The present invention relates to nanoparticles and their use to form nanocomposite material, in particular bionanocomposite material, specifically wherein the nanoparticles are formed using plant virus attached to a scaffold of cellulosic material and/or cellulose derived materials, in particular wherein said cellulosic material further comprises plant cell components, for example hemicellulose, pectin, protein or combinations thereof.

A Streptococcus canis Cas9 (ScCas9) ortholog and its engineered variants, possessing novel PAM specificity, is an addition to the family of CRISPR-Cas9 systems. ScCas9 endonuclease is used in complex with guide RNA, consisting of identical non-target-specific sequence to that of the guide RNA SpCas9, for specific recognition and activity on a DNA target immediately upstream of either an “NNGT” or “NNNGT” PAM sequence. A novel DNA-interacting loop domain within ScCas9, and other Cas9 orthologs, such as those from Streptococcus gordonii and Streptococcus angionosis facilitates a divergent PAM sequence from the “NGG” PAM of SpCas9.

A Streptococcus canis Cas9 (ScCas9) ortholog and its engineered variants, possessing novel PAM specificity, is an addition to the family of CRISPR-Cas9 systems. ScCas9 endonuclease is used in complex with guide RNA, consisting of identical non-target-specific sequence to that of the guide RNA SpCas9, for specific recognition and activity on a DNA target immediately upstream of either an “NNGT” or “NNNGT” PAM sequence. A novel DNA-interacting loop domain within ScCas9, and other Cas9 orthologs, such as those from Streptococcus gordonii and Streptococcus angionosis facilitates a divergent PAM sequence from the “NGG” PAM of SpCas9.

The present invention relates to a probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri strain obtained by growing the bacteria in a medium comprising galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), so called pre-conditioning. The pre-conditioning method provides boosting effects of the probiotic L. reuteri strain, such as improved mineral absorption, in the gastrointestinal tract. The invention comprises methods for manufacturing and cultivating probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri strains, and products and first and second medical uses of such strains.

A cell culture substrate includes: a first layer that includes a first gel in which gold nanoparticles dispersed; and a second layer that includes a second gel in which the gold nanoparticles are not present or are present in a lower concentration in comparison with the first layer.

In alternative embodiments, the invention provides compositions, e.g., formulations, used for gastric, gastrointestinal and/or colonic treatments or lavage, e.g., orthostatic lavage, e.g., for inducing the purgation (e.g., cleansing) of a gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including a colon; and methods for making and using them. In alternative embodiments, compositions and methods of the invention are used for the stabilization, amelioration, treatment and/or prevention of constipation, for the treatment of abdominal pain, particularly non-specific abdominal pain, and diarrhea, including diarrhea caused by a drug side effect, a psychological condition, a disease or a condition such as Crohn's Disease, a poison, a toxin or an infection, e.g., a toxin-mediated travelers diarrhea, or C. difficile or the pseudo-membranous colitis associated with this infection. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides pharmaceuticals and products (articles) of manufacture for delivering these compositions and formulations to an individual, e.g., a human or an animal. The invention also provides devices for delivering a fecal material to a patient.

In alternative embodiments, the invention provides compositions, e.g., formulations, used for gastric, gastrointestinal and/or colonic treatments or lavage, e.g., orthostatic lavage, e.g., for inducing the purgation (e.g., cleansing) of a gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including a colon; and methods for making and using them. In alternative embodiments, compositions and methods of the invention are used for the stabilization, amelioration, treatment and/or prevention of constipation, for the treatment of abdominal pain, particularly non-specific abdominal pain, and diarrhea, including diarrhea caused by a drug side effect, a psychological condition, a disease or a condition such as Crohn's Disease, a poison, a toxin or an infection, e.g., a toxin-mediated travelers diarrhea, or C. difficile or the pseudo-membranous colitis associated with this infection. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides pharmaceuticals and products (articles) of manufacture for delivering these compositions and formulations to an individual, e.g., a human or an animal. The invention also provides devices for delivering a fecal material to a patient.

A system for growing algae includes a pivot arm pivotally coupled to a pivot connection positioned in a pond containing water and algae, and a mixing device coupled to the pivot arm and extending into the pond to mix the water and the algae as the pivot arm rotates.

Disclosed are methods, systems, components, and compositions for cell-free synthesis of glycosylated proteins. The glycosylated proteins may be utilized in vaccines, including anti-bacterial vaccines. The glycosylated proteins may include a bacterial polysaccharide conjugated to a carrier, which may be utilized to generate an immune response in an immunized host against the polysaccharide conjugated to the carrier. The glycosylated proteins may be synthesized in cell-free glycoprotein synthesis (CFGpS) systems using prokaryote cell lysates that are enriched in components for glycoprotein synthesis such as oligosaccharyltransferases (OSTs) and lipid-linked oligosaccharides (LLOs) including OSTs and LLOs associated with synthesis of bacterial O antigens.

A method of treating a biofilm on a surface, comprising: providing a surface having a biofilm; and administering to the surface a treatment that reduces a concentration of pyruvate of the biofilm, comprising pyruvate produced by at least a portion the biofilm, under conditions effective reducing maintenance of the biofilm on the surface. A composition, comprising purified enzyme, within a particle, effective for reducing pyruvate concentration in an aqueous suspension of the composition.