This disclosure provides a composition containing a conjugate with a modified insulin molecule. The conjugate has an insulin molecule, which can be insulin or an insulin analog, glucagon, GLP-1, GLP-2 or a GLP-1 agonist. The conjugate also contains one or more polymers. Each of the one or more polymers is covalently linked to the insulin molecule. Additionally, each of the one or more polymers is covalently linked to between 0 to 50 copies of a decoy ligand, and to between 0 to 50 copies of a glucose-binding agent, such that the combined total number of glucose-binding agents and decoy ligands covalently linked to each of the one or more polymers is at least 1. The conjugate can reversibly bind to soluble glucose and in which the extent of its glucose-binding controls the extent to which the modified insulin is able to bind to and activate the insulin receptor. Methods of making the conjugate, as well as use of the conjugate in treatment, are also provided.

Provided is a construction method for an animal model for retinitis pigmentosa diseases and the application thereof, which relate to the technical field of medical engineering. According to the construction method for the animal model for retinitis pigmentosa diseases, by knocking out Hkdc1 gene sequences on genomes of target animals, the animal model for retinitis pigmentosa diseases is obtained. The animal model presents typical characteristics of retinitis pigmentosa, such as retina function damage and gradual apoptosis of photoreceptor cells. The animal model can be applied to research of retinitis pigmentosa diseases and for to screening medicine for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa diseases.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing erythrocytes loaded with one or more substance of pharmaceutical interest. The present invention is also directed to loaded erythrocytes thus obtained and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said population of loaded erythrocytes as well as therapeutic application thereof, in particular in the treatment of Ataxia telangiectasia.

The present disclosure provides recombinant microorganisms capable of sugar co-utilization, the recombinant microorganism comprising a genetically altered microorganism (e.g. S. cerevisiae) having a lack of, or reduced expression of, or expression of truncated or mutated forms of at least one polypeptide selected from Hxk1, Hxk2, and Glk1. Reduction of the expression or biological activity of Hxk1, Hxk2 and Glk1 leads to reduction in the glucose consumption pathway, allowing the microorganism to co-utilize multiple sugars (e.g. glucose, xylose, galactose) at an improved rate.

The present invention discloses anti-cancer compositions, and associated methods, including an anti-cancer composition comprising: a cellular energy inhibitor having the structure according to formula I

##STR00001## wherein X is selected from the group consisting of: a nitro, an imidazole, a halide, sulfonate, a carboxylate, an alkoxide, and amine oxide; and R is selected from the group consisting of: OR, N(R).sub.2, C(O)R, C1-C6 alkyl, C6-C12 aryl, C1-C6 heteroalkyl, a C6-C12 heteroaryl, H, and an alkali metal; where R represents H, alkali metal, C1-C6 alkyl, C6-C12 aryl or C(O)R, R represents H, C1-C6 alkyl, or C6-C12 aryl, and R represents H, C1-C20 alkyl or C6-C12 aryl. The anti-cancer composition can additionally comprise at least one sugar, which stabilizes the cellular energy inhibitor by substantially preventing the inhibitor from hydrolyzing. Also, the anti-cancer composition can comprise a hexokinase inhibitor. Further, the anti-cancer composition can comprise a biological buffer that is present in an amount sufficient to at least partially deacidify the cellular energy inhibitor and neutralize metabolic by-products of the cellular energy inhibitor.

Described herein are devices and methods for increasing the production of steviol glycosides, which have industrial and economic value. The steviol glycosides produced by the devices and methods disclosed herein do not require the ultra purification that is common in conventional or commercial methods and do not have a bitter aftertaste, making them better suited as flavor-enhancing N additives to food, pharmaceutical, and nutritional supplement products.

The present disclosure relates to engineered cells that include genetic alterations leading to up- or down-regulation of certain genes in the cells for improved production of a recombinant protein. Also provided are methods of preparing and using such cells.

The present disclosure describes methods for generating microbial strains expressing a heterologous bacterial glucose permease gene that produce biomolecules of interest. In aspects, the disclosure provides novel bacterial strains, which express a heterologous bacterial glucose permease gene whose expression is controlled by a native Corynebacterium glutamicum promoter or a mutant promoter derived therefrom. Also provided herein are methods for producing a library of bacterial glucose permease genes using a promoter ladder comprising a plurality of promoters derived from Corynebacterium glutamicum.

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for treating macular degeneration, and more particularly to a pharmaceutical composition for treating macular degeneration, which comprises an inhibitor of mTOR gene expression. The pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention can effectively treat age-related macular degeneration, a representative retinal disease that causes blindness in adults.

The present disclosure relates to engineered cells that include genetic alterations leading to up- or down-regulation of certain genes in the cells for improved production of a recombinant protein. Also provided are methods of preparing and using such cells.