Abstract: The invention provides methods employing iterative cycles of recombination and selection/screening for evolution of whole cells and organisms toward acquisition of desired properties. Examples of such properties include enhanced recombinogenicity, genome copy number, and capacity for expression and/or secretion of proteins and secondary metabolites.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of integrating therapeutic protein and antibody generation and/or selection, evolution and expression in a eukaryotic host for manufacturing in a single system. Therapeutic proteins, including antibodies, are generated, optimized and manufactured in the same eukaryotic host system. The disclosed system of Comprehensive Integrated Antibody Optimization (CIAO!™) allows for simultaneous evolution of protein performance and expression optimization.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to hydrogen production for use in fuel cells, foodstuffs and chemical production, and more particularly, to biologically and photosynthetically produced hydrogen. Specifically, disclosed is a method for producing bacteria and green alga that can produce hydrogen in quantities that exceed four hundred percent of the hydrogen produced by green alga in nature; thus, producing organisms which can serve as hydrogen generators for fuel cells, chemical production and numerous other applications.

Abstract: Methods for improving antibodies by a variety of DNA diversification and selection procedures are provided. Improvements include increases in affinity, alterations in specificity and effector function, as well as reduced antigenicity, e.g. humanization. Libraries of recombinant antibody sequences are provided, as are cells expressing members of such libraries. Novel phage display vectors are provided. Methods for the coevolution of an antibody and its cognate antigen are provided. Coevolution is used to evolve HIV envelope proteins with increased antigenicity and broadly neutralizing antibodies that interact therewith. Methods of improving antibodies for use in the detection of biological warfare agents are provided.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a natural-variant combinatorial library of fibronectin Type 3 domain (Fn3) polypeptides useful in screening for the presence of one or more polypeptides having a selected binding or enzymatic activity. The library polypeptides include (a) regions A, AB, B, C, CD, D, E, EF, F, and G having wildtype amino acid sequences of a selected native fibronectin Type 3 polypeptide or polypeptides, and (b) loop regions AB, CD, and EF having selected lengths (Bottom Loops). The Fn3 may also have loop regions BC, DE, and FG having wildtype amino acid sequences, having selected lengths, or mutagenized amino acid sequences (Top Loops).

Abstract: RNA aptamers and methods for identifying the same are disclosed. The RNA aptamers selectively bind coagulation factors, E2F family members, Ang1 or Ang2, and therapeutic and other uses for the RNA aptamers are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for altering the conformational diversity of a first repertoire of polypeptide ligands, comprising a plurality of polypeptides comprising at least two reactive groups separated by a loop sequence covalently linked to a molecular scaffold which forms covalent bonds with said reactive groups, to produce a second repertoire of polypeptide ligands, comprising assembling said second repertoire from the polypeptides and structural scaffold of said first repertoire, incorporating one of the following alterations: (a) altering at least one reactive group; or (b) altering the nature of the molecular scaffold; or (c) altering the bond between at least one reactive group and the molecular scaffold; or (d) any combination of (a), (b) or (c).

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for selection and enrichment of a target gene from a library of polynucleotide sequences such as might be formed from a genome or by random mutagenesis of a genetic sequence. The selection and enrichment occurs in aqueous droplets formed in an emulsion that compartmentalize individual polynucleotides from the library or a plurality of polynucleotides that may include polynucleotides not derived from the library, transcription and translation reagents and optionally additional chemical and enzyme reagents. The selection and enrichment method utilizes a polynucleotide adaptor which when ligated to the polynucleotide fragment enables amplification to occur in the presence of an adaptor specific primer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of integrating therapeutic protein and antibody generation and/or selection, evolution and expression in a eukaryotic host for manufacturing in a single system. Therapeutic proteins, including antibodies, are generated, optimized and manufactured in the same eukaryotic host system. The disclosed system of Comprehensive Integrated Antibody Optimization (CIAO!™) allows for simultaneous evolution of protein performance and expression optimization.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition comprising a nucleic acid and a chemical compound, said composition forming a star structure defining 3 or more stems extending from a reaction center. The stems are formed by a nucleic acid duplex and the chemical compound has been formed in the reaction center as the reaction product of 3 or more chemical groups. The advantage of the composition is that a close proximity is provided between the chemical groups in the reaction center, thereby promoting a reaction. The invention also relates to a method for preparation of the composition. The advantage of the method is that it does not require the pre-synthesis of a large number of templates and that it is not dependent upon codon/anti-codon recognition for an encoded molecule to be formed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a structure-based methodology for efficiently generating and screening a library of recombinant antibodies for optimized antibodies with desirable functions, such as higher binding affinity or low immunogenicity. In one embodiment, a method is provided for constructing a library of antibody sequences based on a three dimensional structure of a lead antibody. The method comprises: providing a lead structural template comprising the amino acid sequence of the variable region of the heavy chain (VH) or light chain (VL) of a lead antibody, comparing the lead template sequence with a plurality of tester protein sequences; selecting a hit library from the tester protein sequences; determining if a member of the hit library is structurally compatible with the lead structural template using a scoring function; selecting members for the hit library that score equal to or better than the lead sequence and screening members for improved function(s).

Abstract: Various systems and methods for selecting candidate biological components and/or combinations of biological components that affect a biological process are described. For example, a computing device may use a computer model to simulate the biological process and predict a phenotypic outcome. In this manner, the impact of candidate components and combinations may be determined using the computer model. The computing device may determine optimal characteristics such as expression levels of biological components that result in a desirable phenotypic outcome of the biological process as predicted by the computer model. The computing device may perform sensitivity analysis around the optimal characteristics. The sensitivity analysis may be used to determine whether the candidate combinations are robust across a range of the optimal characteristics. The computing device may select various candidate components and combinations based on the sensitivity analysis and the predicted phenotypic outcome.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the screening and isolation of ligand-binding polypeptides, such as antibodies. In some aspects, methods of the invention enable the isolation of intact soluble antibodies comprising a constant domain. Screening methods that employ genetic packages such as bacteria and bacteriophages enable high through-put identification of ligand binding molecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for the capture and enrichment of target nucleic acids and analysis of the enriched target nucleic acids. In particular, the present invention provides for the enrichment of targeted sequences in a solution based format.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic chips and their use in SELEX. The microfluidic chip preferably includes a reaction chamber that contains a high surface area material that contains target. One preferred high surface area material is a sol-gel derived material. Methods of making the microfluidic chips are described herein, as are uses of these devices to select aptamers against the target.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the expression and subsequent screening of DNA libraries, particularly synthetic, genomic, and cDNA libraries, in filamentous fungal hosts. In particular, the invention provides vectors, host strains, and a method for the expression and screening of complex DNA libraries, including, but not limited to, combinatory (combinatorial) libraries expressing one, two or more variable constituents and/or prepared from two or more sublibraries (e.g., for the expression and screening of immunoglobulin (including fragments and derivatives of whole immunoglobulin proteins) and other receptor or complex DNA libraries or libraries of libraries). The invention is useful for the expression and screening for a large variety of proteins and protein complexes, including human proteins. The present invention also relates to novel fungal protease sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for generating a second-generation library. In a first step, a library of encoded molecules associated with an identifier nucleic acid comprising codons identifying chemical entities that have participated in the formation of the encoded molecule is provided. In a second step, the library is partitioned and encoded molecules having a certain property are selected. Codons of identifiers of selected encoded molecules are subsequently identified, and a second-generation library is prepared using at least some of the chemical entities coded for by the identified codons. The new focussed library may be used for another partition step to select encoded molecules with a certain property.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a protein mixture comprising at least a first fusion protein comprising a protein or protein fragment, and an interaction domain and a protein translocation sequence, which effects that the fusion protein upon expression in a bacterium is translocated through the cytoplasmic membrane in an essentially unfolded state and at least a second fusion protein comprising a protein or protein fragment, and an interaction domain and a protein translocation sequence which effects that the fusion protein is translocated through the cytoplasmic membrane upon expression in a bacterium in an essentially folded state, wherein the interaction domain of the first protein can bind to those of the second protein.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the evolution of proteins of industrial and pharmaceutical interest, including methods for effecting recombination and selection. Compositions produced by these methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel use of a template-dependent polymerase. The novel use is effected by employing the template-dependent polymerase for incorporating at least one oligonucleotide triphosphate onto a nascent oligonucleotide-3?-OH in a template-dependent manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for selectively enriching genomic CpG island (CGI)- and other epigenetically informative CG-rich polynucleotide targets. The method involves co-incubation of denatured or partially denatured polynucleotide fragments containing the CGI- or CG-targeted region(s) of interest with an oligonucleotide capture pool collectively designed to selectively target CGIs. The oligonucleotide capture pool includes a plurality of different oligonucleotides, each oligonucleotide coupled to a capture tag, whereby the oligonucleotide includes a CpG target sequence restricted to 4 to 10 bases. Upon binding, capture oligonucleotides bound to the target fragments are enriched by separating the bound fragments from the unbound fragments. The enriched fragments may be subjected to further analyses, including bisulfite sequencing to generate a methylation profile at the single nucleotide level.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes improved SELEX methods for producing aptamers that are capable of binding to target molecules and improved photoSELEX methods for producing photoreactive aptamers that are capable of both binding and covalently crosslinking to target molecules. Specifically, the present disclosure describes methods for producing aptamers and photoaptamers having slower dissociation rate constants than are obtained using prior SELEX and photoSELEX methods. The disclosure further describes aptamers and photoaptamers having slower dissociation rate constants than those obtained using prior methods. In addition, the disclosure describes aptamer constructs that include a variety of functionalities, including a cleavable element, a detection element, and a capture or immobilization element.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polypeptides having the scaffold structure of a C-type lectin-like domain (CTLD) and a randomized loop region for specifically binding a variety of target compounds and also provides nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides. The present invention further provides combinatorial CTLD libraries, methods for constructing the libraries, and methods for screening the libraries to identify and isolate the novel CTLD polypeptides. Specifically, the invention provides libraries of nucleic acids encoding polypeptides having a scaffold CTLD with a randomized loop region, as well as nucleic acid sequences, vectors, and methods for preparing and expressing the libraries. Exemplary nucleic acids useful in the combinatorial libraries are derived from tetranectin and other proteins having a CTLD.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for screening for a ligand having an affinity for a target substance and having readiness for conformational change forming a desired conformation upon binding to a target substance. The method includes the steps of (a) contacting a first mixture of candidate ligands with a carrier, followed by separating and collecting, as a second mixture of candidate ligands, a mixture of free candidate ligands not bound to the carrier, (b) contacting the second mixture of candidate ligands with the target substance, and (c) contacting the carrier with a solution containing the target substance and the mixture of candidate ligands obtained in step (b), and then separating and enriching a ligand, at least a part of which forms the particular conformation.

Abstract: Method to generate and select a meganuclease having at least two altered characteristics in comparison to a parent meganuclease, comprising the steps: a. constructing from a parent meganuclease, a first series of variants which differ from said parent meganuclease by at least one acid amino substitution; b. screening the variants from said first series of step a. and selecting those which have a first altered characteristic; c. constructing from the selected variants of step b. a second series of variants having a least one other amino acid substitution; d. screening the variants from said series of step b. and selecting those which have said first altered characteristic and a second altered characteristic. Polypeptide obtained from said method.

Abstract: The invention provides particle compositions having applications in nucleic acid analysis. Nucleic acid polymer particles of the invention allow polynucleotides to be attached throughout their volumes for higher loading capacities than those achievable solely with surface attachment. In one aspect, nucleic acid polymer particles of the invention comprise polyacrylamide particles with uniform size distributions having low coefficients of variations, which result in reduced particle-to-particle variation in analytical assays. Such particle compositions are used in various amplification reactions to make amplicon libraries from nucleic acid fragment libraries.

Abstract: The invention provides methods employing iterative cycles of recombination and selection/screening for evolution of whole cells and organisms toward acquisition of desired properties. Examples of such properties include enhanced recombinogenicity, genome copy number, and capacity for expression and/or secretion of proteins and secondary metabolites.

Abstract: Nature evolves biological molecules such as proteins through iterated rounds of diversification, selection, and amplification. The power of Nature and the flexibility of organic synthesis are combined in nucleic acid-templated synthesis. The present invention provides a variety of template architectures for performing nucleic acid-templated synthesis, methods for increasing the selectivity of nucleic acid-templated reactions, methods for performing stereoselective nucleic acid-templated reactions, methods of selecting for reaction products resulting from nucleic acid-templated synthesis, and methods of identifying new chemical reactions based on nucleic acid-templated synthesis.

Abstract: The present application relates to somatic hypermutation (SHM) systems and synthetic genes. Synthetic genes can be designed using computer-based approaches to increase or decrease susceptibility of a polynucleotide to somatic hypermutation. Genes of interest are inserted into the vectors and subjected to activation-induced cytidine deaminase to induce somatic hypermutation. Proteins or portions thereof encoded by the modified genes can be introduced into a SHM system for somatic hypermutation and proteins or portions thereof exhibiting a desired phenotype or function can be isolated for in vitro or in vivo diagnostic or therapeutic uses.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making antibodies having the binding specificity of a reference antibody. Antibodies generated by the methods of the inventions have at least one minimal essential binding specificity determinant from a heavy chain or light chain CDR3 from the reference antibody. The method can be used, e.g., in humanization procedures. The invention also provides libraries and antibodies made in accordance with the methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for obtaining nucleic acid aptamers that bind to cancer cell-surface epitopes, to the aptamers generated using this method and their use for therapeutic, diagnostic and prognostic purposes.

Abstract: The present patent application introduces methods for generating mixture compound libraries from a drug lead. The mixture compound libraries are then screened for the discovery of modified drug lead compounds which possess desired improved drug properties. The process utilizes a non-selective reaction to modify the drug lead compound structure. Compared to existing methods of modifying a drug lead compound, this new method can modify more structural positions of a drug lead compound. As a consequence, there will be greater probability of finding a product with improved drug properties.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to a novel method useful for screening. In particular, the present invention provides methods for competitive differential screening. In some preferred embodiments, the present invention provides methods for competitive differential screening that facilitate the identification of tight binders. In some preferred embodiments, the agents used in the methods of the present invention comprise tight and weak binders. In other embodiments, the present invention provides methods that utilize competitive binders that recognize and bind targets, but with binding that is less strong than that of binders of interest.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of affinity maturing antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a methodology for assaying the binding of a peptide to an individual, specific, soluble HLA molecule.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the evolution of proteins of industrial and pharmaceutical interest, including methods for effecting recombination and selection. Compositions produced by these methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods allowing the selective enrichment of N-terminal fragments of polypeptides and/or peptides from complex samples by combining a particular polypeptide/peptide labeling and fractionation strategy with specific chemical and/or enzymatic reactions targeting the N-terminal fragments to be analyzed.

Abstract: Methods for display of recombinant proteins or protein libraries on the surface of lower eukaryotes such as yeast and filamentous fungi are described. The methods are useful for screening libraries of recombinant proteins in lower eukaryotes to identify particular proteins with desired properties from the array of proteins in the libraries. The methods are particularly useful for constructing and screening antibody libraries in lower eukaryotes.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for creating a binding protein that recognizes a rationally chosen recognition sequence in which a first amino acid has been substituted for a second amino acid using site-directed mutagenesis of a member protein of a set of proteins at an identified position or positions correlated with recognition of a chosen specified target module in the recognition sequence. A system is provided for automating the storage and manipulation of the correlations between positions and types of amino acid residues in the binding protein with specific modules at specified positions in the target recognition sequence and for designing and creating proteins with novel specificities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and techniques for providing improved amino acid sequences that can be used as single antigen-binding domains. In particular, the invention relates to methods and techniques for providing improved amino acid sequences that can be used as single antigen-binding domains that comprise or essentially consist of at least one immunoglobulin sequence. More in particular, the amino acid sequences provided herein may comprise or essentially consist of at least one variable domain sequence or a suitable fragment thereof, such as at least one light chain variable domain sequence (e.g. a VL-sequence) or a suitable fragment thereof, or at least one heavy chain variable domain sequence (e.g. a VH-sequence or VHH sequence) or a suitable fragment thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing a protein having a new function. The method comprises (A) a functional element-designing step of designing functional elements required for a new function desired to impart to an existing protein scaffold; (B) a functional element-inserting step of simultaneously inserting at least two gene fragments corresponding to the designed functional elements into a protein scaffold gene; and (C) a mutant screening and improving step of screening a mutant having a new function from a library of mutants inserted with the mutant genes, and improving and optimizing the function of the screened mutant using a directed evolution technique. The method for preparing can be widely used for the development of therapeutic proteins and the creation of industrial enzymes in the fields of bioengineering and biotechnology.

Abstract: The invention relates to a zinc finger polypeptide library in which each polypeptide comprises more than one zinc finger which has been at least partially randomized, and to a set of zinc finger polypeptide libraries which encode overlapping zinc finger polypeptides, each polypeptide comprising more than one zinc finger which has been at least partially randomized, and which polypeptide may be assembled after selection to form a multifinger zinc finger polypeptide.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for generating diverse polypeptide and nucleic acid molecule libraries and collections, and the collections and libraries; methods for selecting variant polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules from the libraries; and molecules selected from the libraries. Exemplary of the polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules are antibodies and nucleic acids encoding the antibodies (including antibody fragments and domain exchanged antibodies). Also provided herein are methods of displaying polypeptides such as antibodies, for example on the surface of genetic packages, such as phage; and libraries and collections of the displayed polypeptides and vectors for producing the displayed polypeptides, libraries and collections. Exemplary of the displayed antibodies are domain exchanged antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides bioengineered high affinity polypeptides for use in a method for the detection of the presence of human immunodeficiency virus, HIV, in a biological sample. The present invention also provides a method for producing bioengineered high affinity polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions including peptide display scaffolds that present at least one candidate peptide and at least one detectable moiety in at least one of the N-terminal and C-terminal candidate peptide presenting domains that when expressed in a cell are accessible at a surface of the cell outermembrane. In addition, the present invention also provides kits and methods for screening a library of cells presenting the candidate peptides in peptide display scaffolds to identify a ligand for an enzyme.

Abstract: Methods and compositions directed to improved universal antibody libraries that rationally exploit human diversity information contained within reference antibody libraries, such as universal antibody libraries, are disclosed. The disclosed processes involve use of a query CDR sequence to guide incorporation of human antibody diversity present within the reference library into cohort libraries of the invention. Methods for making and screening such cohort libraries for isolating therapeutics suitable for treating disease are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of enriching a subpopulation of beads are described. In one embodiment, first beads comprise immobilized first amplified product, said first amplified product encoding a truncated version of a first protein, and second beads comprise immobilized second amplified product, said second amplified product encoding an untruncated version of said first protein. Both first and second beads are exposed to a translation system under conditions such that said truncated and untruncated versions of said first protein are generated from at least a portion of said first and second immobilized amplified products, and these protein products are captured on the first and second beads, respectively. Using a ligand (e.g. with affinity for the untruncated version of said first protein), a portion of the second beads is separated from the mixture, thereby enriching a subpopulation of beads comprising truncated protein.

Abstract: The invention relates to microstructures and the use thereof for the directed evolution of biomolecules.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the autonomous in vitro evolution of molecules having specific properties, employing one-pot continuous evolution are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing polymers having a desirable property, for example, catalytic activity or binding activity, via evolutionary nucleic acid-mediated chemistry.