This disclosure relates to graphene derivatives, as well as related devices including graphene derivatives and methods of using graphene derivatives.

Tools for characterizing uptake of therapeutic compounds by target tissue are disclosed along with methods for determining dosing regimen from the uptake parameters. Uptake parameters considered include partition coefficient, diffusivity, and equilibrium uptake ratio. Systems for determining partition coefficient and diffusivity in rapid uptake combinations of compounds and tissue are also reported.

The present invention provides an anti-HPV E7 protein monoclonal antibody and the use thereof. The antibody can detect the HPV16 E7 protein with high specificity and recognize the HPV18 E7 protein, thereby it can distinguish between the cancerous cervical epithelial cells and the cervical abnormal or non-cancerous cervical epithelial cells.

Provided are a TEV protease variant, a fusion protein thereof, a preparation method therefor and the use thereof. Provided are a TEV protease variant with unique properties obtained by screening and a fusion protein thereof. The TEV protease variant has a low enzyme cleavage activity during expression in hosts, and preferably has a lower enzyme cleavage activity compared to an S219V variant having an amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 10. The enzyme cleavage site of the TEV protease variant is selected from EXXYXQG/S/H, wherein X is any amino acid residue, and the enzyme cleavage site is preferably selected from SEQ ID NO: 7 and 8. Fusion expression using the TEV protease variant of the present invention and a polypeptide can be used for preparing a polypeptide quickly and efficiently, thereby solving the problems currently present in the process of the recombinant production of a polypeptide.

The present disclosure provides regulatable biocircuit systems. Such systems provide modular and tunable protein expression systems in support of the discovery and development of therapeutic modalities.

In certain aspects, the disclosure provides ALK7 antagonists. In certain aspects, these ALK7 antagonists are can be used to improve metabolic parameters in a patient in need thereof. In certain aspects, these ALK7 antagonists can be used to treat or prevent one or more kidney-associated disease or condition in a patient in need thereof. In certain aspects, these ALK7 antagonists can be used to treat or prevent cancer.

Expression vectors and methods of protein purification, which allow for selection of full length protein over truncated forms of the protein being purified, are disclosed. The methods express a target protein as a three domain fusion, represented by formula I: A-[L.sub.1]-B-[L.sub.2]-C, where A is a first purification tag domain, C is the second purification tag domain and B is the target protein domain. A, B and C are preferably covalently linked by linkers, L.sub.1 and L.sub.2 as shown in Formula I, however, L.sub.1 and L.sub.2 may be optional. The purification tags at the N and C termini are different.

Expression vectors including nucleic acid sequences which encode the fusion protein represented by formula I are also disclosed. The vectors are used with host expression systems such as insect, yeast, or mammalian cells to express the target protein, which is subsequently purified as a function of the different affinity tags.

Disclosed are compositions comprising an engineered intein designed such that the self-cleaving activity of the intein can be modulated by a zinc-binding motif as well as methods and systems for making and using the compositions.

The present invention relates to a peptide that binds specifically to the surface of zirconia, and more particularly, to a peptide conjugate obtained by linking a functional drug to the peptide so as to enable the drug to be securely fixed to the surface of zirconia to thereby maintain the activity of the drug over a long period of time. The zirconia-binding peptide according to the present invention can be securely fixed to the surface of zirconia so that the activity of a physiologically active substance introduced into the peptide can be maintained on the zirconia surface over a long period of time. Thus, the zirconia-binding peptide is useful for surgical regenerative treatment.

Provided herein are various processes for the improved production of antibody producing organisms, antibody producing tissues, antibody producing cells and antibodies. In certain embodiments, provided herein are methods for rapidly producing antibody producing organisms, tissues, cells and antibodies derived from humans, organisms, plants or cells that are genetically altered to over-express certain proteins.