The present invention relates inter alia to methods of determining whether or not a subject suffering from oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is suitable for de-escalated treatment. The invention also provides methods of treating OPSCC, and associated assays and kits.

Provided herein are fusion proteins, isolated nucleic acids encoding a fusion protein, and gene delivery vectors comprising the same, wherein the isolated nucleic acids comprise: (i) a first sequence encoding a RNA-binding zinc finger domain; and (ii) a second sequence encoding a fusion partner; and methods of using the same.

Disclosed are nucleic acid constructs comprising a promoter; a nucleic acid sequence encoding a single-chain variable fragment (scFv); a nucleic acid sequence encoding a notch transmembrane domain; and a nucleic acid sequence encoding a transcription factor. Disclosed are vectors comprising any of the disclosed nucleic acid constructs. Disclosed are proteins comprising a scFv; a notch transmembrane domain; and a transcription activator. Disclosed are methods of increasing human leukocyte antigen class I (HLA-I) on the surface of a tumor cell in a subject comprising administering to the subject one or more of the recombinant cells or compositions comprising a recombinant cell disclosed herein.

The present invention addresses the problem of providing: a fusion protein or conjugated protein having excellent cell membrane permeability, containing a partial peptide derived from human, and suitable for intracellular delivery; an intracellular delivery carrier comprising such a fusion protein or conjugated protein; a partial peptide; a cell membrane permeation enhancer comprising the partial peptide; DNA; and a vector. The fusion protein or conjugated protein has a partial peptide comprising at least seven consecutive amino acid residues of an amino acid sequence encoded by a predetermined DNA, and a ligand directly or indirectly bound to the partial peptide and having the capability of binding to cell surfaces. The ligand is preferably an antibody. The intracellular delivery carrier comprises the fusion protein or conjugated protein. The cell membrane permeation enhancer comprises the partial peptide.

In one aspect, provided herein are recombinant neuraminidases comprising an ectodomain of influenza virus neuraminidase with amino acid substitutions or insertions of cysteines in the stalk domain to generate a more stable, tetrameric influenza virus neuraminidase. In specific embodiments, the influenza virus neuraminidase further comprises influenza virus neuraminidase transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains. In another aspect, provided herein are recombinant neuraminidase comprising a globular head domain of influenza virus neuraminidase and a tetramerization domain, wherein the recombinant neuraminidase lacks influenza virus neuraminidase stalk, transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains. In another aspect, provided herein are methods of immunizing against influenza virus using such recombinant neuraminidases or compositions thereof.

Provided herein are compositions that include a single nucleic acid vector or two different nucleic acid vectors, and the use of these compositions to treat hearing loss in a subject.

One aspect of the invention provides a method of ovarian protection by administering to a female subject a composition comprising Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS). Ovarian protection can be an induced arrest of folliculogenesis to preserve fertility. In some embodiments, ovarian protection is oncoprotection, the protection of the ovarian function during a cytotoxic treatment, e.g., chemotherapy. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of treating PCOS, the method comprising administering to a female subject a composition comprising recombinant MIS protein.

The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for directed to synthetic block copolymer proteins, expression constructs for their secretion, recombinant microorganisms for their production, and synthetic fibers (including advantageously, microfibers) comprising these proteins that recapitulate many properties of natural silk. The recombinant microorganisms can be used for the commercial production of silk-like fibers.

The present invention provides antibodies that neutralize MERS-CoV and methods of use thereof. The invented antibody is used to treat MERS-CoV infections and symptoms thereof.

The present invention relates to a genetically mutated bacteria strain for detecting an estrogenic compound and a method for detecting an estrogenic compound by using the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bacteria strain having an ability to detect an estrogenic compound, transformed by plasmid A comprising base sequences in which a gene for encoding a coactivator interacting with an estrogen receptor ligand binding domain (ER LBD) is conjugated to a gene for encoding λCI protein, and plasmid B in which a gene for encoding an estrogen receptor ligand binding domain (ER LBD) is conjugated to a gene for encoding αNTD protein, and a method for detecting an estrogenic compound by using same. The present invention can provide genetically mutated bacteria for detecting an estrogenic compound and a method for detecting an estrogenic compound by using same since the bacteria are based on estrogen receptor protein originated from the human body, and thus are environmentally friendly, and the detection of the bacteria can be performed in a very short time with low cost and labor by virtue of a relatively simple process.