Abstract: The present invention provides synthetic cell platforms. The synthetic cell platforms can be used for culturing cells in vitro. The synthetic cell platforms can also be implanted together with bound cells into an individual. The present invention provides methods of using the platforms to provide cells or progeny of such cells for use in various applications, including clinical applications; and methods of use of the platforms to introduce cells into an individual.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to methods and materials for producing simvastatin and related compounds such as huvastatin. In particular, the disclosure teaches that variants of the LovD acyltransferase polypeptide can be engineered to exhibit properties that facilitate their use in the production of simvastatin and/or huvastatin. The materials and processes disclosed herein are designed so that fermentation facilities currently producing lovastatin can be converted to producing simvastatin and related compounds with minimal modifications.

Abstract: Provided are compositions comprising newly identified protein fragments of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, polynucleotides that encode them and complements thereof, related agents, and methods of use thereof in diagnostic, drug discovery, research, and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides fungal xylanase and/or beta-xylosidase enzymes suitable for use in saccharification reactions. The present application further provides genetically modified fungal organisms that produce xylanase and/or beta-xylosidases, as well as enzyme mixtures exhibiting enhanced hydrolysis of cellulosic material to fermentable sugars, enzyme mixtures produced by the genetically modified fungal organisms, and methods for producing fermentable sugars from cellulose using such enzyme mixtures.

Abstract: The invention provides Ehrlichia canis antigens that can be used to detect E. canis infected animals regardless of whether the animals have been vaccinated for E. canis. The invention also provides compositions and methods for determining the presence of E. canis antigens and antibodies.

Abstract: A lipid membrane structure for delivering a substance into a nucleus of a cell, wherein lipid membrane is modified with (a) a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, and/or (b) a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, but including deletion and/or substitution and/or insertion of one or several amino acid residues, and having an activity of promoting migration of the lipid membrane structure into a nucleus of a cell, which can efficiently deliver a nucleic acid into a nucleus of an immunocyte such as dendritic cell.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an active agent with contraceptive properties which corresponds to a peptide fragment of the Latrodectus mirabilisi's venom. The peptide generally includes the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 2 or sequences that are at least 85% similar, obtained by chemical synthesis or through recombinant DNA technologies. Furthermore, a pharmaceutical contraceptive composition comprising the peptide fragment and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles is also described. The peptide fragment and pharmaceutical compositions are useful as a contraceptive and spermicide agent.

Abstract: Synthetic peptides which have non-narcotic type of analgesic action which may be used in medicine and pharmacology as anesthetic anodynes according to the general formula 1 [SEQ ID NO:1] H-XDL-XDL1-XDL2-L-Lys-L-Leu-XDL3-L-Thr-R2.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide: a test kit for an antibody titer or an antibody against a periodontal disease-causing bacterium in a blood sample, which enables the testing on a periodontal disease in patients having a wide scope of immunotypes with high accuracy and can be treated by an automated device at a high speed; a periodontal disease-causing bacterium antigen protein which can be suitably used in the kit; a method for testing an antibody titer or the presence of an antibody in a blood sample using the kit; and a kit for typing strains of Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chimeric inhibitor protein of a protease comprising an inhibiting polypeptidic sequence and at least one polypeptidic sequence of a substrate-enzyme interaction site specific for a protease. Other objects of the invention are to provide a purified and isolated DNA sequence encoding the chimeric inhibitor protein of a protease, an expression vector characterized in that it comprises said purified and isolated DNA sequence, a eukaryotic or prokaryotic host cell transformed with this expression vector and a method of producing a chimeric inhibitor protein.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided that are useful for the delivery, including transdermal delivery, of biologically active agents, such as non-protein non-nucleotide therapeutics and protein-based therapeutics excluding insulin, botulinum toxins, antibody fragments, and VEGF. The compositions and methods are particularly useful for topical delivery of antifungal agents and antigenic agents suitable for immunization. Alternately, the compositions can be prepared with components useful for targeting the delivery of the compositions as well as imaging components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antibody-like protein based on the tenth fibronectin type III domain (10Fn3) that binds to serum albumin. The invention further relates to fusion molecules comprising a serum albumin-binding 10Fn3 joined to a heterologous protein for use in diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for differentiating a pediatric subject with pediatric septic shock from a healthy pediatric subject or one having sudden inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Also provided is a method of predicting pediatric septic shock mortality in a pediatric septic shock patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides comprising at least one antigenic determinant or epitope of an apicomplexan Ferlin, Ferlin-like protein and/or another C2-domain containing protein for use as malaria vaccines. It further relates to compositions comprising said peptides and to the use of such compositions as malaria vaccines.

Abstract: A molecular construct comprises a donor label, an acceptor label, a linker peptide disposed between the donor and the acceptor, the linker having a cleavage site sequence, and a spacer between at least one of (a) the donor and the cleavage site sequence and (b) the acceptor and the cleavage site sequence. Preferably, the construct is selected from the group consisting of CFP-(SGLRSRA)-SNAP-25-(SNS)-YFP, and CFP-(SGLRSRA)-synaptobrevin-(SNS)-YFP. In preferred embodiments, the linker peptide is a substrate of a botulinum neurotoxin selected from the group consisting of synaptobrevin (VAMP), syntaxin and SNAP-25, or a fragment thereof that can be recognized and cleaved by the botulinum neurotoxin. Advantageously, the spacer increases the electronic coupling between the donor label and the acceptor label relative to a corresponding construct without the spacer.

Abstract: An effective liquid preparation achieves high bioavailability (BA) of physiologically active peptides or proteins, including ghrelins, that are administered as drugs. Also provided is a method for improving the BA of physiologically active peptides or proteins, including ghrelins, that are subcutaneously injected in aqueous solutions. The liquid preparation contains: a physiologically active peptide or protein, such as ghrelins, as an active ingredient; an acid solution including one or a combination of two or more selected form the group consisting of acetic acid, lactic acid, phosphoric acid, glycine, citric acid, hydrochloric acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, benzoic acid and salts thereof; an alcohol; and a polar organic liquid including one or a combination of two or more selected from the group consisting of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide and methylparaben.

Abstract: Prodrug formulations of glucagon superfamily peptides are provided wherein the glucagon superfamily peptide has been modified by the linkage of a dipeptide to the glucagon superfamily through an amide bond linkage. The prodrugs disclosed herein have extended half lives and are converted to the active form at physiological conditions through a non-enzymatic reaction driven by chemical instability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for monitoring, diagnosis, prognosis, and determination of treatment regimens in subjects. In particular, the invention relates to methods and compositions selected to monitor cardiorenal syndrome using assays that detect NGAL, preferably together with assays that detect natriuretic peptides such as BNP. Such methods and compositions can provide early indications of a deterioration in cardiorenal syndrome status, including prognosis regarding mortality and worsening renal function.

Abstract: The present invention is related to peptides that can be used to reduce the immune response against FVIII or to induce tolerance to human FVIII in patients with, e.g., hemophilia A. Furthermore, the peptides can be used for immunodiagnostic purposes to detect FVIII-specific CD4+ T cells to monitor patients with hemophilia A during replacement therapy and during immune tolerance induction therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a prodrug or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof comprising a drug linker conjugate D-L, wherein -D is an amine containing biologically active moiety; and -L is a non-biologically active linker moiety -L1 represented by formula (I): wherein the dashed line indicates the attachment to the amine of the biologically active moiety and wherein R1, R1a, R2, R2a, R3, R3a, X, X1, X2, X3 have the meaning as indicated in the description and the claims and wherein L1 is substituted with one to four groups L2-Z and optionally further substituted, provided that the hydrogen marked with the asterisk in formula (I) is not replaced by a substituent; wherein L2 is a single chemical bond or a spacer; and Z is a carrier group. The invention also relates to A-L, wherein A is a leaving group, pharmaceutical composition comprising said prodrugs and their use as medicaments.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided that are useful for the delivery, including transdermal delivery, of biologically active agents, including nucleic acids and therapeutic proteins including insulin, larger therapeutic proteins such as botulinum toxin and other biologically active agents such as a therapeutic protein which does not therapeutically alter blood glucose levels, a therapeutic nucleic acid-based agent, a non-protein non-nucleic acid therapeutic agent such as an antifungal agent or alternately an agent for immunization. The compositions can be prepared with components useful for targeting the delivery of the compositions as well as imaging components.

Abstract: Peptides, mimetics and antibodies of erbB, TNF, and IgSF receptors and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same are described. Methods of using such antibodies, peptides, and mimetics in therapeutic, prophylactic, imaging and diagnostic applications are disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein is tumor suppression composition and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: Administering an effective dose of glutenase to a Celiac or dermatitis herpetiformis patient reduces levels of toxic gluten oligopeptides, thereby attenuating or eliminating the damaging effects of gluten.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for targeting therapeutic agents to neuromuscular junctions are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for treating diseases and conditions affecting the neuromuscular junction. Compositions include a neuromuscular junction targeting peptide coupled to a therapeutic agent. Compositions may further include a linker peptide. Methods for targeting therapeutic agents to neuromuscular junctions and treating diseases and conditions affecting the neuromuscular junction include administering a composition including a neuromuscular junction targeting peptide coupled to a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides, nucleic acids and cells for use in immunotherapeutic methods. In particular, the present invention relates to the immunotherapy of cancer. The present invention furthermore relates to tumor-associated cytotoxic T cell (CTL) peptide epitopes, alone or in combination with other tumor-associated peptides that serve as active pharmaceutical ingredients of vaccine compositions that stimulate anti-tumor immune responses. The present invention relates to 30 peptide sequences and their variants derived from HLA class I and class II molecules of human tumor cells that can be used in vaccine compositions for eliciting anti-tumor immune responses.

Abstract: There is provided a method for selecting a tolerogenic peptide by selecting a peptide which is capable of binding to an MHC class I or II molecule without further processing. There is also provided a peptide selected by such a method and its use in a pharmaceutical composition and a method to treat and/or prevent a disease. The present invention also relates to a composition which comprises the following myelin basic protein peptides: MBP 30-44; MBP 83-99; MBP 131-145; and MBP 140-154. The composition may be used to treat a disease, in particular multiple sclerosis and/or optical neuritis and the invention also relates to such uses and methods.

Abstract: Antibodies and meditopes that bind to the antibodies are provided, as well as complexes, compositions and combinations containing the meditopes and antibodies, and methods of producing, using, testing, and screening the same, including therapeutic and diagnostic methods and uses.

Abstract: Methods of increasing the yield in plant expression of recombinant proteins comprising engineering glycosylation sites into cloned genes or cDNAs for proteins using codons that drive post-translational modifications in plants; and engineering the cloned genes or cDNAs to contain a plant secretory signal sequence that targets the gene products (protein) for secretion. The methods result in increased recombinant glycosylated protein yields. Proteins produced according to these methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A polypeptide including: (1) a first region containing at least one selected from the group consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by CSYYQSC (SEQ ID NO:1) and an amino acid sequence represented by RGD; and (2) a second region containing (2-i) an amino acid sequence represented by PRPSLAKKQRFRHRNRKGYRSQRGHSRGRNQN (SEQ ID NO:2), (2-ii) an amino acid sequence having an identity of not less than 50% to the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:2 and having an adsorption ability to a cultivation container, or (2-iii) an amino acid sequence that is the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:2 in which from 1 to 30 amino acid residues are added, substituted, or deleted, and has an adsorption ability to a cultivation container, in which the polypeptide includes from 40 to 450 amino acid residues.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods and combinations for substantially inhibiting the opioid-induced internalization of gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) in a pruritus specific neuron. Such methods and combinations provide a direct means of treating opioid-induce pruritus without compromising opioid analgesia.

Abstract: The present invention concern a peptidic antagonist of class III semaphorins/neuropilins complexes comprising an amino acid sequence, which is derived from the transmembrane domain of a protein selected in the group consisting of neuropilin-1, neuropilin-2, plexin-A1, plexin-A2, plexin-A3, plexin-A4, Nr-CAM, L1-CAM, integrin Beta 1 and integrin beta 2, and including at least a GxxxG motif, eventually fused to an heterologous sequence; a nucleic acid encoding for said peptidic antagonist, a pharmaceutical composition comprising such a peptidic antagonist or a nucleic acid encoding thereof and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant protein for siRNA delivery, which allows the efficient intracellular and in vivo delivery of siRNA. More particularly, the present invention relates to a recombinant protein that allows a siRNA binding protein to be located in the interior cavity of a capsid protein of HBV (Hepatitis B virus), in which siRNAs of interest bind to the siRNA binding protein to be encapsulated within the capsid shell, thereby providing stability against the external attack such as nucleases and achieving the efficient intracellular and in vivo delivery of siRNA by its release into the cytosolic space after cell uptake.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stabilized cross-linked hydrogel matrix comprising a first high molecular weight component and a second high molecular weight component that are covalently linked, and at least one stabilizing or enhancing agent, wherein the first high molecular weight component and the second high molecular weight component are each selected from the group consisting of polyglycans and polypeptides. This stabilized hydrogel matrix may be prepared as bioactive gels, pastes, slurries, cell attachment scaffolds for implantable medical devices, and casting or binding materials suitable for the construction of medical devices. The intrinsic bioactivity of the hydrogel matrix makes it useful as a gel or paste in multiple applications, including as a cell attachment scaffold that promotes wound healing around an implanted device, as gels and pastes for induction of localized vasculogenesis, wound healing, tissue repair, and regeneration, as a wound adhesive, and for tissue bulking.

Abstract: The invention relates to ?-catenin targeting peptides comprising an ?-helical segment that are optionally stapled or stitched, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Uses of the inventive ?-catenin targeting polypeptides including methods for treatment of disease, such as diseases associated with aberrant Wnt signaling, including cancer, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to crystals of a type IB P-type ATPase having the space group P1 and methods for purification and growing said crystals. The invention also presents methods for identifying an inhibitor of a type IB P-type ATPase for example by determining binding interactions between an inhibitor and a set of binding interaction sites in said type IB P-type ATPase.

Abstract: The present Invention relates to the monitoring of biological substances, such as non-invasive monitoring of such substances in animal, for examples biomarkers and metabolites. Specifically, the invention further relates to such monitoring using rare earth tagged marker compounds. The invention further relates to such monitoring using laser spectroscopy or Raman spectroscopy. The invention further relates to the use of such monitoring in disease states, such as stroke, neurological disorders and cardiovascular disorders.

Abstract: Described herein are melanocortin analogs having enhanced activity and transport.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a bio-mimetic polymer capable of catalyzing CO2 into a carbonate.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for delivering polynucleotides are provided. One embodiment provides a non-viral vector comprising a recombinant polynucleotide-binding protein comprising a protein transduction domain operably linked to a targeting signal.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for producing wheat glutamine peptide using wheat gluten powder as raw material, belonging to the fields of food and biotechnology. The method includes the steps of: performing enzymolysis in two steps using Alcalase and papain with the wheat gluten powder as raw material, to obtain the wheat glutamine peptide with components with molecular weight of less than 1000 Da being more than 90%, characteristic glutamine peptide segment glutamine-arginine-glutamine (Gln-Arg-Gln, QRQ) content being more than 2.0% and glutamine content being up to 23.54% by treating the enzymatic hydrolysate by centrifugation, ultrafiltration, concentration, spray drying, etc. The produced glutamine peptide can be used as functional nutrition composition ingredient in the development and production of ordinary foods, health foods and medicines.

Abstract: Peptide derivatives, their stereoisomers, mixtures thereof and/or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, a method of obtaining them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and the use thereof for the treatment, prevention and/or diagnosis of those conditions, disorders and/or pathologies in which the sstr1, sstr2, sstr3, sstr4 and/or sstr5 somatostatin receptors are expressed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical or a food that comprises, as an active ingredient, at least one peptide selected from the group consisting of Val-Tyr-Leu-Pro-Arg (SEQ ID NO:1), Tyr-Leu-Pro-Arg (SEQ ID NO:2), and Leu-Pro-Arg (SEQ ID NO:3), or an analog thereof.

Abstract: Prodrug formulations of insulin and insulin analogs are provided wherein the insulin peptide has been modified by an amide bond linkage of a dipeptide prodrug element. The prodrugs disclosed herein have extended half lives of at least 10 hours, and more typically greater than 2 hours, 20 hours and less than 70 hours, and are converted to the active form at physiological conditions through a non-enzymatic reaction driven by chemical instability.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to bladder cancer specific ligand peptides, comprising the amino acid sequence X1DGRX5GF (SEQ ID NO:1), and methods of their use, e.g., for imaging detection for diagnosis of bladder, tumor localization to guide transurethral resection of bladder cancer, imaging detection of bladder cancer for follow-up after the initial treatment that can replace or complement costly cystoscopy, imaging detection of metastatic bladder cancer, and targeted therapy for superficial and metastatic bladder cancer.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses albumin fusion proteins. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the albumin fusion proteins are also encompassed by the invention, as are vectors containing these nucleic acids, host cells transformed with these nucleic acid vectors, and methods of making the albumin fusion proteins of the invention and using these nucleic acids, vectors, and/or host cells. Additionally the present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising albumin fusion proteins and methods of treating, preventing, or ameliorating diseases, disorders or conditions using albumin fusion proteins of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and compositions for treating or preventing a bacterial infection, particularly infection by a Staphylococcus bacterium. The invention provides methods and compositions for stimulating an immune response against the bacteria. In certain embodiments, the methods and compositions involve an Ebh antigen.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of the ubiquitous vertebrate glucose transporter GLUT1, or of fragments or sequences derived thereof, for the in vitro diagnosis of cancers, when used as a tumor marker, or for the screening of compounds useful for the preparation of drugs for the prevention or the treatment of pathologies linked to an infection of an individual with a PTLV, or pathologies linked to an overexpression of GLUT1 on cell surfaces, or the in vitro detection of GLUT1 on cell surfaces. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing GLUT1, or fragments or sequences derived thereof, and to their uses such as in the frame of the prevention or the treatment of pathologies linked to an infection of an individual with a PTLV.

Abstract: This application relates to Group B Streptococcus (“GBS”) vaccines comprising combinations of GBS polypeptide antigens where the polypeptides contribute to the immunological response in a recipient. Preferably, the compositions of the invention comprise a combination of two or more GBS antigens, wherein said combination includes GBS 80 or a fragment thereof. In one embodiment, the combination may consist of two to thirteen GBS antigens selected from an antigen group consisting of GBS 80, GBS 91, GBS 104, GBS 184, GBS 276, GBS 305, GBS 322, GBS 330, GBS 338, GBS 361, GBS 404, GBS 690, and GBS 691.

Abstract: The present invention improves in vitro virus synthesis efficiency and stability of mRNA derived from screened cDNA in a cDNA display method to improve the efficiency and reliability of the production of a peptide by a molecular evolutionary engineering technique. Provided is a ligand which comprises three fingers formed from antiparallel ?-sheets and a loop region intercalated between the antiparallel ?-sheets, wherein at least a fingertip part formed by the loop region of each of the fingers is bound to the target molecule, and wherein the ligand comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. In the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, X7 represents an arbitrary amino acid residue that constitutes the fingertip part of each of the fingers, each numeric character represents the number of amino acid residues, and X7 and X4 are not composed of the same amino acid residues as each other.