Engineered microcompartment proteins, and related engineered microcompartment, vectors, cells compositions, methods and systems configured to provide within a cell one or more proteins non-native to the cell are described, wherein the one or more proteins non-native to the cell are contained in at least one engineered microcompartment within the cell.

Computational systems and methods are described for identifying new ?-helical antimicrobial peptides using a systemic consensus formula. Newly identified ?-helical antimicrobial peptides are tested experimentally and show potent microbiocidal activities.

Described herein are peptibodies that can contain a TertiapinQ peptide, formulations thereof, and uses thereof. In some embodiments, the peptibody can include a first monomer and a second monomer, wherein each monomer can include an Fc polypeptide, a first TertiapinQ peptide, wherein the N-terminus of the first TertiapinQ peptide can be linked to the C-terminus of the Fc polypeptide via a first linker, and wherein the first monomer and the second monomer can be attached via a disulfide bridge between the Fc polypeptide of the first monomer and the Fc polypeptide of the second monomer. The compositions and formulations thereof can be used to treat atrial fibrillation.

Provided herein are agents, compositions, and methods for agricultural pest control, e.g., for altering the level, activity, or metabolism of one or more microorganisms resident in a host insect (e.g., agricultural pest), the alteration resulting in a decrease in the fitness of the host. The invention features a composition including an 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, and/or microbial diversity, the agents described herein may decrease the fitness of a variety of insects that are considered agricultural pests.

The present invention relates to polypeptides comprising an amino sequence selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 1, and fragments and derivatives of these. The invention also relates to the corresponding nucleic acids vectors, host cells and compositions. The present inventions also relates to the use of said polypeptides, nucleic acids, vectors, host cells and compositions in a method for treatment of the human or animal body by surgery or therapy or in diagnostic methods practiced on the human or animal body, in particular for the treatment or prevention of Gram-negative bacterial infections. The polypeptides, nucleic acids, vectors, host cells and compositions according to the invention may also be used as an antimicrobial in food or feed, or in cosmetics, as disinfecting agent or in the environmental field.

Computational systems and methods are described for identifying new ?-helical antimicrobial peptides using a systemic consensus formula. Newly identified ?-helical antimicrobial peptides are tested experimentally and show potent microbiocidal activities.

Provided herein, in some embodiments, are engineered phagemids that comprise at least one synthetic genetic circuit, wherein the at least one synthetic genetic circuit comprises gene sequences encoding at least one non-lytic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and/or antibacterial toxin proteins, a stable origin of replication, and a bacteriophage-packaging signal, wherein the engineered phagemid does not comprise some or all gene sequences encoding bacteriophage proteins required for assembly of a bacteriophage particle.

This disclosure describes a genetically-modified microbe that is a symbiont of an animal that is a vector organism for a pathogenic microbe, a paratransgenic organism that includes the genetically-modified microbe, and methods involving use of the genetically-modified microbe and/or the paratransgenic organism. Generally, the genetically-modified microbe includes a heterologous polynucleotide that encodes a heterologous polypeptide that reduces transmission of the pathogenic microbe.

An intracellular selection system allows screening for peptide bioactivity and stability. Randomized recombinant peptides are screened for bioactivity in a tightly regulated expression system, preferably derived from the wild-type lac operon. Bioactive peptides thus identified are inherently protease- and peptidase-resistant. Also provided are bioactive peptides stabilized by a stabilizing group at the N-terminus, the C-terminus, or both. The stabilizing group can be a small stable protein, such as the Rop protein, glutathione sulfotransferase, thioredoxin, maltose binding protein, or glutathione reductase, an -helical moiety, or one or more proline residues.

The present invention relates to compositions comprising: a polypeptide, wherein at least a portion of the polypeptide has a coiled coil structure; and a chelate comprising a chelating agent and a metal ion; and wherein the chelate is bound to at least one amino acid of the polypeptide. In a preferred embodiment the polypeptide is a silk fibroin, wherein at least a portion of said silk fibroin has a coiled coil structure.