Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of preparing a fibrous protein smectic hydrogel by way of a solvent templating process, comprising the steps of pouring an aqueous fibrous protein solution into a container comprising a solvent that is not miscible with water; sealing the container and allowing it to age at about room temperature; and collecting the resulting fibrous protein smectic hydrogel and allowing it to dry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thread preparation process from silk proteins including an apparatus which is appropriate for performing the method. Furthermore, the invention is directed to the threads obtained therewith as well as the use thereof. The invention uses a diffusion unit leading to the production of high-quality silk threads with high yield.

Abstract: The invention relates to chimeric keratin-binding effector proteins and their use in dermocosmetics.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition from shark cartilage comprising immunoactive proteoglycans and other immunoactive components having a molecular weight greater than about 100 KD, wherein the composition has a uronic acid content of about 0.05-0.5 ?g glucuronic acid per ?g of the composition. The composition may be useful for treating or preventing tumor growth, bacterial infections, viral infections and/or fungal infections.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for non-invasive detection and treatment of intra-cranial aneurysms. Antibodies are provided to specifically react/bind with antigens of the cerebral aneurism wall. The antibodies may be bound to a label and/or to a therapeutic agent for diagnosis and/or for treatment purposes thereof. Intra-cranial aneurysms are thus non-invasively detected before rupture occurs and are specifically treated.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for producing a dielectric substance having excellent dielectric properties and being biodegradable, such method comprising subjecting silk protein to molding.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for preparing a modified biodegradable polymer in aqueous medium comprising at least two steps. The first step is a reaction between an amino acid, a peptide or a polypeptide and maleic anhydride to form a compound having an unsaturated vinyl-carboxylic acid function. In the second reaction step, the unsaturated diacid obtained in the first step is reacted with a biodegradable polymer having at least one primary amine function, such as a fibrous protein or a glycosaminoglycan. The preferred polymer used is collagen or chitosan. The invention also concerns the modified biodegradable polymer obtained by the method. The invention further concerns a biomaterial or a dressing containing the modified biodegradable polymer having biocompatible, cytocompatible, hemostatic, bactericidal and wound healing properties, and its medical, biomedical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic use.

Abstract: A resorbable implantable device, such as a suture or prosthesis, comprising one or more silk elements made at least partially (poly)alanine Wild silk proteins of a saturnid moth or analogues thereof.

Abstract: Treatment of implantable medical devices resistant to calcification The invention relates to a method for treating an implant comprising a protein-based substrate, including the following steps in which: (A)—the protein-based substrate is treated with a compound containing at least one aldehyde group, then (B)—the substrate is treated with a compound comprising a borohydride, then (C)—the substrate resulting from step (B) is treated with a derivative containing a silane group. The invention also relates to the treated protein-based implant obtained at the end of this method.

Abstract: Methods are provided for diagnosing and/or characterizing chronic immune disease activity in a subject. In the subject methods, a sample is obtained from a subject suspected of having or known to have a chronic immune disease. The sample is then assayed for the presence of low molecular actin fragments. The assay results are used to diagnose the presence of chronic immune disease activity and/or characterize chronic immune disease activity in the subject, e.g. to confirm an initial chronic immune disease diagnosis, to determine the stage of the disease, to monitor disease progression, to predict disease attacks, and the like. Also provided by the subject invention are kits for practicing the methods.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the extraction of material from glands of arthropods. The apparatus comprises a container in which at least part of the glands are placed and a buffer solution at least partially immersing the glands. Gland material is collected in the material collection area of container. In use the material is released from glands into the buffer solution and sedimented at the bottom of the container. The method comprises: a first step of removing from a body of the arthropod the gland containing at least partially the material; a second step of making an opening in an epithelium of the gland; and a third step of placing the gland in a container at least partially immersed in a buffer solution such that the materials exit the glands and sediments in the material collection area of the container.

Abstract: The claimed invention provides a fusion polypeptide comprising a fibrous protein domain and a mineralization domain. The fusion is used to form an organic-inorganic composite. These organic-inorganic composites can be constructed from the nano- to the macro-scale depending on the size of the fibrous protein fusion domain used. In one embodiment, the composites can also be loaded with other compounds (e.g., dyes, drugs, enzymes) depending on the goal for the materials, to further enhance function. This can be achieved during assembly of the material or during the mineralization step in materials formation.

Abstract: A transgenic silkworm having transferred therein a gene which encodes spider thread protein having desired properties of high strength and high elasticity while leaving the silkworm fibroin H chain gene intact, by means of utilizing a transposon function, is used to produce in the transgenic silkworm a spider thread protein having the desired properties without lowering the strength or elasticity of silk thread produced by the transgenic silkworm, thereby providing hybrid silk of spider and silk threads having the desired properties.

Abstract: This disclosure provides new isoforms of tropoelastin. The disclosure further provides methods for making and using these isoforms, alone or in combination with each other or other isomers, such as in the production of biomaterials.

Abstract: The modifying powder is silk powder having an average particle diameter of 10 ?m or less, oil absorption of 130 ml/100 g or less and particle diameter of 80 ?m or less on the basis of dispersion degree evaluation with a grind gauge according to JIS K5400; or polysaccharide powder having an average particle diameter of 10 ?m or less, and ink viscosity of less than 15 Pa·s or oil absorption of 85 ml/100 g or less. Such modifying powders can be obtained through a method comprising a first pulverization process for pulverizing a starting material for modifying material using a dry-type mechanical pulverizer such as a ball mill, and a second pulverization process for pulverizing the obtained pulverized product with a jet mill to fine particles having an average particle diameter of 10 ?m or less, wherein pulverization treatment time in the first pulverization process is determined to be 40 hours or more.

Abstract: A biodegradable biopolymer material consists of silk fibroin from domesticated silkworm; silk fibroin from wild silkworm; a composite material comprising silk fibroin from domesticated silkworm and silk fibroin from wild silkworm; or a composite material comprising either silk fibroin from domesticated silkworm or silk fibroin from wild silkworm and at least one secondary substance selected from the group consisting of cellulose, chitin, chitosan, chitosan derivatives, keratin from wool and polyvinyl alcohol. The material may be prepared by, for instance, casting an aqueous solution of domesticated silkworm silk fibroin on the surface of a substrate and then cast drying the applied solution. The biodegradable biopolymer material is effectively used as, for instance, a metal ion-adsorbing material, a sustained release substrate for a useful substance such as a medicine, a biological cell-growth substrate and a biodegradable water-absorbing material.

Abstract: The invention relates to new polypeptide in isolated form belonging to a subfamily of the human Immunoglobulin Superfamily, which polypeptide shows at least 70% sequence homology with the amino acid sequence of the murine Confluency Regulated Adhesion Molecules 1 or 2 (CRAM-1 or CRAM-2) as depicted in FIG. 3 upper and second row, respectively, and antibodies thereto as well as their use in treatment of inflammation and tumors.

Abstract: Methods are described for the purification and spinning of recombinant and non-recombinant proteins. Specifically, the lysis of bacteria and purification of silk proteins occur in a single solution of organic acid. Bacterial proteins are hydrolyzed while the silk protein remains intact. Silk proteins remain soluble as they are concentrated into a aqueous-based mixture for fiber spinning.

Abstract: A process for producing non-woven silk fiber fabrics comprises the following steps: a) obtaining silk fibroin, for example either from silk cocoons, or silk textiles or waste silk; b) removing the sericin layer covering the silk fibroin fibers, when present; c) breaking the disulfide bonds between heavy (350 kDa) and light (27 kDa) chains of silk fibroin in order to obtain the production of chain fragments which serve as a specific cellular recognition sites promoting the attachment and growth of cells, d) homogenising of the material resulting from step c).

Abstract: Agents, compositions, and implants are provided herein for treating diverticular disease (e.g., diverticulosis and diverticulitis). In particular, fibrosis-inducing agents, hemostatic agents, and/or anti-infective agents, or compositions containing one or more of these agents are provided for use in methods for treating diverticular disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides engineered proteins and biomedical products made from the engineered proteins. The biomedical products include lenses useful for ophthalmic purposes.

Abstract: A novel, N-oligosaccharide-substituted-specific protein of approximately 91.5 kDa was purified from extracts of human articular cartilage and designated Cartilage Intermediate Layer Protein (CILP). The protein is a chondrocyte product which is deposited in the interterritorial matrix. The gene encoding CILP, as well as its mRNA, were isolated and characterized. A single 4.2 kb mRNA detected in human articular cartilage encodes a polypeptide of 1184 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 132.5 kDa. The protein has a putative signal peptide of 21 amino acids, and is a proform of two polypeptides. The amino-terminal half corresponds to CILP (molecular weight of 78.5 kDa, not including post-translational modifications) and the carboxy-terminal half corresponds to a protein homologous to a porcine nucleotide pyrophosphohydrolase, NTPPHase (molecular weight of 51.8 kDa, not including post-translational modifications).

Abstract: Peptides are provided having an excellent safety, stability due to relatively low molecular weights thereof, and cell growth promotion, which are different from cell growth factors produced by abnormal cells such as tumor cells. Peptide compositions which are excellent in promoting cell growth containing partial peptides of one or more peptide chains selected from peptide chains forming noncrystalline portions constituting silk protein. The partial peptides have specific amino acid sequences formed of four to forty amino acid residues. This invention has succeeded in providing novel peptides excellent for cell growth by separating and fractionating peptides, having specific amino acid sequences of molecular weights not higher than 10,000, preferably ranging from 4,000 to 400, from the noncrystalline portions of silk protein as well as by synthesizing peptides similar to such peptides.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to derivatives of tropoelastin and variants of those derivatives. The disclosure further provides expression products and hybrid molecules of the derivatives and variants of the invention. Methods for the production of the derivatives, variants, expression products and hybrid molecules are described. Formulations, cross-linked structures and implants comprising the derivatives, variants, expression products and hybrid molecules of the invention are included. Uses of the derivatives, variants, expression products and hybrid molecules are further provided.

Abstract: Implants are used in combination with a fibrosis-inducing agent in order to induce fibrosis that may otherwise not occur when the implant is placed within an animal or increase fibrosis between the implant and the host tissue.

Abstract: A tissue adhesive sealant includes a cross-linkable protein in a solution that when combined with a cross-linking agent solution including an aldehyde and amino acid containing species reactive with the aldehyde cross-links to form a seal. The sealant is well suited for bonding tissue alone or in combination with a patch. The ratio between the aldehyde and the amino acid containing species is between 20:1 and 1:1 on an aldehyde moiety:amino acid or peptide subunit molar basis. Particularly strong seals are formed when the protein and cross-linking agent are present in a molar ratio of between 15:1 and 1:1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing useful materials from filament-forming ?-helical proteins or filaments made of such proteins. The method comprises allowing filament-forming ?-helical proteins to self-assemble into ?-helix containing filaments and forming fibres, films or bulk materials from the filaments. The materials are stretched to strain the filaments so that the ?-helices substantially irreversibly change to ?-sheet forms. The filament-forming ?-helical proteins can comprise intermediate filament proteins. In a specific embodiment, the filament-forming proteins comprise hagfish slime thread IF proteins.

Abstract: The application relates to a method of obtaining silk feedstock solution from a gland of a silkworm or another silk-producing arthropod in which the body of the silkworm or the other silk-producing arthropod is cut open and the gland removed. The silk feedstock solution is subsequently extracted from the gland and used for extrusion, spinning or moulding of objects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of a method to provide stabilized transglutaminase 1 enzyme, involucrin, and other molecules necessary for the assembly of the cell envelope to skin cells. Novel biological tools, prophylactics, therapeutics, cosmetics, and methods of use of the foregoing for study, prevention, and treatment of skin disorders are also disclosed.

Abstract: Process for the production of silk fibroin hydrogels comprising the following steps: a) Obtaining the raw silk filament for example from cocoons, silk fabric, raw silk waste; b) Removing where present the sericin layer covering the silk fibroin fibers; c) obtaining a solution of fibroin in water; d) Treating the fibroin solution with water soluble polymers and/or with acid solutions with a pH lower than 4 and/or polar solvents and/or with crosslinking compounds. e) Washing the resulting material from said step b and so obtaining a silk fibroin hydrogel.

Abstract: Biomolecular conjugates are provided which comprise the conjugation product of a repeat sequence protein polymer and at least one active agent. Additional aspects provide methods for their manufacture and various industrial and consumer applications.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to elucidate a biologically active function of a component constituting undegraded sericin and to provide a novel medical material, cosmetic material, etc. utilizing the functional composition. Disclosed is a cell growth promoter obtainable by elution from a fiber discharged by a domestic silkworm, e.g., cocoon filaments or the like, wherein the cell growth promoter comprises sericin having a molecular weight of about 400,000 as measured by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) as a main component. This cell growth promoting agent (substance) is extremely useful because growth of cells is promoted when it is used in a wound dressing material, a vascular endothelium forming material and an organ forming material for medical use, in a cell culture base material for biological use, or in a cosmetic material for skin care use.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for promoting wound healing. The composition comprises virgin monomers of tropoelastin and lysyl oxidase. When the lysyl oxidase comes in contact with the tropoelastin, cross-linking of the tropoelastin monomers will occur to form elastin. Contacting the tropoelastin and lysyl oxidase together and applying the mixture to a wound before substantial cross-linking has occurred promotes wound healing by holding the damaged tissue together, increasing the rate of healing, and decreasing the amount of scarring.

Abstract: Skin care, hair care and hair coloring compositions comprising a water-soluble silk protein as an active ingredient are described. The water-soluble silk protein deposits onto the skin or the natural hair keratin to provide a smooth and durable film to provide added strength for protection against environmental, chemical, and grooming associated damage. The compositions may be in the form of skin care, skin cleansing, or anti-wrinkle products, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, aerosols, gels, mousses, dyes, or bleaches.

Abstract: A polypeptide is provided that has a secondary structure characterized by at least three beta-sheet/beta-turn structures, and that is not a naturally occurring fibrous protein. Such polypeptides, illustrated by one modeled on elastin, are useful in prosthesis.

Abstract: A method for purifying and recovering silk proteins in water-soluble form is described. The method is based upon precipitation of the silk protein at a temperature below room temperature, which results in a protein pellet that redissolves in water without the addition of harsh chemicals. When the precipitation is done at room temperature, the resulting protein pellet cannot be redissolved in water. Applications for the water-soluble silk proteins in cosmetics, skin care, hair care, hair coloring products, and for pigment coating and wound healing bandages are described.

Abstract: Methods are provided for processing and dispersing animal tissues that involve exposing processed (e.g., decellularized) tissue to an acylating agent, wherein the ratio of acylating agent to wet tissue weight is about 0.003:1 or less. Preferably, decellularized tissue is exposed to an amount of the acylating agent of about 0.1% to about 0.3% of wet tissue weight for a time ranging from about 30 seconds to about 10 minutes. A dispersed tissue matrix is produced that has a high degree of resistance to digestion by non-collagenase proteases, such as trypsin. In order to produce sufficiently high yields of these trypsin-resistant compositions, the processed tissue is preferably cryomilled to increase its surface area prior to acylation. The dispersed acylated decellularized tissue may be in the form of an injectable composition that can be introduced into tissue of a subject.

Abstract: The invention features methods and apparatuses for spinning silk protein fibers (biofilaments) from recombinant biofilament proteins. The methods are particularly useful for spinning fibers of spider silk or silkworm silk proteins from recombinant mammalian cells and may be used to spin such fibers for use in the manufacture of industrial and commercial products.

Abstract: A process for producing non-woven silk fiber fabrics comprises the following steps: a) obtaining silk fibroin, for example either from silk cocoons, or silk textiles or waste silk; b) removing the sercin layer covering the silk fibroin fibers, when present; c) breaking the disulfide bonds between heavy (350 kDa) and light (27 kDa) chains of silk fibroin in order to obtain the production of chain fragments which serve as a specific cellular recognition sites promoting the attachment and growth of cells, d) homogenising of the material resulting from step c).

Abstract: The instant invention provides methods and kits for inhibiting angiogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis, and endothelial cell interactions with the extracellular matrix, involving contacting the tumor or animal tissue with at least one isolated type IV collagen NC1 &agr; chain monomer. In a specific embodiment of the invention, the isolated domain of type IV collagen comprises the NC1 (&agr;1), (&agr;2), (&agr;3), or (&agr;6) chain monomer, or protein constructs having substantially the same structure as the NC1 (&agr;1), (&agr;2), (&agr;3), or (&agr;6) chain monomer.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery of a novel member of the laminin family, laminin 12. Accordingly, the present invention features a purified or isolated preparation or a recombinant preparation of laminin 12 which includes an &agr;2 subunit, &bgr;1 subunit and a &ggr;3 subunit.

Abstract: The instant invention demonstrates that the 7S domain of type IV collagen disrupts cell aggregation and tissue development. Structural changes in mesoglea, inhibition of cell proliferation, and changes in cell differentiation patterns accompanies the blockage of cell aggregates which indicate that blockage may be due to alterations in mesoglea (extracellular matrix) structure with accompanying effects on cell behavior. Type IV collagen has a critical role in the initial formation of mesoglea and that perturbation of mesoglea formation affects cell division, cell differentiation, and morphogenesis.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method including the steps of providing at least one layer of unlaminated elastin or unlaminated elastin-based materials or unlaminated tropoelastin materials. Then, the unlaminated elastin or unlaminated elastin-based materials or unlaminated tropoelastin materials is subjected to heating and pressing steps. The pressing step of the present invention is preferably conducted in the presence of steam. The laminated elastin or laminated elastin-based materials or laminated tropoelastin materials preferably comprises a multi-layer composite material. Typically, the step of adhering with an adhesive material the laminated elastin or laminated elastin-based materials or laminated tropoelastin materials is employed in order to achieve a water-tight engagement with the tissue substrate. A biogradable cyanacrylate glue is generally used in order to achieve quick and easy way to secure the patch in place and provide watertight fusion instantly.

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding the cocoon silk protein from the black fly, Simulium vittatum. Also provided are the amino acid sequence derived from the cocoon silk, primers used to screen cDNA libraries to promote the building of a complimentary strand of DNA encoding the cocoon silk protein, a transformed microorganism containing cDNA which codes for cocoon silk protein, the amino acid sequence translated from the isolated gene of the cocoon silk (deduced from nucleotide sequence), primers for constructing a segment of recombinant DNA.

Abstract: The present invention features a novel member of the laminin family, i.e., laminin 15, the methods of making these molecules, and the methods of using these molecules in treating neural disorders, e.g., retinal disorders.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for the production of silks and silk-like proteins (SLP's) in green plants. Expression of SLP's has been achieved in both seed and leaf tissue in green plants.

Abstract: Methods are described for the purification and spinning of recombinant and non-recombinant proteins. Specifically, the lysis of bacteria and purification of silk proteins occur in a single solution of organic acid. Bacterial proteins are hydrolyzed while the silk protein remains intact. Silk proteins remain soluble as they are concentrated into a aqueous-based mixture for fiber spinning.

Abstract: Skin remodeling is stimulated at the site of blemished skin using an ionic metal-peptide complex to diminish or remove the skin imperfection. The blemish can be a scar, especially surgical or wound scars, acne scars, keloid scars, and the like, or a skin tag, callus, benign skin mole, stretch marks, facial keratosis, thickened sunspots of the skin, or a vitiligo spot. The peptide-ionic metal complex is comprised of an ionic metal selected from copper(II), tin(II), tin(IV), and zinc(II), and salts thereof, and the peptide component can be a hydrolysis of casein, collagen, elastin, meat products, silk protein, or soybean protein, or a chemically synthesized dipeptide, tripeptide, tetrapeptide or the like which complexes with the ionic metal.

Abstract: Provided is a process for producing undegraded silk fibroin, which comprises dissolving a cocoon layer or cocoon yarn of fresh, dry or cooked cocoons, raw silk, or silk fabrics, or residual yarns thereof in an aqueous solution of a neutral salt, and then subjecting the resulting solution to fractional precipitation to separate silk fibroin from silk sericin; subjecting the resulting solution to the following step a) or b):

Abstract: Described herein are polypeptide fibers, such as silk fibers, produced by regeneration and methods for making the fibers.