Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for the treatment of age-related dysfunction, particularly, age-related motor impairment.

Described herein are polypeptides, systems, and methods that relate to using domains that bind specifically to a biotinylamide to control receptor and cellular activity.

Engineered trimeric CD70 proteins for use in ex vivo T cell manufacturing are described. Use of the proteins during manufacturing creates expanded T cell populations with enhanced properties such as earlier proliferation in culture; selective expansion of nave and memory T cell subsets; longer persistence in vivo following administration to a subject; and improved therapeutic effect. Use of the proteins as therapeutics provide anti-cancer and anti-viral effects. The proteins can also be used as agonistic cell culture reagents in in vitro uses.

The disclosure pertains to single chain antibodies, nucleic acids and vectors that encode antibodies that for example specifically bind W68 in the context of DAGWGNL (SEQ ID NO: 1) and methods of administering the single chain antibodies, nucleic acids and vectors to a subject in need thereof.

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for reducing the immunogenicity of chimeric Notch receptors, and specifically to transcription factors useful for controlling gene expression delivered to tissues by such chimeric Notch receptors.

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.

The present invention provides nucleic acids encoding a fusion protein comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding GRIM-19 or a biologically active fragment or derivative thereof and a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein transduction domain. Proteins encoded by the nucleic acids, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment are also provided. The invention also provides viral vectors comprising GRIM-19 or a biologically active fragment or derivative thereof, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment using the same.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to biosynthesis of cannabinoids and cannabinoid precursors in recombinant cells and in vitro.

The inventive technology is directed to the generation of a novel transgenic mammalian model for the study of Laing distal myopathy. The novel animal model of the invention may include a transgenic animal, and preferably a transgenic mouse, expressing the β-myosin R1500P mutation transgene that produces one or more phenotypes associated with MPD1. The β-myosin R1500P mutation transgene may further be selectively expressed in fast muscle tissue of the transgenic animal.

A carrier system that includes a nanocarrier and a peptide non-covalently associated with the nanocarrier. The peptide contains an adaptor peptide sequence fused to the N-terminus of a target peptide, the adaptor peptide sequence being designed to facilitate the association to the nanocarrier. Also disclosed is a method for improving the immunogenicity of a peptide antigen by fusing it to an adaptor peptide sequence to form an immunizing peptide and contacting the immunizing peptide with a compatible nanocarrier. Further, a method is provided for treating a condition by immunization with a target peptide that has been fused to an adaptor peptide sequence and thereby associated with a nanocarrier. The method induces an immune response against the target peptide for treating cancer, viral infection, bacterial infection, parasitic infection, autoimmunity, or undesired immune responses to a biologies treatment.