Abstract: Disclosed herein are homology-independent targeted integration methods of integrating an exogenous DNA sequence into a genome of a non-dividing cell and compositions for such methods. Methods herein comprise contacting the non-dividing cell with a composition comprising a targeting construct comprising the exogenous DNA sequence and a targeting sequence, a complementary strand oligonucleotide homologous to the targeting sequence, and a nuclease, thereby altering the genome of the non-dividing cell.

Abstract: The invention features pancreatic islet and pancreatic organoids, and cell cultures and methods that are useful for the rapid and reliable generation of pancreatic islet and pancreatic islet organoids. The invention also features methods of treating pancreatic diseases and methods of identifying agents that are useful for treatment of pancreatic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and pancreatic cancer, using the pancreatic islet and pancreatic organoids of the invention.

Abstract: Provided herein are, inter alia, are media compositions useful for culturing neural cells. In particular, the compositions provided herein mimic important physiological conditions in the living brain and sustain neural activity. The media compositions provided herein improve the efficiency of human neuron maturation and promote synaptic function in long-term in vitro cultures.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions featuring TRP-4 polypeptides and polynucleotides, methods for expressing such polypeptides and polynucleotides in a cell type of interest, and methods for inducing the activation of the TRP-4 polypeptide in neurons and other cell types using ultrasound.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions featuring TRP-4 polypeptides and polynucleotides, methods for expressing such polypeptides and polynucleotides in a cell type of interest, and methods for inducing the activation of the TRP-4 polypeptide in neurons and other cell types using ultrasound.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are homology-independent targeted integration methods of integrating an exogenous DNA sequence into a genome of a non-dividing cell and compositions for such methods. Methods herein comprise contacting the non-dividing cell with a composition comprising a targeting construct comprising the exogenous DNA sequence and a targeting sequence, a complementary strand oligonucleotide homologous to the targeting sequence, and a nuclease, thereby altering the genome of the non-dividing cell.

Abstract: Synthetic adenoviruses with tropism to bone tissue are described. The synthetic adenoviruses include an adenovirus type 11 (Ad11) fiber protein or a chimeric adenovirus fiber protein having an Ad11 knob domain. The synthetic adenoviruses can also include a transgene, such as a reporter gene or a transgene encoding a factor that promotes bone regeneration or repair. Use of the synthetic adenoviruses to target bone tissue and/or to promote bone repair or regeneration is also described.

Abstract: Synthetic adenoviruses with liver detargeting mutations and expressing an adenovirus type 34 (Ad34) fiber protein, or a chimeric fiber protein with an Ad34 knob domain, are described. The synthetic adenoviruses traffic to sites of tumors. Use of the synthetic adenoviruses for delivering diagnostic or therapeutic transgenes to tumors are also described.

Abstract: Provided and described are bacterial mechanosensory polypeptide and encoding polynucleotide products and compositions thereof, methods of expressing such polypeptides and polynucleotides in a cell type of interest, and methods of inducing and/or modifying the activity or function of various types of cells, including neurons, which express exogenous bacterial mechanosensory polypeptides, using ultrasound.

Abstract: Provided and described are mechanosensory polypeptides and encoding polynucleotide products and compositions thereof, methods of expressing such polypeptides and polynucleotides in a cell type of interest, and methods of inducing and/or modifying the activity and/or function of various types of cells that express the exogenous mechanosensory polypeptides using ultrasound.

Abstract: Provided herein are CRISPR/Cas methods and compositions for targeting RNA molecules, which can be used to detect, edit, or modify a target RNA.

Abstract: The invention features pancreatic islet and pancreatic organoids, and cell cultures and methods that are useful for the rapid and reliable generation of pancreatic islet and pancreatic islet organoids. The invention also features methods of treating pancreatic diseases and methods of identifying agents that are useful for treatment of pancreatic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and pancreatic cancer, using the pancreatic islet and pancreatic organoids of the invention.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to nucleic acid promoter sequences that are able to specifically express genes operatively linked to the promoter in brainstem and spinal motor neuron cells, and to methods for using such promoters to selectively express genes in motor neurons in vitro and in vivo. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 1 functioned as a motor neuron-specific promoter and was successful in expressing transgenes in motor neuron cells in vivo. The present disclosure also relates to compositions that can increase the activity or expression level of miR-218 and to compositions that can decrease the expression of miR-218 target nucleic acids.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions featuring TRPA1 polypeptides and polynucleotides, methods for expressing such polypeptides and polynucleotides in a cell type of interest, and methods for inducing the activation of the TRPA1 polypeptide in neurons and other cell types using ultrasound.

Abstract: Synthetic adenoviruses having chimeric fiber proteins and liver detargeting mutations are described. The synthetic adenovirus vectors are capable of specifically infecting cells at wound sites or in regions of damaged tissue. The synthetic adenovirus vectors also are capable of expressing transgenes, such as wound healing factors, at sites of wounded or damaged tissue. Accordingly, the described vectors can be used to detect wounded or damaged tissue, and/or to promote wound healing and regeneration of damaged tissue, such as by expression of heterologous wound healing or tissue regeneration factors.

Abstract: Provided herein are CRISPR/Cas methods and compositions for targeting RNA molecules, which can be used to detect, edit, or modify a target RNA.

Abstract: Recombinant adenovirus genomes that include a synthetic transcriptional circuit are described. Synthetic adenoviruses positively regulated using two-step transcriptional amplification (TSTA) are further described. Selection of the heterologous promoter is based on the desired replication characteristics of the synthetic virus. For example, the heterologous promoter can be a constitutive promoter, a tumor-specific promoter or a tissue-specific promoter.

Abstract: Oncolytic adenoviruses capable of selectively replicating in tumor cells deficient in p53 transcriptional activity are described. Recombinant adenovirus genomes that encode the p53-selective adenoviruses are also described. The recombinant adenoviruses and adenovirus genomes, or compositions thereof, can be used, for example, to reduce or inhibit tumor progression, or reduce tumor volume in a subject with a tumor having dysregulated p53 activity.

Abstract: Determining low power frequency range information from spectral data. Raw signal data can be adjusted to increase dynamic range for power within low power frequency ranges as compared to higher-power frequency ranges to determine adjusted source data valuable for acquiring low power frequency range information. Low power frequency range information can be used in the analysis of a variety of raw signal data. For example, low power frequency range information within electroencephalography data for a subject from a period of sleep can be used to determine sleep states. Similarly, automated full-frequency spectral electroencephalography signal analysis can be useful for customized analysis including assessing sleep quality, detecting pathological conditions, and determining the effect of medication on sleep states.

Abstract: The invention features pancreatic islet and pancreatic organoids, and cell cultures and methods that are useful for the rapid and reliable generation of pancreatic islet and pancreatic islet organoids. The invention also features methods of treating pancreatic diseases and methods of identifying agents that are useful for treatment of pancreatic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and pancreatic cancer, using the pancreatic islet and pancreatic organoids of the invention.