Abstract: Methods for producing in a plant a complex transgenic trait locus comprising at least two altered target sequences in a genomic region of interest are disclosed. The methods involve the use of two or more double-strand-break-inducing agents, each of which can cause a double-strand break in a target sequence in the genomic region of interest which results in an alteration in the target sequence. Also disclosed are complex transgenic trait loci in plants. A complex transgenic trait locus comprises at least two altered target sequences that are genetically linked to a polynucleotide of interest. Plants, plant cells, plant parts, and seeds comprising one or more complex transgenic trait loci are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating a nucleotide repeat expansion disorder comprising delivering a pair of engineered nucleases, or genes encoding engineered nucleases, to the cells of a patient such that the two nucleases excise the nucleotide repeat responsible for the disease permanently from the genome. The invention provides a general method for treating nucleotide repeat expansion disorders and engineered nucleases suitable for practicing the method. The invention further provides vectors and techniques for delivering engineered nucleases to patient cells.

Abstract: Disclosed are recombinant meganucleases engineered to bind and cleave a recognition sequence present in a mutant RHO P23H allele. The invention further relates to the use of such recombinant meganucleases in a method for treating retinitis pigmentosa, wherein the mutant RHO P23H allele is preferentially targeted, cleaved, and inactivated.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are viral vectors for use in recombinant molecular biology techniques. In particular, the present disclosure relates to self-limiting viral vectors comprising genes encoding site-specific endonucleases as well as recognition sequences for site-specific endonucleases such that expression of the endonuclease in a cell cleaves the viral vector and limits its persistence time. In some embodiments, the viral vectors disclosed herein also carry directives to delete, insert, or change a target sequence.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses engineered meganucleases which recognize and cleave a recognition sequence within the human PCSK9 gene. The present invention also encompasses methods for using such engineered meganucleases in a pharmaceutical composition and in methods for treating or reducing the symptoms of cholesterol-related disorders, such as hypercholesterolemia. Further, the invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising engineered meganuclease proteins, nucleic acids encoding engineered meganucleases, and the use of such compositions for treating cholesterol-related disorders, such as hypercholesterolemia.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are viral vectors for use in recombinant molecular biology techniques. In particular, the present disclosure relates to self-limiting viral vectors containing nucleic acid sequences that encode engineered nucleases as well as nuclease recognition sequences such that expression of the engineered nuclease in a cell cleaves the viral vector and limits its persistence time. In some embodiments, the viral vectors disclosed herein also carry directives to delete, insert, or change a target sequence.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses compositions and methods for the sequential stacking of donor nucleic acids into a single genomic locus within a cell to allow for the introduction of relatively long nucleic sequences. This allows for insertion into the genome of a donor nucleic acid sequence that exceeds the packaging capacity of a single adeno-associated viral vector.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides modified EGFR peptides useful in genetically-modified cells to allow for selection and enrichment of those cells expressing the modified EGFR peptide. For example, isolation of genetically-modified cells expressing a modified EGFR peptide can allow for selection of cells that co-express a chimeric antigen receptor or exogenous T cell receptor. In those instances wherein the genetically-modified cells present adverse effects when administered to a subject, the modified EGFR finds farther use as a suicide gene upon administration of an anti-EGFR antibody, leading to depletion of the ,genetically-modified cells. Also disclosed herein are plasmids and viral vectors comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding the modified EGFR peptides, and methods of administering compositions comprising the modified EGER peptides to subjects in order to reduce the symptoms, progression, or occurrence of disease, such as cancer.

Abstract: Methods of cleaving double-stranded DNA that can be recognized and cleaved by a rationally-designed, I-CreI-derived meganuclease are provided. Also provided are recombinant nucleic acids, cells, and organisms containing such recombinant nucleic acids, as well as cells and organisms produced using such meganucleases. Also provided are methods of conducting a custom-designed, I-CreI-derived meganuclease business.

Abstract: The present disclosure encompasses engineered meganucleases that bind and cleave recognition sequences within a dystrophin gene. The present disclosure also encompasses methods of using such engineered meganucleases to make genetically modified cells. Further, the disclosure encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising engineered meganuclease proteins, or polynucleotides encoding engineered meganucleases of the disclosure, and the use of such compositions for the modification of a dystrophin gene in a subject, or for treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses engineered nucleases which recognize and cleave a recognition sequence within a Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome. The engineered meganucleases can exhibit at least one optimized characteristic, such as enhanced specificity and/or efficiency of indel formation, when compared to previously described HBV meganucleases. Further, the invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising engineered meganuclease proteins, nucleic acids encoding engineered meganucleases, and the use of such compositions for treating HBV infections or hepatocellular carcinoma.

Abstract: Methods of inserting genes into defined locations in the chromosomal DNA of cultured mammalian cell lines which are subject to gene amplification are disclosed. In particular, sequences of interest (e.g., genes encoding biotherapeutic proteins) are inserted proximal to selectable genes in amplifiable loci, and the transformed cells are subjected to selection to induce co-amplification of the selectable gene and the sequence of interest. The invention also relates to meganucleases, vectors and engineered cell lines necessary for performing the methods, to cell lines resulting from the application of the methods, and use of the cell lines to produce protein products of interest.

Abstract: Methods for producing in a plant a complex transgenic trait locus comprising at least two altered target sequences in a genomic region of interest are disclosed. The methods involve the use of two or more double-strand-break-inducing agents, each of which can cause a double-strand break in a target sequence in the genomic region of interest which results in an alteration in the target sequence. Also disclosed are complex transgenic trait loci in plants. A complex transgenic trait locus comprises at least two altered target sequences that are genetically linked to a polynucleotide of interest. Plants, plant cells, plant parts, and seeds comprising one or more complex transgenic trait loci are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses compositions and methods for the sequential stacking of donor nucleic acids into a single genomic locus within a cell to allow for the introduction of relatively long nucleic sequences. This allows for insertion into the genome of a donor nucleic acid sequence that exceeds the packaging capacity of a single adeno-associated viral vector.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses engineered meganucleases which recognize and cleave a recognition sequence within an open reading frame (ORF) of the genome of at least two genotypes of the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). The present invention also encompasses methods of using such engineered meganucleases in a pharmaceutical composition and in methods for treating or reducing the symptoms of a HBV infection, or treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Further, the invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising engineered meganuclease proteins, nucleic acids encoding engineered meganucleases, and the use of such compositions for treating HBV infections or HCC.

Abstract: The invention provides engineered meganucleases, derived from I-Crel, which have substitutions at particular positions that increase the activity of the nucleases for recognition sequences containing certain center sequences. The invention also provides methods of cleaving double-stranded DNA using such engineered meganucleases. The invention further provides methods for improving the activity of engineered meganucleases for recognition sequences containing certain center sequences.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses engineered nucleases which recognize and cleave a recognition sequence within the int22h-1 sequence of a Factor VIII gene. The present invention also encompasses methods of using such engineered nucleases to make genetically-modified cells, and the use of such cells in a pharmaceutical composition and in methods for treating hemophilia A. Further, the invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising engineered nuclease proteins, nucleic acids encoding engineered nucleases, or genetically-modified cells of the invention, and the use of such compositions for treating of hemophilia A.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are recombinant meganucleases engineered to recognize and cleave a recognition sequence present in the human T cell receptor alpha constant region gene. The present disclosure further relates to the use of such recombinant meganucleases in methods for producing genetically-modified eukaryotic cells.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a genetically-modified cell comprising in its genome a modified human T cell receptor alpha constant region gene, wherein the cell has reduced cell-surface expression of the endogenous T cell receptor. The present disclosure further relates to methods for producing such a genetically-modified cell, and to methods of using such a cell for treating a disease in a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed are recombinant meganucleases engineered to recognize and cleave recognition sequences present in a mutant RHO P23H allele. The invention further relates to the use of such recombinant meganucleases in methods for treating retinitis pigmentosa, wherein the mutant RHO P23H allele is preferentially targeted, cleaved, and inactivated.