Methods of targeting a molecule of interest to the oocyte of an animal are shown. In an embodiment the method utilizes a receptor binding region of a yolk protein precursor. In embodiment the yolk protein precursor is a YP1 sequence, functional fragment of functional variant thereof. The targeting molecule is linked to the molecule of interest. The molecule of interest may be a molecule of a gene editing system, such as CRISPR/Cas and in an embodiment comprises Cas. The methods and composition are useful for targeting a molecule of interest to an animal, such as an invertebrate or insect.

An insect gene drive system for biocontrol of a population of an insect is provided. The gene drive system includes: a) a first DNA sequence encoding a toxin under the control of a maternal germline-specific promoter active in the insect, with the first DNA sequence being linked to b) a second DNA sequence encoding an antidote under the control of an early embryo-specific promoter active in the insect. The toxin is expressed in maternal germline cells of the insect and results in maternal-effect lethality in the insect, and the antidote is expressed in embryos of the insect and counters the maternal-effect lethality. In some embodiments, the insect is Drosophila suzrukii.

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-bore pathogens that cause disease in humans.

The present disclosure belongs to the field of pharmaceutical preparations and relates to the design of a series of lipophilic derivatives by using wild-type penetrating peptide penetratin. These penetratin derivatives have a strong ability to penetrate the ocular tissues and do not cause ocular tissue toxicity. As ocular absorption enhancers, non-invasive routes could be used to achieve intraocular drug delivery and increase the ocular bioavailability of drugs. These penetratin derivatives and the ophthalmic drug delivery system constructed by them are used for eye drop administration, which could replace the intraocular injection with poor patients compliance, which greatly enhances the convenience and safety of the treatment of intraocular and fundus diseases.

The present disclosure describes the identification of a consensus formula representing -helical antimicrobial peptides (AHAPs) from broad classes of higher eukaryotes. Further provided are microbicidal peptides, compositions, methods, and uses, and computer systems and methods for identifying consensus formulae and for searching microbicidal peptides. In some embodiments, the peptide or fusion peptide includes one or more non-natural amino acid residues. Also provided is a composition comprising the -helical antimicrobial peptide or the fusion peptide, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Also provided is a method of treating an infection in a patient in need thereof, comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of a composition comprising an -helical antimicrobial peptide.

The present invention relates to a fusion polypeptide that inhibits TLR1/2, TLR2/6, TLR7, TLR8 and TLR9 signaling pathways as well as Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and TLR3, and a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating TLR pathway mediated diseases. The fusion peptide of the present invention has an excellent effect of inhibiting TLR4 and various TLR pathways and can be effectively used in preventing and treating various TLR pathway mediated diseases caused by the signaling pathways, such as autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases and degenerative neurological diseases, by inhibiting the TLR mediated immune responses.

The present invention provides compositions and methods for selective inhibition of the classical or non-classical LTR-NFB signaling pathway. In some embodiments, the compositions and methods of the present invention are useful for treating or preventing tissue graft rejection, inflammation, contact hypersensitivity, and cancer by decreasing cell motility.

Provided herein are agents, compositions, and methods useful for animal health, e.g., for altering the level, activity, or metabolism of one or more microorganisms resident in a host insect (e.g., arthropod, e.g., insect, e.g., pathogen vector), the alteration resulting in a decrease in the fitness of the host. The invention features a composition that includes 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, or microbial diversity, the agents described herein may be used to decrease the fitness of a variety of insects that carry vector-borne pathogens that cause disease in animals.

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.

Provided is an insect odorant receptor co-receptor that exhibits excellent detection sensitivity to an odorous substance when bound to an odorant receptor to form an odorant receptor complex. The odorant receptor co-receptor includes a first amino acid sequence and a second amino acid sequence subsequently to the farthest carboxyl-terminal amino acid residue of the first amino acid sequence.