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetically modified animals and cells comprising edited chromosomal sequences encoding proteins that are associated with cognitive disorders. In particular, the animals or cells are generated using a zinc finger nuclease-mediated editing process. Also provided are methods of assessing the effects of agents in genetically modified animals and cells comprising edited chromosomal sequences associated with cognitive disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetically modified animals and cells comprising edited chromosomal sequences encoding proteins associated with AD. In particular, the animals or cells are generated using a zinc finger nuclease-mediated editing process. Also provided are methods of using the genetically modified animals or cells disclosed herein to study AD development and methods of assessing the effects of agents in genetically modified animals and cells comprising edited chromosomal sequences encoding proteins associated with AD.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetically modified animals and cells comprising edited chromosomal sequences encoding proteins that are associated with a secretase disorder. In particular, the animals or cells are generated using a zinc finger nuclease-mediated editing process. Also provided are methods of using the genetically modified animals or cells disclosed herein to screen agents for toxicity and other effects.