Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a pharmaceutical composition containing nicotinamide (NAM) and/or pyruvate as a neuroprotective medicament or gene therapy in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, in particular axon degeneration of neuronal tissue in ocular-related neurodegeneration diseases including glaucoma.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to transgenic non-human animals capable of producing heterologous antibodies, transgenes used to produce such transgenic animals, transgenes capable of functionally rearranging a heterologous D gene in V-D-J recombination, immortalized B-cells capable of producing heterologous antibodies, methods and transgenes for producing heterologous antibodies of multiple isotypes, methods and transgenes for producing heterologous antibodies wherein a variable region sequence comprises somatic mutation as compared to germline rearranged variable region sequences, transgenic nonhuman animals which produce antibodies having a human primary sequence and which bind to human antigens, hybridomas made from B cells of such transgenic animals, and monoclonal antibodies expressed by such hybridomas.

Abstract: Mice, tissues, cells, and genetic material are provided that comprise a humanized heavy chain immunoglobulin locus, a humanized light chain locus that expresses a universal light chain, and a gene encoding an ADAM6 or ortholog or homolog or functional fragment thereof. Mice are provided that express humanized heavy chains comprising human variable domains, and that express humanized light chains comprising human variable domains wherein the light chains are derived from no more than one, or no more than two, light chain V and J or rearranged V/J sequences. Fertile male mice that express antibodies with universal light chains and humanized heavy chains are provided. Methods and compositions for making bispecific binding proteins are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods used for optogenetics, wherein the composition comprises an optogenetic device and a retinoid processing enzyme.

Abstract: This disclosure provides, among other things, strategies for minimizing antibody diversification in a transgenic animal that uses gene conversion for antibody diversification. In some embodiments, the animal may comprise a genome comprising an endogenous immunoglobulin light chain locus comprising: (a) a functional immunoglobulin light chain gene comprising a nucleic acid encoding a light chain variable region; and (b) a plurality of pseudogenes that are operably linked to the functional immunoglobulin light chain gene and that donate, by gene conversion, nucleotide sequence to the nucleic acid encoding a light chain variable region, wherein the pseudogenes are upstream or downstream of the functional immunoglobulin light chain gene and encode the same amino acid sequence as the light chain variable region of the functional immunoglobulin light chain gene of (a). In other embodiments, the locus may have a tandem array of coding sequences for the light chain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the transient modification of cells. In particular embodiments, the cells are immune systems, such as PBMC, PBL, T (CD3+ and/or CD8+) and Natural Killer (NK) cells. The modified cells provide a population of cells that express a genetically engineered chimeric receptor which can be administered to a patient therapeutically. The present invention further relates to methods that deliver mRNA coding for the chimeric receptor to unstimulated resting PBMC, PBL, T (CD3+ and/or CD8+) and NK cells and which delivers the mRNA efficiently to the transfected cells and promotes significant target cell killing.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating joint disorders that are characterized by an inflammatory component. In some aspects, the compositions and methods are to prevent the progression of osteoarthritis and other arthritides and to treat osteoarthritis and other arthritides in a mammalian joint.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides recombinant expression vectors expressing a novel neutralizing antibodies against SARS-COV-2, or the antigen binding fragments thereof. Pharmaceutical composition and kits comprising the same, and the uses thereof are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for generating a genetically modified T cells comprising a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) having an antigen binding domain, a transmembrane domain, a costimulatory signaling region, and a CD3 zeta signaling domain, wherein the T cell exhibits prolonged exponential expansion in culture that is ligand independent and independent of the addition of exogenous cytokines or feeder cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to identification and characterization of recombinant DNA and polypeptides for specific Bt toxin receptors. In particular, the Bt toxin receptors of the invention include those derived from the Lepidopteran super family including the species Trichoplusiani ni, Pseudoplusia includens, Helicoverpa zea, and Spodoptera frugiperda. The receptors of the invention further include those derived from the Coleopteran super family and particularly from the species Diabrotica virgifera virgifera. The recombinant DNA and polypeptides so provided are useful in the identification and design of novel Bt toxin receptor ligands including novel or improved insecticidal toxins for use in a variety of agricultural applications. Materials and methods for identifying novel toxins are also disclosed herein. The invention also provides methods for selecting toxins to combine to control insect populations by manipulating Bt toxin receptor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for increasing the affinity of a T cell receptor (TCR) to its ligand by subjecting the TCR gene to somatic hypermutation. The present invention further relates to use of affinity maturated TCRs to create T cells reactive against a selected antigen.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include methods and compositions for producing NKT cells effective for immunotherapy and also methods and compositions for providing an effective amount of NKT cells to an individual in need of immunotherapy. In specific embodiments, the NKT cells are CD62L+ and have been exposed to one or more costimulatory agents to maintain CD62L expression. The NKT cells may be modified to incorporate a chimeric antigen receptor, in some cases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Crumbs homologue (CRB) therapeutic for use as a medicament or in a method of treatment or prophylaxis, for example in the treatment or prophylaxis of a retinal disorder due to mutations in the Crumbs homologue-1 (CRB1) gene, such as Leber's congenital amaurosis 8 (LCA8) or retinitis pigmentosa 12 (RP12). In particular, the present invention relates to a recombinant viral vector comprising CRB2 or modified non-toxic forms of either CRB1 or CRB3 that resemble CRB2.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to antigen recognizing constructs against tumor associated antigens (TAA), in particular against Preferentially Expressed Antigen of Melanoma (PRAME). The invention in particular provides novel T cell receptor (TCR) based molecules which are selective and specific for the tumor expressed antigen of the invention. The TCR of the invention, and TAA binding fragments derived therefrom, are of use for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of TAA expressing cancerous diseases. Further provided are nucleic acids encoding the antigen recognizing constructs of the invention, vectors comprising these nucleic acids, recombinant cells expressing the antigen recognizing constructs and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to genetically modified non-human animals that express a human or chimeric (e.g., humanized) IL15, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides and more particularly to Transcription Activator-Like Effector derived proteins that allow to efficiently target and/or process nucleic acids. Particularly, the present invention reports the characterization of TALE derived proteins that can efficiently target methylated DNA. The present invention more specifically relates to TALE derived proteins that allow activation of methylated promoters responsible for gene silencing.

Abstract: Methods for protecting porcine fetuses from infection with Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV). The methods comprise breeding a female porcine animal with a male porcine animal. The female porcine animal comprises modified chromosomal sequences in both alleles of its CD163 gene, wherein the modified chromosomal sequences reduce the susceptibility of the female porcine animal to infection by PRRSV, as compared to the susceptibility to infection by PRRSV of a female porcine animal that does not comprise any modified chromosomal sequences in the alleles of its CD163 gene. The male porcine animal comprises at least one wild-type CD163 allele.

Abstract: Genetically modified compositions, such as non-viral vectors and T cells, for treating cancer are disclosed. Also disclosed are the methods of making and using the genetically modified compositions in treating cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule encoding (I) a polypeptide having the activity of an endonuclease, which is (a) a nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1; (b) a nucleic acid molecule comprising or consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2; (c) a nucleic acid molecule encoding an endonuclease, the amino acid sequence of which is at least 70% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1; (d) a nucleic acid molecule comprising or consisting of a nucleotide sequence which is at least 50% identical to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2; (e) a nucleic acid molecule which is degenerate with respect to the nucleic acid molecule of (d); or (f) a nucleic acid molecule corresponding to the nucleic acid molecule of any one of (a) to (e) wherein T is replaced by U; (II) a fragment of the polypeptide of (I) having the activity of an endonuclease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new Transcription Activator-Like Effector proteins and more particularly new Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases (TALENs) that can efficiently target and process nucleic acids. The present invention also concerns methods to use these new Transcription Activator-Like Effector proteins. The present invention also relates to vectors, compositions and kits in which Transcription Activator-Like Effector proteins of the present invention are used.