Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods for transfecting one or more cells within a target region with an agent by electroporation. The method comprises exposing one or more cells to the agent and to a close electric field created between an anode or anode array and a cathode or cathode array in the target region for sufficient time to allow at least some of the agent to enter said one or more cells.

Abstract: The invention provides for delivery, engineering and optimization of systems, methods, and compositions for manipulation of sequences and/or activities of target sequences. Provided are vectors and vector systems, some of which encode one or more components of a CRISPR complex, as well as methods for the design and use of such vectors. Also provided are methods of directing CRISPR complex formation in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells to ensure enhanced specificity for target recognition and avoidance of toxicity.

Abstract: A trifunctional molecule comprising a target-specific ligand, a ligand that binds a protein associated with the TCR complex and a T cell receptor signaling domain polypeptide is provided. Engineering T cells with this novel receptor engenders antigen specific activation of numerous T cell functions, including cytokine production, degranulation and cytolysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the composition of a nanoparticle based on a magnesium salt, and methods of drug delivery using the nanoparticle. A preferred embodiment uses magnesium phosphate, with or without a shell to deliver aiRNA and/or siRNA. The nanoparticles of the present invention are also effective when administered orally.

Abstract: A trifunctional molecule comprising a target-specific ligand, a ligand that binds a protein associated with the TCR complex and a T cell receptor signaling domain polypeptide is provided Engineering T cells with this novel receptor engenders antigen specific activation of numerous T cell functions, including cytokine production, degranulation and cytolysis.

Abstract: Novel hydrogels that can serve as 3D hypoxic microenvironments are disclosed. Oxygen controllable, hypoxia-inducible hydrogels (HI hydrogels) are composed of a phenolic agent and polymer backbone, which can form hydrogel networks via oxygen consumption in an enzyme-mediated crosslinking reaction. The HI hydrogels are degradable, cytocompatible, and have tunable mechanical properties. Oxygen levels and gradients within the HI hydrogels are controlled and precisely predicted. As a result, the HI hydrogels induce prolonged hypoxic conditions. The HI hydrogels guide vascular morphogenesis in vitro by activating hypoxia-inducible factors and promote neovascularization from tissue, as well as stimulate tissue in dynamic in vivo environments. The HI hydrogels are a new class of biomaterials that are useful in many applications, ranging from the engineering of de novo tissues and disease models to the treatment of vascular disorders.

Abstract: A preparation method of adiposomes, and use thereof. Provided is a method for preparing adiposomes consisting of neutral lipids and a monolayer phospholipid membrane, comprising a1) vortexing phospholipid and neutral lipids in a buffer, centrifuging the resulting mixture, and collecting an upper liquid phase; a2) purifying the upper liquid phase twice or more by uniformly mixing the upper liquid phase with the buffer, layering the mixture, and collecting an upper liquid phase; and a3) uniformly mixing the upper liquid phase obtained in step a2) with the buffer, layering the mixture, and collecting a lower liquid phase in containing adiposomes. For the adiposomes prepared by the method, one or more resident proteins and/or functional proteins can be recruited to obtain artificial lipid droplets, and one or more apolipoproteins can be recruited to obtain artificial lipoproteins; and they all play important roles in preparing drugs and/or drug carriers.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel artificial nucleic acid molecules encoding at least one antigenic peptide or protein and at least one additional sequence preferably targeting the antigenic peptides or proteins to cellular compartments of interest. Further, the invention provides (pharmaceutical) compositions or vaccines and kits comprising said nucleic acid molecules. The nucleic acid molecules, (pharmaceutical) compositions or vaccines and kits are useful for treating a variety of diseases such as cancer, infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, allergies or graft-versus host disease.

Abstract: Provided is a magnetic nanostructure for detecting and isolating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) that including a cationic polymer and a magnetic-nanoparticle-containing conductive polymer. The magnetic nanostructure for detecting and isolating cfDNA according to the subject matter can significantly improve detection and extraction efficiencies of DNA present in a urine, CSF, blood plasma, or blood sample, and exhibits an enhanced sensitivity. Therefore, it is expected that the magnetic nanostructure for detecting and isolating cfDNA according to the subject matter will be used for extracting DNA for use in a genetic mutation diagnosis service as well as for an early cancer diagnosis and cancer treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for a hyperpolarizing light-gated ion channel or pump gene from an archeon or for a light-active fragment of said gene, or the nucleotide sequence complementary to said nucleotide sequence, for treating or ameliorating blindness. The light-gated ion channel or pump gene can be a halorhodopsin gene.

Abstract: This disclosure provides therapeutic compositions and methods for inducing an anti-inflammatory response and/or treating inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract and/or accumulating gut microbial antigen-specific anti-inflammatory T cells in a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are targeted sub-50 nanometer nanoparticles suitable for delivering bioactive agents of interest, and related compositions, methods, and systems, which improve the manufacturing, stability, efficacy and other aspects of therapeutic nanoparticles.

Abstract: The invention relates to polycistronic expression in gram-positive bacterium and in particular concerns polycistronic expression units comprising one or more gene endogenous to the gram-positive bacterium transcriptionally coupled to one or more genes exogenous to the bacterium.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a fusion protein that when displayed on a cell can convert a negative signal into a positive signal in the cell. The fusion protein is a chimeric protein in that the protein comprises at least two domains, wherein the first domain is a polypeptide that is associated with a negative signal and the second domain is a polypeptide that is associated with a positive signal. Thus, the invention encompasses switch receptors that are able to switch negative signals to positive signals for enhancement of an immune response.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for improving the efficiency of inducing pluripotent stem cells, as well as vectors and compositions for use therein. In the induction of pluripotent stem cells which contains the step of introducing a vector that contains the KLF gene, OCT gene, and SOX gene in this order, the efficiency of pluripotent stem cell induction was successfully increased significantly by further introducing a vector that contains the KLF gene but not the OCT gene and the SOX gene. The methods of the present invention have an excellent feature in that they allow efficient induction of pluripotent stem cells under a temperature condition closer to the physiological environment, and prompt vector removal after the pluripotent stem cell induction. The present invention enables more efficient induction of pluripotent stem cells.

Abstract: In some aspects the present invention relates to engineered endothelial cells, such as E40RF1+ ETV2+ engineered endothelial cells. In other aspects the present invention relates to methods of making such engineered endothelial cells, and methods of using such engineered endothelial cells, for example in co-culture applications.

Abstract: Chimeric proteins comprising an N-terminal domain derived from an N-terminal nucleotide binding domain of TDP-43 and a C-terminal domain derived from a splicing repressor are described. These proteins may be administered to a subject to treat or prevent disease manifesting TDP-43 proteinopathy such as inclusion body myocytosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

Abstract: The invention relates to transduction compounds, buffers and methods for introducing molecules into cells. The invention also relates to methods of treatment, pharmaceutical compositions and other uses of the transduction compounds and buffers. The invention also relates to modified cells obtainable by the transduction compounds, buffers and methods of the invention.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of cell processing is disclosed, which includes disposing a plurality of cells on a substrate across which a plurality of projections are distributed and an electrically conductive layer at least partially coating said projections, exposing the cells to a cargo to be internalized by the cells, irradiating the substrate surface (and in particular the projections) with continuous wave or pulsed laser radiation. For example, one or more laser pulses having a pulse width in a range of about 1 ns to about 1000 ns can be applied so as to facilitate uptake of the cargo by at least a portion of the cells (e.g., the cells positioned in the vicinity of the projections (e.g., within hundreds of nanometer (such as less than 100 nm) of the projections)). In some embodiments, the laser pulses have a pulse width in a range of about 10 ns to about 500 ns, e.g., in a range of about 5 ns to about 50 ns.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-human animal in which a DNA comprising an hp7 sequence-encoding DNA and a poly A addition signal-encoding DNA added on the 3? side of a DNA encoding an arbitrary foreign gene is inserted in the same reading frame as that of an arbitrary target gene present on the genome of the non-human animal.