Abstract: Disclosed herein include novel blood-brain barrier (BBB)-crossing receptors on the BBB interface, targeting peptides and derivatives thereof capable of binding to the novel receptors, and related methods of using the receptors to increase the permeability of the BBB and to deliver an agent to a nervous system (e.g., CNS). In some embodiments, the BBB-crossing receptor is LRP6. Disclosed herein also include recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) with increased specificity and transduction efficiency across the BBB and related compositions and methods of treating various diseases and conditions.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and kits comprising recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) with tropisms showing increased specificity and efficiency of viral transduction in targeted cell types such as the brain and lung. The rAAV compositions described herein also have tropisms showing decreased specificity and decreased efficiency of viral transduction in an off-target cell type such as the liver. The rAAV compositions described herein encapsidate a transgene, such as a therapeutic nucleic acid. Upon systemic delivery to a subject, the rAAV is capable of increased specificity and increased transduction of the transgene in a target cell-type, as compared to a parental or reference AAV.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of selective screening. In addition, various targeting proteins and sequences, as well as methods of their use, are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are engineered light-sensitive proteins, for example channelrhodopsins and variants thereof. Also disclosed are compositions for expressing the light-sensitive proteins in cells, tissues, organs and subjects, and methods for using the light-sensitive proteins to, for example, enable minimally-invasive neuronal circuit interrogation in living organism, and treat neuronal and ocular disorders.

Abstract: Disclosed herein include methods, compositions, and kits suitable for robust and tunable control of payload gene expression. Some embodiments provide rationally designed circuits, including miRNA-level and/or protein-level incoherent feed-forward loop circuits, that maintain the expression of a payload at an efficacious level. The circuit can comprise a promoter operably linked to a polynucleotide encoding a fusion protein comprising a payload protein, a protease, and one or more self-cleaving peptide sequences. The payload protein can comprise a degron and a cut site the protease is capable of cutting to expose the degron. The circuit can comprise a promoter operably linked to a polynucleotide comprising a payload gene, a silencer effector cassette, and one or more silencer effector binding sequences.

Abstract: Disclosed herein include novel blood-brain barrier (BBB)-crossing receptors on the BBB interface, targeting peptides and derivatives thereof capable of binding to the novel receptors, and related methods of using the receptors to increase the permeability of the BBB and to deliver an agent to a nervous system (e.g., CNS). In some embodiments, the BBB-crossing receptor is carbonic anhydrase IV. Disclosed herein also include recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) with increased specificity and transduction efficiency across the BBB and related compositions and methods of treating various diseases and conditions.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and kits comprising recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) with tropisms showing increased viral transduction in the CNS. The rAAV compositions described herein encapsidate a transgene, such as a therapeutic nucleic acid. Gene therapy using the rAAVs is described. Also described are methods of treating CNS-related diseases and conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are peptide sequences capable of directing adeno-associated viruses (AAV) to target specific environments, for example the nervous system and the heart, in a subject. Also disclosed are AAVs having non-naturally occurring capsid proteins comprising the disclosed peptide sequences, and methods of using the AAVs to treat diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed herein include methods and compositions comprising variant AAV capsids. Variant capsid proteins, including variant capsid proteins with structure-guided deletion/substitution, tandem multimers, and/or variant capsid proteins with structure-guided deletion and C-terminal insertion, are provided in some embodiments. The variant capsid proteins disclosed herein are capable of assembling into a variant AAV capsid with an expanded size (e.g., diameter) and/or genetic cargo capacity. Methods of treating diseases and disorders using said rAAV are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are peptide sequences capable of directing adeno-associated viruses (AAV) to target specific environments, for example the nervous system and the heart, in a subject. Also disclosed are AAVs having non-naturally occurring capsid proteins comprising the disclosed peptide sequences, and methods of using the AAVs to treat diseases.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to compositions, methods, and processes for the preparation, use, and/or formulation of adeno-associated virus capsid proteins, wherein the capsid proteins comprise targeting peptide inserts for enhanced tropism to a target tissue.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and kits comprising recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) with tropisms showing increased specificity and efficiency of viral transduction in targeted cell-types, for e.g., the brain and the liver. Therapeutic and bio-medical research applications of the rAAVs are also described, including without limitation methods of discovering rAAVs using a multiplexed Cre recombination-based AAV targeted evolution (M-CREATE) method, and methods of treating various diseases and conditions by rAAV-mediated transgene therapy.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and kits comprising recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) with tropisms showing increased specificity and efficiency of viral transduction in targeted cell types such as the brain and lung. The rAAV compositions described herein also have tropisms showing decreased specificity and decreased efficiency of viral transduction in an off-target cell type such as the liver. The rAAV compositions described herein encapsidate a transgene, such as a therapeutic nucleic acid. Upon systemic delivery to a subject, the rAAV is capable of increased specificity and increased transduction of the transgene in a target cell-type, as compared to a parental or reference AAV.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of selective screening. In addition, various targeting proteins and sequences, as well as methods of their use, are also provided.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and kits comprising recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) with tropisms showing increased specificity and efficiency of viral transduction in targeted cell-types, for e.g., the brain, and lung. The rAAV compositions described herein also have tropisms showing decreased specificity and decreased efficiency of viral transduction in an off-target cell type, for e.g., the liver. The rAAV compositions described herein encapsidate a transgene, such a therapeutic nucleic acid. Upon systemic delivery to a subject, the rAAV is capable of increased specificity and increased transduction of the transgene in a target cell-type, as compared to a parental or reference AAV.

Abstract: Disclosed herein include methods, compositions, and kits comprising variant AAV capsids. Variant capsid proteins, including guided variant capsid proteins, tandem multimers, and/or HI loop variant capsid proteins, are provided in some embodiments. The variant capsid proteins disclosed herein are capable of assembling into a variant AAV capsid with an expanded size (e.g., diameter) and/or genetic cargo capacity. Methods generating recombinant AAV (rAAV) with expanded capsids are provided. Methods of treating diseases and disorders using said rAAV are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of selective screening. In addition, various targeting proteins and sequences, as well as methods of their use, are also provided.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to compositions, methods, and processes for the preparation, use, and/or formulation of adeno-associated virus capsid proteins, wherein the capsid proteins comprise targeting peptide inserts for enhanced tropism to a target tissue.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the treatment of bladder dysfunction, including detrusor hyperreflexia and detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia, fecal incontinence, and/or sexual dysfunction in an individual via the use of stably expressed light-responsive opsin proteins capable of selective hyperpolarization or depolarization of the neural cells that innervate the muscles responsible for physiologic functioning of urinary bladder, external urinary sphincter, external anal sphincter, and the male and female genitalia.

Abstract: Disclosed herein include methods, compositions, and kits suitable for robust and tunable control of payload gene expression. Some embodiments provide rationally designed circuits, including miRNA-level and/or protein-level incoherent feed-forward loop circuits, that maintain the expression of a payload at an efficacious level. The circuit can comprise a promoter operably linked to a polynucleotide encoding a fusion protein comprising a payload protein, a protease, and one or more self-cleaving peptide sequences. The payload protein can comprise a degron and a cut site the protease is capable of cutting to expose the degron. The circuit can comprise a promoter operably linked to a polynucleotide comprising a payload gene, a silencer effector cassette, and one or more silencer effector binding sequences.