Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment or prevention of an inflammatory skin disease, disorder or condition, by modulating a protein that is normally regulated by caspase-8 in the skin or by increasing caspase-8 activity or level in the skin. Another aspect of the invention relates to methods for diagnosing an inflammatory skin disease, disorder or condition or a predisposition to develop said disease disorder or condition in an individual. Further aspects of the invention relate to methods for identifying target proteins involved in the course or pathology of an inflammatory skin disease, disorder or condition and to methods of screening a candidate compound for treating said disease, disorder or condition. In particular, the invention relates to inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.

Abstract: The invention relates to muteins of the pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase 1 (PYCR1), to nucleic acid molecules comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding such muteins, to methods of determining in a subject a predisposition of having an age related disorder associated with PYCR1, to methods of identifying a compound capable of modifying the expression of PYCR1 and methods of treating a subject having an age-related disorder associated with PYCR1. The invention further relates to a genetically modified animal and a method of modifying the expression of the PYCR1 gene in an animal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to polypeptides having nitrilase activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods of using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The promoter of a soybean lipid transfer protein LTP4 and fragments thereof and their use in promoting the expression of one or more heterologous nucleic acid fragments in plants are described.

Abstract: A modified pyrroloquinoline quinone glucose dehydrogenase that exhibits a high selectivity for glucose is provided. A modified pyrroloquinoline quinone glucose dehydrogenase is disclosed in which the amino acid residue G at Position 99 of a pyrroloquinoline quinone glucose dehydrogenase (PQQGDH) represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, or the amino acid residue G at Position 100 of the pyrroloquinoline quinone glucose dehydrogenase (PQQGDH) represented by SEQ ID NO: 3, is substituted by the amino acid sequence TGZN (where Z is SX, S, or N and X is any amino acid residue). The modified PQQGDH of the present invention may additionally comprise one or more mutations selected from the group consisting of Q192G, Q192A, or Q192S; L193X; E277X; A318X; Y367A, Y367F, or Y367W; G451C; and N452X (where X is any amino acid residue).

Abstract: A thermostable glycosidase enzymes derived from various Thermococcus, Staphylothermus and Pyrococcus organisms is disclosed. The enzymes are produced from native or recombinant host cells and can be utilized in the food processing industry, pharmaceutical industry and in the textile industry, detergent industry and in the baking industry.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses albumin fusion proteins. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the albumin fusion proteins of the invention are also encompassed by the invention, as are vectors containing these nucleic acids, host cells transformed with these nucleic acids 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 relates to polypeptides, and nucleic acids DNA encoding these polypeptides, capable of eliciting an immune reaction against cancer, methods for generating T lymphocytes capable of recognizing and destroying tumor cells, and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment, prophylaxis or diagnosis of cancer.

Abstract: Method for producing itaconic acid in yeast cells using glycerol as the substrate. The yeast cells express cis-aconitic acid decarboxylase and optionally, citrate synthase and/or aconitase at high levels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protein which can asymmetrically reduce an ortho-substituted phenylglyoxalic acid compound to produce an amide or ester compound of corresponding optically-active ortho-substituted mandelic acid compound with a good optical yield, a DNA encoding the protein, a process for producing the protein from the DNA, and a process for asymmetrically reducing an ortho-substituted phenylglyoxalic acid compound to produce a corresponding optically-active ortho-substituted mandelic acid compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to orthogonal pairs of tRNAs and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases that can incorporate the coumarin unnatural amino acid L-(7-hydroxycoumarin-4-yl)ethylglycine into proteins produced in eubacterial host cells such as E. coli. The invention provides, for example but not limited to, novel orthogonal synthetases, methods for identifying and making the novel synthetases, methods for producing proteins containing the unnatural amino acid L-(7-hydroxycoumarin-4-yl)ethylglycine and related translation systems.

Abstract: Disclosed are hybrid genes of glucanase and dextransucrase, recombinant vectors comprising said hybrid genes, microorganisms which are transformed with said recombinant vectors, hybrid enzymes which are expressed from said hybrid genes, and processes for preparing isomalto-oligosaccharides or dextran using said microorganisms or enzymes. Expensive isomalto-oligosaccharides and low molecular weight dextran for clinical use can be produced simply and effectively from cheap substrate-sucrose, using a single bacterial strain or enzyme.

Abstract: A process of enzymatic degumming edible oils, comprising treating edible oil with a lipid acyltransferase so as to transfer an acyl group from a major part of the phospholipid to one or more acyl acceptors, wherein the acyl acceptor may be any compound comprising a hydroxyl group. In one embodiment preferably the acyl acceptor is water and in another embodiment preferably the acyl acceptor is one or more sterols and/or stanols. When the acyl acceptor is a stanol and/or sterol, one or more sterol esters and/or stanol esters are produced.

Abstract: A novel computational method and generation of mutant butyrylcholinesterase for cocaine hydrolysis is provided. The method includes molecular modeling a possible BChE mutant and conducting molecular dynamics simulations and hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical calculations thereby providing a screening method of possible BChE mutants by predicting which mutant will lead to a more stable transition state for a rate determining step. Site-directed mutagenesis, protein expression, and protein activity is conducted for mutants determined computationally as being good candidates for possible BChE mutants, i.e., ones predicted to have higher catalytic efficiency as compared with wild-type BChE. In addition, mutants A199S/A328W/Y332G, A199S/F227A/A328W/Y332G, A199S/S287G/A328W/Y332G, A199S/F227A/S287G/A328W/Y332G, and A199S/F227A/S287G/A328W/E441D all have enhanced catalytic efficiency for (?)-cocaine compared with wild-type BChE.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to methods for the production of difunctional alkanes in host cells. In particular, aspects of the invention describe components of genes associated with the difunctional alkane production from carbohydrate feedstocks in host cells. More specifically, aspects of the invention describe metabolic pathways for the production of adipic acid, aminocaproic acid, caprolactam, and hexamethylenediamine via 2-ketopimelic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the design of trimeric polypeptides using polypeptide structural elements derived from the tetranectin protein family, and their use in rational de novo design and production of multi-functional molecules including the application of the multi-functional molecules in protein library technology, such as phage display technology, diagnostic and therapeutic systems, such as human gene therapy and imaging. The trimeric polypeptides being constructed as a monomer polypeptide construct comprising at least one tetranectin trimerising structural element (TTSE) which is covalently linked to at least one heterologous moiety, said TTSE being capable of forming a stable complex with two other TTSEs; or as an oligomer which is comprised of two monomer polypeptide constructs as mentioned above, and which comprises three TTSEs or a multiplum of three TTSEs, or which is comprised of three monomer polypeptide constructs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel ?-galactosidase. Specifically disclosed are a ?-galactosidase derived from Bacillus circulans and a gene for the ?-galactosidase. The ?-galactosidase can be used, for example, in the production of milk, dairy products, fermented dairy products, galacto-oligosaccharides or supplements for foods.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the production of 1,2-propanediol, comprising culturing a microorganism modified for an improved production of 1,2-propanediol in an appropriate culture medium and recovery of the 1,2-propanediol which may be further purified wherein the microorganism expresses a glycerol dehydrogenase (GlyDH) enzyme the inhibition of which activity by NAD+ and/or its substrate and/or its product is reduced. The present invention also relates to a mutant glycerol dehydrogenase (GlyDH) comprising at least one amino acid residue in the protein sequence of the parent enzyme replaced by a different amino acid residue at the same position wherein the mutant enzyme has retained more than 50% of the glycerol dehydrogenase activity of the parent enzyme and the glycerol dehydrogenase activity of the mutant GlyDH is less inhibited by NAD+ and/or by its substrate as compared to the parent enzyme and/or by its product as compared to the parent enzyme.

Abstract: Modified neurotoxins that contain protease cleavage sites susceptible uniquely to proteases present in certain tissues are described. The toxins can be selectively activated by proteases in muscle or selectively inactivated by proteases in blood.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for the conversion of hemicellulose into fermentable sugars using enzymes isolated from Prevotella bryantii. Hemicellulose-degrading enzymes include an endoxylanase, a ?-xylosidase, a bifunctional ?-xylosidase and ?-glucosidase, a bifunctional arabinofuranosidase and ?-xylosidase, a glucuronidase, and an acetyl xylan esterase. The enzymes can be used to release sugars present in hemicellulose for subsequent fermentation to produce value-added products such as ethanol.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a sugar donating reagent comprising a sugar donor compound other than a sugar nucleotide and an enzyme capable of catalyzing a glycosyl transfer reaction using a sugar donor compound other than a sugar nucleotide. The present invention provides the following: a sugar donating reagent containing a compound of formula (A): wherein R1 is independently selected from hydrogen, or C1-6 alkyl, C2-6 alkenyl, and C2-6 alkynyl in which each of the groups is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more groups selected from OH, F, Cl, Br, I, CN, NO2, and SO2, n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, m is 0 or 1, and X represents a monosaccharide bound via a ? bond on its anomeric carbon; a glycosyltransferase capable of catalyzing a glycosyl transfer reaction using the sugar donor; and a glycosyltransferase gene comprising DNA encoding the glycosyltransferase.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for producing isoprene hydrocarbons from cyanobacteria.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide capable of producing a triterpenoid hydrocarbon. The invention also relates to the encoded polypeptide, a vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule, a recombinant non-human organism comprising the nucleic acid molecule, and to methods of producing a triterpenoid hydrocarbon or an intermediate of biofuel using the nucleic acid molecule, polypeptide or recombinant organism.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polypeptides comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, or a variant, derivative or fusion thereof, which is capable of binding specifically to and lysing cells of Clostridium difficile, wherein the polypeptide exhibits greater lytic activity on cells of Clostridium difficile than the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1. The invention further provides means for producing the same, methods for killing bacterial cells such as cells of Clostridium difficile, as well as methods for diagnosing, treating and preventing diseases and conditions associated with infection of the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heterologous exo-endo cellulase fusion construct, which encodes a fusion protein having cellulolytic activity comprising a catalytic domain derived from a fungal exo-cellobiohydrolase and a catalytic domain derived from an endoglucanase. The invention also relates to vectors and fungal host cells comprising the heterologous exo-endo cellulase fusion construct as well as methods for producing a cellulase fusion protein and enzymatic cellulase compositions.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of proteinases and more specifically to chymotrypsin. In particular, the present invention relates to recombinant porcine chymotrypsin and its use in food applications.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to isolated polynucleotides encoding a delta 9-elongase, delta 9-elongases encoded by the isolated polynucleotides, expression vectors comprising the isolated polynucleotides, host cells comprising the expression vectors, and methods for producing delta 9-elongase and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Abstract: The present invention provides an extremely useful and novel ?-galactoside-?2,6-sialyltransferase having an optimum reaction pH in a neutral to alkaline range, and a nucleic acid encoding the sialyltransferase. The present invention further provides a vector carrying a nucleic acid encoding the sialyltransferase, and a host cell transformed with the vector, as well as a method for producing a recombinant ?-galactoside-?2,6-sialyltransferase.

Abstract: This invention features conjugates, compositions, methods of synthesis, and applications thereof, including folate derived conjugates of nucleosides, nucleotides, non-nucleosides, and nucleic acids including enzymatic nucleic acids and antisense nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: The invention provides variant lipases, preferably, variants with reduced tendency to odor generation obtained by introducing mutations in one or more regions identified in a parent lipase.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides engineered halohydrin dehalogenase (HHDH) polypeptides having improved enzyme properties as compared to the wild-type HHDH enzyme HheC and other reference engineered HHDH polypeptides. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the engineered HHDH enzymes, host cells capable of expressing the engineered HHDH enzymes, and methods of using the engineered HHDH enzymes to synthesize a variety of chiral compounds including chiral epoxides and chiral alcohols.

Abstract: The invention provides yeast strains transformed to reduce nitrogen catabolite repression of a gene encoding a urea degrading enzymatic activity expressed by the yeast strain under fermenting conditions. Strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are for example provided having enhanced DUR1,2 urea carboxylase-allophanate hydrolase activity under wine fermenting conditions.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid fragments and recombinant constructs comprising such fragments encoding delta-8 desaturases along with a method of making long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and using these delta-8 desaturases in plants.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are obligate heterotrophic microalgae cells containing an exogenous gene. In some embodiments the gene is a sucrose utilization gene, and further disclosed are methods of manufacturing triglyceride oils using sugar cane or sugar beets as a feedstock in a heterotrophic fermentation. In other embodiments the feedstock is depolymerized cellulosic material. Also disclosed are cells that produce medium chain fatty acids at levels not produced in non-recombinant cells of the same species and genus.

Abstract: Compositions and methods related to transgenic glyphosate tolerant Brassica plants are provided. Specifically, the present invention provides Brassica plants having a DP-073496-4 event which imparts tolerance to glyphosate. The Brassica plant harboring the DP-073496-4 event at the recited chromosomal location comprises genomic/transgene junctions within SEQ ID NO: 2 or with genomic/transgene junctions as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 12 and/or 13. The characterization of the genomic insertion site of the event provides for an enhanced breeding efficiency and enables the use of molecular markers to track the transgene insert in the breeding populations and progeny thereof. Various methods and compositions for the identification, detection, and use of the event are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypeptide with an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO:1. The present invention further relates to the nucleic acid molecules comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for the polypeptide, vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecules, and host cells for the expression of the polypeptides. In addition, the present invention relates to the use of the polypeptide as a human medical, veterinary medical or diagnostic substance, as an antimicrobial substance in food, in cosmetics, as disinfecting agent or in the environmental field.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a composition comprising an ionic liquid and a thermostable cellulose, and a method of hydrolyzing a cellulose, comprising: (a) providing a composition comprising a solution comprising an ionic liquid and a cellulose, and (b) introducing a thermostable cellulase to the solution, such that the cellulose is hydrolyzed by the cellulase. The present invention also provides for a Thermatoga maritima thermostable cellulase mutant with increased cellulase activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotide sequences comprising the SEQ ID N° 1 encoding CRM197 and optimised for its expression in E. coli. The invention consequently concerns a method for the production of CRM197 in E. coli via a fusion protein CRM197-tag.

Abstract: The present invention relates to phosphodiesterase 4D7 (PDE4D7) for use as a marker for malignant, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, wherein the expression of the marker is increased when comparing the expression in malignant, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer tissue, to the expression in normal tissue or benign prostate tumor tissue, and the use of PDE4D7 as a diagnostic marker for malignant, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. The present invention also relates to a composition for diagnosing, detecting, monitoring or prognosticating malignant, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, a corresponding detection method, a method allowing to discriminate between a benign and malignant hormone-sensitive prostate cancer and a method of data acquisition, as well as corresponding immunoassays. The present invention also relates to a method of identifying an individual for eligibility for malignant, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer as well as an immunoassay for stratifying an individual with such prostate cancer.

Abstract: Durability of formate dehydrogenase is improved with the use of formate dehydrogenase exhibiting high specific activity that is unpredictable from conventional findings. A specific amino acid substitution is introduced into Gibberella zeae-derived formate dehydrogenase. Mutant formate dehydrogenase exhibits durability that is extremely superior to that of wild-type formate dehydrogenase. Thus, the productivity of NADH that is produced using the mutant formate dehydrogenase can be improved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified polypeptide comprising a non-cytotoxic protease, a translocation domain, a destructive protease cleavage site and a Targeting Moiety that binds to a Binding Site on a nerve cell, wherein after cleavage of the destructive cleavage site the polypeptide has reduced potency. The destructive cleavage site is recognised and cleaved by a protease present at or in an off-site target cell, and, in one embodiment, the polypeptide is a modified clostridial neurotoxin. The present invention also relates to the use of said polypeptides for treating a range of conditions, and to nucleic acids encoding said polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid fragments encoding amino acid sequences for flavonoid biosynthetic enzymes in plants, and the use thereof for the modification of, for example, flavonoid biosynthesis in plants, and more specifically the modification of the content of condensed tannins. In particularly preferred embodiments, the invention relates to the combinatorial expression of chalcone synthase (CHS) and/or dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (BAN) and/or leucoanthocyanidine reductase (LAR) in plants to modify, for example, flavonoid biosynthesis or more specifically the content of condensed tannins.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of protecting cells, especially non-vascular system, non-hematopoietic cells and tissues, from apoptosis and enhancing their engraftment, survival, and/or persistence by providing enhanced levels of PIM activity for the cell, including PIM-1 activity. Also disclosed are cells that have been engineered to express enhanced levels of PIM kinase, and methods of administering those cells to vertebrates.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for identifying transgenic seed that contain a transgene of interest, but lack a marker gene. Use of an identification sequence that results in a detectable phenotype increases the efficiency of screening for seed and plants in which transgene sequences not linked to a gene of interest have segregated from the sequence encoding a gene of interest.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for insertion of Factor IX (FIX) sequences into the genome of a cell for treating hemophilia B.

Abstract: Refractile particles containing a heterologous polypeptide as an insoluble aggregate are recovered from bacterial periplasm. The process involves culturing bacterial cells so as to express nucleic acid encoding phage lysozyme and nucleic acid encoding the heterologous polypeptide under separate promoters, disrupting the cells mechanically to release the phage lysozyme so as to release refractile particles from the bacterial cellular matrix, and recovering the released refractile particles from the periplasm. Chloroform is not used in any step and the recovery step minimizes co-recovery of cellular debris with the released refractile particles.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for producing olefins are described herein. The olefins can be used to produced biofuels.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded thereby are described, together with the use of those products for making transgenic plants.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing aromatic amino acids according to one aspect of the present invention includes processes of: (a) of preparing a thermostable a Thermus thermophilus aspartate aminotransferase by culturing an E. coli BL21(DE3) cell transformed with a vector comprising a gene encoding the Thermus thermophilus aspartate aminotransferase; (b) contacting the thermostable Thermus thermophilus aspartate aminotransferase of (a) with an amino donor and an amino acceptor at a temperature range of 50-80° C. to obtain an aromatic amino acid; (c) precipitating the aromatic amino acid of (b); and (d) recovering the thermostable Thermus thermophilus aspartate aminotransferase.

Abstract: A mutant prenyl diphosphate synthase capable of synthesizing prenyl diphosphates, shorter than those synthesized by the original enzyme, by modifying the amino acid sequence in and upstream of the aspartic acid-rich domain DDXX (XX)D (X denotes any amino acid, and XX in the parentheses may not be present) present in region II of the prenyl diphosphate synthase.