The invention provides novel peptides (e.g., linkers) and polypeptide compositions comprising the linkers (e.g., fusion proteins) and methods of using the polypeptide compositions. Peptides (e.g., linkers) are useful as tags and for engineering fusion proteins (e.g., antigen binding molecules, scFv). Polypeptide linkers described herein facilitate flexibility of linked peptides allowing for proper folding, conformation and reduced immunogenicity.

The inventors have found that the interaction between HP1 and INCENP can serve as an indicator for chromosome instability and established a method for evaluating chromosome instability of cancer cells. The evaluation system can be used for screening of anticancer agent with a new-concept of targeting chromosome instability of cancer cells. The inventors further prepared an antibody for specifically recognizing phosphorylation of serine at position 92 of HP1, by which the action of Aurora B can be evaluated. The interaction between HP1 and INCENP can be readily evaluated by the antibody.

Described is a polypeptide comprising at least four domains specifically binding to a certain MHC peptide complex, the domains separated by linker amino acid sequences, thereby providing each domain with the capability to bind a separate MHC peptide complex, to a nucleic acid molecule encoding such a polypeptide, to a vector comprising such a nucleic acid molecule, to a host cell for expression of such a polypeptide, to a pharmaceutical composition comprising such a polypeptide, and to a kit of parts comprising at least two polypeptides of the disclosure.

The present invention includes antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof that specifically bind to human or cynomolgous monkey LAG3 as well as immunoglobulin chains thereof and polynucleotides encoding the same along with injection devices comprising such antibodies or fragments. Vaccines including such antibodies and fragments as well as compositions comprising the antibodies and fragments (e.g., including anti-PD1 antibodies) are included in the invention. Methods for treating or preventing cancer or infection using such compositions are also provided. In addition, methods for recombinant expression of the antibodies and fragments are part of the present invention.

The present invention includes antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof that specifically bind to human or cynomolgous monkey LAG3 as well as immunoglobulin chains thereof and polynucleotides encoding the same along with injection devices comprising such antibodies or fragments. Vaccines including such antibodies and fragments as well as compositions comprising the antibodies and fragments (e.g., including anti-PD1 antibodies) are included in the invention. Methods for treating or preventing cancer or infection using such compositions are also provided. In addition, methods for recombinant expression of the antibodies and fragments are part of the present invention.

Provided herein are proteins, antibodies, assays and methods useful for modulating growth factor levels and/or activities. In some embodiments, such growth factors are members of the TGF-? superfamily of proteins.

The present invention provides methods, devices, and compositions to rapidly detect analytes, including small analytes, using a lateral flow device. Described herein is such a lateral flow device that can detect and quantify vitamin D in a whole blood, serum, or plasma sample by employing a sandwich-based immunoassay.

The invention provides methods for identifying an individuals with a disease or disorder who is less likely to respond to immunotherapy alone, the method comprising determining the presence of a stromal gene signature in a sample from the individual, said signature comprising one or more of FAP, FN1, MMP2, PDGFRB, or THY, wherein an increase in the level of expression of the one or more genes in the stroma gene signature relative to a median level identifies an individual for treatment with an immunotherapy and with a suppressive stromal antagonist. In some aspects, the invention provides methods for treating an individual displaying the stromal gene signature. In other aspects, the invention provides kits for determining the presence of a stroma gene signature in a sample from an individual.

Compositions and methods are provided for the development and screening of antibody-based binding regions (ABR) that mimic T cell receptor specificity (TCRm). The TCRm-ABR of the disclosure are developed to specifically bind to the combination of an MHC antigen and peptide, and to substantially lack binding to the MHC in the absence of the cognate antigen.

Antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates that selectively bind to a membrane-associated extracellular portion of a cleaved amphiregulin precursor protein; methods of using the antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates to detect and inhibit the growth of neoplastic cells; pharmaceutical compositions containing the antibodies and/or antibody-drug conjugates as the active ingredient(s); kits containing the antibodies and/or antibody-drug conjugates.