Abstract: The present invention relates to a Thermus aquaticus (Taq) polymerase having a strand displacement activity in which an amino acid residue in a template DNA binding site of the DNA polymerase is substituted with an amino acid to increase a total charge in the site, a nucleic acid encoding the polymerase, a vector containing the nucleic acid, a transformant containing the vector containing the nucleic acid or the nucleic acid, a method for producing the polymerase, a method for amplifying nucleic acids utilizing the polymerase, and a kit containing the polymerase. According to the present invention, a DNA polymerase having a high thermostability, capable of efficiently replicating a long-strand of a template DNA, and having a strong strand displacement activity is provided.

Abstract: Directed differentiation and maturation of mammalian hepatocytes, such as human hepatocytes. The hepatocyte obtained show a phenotype which is more similar to that of primary hepatocytes than previously shown. In particular, exposure of mammalian hepatocytes, such as human hepatocytes, to at least one maturation factor selected from the group consisting of Src kinase inhibitors, vitamin D including precursors, metabolites and analogs thereof, hypoxia inducing compounds, sphingosine and sphingosine derivatives, activators of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), platelet-activating factor (PAF), PKC inhibitors, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a mutant of adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid protein, which contains at least one amino acid substitution in PLA2 domain when compared with the amino acid sequence for wild-type AAV capsid protein; a nucleic acid encoding the mutant; a cell containing the nucleic acid; a method for producing a recombinant AAV particle, comprising a step of culturing the cell to produce the recombinant AAV particle; a recombinant AAV particle containing the mutant; a composition containing the recombinant AAV particle; and a method for transferring a gene into a target cell, comprising a step of bringing the recombinant AAV particle into contact with the target cell.

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 are methods of producing a product nucleic acid. The methods include combining a template deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), a polymerase, a template switch oligonucleotide, and dNTPs into a reaction mixture. The components are combined into the reaction mixture under conditions sufficient to produce a product nucleic acid that includes the template DNA and the template switch oligonucleotide each hybridized to adjacent regions of a single product nucleic acid that includes a region polymerized from the dNTPs by the polymerase. Aspects of the invention further include compositions and kits.

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: A polypeptide having a mismatch endonuclease activity of recognizing a mismatch and cleaving the mismatch; a mismatch-specific cleavage reaction using the polypeptide; a method for removing an error in a nucleic acid amplification reaction utilizing the polypeptide; a method for inhibiting the amplification of a nucleic acid comprising a specific nucleotide sequence during a nucleic acid amplification reaction; and a method for detecting a nucleic acid having a single-nucleotide polymorphism mutation utilizing the inhibition method.

Abstract: Methods of barcoding nucleic acids, such as genomic DNA, are provided herein. In some embodiments, a fragment of genomic DNA may comprise a first and a second barcode.

Abstract: Provided are methods of adding adapters to nucleic acids. The methods include combining in a reaction mixture a template ribonucleic acid (RNA), a template switch oligonucleotide including a 3? hybridization domain and a sequencing platform adapter construct, a polymerase, and dNTPs. The reaction mixture components are combined under conditions sufficient to produce a product nucleic acid that includes the template RNA and the template switch oligonucleotide each hybridized to adjacent regions of a single product nucleic acid that includes a region polymerized from the dNTPs by the polymerase. Aspects of the invention further include compositions and kits.

Abstract: Provided are methods of adding adapters to nucleic acids. The methods include combining in a reaction mixture a template ribonucleic acid (RNA), a template switch oligonucleotide including a 3? hybridization domain and a sequencing platform adapter construct, a polymerase, and dNTPs. The reaction mixture components are combined under conditions sufficient to produce a product nucleic acid that includes the template RNA and the template switch oligonucleotide each hybridized to adjacent regions of a single product nucleic acid that includes a region polymerized from the dNTPs by the polymerase. Aspects of the invention further include compositions and kits.

Abstract: In the present invention, lymphocytes are efficiently grown by culturing lymphocytes in the presence of a novel recombinant fibronectin fragment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to directed differentiation and maturation of mammalian hepatocytes, such as human hepatocytes. The hepatocyte obtained in accordance with the present invention show a phenotype which is more similar to that of primary hepatocytes than previously shown. In particular, the present invention relates to exposure of mammalian hepatocytes, such as human hepatocytes, to at least one maturation factor selected from the group consisting of Src kinase inhibitors, vitamin D including precursors, metabolites and analogs thereof, hypoxia inducing compounds, sphingosine and sphingosine derivatives, activators of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), platelet-activating factor (PAF), PKC inhibitors, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Directed differentiation and maturation of mammalian hepatocytes, such as human hepatocytes. The hepatocyte obtained show a phenotype which is more similar to that of primary hepatocytes than previously shown. In particular, exposure of mammalian hepatocytes, such as human hepatocytes, to at least one maturation factor selected from the group consisting of Src kinase inhibitors, vitamin D including precursors, metabolites and analogs thereof, hypoxia inducing compounds, sphingosine and sphingosine derivatives, activators of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), platelet-activating factor (PAF), PKC inhibitors, and combinations thereof.

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 oligo-nucleotide under first strand cDNA synthesis conditions, where one of the first strand cDNA primer and the template switch oligo-nucleotide 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: 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: Disclosed herein are chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) comprising an intracellular segment comprising an interleukin receptor chain, a JAK-binding motif, a Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) 5 association motif and/or a CD3? intracellular signaling domain comprising an exogenous STAT3 association motif, as well as cells and 5 compositions comprising said CARs and uses thereof.

Abstract: A moving unit includes a housing, a rotary unit to which a rod part is attached, a spring that generates a torque when the rod part is tilted down or tilted up about a rotation axis on the side on which a base portion of the rod part is located, and a torque adjustment unit that is capable of adjusting a torque by deforming the spring. The torque adjustment unit includes a spring deforming portion that deforms the spring in a direction in which the spring is wound up and a spring fixing portion that keeps a torque constant by coming into contact with the spring deforming portion and fixing the spring deforming portion in place.

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: 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: Provided are methods of adding adapters to nucleic acids. The methods include combining in a reaction mixture a template ribonucleic acid (RNA), a template switch oligonucleotide including a 3? hybridization domain and a sequencing platform adapter construct, a polymerase, and dNTPs. The reaction mixture components are combined under conditions sufficient to produce a product nucleic acid that includes the template RNA and the template switch oligonucleotide each hybridized to adjacent regions of a single product nucleic acid that includes a region polymerized from the dNTPs by the polymerase. Aspects of the invention further include compositions and kits.