Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vaccine comprising an antigen and CD40L. Also disclosed herein are methods for increasing an immune response in a subject. The methods may comprise administering the vaccine to the subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Provided are methods for labeling transfer RNA comprising replacing the uracil component of a dihydrouridine of said transfer RNA with a fluorophore. The disclosed methods may comprise fluorescent labeling of natural tRNAs (i.e., tRNAs that have been synthesized in a cell, for example, in a bacterium, a yeast cell, or a vertebrate cell) at dihydrouridine (D) positions, or fluorescent labeling of synthetic tRNAs. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods for assessing protein synthesis in a translation system comprise providing a tRNA having a fluorophore substitution for the uracil component of a dihydrouridine in a D loop of the tRNA; introducing the labeled tRNA into the translation system; irradiating the translation system with electromagnetic radiation, thereby generating a fluorescence signal from the fluorophore; detecting the fluorescence signal; and, correlating the fluorescence signal to one or more characteristics of the protein synthesis in the translation system.

Abstract: A method of altering the targeting and/or cellular uptake efficiency of an adeno-associated virus (AAV) viral vector having a capsid containing an AAV9 cell surface binding domain is described. The method involves modifying a clade F cell surface receptor which comprises a glycan having a terminal sialic acid residue and a penultimate ?-galactose residue. The modification may involve retargeting the vector by temporarily functionally ablate AAV9 binding in a subset of cells, thereby redirecting the vector to another subset of cells. Alternatively, the modification may involve increasing cellular update efficiency by treating the cells with a neuraminidase to expose cell surface ?-galactose. Also provided are compositions containing the AAV9 vector and a neuraminidase. Also provided is a method for purifying AAV9 using ?-galactose linked to solid support.

Abstract: An artificial AAV capsid comprising a heterologous conducting airway targeting sequence is provided. The artificial AAV is useful as a targeting moiety, for delivery of heterologous molecules which are associated therewith. The artificial AAV is also useful in the generation of AAV vectors having the artificial capsid. Also described are methods of modifying the native tropism and transduction efficiency of vectors by improving and/or ablating their ability to transduce conducting airway cells. Methods of targeting conducting airway cells and delivering therapeutic and other molecules thereto are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are biomedical devices and methods of making and using biomedical devices for sensing and actuation applications. For example, flexible and/or stretchable biomedical devices are provided including electronic devices useful for establishing in situ conformal contact with a tissue in a biological environment. The invention includes implantable electronic devices and devices administered to the surfaces(s) of a target tissue, for example, for obtaining electrophysiology data from a tissue such as cardiac, brain tissue or skin.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for enhancing or upregulating utrophin protein production and methods for treating myopathies, such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Specifically, the invention relates to compositions, such as oligonucleotides, and methods for enhancing or upregulating utrophin in a subject by blocking binding of let-7c miRNA to the utrophin mRNA 3 untranslated region (UTR).

Abstract: Compounds comprising peptides capable of binding C3 protein and inhibiting complement activation are disclosed. The compounds comprise compstatin analogs in which the N-terminus contains an added or substituted component that improves (1) the peptide's binding affinity to C3 or its fragments, (2) the peptide's solubility in aqueous liquids, (3) the peptide's plasma stability, (4) the peptide's in vivo retention and/or (5) the peptide's bioavailability, as compared with an unmodified compstatin peptide under equivalent conditions. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using the compounds are also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques for determining a characteristic of a sample using an atomic force microscope including a cantilever having a probe attached thereto, including positioning the sample within a cell and sliding the probe over a sliding zone of the sample within the cell. Lateral and vertical deformations of the cantilever are detected using the atomic force microscope as the probe is slid over the sliding zone. One or more characteristics are determined based on the detected lateral deformations of the cantilever.

Abstract: Improved anti-HPV immunogens and nucleic acid molecules that encode them are disclosed. Immunogens disclosed include those having consensus HPV39 E6E7 and HPV45 E6E7. Pharmaceutical composition, recombinant vaccines comprising DNA plasmid and live attenuated vaccines are disclosed as well methods of inducing an immune response in an individual against HPV are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for reprogramming somatic cells using purified RNA preparations comprising single-strand mRNA encoding an iPS cell induction factor. The purified RNA preparations are preferably substantially free of RNA contaminant molecules that: i) would activate an immune response in the somatic cells, ii) would decrease expression of the single-stranded mRNA in the somatic cells, and/or iii) active RNA sensors in the somatic cells. In certain embodiments, the purified RNA preparations are substantially free of partial mRNAs, double-stranded RNAs, un-capped RNA molecules, and/or single-stranded run-on mRNAs.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions and methods to rapidly isolate and culture cells that are potent for use in adoptive immunotherapy. In one embodiment, the isolated cells of the invention are tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) that express CD137 (also known as 4-1BB and TNFSFR9).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to photovoltaic and photogalvanic devices and methods of generating electrical energy and power or detecting light therefrom, based on a novel nano-enhanced bulk photovoltaic effect using non-centrosymmetric crystals, including ferroelectric and piezoelectric materials, where the non-centrosymmetry is the equilibrium state or it is static or dynamically induced. In certain embodiments, the device comprises a layer of non-centrosymmetric crystalline materials, and a plurality of electrodes disposed in an array upon or penetrating into at least one surface of the crystalline material, the electrodes being optimally spaced to capture the ballistic carriers generated upon irradiation of the crystalline material.

Abstract: The present invention provides biomimetic sensor devices that utilize proteins—such G-protein coupled receptors—and are useful in high-sensitivity analysis of analyte-containing samples. These sensors may be used to determine the presence or concentration of one or more analytes in a sample. The invention also includes methods of fabricating the devices and methods of using the devices to assay samples.

Abstract: Provided herein, in some aspects, are methods of dosing opioid receptor agonists for treatment of opioid dependence and pain management.

Abstract: CEST imaging technique and MR scanning are used as an MRI method for detecting levels of lactate in vivo by exploiting the exchange of —OH protons on lactate with bulk water. In accordance with this method, one first obtains a lactate CEST MRI map of a slice of the body of a patient. A contrast agent such as pyruvate, glucose or glutamine is administered and a post-administration CEST MRI map is obtained. The difference in the spatial maps indicates the level of expression of lactate in the tissue of interest.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, nanosensor devices, and uses for in vivo tissue measurement of mitochondrial physiology, including tissue oxygen and other readouts, such as in mitochondrial myopathy, disease, diagnosis, biomarker assessment, and monitoring of interventions and therapies.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for down-regulating genes through oral administration of RNAi molecule encapsulated in plant cells are provided.

Abstract: Compositions and regimens useful in reducing one or more of: LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol, and/or fasting triglycerides in a subject, and/or modifying fractional catabolic rate (FCR) of LDL apolipoprotein B (apoB) from baseline to a selected time point after rAAV administration are provided. The method involves administering to the human subject via a peripheral vein by infusion of a suspension of replication deficient recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV).

Abstract: Compositions and regimens useful in treating hemophilia A are provided. The compositions include recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) with a transthyretin enhancer and promoter driving expression of a human Factor VIII.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to systems and methods for generating trajectories for a plurality of vehicles in a multi-vehicle system. An optimal motion plan is determined for moving each of the plurality of vehicles between a respective starting position and an assigned goal position, possible collisions are identified among the optimal motion plans of the plurality of vehicles, and, for a subset of the plurality of vehicles identified as being associated with a possible collision, the optimal motion plan of each vehicle in the subset is modified to define modified trajectories that each include a common circular holding pattern such that the possible collision is avoided.