Abstract: The invention provides a novel, versatile degradable hydrogel composition, and methods thereof, with precisely tunable stiffness, plasticity (e.g., degree of covalent vs. physical crosslinks) and predictive disintegration rates degradation, allowing controlled disintegration and release of therapeutic cells or pharmaceuticals and/or in vitro 3D cell expansion.
Abstract: An alignment key includes: a first multi-focal meta-lens that includes a plurality of first nanostructures, the plurality of first nanostructures having a first shape distribution that forms two different focal lengths with respect to a first set of regions in the first multi-focal meta-lens; and a second multi-focal meta-lens that includes a plurality of second nanostructures, the plurality of second nanostructures having a second shape distribution that forms the two different focal lengths with respect to a second set of regions in the second multi-focal meta-lens.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 30, 2023
Publication date:
January 4, 2024
Applicants:
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
Inventors:
Seunghoon Han, Amir Arbabi, Andrew McClung
Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to compositions and methods for reding inflammation and/or inhibiting bone loss (e.g., bone loss induced by inflammation). In some embodiments, the disclosure provides isolated nucleic acids and expression constructs (e.g., rAAVs, etc.) that encode one or more of the following transgenes: inhibitory nucleic acids targeting Schnurri 3 (SHN3), inhibitory nucleic acids targeting Cathepsin K (CTSK), inhibitory nucleic acids targeting sclerostin (SOST), inhibitory nucleic acids targeting receptor activator of NF-?? (RANK), inhibitory nucleic acids targeting receptor activator of NF-?? ligand (RANKL), soluble TNF-? Receptor 2 (sTNFR2), and soluble IL-1 Receptor Antagonist (sIL1R?). In some embodiments, compositions described by the disclosure are useful for treating diseases associated with inflammation, for example rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 18, 2021
Publication date:
January 4, 2024
Applicant:
University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Jae-Hyuck Shim, Guangping Gao, Jun Xie, Yeon-Suk Yang
Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for moving charged molecules into and out of tissue samples. This invention is particularly useful for removing endogenous heterogenous particles from tissue samples and for introducing exogenous charged molecules (e.g., antibodies, dyes) into tissue samples.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 2, 2019
Date of Patent:
January 2, 2024
Assignee:
University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Joseph Fossland Bergan, Joseph Frank Dantas Dwyer
Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to recombinant gene editing complexes comprising a recombinant gene editing protein and guide RNA (gRNA) that specifically hybridizes to a region of a C90RF72 gene (e.g., a region flanking a G4C2 repeat or within a exonic region of the gene).
Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure relates to compositions and methods of engineering a transgene. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides self-regulating recombinant nucleic acids, viral vectors and pharmaceutical compositions comprising a MeCP2 transgene. In some embodiments, compositions and methods described by the disclosure are useful for treating diseases and disorders associated with a loss of function mutation, for example Rett syndrome.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 3, 2023
Publication date:
December 28, 2023
Applicant:
University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Miguel Sena Esteves, Guangping Gao, Michael R. Green, Dan Wang, Tessa Mercedes Simone
Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure relates to compositions and methods useful for inhibiting SOD1 expression in cells (e.g., cells of a subject). In some embodiments, the disclosure describes isolated nucleic acids engineered to express an inhibitory nucleic acid targeting endogenous SOD1 and an mRNA encoding a hardened SOD1 protein. In some embodiments, compositions and methods described by the disclosure are useful for treating Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in a subject.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 30, 2023
Publication date:
December 28, 2023
Applicant:
University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Christian Mueller, Robert H. Brown, JR.
Abstract: The disclosure relates, in some aspects, to compositions and methods for treating corneal disease (e.g., corneal neovascularization. In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to rAAV-mediated delivery of an cornea-associated transgene to a subject. In some embodiments, the rAAV transduces the corneal tissue of a subject.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 9, 2021
Date of Patent:
December 26, 2023
Assignee:
University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Guangping Gao, Yi Lu, Qiang Zheng, Xun Xu, Phillip D. Zamore, Phillip Tai
Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating or reducing the severity of occurrence of a parasitic worm or helminth infection in a subject are described. The methods include administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising isolated native, bioactive nematicidal crystals formed from a single type of nematicidal crystal protein. The isolated native, bioactive nematicidal crystals are substantially free of any bacterial spores or host bacterial proteins, other than nematicidal crystal protein in the form of a crystal. Methods for making isolated native, bioactive nematicidal crystals are also described. The crystal proteins may be full length, truncated, variant, or sub-variant Cry proteins. Examples of crystal proteins include Cry5B, Cry21, Cry14A, Cry6A, and Cry13A.
Abstract: The invention is directed to a heated stage assembly that can achieve high temperatures (i.e., 40 degrees Celsius and higher and more specifically, 55 degrees Celsius and higher) for use in microscopy including fluorescence microscopy. The microscope stage heater assembly includes a mounting adapter element, a sample holder element mounted within the mounting adapter element, one or more heating elements attached to the sample holder element, and an optical window holder element disposed on a surface of the sample holder element that encloses an optical window element. The optical window element may be in contact with a microscope sample such that the optical window element is heated by the sample holder element to uniformly distribute heat to the specimen.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 13, 2019
Date of Patent:
December 12, 2023
Assignee:
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
Inventors:
David Grunwald, Maximiliaan Huisman, Karina Jouravleva, Carlas Smith, Phillip D. Zamore
Abstract: The invention in some aspects relates to recombinant adeno-associated viruses having distinct tissue targeting capabilities. In some aspects, the invention relates to gene transfer methods using the recombinant adeno-associate viruses. In some aspects, the invention relates to isolated AAV capsid proteins and isolated nucleic acids encoding the same.
Abstract: Classification of an input task data set by meta level continual learning includes analyzing first and second training data sets in a task space to generate first and second meta weights and a slow weight value, and comparing an input task data set to the slow weight to generate a fast weight. The first and second meta weights are parameterized with the fast weight value to update the slow weight value, whereby a value is associated with the input task data set, thereby classifying the input task data set by meta level continual learning.
Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating or reducing the severity of occurrence of a parasitic worm or helminth infection in a subject are described. The methods include administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising isolated native, bioactive nematicidal crystals formed from a single type of nematicidal crystal protein. The isolated native, bioactive nematicidal crystals are substantially free of any bacterial spores or host bacterial proteins, other than nematicidal crystal protein in the form of a crystal. Methods for making isolated native, bioactive nematicidal crystals are also described. The crystal proteins may be full length, truncated, variant, or sub-variant Cry proteins. Examples of crystal proteins include Cry5B, Cry21, Cry14A, Cry6A, and Cry13A.
Abstract: Novel oligonucleotides that enhance silencing of the expression of a gene containing a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) relative to the expression of the corresponding wild-type gene are provided. Methods of using novel oligonucleotides that enhance silencing of the expression of a gene containing a SNP relative to the expression of the corresponding wild-type gene are provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 9, 2019
Date of Patent:
November 28, 2023
Assignee:
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
Inventors:
Anastasia Khvorova, Julia Alterman, Faith Conroy, Edith Pfister, Neil Aronin, Ken Yamada
Abstract: The disclosure relates, in some aspects, to compositions and methods for enhanced delivery of a transgene to the central nervous system (CNS) of a subject. In some embodiments, the transgene is delivered by recombinant AAV (rAAV). In some embodiments, the method of enhancing transgene delivery comprises administering a blood brain barrier (BBB)-crossing molecule (e.g., K16ApoE) and an rAAV comprising a transgene to a subject.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 2, 2017
Date of Patent:
November 28, 2023
Assignee:
University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Miguel Sena Esteves, Ana Rita Batista, Sourav Roy Choudhury
Abstract: The invention in some aspects relates to isolated nucleic acids, compositions, and kits useful for identifying adeno-associated viruses in cells. In some aspects, the invention provides kits and methods for producing somatic transgenic animal models using recombinant AAV (rAAV) to an animal having at least one transgene that expresses a small interfering nucleic acid or at least one binding site for a miRNA.
Abstract: The invention provides a novel class of materials that possess triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion, compositions and methods of preparation and use thereof. The invention also relates to use of such materials and nanoparticles, for example, in stimulus-responsive, in situ delivery of biologically active agents.
Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods of altering RNA splicing in a subject. In some embodiments, methods are provided for correcting splicing in a cell that contains a DYSF gene having a mutation that results in defective splicing.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 12, 2020
Date of Patent:
November 28, 2023
Assignee:
University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Robert H. Brown, Jr., Janice A. Dominov