Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and compositions for treating blood diseases/disorders, such as sickle cell disease, hemochromatosis, hemophilia, and beta-thalassemia. For example the disclosure provides therapeutic guide RNAs that target the promotor of HBG1/2 to generate point mutations that increase expression of fetal hemoglobin. As another example, the disclosure provides therapeutic guide RNAs that target mutations in HBB, Factor VIII, and HFE to treat sickle cell disease, beta-thalassemia, hemophilia and hemochromatosis. The disclosure also provides fusion proteins comprising a Cas9 (e.g., a Cas9 nickase) domain and adenosine deaminases that deaminate adenosine in DNA. In some embodiments, the fusion proteins are in complex with nucleic acids, such as guide RNAs (gRNAs), which target the fusion proteins to a DNA sequence (e.g., an HBG1 or HBG2 protmoter sequence, or an HFE, GBB, or F8 gene sequence).

Abstract: The invention provides for systems, methods, and compositions for targeting nucleic acids. In particular, the invention provides non-naturally occurring or engineered DNA-targeting systems comprising a novel DNA-targeting CRISPR effector protein and at least one targeting nucleic acid component like a guide RNA Methods for making and using and uses of such systems, methods, and compositions and products from such methods and uses are also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: Evolved sortases exhibiting enhanced reaction kinetics and/or altered substrate preferences are provided herein, for example evolved sortases that bind recognitions motifs comprising a LMVGG [SEQ ID NO: 3] sequence. Also provided are methods (e.g., orthogonal transpeptidation and diagnostics methods) for using such sortases.

Abstract: Described herein are targeting moieties that can be capable of specifically targeting muscle cells and can include an n-mer motif. In some embodiments, the n-mer motif contains an RGD motif. Also described herein are vector systems, particles, polypeptides that can encode and/or contain one or more targeting moieties. Also described herein are methods of delivering a cargo to a cell, such as a muscle cell, using one or more of the targeting moieties described herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, compositions, and methods for simultaneously editing both strands of a double-stranded DNA sequence at a target site to be edited. Further provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions, polynucleotides, vectors, cells, and kits for simultaneously editing both strands of a double-stranded DNA sequence.

Abstract: Some aspects of this disclosure relate to strategies, systems, methods, compositions, and kits that are useful for production (e.g., evolution) of cytidine deaminase protein variants that are characterized by increased soluble expression and/or stability relative to the wild-type cytidine deaminase protein from which they are evolved. In some embodiments, evolved cytidine deaminase variants described by the disclosure are useful for incorporation into targeted nucleic acid editing proteins, for example in fusion proteins with a Cas9 domain or variant thereof.

Abstract: Advanced micro-location of RFID tags in 3D and 2D spatial environments includes a mobile platform having a known location within a three-dimensional (3D) space. A plurality of RFID tags is located within the 3D space. A plurality of RFID antennas is mounted on the mobile platform, wherein backscatter signals of at least one of the RFID tags are collected by at least one of the plurality of RFID antennas and time-synchronized with the known location of the mobile platform in the 3D space at a time of collection. A computerized processing device is in communication with the plurality of RFID antennas. The computerized processing device performs algorithmic RFID tag localization using at least the collected backscatter signals of the at least one RFID tag and the time-synchronized known location of the mobile platform to determine a micro-location of the at least one RFID tag within the 3D space.

Abstract: An intelligent system for performing inventory management within a facility includes at least one imaging sensor, a transmitter for sending inventory information to a database, a receiver for receiving information from a database, and a computer in communication with the locomotion platform, at least one imaging sensor, the transmitter, and the receiver. The computer is configured to capture inventory images from the at least one imaging sensor, detect inventory by comparing captured inventory images with stored inventory images, determine inventory information, determine a confidence level for the inventory information, and communicate at least a portion of the inventory information to the database. In one embodiment, the system includes a robot having a locomotion platform, the at least one imaging sensor, the transmitter, the receiver, and the computer.

Abstract: A robot for providing intelligent service within a facility includes a locomotion platform, an upper sensor for detecting objects within an upper field of view of the robot, a lower sensor for detecting objects within a lower field of view of the robot, a display and a robot computer in communication with the locomotion platform, the upper sensor and the lower sensor. The robot computer is configured to inventory products within the commercial facility and provide inventory discrepancy data to a user at a computing station.

Abstract: A robot for providing customer service within a facility includes a locomotion platform, an upper sensor for detecting objects within an upper field of view of the robot, a lower sensor for detecting objects within a lower field of view of the robot, a display and a robot computer in communication with the locomotion platform, the upper sensor and the lower sensor. The robot computer is configured to detect the presence of a customer within the facility based on information received from at least one of the upper sensor and lower sensor, and the robot computer is further configured to access one or more databases storing information associated with products available to customers within the facility and to provide customer service to the customer based on the accessed information.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shredder including a detector having a first contact member on one side of the shredder's throat and a second contact member on the other side. The contact members extend into the throat and are independently moveable relative to one another to enable insertion of an article into the throat. The article can move the contact members relative to one another by a combined amount. The shredder may prevent its motor from driving its cutter elements if it determines that the combined amount of independent relative movement correlates to a thickness that is equal to or greater than a predetermined maximum thickness. In an embodiment, the contact members may include binary switches. The contact members aid in controlling and/or reducing flutter and wrinkles when articles are fed into the shredder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shredder wherein the shredder housing can be pivoted between a generally horizontal orientation and a generally vertical orientation.