Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods using CRISPR-Cas13a enzyme, complexed with HIV or HCV crRNAs to specifically and sensitively detect and quantify the presence of HIV or HCV RNA in a sample. These methods can be used to diagnose HIV or HCV infection, quantify the concentration of HIV or HCV RNA present in a sample, identify the presence of different HIV or HCV splice variants, subtypes, or mutations, and to monitor reactivation of HIV or HCV transcription.

Abstract: The present Application is related to methods and compositions for reprogramming adult somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells by targeting and remodeling endogenous gene loci without relying on ectopic expression of transcription factors.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are described herein for chemically inducing cells to change their differentiation state and become neuronal cells.

Abstract: Described herein is an animal model useful for identifying therapeutic agents that can inhibit the physiological effects or symptoms of COVID-19 infection, including the effects of the following on one or more organs of the animal: inflammation, oxidative stress, fibrin deposition, blood brain barrier breakdown, clotting, and vascular problems.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of increasing the functionality of a GABAergic interneuron in the hilus of the hippocampus of an individual having at least one apolipoprotein E4 (apoE4) allele. The method generally involves reducing tau levels in the interneuron.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices, methods, kits, and compositions for in vitro generation of three-dimensional micro-tissues that are accurate models of heart, skeletal muscle, neuronal, and other tissues.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for reactivating latent immunodeficiency virus and/or reducing transcription of HIV integrated into the genome of an HIV-infected cell. The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for treating an immunodeficiency virus infection.

Abstract: In various embodiments a compound comprising the enantiomerically enriched S-isomer S-BHB-S-1,3-butanediol is provided along with methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Methods of generating spinal cord glutamatergic interneurons (V2a interneurons) from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are provided. A method of the present disclosure may include culturing a first population of hPSCs in vitro in a neural induction medium that includes: a retinoic acid signaling pathway activator; a sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway activator; and a Notch signaling pathway inhibitor, wherein the culturing results in generation of a second population of cultured cells containing CHX10+ V2a interneurons. Also provided are non-human animal models that include the hPSC-derived spinal cord glutamatergic interneurons, and methods of producing the non-human animal models.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include fatty acid ?-hydroxyester compounds (e.g., fatty acid esters of ?-hydroxybutyrate), fatty acid esters of butanediol, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions having one or more fatty acid ?-hydroxyester compounds and/or one or more fatty acid esters of butanediol. Methods for treating a subject by administering one or more esters to the subject are also provided. Kits containing one or more of the subject esters are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for reactivating latent immunodeficiency virus using a glycogen synthase kinase 3? inhibitor, such as a glycogen synthase kinase 3? (GSK-3?) or a glycogen synthase kinase 3? (GSK-3?) inhibitor. In some embodiments, the glycogen synthase kinase 3 inhibitor is a glycogen synthase kinase antagonist, e.g., Tideglusib (4-benzyl-2-(naphthalen-1-yl)-1,2,4-thiadiazolidine-3,5-dione), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof. In other embodiments, the glycogen synthase kinase 3 inhibitor is a maleimide-based glycogen synthase kinase 3 inhibitor, e.g., SB-216763 (3-(2,4-Dichlorophenyl)-4-(1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for generating a deletion library, and methods and compositions for generating and identifying a defective interfering particle (DIP). Also provided are transposon cassettes. A subject method can include: inserting a transposon cassette comprising a target sequence for a sequence specific DNA endonuclease into a population of circular target DNAs to generate a population of transposon-inserted circular target DNAs; contacting the population of transposon-inserted circular target DNAs with the sequence specific DNA endonuclease to generate a population of cleaved linear target DNAs; contacting the population of cleaved linear target DNAs with one or more exonucleases to generate a population of deletion DNAs; and circularizing the deletion DNAs to generate a library of circularized deletion DNAs. The population of circular target DNAs can include viral genomic DNA. Also provided are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) deletion mutants, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions exhibiting in vivo activity of fibrin in an in vitro setting, in vitro assays comprising such compositions, methods of producing such compositions, and methods of using such compositions and assays. The compositions of the invention include molecules with the biochemical properties of 1) high affinity binding to fibrin receptors and 2) activation of cell-signaling systems comparable to that observed in vivo by fibrin. The fibrin compositions of the invention are compatible both in biochemical assays and cell-based assays, and thus useful for in vitro assays for screening of test agents that modulate cell activation and/or signaling pathways mediated by fibrin or associated with fibrin activity.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for inducing cell cycle reentry of postmitotic cell. The present disclosure further provides cells and compositions for treating diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, neural disorders, hearing loss, and diabetes.

Abstract: This application relates generally to the production of modified, non-natural ?1-?2 domains of NKG2D ligands with attached polypeptides having specific target-binding properties, for example, antibodies or variable fragments of antibodies, that are selectively delivered to Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) comprised of modified, non-natural NKG2D receptors on engineered mammalian cells. The targeting of surface-expressed molecules includes those of virus-infected cells that can then be attacked and ablated by engineered cells of the immunity system expressing CARs cognate to the modified, non-natural ?1-?2 domains of NKG2D ligands with attached polypeptides.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for identifying candidate agents for treatment of obesity, liver disease, and/or diabetes. Such methods include, e.g., contacting a mammalian cell or cell population with a test agent, and measuring an expression level and/or activity level of ClpP in the mammalian cell or in cells of the cell population. Also provided are methods and compositions for treating an individual (e.g., one who is obese and/or has diabetes). Treatment methods include administering an inhibitor of ClpP to the individual (e.g., to prevent or reduce weight gain, to increase insulin sensitivity, and/or to increase glucose tolerance).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides automated robotic microscopy systems that facilitate high throughput and high content analysis of biological samples, such as living cells and/or tissues. In certain aspects, the systems are configured to reduce user intervention relative to existing technologies, and allow for precise return to and re-imaging of the same field (e.g., the same cell) that has been previously imaged. This capability enables experiments and testing of hypotheses that deal with causality over time with greater precision and throughput than conventional microscopy methods.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of producing mammalian cell populations that include a high proportion of pancreatic beta cells are described herein. Such cell populations are useful for treatment of diabetes. Also provided are materials and methods for the direct differentiation of stem cells, such as embryonic stem cells, into functional pancreatic beta cells. The disclosure provides the benefit of direct differentiation, which results in the production of functional pancreatic beta cells efficiently and at low cost.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for treating an individual for a disease (e.g., an autoimmune disease or a cancer) using an active agent which affects metabolism of ?-ketoglutarate (?-KG) and/or 2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG) in differentiating T cells. In some embodiments, a Got1 inhibitor is used to generate a population of T cells enriched in peripheral regulatory T (iTreg) cells, which population enriched in iTreg cells may find use in treating an autoimmune disease. In some embodiments, a TCA cycle-associated metabolite, or a derivative thereof, is used to generate a population of T cells in enriched in IL-17- and IL-17F-producing CD4 T (TH17) cells, which population enriched in TH17 cells may find use in treating a cancer.

Abstract: Methods, compositions, and kits are provided for quantification of genome editing.