Abstract: The present invention provides DNA polymerases having increased efficiency of amplification of long amplicons. The present invention also provides for methods of amplifying target nucleic acid molecules with the DNA polymerases for increasing the efficiency of amplification of long amplicons.

Abstract: A purified preparation of primate embryonic stem cells is disclosed. This preparation is characterized by the following cell surface markers: SSEA-1 (?); SSEA-4 (+); TRA-1-60 (+); TRA-1-81 (+); and alkaline phosphatase (+). In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the cells of the preparation are human embryonic stem cells, have normal karyotypes, and continue to proliferate in an undifferentiated state after continuous culture for eleven months. The embryonic stem cell lines also retain the ability, throughout the culture, to form trophoblast and to differentiate into all tissues derived from all three embryonic germ layers (endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm). A method for isolating a primate embryonic stem cell line is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to maintain pH within a range conducive for cell growth in a bicarbonate-containing cell culture system without the addition of base. The method relies on the gas transfer characteristics of the bioreactor system to modulate the CO2 transfer to and from the cell culture such that the pH of the cell culture can be maintained within a desired range.

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 relates to methods for culturing human retinal progenitor cells under low oxygen conditions to allow the cells to retain the ability to differentiate into photoreceptors following transplantation. The described methods provide cells that can treat a number of ocular diseases, including retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for the culture and maintenance of pluripotent stem cells. More particularly, the present invention provides for compositions and methods for culturing, maintaining, growing and stabilizing primate pluripotent stem cells in a feeder-free defined media further comprising human serum, or a soluble attachment component of the human serum, for promoting cell attachment.

Abstract: The invention refers to the use of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-?1) inhibitor peptides or polynucleotides encoding said peptides for the prevention and/or treatment of corneal fibrosis and/or corneal haze.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides variants of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), pharmaceutical compositions comprising CNP variants, and methods of making CNP variants. The CNP variants are useful as therapeutic agents for the treatment of diseases responsive to CNP, including but not limited to bone-related disorders, such as skeletal dysplasias (e.g., achondroplasia), and vascular smooth muscle disorders (e.g., restenosis and arteriosclerosis).

Abstract: This invention provides populations of neural progenitor cells, differentiated neurons, glial cells, and astrocytes. The populations are obtained by culturing stem cell populations (such as embryonic stem cells) in a cocktail of growth conditions that initiates differentiation, and establishes the neural progenitor population. The progenitors can be further differentiated in culture into a variety of different neural phenotypes, including dopaminergic neurons. The differentiated cell populations or the neural progenitors can be generated in large quantities for use in drug screening and the treatment of neurological disorders.

Abstract: Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include polynucleotides that encode mutant Cnidarian luciferases that exhibit modulated properties as compared to the corresponding wild-type luciferases, and the modulated properties include at least one of: modulated stability; enhanced light output; and modulated emission maximum. Embodiments of the present disclosure also include polypeptides or fragments thereof encoded by the polynucleotides, constructs including the polynucleotide, expression cassettes, cells, methods of producing the polynucleotides and polypeptides, antibodies, transgenic cells and/or animals, kits, and the like.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to the identification of markers of endothelial cells which are in a quiescent or activated state, and more specifically to beta tubulin isotypes as markers which are differentially expressed between endothelial cells in these states. The beta tubulin isotypes can be used for the identification of candidate agents which selectively bind quiescent or activated endothelial cells, and to identify candidate agents which inhibit or promote angiogenesis and/or vascular function.

Abstract: This invention provides new combinatorial approaches for the biosynthesis and screening of cyclic peptides inside living cells. These novel approaches are useful for finding biologically relevant molecules, e.g., those able to inhibit the cytotoxicity of Anthrax Edema Factor. Key to this ‘living combinatorial’ approach is the use of a living cell as a micro-chemical factory for both synthesis and screening of potential inhibitors for a given molecular recognition event.

Abstract: Biological surfactants connected to surfaces of silicone-based materials are provided. Compositions of electrolytes and a biological surfactant are also provided. Methods for increasing the surface wettability of a silicone-based material by contacting the silicone-based material with a biological surfactant, methods for increasing evaporation from a silicone-based material by contacting a surface of the silicone-based material with a biological surfactant, methods for increasing levels of interleukin-8 during inflammation by contacting a cell with a biological surfactant, and methods for decreasing expression of a biological surfactant by contacting a cell with an siRNA are further provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to CTSP polypeptides and the nucleic acid molecules that encode them. The invention further relates to the use of the nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides and fragments thereof in methods and compositions for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of diseases, such as cancer. More specifically, the invention relates to the discovery of a novel cancer/testis (CT) antigen, CTSP-1.

Abstract: The technology relates in part to multimer conjugates comprising a scaffold linked to two or more polypeptides that specifically interact with a nucleic acid containing beta-D-glucosyl-hydroxymethylcytosine or beta-D-glucosyl-hydroxymethyluracil. The scaffold can be chosen from an antibody, an antibody fragment, a multimerized binding partner that interacts with a binding partner counterpart in each of the polypeptides, a polymer, and a polyfunctional molecule. The polypeptides can be from a kinetoplastid flagellate organism and may comprise a full-length native or modified protein or a fragment thereof that specifically interacts with the beta-D-glucosyl-hydroxymethylcytosine and/or the beta-D-glucosyl-hydroxymethyluracil in the nucleic acid. The conjugates provided herein can be used to detect the presence, absence or amount of beta-D-glucosyl-hydroxymethylcytosine and/or beta-D-glucosyl-hydroxymethyluracil-containing nucleic acid in a sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of generating neural stem cells from differentiated somatic cells. The present disclosure also provides induced neural stem cells generated using a subject method, as well as differentiated cells generated from a subject induced neural stem cell. A subject neural stem cell, as well as differentiated cells derived from a subject neural stem cell, is useful in various applications, which are also provided in the present disclosure.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods of use for identifying modulators of NOTUM, e.g., NOTUM inhibitors. In some aspects, identified compounds are useful for modulating Wnt signaling at sites of tissue damage. The invention further provides methods of promoting regeneration by inhibiting NOTUM.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inducing differentiation of cardiomyocytes efficiently and selectively from stem cells. A method for inducing differentiation of cardiomyocytes from pluripotent stem cells, which comprises: (i) culturing the pluripotent stem cells in a culture medium containing no substance that promotes activation of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway during the time period between initiation of differentiation induction and 24 hours before the period of elevated canonical Wnt gene expression; and then (ii) culturing the pluripotent stem cells in a culture medium containing a substance that promotes activation of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway during a time period of 24 to 96 hours, starting from 24 to 0 hours before the period of elevated canonical Wnt gene expression.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a delivery system that comprises a conjugate that facilitates the delivery of a compound such as a biologically-active macromolecule, a nucleic acid or a peptide in particular, into a cell. The present invention also relates to said conjugate for delivery of a compound, such as a biologically-active macromolecule, a nucleic acid or a peptide, into a cell. The present invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising said conjugate and to its use. The present invention also relates to a method of delivering a compound to a cell or an organism, preferably a patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vessel for embryoid formation used for forming embryoid bodies from ES cells easily without complicated technique, and to a method for forming embryoid bodies easily and efficiently using the vessel. The method includes the steps of (A) providing a vessel for embryoid formation having a coating layer formed from a compound having a particular PC-like group on a vessel surface defining a region for floating culture of ES cells, and (B) floating culturing ES cells in the vessel to form embryoid bodies.

Abstract: A purified preparation of primate embryonic stem cells is disclosed. This preparation is characterized by the following cell surface markers: SSEA-1 (?); SSEA-4 (+); TRA-1-60 (+); TRA-1-81 (+); and alkaline phosphatase (+). In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the cells of the preparation are human embryonic stem cells, have normal karyotypes, and continue to proliferate in an undifferentiated state after continuous culture for eleven months. The embryonic stem cell lines also retain the ability, throughout the culture, to form trophoblast and to differentiate into all tissues derived from all three embryonic germ layers (endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm). A method for isolating a primate embryonic stem cell line is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention teaches antisense agents and RNA interference agents useful for treating diseases and conditions the treatment of which can benefit from reducing the expression of double homeobox 4 and/or double homeobox 4c, more particularly facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Further elaborated are methods, uses and further products employing such agents.

Abstract: A method for inducing differentiation of ES cells into cardiomyocytes, which comprises contacting the ES cells with an agonist for G-CSF receptor.

Abstract: The present specification discloses clonal cell lines susceptible to BoNT/A intoxication, methods of producing such clonal cell lines, and methods of detecting Botulinum toxin serotype A activity using such clonal cell lines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for enhancing delivery of vaccine antigens to the mucosal epithelium, the composition comprising an antigen from an infectious agent fused with an Fc fragment of an immunoglobulin recognized by the neonatal receptors (FcRn). The composition is effective in eliciting a protective long-term memory T cell immune response against infection at a distant mucosal site.

Abstract: The present specification discloses clonal cell lines susceptible to BoNT/A intoxication, methods of producing such clonal cell lines, and methods of detecting Botulinum toxin serotype A activity using such clonal cell lines.

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: The present specification discloses clonal cell lines susceptible to BoNT/A intoxication, methods of producing such clonal cell lines, and methods of detecting Botulinum toxin serotype A activity using such clonal cell lines.

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: Synthetic surfaces suitable for culturing stem cell derived cardiomyocytes contain acrylate polymers formed from one or more acrylate monomers. The acrylate surfaces, in many cases, are suitable for culturing stem cell derived cardiomyocytes in chemically defined media.

Abstract: During the growth and study of NSCs, a range of molecules present on the surface of multipotent neural stem and progenitor cells (NSCs) were identified. These markers were identified using a number of human and murine neural stem cell lines, including retinal stem cells (RSCs). The NSC-specific markers identified included gene products as well as non-protein molecules and sugar epitopes not directly coded in the genome. Together with surface markers which were determined to be absent from the surface of hNSCs, the molecules described herein provide a means to enrich for neural stem cells, or neural progenitor subpopulations, particularly using combinatorial cell sorting strategies. These same molecules also represent targets for pharmacological manipulation of NSC populations and subpopulations, both in vivo and ex vivo.

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: The present invention relates to novel expression cassettes and vectors for efficiently producing authentic recombinant human proteins from stable cultures of novel human cell lines, the authentic recombinant proteins produced therefrom, and antibodies raised against those authentic recombinant proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to molecular approaches to the production of nucleic acid sequences, which comprises the genome of infectious hepatitis C virus. In particular, invention provides nucleic acid sequences which comprise the genomes of infectious hepatitis C viruses of either genotype 3a (strain S52) or genotype 4a (strain ED43). The invention therefore relates to the use of the nucleic acid sequences and polypeptides encoded by all or part of the sequences in the development of vaccines and diagnostic assays for HCV and in the development of screening assays for the identification of antiviral agents for HCV. The invention therefore also relates to the use of viral particles derived from laboratory animals infected with S52 and ED43 viruses.

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: Purified genes encoding cytokine from a mammal, reagents related thereto including purified proteins, specific antibodies, and nucleic acids encoding this molecule are provided. Methods of using said reagents and diagnostic kits are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel protein having neuraminidase activity and/or ?-galactoside-?2,6-sialyltransferase activity and a nucleic acid encoding the protein. The present invention further provides a vector containing a nucleic acid encoding the protein, a host cell transformed with the vector, together with a method for producing a recombinant ?-galactoside-?2,6-sialyltransferase. The present invention also provides an antibody specifically recognizing the protein.

Abstract: Previous methods for culturing primate pluripotent stem cells have required either fibroblast feeder cells or a medium which was exposed to fibroblast feeder cells to maintain the stem cells in an undifferentiated state. It has now been found that high levels of fibroblast growth factor in a medium together with at least one of gamma aminobutyric acid, pipecolic acid, and lithium, enables pluripotent stem cells to remain undifferentiated indefinitely through multiple passages, even without feeder cells or conditioned medium. Without beta-mercaptoethanol, the medium improves cloning efficiency. Also, a matrix of human proteins can be used to culture the undifferentiated cells without exposing the cells to animal products. Further disclosed are new primate pluripotent cell lines made using the defined culture conditions, including the medium and the matrix. Such new cell lines will have never been exposed to animal cells, animal products, feeder cells or conditioned medium.

Abstract: Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include polynucleotides that encode mutant Cnidarian luciferases that exhibit modulated properties as compared to the corresponding wild-type luciferases, and the modulated properties include at least one of: modulated stability; enhanced light output; and modulated emission maximum. Embodiments of the present disclosure also include polypeptides or fragments thereof encoded by the polynucleotides, constructs including the polynucleotide, expression cassettes, cells, methods of producing the polynucleotides and polypeptides, antibodies, transgenic cells and/or animals, kits, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the use of recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAV) for gene delivery and more specifically to the use of rAAV to deliver genes encoding human immunodeficiency virus entry inhibitors to target cells in mammals.

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 reagents and methods for modulating cone photoreceptor activity, and devices for assessment of cone photoreceptor activity.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of inducing differential stress resistance in a subject with cancer by starving the subject for a short term, administering a cell growth inhibitor to the subject, or reducing the caloric or glucose intake by the subject. The induced differential stress resistance results in improved resistance to cytotoxicity in normal cells, which, in turn, reduces cytotoxic side-effects due to chemotherapy, as well as improved effectiveness of chemotherapeutic agents.

Abstract: The present specification discloses clonal cell lines susceptible to BoNT/A intoxication, methods of producing such clonal cell lines, and methods of detecting Botulinum toxin serotype A activity using such clonal cell lines.

Abstract: Nucleic acids encoding mammalian, e.g., primate or rodent, genes, purified proteins and fragments thereof. Antibodies, both polyclonal and monoclonal, are also provided. Methods of using the compositions for both diagnostic and therapeutic utilities are provided.

Abstract: The present specification discloses clonal cell lines susceptible to BoNT/A intoxication, methods of producing such clonal cell lines, and methods of detecting Botulinum toxin serotype A activity using such clonal cell lines.

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: In one example of a carrier for growing adherent cells, comprises one or more surfaces; and one or more relief features on one or more of the surfaces, wherein the carrier has a length at least about 0.2 mm, a width at least about 0.2 mm, and a height in a range from about 0.012 mm to 0.5 mm; and wherein each of the relief features has a height in a range from about 2 to 200 ?m, and width in a range from about 20 to 200 ?m.

Abstract: The present specification discloses clonal cell lines susceptible to BoNT/A intoxication, methods of producing such clonal cell lines, and methods of detecting Botulinum toxin serotype A activity using such clonal cell lines.