Transgenic microalgae expressing at least one exogenous biologically active protein. The protein-expressing microalgae are used for the oral delivery of the biologically active protein to the target organism in its intact and functional form. The exogenous protein, expressed in algae, is characterized by being biologically active, exerting at least one specific activity having a beneficial effect on the subject consuming the algae. The transgenic microalgae are used as animal food for aquatic or land animals welfare or as food supplement for human healthcare.

The present invention refers to a fluorescent fusion polypeptide capable of changing its localization within the cell from the cell cytoplasmic membrane to the retention vesicles, upon an increase in the concentration of second messengers within the cell cytoplasm, comprising a membrane localization peptide, a second messenger transduction protein binding peptide, a reticulum retention signal and a fluorescent peptide wherein: a. the membrane localization peptide is located at the N-terminus of the fluorescent fusion polypeptide and is physically bound, optionally through a linker, to the fluorescent peptide, which in turn is physically bound, optionally through a linker, to the second messenger transduction protein binding peptide; and b. the second messenger transduction protein binding peptide is physically bound, optionally through a linker, to the reticulum retention signal, which in turn is located at the C-terminus of the fluorescent fusion polypeptide.

The subject invention concerns materials and methods for treating or preventing disease and conditions associated with various sulfatase enzymes that are defective or that are not properly expressed in a person or animal. In one embodiment, the disease is Sanfilippo A (MPS-IIIA) disease. The subject invention also concerns materials and methods for treating or preventing multiple sulfatase deficiency (MSD) in a person or animal. Compounds of the invention include a fusion protein comprising i) a mammalian sulfatase, or an enzymatically active fragment or variant thereof, and ii) a plant lectin or a binding subunit thereof. In a specific embodiment, the mammalian sulfatase is a human sulfatase, or an enzymatically active fragment or variant thereof. Polynucleotides encoding the fusion proteins are also contemplated for the subject invention. The subject invention also concerns materials and methods for producing proteins of the invention. The subject invention further provides a method of co-expressing sulfatase and sulfatase modifying factor in a plant or plant cell.

The present invention is directed to T-cell epitope delivering polypeptides which deliver one or more CD8+ T-cell epitopes to the MHC class I presentation pathway of a cell, including toxin-derived polypeptides which comprise embedded T-cell epitopes and are de-immunized. The present invention provides cell-targeted, CD8+ T-cell epitope delivering molecules for the targeted delivery of cytotoxicity to certain cells, e.g., infected or malignant cells, for the targeted killing of specific cell types, and the treatment of a variety of diseases, disorders, and conditions, including cancers, immune disorders, and microbial infections. The present invention also provides methods of generating polypeptides capable of delivering one or more heterologous T-cell epitopes to the MHC class I presentation pathway, including polypeptides which are 1) B-cell and/or CD4+ T-cell de-immunized, 2) comprise embedded T-cell epitopes, and/or 3) comprises toxin effectors which retain toxin functions.

The present disclosure provides opsins, including variant opsins with increased activity and/or increased trafficking to the plasma membrane. The opsins are useful in therapeutic and screening applications, which are also provided.

This invention provides biosensors, cell models, and methods of their use for monitoring heme and oxygen. Biosensors can include targeting domains, sensing domains and reporting domains. Biosensors can be introduced into cells reprogrammed to represent experimental or pathologic cells of interest. Model cells expressing the biosensors can be contacted with putative bioactive agents to determine possible activities.

The invention is directed to compositions, e.g., cell-based and multiplexed platforms, to screen for small molecule drugs that inhibit enzymes such as proteases, e.g., viral proteases, e.g., HIV proteases; and methods for making and using these compositions. The invention provides compositions and methods for identifying compositions, e.g., drug molecules, that can inhibit proteases, e.g., viral proteases such as HIV proteases. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides cell-based platforms or assays to screen for compositions, e.g., small molecules or drugs, that inhibit or modify the activity of enzymes such as calcium-dependent protein convertases involved in HIV envelope protein processing, including cleavage of the HIV gp160 envelope precursor, resulting in gp120 and gp41 envelope products. In one embodiment, the invention provides a cell-based or multiplexed platform for monitoring the activity of enzymes, e.g., proteases such as viral proteases.

The invention relates to cellular localization signals. In particular, the invention relates to endoplasmic reticulum localization signals in monomeric or multimeric form. The localization signals are utilized as research tools or are linked to therapeutics. Disclosed are methods of making and using polypeptides and modified polypeptides as signals to localize therapeutics, experimental compounds, peptides, proteins and/or other macromolecules to the endoplasmic reticulum of eukaryotic cells. The polypeptides of the invention optionally include linkage to reporters, epitopes and/or other experimental or therapeutic molecules. The invention also encompasses polynucleotides encoding the localization signals and vectors comprising these polynucleotides.

The subject invention concerns materials and methods for treating or preventing disease and conditions associated with various sulfatase enzymes that are defective or that are not properly expressed in a person or animal. In one embodiment, the disease is Sanfilippo A (MPS-IIIA) disease. The subject invention also concerns materials and methods for treating or preventing multiple sulfatase deficiency (MSD) in a person or animal. Compounds of the invention include a fusion protein comprising i) a mammalian sulfatase, or an enzymatically active fragment or variant thereof, and ii) a plant lectin or a binding subunit thereof. In a specific embodiment, the mammalian sulfatase is a human sulfatase, or an enzymatically active fragment or variant thereof. Polynucleotides encoding the fusion proteins are also contemplated for the subject invention. The subject invention also concerns materials and methods for producing proteins of the invention.

The invention is directed to compositions, e.g., cell-based and multiplexed platforms, to screen for small molecule drugs that inhibit enzymes such as proteases, e.g., viral proteases, e.g., HIV proteases; and methods for making and using these compositions. The invention provides compositions and methods for identifying compositions, e.g., drug molecules, that can inhibit proteases, e.g., viral proteases such as HIV proteases. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides cell-based platforms or assays to screen for compositions, e.g., small molecules or drugs, that inhibit or modify the activity of enzymes such as calcium-dependent protein convertases involved in HIV envelope protein processing, including cleavage of the HIV gp160 envelope precursor, resulting in gp120 and gp41 envelope products. In one embodiment, the invention provides a cell-based or multiplexed platform for monitoring the activity of enzymes, e.g., proteases such as viral proteases.