Abstract: A method of correcting singletons in a selected AAV sequence in order to increasing the packaging yield, transduction efficiency, and/or gene transfer efficiency of the selected AAV is provided. This method involves altering one or more singletons in the parental AAV capsid to conform the singleton to the amino acid in the corresponding position(s) of the aligned functional AAV capsid sequences.

Abstract: Mesogenic compounds having a structure of Formula (I), (II) or (III): where A, B, X1, L, TG, m, and n are defined as in claim 1. Compositions containing these compounds, articles made from these polymerized and prepolymerized compositions, and methods of estimating the elastic constants and anchoring constants of a liquid crystal materials and mapping topological defect structures in liquid crystals using these compounds.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for carboxymethylation of cytosine containing DNA and applications thereof for direct sequencing of 5mC are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for treating T cell lymphomas and leukemias. In certain aspects, the compositions and methods include CAR T cells targeting CD2, CD5, or CD7 and modified cells wherein CD2, CD5, or CD7 has been knocked-out.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for identifying and treating BAV disease and/or aortopathy in a subject, and methods of improving outcome in a subject. The subject may be asymptomatic of BAV disease and/or aortopathy, experiencing symptoms of BAV disease and/or aortopathy, have BAV disease and/or aortopathy, or be a blood relative of an individual having BAV disease and/or aortopathy. Levels of sRAGE in the subject's biological sample are determined, compared to a control biological sample, and used as an indicator for the presence and severity of BAV disease and/or aortopathies, a tool to screen family members, and an indicator of the proper surgical or treatment regimens.

Abstract: The present disclosure features the use of chimeric CD3 proteins to modulate T cell Receptor (TCR) signaling. Specifically, the disclosure is based, in part, on the discovery that chimeric CD3 proteins (e.g., CD3delta, CD3gamma, and CD3epsilon) having all or most of their extracellular domain fused to an antigen binding domain can activate the TCR in the presence of a cognate antigen. The disclosure is further based on the observation that the above chimeric proteins can be potentiated through the inclusion of a co-stimulatory domain in the intracellular portion of the chimeric molecule. Thus, the preferred elements of the engineered signaling complexes of the disclosure include an antigen binding domain, an extracellular domain derived from one of the above CD3 proteins, and an intracellular co-stimulatory domain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inducing an adaptive immune response against Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in a subject. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a composition comprising a nucleoside-modified nucleic acid molecule encoding a HCV antigen, adjuvant, or a combination thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the composition comprises a vaccine comprising a nucleoside-modified nucleic acid molecule encoding a HCV antigen, adjuvant, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the treatment of PML by infusion of activated and expanded autologous lymphocytes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for enhancing T cell metabolism and activity for more effective adoptive T cell therapy. By expressing an intracellular signaling molecule in T cells, the T cells are metabolically enhanced with improved cytotoxicity and resistance to immunosuppression imposed by tumor microenvironments. One aspect includes a modified T cell and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the modified cells for adoptive cell therapy and treating a disease or condition associated with enhanced immunity.

Abstract: Devices and methods for affixing reinforcing material to a fascial incision in an abdominal wall to reinforce and augment closures thereof. The device includes first and second arms, each having a proximal end and a distal end extending away from a housing with a length therebetween. The distal end of the first arm is spaced from the distal end of the second arm such that the first and second arms are engageable with reinforcing material on opposing sides of a fascial incision. One or more fixation elements are deployable from the distal end of at least one of the first and second arms to affix the reinforcing material on opposing sides of the fascial incision.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention is related to nucleic acid constructs capable of expressing a Zika antigen that elicits an immune response in a mammal against Zika virus, and methods of use thereof. Additionally, there are DNA plasmid vaccines capable of generating in a mammal an immune response against a Zika virus, comprising a DNA plasmid and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, and methods of use thereof. The DNA plasmid is capable of expressing a Zika antigen in a cell of the mammal in a quantity effective to elicit an immune response in the mammal that is cross reactive against all Zika strains.

Abstract: Disclosed are steerable needles having a shaft that can be controllably buckled, a steering head positioned at a distal end of the shaft, a transmission for controlling the orientation of the steering head, and a base at the end of the shaft, the base optionally comprising a controller for controlling the transmission. Also disclosed are methods of using the disclosed steerable needles.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions that includes AAVs and AAV vectors that include a sequence encoding a SARS-CoV-2 polypeptide or a fragment thereof. Also provided herein are methods and materials for making and using AAVs and AAV vectors to generate immunity to a coronavirus in a subject.

Abstract: Provided are intraoperative devices, the devices comprising a substrate having a plurality of discontinuous cuts formed therein, the plurality of discontinuous cuts being formed such that when the substrate is subjected to deformation, the substrate is capable of deformation beyond an initial state so as to achieve a first shaped three-dimensional state. Through design of the cut patterns in 2D, one can locally control the stretchability and elasticity within the substrate. The substrate can then be deformed into a 3D structure that can provide shape and support to reconstructed tissue in the desired regions while also minimizing operative time and cost. Also provided are related methods of using the disclosed devices; the devices can be used in autologous tissue donation procedures as well as prosthetic procedures.

Abstract: Provided is a method for predicting a location of a fast-moving object. The method includes receiving event information from an event camera, the event information corresponding to an event detected by the event camera, generating a Binary Event History Image (BEHI) based on the event information, providing the BEHI as an input to an event-based neural network, obtaining, as an output of the event-based neural network, a first predicted location of the fast-moving object, a normal distribution indicating prediction uncertainty of the predicted location, and a predicted time-to-collision (TTC). The method further includes estimating a second predicted location of the fast-moving object based on the first predicted location, the normal distribution, and the predicted TTC output by the event-based neural network, and actuating a mechanical catching device to be at the second predicted location.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are nucleic acid molecules comprising one or more nucleic acid sequences that encode a mutated WT1 antigen. Vectors, compositions and vaccines comprising one or more nucleic acid sequences that encode a mutated WT1 antigen are disclosed. Methods of treating an individual who has a WT1-expressing tumor and methods of preventing a WT1-expressing tumor are disclosed. Mutated WT1 antigen is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of producing a nanocomposite film includes generating a bilayer film including at least a first layer of at least one nanoparticle and a second layer of at least one material and annealing the bilayer film. A uniform nanocomposite film includes a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed in a polymer matrix, wherein the plurality of nanoparticles form at least 60% by volume of the polymer nanocomposite film.

Abstract: The invention provides novel asymmetric and symmetric bisaminoquinolmes and related compounds, methods of treatment and syntheses. The novel compounds exhibit effective anticancer activity and are useful in the treatment of a variety of autophagy-related disorders.

Abstract: The present invention includes mutant AID, APOBEC, and Tet enzymes with improved functions. In one aspect the invention provides APOBEC fusion proteins comprising hyperactive deamination activity. In another aspect, the invention provides AID mutant proteins comprising hyperactive deamination activity. In yet another aspect, the invention provides mutant Tet proteins capable of stalling oxidation at a 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (hmC).

Abstract: A method for forming a prosthesis comprising a bone-like portion and a cartilage-like portion can comprise additively manufacturing a first positive mold in accordance with a portion of a first three-dimensional model of a portion of a bone. A first negative mold can be formed from the first positive mold. The bone-like portion can be created within the first negative mold. A second positive mold of the bone and a cartilage can be additively manufactured from a second three-dimensional model. A portion of the second three-dimensional model can correspond to a portion of the first three-dimensional model. A second negative mold can be formed from the second positive mold. The bone-like portion can be positioned in the second negative mold so that the second negative mold and the bone-like portion can define a cartilage space that can be filled with a material to form the cartilage-like portion of the prosthesis.