Abstract: Provided are inserts (100) for preparing a cell culture chamber(s), or array of chambers, inside of histology cassettes that are suitable for three-dimensional multicellular growth of a cell or cells into spheroids, organoids, or other 3D structures, such that the resulting 3D multi-cellular structures are ready and suitable for histology processing without transfer to a different receptacle or container. Further embodiments of the invention provide methods of preparing at least one cell culture chamber using the inserts, systems for growing three-dimensional multicellular spheroids comprising culturing cells within a cell culture chamber prepared using the inserts, and systems for analyzing at least one cultured cell in vitro comprising culturing cells within a cell culture chamber prepared using the inserts.

Abstract: The invention provides human immunogenic epitopes of HEMO and HHLA2 human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), which can be used as a peptide, polypeptide (protein), and/or in a vaccine or other composition for the prevention or therapy of cancer. The invention further provides a nucleic acid encoding the peptide or polypeptide (protein), a vector comprising the nucleic acid, a cell comprising the peptide, polypeptide (protein), nucleic acid, or vector, and compositions thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is an isolated or purified T cell receptor (TCR), wherein the TCR has antigenic specificity for a mutated human RAS amino acid sequence with a substitution of glycine at position 12 with aspartic acid. The TCRs may recognize G12D RAS presented by an HLA-DR heterodimer. Related polypeptides and proteins, as well as related nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, and pharmaceutical compositions are also provided. Also disclosed are methods of detecting the presence of cancer in a mammal and methods of treating or preventing cancer in a mammal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a solid support suitable for synthesizing nucleic acid sequences. The solid support may have a structure according to Formula I, where CPG is controlled pore glass, and m, n, x, y, R1 and R2 are as defined herein. Also disclosed are methods for making and using the solid support, kits including solid support, and a universal linker phosphoramidite suitable for use in the solid support.

Abstract: Diffusion sensitizing gradient pulse pairs are prescribed in a manner to mitigate effects of concomitant gradient artifacts. Measured MR signals generated by applying a plurality of diffusion sensitizing gradient matrices are obtained and processed to determine a second order mean diffusion tensor and a fourth order covariance tensor. Quantities derived from these tensors are measured and mapped within an imaging volume which describe features of diffusion anisotropy and heterogeneity within each imaging voxel.

Abstract: Methods of obtaining a cell population enriched for tumor-reactive T cells, the method comprising: (a) obtaining a bulk population of T cells from a tumor sample; (b) specifically selecting CD8+ T cells that express any one or more of TIM-3, LAG-3, 4-1BB, and PD-1 from the bulk population; and (c) separating the cells selected in (b) from unselected cells to obtain a cell population enriched for tumor-reactive T cells are disclosed. Related methods of administering a cell population enriched for tumor-reactive T cells to a mammal, methods of obtaining a pharmaceutical composition comprising a cell population enriched for tumor-reactive T cells, and isolated or purified cell populations are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for reprogramming cancer-reactive T cells into iPSC cells as well as methods utilizing such cells for the identification of cancer-antigen specific TCRs and the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an isolated or purified T cell receptor (TCR), wherein the TCR has antigenic specificity for a mutated human RAS amino acid sequence with a substitution of glycine at position 12 with valine. The TCRs may recognize G12V RAS presented by an HLA-DR heterodimer. Related polypeptides and proteins, as well as related nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, and pharmaceutical compositions are also provided. Also disclosed are methods of detecting the presence of cancer in a mammal and methods of treating or preventing cancer in a mammal.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of obtaining a cell population enriched for T cells with a phenotype, the method comprising: (a) obtaining a bulk population of T cells from a tumor sample of a patient; (b) specifically selecting T cells with a phenotype comprising markers CD3+, CD39?, and CD69? from the bulk population; and (c) separating the cells selected in (b) from cells which lack the phenotype to obtain a cell population enriched for T cells with the phenotype. Related methods of treating or preventing cancer, methods of selecting a therapy for a cancer patient, and methods for predicting the clinical response to immunotherapy in a cancer patient are also disclosed. Isolated or purified cell population obtained according to the methods and related pharmaceutical compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods for carrying out Real Time Cellular Thermal Shift Assays (RT-CETSA). Also provided are molecular constructs and protein constructs for use in such assays and devices suitable for carrying out such assays.

Abstract: Disclosed are thyclotides, which are oligomers, each comprising (a) from about 8 to about 25 monomer units of formula (I) and (b) from 0 to about 24 monomer units of formula (II): wherein B is a nucleobase, which can be the same or different at each occurrence, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The thyclotides are soluble in water, bind strongly to complementary DNA and RNA, and are cell permeable. The thyclotides are useful as reagents for antisense and antigene applications, and as probes in molecular diagnostics and microarrays.

Abstract: Provided is a polynucleotide encoding a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) variant having an attenuated phenotype comprising a modified RSV genome or antigenome that encodes a mutant RSV protein P that differs from a parental RSV protein P at one or more amino acid residues. In some embodiments, the polynucleotide is recombinant. The invention also relates to methods of vaccinating an animal with the RSV variant or a pharmaceutical composition containing the RSV variant or inducing an immune response by administering the RSV variant to an animal, and further relates to methods of producing an RSV variant vaccine. In some embodiments, the animal is a human.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for assessing the presence or risk of obstetrical complications, particularly those related to an angiogenic and anti-angiogenic imbalance. Also provided are methods of treating an angiogenic and anti-angiogenic imbalance with water-soluble statins, such as pravastatin.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to stable water isotope labeling followed by detection via MRI (swiMRI), including deuterium MRI (dMRI) and 17O MRI, for visualizing rapidly dividing immune cells within target and/or lymphoid organ/s and/or tissues affected by chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). Using deuterated water labeling, followed by dMRI, a distinction in deuterium signal was detected in a target organ (e.g. liver) of the cGVHD-affected mice compared to unaffected mice, i.e. syngeneic HSCT recipient mice, where the host and donor are matched, and normal (unmanipulated) mice.

Abstract: Vaccines that elicit broadly protective anti-influenza antibodies. Some vaccines comprise nanoparticles that display HA trimers from influenza virus on their surface. The nanoparticles are fusion proteins comprising a monomeric subunit (e.g., ferritin) joined to the stem region of an influenza HA protein. The fusion proteins self-assemble to form the HA-displaying nanoparticles. The vaccines comprise only the stem region of an influenza HA protein joined to a trimerization domain. Also provided are fusion proteins, and nucleic acid molecules encoding such proteins, and assays using nanoparticles of the invention to detect anti-influenza antibodies.

Abstract: Systems and methods for three-dimensional fluorescence polarization excitation that generates maps of positions and orientation of fluorescent molecules in three or more dimensions are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of obtaining a cell population enriched for tumor-reactive T cells, the method comprising: (a) obtaining a bulk population of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a sample of peripheral blood; (b) specifically selecting CD8+ T cells that also express PD-1 and/or TIM-3 from the bulk population; and (c) separating the cells selected in (b) from unselected cells to obtain a cell population enriched for tumor-reactive T cells are disclosed. Related methods of administering a cell population enriched for tumor-reactive T cells to a mammal, methods of obtaining a pharmaceutical composition comprising a cell population enriched for tumor-reactive T cells, and isolated or purified cell populations are also disclosed.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies and antibody fragments that specifically bind to matrilin-3, conjugates including these molecules, and nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies, antigen binding fragments and conjugates, are disclosed. Also disclosed are compositions including the disclosed antibodies, antigen binding fragments, conjugates, and nucleic acid molecules. Methods of treating or inhibiting a cartilage disorder in a subject, as well as methods of increasing chondrogenesis in cartilage tissue are further provided. The methods can be used, for example, for treating or inhibiting a growth plate disorder in a subject, such as a skeletal dysplasia or short stature.

Abstract: Provided are methods of transducing hair cells of the inner ear in a subject comprising administering to the subject an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a capsid comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the AAV vector further comprises a heterologous nucleic acid sequence. Additionally, methods of treating, preventing, or inhibiting a cochlear disorder or balance disorder in a subject comprising administering the AAV vector to the subject are provided.

Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing an enriched population of T cells having antigenic specificity for a target antigen. The method may comprise isolating T cells from a blood sample of a patient; selecting the isolated T cells which have a gene expression profile; and separating the selected T cells from the unselected cells. The separated selected T cells provide an enriched population of T cells having antigenic specificity for the target antigen. Methods of isolating a TCR, preparing a population of cells that express a TCR, isolated TCRs, isolated populations of cells, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treating or preventing a condition in a mammal are also provided.