Abstract: Devices and methods are described for a contrast tray and framing devices for use with imagers. Some embodiments describe a contrast tray for use with an imager comprising one or more light diffusing layers configured to shift at least some of an imaging light and one or more light filtering layers configured to filter out at least some of the imaging light. Light diffusing and light filtering layers can be further configured to upconvert at least some of the diffused and/or non-filtered light. Contrast trays can be used to improve imaging of gels such as PAGE gels when using a green or blue-green light. Other embodiments of the disclosure describe a framing device that provides better illumination and lower background fluorescence for fluorescent gels, such as nucleic acid gels.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to binding agents that are capable of targeting tumor cells and/or immune cells. The binding agents of the present disclosure comprise one or more antigen binding domains of heavy chain antibodies (HcAb) which are capable of binding to DR2, to PD-1 and/or to CD47. The binding agents of the present disclosure may be in the form of monomers or multimers and may be monospecific or multispecific.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are engineered cells and/or hypoimmunogenic cells including engineered and/or hypoimmunogenic stem cells, engineered and/or hypoimmunogenic cells differentiated therefrom, engineered and/or hypoimmunogenic CAR-T cells (primary or differentiated from engineered and/or hypoimmunogenic stem cells) and related methods of their use and generation. Provided herein are engineered and/or hypoimmunogenic cells exhibiting reduced expression of MHC class I and/or MHC class II human leukocyte antigens and T-cell receptors. In some embodiments, such cells also exogenously express one or more tolerogenic factors such as CD47 and one or more chimeric antigen receptors (CAR)s.

Abstract: Nucleic acids encoding norovirus VP1 fusion proteins and VLPs comprising the norovirus VP1 fusion proteins are provided. Methods for norovirus VP1 fusion protein and norovirus VLP production in plants are also described. The VP1 fusion protein comprises, a first sequence encoding an S domain derived from a first norovirus strain, and a second sequence encoding a P domain derived from a second norovirus strain.

Abstract: A fusion protein according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a growth differentiation factor 11 and an epidermal growth factor with an enhanced anti-oxidation activity and an enhanced skin cell proliferation effect, A cosmetic composition according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the fusion protein as an effective component. The cosmetic composition can be advantageously used in future as a material of a functional cosmetic product.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for delivering humanin and/or other peptides to a subject. In some cases, these may be used for treating or preventing aging skin, or for other diseases. Non-limiting examples of other peptides include mitochondrial-derived peptides such as HNG or MOTS-c. In addition, certain embodiments are generally directed to treatments that can be delivered using topical compositions applied to the skin. For example, in some cases, the composition includes lecithin and/or other components that may facilitate delivery through the skin. Further, certain embodiments may include active ingredients such as tributyrin or 2,6-dimethyl-L-tyrosine, which may interact with humanin or other peptides. Compositions such as these may be used in certain embodiments, for example, to reduce inflammation within the skin, or as an anti-aging treatment, etc.

Abstract: A new medical technique using follicular T cells is provided. The present disclosure is based on the finding of public TfhTCR which is specific to disease factors common to various patients, and provides a method for producing follicular T cells specific to a disease, including a step of identifying a disease-related factor or a part thereof having the ability to induce a follicular T cell reactive with the disease-related factor, a step of inducing the follicular T cell specific to the disease, by using the disease-related factor or a part thereof, and a step of obtaining the follicular T cell specific to the disease.

Abstract: Methods are provided herein for selectively killing senescent cells and for treating senescence-associated diseases and disorders by administering a senolytic agent. Senescence-associated diseases and disorders treatable by the methods using the senolytic agents described herein include cardiovascular diseases and disorders associated with or caused by arteriosclerosis, such as atherosclerosis; idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; osteoarthritis; senescence-associated ophthalmic diseases and disorders; and senescence-associated dermatological diseases and disorders.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to compositions comprising dihexa and methods for making or using said compositions. In some aspects, the compositions disclosed herein may comprise one or more additional active ingredients, including lipoic acid, spadin peptide, and/or phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone. Compositions such as these may be used in certain embodiments, for example, to enhances a subject's hearing or to treat a hearing disorder, etc. In some embodiments, the compositions are topical compositions configured to treat hearing loss via administration, e.g., to the skin behind the outer ear or directly to the eardrum of a subject, etc. In some cases, the compositions disclosed herein may comprise one or more excipients to aid in transdermal delivery. For instance, in certain embodiments, the compositions comprise lecithin and/or other components that may facilitate delivery through the skin.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of inducing an immune response in a subject having RSV comprising administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a prophylactic vaccine against RSV infection, wherein the vaccine comprises a live recombinant canine parainfluenza (CPI) vector backbone engineered to express a RSV F protein.

Abstract: The present specification relates to compositions, devices, apparatus, methods, kits and systems for sample preparation (e.g., separation, reduction or removal of small molecules from biomolecules in a sample). Exemplary small molecules that can be separated, reduced or removed have a molecular weight range of <2000 Da. and may include, but are not limited to, dyes, biotin, affinity tags, crosslinkers, reducing agents, labels, nanoparticles, radioactive ligands, mass tags, unreacted molecules and combinations, intermediates and derivatives of the foregoing. Exemplary biomolecules present in a sample, include but are not limited to, proteins, glycoproteins, antibodies, peptides, nucleic acids, polysaccharides, carbohydrates and lipids. Methods, compositions, kits, devices, apparatus and systems of the disclosure may advantageously provide superior separation of small molecule contaminants and additionally reduce time and expenses related to separation of small molecules from larger biomolecules in samples.

Abstract: The disclosure describes novel systems, methods, and compositions for the manipulation of nucleic acids in a targeted fashion. The disclosure describes non-naturally occurring, engineered CRISPR systems, components, and methods for targeted modification of nucleic acids. Each system includes one or more protein components and one or more nucleic acid components that together target nucleic acids.

Abstract: Methods and systems for quantification of an abundance of one or more payloads (e.g. proteins) in a mixture (e.g. a complex mixture (e.g. in vivo)) using barcodes (e.g. peptide barcodes), binders (e.g. polypeptide binders), and binding agents (e.g. phage) are provided herein.

Abstract: This disclosure describes various reaction vessel configurations that include a housing component; a reaction chamber defined by the housing component; and a light absorbing layer conforming to a portion of an interior-facing surface of the housing component that defines the reaction chamber, the light absorbing layer comprising multiple discrete regions. An energy source may direct light at one or more of the discrete regions of the light absorbing layer so as to heat the discrete regions and ultimately heat a solution within a reaction chamber.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for treating or preventing aging skin or other indications. For example, some aspects are generally directed to systems and methods for administering a conjugate of a dendrimer and A-acetyl-L-cysteine to a subject, e.g., to the skin of a subject. For example, in one set of embodiments, the conjugate may be applied to aging skin, e.g., to treat or reverse the appearance of aging in the skin. Surprisingly, even though such conjugates can be relatively large (e.g., greater than 3 or 4 nm in diameter) and normally difficult to administer, formulations such as those described herein are effective at facilitating transdermal drug delivery of the conjugates. In addition, in addition to aging skin, other indications may be treated in certain aspects, for example, if the subject has or is at risk of a brain injury or a neurological disorder.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and materials for multiplexed utilization of collections of functional ligands, particularly to methods and materials for selecting for and/or utilizing particular desirable traits of functional ligands in a multiplexed manner, and more particularly to methods and materials for selecting for and/or utilizing particular structural changes of functional ligands in a multiplexed manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intracellular expression enhancing genetic element, which enhances the intracellular expression of target protein encoded in RNA therapeutics such as mRNA vaccines and RNA medicines. In more detail, the present invention relates to the RNA molecule which has the genetic element capable of enhancing the intracellular expression of target protein encoded in RNA therapeutics delivered into cells; the plasmid used to synthesize the RNA molecule having the genetic element “E3”; the method for synthesizing RNA molecule having the genetic element “E3” using the plasmid and utilizing the synthesized RNA molecule as RNA therapeutics.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to novel compounds that inhibit glucose-induced degradation-deficient (GID) E3 ligase, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, and their use in prevention and treatment of cancer and related diseases and conditions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to novel compounds that degrade Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK), pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, and their use in prevention and treatment of conditions modulated by BTK.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are engineered cells and/or hypoimmunogenic cells including engineered and/or hypoimmunogenic stem cells, engineered and/or hypoimmunogenic cells differentiated therefrom, engineered and/or hypoimmunogenic CAR-T cells (primary or differentiated from engineered and/or hypoimmunogenic stem cells) and related methods of their use and generation. Provided herein are engineered and/or hypoimmunogenic cells exhibiting reduced expression of MHC class I and/or MHC class II human leukocyte antigens and T-cell receptors. In some embodiments, such cells also exogenously express one or more tolerogenic factors such as CD47 and one or more chimeric antigen receptors (CAR)s.