A programmable receptor complex expressed by an immunocyte, wherein the programmable receptor complex includes a plurality of native or endogenously expressed receptor subunits, wherein the native or endogenously expressed receptor subunits have been engineered or modified to include FcRI receptor components, biotin-binding components, or both, and wherein the FcRI receptor components and biotin-binding components are operative to bind to target detector molecules that bind to or otherwise interact with predetermined targets.

A method of determining whether an individual is infected with a mycobacterial disease, the method comprising: (a) providing a system which comprises an antigen; (b) contacting the system with a sample obtained from the individual; and (c) detecting the presence or absence of binding of a biomarker in the sample with the antigen; wherein the antigen is a mycolic acid wax ester derived antigen.

A method of determining whether an individual is infected with a mycobacterial disease, the method comprising: (a) providing a system which comprises an antigen; (b) contacting the system with a sample obtained from the individual; and (c) detecting the presence or absence of binding of a biomarker in the sample with the antigen; wherein the antigen is a mycolic acid wax ester derived antigen.

The present invention relates to a hook fusion protein comprising a hook domain and at least one cytoplasmic carboxy terminal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signal and/or at least one cytoplasmic amino terminal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signal; wherein the hook fusion protein is a soluble protein that localizes in the cytoplasm. The present invention also relates to a nucleic acid system for intracellular targeting control comprising a nucleic acid encoding a hook fusion protein as herein disclosed, and a nucleic acid encoding a target fusion protein comprising a hook-binding domain; wherein said target fusion protein in a membrane protein; and wherein the hook fusion protein localizes in the ER when bound to the target fusion protein. The invention also encompasses a vector system, viral particle system, host cell and kit comprising said nucleic acids. The invention also includes the vector system, viral particle system, host cell or kit for use as a medicament, in particular for immunotherapy.

The present invention relates to a hook fusion protein comprising a hook domain and at least one cytoplasmic carboxy terminal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signal and/or at least one cytoplasmic amino terminal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signal; wherein the hook fusion protein is a soluble protein that localizes in the cytoplasm. The present invention also relates to a nucleic acid system for intracellular targeting control comprising a nucleic acid encoding a hook fusion protein as herein disclosed, and a nucleic acid encoding a target fusion protein comprising a hook-binding domain; wherein said target fusion protein in a membrane protein; and wherein the hook fusion protein localizes in the ER when bound to the target fusion protein. The invention also encompasses a vector system, viral particle system, host cell and kit comprising said nucleic acids. The invention also includes the vector system, viral particle system, host cell or kit for use as a medicament, in particular for immunotherapy.

Provided are biologically pure bacterial isolates characterized by a genome structure at least 90% similar to a genome structure of a bacterial species selected from the group consisting of: Streptomyces sp. E128 having an NRRL Accession No. B-67462, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens A190 having an NRRL Accession No. B-67464, Bacillus subtilis P243 having an NRRL Accession No. B-67459, Bacillus thuringiensis M979 having an NRRL Accession No. B-67457, Massilia aurea P63 having an NRRL Accession No. B-67461, Rhodococcus sp. G706, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia E132 having an NRRL Accession No. B-67460, Streptomyces aurantiacus A918, Streptomyces badius O180, Streptomyces mirabilis B670 having an NRRL Accession No. B67463, Streptomyces scopuliridis F427 having an NRRL Accession No. B-67458, and Streptomyces sp. L219. Also provided are whole cell broth or lysates thereof, and polynucleotide, polypeptides and constructs expressing same, compositions-of-matter comprising same and methods using same for killing or inhibiting the development of insects.

Provided are biologically pure bacterial isolates characterized by a genome structure at least 90% similar to a genome structure of a bacterial species selected from the group consisting of: Streptomyces sp. E128 having an NRRL Accession No. B-67462, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens A190 having an NRRL Accession No. B-67464, Bacillus subtilis P243 having an NRRL Accession No. B-67459, Bacillus thuringiensis M979 having an NRRL Accession No. B-67457, Massilia aurea P63 having an NRRL Accession No. B-67461, Rhodococcus sp. G706, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia E132 having an NRRL Accession No. B-67460, Streptomyces aurantiacus A918, Streptomyces badius O180, Streptomyces mirabilis B670 having an NRRL Accession No. B67463, Streptomyces scopuliridis F427 having an NRRL Accession No. B-67458, and Streptomyces sp. L219. Also provided are whole cell broth or lysates thereof, and polynucleotide, polypeptides and constructs expressing same, compositions-of-matter comprising same and methods using same for killing or inhibiting the development of insects.

Described herein are biological devices and methods for using the same to produce oxidized zinc. The biological devices include microbial cells transformed with a DNA construct containing genes for producing a zinc-related protein, an alkaline phosphatase, and an alcohol dehydrogenase. In some instances, the biological devices also include a gene for lipase. The oxidized zinc compositions produced herein have numerous applications.

Multi-biotinylated reactants are provided which can be used in divalent complexes for various applications such as colocalization, labeling, immobilization, and purification. Methods for constructing, purifying, and using the bis-biotinylated reactants are also provided. In certain embodiments, two bis-biotinylated reactants are bound to a single streptavidin tetramer to provide a complex having a 1:1 stoichiometry with respect to the bis-biotinylated reactants.

Multi-biotinylated reactants are provided which can be used in divalent complexes for various applications such as colocalization, labeling, immobilization, and purification. Methods for constructing, purifying, and using the bis-biotinylated reactants are also provided. In certain embodiments, two bis-biotinylated reactants are bound to a single streptavidin tetramer to provide a complex having a 1:1 stoichiometry with respect to the bis-biotinylated reactants.