Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for treating diseases associated with expression of mesothelin comprising administering a cell that expresses a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) specific to mesothelin in combination with a PD-L1 inhibitor.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a dielectric elastomer device may include at least first and second dielectric elastomer layers, and a first layer of conductive particles disposed between the first and second dielectric elastomer layers and forming a first electrode of the device, wherein portions of the second dielectric elastomer layer are directly bonded with portions of the first dielectric elastomer layer through the first layer of the conductive particles. The dielectric elastomer layer may, for example, comprise a cured acrylic elastomer precursor with an additive including urethane, polybutadiene, or silicone. Electrodes in different layers may be interconnected by infusing a liquid or semi-liquid conductive material in contact with each of a plurality of the electrodes of the actuator or sensor device, and solidifying the conductive material to form a conductive path that interconnects the plurality of electrodes.

Abstract: A multi-segment reinforced actuator includes (a) a soft actuator body that defines a chamber and (b) a plurality of distinct reinforcement structures on or in respective segments of the soft actuator body. First and second reinforcement structures are respectively configured to produce a first and second actuation motions, respectively, in first and second segments of the soft actuator body when fluid flows into or out of the chamber. The actuation motions are selected bending, extending, expansion, contraction, twisting, and combinations thereof; and the first actuation motion differs from the second actuation motion. The actuator can be used, e.g., to facilitate bending of the thumb with corresponding bending, extending, expansion, contraction, and twisting actuation motions.

Abstract: A device for simulating a function of a tissue includes a first structure, a second structure, and a membrane. The first structure defines a first chamber. The first chamber includes a matrix disposed therein and an opened region. The second structure defines a second chamber. The membrane is located at an interface region between the first chamber and the second chamber. The membrane includes a first side facing toward the first chamber and a second side facing toward the second chamber. The membrane separates the first chamber from the second chamber.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides, in some embodiments, methods and compositions for single-molecule detection.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a microfluidic devices and methods for culturing bone marrow cells. Aspects include methods of preparing microfluidic devices and culturing bone marrow cells with the microfluidic devices. In some aspects, a method includes providing a microfluidic device having an upper chamber, a lower chamber, and a porous membrane separating the upper chamber from the lower chamber. The method further includes seeding walls of the lower chamber and a bottom surface of the membrane with endothelial cells. The method further includes providing a matrix within the upper chamber. The matrix includes fibrin gel and bone marrow cells. The method further includes filling or perfusing the upper chamber with a media.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cells and populations of cells comprising a genome in which the B2M gene has been edited to eliminate surface expression of MHC Class I protein in the cells or population of cells, and methods for allogeneic administration of such cells to reduce the likelihood that the cells will trigger a host immune response when the cells are administered to a subject in need of such cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for treating neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Rett syndrome and cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) deficiency disorder.

Abstract: Provided herein, in some embodiments, are compositions and methods for proximity detection of molecular targets.

Abstract: A terahertz device for detecting or emitting or for both detecting and emitting electromagnetic waves in the terahertz frequency range. The terahertz device comprises: a first waveguide branch and a second waveguide branch, the first and second waveguide branches being configured to allow optical signals to propagate through them, the first and second waveguide branches being nonlinear dielectric elements with a thickness of at most 500 micrometres; and an antenna arrangement comprising a set of antennas for capturing and/or emitting electromagnetic waves in the terahertz frequency range, the antennas being placed along at least one of the waveguide branches in an immediate vicinity of the respective waveguide branch and/or around the respective waveguide branch to at least partially enclose the respective waveguide branch in a respective antenna gap of the respective antenna.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring the activity of electrogenic networks are described. One representative system includes an array of electrode coupled to an analyzer having a stimulator and a receiver. The electrode is placed in contact with an electrogenic cell. The electrodes can be shaped as nanowires, tubes, cavities and/or cones. The analyzer may be configured to operate in a voltage stimulation mode, in which the cells are stimulated via voltages and monitored via current, or in a current stimulation mode, in which the cells are stimulated via currents and monitored via voltages. The analyzers may be arranged as single-stage amplifiers, and may include a feedback loop shared between the stimulation signal path and the sensing signal path. The feedback loop may be arranged to provide overlapping stimulation and sensing of the electrogenic network's cells.

Abstract: Provided herein, in some embodiments, are methods and compositions for the production of long single-stranded DNA.

Abstract: An organomimetic device includes a microfluidic device that can be used to culture cells in its microfluidic channels. The organomimetic device can be part of dynamic system that can apply mechanical forces to the cells by modulating the microfluidic device and the flow of fluid through the microfluidic channels. The membrane in the organomimetic device can be modulated mechanically via pneumatic means and/or mechanical means. The organomimetic device can be manufactured by the fabrication of individual components separately, for example, as individual layers that can be subsequently laminated together.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for the targeted modification of RNA molecules by RNA prime editing. The compositions and methods may be conducted invitro or in vivo within cells (e.g., human cells) for the therapeutic correction of disease-causing mutations and/or installation of motifs or mutations in RNA molecules of interest as a tool for scientific research. The disclosure provides compositions and methods for conducting RNA prime editing of a target RNA molecule (e.g., an RNA transcript) that enables the incorporation of one or more nucleotide changes and/or targeted mutagenesis of a target RNA molecule. The nucleotide change can include a single-nucleotide change, an insertion of one or more nucleotides, or a deletion of one or more nucleotides.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides new prime editor guide RNAs for prime editing, constructs for prime editing, and methods for using same. In addition, the present disclosure provides compositions and methods for conducting prime editing of a target DNA molecule (e.g., a genome) that enables the incorporation of a nucleotide change and/or targeted mutagenesis (e.g., insertion or deletion). The nucleotide change can include a single-nucleotide change (e.g., any transition or any transversion), an insertion of one or more nucleotides, or a deletion of one or more nucleotides. More in particular, the disclosure provides fusion proteins comprising nucleic acid programmable DNA binding proteins (napDNAbp) and a polymerase (e.g., reverse transcriptase), which is guided to a specific DNA sequence by a prime editor RNA (PEgRNA).

Abstract: Disclosed are constructs, systems, and methodologies using prime editing (PE), twin prime editing (twinPE), or multi-flap prime editing to carry out site-specific and large-scale genetic modification, such as, but not limited to, insertions, deletions, inversions, replacements, and chromosomal translocations of whole or partial genes (e.g., whole gene, gene exons and/or introns, and gene regulatory regions). In certain embodiments, the disclosure provides constructs, systems, and methods using prime editing (PE), e.g., single flap or “classical” PE or twinPE or multi-flap PE, to install one or more target sites for site specific recombination in a target genomic locus (e.g., a specific gene, exon, intron, or regulatory sequence), which may then be acted on by one or more site-specific recombinases to effectuate a large-scale genetic modification, such as an insertions, deletions, inversions, replacements, and chromosomal translocations.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a class of molecules termed remodilins that inhibit serum response factor (SRF). By inhibiting SRF, a number of downstream pathways can be targeted. The remodilins can be used to treat glaucoma, inhibit tumor cell growth, inhibit tumor metastasis, inhibit hypoxia-induced response, and/or reduce cellular metabolism.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to emulsions, and more particularly, to multiple emulsions. In one aspect, multiple emulsions are formed by urging a fluid into a channel, e.g., by causing the fluid to enter the channel as a “jet.” Side channels can be used to encapsulate the fluid with a surrounding fluid. In some cases, multiple fluids may flow through a channel collinearly before multiple emulsion droplets are formed. The fluidic channels may also, in certain embodiments, include varying degrees of hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity. As examples, the fluidic channel may be relatively hydrophilic upstream of an intersection (or other region within the channel) and relatively hydrophobic downstream of the intersection, or vice versa. In some cases, the average cross-sectional dimension may change, e.g., at an intersection. For instance, the average cross-sectional dimension may increase at the intersection.

Abstract: A sensing probe may be formed of a diamond material comprising one or more spin defects that are configured to emit fluorescent light and are located no more than 50 nm from a sensing surface of the sensing probe. The sensing probe may include an optical outcoupling structure formed by the diamond material and configured to optically guide the fluorescent light toward an output end of the optical outcoupling structure. An optical detector may detect the fluorescent light that is emitted from the spin defects and that exits through the output end of the optical outcoupling structure after being optically guided therethrough. A mounting system may hold the sensing probe and control a distance between the sensing surface of the sensing probe and a surface of a sample while permitting relative motion between the sensing surface and the sample surface.

Abstract: An optical system, comprising: (i) multiple input optical fibers; (ii) an optical mode multiplexer/demultiplexer coupled to said input optical fibers with, said optical mode multiplexer/demultiplexer comprising a plurality of metamaterial structures having length and forming at least one stage of metamaterials, the at least one stage of metamaterials is being situated on a surface of the optical mode multiplexer/demultiplexer facing the input optical fibers, and the at least one stage of metamaterials is oriented at angles between 60 and 120 degrees relative to the axis of the input fibers; and the metasurfaces are structured to receive a first optical signal having a first mode from at least one of said multiple input optical fibers and convert the first mode to a different mode.