Abstract: Systems and methods are configured to detect and/or ablate cancerous tissue, such as during surgery. The system uses Laser Ramen Spectroscopy (LRS) or Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) to enhance a detection signal pursuant to a spectroscopy analysis of tissue. Rapid in situ detection of cancer can be combined with immediate laser thermal ablation of the cancerous tissue. The detection and ablation can occur before, during, or after surgical resection.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of treating or preventing autoimmune diseases by inducing haploidentical mixed chimerism and condition regimen for by inducing haploidentical mixed chimerism.

Abstract: Methods for treating AL amyloidosis using chimeric antigen receptors targeting CS1 are described.

Abstract: Chimeric antigen receptors for use in treating malignant melanoma and other cancers expressing CS1 are described.

Abstract: Provided herein are cell penetrating conjugates. The conjugates include a non-cell penetrating protein attached to a phosphorothioate nucleic acid or phosphorothioate polymer backbone through a non-covalent linker including a biotin-binding domain and a biotin domain, wherein the phosphorothioate nucleic acid or phosphorothioate polymer backbone enhances intracellular delivery of the non-cell penetrating protein. Also provided are compositions and kits comprising the conjugates.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for detecting an Aspergillus protease in a sample, diagnosing a subject with aspergillosis caused by an Aspergillus infection based on the presence of an Aspergillus protease in a sample, and methods of aspergillosis treatment that incorporate these diagnostic methods. In certain embodiments, the Aspergillus protease is Asp f2, and the Aspergillus infection is caused A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. versicolor, A. niger, or A. terreus. Also provided herein are antibodies and kits for use in these methods, including novel antibodies specific for Asp f2.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an expression system for expressing a UL128 complex is provided herein. The expression system may include a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) construct, wherein the BAC construct comprises a viral vector inserted with a set of DNA sequences that encode a UL128 complex. In another embodiment, a vaccine composition for preventing HCMV infection is provided. The vaccine composition may include a viral or bacterial vector capable of expressing a UL128 complex and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant, additive or combination thereof or additional vector expressing a protein adjuvant. The viral vector may be an MVA and the UL128 complex includes five HCMV proteins or antigenic fragments thereof: UL128, UL130, UL131A, gL, and gH. In some embodiments, the viral vector is further inserted with one or more additional DNA sequences that encode one or more additional HCMVHCMV proteins or antigenic fragments thereof such as pp65, gB or both, or such as gM/gN or gO.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tumor-specific antibody and fluorophore conjugate for detecting, localizing and imaging of various tumors. Also disclosed are methods for detecting, localizing and imaging a solid tumor before or during a tumor resection surgery using the antibody-fluorophore conjugate.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules that include a nucleotide sequence encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and a nucleotide sequence encoding a protease sensitive scFv, wherein the chimeric antigen receptor comprises: an scFv targeting a tumor antigen, a spacer, a transmembrane domain, a co-stimulatory domain, and a CD3? signaling domain; and the protease-sensitive scFv and the scFv target the same tumor antigen are described.

Abstract: The disclosure provides, inter alia, compositions including cell-nanoparticle constructs and drug loaded nanoparticles, and methods for their use in the treatment of cancer. Also provided are unmodified cisplatin molecules encapsulated by silica nanoparticles, and their use in the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of producing organoids in the absence of any exogenous extracellular matrix or in the presence of an exogenous extracellular matrix at a concentration lower than gelling concentration, using microcontainers sealed with a hydrogel lid as well as organoids produced by this technique.

Abstract: Provided herein are, inter alia, methods and compositions including T cells expressing (i) a recombinant CAR protein which includes a peptide binding site and is capable of specifically binding cancer-specific antigens and (ii) a T cell receptor specific for a viral antigen (e.g., a CMV pp65 protein). The engineered T cells provided herein may be used in combination with a viral vaccine (e.g. cytomegalovirus (CMV) Triplex Vaccine) to treat a variety of cancers. The methods described herein also permit in vivo expansion of CMV-specific CAR T cells, instead of or in addition to ex vivo expansion, avoiding excessive T cell exhaustion that results in some cases from ex vivo manufacturing.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of detecting abnormal expression of one or more genes associated with a neurological disease such as the Alexander disease, the Alzheimer's disease, the Parkinson disease, the Huntington disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The methods include performing a transcriptome analysis of the astrocytes derived from a patient and the astrocytes derived from a healthy control subject, thereby to determine one or more genes that are substantially differentially expressed. Also disclosed are methods of treating a neurological disease by correcting the abnormally expressed genes associated with the neurological disease.

Abstract: Anti-BAFF-R antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof with potentially high stability and low immunogenicity are described. Also described are nucleic acids encoding the antibodies, compositions comprising the antibodies, methods of producing the antibodies, and methods of using the antibodies for treating or preventing diseases, such as cancer.

Abstract: Disclosed are engineered anti-prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) fusion proteins and uses thereof to detect and treat cancers expressing PSCA.

Abstract: Provided herein, inter alia, are methods, compositions and kits for treating cancer in a subject. The methods include administration of one or more tyrosine kinase inhibitors and triptolide or an analog thereof to the subject. The methods, compositions and kits are effective for preventing resistance and/or increasing sensitivity to tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Abstract: Indirubin is the major active anti-tumor component of a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used for treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Indirubin derivatives (IRDs) potently reduce the viabilities of various cancer cells and affect kinase activities. IRDs disclosed herein provide new therapeutics for cancer and conditions regulated by the kinase activities.

Abstract: Disclosed is a non-invasive PET-CT imaging method for detecting acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or extramedullary disease (EMD) in a subject using a radioactive isotope-labeled anti-CD33 antibody. Also disclosed is a PET-CT imaged-guided method for treating AML or EMD.

Abstract: A two-dimensional lattice or mesh scaffold for therapeutic cell implants is disclosed as well as methods for manufacture and use. The lattice is constructed of crisscrossing capillaries of hydrophobic parylene, such as parylene AF4, that may be coated with a hydrophilic polymer, such as parylene C, for cell adhesion. At each intersection of the crisscross, the intersecting capillaries are internally connected so as to allow oxygen to flow freely within. The walls of the capillaries are thin enough to be permeable to oxygen, on the scale of a micron thick, so that oxygen can flow through the lattice and permeate through the capillary walls. For some implants, cells are sandwiched between two or more lattices, the cells being slightly held apart from aggregation with each other by the lattice holes. The implants may then be surgically implanted within a subject.

Abstract: A hand tool has a pivot connection pivotally attaching a first arm to a second arm, with the pivot connection fixed relative to the first arm and movable to first and second positions relative to the second arm. A spring urges the pivot connection into the first position. When jaws on the front ends of the arms clamp tissue with force greater than a pre-set threshold, the spring force is overcome and the jaws may move linearly apart, allowing for more uniform clamping of the tissue. The first arm may have an arm spring extending between a front segment pivotally attached to a rear segment of the first arm.