Abstract: The present invention provides a stable non-naturally occurring cellular membrane vesicle for delivering an active agent into a target cell. The cellular membrane vesicle comprises a biological membrane from a parent cell and a liquid medium encapsulated by the biological membrane. The liquid medium comprises an active agent and does not comprise a native cytoplasmic component of the parent cell. The biological membrane is specific for the target cell, and the active agent remains active upon delivery into the target cell. Also provided are methods for delivering the active agent with the cellular membrane vesicle and methods of preparing the cellular membrane vesicles.

Abstract: Applications in transfusion medicine requiring platelets, and hematopoietic stem-cell transplantations require either platelets or enhancement of in vivo platelet biogenesis. Gene therapy applications of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) require effective and specific modification of HSPCs by DNA, RNA or other biological molecules. Here we disclose methods for the generation, and modification of megakaryocytic microparticles (MkMPs), proplatelets, preplatelets, platelet-like particles and megakaryocyte extracellular vesicles, that can be used in the aforementioned transfusion and transplantation medicine applications and in gene therapy applications involving hematopoietic stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inducing megakaryocytic differentiation of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs). The method comprises transferring into the HSPCs an effective amount of small RNAs. The HSPCs may differentiate into megakaryocytes in the absence of thrombopoietin (TPO) and/or without using megakaryocytic microparticles (MkMPs). The small RNAs may be micro RNAs (miRs) selected from the group consisting of miR-486, miR-22, miR-191, miR-181, miR-378, miR-26, let-7, miR-92, miR-126, miR-92, miR-21, miR-146, miR-181, and combinations thereof. For example, the small RNAs are miR-486 and miR-22. The small RNAs may be synthetic or isolated from cells. Also provided is a method for enhancing megakaryocytic differentiation of HSPCs cultured with megakaryocytic microparticles MkMPs in the presence of an effective amount of one or more exogenous small RNAs (e.g., miR-486).

Abstract: Applications in transfusion medicine requiring platelets, and hematopoietic stem-cell transplantations require either platelets or enhancement of in vivo platelet biogenesis. Gene therapy applications of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) require effective and specific modification of HSPCs by DNA, RNA or other biological molecules. Here we disclose methods for the generation, and modification of megakaryocytic microparticles (MkMPs), proplatelets, preplatelets, platelet-like particles and megakaryocyte extracellular vesicles, that can be used in the aforementioned transfusion and transplantation medicine applications and in gene therapy applications involving hematopoietic stem cells.

Abstract: Applications in transfusion medicine requiring platelets, and hematopoietic stem-cell transplantations require either platelets or enhancement of in vivo platelet biogenesis. Gene therapy applications of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) require effective and specific modification of HSPCs by DNA, RNA or other biological molecules. Here we disclose methods for the generation, and modification of megakaryocytic microparticles (MkMPs) or microvesicles, that can be used in the aforementioned transfusion and transplantation medicine applications and in gene therapy applications involving hematopoietic stem cells. The biological effects of modified or unmodified MkMPs have never been previously disclosed and thus, this invention claims all biological applications of MkMPs in in vivo therapeutic applications or ex vivo applications to produce various cells and cell parts, modify various target cells or deliver molecules including drugs to HSPCs and related cells.

Abstract: Applications in transfusion medicine requiring platelets, and hematopoietic stem-cell transplantations require either platelets or enhancement of in vivo platelet biogenesis. Gene therapy applications of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) require effective and specific modification of HSPCs by DNA, RNA or other biological molecules. Here we disclose methods for the generation, and modification of megakaryocytic microparticles (MkMPs) or microvesicles, that can be used in the aforementioned transfusion and transplantation medicine applications and in gene therapy applications involving hematopoietic stem cells. The biological effects of modified or unmodified MkMPs have never been previously disclosed and thus, this invention claims all biological applications of MkMPs in in vivo therapeutic applications or ex vivo applications to produce various cells and cell parts, modify various target cells or deliver molecules including drugs to HSPCs and related cells.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing single cross-over homologous recombination in gram positive bacteria are presented. These methods provide enhanced capability to genetically modify gram positive bacteria.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing single cross-over homologous recombination in gram positive bacteria are presented. These methods provide enhanced capability to genetically modify gram positive bacteria.

Abstract: A genome-scale metabolic network reconstruction for Clostridium acetobutylicum (ATCC 824) was created using a new semi-automated reverse engineering algorithm. This invention includes algorithms and software that can reconstruct genome-scale metabolic networks for cell-types available through the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. This method can also be used to complete partial metabolic networks and cell signaling networks where adequate starting information base is available. The software may use a semi-automated approach which uses a priori knowledge of the cell-type from the user. Upon completion, the program output is a genome-scale stoichiometric matrix capable of cell growth in silico. The invention also includes methods for developing flux constraints and reducing the number of possible solutions to an under-determined system by applying specific proton flux states and identifying numerically-determined sub-systems.

Abstract: Methods for effecting homologous recombination in a bacterium of the Clostridia family are described. These methods provide enhanced capability to genetically modify clostridia.

Abstract: A genome-scale metabolic network reconstruction for Clostridium acetobutylicum (ATCC 824) was created using a new semi-automated reverse engineering algorithm. This invention includes algorithms and software that can reconstruct genome-scale metabolic networks for cell-types available through the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. This method can also be used to complete partial metabolic networks and cell signaling networks where adequate starting information base is available. The software may use a semi-automated approach which uses a priori knowledge of the cell-type from the user. Upon completion, the program output is a genome-scale stoichiometric matrix capable of cell growth in silico. The invention also includes methods for developing flux constraints and reducing the number of possible solutions to an under-determined system by applying specific proton flux states and identifying numerically-determined sub-systems.