Abstract: Stem cells can be efficiently proliferated by culturing the stem cells in the presence of a novel recombinant fibronectin fragment.

Abstract: Methods of preparing a next generation sequencing (NGS) library from a ribonucleic acid (RNA) sample are provided. Aspects of the methods include combining the RNA sample with a first strand cDNA primer and a template switch oligonucleotide under first strand cDNA synthesis conditions, where one of the first strand cDNA primer and the template switch oligonucleotide includes a first post-tagmentation amplification primer binding domain. The resultant product is subjected to amplification conditions sufficient to produce a double stranded cDNA, which is then tagmented with a transposome that includes a second post-tagmentation amplification primer binding domain. The tagmented sample is then subjected to amplification conditions using first and second post-tagmentation amplification primers that include sequencing platform adapter constructs to produce a NGS library. Aspects of the invention further include compositions produced by the methods and kits that find use in practicing the methods.

Abstract: Provided are methods of depleting a target nucleic acid from an initial collection of nucleic acids. Aspects of the methods include contacting the initial collection with a nucleic acid guided nuclease specific for the target nucleic acid in a manner sufficient to deplete the target nucleic acid from the initial collection. Depending on a given application, depletion of a target nucleic acid may vary, e.g., where depleting may include cleaving a target nucleic acid in, or selectively separating a target nucleic acid from, the initial collection of nucleic acids. Also provided are compositions and kits for practicing embodiments of the methods.

Abstract: Provided is DNA that: encodes a coronavirus (SARS CoV-2) spike protein or a fragment thereof; and has been optimized to partially or fully exhibit a codon included in a DNA sequence.

Abstract: Provided is an instrument holder that allows an instrument to be smoothly, safely, and hygienically handled by holding the instrument in a standing posture when in use and by holding the instrument in a posture not allowing the instrument to easily contact a practitioner when not in use. A holder portion 15 of an instrument holder 12 has a pair of supporting body portions 16, a rotational body portion 23 that is supported by the supporting body portions 16 and that is rotatable, and a holder body portion 31 that is attached to the rotational body portion 23. The holder portion 15 alternately changes between a rearwardly tilting holding state and a forwardly tilting waiting state due to rotation of the rotational body portion 23.

Abstract: Provided are methods of producing product nucleic acids involving the use of oligonucleotides that are modified by the application of a stimulus. Aspects of such methods may include producing product nucleic acids using de-activatable oligonucleotides that are deactivated by a de-activating stimulus, as well as methods that may include producing product nucleic acids using activatable oligonucleotides that are activated by an activating stimulus and de-activatable oligonucleotides that are deactivated by a de-activating stimulus. Also provided are kits, compositions and devices that include de-activatable oligonucleotides or activatable and de-activatable oligonucleotides, e.g., for use in performing the methods as described herein.

Abstract: The present invention regards a variety of methods and compositions for whole genome amplification and whole transcriptome amplification. In a particular aspect of the present invention, there is a method of amplifying a genome comprising a library generation step followed by a library amplification step. In specific embodiments, the library generating step utilizes specific primer mixtures and a DNA polymerase, wherein the specific primer mixtures are designed to eliminate ability to self-hybridize and/or hybridize to other primers within a mixture but efficiently and frequently prime nucleic acid templates.

Abstract: Provided is a method for detecting an FNA virus in a biological sample, the method comprising: (1) a step for preparing a sample solution containing a biological sample, a protease, a nucleic acid that does not become a target of nucleic acid amplification, and at least one additive selected from the group consisting of chaotropic reagents and surfactants; (2) a step for preparing a nucleic acid amplification reaction solution containing the sample solution prepared in step (1) and containing a polypeptide having reverse transcriptase activity and DMA polymerase activity or a polypeptide having reverse transcription activity and a polypeptide having DNA polymerase activity; and (3) a step for amplifying a nucleic acid of the RNA virus in the reaction solution prepared in step (2).

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, chips, and methods of performing a large number of simultaneous chemical reactions are provided herein. The chips of the invention comprise addressable units that can be addressed according to the temperature of the reaction to be run. The subject apparatus, systems, and chips are particularly suited for performing polymerase chain reactions on thousands of nucleic acid sequences, up to and including sequences of an entire genuine of an organism of interest.

Abstract: Protein enriched micro-vesicles and methods of making and using the same are provided. Aspects of the methods include maintaining a cell having a membrane-associated protein comprising a first dimerization domain and a target protein having a second dimerization domain under conditions sufficient to produce a micro-vesicle from the cell, wherein the micro-vesicle includes the target protein. Also provided are cells, reagents and kits that find use in making the micro-vesicles, as well as methods of using the micro-vesicles, e.g., in research and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a GG-specific mismatch endonuclease variant, a TT-specific mismatch endonuclease variant, and a GT/TG-specific mismatch endonuclease variant. The present invention also provides a mismatch specific cleaving reaction using said variant, a method for removing errors in a nucleic acid amplification reaction using a mismatch nuclease, a method for suppressing amplification of a nucleic acid having a specific base sequence during a nucleic acid amplification reaction, and a method for detecting a nucleic acid having a single base polymorphic mutation using said suppression method.

Abstract: An instrument hose support device includes a rod that supports an instrument hose at a position higher than an instrument that is held by a holder, a pulley support portion that is supported by a distal end of the rod, a pulley that is supported by the pulley support portion and over which the instrument hose is looped. The distal end has a groove in which a taper is formed. A first member of the pulley support portion has a shaft protrusion, and a gap is formed between the shaft protrusion and the groove. The gap serves as the range of motion of the pulley support portion, and the pulley support portion follows the movement of the instrument hose and, relative to the rod, swings freely toward the front and the back and toward the sides and rotates freely with a movable axis (X) as an axis.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to: an oligonucleotide preservation method; and a kit comprising an oligonucleotide. The present invention provides a method for stably preserving an oligonucleotide-containing solution by adding a nucleic acid-binding protein to said oligonucleotide-containing solution in advance.

Abstract: Provided is a nucleic acid construct for expressing a gene of interest, the nucleic acid construct comprising, in order from 5?-terminus, each sequence of: (a) a 5? long terminal repeat (LTR) sequence derived from a retrovirus; (b) a packaging signal sequence (IV) derived from a retrovirus; (c) a sequence or multiple cloning site of the gene of interest; (d) a post-transcriptional regulatory sequence (PRE); (e) an siRNA generating sequence which forms at least one stem-loop structure and in which RNA, which induces RNA interference in mammalian cells, is transcribed; and (f) a 3? LTR sequence derived form a retrovirus.

Abstract: The present invention regards a variety of methods and compositions for whole genome amplification and whole transcriptome amplification. In a particular aspect of the present invention, there is a method of amplifying a genome comprising a library generation step followed by a library amplification step. In specific embodiments, the library generating step utilizes specific primer mixtures and a DNA polymerase, wherein the specific primer mixtures are designed to eliminate ability to self-hybridize and/or hybridize to other primers within a mixture but efficiently and frequently prime nucleic acid templates.

Abstract: Methods of producing an amplified double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA) from a nucleic acid sample are provided. Aspects of the methods include amplifying using a single product nucleic acid primer and a template switch oligonucleotide to produce an amplified dsDNA product. Compositions and kits for use in performing the methods are also provided.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to efficiently produce microglia from pluripotent stem cells. Provided is a method for producing microglia from pluripotent stem cells, comprising the following steps: (a) a step of co-culturing a pluripotent stem cell together with a feeder cell for 7 days or longer, and obtaining a blood progenitor cell; (b) a step of co-culturing the blood progenitor cell obtained in step (a) together with a feeder cell in the presence of IL-3 and/or GM-CSF, and obtaining an embryonic monocyte; and (c) a step of, in the presence of M-CSF, co-culturing the embryonic monocyte obtained in step (b) together with an astrocyte, or culturing the embryonic monocyte using an astrocyte supernatant.

Abstract: Provided are methods, devices, assemblies, and systems for dispensing into the wells of a multi-well device and imaging such wells from multiple Z-planes. Multi-Z imaging of the present methods and systems may allow for the detection of wells of a multi-well device that contain a desired number of cells. Also provided are methods, devices, assemblies, and systems for processing cell-containing wells of a multi-well device identified through the use of multi-Z imaging.

Abstract: A method for producing a nucleic acid-encapsulated adeno-associated virus (AAV) hollow particle, comprising the following steps: (1) preparing a linear nucleic acid fragment comprising a sequence for A region and a sequence for D? region in an AAV inverted terminal repeat (ITR) (i.e., an AD sequence) or a sequence complementary to the AD sequence and a target gene sequence; (2) introducing the nucleic acid fragment prepared in step (1) into a cell capable of producing an AAV hollow particle; and (3) culturing the cell obtained in step (2).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, compositions, and systems employing blocked primers. Aspects of the disclosure include providing a blocked primer reaction mixture that includes a blocked primer and a template nucleic acid component from a single cell; unblocking the blocked primer to produce an active primer reaction mixture and subjecting the activated primer reaction mixture to primer extension conditions, such as nucleic acid amplification conditions.