Abstract: The invention provides a method of promoting reprogramming of a cardiac fibroblast into a cardiomyocyte by contacting the cardiac fibroblast with an isolated polynucleotide molecule comprising at least two functional miRNA sequences using a multicistronic expression system for reprogramming of fibroblasts into functional mature cardiomyocytes.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved and/or shortened methods for expanding TILs and producing therapeutic populations of TILs, including novel methods for expanding TIL populations in a closed system that lead to improved efficacy, improved phenotype, and increased metabolic health of the TILs in a shorter time period, while allowing for reduced microbial contamination as well as decreased costs. Such TILs find use in therapeutic treatment regimens.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved and/or shortened methods for expanding TILs and producing therapeutic populations of TILs, including novel methods for expanding TIL populations in a closed system that lead to improved efficacy, improved phenotype, and increased metabolic health of the TILs in a shorter time period, while allowing for reduced microbial contamination as well as decreased costs. Such TILs find use in therapeutic treatment regimens.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides engineered immune cells and methods for their creation and use. The immune cells comprise activating and blocking receptors, in which the blocking receptor provides a signal that dominates a signal from the activating receptor.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials for treating cancer. For example, foamy viruses (e.g., simian foamy viruses) are provided as well as methods and materials for treating cancer using foamy viruses as an oncolytic agent.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure, there is provided a method for culturing cells into which a reprogramming factor is introduced including culturing cells into which a reprogramming factor is introduced; and recovering all cells into which the reprogramming factor is introduced and seeding and passaging at least part of the recovered cells in a medium. In addition, there is provided a method for culturing cells into which a reprogramming factor is introduced, including culturing cells into which a reprogramming factor is introduced; and inducing somatic cells different from pluripotent stem cells without passaging the cells into which the reprogramming factor is introduced.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method of obtaining a population of cardiomyogenic precursor cells. The method comprises (a) differentiating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to iPSC-derived cardiac precursor cells; and (b) isolating cardiac precursor cells expressing mammalian growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor (GHRHR) to obtain a population of iPSC-derived cardiomyogenic precursor cells.

Abstract: A method for culturing heart tissue by culturing a slice of the heart tissue in a culture medium, wherein the culture medium comprises fetal bovine serum (FBS), vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF), and fibroblast growth factor (FGF); and applying electrical stimulation to the slice while the heart slice is in culture is provided. Methods of screening candidate therapeutic agents for therapeutic effect or cardiotoxicity using the culture system are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved humanized IgG1 FCRN mouse models for use, for example, in estimating serum half-life of therapeutic proteins such as monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to compositions and methods for treating hereditary hearing loss and/or vision loss, for example, due to Usher syndrome, Type 3A. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides a recombinant adeno-associated virus comprising: (i) an AAV-S capsid protein, and (ii) an isolated nucleic acid comprising a transgene (e.g., a transgene for expressing a clarin-1 protein). The present disclosure also provides methods of treating hereditary hearing loss and/or vision loss (e.g., Usher Syndrome, Type 3A) using the same.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a new means capable of easily and efficiently preparing cells showing a function more similar to the function of intestinal epithelial cells of a living body. According to the present invention, pluripotent stem cells are induced to differentiate into intestinal stem cell-like cells by a method for inducing differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into intestinal epithelial cells, the method including a step (1) of differentiating pluripotent stem, cells into intestinal stem cell-like cells and a step (2) of differentiating the intestinal stem cell-like cells obtained in the step (1) into intestinal epithelial cell-like cells by using an MEK1 inhibitor, a DNA methylation inhibitor, a TGF? receptor inhibitor, EGF, and a cAMP activator in combination.

Abstract: Provided are antibodies, fragments thereof, chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) and T cell receptors (TCRs) comprising one or more of the anti-PMCA antigen binding domains disclosed herein. SynNotch receptors that comprise an anti-PSCA binding domain Provided are polynucleotides encoding antibodies, fragments thereof, CARs, T cell receptors (TCR) and SynNotch receptors. Provided are compositions, cells and cell therapies comprising the same. Further provided are methods of treatment.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for disrupting expression of nuclear receptor interacting protein 1 (Nrip1) in adipose cells, and methods of use of such adipose cells for treating, or reducing risk of, a condition associated with an elevated body mass index (BMI).

Abstract: This present disclosure relates to a bioengineering approach based on microphysiological culture to mimic tissue-tissue interface. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides methods, compositions and kits related to the approach.

Abstract: Provided is a lentivirus packaging system, which comprises: a transfer plasmid comprising a nucleotide sequence of TAR-reserved-chimeric 5? long terminal repeat (LTR); at least one packaging plasmid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding TAR RNA binding protein, a nucleotide sequence of rev gene, a nucleotide sequence of gag gene, and a nucleotide sequence of pol gene; and an envelope plasmid. Due to the expression of gene of TAR RNA binding protein by the packaging plasmids, the produced lentivirus has higher virus titer and can improve the transduction rate and the gene delivery efficiency during cell transduction. The present invention further provides a method of improving lentivirus production in a host cell, which comprises using the lentivirus packaging system to transfect the host cell. The present invention further provides a cell transduced by the lentivirus and a method of using the cell for treating cancer.

Abstract: Provided herein are recombinant microorganisms that express a subject polypeptide. Microorganisms can comprise an expression construct comprising a flagellin promoter operatively linked with a heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding the subject polypeptide. The flagellin promoter sequence can comprise a genetic modification that reduces CsrA inhibition of translation. Microorganisms also can comprise a genetic modification that reduces FlgM inhibition of SigD initiation of transcription. The target polypeptide can be an aldehyde dehydrogenase. Such microorganisms are useful in the treatment of alcohol hangover.

Abstract: Compounds that either produced a higher proportion or greater absolute number of phenotypically identified naive, stem cell memory, central memory T cells, adaptive NK cells, and type I NKT cells are identified. Compositions and methods for modulating immune cells including T, NK, and NKT cells for adoptive cell therapies with improved efficacy are provided.

Abstract: Understanding the complex effects of genetic perturbations on cellular state and fitness in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) has been challenging using traditional pooled screening techniques which typically rely on unidimensional phenotypic readouts. Here, Applicants use barcoded open reading frame (ORF) overexpression libraries with a coupled single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and fitness screening approach, a technique we call SEUSS (ScalablE fUnctional Screening by Sequencing), to establish a comprehensive assaying platform. Using this system, Applicants perturbed hPSCs with a library of developmentally critical transcription factors (TFs), and assayed the impact of TF overexpression on fitness and transcriptomic cell state across multiple media conditions. Applicants further leveraged the versatility of the ORF library approach to systematically assay mutant gene libraries and also whole gene families.

Abstract: The present invention relates in part to nucleic acids, including nucleic acids encoding proteins, therapeutics and cosmetics comprising nucleic acids, methods for delivering nucleic acids to cells, tissues, organs, and patients, methods for inducing cells to express proteins using nucleic acids, methods, kits and devices for transfecting, gene editing, and reprogramming cells, and cells, organisms, therapeutics, and cosmetics produced using these methods, kits, and devices.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for treating ocular neuropathy in a subject. In one aspect, a recombinant adeno-associated viral vector is provided which includes a nucleic acid molecule comprising a sequence encoding NRF2. In another aspect, a recombinant adeno-associated viral vector is provided which includes a nucleic acid molecule comprising a sequence encoding SIRT1. In desired embodiments, the subject is human, cat, dog, sheep, or non-human primate.