Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel means capable of producing a blood chimeric animal in which a state of retaining blood cells originating in a heterologous animal at a high percentage is sustained for a long period of time. The method for producing a non-human animal that retains blood cells originating in a heterologous animal, according to the present invention, comprises transplanting hematopoietic cells of a heterologous animal into a non-human animal, in which hematopoietic cells the function of a gene that acts on the hematopoietic system is modified, The gene that acts on the hematopoietic system is, for example, Lnk gene, When a medium to large mammal is used as a recipient, the survival rate of hematopoietic cells originating in a heterologous animal is dramatically increased such that blood chimerism of 10% or more can be maintained even in a 16 month old animal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for culturing a population of hepatocytes in vitro, comprising co-culturing the population of hepatocytes with at least one non-parenchymal cell population and incubating the co-culture in culture medium, wherein the co-culture is periodically incubated in culture medium that does not comprise serum (serum-free culture medium).

Abstract: A method of preparing a ddx27-deletion zebrafish mutant, including: determining a target of ddx27 knockout on a sixth exon of the ddx27 in a zebrafish and designing a gRNA sequence; using primers T7-ddx27-sfd and tracr rev for PCR amplification with a pUC19-gRNA scaffold plasmid as a template; purifying and transcribing the PCR product obtained in vitro to produce gRNA; introducing the gRNA and a Cas9 protein into the zebrafish; and culturing the zebrafish to obtain a zebrafish ddx27 mutant of stable inheritance. In addition, the application also discloses a phenotype of the ddx27-deletion zebrafish mutant, which plays an important role in investigating the biological function.

Abstract: A screening method for the identification of a characteristic of a target nucleic acid in a whole blood sample, including positioning a composition comprising whole blood and at least one preservative agent within a centrifuge, centrifugating the composition to isolate a plasma that includes at least one target nucleic acid for further analysis and analyzing the at least one target nucleic acid to identify a characteristic about the at least one target nucleic acid, and a composition including the plasma, the preservative agent, and any other ingredient, which is produced by the method.

Abstract: A method of growing primary human epithelial cells, in particular human epithelial cells using a basal formula containing individual (a) amino acids, (b) vitamins, (c) trace elements, and (d) other organics such as linoleic acid. The basal medium may be a mixture of amino acids, vitamins, and salts that constitute the basic media that is used to culture epithelial cells over a number of population doublings, e.g., over at least one week, while maintaining a normal phenotype and exerting low stress on the cultured cells, and maintaining lineage heterogeneity.

Abstract: The invention found that first, the feasibility of transfer of tumor resistance and other healthy longevity characters through transplantation of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) or hematopoietic stem cells (HSC)/hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) consisting of genetically engineered EKLF gene encoding the hematopoietic transcription factor EKLF. Secondly, the present invention demonstrates expression of EKLF in the long-term hematopoietic stem cells (LT-HSC), and thus EKLF as a target of regulation of hematopoiesis.

Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure relates to compositions and methods useful for the diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as leukodystrophies (e.g., Canavan Disease). In some embodiments, the methods comprise administering to a subject an N-acetylaspartate (NAA)-depleting agent or an N-acetylaspartate (NAA)-depleting agent based upon the subject's metabolic profile.

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: Provided is a method for inducing a skeletal muscle cell including a step of introducing MyoD family gene or an expression product thereof and Myc family gene or an expression product thereof into a somatic cell of a mammal.

Abstract: Provided is an SgRNA combination, comprising an SgRNA specifically targeting the GGTA1 gene, an SgRNA specifically targeting the CMAH gene and an SgRNA specifically targeting the ?4GalNT2 gene. Also provided is a CRISPR/Cas9 vector combination, comprising a GGTA1-CRISPR/Cas9 vector, a CMAH-CRISPR/Cas9 vector and a ?4GalNT2-CRISPR/Cas9 vector. Also provided is an applicaton of the CRISPR/Cas9 vector combination in knocking out the GGTA1 gene, the CMAH gene and the ?4GalNT2 gene. The knockout rates of the three genes with the specifically targeted SgRNA sequences are respectively 56%, 63%, and 41%. A three genes knockoutpig can be obtained, wherein the three genes related to immune rejectionare knocked out, and heart valves of said pig can be acquired.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for promoting adult mammalian cardiomyocytes processes and systems for enhancing cardiomyocyte regeneration are described. The invention relates to locally administering a therapeutic agent containing a modified messenger RNA for expressing a mutated serum response factor polypeptide and a modified messenger RNA for expressing a mutated YAP polypeptide into diseased heart muscle to promote cardiomyocyte proliferation and cardiac regeneration.

Abstract: A method of treating a human patient comprising systemically administering multiple doses of a parenteral formulation of a replication capable oncolytic adenovirus of subgroup B in a single treatment cycle, wherein the total dose given in each dose is in the range of 1×1010 to 1×1014 viral particles, and wherein each dose of virus is administered over a period of 1 to 90 minutes, for example at a rate of viral particle delivery in the range of 2×1010 particles per minute to 2×1012 particles per minute. Also provided are formulations of the oncolytic adenoviruses and combination therapies of the viruses and formulations with other therapeutic agents.

Abstract: Genetically modified compositions, such as non-viral vectors and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer are disclosed. Disclosed are methods of utilizing a CRISPR system to generate genetically modified compositions. Also disclosed are the methods of making and using the genetically modified compositions for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer.

Abstract: A non-immunogenic selection epitope may be generated by removing certain amino acid sequences of the protein. For example, a gene encoding a truncated human epidermal growth factor receptor polypeptide (EGFRt) that lacks the membrane distal EGF-binding domain and the cytoplasmic signaling tail, but retains an extracellular epitope recognized by an anti-EGFR antibody is provided. Cells may be genetically modified to express EGFRt and then purified without the immunoactivity that would accompany the use of full-length EGFR immunoactivity. Through flow cytometric analysis, EGFRt was successfully utilized as an in vivo tracking marker for genetically modified human T cell engraftment in mice. Furthermore, EGFRt was demonstrated to have cellular depletion potential through cetuximab mediated antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) pathways.

Abstract: Provided herein are variant adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid proteins having one or more modifications in amino acid sequence relative to a parental AAV capsid protein, which, when present in an AAV virion, confer increased infectivity of one or more types of muscle cells as compared to the infectivity of the muscle cells by an AAV virion comprising the unmodified parental AAV capsid protein. Also provided are recombinant AAV virions and pharmaceutical compositions thereof comprising a variant AAV capsid protein as described herein, methods of making these rAAV capsid proteins and virions, and methods for using these rAAV capsid proteins and virions in research and in clinical practice, for example in, e.g., the delivery of nucleic acid sequences to one or more muscle cells for the treatment of muscle disorders and diseases.

Abstract: Fish embryos may be successfully vaccinated or therapeutically treated if the therapeutic agent is injected into the yolk sac. Therapeutic agents may be directly injected or released from microspheres and enter the circulation and tissues. Injection into the yolk sac, combined with the use of carriers, allows for a continued, controlled release of therapeutic agents and processing of antigens. Fish vaccination or therapeutic treatment, selecting fish embryos post fertilization at the one-cell to eyed egg stage of development, and injecting the yolk sac with carriers associated with an antigen(s) or therapeutic agent(s), may be fully automated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Adeno-associated virus type 9 methods and materials useful for intrathecal delivery of polynucleotides. Use of the methods and materials is indicated, for example, for treatment of lower motor neuron diseases such as SMA and ALS as well as Pompe disease and lysosomal storage disorders. It is disclosed that administration of a non-ionic, low-osmolar contrast agent, together with a rAAV9 vector for the expression of Survival Motor Neuron protein, improves the survival of SMN mutant mice as compared to the administration of the expression vector alone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vector which comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding for the frataxin (FXN) gene for use in the prevention and treatment of neurological phenotype associated with Friedreich ataxia in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Provided is a method of transfecting cells of the cochlea with an agent by electroporation, and in certain embodiments using a cochlear implant to provide at least one electroporation electrode.

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.