This disclosure is directed to split intein protein production systems using transgenic target organisms such as Bombyx mori. A vector set for transforming a target organism includes: a first vector having a first donor sequence that encodes (i) a first non-native protein and (ii) at least one split intein domain; a second vector having a second donor sequence that encodes (i) a second non-native protein and (ii) at least one split intein domain. The respective split intein domains encoded by the first and second vectors are configured to associate with one another and ligate the first and second non-native proteins to thereby form a fused protein.

Disclosed herein is a synthetic polypeptide with “n” number of repeats of a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2. The synthetic polypeptide as disclosed herein is represented by an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, or SEQ ID NO: 5. The synthetic polypeptide of the present disclosure is used to prepare synthetic elastomeric hydrogel. Also, disclosed are the methods of preparing the synthetic polypeptide and the elastomeric hydrogel along with their uses.

A method of purifying an antifreeze protein (AFP) and methods of producing AFPs are disclosed. The method of purifying an AFP includes heating a crude AFP in an aqueous medium to a temperature and for a length of time sufficient to precipitate at least some thermally unstable proteins in the crude AFP and form a precipitate and a supernatant; and removing the precipitate from the supernatant. One method of producing an AFP includes collecting a crude source of the AFP; and purifying the AFP by the purification method. Another method of producing an AFP includes growing or culturing a host configured to express a recombinant AFP in a growth medium, and collecting a crude AFP from the host and/or the growth medium. The growth medium comprises water, a protein hydrolysate or other source of amino acids, a yeast extract, a biologically metabolizable C.sub.3-C.sub.6 polyol, and one or more phosphate salts.

A coat protein of Junonia coenia densovirus (JcDNV) is used to deliver attached peptide insect toxin across the gut epithelium of a fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. A fusion protein comprising VP4 attached to an insect toxin via a peptide linker is developed. A composition comprising a JcDNV coat protein attached to an insect toxin via a peptide linker can be used for insect pest control.

Methods and compositions are provided which employ a silencing element that, when ingested by a plant insect pest, such as Coleopteran, Hemiptera, or Lepidopteran plant pest, including a Diabrotica, Leptinotarsa, Phyllotreta, Acyrthosiphan, Bemisia, Halyomorpha, Nezara, or Spodoptera plant pest, decrease the expression of a target sequence in the pest. Disclosed are various target polynucleotides set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-398 disclosed herein, or variants and fragments thereof, or complements thereof, wherein a decrease in expression of one or more of the sequences in the target pest controls the pest. Plants, plant parts, bacteria and other host cells comprising the silencing elements or an active variant or fragment thereof of the invention are also provided.

This disclosure concerns nucleic acid molecules and methods of use thereof for control of coleopteran pests through RNA interference-mediated inhibition of target coding and transcribed non-coding sequences in coleopteran pests. The disclosure also concerns methods for making transgenic plants that express nucleic acid molecules useful for the control of coleopteran pests, and the plant cells and plants obtained thereby.

The present invention relates to a polypeptide comprising a Gram negative endolysin and a peptide selected from the group consisting of an antimicrobial peptide, an amphipathic peptide, a cationic peptide, a sushi peptide or a defensin, wherein the endolysin in turn is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:9 and sequences having at least 80% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NOG, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NOG, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:8 and/or SEQ ID NO:9. The present invention relates also to corresponding nucleic acids, vectors, bacteriophages, host cells, compositions and kits. The present inventions also relates to the use of said polypeptides, nucleic acids, vectors, bacteriophages, host cells, compositions and kits in methods for treatment of the human or animal body by surgery or therapy or in diagnostic methods practiced on the human or animal body. The polypeptides, nucleic acids, vectors, bacteriophages, host cells, compositions and kits according to the invention may also be used as an antimicrobial in, e.g., food or feed, in cosmetics, or as disinfecting agent.

Provided herein are methods and compositions useful for human health, e.g., for targeting one or more microorganisms resident in a host insect (e.g., arthropod, e.g., insect, e.g., pathogen vector), the modulation resulting in a decrease in the fitness of the host. The invention features a composition that includes a modulating agent (e.g., phage, peptide, small molecule, antibiotic, or combinations thereof) that can alter the host's microbiota in a manner that is detrimental to the host. By disrupting microbial levels, microbial activity, microbial metabolism, or microbial diversity, the modulating agent described herein may be used to decrease the fitness of a variety of insects that carry vector-home pathogens that cause disease in humans.

The invention provides compositions and methods for nucleic acid synthesis, including ordered and continuous complementary DNA (cDNA) synthesis across non-continuous templates using a modified eukaryotic non-long terminal repeat reverse transcriptase (non-LTR RT) protein.

The present invention relates to a method for separating larvae into a pulp fraction and a liquid fraction, including the steps of introducing living larvae into a grinding apparatus whist adding water, grinding the larvae by means of counter-rotating screws and separating the ground biomass of larvae into a pulp and liquid fraction. In particular, the invention is applicable to the larvae of the black soldier fly and produces a chitin-rich pulp and a fat-and-protein-rich liquid fraction.