Abstract: The current invention provides methods for producing a polypeptide as inclusion bodies in bacterial host cells. The present methods are carried out by forming a gene construct comprising the genetic sequence encoding a polypeptide operatively linked to that of an inclusion partner protein, such that host cells comprising the gene construct produce the polypeptide as intracellular inclusion bodies thereby facilitating rapid isolation and purification of recombinant proteins. The invention further provides methods for producing protein molecular weight ladders for us in protein gel electrophoresis, as well as proteins and protein molecular weight ladders produced by these methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides comprising a enzymatically non-active cell wall binding domain of an endolysin or another cell wall lysing enzyme, and a sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 or derivatives thereof, wherein the polypeptide besides the cell wall binding domain comprises no further domains of an endolysin, as well as means for their preparation. The present invention further relates to methods for binding, enriching, removing from a sample, capturing and/or detecting bacteria, particularly gram positive bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new vaccine delivery system. In particular, the present invention includes compositions and methods of integrally transformed non-pathogenic, commensal bacteria that can express a nucleic acid molecule of a foreign polypeptide, wherein the nucleic acid molecule that encodes the foreign polypeptide is stably integrated into genomic DNA of the bacteria. The foreign polypeptide includes a vaccine antigen that elicits an immunogenic response, an inhibitor of a pathogen, or an immune booster or modulator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of a method of designing an implementation of a DNA assembly. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes (1) receiving a list of DNA sequence fragments to be assembled together and an order in which to assemble the DNA sequence fragments, (2) designing DNA oligonucleotides (oligos) for each of the DNA sequence fragments, and (3) creating a plan for adding flanking homology sequences to each of the DNA oligos. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes (1) receiving a list of DNA sequence fragments to be assembled together and an order in which to assemble the DNA sequence fragments, (2) designing DNA oligonucleotides (oligos) for each of the DNA sequence fragments, and (3) creating a plan for adding optimized overhang sequences to each of the DNA oligos.

Abstract: The invention features compositions based on thioredoxin-like fold protein domains described as engineered thioredoxin-like fold proteins (ETRXs). These proteins include one or more artificially diversified thioredoxin-like fold protein domains; each domain may be originated from the same or different thioredoxin-like fold protein domains. Features of the invention also include methods for identifying and preparing an enriched composition of target binding, loop-diversified ETRXs with additional sequence variations to improve affinity, stability, selectivity, or solubility. The invention also features compositions of ETRXs substituted with prosthetic groups, polymers, proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, metals, natural or synthetic small molecules and toxins.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of handling a hydrophobic agent, which method comprises (a) combining in an aqueous solution (i) a hydrophobic agent and (ii) an isolated peptide that is a structural analog of a transmembrane domain of an integral membrane protein, wherein one terminus of the peptide has one or more negatively charged residues, and (b) allowing the peptide to self-assemble into nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles comprise the hydrophobic agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to activatable toxin complexes which include a cleavable inhibitory peptide. More specifically, the complexes comprise a cell targeting domain, a toxin catalytic domain, a specific protease cleavage site and an inhibitory peptide domain. The inhibitory peptide prevents the catalytic domain from exerting toxic effects until its release from the complex by the action of a protease, such a viral protease, at the protease cleavage site. Further provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the complexes and use thereof for treating infections and malignant disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an immunogenic polypeptide comprising a) a scaffold polypeptide, and b) a L2 polypeptide or a fragment of said L2 polypeptide, wherein said scaffold polypeptide constrains the structure of said L2 polypeptide, or of a fragment of said L2 polypeptide. Moreover, the present invention relates to a vaccine comprising said immunogenic polypeptide. The present invention is also concerned with a method for producing an antibody against human papillomavirus. Also encompassed by the present invention is an antibody obtained by carrying out the said method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated promoters and constructs, vectors, and fungal host cells comprising such promoters operably linked to polynucleotides encoding polypeptides. The present invention also relates to methods for producing such polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cytotoxic modular antibody with a molecular weight of up to 60 kD, specifically binding to a cell surface target with a binding affinity of Kd<10?8 M, a method of producing such antibody and its use as a therapeutic.

Abstract: The invention concerns the field of recombinant gene engineering. It concerns novel introns and compositions comprising such introns as well as a method to improve expression of polypeptides from nucleic acids such as cloned genes with heterologous introns, especially genes encoding antibodies and antibody derived fragments, and the production of various polypeptides in eukaryotic host cells using said novel intron sequences as heterologous introns.

Abstract: Methods and materials are provided for the production of glycosylated GLP-1 peptides that exhibit improved properties. The methods and materials of the present invention may be used for treatment of metabolic conditions, such as Syndrome X and diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in the field of drug delivery. More particularly, the invention relates to a non-invasive and flexible method and carrier for transporting a compound or drug across the blood-brain barrier of an individual. In particular the present invention relates to a carrier for transporting an agent attached thereto across a blood-brain barrier, wherein the carrier is able to cross the blood-brain barrier after attachment to the agent and thereby transport the agent across the blood-brain barrier. The present invention relates to improvements in the field of drug delivery. More particularly, the invention relates to a non-invasive and flexible method and carrier for transporting a compound or drug across the blood-brain barrier of an individual.

Abstract: The invention provides for nucleotide sequences encoding for a chimeric sulfatase, viral vectors expressing such sequences for gene therapy and pharmaceutical uses of the chimeric expressed protein. The invention is particularly applied in the therapy of mucopolysaccharidosis, preferably type IIIA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for production and purification of polypeptides. In particular, the present invention relates to a fusion protein comprising a solubility-enhancing peptide tag moiety, a self-aggregating peptide moiety and a moiety of target peptide and to a method for production and purification of target peptides through expressing said fusion protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a long-acting human follicle-stimulating hormone formulation having improved in vivo duration and stability, comprising a human follicle-stimulating hormone conjugate that is prepared by covalently linking human follicle-stimulating hormone with an immunoglobulin Fc region via a non-peptidyl polymer, and a preparation method thereof. The long-acting human follicle-stimulating hormone formulation of the present invention maintains in vivo activity of human follicle-stimulating hormone at a relatively high level and remarkably increases the serum half-life thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a maturated oligonucleotide library, including a step of obtaining a terminal-modified product of a maturation target oligonucleotide library, including adding a tag sequence to the 5? terminus of the maturation target oligonucleotide library and an arrest sequence, which stalls translation elongation on a ribosome, to the 3? terminus of the maturation target oligonucleotide library, a step of transcribing the terminal-modified sequence product to give a transcript, and a step of in vitro translation for translating the transcript in vitro, wherein the maturation target oligonucleotide library is a random oligonucleotide library.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for production of lactoferrin comprising at least the steps of: a) disposing of raw material that have not been treated at a temperature greater than 500C, b) submitting this raw material to a treatment in order to obtain a solution of Lactenin (LN) or Milk Basic Protein (MBP), c) submitting this LN or MBP solution to a step of purification on a cation exchange resin equilibrated with an acetate buffer at a pH between 4 and 9 and eluted with different buffer solutions containing different solute concentrations, d) and collecting a fraction containing Lactoferrin having more than 95% of purity, having no polymers and substantially free of LPS, endotoxins and angiogenin. It also concerns the Lactoferrin obtained having more than 95% of purity, substantially free of LPS, endotoxins and angiogenin with an iron saturation level comprised between 9% to 15%.

Abstract: A novel protein delivery system to generate induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells is described. The delivery system comprises a construct with a receptor binding domain that recognizes a receptor in a somatic cell, a translocation domain that allows the transfer of an inducer into the cytosolic space, and a cargo bearing domain to which the inducer is attached and facilitates transfer of the inducer into the cell.

Abstract: An expression vector is disclosed, which comprises: a) a polynucleotide sequence encoding a bacteriorhodopsin or a mutant bacteriorhodopsin; b) a multiple cloning site; c) a T7 promoter, d) a polyhistidine tag; e) a first protease cleavage site; f) optionally a second protease cleavage site; and g) optionally a linker; wherein the mutant bacteriorhodopsin comprises the residue corresponding to Asn94 of SEQ ID NO: 1. Also disclosed is a fusion membrane protein expression system, which comprises: a) a polynucleotide sequence encoding a mutant Haloarcula marismortui bacteriorhodopsin/D94N (HmBRI/D94N) or a Haloquadratum walsbyi bacteriorhodopsin (HwBR); b) a target membrane protein; and c) a T7 promoter, operably linked to the mutant HmBRI/D94N or HwBR and the target membrane protein. Host cells comprising the expression vector or the fusion membrane protein expression system and methods of using the same are also disclosed.

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: The present invention relates to an isolated mutant eubacterium comprising at least one mutation resulting in a substitution of at least one amino acid in the beta-subunit of the RNA-polymerase encoded for by the rpoB-gene providing an altered production of a product of interest when said production of a product of interest is compared to the production of the same product in an isogenic wild type strain grown at identical conditions, wherein the substitution of at least one amino acid occurs at any of positions 469, 478, 482, 485, or 487 of SEQ ID NO:2, or at the equivalent positions in any eubacterial RNA-polymerase beta-subunit family member. Another aspect of the invention relates to a process for producing at least one product of interest in a mutant eubacterium and to a use of the mutant eubacterium according to the invention for producing at least one product of interest.

Abstract: The invention provides a simple and effective method for increasing thermal stability of a wide range of proteins, comprising fusing a self-assembling amphipathic peptide to the C- or N-terminal of target proteins. The fusion protein can have a half life up to 26 times longer than that of the wild type protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method for an antigen and/or bioactive molecule delivery and a composition that functions in the antigen and/or bioactive molecule delivery comprising the ASC speck carrier and the antigen and/or bioactive molecule, carried by the ASC speck carrier.

Abstract: Fluorescent protein voltage sensors for measuring membrane potential and imaging high-frequency neuronal electrical activity are disclosed. In particular, the invention relates to engineered protein voltage sensors that comprise a voltage-sensing domain comprising four transmembrane domains linked to a circularly permuted fluorescent protein, which is inserted into the extracellular loop between the third (S3) and fourth (S4) transmembrane segments of the voltage-sensing domain. Such fluorescent protein voltage sensors can be used for measuring the electrical activity of neurons, including single action potentials, trains of action potentials, and subthreshold potential changes and, in particular, for imaging high-frequency neuronal electrical activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fusion protein comprising a skin-penetrating peptide, a polynucleotide encoding the fusion protein, an expression vector comprising the polynucleotide, a transformant comprising the expression vector, a method for preparing the fusion protein, a cosmetic composition for improving skin conditions, which comprises the fusion protein, and a pharmaceutical composition for external skin use, which comprises the fusion protein. The fusion protein of the invention comprises a skin-penetrating peptide bound to a physiologically active protein. The fusion protein significantly enhances the skin penetration and skin retention of the physiologically active protein while maintaining or enhancing the ability of the physiologically active protein to synthesize a material showing physiologically active effects. Thus, it can be widely used as an active ingredient in functional cosmetic compositions and pharmaceutical compositions for external skin use.

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds that inhibit a binding interaction between an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and a heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), as well as compositions, e.g., pharmaceutical compositions, comprising the same, and related kits. In some embodiments, the compound is an antibody or antibody analog, and, in other embodiments, the compound is a peptide or peptide analog. Also provided are methods of using the compounds, including methods of increasing degradation of an EGFR, methods of treating cancer, and methods of sensitizing tumors to radiation therapy.

Abstract: Modified interleukin-12 (IL-12) p40 polypeptides are disclosed. The modified polypeptides have alterations in the IL-12p40 subunit to eliminate the protease site between positions Lys260 and Arg261. The modified IL-12p40 polypeptides according to the invention have improved stability compared to wild-type mature human IL-12p40 polypeptides.

Abstract: A recombinant fusion interferon for animals. The recombinant fusion interferon comprises an animal interferon and a Fc region of an animal immunoglobulin G (IgG). The animal interferon and the Fc region of the animal immunoglobulin G can be further joined by a linker. A polynucleotide that encodes the recombinant fusion interferon for animals, a method for producing the recombinant fusion interferon, and the use of the recombinant fusion interferon.

Abstract: The invention provides fusion proteins comprising at least one fluorescent protein that is linked to at least one transporter protein that changes three-dimensional conformation upon specifically transporting its substrate. The transporter protein may be a nitrate transporter, a peptide transporter, or a hormone transporter. The invention provides fusion proteins comprising at least one fluorescent protein that is linked to at least one mechanosensitive ion channel protein. The invention also provides for methods of using the fusion proteins of the present invention and nucleic acids encoding the fusion proteins.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to the engineering of biological nanostructures and materials.

Abstract: This invention is intended to be used to search for a transcription factor having novel functions of increasing the weight of an individual plant, increasing the weight of a given tissue per individual plant, or improving the productivity of a given substance per individual plant and to improve such properties in the plant. The weight of an individual plant is increased, the weight of a given tissue per individual plant is increased, the productivity of a given substance per individual plant is improved, or the content of a given substance per given tissue of a plant is increased via expression of a transcription factor that has been modified to suppress transcription accelerating activity.

Abstract: Cysteine engineered monospecific and bispecific EGFR and/or c-Met FN3 domain containing molecules comprising one or more free cysteine amino acids are prepared by mutagenizing a nucleic acid sequence of a parent molecule and replacing one or more amino acid residues by cysteine to encode the cysteine engineered FN3 domain containing monospecific or bispecific molecules; expressing the cysteine engineered FN3 domain containing molecules; and recovering the cysteine engineered FN3 domain containing molecule. Isolated cysteine engineered monospecific or bispecific FN3 domain containing molecules may be covalently attached to a detection label or a drug moiety and used therapeutically.

Abstract: The invention provides a Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE) comprising an amino acid sequence having a substitution of one or more B-cell and/or T-cell epitopes. The invention further provides related chimeric molecules, as well as related nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, and pharmaceutical compositions. Methods of treating or preventing cancer in a mammal, methods of inhibiting the growth of a target cell, methods of producing the PE, and methods of producing the chimeric molecule are further provided by the invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to therapeutic methods using IL-6 antagonists such as antibodies and fragments thereof having binding specificity for IL-6 to prevent or treat thrombosis in diseases associated with abnormal blood coagulation or fibrinolysis. In preferred embodiments these patients will comprise those exhibiting elevated D-dimer or other cogulation cascade related proteins and optionally will further exhibit elevated C reactive protein prior to treatment. The subject therapies also may include the administration of other actives such as chemotherapeutics, anti-coagulants, statins, et al.

Abstract: A composition for preventing or treating cervical cancer comprising a human papillomavirus plasmodium and an immunity enhancer is provided. A fusion protein including a fusion polypeptide recombined to transform a 3D structure of E6 and E7, which are antigens against types 16 and 18 human papillomavirus (HPV), a signal peptide for secreting the fusion polypeptide outside the cells and an immunity enhancer peptide present in an individual is also provided. The fusion protein may be useful in treating HPV-triggered tumors by inducing an immune response specific to the antigens against the HPV types 16 and 18.

Abstract: A polypeptide and polynucleotides encoding same comprising one carboxy-terminal peptide (CTP) of chorionic gonadotrophin attached to an amino terminus of a cytokine and two carboxy-terminal peptides (CTP) of chorionic gonadotrophin attached to a carboxy terminus of a cytokine are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the polypeptide and polynucleotides of the invention and methods of using same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing a secreted recombinant polypeptide sequence is provided. In some embodiments it comprises providing a recombinant microorganism comprising a recombinant nucleic acid comprising a first nucleic acid sequence encoding the recombinant polypeptide sequence operatively linked to a second nucleic acid sequence encoding a signal peptide; and culturing the recombinant microorganism in a culture medium under conditions sufficient for production and secretion of the recombinant protein by the recombinant microorganism. In some embodiments the coding sequence for the signal peptide is not native to the recombinant microorganism. In some embodiments the recombinant microorganism is photo synthetic. Also provided are recombinant photosynthetic microorganisms, isolated polypeptides comprising a signal peptide comprising an amino acid sequence disclosed herein, and isolated nucleic acids comprising a coding sequence for one of the signal peptides, among other things.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an repebody capable of binding specifically to interleukin-6 (IL-6) to inhibit the biological activity of IL-6, a polynucleotide encoding the repebody, a vector comprising the polynucleotide, a recombinant microorganism having introduced therein the polynucleotide or the vector, a method of producing the repebody using the recombinant microorganism, a composition for preventing or treating cancer, which comprises the repebody, and a method for preventing or treating cancer, which comprises administering the composition for preventing or treating cancer, which comprises the repebody. The repebody of the present invention significantly reduces the activity of STAT3 and the concentration of interleukin-6, and thus can be widely used as an agent for preventing or treating IL-6-related diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of gene sequences encoding chimerical membrane glycosyltransferases presenting an optimized glycosylation activity in cells transformed with the sequences, the gene sequences corresponding to the fusion: of a first nucleic acid coding for a C-terminal minimal fragment of the catalytic domain (CD) of the native full length glycosyltransferase, to a second nucleic acid coding for a transmembrane peptide comprising in its N-terminal region a cytoplasmic tail (CT) region located upstream from a transmembrane domain (TMD), itself located upstream of a stem region (SR), provided that at least one of these CT, TMD, SR peptides being different from the primary structure of the naturally occurring peptide counterparts present in the native glycosyltransferase from which is derived the CD fragment with optimal glycosyltransferase activity as defined above.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for proprotein and activatable proprotein compositions. A proprotein contains a functional protein (i.e. a full length protein or functional fragment thereof) which is coupled to a peptide mask that inhibits the binding of the functional protein to its target or binding partner. An activatable proprotein contains a functional protein coupled to a peptide mask, and further coupled to an activatable linker, wherein in an non-activated state, the peptide mask inhibits binding of the functional protein to its target or binding partner and in an activated state the peptide mask does not inhibit binding of the functional protein to its target or binding partner. Proproteins can provide for reduced toxicity and adverse side effects that could otherwise result from binding of a functional protein at non-treatment sites if it were not inhibited from binding its binding partner. Proproteins can further provide improved biodistribution characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule encoding a chimeric protein having the biochemical activity of a surface active protein, wherein said chimeric protein comprises: (a) an N-terminal portion of a first surface active protein, wherein the N-terminal portion is devoid of between 0 and 10 of the most N-terminal amino acids of the mature first surface active protein; and, C-terminally thereof, (b) a C-terminal portion of a second surface active protein, wherein the C-terminal portion is devoid of between 0 and 10 of the most C-terminal amino acids of the mature second surface active protein. The present invention further relates to a vector, a non-human host and a method for the production of a chimeric protein having the biochemical activity of a surface active protein. In addition, the present invention relates to a chimeric protein encoded by the nucleic acid molecule of the invention and a composition comprising the chimeric protein.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods for treating, preventing and ameliorating diseases and conditions characterized by a lower than normal white blood cell count, such as leukopenia and neutropenia. The compositions and methods include recombinant human albumin-human granulocyte colony stimulating factor. Pharmaceutical formulations including the recombinant fusion protein, and methods of making such formulations are also described.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided that utilize synthetic molecules and genetically encoded polypeptides to generate macrocyclic peptide-containing molecules with a hybrid peptidic/non-peptidic backbone. Also provided are nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides, and methods for generating libraries of macrocyclic peptide-containing molecules with a hybrid peptidic/non-peptidic backbone. These methods can be used to increase the structural diversity of ligand libraries as well as facilitate the functional screening of these libraries to identify compound(s) with desired activity properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a system for increasing thermal stability of a target protein comprising fusing a starch binding protein (SBP) with the target protein to form a SBP-tagged recombinant protein and combining the SBP-tagged recombinant protein with a SBP-binding matrix. The present invention also provides a method for retaining an activity of a target protein in aquatic environment comprising fusing a starch binding protein (SBP) with the target protein to form a SBP-tagged recombinant protein and combining the SBP-tagged recombinant protein with a SBP-binding matrix.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for enhancing folding and stability of biological molecules. In particular, the present invention relates to methods and compositions for identifying biological molecules with enhanced stability. The present invention further relates to host cells that confer enhanced stability to biological molecules expressed therein.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for genome modification of a target sequence in the genome of a plant or plant cell. The methods and compositions employ a guide RNA/Cas endonuclease system to provide an effective system for modifying or altering target sites within the genome of a plant, plant cell or seed. Also provided are compositions and methods employing a guide polynucleotide/Cas endonuclease system for genome modification of a nucleotide sequence in the genome of a cell or organism, for gene editing, and/or for inserting or deleting a polynucleotide of interest into or from the genome of a cell or organism. Once a genomic target site is identified, a variety of methods can be employed to further modify the target sites such that they contain a variety of polynucleotides of interest. Breeding methods and methods for selecting plants utilizing a two component RNA guide and Cas endonuclease system are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel transcription units that may be used in expression vectors. The transcription unit allow antibodies to be produced whose gain in productivity is not linked to a particular antigenic target antibody and therefore by extrapolation to a given recombinant protein, nor linked to the culture medium.

Abstract: The field of this invention relates to methods for combining genetic elements such that the activity of one of the elements provides a means for identifying, enriching, selecting for, or enhancing the activity of a second element. The invention also includes specific elements and combinations of elements.

Abstract: To improve the stability of vaccines comprising aluminum salt(s), the invention uses the amino acid histidine. This can improve pH stability and adjuvant adsorption and can reduce antigen hydrolysis. Histidine is preferably present during adsorption to the aluminum salt(s). The antigen in the vaccine may be a protein or a saccharide and is preferably from N. meningitidis.