Disclosed are methods for identifying small molecule modulators of protein-RNA interactions that could potentially function as therapeutic agents in cancer treatment. Methods of identifying inhibitors of the RNA-binding functions of MSI2, as well as inhibitors identified thereof, are also disclosed.

Disclosed are methods for identifying small molecule modulators of protein-RNA interactions that could potentially function as therapeutic agents in cancer treatment. Methods of identifying inhibitors of the RNA-binding functions of MSI2, as well as inhibitors identified thereof, are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to in vitro-methods of expanding a population of cells such as lymphocytes, comprising contacting a sample comprising a population of cells with a multimerization reagent. The multimerization reagent has reversibly immobilized thereon (bound thereto) a first agent that provides a primary activation signal to the cells and optionally, a second agent that provides a co-stimulatory signal. The invention also provides multimerization reagents, kits, arrangements and an apparatus for expanding cells.

An object of this invention is to provide a streptavidin mutant reduced in affinity to the naturally-occurring biotin, and to provide a modified biotin which shows a high affinity to such streptavidin mutant reduced in affinity to the naturally-occurring biotin. This invention can provide a compound composed of a dimer of modified biotin, a streptavidin mutant, and usage of them.

An object of this invention is to provide a streptavidin mutant reduced in affinity to the naturally-occurring biotin, and to provide a modified biotin which shows a high affinity to such streptavidin mutant reduced in affinity to the naturally-occurring biotin. This invention can provide a compound composed of a dimer of modified biotin, a streptavidin mutant, and usage of them.

Disclosed herein, are nanoparticles comprising one or more immune-tolerant elastin-like polypeptide tetramers and one or more immune-tolerant elastin-like fusion molecules. Also, disclosed herein are pharmaceutical compositions including the nanoparticles; methods of administering the nanoparticles to patients for the treatment of cancer; and methods of making the nanoparticles.

Disclosed herein, are nanoparticles comprising one or more immune-tolerant elastin-like polypeptide tetramers and one or more immune-tolerant elastin-like fusion molecules. Also, disclosed herein are pharmaceutical compositions including the nanoparticles; methods of administering the nanoparticles to patients for the treatment of cancer; and methods of making the nanoparticles.

The invention relates to a polypeptide comprising an exoglucanase catalytic domain comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2 and SEQ ID NO: 3, and to a polypeptide having beta-glucosidase activity comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 7 and SEQ ID NO: 8, and to functionally equivalent variants thereof that maintain or improve their catalytic activity. Additionally, the invention relates to an enzyme cocktail comprising said polypeptide(s) and an endoglucanase. Further, the invention also relates to methods for hydrolysing cellulose to cellobiose and/or cellotetraose, cellobiose and/or cellotetraose to glucose and cellulose to glucose, and to produce bioethanol, using the polypeptides or enzyme cocktails of the invention, and to the uses of the polypeptides and enzyme cocktails of the invention for hydrolysing cellulose to cellobiose and/or cellotetraose, cellobiose and/or cellotetraose to glucose and cellulose to glucose, and to produce bioethanol.

The invention includes a bioelectronic interface comprising a self-assembling unit, wherein the self-assembling unit comprises a variant GPCR fusion protein bound to an S-layer fusion protein. The invention also encompasses a biosensor or device comprising the bioelectronic interface and methods of screening for a ligand of a GPCR.

The invention includes a bioelectronic interface comprising a self-assembling unit, wherein the self-assembling unit comprises a variant GPCR fusion protein bound to an S-layer fusion protein. The invention also encompasses a biosensor or device comprising the bioelectronic interface and methods of screening for a ligand of a GPCR.