This invention relates to an immunogenic agent comprising a hydrophobic peptide covalently coupled or conjugated to at least one antigenic molecule that facilitates self-assembly of a plurality of the immunogenic agents into an immunogenic complex that has adjuvant properties. The invention also relates to a method of eliciting an immune response in a subject, comprising the step of administering to the subject at least one immunogenic agent or at least one immunogenic complex to thereby elicit an immune response in the subject.

This invention relates to the field of biotechnology or genetic engineering. Specifically, this invention relates to the field of gene expression. More specifically, this invention relates to novel substitution mutant receptors and their use in a nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system and methods of modulating the expression of a gene in a host cell for applications such as gene therapy, large scale production of proteins and antibodies, cell-based high throughput screening assays, functional genomics and regulation of traits in transgenic organisms.

A leech polypeptide with activity to inhibit macrophage migration in vitro, which is useful in the prevention of atherosclerosis. The preparation method of the leech peptide includes: firstly, a leech zymolyte HE is prepared from Whitmania pigra Whitman, and the amino acid sequence of leech polypeptide HE 4-1 is obtained and synthesized artificially after analysis and sequencing.

The present invention provides for concentrated aqueous silk fibroin solutions and an all-aqueous mode for preparation of concentrated aqueous fibroin solutions that avoids the use of organic solvents, direct additives, or harsh chemicals. The invention further provides for the use of these solutions in production of materials, e.g., fibers, films, foams, meshes, scaffolds and hydrogels.

The present invention encompasses a vaccine composition and method of use for treating heartworm infestation in mammals. The vaccine composition includes chimeric antigens engineered and manufactured using the genetic code (i.e., the amino acid or protein sequence) of the target sequence. After introduction of the vaccine composition containing the target antigen into the host (e.g., a canine), the host will generate antibodies as part of its robust immune response to the antigen. As the antibodies circulate through the host's plasma, heartworm larvae will consume the antibodies as they feed on the plasma. The antibodies will then act on internal targets of the worm recognized as antigens.

The invention relates to novel polypeptides which are recognized by anti-Trichinella antibodies. Said polypeptides can be used particularly for detecting anti-Trichinella antibodies and in trichinosis prevention.

The invention relates to mutant forms of lysenin. The invention also relates to analyte characterization using lysenin.

Methods and compositions are provided which employ a silencing element that, when ingested by a plant insect pest, such as Coleopteran, Hemiptera, or Lepidopteran plant pest, including a Diabrotica, Leptinotarsa, Phyllotreta, Acyrthosiphan, Bemisia, Halyomorpha, Nezara, or Spodoptera plant pest, decrease the expression of a target sequence in the pest. Disclosed are various target polynucleotides set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-53 or 107-254 disclosed herein, or variants and fragments thereof, or complements thereof, wherein a decrease in expression of one or more of the sequences in the target pest controls the pest and pest population by insect sterilization (i.e., male and female sterility, reduction of sperm count, egg production and viability) and mating-based sterile insect technique (SIT). Plants, plant parts, bacteria and other host cells comprising the silencing elements or an active variant or fragment thereof of the invention are also provided. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

A leech polypeptide and use thereof. Particularly, a leech polypeptide with activity to inhibit macrophage migration in vitro, which is useful in the prevention of atherosclerosis. A leech zymolyte HE is firstly prepared from Whitmania pigra Whitman. After further analysis and sequencing, the amino acid sequence of leech polypeptide HE 4-1 is finally obtained and artificially synthesized. As verified by experiments, the artificially synthesized leech polypeptide also has the activity to inhibit macrophage migration, and is therefore of great value for practical use.

The present invention relates to control of pest infestation by inhibiting one or more biological functions. The invention provides methods and compositions for such control, By feeding one or more recombinant double stranded RNA molecules provided by the invention to the pest, a reduction in pest infestation is obtained through suppression of gene expression. The invention is also directed to methods for making transgenic plants that express the double stranded RNA molecules, and to particular combinations of transgenic pesticidal agents for use in protecting plants from pest infestation.