The present disclosure provides FGF1 mutant proteins having one or more mutations in the heparin binding domain. Such mutants may also have an N-terminal deletion, point mutation(s), or combinations thereof. In some examples, the mutant FGF1 proteins have reduced mitogenic activity. Also provided are nucleic acid molecules that encode such proteins, and vectors and cells that include such nucleic acids. The disclosed FGF1 mutants can reduce blood glucose in a mammal, and in some examples are used to treat a metabolic disorder.

The present disclosure provides certain silk-fibroin compositions with particular characteristics and/or properties. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides low molecular weight compositions. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides silk fibroin compositions that comprise an active (e.g., a biological) agent or component. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides low molecular weight silk fibroin compositions that comprise an active (e.g., a biological) agent or component. In some embodiments, an active agent is stabilized in a silk composition, e.g., for a period of time and/or against certain conditions or events. In some embodiments, a component present in a silk fibroin composition may be subject to analysis and/or characterization. In some embodiments, a component present in a silk fibroin composition may be recovered from the composition.

The invention generally relates to collagen-binding agent compositions and methods of using the same. More specifically, the invention relates in part to new collagen-binding agent compositions and methods that may be used to treat damaged collagen within tissues or used to specifically target therapeutics to tissues containing undamaged or damaged collagen.

The present disclosure provides methods of improving nuclease-mediated gene targeting frequencies in cells using PFT or bFGF.

The present invention is concerned with a method of production of authentic and bioactive human basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) of 146 amino acids and without any modification at either C- or N-terminal of the bFGF. The method includes the steps as of providing a Bacillus subtilis host, introducing a DNA construct into the Bacillus subtilis host to produce a transformed Bacillus subtilis host, the DNA construct including an insert consisting of, from 5 to 3, a cellulose binding domain (CellBD), an intein sequence and a DNA coding for the bFGF polypeptide, and subjecting the transformed Bacillus subtilis host to a shake flask cultivation process or a fed-batch fermentation process.

The present disclosure provides composition, systems, devices and methods for plant-based production of non-plant proteins through the use of heterologous genes for the expression of said non-plant proteins. Non-plant proteins can include, but are not limited to, mammalian proteins, cytokines, or growth factors.

The disclosure provides methods of treating an infection by a coronavirus with a fibroblast growth factor (FGF). Also provided herein are FGFs for treating an infection by a coronavirus and their use in the manufacture of a medicament for treating an infection by a coronavirus.

Provided is a method for treating a peripheral nervous system damage or injury, or for regenerating peripheral nervous system tissue that involves administering to a subject in need thereof a vector that comprises polynucleotide sequences that encode a modified vascular endothelia growth factor (VEGF) and a fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) and further a polynucleotide that encodes resistance to kanamycin. A gene-therapeutic structure encoding modified vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) and (FGF-2) is also provided. The gene-therapeutic structure can be administered directly to a damaged nerve and paraneural tissues both in intraoperative and post-operative period to stimulate peripheral nerve regeneration. The structure and method significantly advance existing methods for reconstructive treatment for damaged peripheral nerves.

Engineered FGF1 and FGF2 polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides and DNA constructs, vectors and compositions including these engineered polypeptides are provided herein. The engineered FGF1 and FGF2 polypeptides are more stable than their wild-type counterparts and may be more effective at treating a variety of conditions that FGF1 and FGF2 are useful for treating such as wound healing.

The present invention relates to the development of stable mutants of FGF-1 and FGF-2. In particular, it relates to novel engineered FGF-1 and FGF-2 polypeptides as well as polynucleotides, DNA constructs, and vectors encoding such polypeptides. In another aspect, pharmaceutical compositions and hydrogels including the disclosed polypeptides, polynucleotides, DNA constructs, and vectors are provided. In a still further aspect, methods of treating conditions using the compositions disclosed herein are provided.