Abstract: Methods and compositions for transfecting cells with plasmids are disclosed. In certain embodiments, methods and compositions are disclosed in which transfection efficiency is significantly increased by contacting the cells being transduced with polyethyleneimine (PEI) that is free of nucleic acid during the transfection process. Therapeutically useful adeno-associated viral vectors generated according to the disclosed methods and compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are methods for producing recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector particles at high recovery or high titer. Also provided are methods that concentrate rAAV vectors to a high concentration, for example, up to 5E+13 (5×1013) vector genomes per milliliter (Vg/ml) with little if any rAAV aggregates.

Abstract: Methods and uses of treating a disease in a mammal are provided by administering to a mammalian non-central nervous system (CNS) cell, organ or tissue, for delivery to mammalian CNS (e.g., brain). Methods and uses of treating a disease in a mammal include, inter alia, administering to a mammalian non-ocular cell, organ or tissue for delivery to a mammalian ocular cell, organ or tissue.

Abstract: Cells and cell lines are disclosed that are able to produce therapeutic proteins, antibodies, vectors, and viral vectors such as lentiviral vectors and adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors. The cells and/or cell lines can have mutations or deletions in either one or both of the endogenous di-hydrofolate reductase (DHFR?/?) or glutamine synthetase (GS?/?) genes such that DHFR and/or GS expression or function is substantially reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods of treating and/or correcting ocular disease in a subject, such as a mammal (e.g., human) eye using an Adeno-associated virus (AAV) system. The AAV system employs a nucleic acid encoding a CRISPR-Cas9 system for targeted gene disruption or correction.

Abstract: CpG reduced nucleic acid variants encoding FVIII protein and methods of use thereof are disclosed. In particular embodiments, CpG reduced nucleic acid variants encoding FVIII are expressed more efficiently by cells, are secreted at increased levels by cells over wild-type Factor VIII proteins, exhibit enhanced expression and/or activity over wild-type Factor VIII proteins or are packaged more efficiently into viral vectors.

Abstract: Methods for measuring REP-1 and REP-2 activity are provided. In certain embodiments, a method includes: (a) contacting cells that do not express endogenous functional REP-1 or REP-2 protein with an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector comprising a CHM gene encoding a REP-1 protein or CHM like gene encoding a REP-2 protein under conditions allowing cell transduction; (b) incubating transduced cells under conditions allowing expression of the encoded REP-1 or REP-2 protein; (c) lysing the transduced cells to produce an extract comprising the encoded REP-1 or REP-2 protein and Rab small GTPase (Rabs); (d) incubating said extract with a Rab substrate for a period of time and under conditions allowing prenylation of the Rab thereby forming prenylated Rab; and (e) detecting and/or quantifying the prenylated Rab, wherein the amount of prenylated Rab reflects REP-1 or REP-2 activity thereby measuring REP-1 or REP-2 activity.

Abstract: CpG reduced nucleic acid variants encoding FVIII protein and methods of use thereof are disclosed. In particular embodiments, CpG reduced nucleic acid variants encoding FVIII are expressed more efficiently by cells, are secreted at increased levels by cells over wild-type Factor VIII proteins, exhibit enhanced expression and/or activity over wild-type Factor VIII proteins or are packaged more efficiently into viral vectors.