Abstract: Methods for increasing specificity of RNA-guided genome editing, e.g., editing using CRISPR/Cas9 systems, using truncated guide RNAs (tru-gRNAs).

Abstract: This invention provides methods to prepare and use immunostimulatory cells for enhancing an immune response. The invention provides a method for preparing mature dendritic cells (DCs), comprising the sequential steps of: (a) signaling isolated immature dendritic cells (iDCs) with a first signal comprising an interferon gamma receptor (IFN-?R) agonist and/or a tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor (TNF-?R) agonist to produce signaled dendritic cells; and (b) signaling said signaled dendritic cells with a second transient signal comprising an effective amount of a CD40 agonist to produce CCR7+ mature dendritic cells. Also provided by this invention are enriched populations of dendritic cells prepared by the methods of the invention. Such dendritic cells have enhanced immunostimulatory properties and increased IL-12 secretion and/or decreased IL-10 secretion. CD40 signaling can be initiated by one or more of polypeptide translated from an exogenous polynucleotide encoding CD40L (e.g.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the development of methods for making hematopoietic stem cells from differentiated cells by introducing and expressing transcription factors. More particularly, the disclosure provides methods for redirecting differentiated cells to a hematopoietic stem cell state or to a hemogenic endothelial cell state by direct programming with specific combinations of transcription factors.

Abstract: Provided herein are isolated populations of kidney cells harvested from differentiated cells of the kidney, wherein cells have been expanded in vitro. The kidney cells may include peritubular interstitial cells of the kidney, and preferably produce erythropoietin (EPO). The kidney cells may also be selected based upon EPO production. Methods of producing an isolated population of EPO producing cells are also provided, and methods of treating a kidney disease resulting in decreased EPO production in a patient in need thereof are provided, including administering the population to the patient, whereby the cells produce EPO in vivo.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for isolating one or more genetic elements encoding a gene product having a desired activity, comprising of the steps of: (a) compartmentalizing genetic elements into microcapsules; (b) expressing the genetic elements to produce their respective gene products within the microcapsules; (c) sorting the genetic elements which produce the gene product having a desired activity. The invention enables the in vitro evolution of nucleic acids by repeated mutagenesis and iterative applications of the method of the invention.

Abstract: Therapeutic and drug delivery systems are provided in the form of medical devices with coatings for capturing and immobilizing target cells such as circulating progenitor or genetically-altered mammalian cells in vivo. The genetically-altered cells are transfected with genetic material for expressing a marker gene and a therapeutic gene in a constitutively or controlled manner. The marker gene is a cell membrane antigen not found in circulating cells in the blood stream and therapeutic gene encodes a peptide for the treatment of disease, such as, vascular disease and cancer. The coating on the medical device may be a biocompatible matrix comprising at least one type of ligand, such as antibodies, antibody fragments, other peptides and small molecules, which recognize and bind the target cells. The therapeutic and/or drug delivery systems may be provided with a signal source such as activator molecules for stimulating the modified cells to express and secrete the desired marker and therapeutic gene products.

Abstract: This invention provides methods to prepare and use immunostimulatory cells for enhancing an immune response. The invention provides a method for preparing mature dendritic cells (DCs), comprising the sequential steps of: (a) signaling isolated immature dendritic cells (iDCs) with a first signal comprising an interferon gamma receptor (IFN-?R) agonist and/or a tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor (TNF-?R) agonist to produce signaled dendritic cells; and (b) signaling said signaled dendritic cells with a second transient signal comprising an effective amount of a CD40 agonist to produce CCR7+ mature dendritic cells. Also provided by this invention are enriched populations of dendritic cells prepared by the methods of the invention. Such dendritic cells have enhanced immunostimulatory properties and increased IL-12 secretion and/or decreased IL-10 secretion. CD40 signaling can be initiated by one or more of polypeptide translated from an exogenous polynucleotide encoding CD40L (e.g.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides adeno-associated virus (AAV) virions with altered capsid protein, where the AAV virions exhibit greater infectivity of retinal cells compared to wild-type AAV. The present disclosure further provides methods of delivering a gene product to a retinal cell in an individual, and methods of treating ocular disease.

Abstract: Provided are a diagnosis marker, a diagnosis method, and a therapeutic agent suitable for diagnosing and treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Also provided are an animal model and a cell model suitable for developing a therapeutic agent and a treatment method for ALS. The diagnosis method for ALS includes: an isolation step in which a nucleic acid is isolated from a specimen taken from a subject; a detection step in which bases expressed in a human chromosome 10 optineurin (OPTN) gene region are detected from the isolated nucleic acid; and a determination step in which it is determined whether or not the detected bases are mutated.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials related to vesicular stomatitis viruses. For example, vesicular stomatitis viruses, nucleic acid molecules encoding VSV polypeptides, methods for making vesicular stomatitis viruses, and methods for using vesicular stomatitis viruses to treat cancer are provided.

Abstract: Provided is a lentiviral vector system which sustains a high-frequency retrograde transportation ability in animal brain and has a higher titer. A kit for preparing a retrograde transport viral vector, which comprises: (1) a packaging plasmid containing the gag gene and pol gene of HIV-1; (2) a packaging plasmid containing an accessory gene of HIV-1; (3) a transfer plasmid containing a target gene; and (4) an envelope plasmid containing, as an envelope gene, a gene encoding a fused polypeptide comprising the extracellular domain of rabies virus glycoprotein (RV-G), the transmembrane domain of rabies virus glycoprotein (RV-G) or vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV-G) and the intracellular domain of vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV-G).

Abstract: Nucleic acid oligonucleotide sequences are disclosed which include amplification oligomers and probe oligomers which are useful for detecting multiple types of human papillomaviruses (HPV) associated with cervical cancer. Methods for detecting multiple HPV types in biological specimens by amplifying HPV nucleic acid sequences in vitro and detecting the amplified products are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a human artificial chromosome vector comprising a gene encoding the human antibody heavy chain, a gene encoding the human antibody light chain, and a gene encoding IgM heavy chain constant region derived from a nonhuman animal; and being capable of producing a human antibody with a higher efficiency when the vector is introduced into an animal. By immunizing the animal produced using a human artificial chromosome vector of the present invention with a desired antigen, a large quantity of human polyclonal antibodies can be supplied.

Abstract: A process for making nanoparticles of biocompatible materials is described, wherein an aqueous reaction mixture comprising cerous ion, an ?-amino acid, an oxidant and water is provided along with temperature conditions to effectively form nanoparticles. These biocompatible nanoparticles may be further conjugated to biologically active agents, such as plasmid DNA, siRNA or proteins, such that a cell transfection agent is formed.

Abstract: A conditional knock-out non-human animal is disclosed. Wherein some cells of the non-human animal but not all the cells comprise a disrupted MO-1 nucleic acid sequence, wherein the disruption results in an inability of the non-human animal to produce detectable levels of the MO-1 protein, as assayed by Southern blot analysis.

Abstract: The invention comprises suppressor oligonucleotides for reducing amplification of a non-target nucleic acid sequences; the method of designing and using such oligonucleotides, as well as kits and reaction mixtures.

Abstract: An expanding agent for hematopoietic stem cells and/or hematopoietic progenitor cells useful as a therapy for various hematopoietic diseases and useful for improvement in the efficiency of gene transfer into hematopoietic stem cells for gene therapy is provided. A method of producing hematopoietic stem cells and/or hematopoietic progenitor cells, which comprises expanding hematopoietic stem cells by culturing hematopoietic stem cells ex vivo in the presence of a compound represented by the formula following (I), a tautomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compound or a solvate thereof (wherein R1 to R8 are as defined in the description).

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for creation of vector nucleic acid sequences (e.g., retroviral nucleic acid sequences) that comprise two or more exogenous nucleic acid sequences that encode highly homologous (e.g., identical) polypeptide sequences, yet wherein at least one of the exogenous nucleic acid sequences has been mutated using degenerate codons for purpose of reducing homology between the two or more exogenous nucleic acid sequences while maintaining the encoded polypeptide sequence. Preferred nucleic acid sequences include those encoding multi-chimeric immune receptor (CIR) genes. Specific nucleic acid sequences of such CIR genes are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of the role of Wnt1 in multiple cardiovascular processes, including cardiac repair, angiogenesis, and stimulation of endothelial progenitor cells. This discovery provides methods of using Wnt1 to treat cardiovascular disorders and injuries.

Abstract: The present invention provides lipid-based formulations for delivering, e.g., introducing, nucleic acid-lipid particles comprising an interference RNA molecule to a cell, and assays for optimizing the delivery efficiency of such lipid-based formulations.