Abstract: Disclosed herein are polynucleotides encoding ligand-inducible gene switch polypeptides, and systems comprising gene switch polypeptides for modulating the expression of a heterologous gene and an interleukin in a host cell. The compositions, methods and systems described herein facilitate ligand dependent expression of polypeptides including but not limited to cytokines and antigen binding polypeptides.

Abstract: It is to provide an immunocompetent cell that expresses regulatory factors of immunocompetent cell immune function and possesses all of proliferative potential, viability, and the ability to accumulate a T cell, and an expression vector of regulatory factors of immune function for generating the immunocompetent cell. An immunocompetent cell expressing a cell surface molecule specifically recognizing a cancer antigen, interleukin 7 (IL-7), and CCL19 is generated. Preferably, the cell surface molecule specifically recognizing a cancer antigen is T cell receptor specifically recognizing the cancer antigen, and the immunocompetent cell is a T cell.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of treating muscular dystrophy comprising administering to a subject a recombinant AAV (rAAV) scAAVrh74.MHCK7.hSGCG vector, methods of expressing gamma-sarcoglycan gene in a patient, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the rAAV scAAVrh74.MHCK7.hSGCG for usage in such methods, the doses and the ranges thereof for such methods, and methods of generating and producing the rAAV scAAVrh74.MHCK7.hSGCG.

Abstract: Provided herein are adeno-associated virus (AAV) compositions that can restore F8 gene function in a cell without co-transducing or co-administering an exogenous nuclease or a nucleotide sequence that encodes an exogenous nuclease. Also provided are methods of using the AAV compositions to correct an F8 gene mutation and/or treat a disease or disorder associated with an F8 gene mutation. Packaging systems for making the adeno-associated virus compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for inducing CRISPR/Cas-based editing of a target nucleic acid (e.g., target DNA or target RNA) in vitro or in a cell, using modified prime editing guide RNAs (pegRNAs) that incorporate one or more chemically-modified nucleotides. The modified pegRNAs disclosed herein may be used to induce Cas-mediated incorporation of one or more nucleotide changes and/or targeted mutagenesis of a target nucleic acid. The nucleotide change can include, e.g., one or more nucleotide changes, an insertion of one or more nucleotides, or a deletion of one or more nucleotides.

Abstract: A method for isolating a protein complex comprising BCL10 and at least one, preferably all, of ROS1, LSD1, BTK, KU80, KU70, CUL4A, IMP3, thioredoxin, hTID1, DAP3, CDK1/CDC2, PRL1/PTP4A1 or NM23. Methods for using this complex to diagnose or prognose diseases including diabetes, obesity, cancer, neurodegenerative disease or inflammatory diseases associated with activation of NF-?B. Methods for distinguishing lean, obese and diabetic subjects based on expression of BCL10 and its ligands are also disclosed. The invention also pertains to pharmaceutical compositions comprising ligands for BCL10 or other components of this complex or agents such as siRNA or miRNA that regulate the expression of the protein components of this complex.

Abstract: Disclosed are engineered retrons and methods of use such as to modify the genome of a host (e.g., mammalian) cell by delivering the engineered retron or the encoded ncRNA in vitro or in vivo to the host (e.g., mammalian) cell.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are recombinant meganucleases engineered to recognize and cleave a recognition sequence present in the human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The disclosure further relates to the use of such recombinant meganucleases in methods for producing genetically-modified eukaryotic cells, and to a population of genetically-modified eukaryotic cells wherein the mtDNA has been having modified or edited.

Abstract: Yeast having modified chromosomes are provided. The chromosomes are modified such that at least one of yeast histones H3, H4, H2A or H2B are fully or partially replaced by their human histone counterparts H3, H4, H2A or H2B, respectively. Histone amino acid substitutions are included. Cell fusions with the yeast having the modified chromosomes and non-yeast cells are provided. Methods for screening test agents using the yeast are also provided. Yeast with a mutated yeast DAD1 gene, the mutated DAD1 gene encoding an E50D mutation in yeast DAD1 protein, are provided, and provide a useful genetic background for making the yeast with partially or fully replaced histone(s).

Abstract: The disclosure relates to compositions comprising and methods for chemical modification of single guide RNA (sgRNA), tracrRNA and/or crRNA used individually or in combination with one another or Cas system components. Compositions comprising modified ribonucleic acids have been designed with chemical modification for even higher efficiency as unmodified native strand of sgRNA. Administration of modified ribonucleic acids will allow decreased immune response when administered to a subject, increased stability, increased editing efficiency and facilitated in vivo delivery of sgRNA via various delivery platforms. The disclosure also relates to methods of decreasing off-target effect of CRISPR and a CRISPR complex.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions that comprise engineered polynucleotides, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, methods of making the same, and methods of treatment comprising the compositions that comprise the engineered polynucleotides.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides donor polynucleotides, genome editing systems, methods, pharmaceutical compositions, and kits which correct or induce a mutation that causes Glycogen Storage Disease 1a in a genomic DNA molecule in a cell. In some embodiments the present disclosure provides donor polynucleotides comprising two strands capable of correcting a mutation that causes Glycogen Storage Disease 1a.

Abstract: The invention relates to recombinant host cells that expresses one or more genes encoding a cytochrome P450 enzyme capable of N-demethylating and/O-demethylating reticuline and/or derivatives thereof, and also methods of producing a N-demethylated and/or O-demethylated reticuline and/or derivatives thereof, comprising cultivating the recombinant host of the invention in a culture medium under conditions in which the one or more genes encoding the cytochrome P450 enzymes is/are expressed. The reticuline and derivatives thereof are useful for providing access to naturally unavailable and chemically difficult-to-produce starting materials for opioids.

Abstract: Provided herein are isolated DNA vectors comprising a heterologous gene, wherein the DNA vector is devoid of bacterial plasmid DNA and/or bacterial signatures, which can abrogate persistence in vivo. The invention also features pharmaceutical compositions (non-immunogenic pharmaceutical compositions) including the DNA vectors of the invention, which can be used for induction of long-term, episomal expression of a heterologous gene in a subject. The invention involves methods of treating a subject by administering the DNA vectors of the invention, including methods of treating disorders associated with a defect in a target gene.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for the treatment of diseases and/or disorders in a subject, including, but not limited to neurological disorders such as giant axonal neuropathy. The methods described herein include direct administration of a gene therapy (e.g. an rAAV viral vector) to a subject via injection into a vagus nerve (e.g. the left vagus nerve) of the subject.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for treating Alzheimer's disease (AD) by selective silencing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) using Cas9 nuclease gene editing. Methods of making and using genetic constructs comprising a Cas9 nuclease and a sequence encoding guide RNA (gRNA) specific to APP capable of truncating the C-terminus of APP, as well as compositions comprising these constructs, are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are polynucleotides encoding ligand-inducible gene switch polypeptides, and systems comprising gene switch polypeptides for modulating the expression of a heterologous gene and an interleukin in a host cell. The compositions, methods and systems described herein facilitate ligand dependent expression of polypeptides including but not limited to cytokines and antigen binding polypeptides.

Abstract: A method of making a polypeptide including one or more D-amino acids is provided. The method includes combining a ribosome with protein translation factors including (1) a template encoding the polypeptide, wherein the template encoding the polypeptide includes one or more codons which have been recoded to accept a tRNA attached to a D-amino acid, (2) a plurality of L-amino acids and a plurality of corresponding tRNAs, (3) a plurality of D-amino acids and their corresponding aminoacyl tRNA synthetase or a plurality of tRNAs ligated with a D-amino acid, and (4) elongation factor P in a concentration of 2 to 20 micromolar, wherein translation of the template encoding the polypeptide occurs to produce the polypeptide including one or more D-amino acids.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a sphere-packing lattice electroporation device configured for use as a stand-alone unit or in an automated multi-module cell processing environment and configured to decrease cell processing time and cell survival. The sphere-packing lattice utilizes lattice-forming beads that are uniform in size and that self-assemble into a crystalline-like lattice.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for the secretion of brazzein in improved yield.