The invention describes a CAR which recognizes CD30 as a target antigen and initiates lysis of CD30+ tumor cells but not of CD30+ healthy cells like hematopoietic stem cells. Specific genetic modifications of the
anti-CD30 CAR ensure the specific targeting of CD30+ tumor cells and prevent unwanted side-effects. This approach has been tested in vitro with CD30+ hematopoietic stem cells and CD30+ tumor cells and in vivo in mice transplanted with human CD30+ hematopoietic stem cells. In vivo experiments
proved that the treatment with anti-CD30 T-cells has no unwanted impact on the endogenous immune system.
The present invention provides a novel preventive and therapeutic approach based on the induction of tolerance, which is a key mechanism for the prevention of autoimmunity. The induction of tolerance is achieved through the oral administration of antigen-expressing microorganisms.
In an animal model of multiple sclerosis, the severity and occurrence of the disease symptoms could be significantly reduced by feeding the mice with the safe fodder yeast Candida utilis (Torula yeast) expressing Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG). Thus, the oral administration of antigen-expressing Candida utilis suppresses the cellular and humoral immune responses taking place in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue. Furthermore, the described treatment is considered to be safe, effective and simple.
Wissenschaftler der Universität Bonn haben ein Verfahren entwickelt, um die Biogasausbeute bestehender Biogasanlagen signifikant und effizient zu steigern, ohne die Dimensionierung des Fermenters zu ändern.
Bedarfsgerecht kann durch Zugabe ethanolhaltiger Stoffe, z.B. aus der alkoholischen Fermentation etc., die Methanausbeute erheblich gesteigert werden. Die Methanproduktion kann dem jeweiligen Bedarf angepasst werden, sodass z.B. Energiebedarfsspitzen ohne Zwischenspeicher bedient werden können.
Die energiefressende Destillation von Ethanol, wie in der Bioethanolproduktion, kann dabei entfallen, da neben Ethanol alle weiteren organischen Materialien zu Biogas umgewandelt werden können. Optional kann auch ein Vorfermenter zur Herstellung von ethanolhaltigem Gärgut aus pflanzlichen Rohstoffen vorgeschaltet werde
Biological age is influenced by parameters, such as genetic background, disease and lifestyle. Currently, the biological age can be assessed by measuring telomere length, DNA rearrangements or protein alterations. However, these methods lack precision and have practical limitations.
Therefore, scientists of the University Hospital Aachen developed a new method using epigenetic modifications to track human aging.
Based on the analysis of DNA-methylation (DNAm) profiles an Epigenetic-Aging-Signature has been evolved which only requires measurement of DNAm levels at six specific CpG sites. The DNA can be assessed by locus specific pyro-sequencing analysis of bisulfate-converted DNA.
The present invention describes a novel 3D-bioprinting process for the production of a three-dimensional, biomimetic tumour angiogenesis model (3D-TAM). In a first step, a supply channel covered by an endothelial cell layer is generated using the 3D-bioprinting process and in a second step, tumour cells are embedded into a surrounding hydrogel-matrix cell-suspension. Then, angiogenesis will start from the supply channel towards the tumour cells (which release angiogenic factors) leading to a vascularized and perfusable tumour.
The heterologous expression of genes in prokaryotes can be challenging, especially if the genes originate from a distant host or if the source is uncertain, such as a metagenomic expression library. Many vectors have been developed based on broad host range origins of replication, but these tend to focus on either gram(+) or gram(-) prokaryotes. This invention regards the construction of a completely synthetic expression vector, namely pPolyREPII, based on both the pBBR1 and pWV01 origin of replication.
Scientists of the University of Muenster succeeded in turning a stress susceptible tobacco variety (Xanthi) into an exceptionally stress-tolerant plant using replacement of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), the rate-limiting step of the oxidative pentose-phos¬phate pathway (OPPP) in the cytosol by a specially suited plastidic isoform.
The G6PDH isoenzyme-replacement technology is a promising tool to improve not only stress tolerance in general, but also biomass production, seed quality and energy density of agronomically important plants.
Skin disinfection procedures in hospitals are still lacking a uniform and standardized handling. Therefore, more swabs and disinfectant are used than needed, resulting in unnecessary waste of material. Scientists at the University of Göttingen, Medical Department developed an easy-to-handle and standardized skin disinfection set.
Staphylococcus aureus is a gram positive bacterium frequently occurring in nature. Over the years a resistant form developed which is known as MRSA – methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus. MRSA can cause severe problems especially in immune compromised patients. The antibiotic of choice to treat these infections was vancomycin. But since resistance to vancomycin has also been observed as well as the development of multiple resistances the application of the recently used antibiotics is increasingly limited. Novel active substances are provided. Their application will overcome resistance mechanisms based on genetic variability because they show a different mode of action.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Some forms are very aggressive due to their invasive growth and the high frequency of metastases. Treatment is extremely difficult and costly, especially when highly specific antibodies are applied. Two enzymes play a major role in the development of tumors – HER2 and Brk. Enzyme inhibitors developed so far only inhibit HER2. The effectiveness is however limited since resistance has developed due to mutations in HER2. Novel substances are provided which selectively inhibit HER2 and/or Brk. The application of these substances allows addressing three important processes concurrently: the receptor mediated tumor growth, the inhibition of apoptosis, and metastasis.
Carotenoids are widely used, i.e. in the food and cosmetics industries for coloring and as scavengers. They can be extracted from plant material or produced chemically. The trend is to establish biotechnological processes but so far the yields are often too low. The application of a novel process for the cultivation Blakeslea trispora results in high yields of carotenoids.
Subject of this innovation is a silver-free paste for establishing contacts in solar cells with nickel, nickel compounds or titanium instead of silver.
The process involves the local opening of the dielectric layer at moderate temperatures, thereby allowing the nickel particles in the paste to form nickel silicide with the surface of the silicon substrate. The high-energy-step of firing the silver contacts with glass frit can be dispensed with.
Furthermore, it is possible to strengthen the nickel layer with copper or tin to increase the electrical conductivity of the contacts still further.
The invention provides a novel predictive biomarker to help identify the patient population with the most
favorable clinical outcome to angiogenesis-targeted treatment in mCRC patients. Experiments revealed that patients with low pretherapeutic Ang-2 serum levels
receiving a bevacizumab-containing treatment were associated with a better Response rate compared to patients with high pretherapeutic Ang-2 levels. Additionally to a reduced risk of death (>90%) patients with low pretherapeutic Ang-2 levels showed a
significant increase in progression-free survival (up to five months).
Alexander Disease (AxD) is a rare fatal neurodegenerative disorder that is attributed to mutations in glial fubrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Clinically, AxD is considered a type of leukoencephalopathy sometimes characterized by demyelination of the central nervous system (CNS) and the formation of GFAP-containing Rosenthal fibers in astrocytes.
While it has been shown that GFAP mutations cause AxD, the exact pathomechanism is still unknown and there is still no accepted line of treatment.
The present invention provides a new approach for AxD therapy based on the newly indentified role of GFAP in the unconventional secretory pathway (USP).
Raman marker as a novel labeling reagent for the selective detection of biomolecules. Their use provides three key benefits: simultaneous detection of many different target molecules, high sensitivity and quantification of the detected biomolecules
A newly developed kite system allows to alter the line length while kite surfing by around 80% of the line length. This enables new kitesurf scenarios. Due to limited shore space kitesurfer may start with short lines and bring them full length later on the water. Furthermore, while surfing, the line length can be adjusted to wind conditions. After landing, the lines can be drawn in directly avoiding winding in and tangling of leashes.
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