Abstract: Small molecule compounds that selectively bind to non-canonical G-quadruplex (G4) structures, such as G4s in DNA found in various types of genes described herein, along with methods of using the compounds to reduce or inhibit protein (e.g., N-Myc protein) expression in cells, such as cancer cells. The compounds have a structure according to formulas described herein, or a stereoisomer, tautomer, or pharmaceutically effective salt or ester thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are recombinant insect ferritin nanoparticles that can be used to display two different trimeric antigens at an equal ratio. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the recombinant insect ferritin nanoparticles and methods of producing the recombinant insect ferritin nanoparticles. Methods for eliciting an immune response in a subject are also provided.

Abstract: Vaccines that elicit broadly protective anti-influenza antibodies. Some vaccines comprise nanoparticles that display HA trimers from influenza virus on their surface. The nanoparticles are fusion proteins comprising a monomeric subunit (e.g., ferritin) joined to the stem region of an influenza HA protein. The fusion proteins self-assemble to form the HA-displaying nanoparticles. The vaccines comprise only the stem region of an influenza HA protein joined to a trimerization domain. Also provided are fusion proteins, and nucleic acid molecules encoding such proteins, and assays using nanoparticles of the invention to detect anti-influenza antibodies.

Abstract: A method of target enrichment or depletion from a sample with an analyte is described. A probe has one of a left-handed PNA pair and a targeting moiety, in which the left-handed PNA pair are a complementary pair of PNAs that are chiral and have a cyclic backbone modification that induces a left-handed helical structure. A capture surface has the other of the left-handed PNA pair; and the left-handed PNA pair bind to hybridize the probe to the capture surface, which may be a magnetic bead.

Abstract: Disclosed are live, chimeric non-human Mononegavirales vectors that allow a cell to express at least one protein from at least one human pathogen. In addition, compositions comprising the vectors, methods and kits for eliciting an immune response in a host, and methods of making the vectors are disclosed, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for inducing in a subject abroad neutralizing antibody response to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

Abstract: Described herein are cells, cell culture methods, and cell culture media compositions useful for producing and maintaining iPSC-derided cell lines that are of higher purity and maintain cell type integrity better than current iPSC-derived cell lines. Also disclosed are methods of using the described cells and media, such as therapeutic methods of use for the described cells. The described cells include iPSC-derived mesodermal precursor cells (MPC), which itself may differentiate into at least four different cell types. When cultured under appropriate conditions, the mesodermal precursor cells can be used to produce hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), smooth muscle cells (SMC), or unlimited functional endothelial cells (UFEC). One characteristic that makes the described cells desirable is that they can be maintained in culture for a number of days, or passages, without changing phenotype through differentiation.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for inhibiting a HIV infection in a subject. These methods include administering to the subject an effective amount of a recombinant gp120 protein comprising a deletion of HIV-1 Envelope residues 137-152 according to the HXBc2 numbering system, or a nucleic acid molecule encoding the recombinant gp120 protein, wherein the recombinant gp120 protein elicits an immune response to HIV-1. The methods also include administering to the subject an effective amount of a SAMT-247 microbicide.

Abstract: Methods are provided for generating high fidelity musculoskeletal models for computer animation. The methods may comprise locating at least one interpenetration, overlap and/or intersection of a first tissue with a second tissue in the model. Representations of at least one of the first and second tissues may be eroded to remove the interpenetration. A separation gap may be introduced between adjacent tissues of the model. The first and second tissues may be eroded symmetrically.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of simulating deformation of a solid body comprises: defining a mesh representation of the solid body, the mesh representation comprising a plurality of mesh elements, each mesh element defined by a plurality of vertices; receiving a material model comprising one or more material properties of the solid body; and for each of the plurality of vertices defining the plurality of mesh elements, determining a subsequent position of the vertex at a subsequent time step, wherein determining the subsequent position comprises: defining a current position and a current velocity of the vertex; defining a positional constraint of the vertex based on the material model; and computing a subsequent position of the vertex based on at least the current position, the current velocity and the positional constraint.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to peptisomes, including nanopeptisomes, which have a perfluorocarbon liquid core containing a perfluorocarbon liquid and a cargo, such as a therapeutically active agent, dispersed in the perfluorocarbon. liquid, and a plurality of amphiphilic peptide molecules surrounding the perfluorocarbon liquid core, wherein the amphiphilic peptide is represented by Formula (I) HB-CL-HP wherein HB is a fluorinated hydrophobic block, such as a fluorinated hydrophobic amino acid sequence, CL is a cross-linking motif, and HP is a hydrophilic amino acid sequence. The present invention is also directed to methods of use of the amphiphilic peptides and peptisomes, such as nanopeptisomes, to deliver a cargo, such as a therapeutically active agent, to a cell, Q wherein the cell may be in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of producing an RPE cell population from a starting cell suspension, such as a single cell suspension, of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). Such a method may comprise culturing the starting single cell suspension of PSCs in differentiation media to produce human RPE cells.

Abstract: Provided herein are boron-containing compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and methods of using such compounds to treat diseases or disorders.

Abstract: Single-domain shark variable new antigen receptor (VNAR) monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) are described. The PD-L1-specific VNAR antibodies are capable of binding PD-L1-expressing tumor cells from human, mouse and canine origin. Immune cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) developed using the VNAR antibodies can be used to kill PD-L1-positive tumor cells, for example in animal models of liver cancer and breast cancer.

Abstract: A subject is administered an amount of an active agent effective to at least partially normalize an aberrant level of one or more indicators, wherein the indicators comprise extracellular amyloid beta concentration, tau phosphorylation, neuroinflammation, or any combination thereof. The subject may be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or may be identified as being at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: A method of processing a sample plate containing a plurality of samples includes aspirating simultaneously, from the sample plate, a first sample droplet from a first sample of the plurality of samples with a first pipette and a second sample droplet from a second sample of the plurality of samples with a second pipette. The sample plate also includes dispensing sequentially, from the first pipette and the second pipette, the first sample drop and the second sample drop into an open port interface (OPI).

Abstract: Disclosed is an isolated or purified T cell receptor (TCR) having antigenic specificity for mutated human p53. Related polypeptides and proteins, as well as related nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, and pharmaceutical compositions are also provided. Also disclosed are methods of detecting the presence of cancer in a mammal and methods of treating or preventing cancer in a mammal.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for producing macular, central or peripheral human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. These methods include: a) culturing stem cells, such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), in a retinal induction medium to initiate differentiation of the cells into RPE progenitor cells; b) culturing the RPE progenitor cells in a retinal differentiation medium to further differentiate the RPE progenitor cells into committed RPE cells; c) culturing the committed RPE cells in a retinal medium to form immature RPE cells; and d) culturing the immature RPE cells in a RPE maturation medium including a retinoic acid receptor (RAR) antagonist and/or a canonical Wnt inhibitor, thereby producing macular, central or peripheral human RPE cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inhibiting release of a virus from a cell, comprising contacting the cell with a compound that binds an ubiquitin E2 variant (UEV) domain of a cellular polypeptide, or fragment thereof, with an affinity sufficient to inhibit or disrupt the binding of the cellular polypeptide, or fragment thereof, to ubiquitin.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of treating or preventing malaria comprising administering to an animal an effective amount of a compound of formula I: Q-Y—R1—R2??(I), wherein Q, Y, R1, and R2 are as described herein. Methods of inhibiting a plasmodial surface anion channel of a parasite in an animal are also provided. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound represented by formula I in combination with any one or more compounds represented by formulas II, V, and VI. Use of the pharmaceutical compositions for treating or preventing malaria or for inhibiting a plasmodial surface anion channel in animals including humans are also provided. Also provided by the invention are clag3 amino acid sequences and related nucleic acids, vectors, host cells, populations of cells, antibodies, and pharmaceutical compositions.