Abstract: Transcutaneous, ultrasound-mediated methods for administering compound(s) to subject tissue(s) are provided. Examples involve positioning an occluding device in a vessel such that the blockage is adjacent to target tissue; engaging the device to occlude outflow from a region adjacent to the tissue; administering compound(s) to the vessel such that it is substantially retained adjacent to the target tissue; determining the location of the compound and/or a detectable adjunct compound optionally administered with the compound, using diagnostic ultrasound, radiography, or fluorography; administering therapeutic ultrasound energy transcutaneously to mediate delivery of the compound across the vessel wall and into adjacent target tissue.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to doubly attenuated malaria parasites that have had the functionality of LISP2 and PlasMei2 genes interrupted through genetic manipulation. The double attenuated malaria parasites disclosed herein are useful for methods and compositions for stimulating of vertebrate host immune systems because of the complete cessation of lifecycle progression in the late liver stage, while providing a comprehensive antigenic presentation representing wildtype liver stage parasites. The disclosure also relates to the additional blood stage and gametocyte antigens to compositions of genetically attenuated malaria parasites (GAPs) to enhance efficient immune stimulation and prevention of disease and transmission related to the presence of blood stage parasites.

Abstract: Artificial expression constructs for selectively modulating gene expression in selected central nervous system cell types are described. The artificial expression constructs can be used to selectively express synthetic genes or modify gene expression in GABAergic interneurons.

Abstract: Newborn screening for primary immunodeficiencies, cystinosis, and Wilson disease is described. The newborn screening can detect these disorders from dried blood spots already routinely collected at the time of birth. Early detection of these disorders will greatly improve patient outcome as each of them can be fatal once symptoms emerge.

Abstract: A CD19-OR-CD20 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) protein construct is provided. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding the CD19-OR-CD20 CAR; and methods of use, e.g. in the treatment of B cell malignancies. The CD19-OR-CD20 CAR of the invention is a bispecific CAR that can trigger T-cell activation upon detection of either CD19 or CD20 (or both). It is a single molecule that confers two-input recognition capability upon human T cells engineered to stably express this CAR.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acids, vectors, host cells, methods and compositions to confer and/or augment immune responses mediated by cellular immunotherapy, such as by adoptively transferring CD8+ central memory T cells or combinations of central memory T cells with CD4+ T cells that are genetically modified to express a chimeric receptor under the control of an inducible promoter. In some alternatives the genetically modified host cell comprises a nucleic acid comprising a polynucleotide coding for a chimeric antigen receptor comprising a ligand binding domain, a polynucleotide comprising a spacer region, a polynucleotide comprising a transmembrane domain, and a polynucleotide comprising an intracellular signaling domain under the control of a drug inducible promoter. Controlling the expression of the chimeric receptor provides for the ability to turn expression on and off depending on the status of the patient.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a bispecific chimeric antigen receptor, comprising: (a) at least two antigen-specific targeting regions; (b) an extracellular spacer domain; (c) a transmembrane domain; (d) at least one co-stimulatory domain; and (e) an intracellular signaling domain, wherein each antigen-specific targeting region comprises an antigen-specific single chain Fv (scFv) fragment, and binds a different antigen, and wherein the bispecific chimeric antigen receptor is co-expressed with a therapeutic control. The invention also provides methods and uses of the bispecific chimeric antigen receptors.

Abstract: Early detection of lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) including Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I (MPS I) and Pompe Disease can greatly improve patient outcome as each disease can be fatal once symptoms emerge. Screening for MPS I and Pompe Disease using biological samples including dried blood spots (DBS), buccal swab, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), or white blood cells (WBCs) is described. The disclosed methods and assays provide a robust way to screen newborns for LSDs. The disclosed methods and assays can also allow rapid prediction of whether a patient with LSD will develop an immune response to enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), thus improving treatment for patients with LSDs. The disclosed methods and assays can also further reduce the number of false positives caused by pseudo deficiency cases of LSD, such as MPS I and Pompe Disease.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of engineering a bi-specific T-cell expressing chimeric antigen receptors for promoting the in vivo expansion and activation of an effector cell and a second chimeric antigen receptor or TcR specific for a ligand on a tumor. Methods of administering to subjects in need, bi-specific chimeric antigen receptor bearing cells are also provided.

Abstract: Clinical diagnosis and newborn screening for primary immunodeficiencies (PIDDs) is described. The PIDDs include X-linked chronic granulomatous disease (X-CGD), X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome (XLP1; SH2D1A deficiency), familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis 2 (FHL2), ataxia telangiectasia (AT), common variable immunodeficiency (CVID; B-cell dysfunctions), severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency, and dedicator of cytokinesis 8 (DOCKS) deficiency. Additionally, cell specific markers for platelets (CD42), natural killer (NK) cells (CD56), and T cells (CD3epsilon and CD3delta) can be used as secondary markers to provide support for diagnosis of disease.

Abstract: Described herein is a reversible aptamer selection technology for production-scale isolation of label-free cells (e.g., CD8+ T cells). Provided herein are methods for isolating a cell of interest from a biological sample by contacting the biological sample with an aptamer that specifically binds a cell surface marker specific for the cell of interest; separating the aptamer-bound cells from cells not bound to the aptamer; and recovering a cell of interest by disrupting binding of the aptamer to the cell surface marker.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to biofragment compositions that comprise bioparticle fragments and at least one heterologous antigen-binding molecule. In some embodiments, the biofragment is typically derived from a larger, intact bioparticle that express the at least one heterologous antigen-binding molecule at the surface, and the biofragment has increased solubility to facilitate assays for antigen detection. The disclosure also relates the related methods of using and making the biofragment compositions, as well as systems and devices implementing the biofragment compositions. In some embodiments, the related methods, systems and devices do not require additional detection reagents, such as animal derived detection antibodies.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the co-expression of an endonuclease with an end-processing enzyme for the purpose of enhanced processing of the polynucleotide ends generated by endonuclease cleavage.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the co-expression of an endonuclease with an end-processing enzyme for the purpose of enhanced processing of the polynucleotide ends generated by endonuclease cleavage.

Abstract: Methods, compositions, and systems for treating subject(s) in need of plasma Factor VIII, particularly a subject having preexisting anti-FVIII inhibitory antibodies, are provided. The methods involve administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an inflammation suppressor, a therapeutically effective amount of a CD8+ T cell depleting agent, and a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a lentiviral vector (LV) comprising an optimized FVIII expression cassette expressibly linked to a megakaryocyte-specific promoter. Such methods, compositions, and systems are useful to treat subjects with blood clotting disorder(s), such as hemophilia A.

Abstract: Examples of systems and methods described herein may estimate a state of the ear canal of a patient utilizing a smart phone by characterizing acoustic waveforms reflected off the patient's eardrum. Examples may include an acoustic focusing apparatus that may be connected to a smart phone to provide acoustic signals to and receive reflected signals from an ear canal.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for preventing or reducing the severity of malaria.

Abstract: The present application relates to fusion proteins, chimeric antigen bearing cells expressing fusion proteins and compositions comprising chimeric antigen bearing cells expressing fusion proteins. The application further relates to methods of using the fusion proteins, cells and compositions for modulating an immune response.

Abstract: Selectively providing voltage-gated sodium channel function sufficient to rescue impaired Nav1.1 function to inhibitory neurons is described. Provided voltage-gated sodium channel function sufficient to rescue impaired Nav1.1 function in inhibitory neurons can be used to treat disorders such as epilepsy, and more particularly, Dravet Syndrome.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acids, vectors, host cells, methods and compositions to confer and/or augment immune responses mediated by cellular immunotherapy, such as by adoptively transferring CD8+ central memory T cells or combinations of central memory T cells with CD4+ T cells that are genetically modified to express a chimeric receptor. In embodiments the genetically modified host cell comprises a nucleic acid comprising a polynucleotide coding for a ligand binding domain, a polynucleotide comprising a customized spacer region, a polynucleotide comprising a transmembrane domain, and a polynucleotide comprising an intracellular signaling domain. It has been surprisingly found that the length of the spacer region can affects the ability of chimeric receptor modified T cells to recognize target cells in vitro and affects in vivo efficacy of the chimeric receptor modified T cells. Pharmaceutical formulations produced by the method, and methods of using the same, are also described.