Abstract: The disclosure describes novel systems, methods, and compositions for the manipulation of nucleic acids in a targeted fashion. The disclosure describes non-naturally occurring, engineered CRISPR systems, components, and methods for targeted modification of nucleic acids such as DNA. Each system includes one or more protein components and one or more nucleic acid components that together target nucleic acids.

Abstract: In one aspect of the instant invention, lentiviral vectors are provided, particularly for treating hemoglobinopathies. Composition comprising the lentiviral vector are also encompassed by the instant invention. In accordance with another aspect of the instant invention, methods of inhibiting, treating, and/or preventing a hemoglobinopathy (e.g., sickle cell disease or thalassemia) in a subject are provided. In a particular embodiment, the method comprises administering a viral vector of the instant invention to a subject in need thereof hemoglobinopathy. In a particular embodiment, the subject has sickle cell anemia.

Abstract: The invention provides, inter alia, a nucleic acid (e.g. expression vector) that comprises at least a first coding sequence and a second coding sequence. Each coding sequence is under the control of an inducible promoter of defined strength. Different promoters can have different strengths. Each promoter is responsive to the same inducer. The invention also provides: methods of expressing coding regions, methods of making a product of a multi-enzyme pathway, and methods of optimizing the yield of a product of a multi-enzyme metabolic pathway using the nucleic acids provided by the invention. Also disclosed is a method of non-enzymatic gene cloning useful for practicing the invention.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein utilized RNA targeting effectors to provide a robust CRISPR-based diagnostic with attomolar sensitivity. Embodiments disclosed herein can detect broth DNA and RNA with comparable levels of sensitivity and can differentiate targets from non-targets based on single base pair differences. Moreover, the embodiments disclosed herein can be prepared in freeze-dried format for convenient distribution and point-of-care (POC) applications. Such embodiments are useful in multiple scenarios in human health including, for example, viral detection, bacterial strain typing, sensitive genotyping, and detection of disease-associated cell free DNA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new aptamer molecules for use in the treatment and/or diagnosis of autoimmune diseases associated with autoantibodies against G-protein coupled receptors, a pharmaceutical composition comprising such aptamer molecules, an apheresis column comprising such aptamer molecules and a method for the determination of nucleotide sequences for use as sequences of aptamer molecules.

Abstract: Synthetic RNA molecules comprising at least two RNA-binding protein (RBP)-binding motifs, wherein the at least two RBP-binding motifs bind the same first RBP and comprise non-identical sequences are provided. Synthetic RNA molecules comprising an RBP-binding motif that binds two orthogonal RBPs, comprising at least three RBP-binding motifs for three orthogonal RBPs or comprising a first RBP-binding motif, a second RBP-binding motif, a regulatory element and an open reading frame wherein the first and second RBP-binding motifs cooperatively enhance translation of the open reading frame are also provided. Compositions, cells and methods of use or generating the synthetic RNA molecules are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are oligomeric compounds, methods, and pharmaceutical compositions for reducing the amount or activity of PLN RNA in a cell or animal, and in certain instances reducing the amount of phospholamban protein in a cell or animal. Such oligomeric compounds, methods, and pharmaceutical compositions are useful to treat cardiomyopathy, heart failure, or arrhythmia.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a versatile method termed CRISPR-SKIP that utilizes cytidine and/or adenine deaminase base editors to program exon skipping by mutating target DNA bases within splice acceptor sites and/or splice enhancer sites. Given its simplicity and precision, CRISPR-SKIP will be broadly applicable in gene therapy and synthetic biology.

Abstract: Provided herein are gene repressor systems comprising fusion proteins, such as fusion proteins comprising a DNA binding domain such as a TALE, zinc finger or catalytically-dead CRISPR protein and guide nucleic acid (gRNA), which are useful in the repression of a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) gene. Also provided are methods of using such systems to repress transcription of PCSK9.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recording a transcriptome of a cell by: providing a test cell that includes a first transgene nucleic acid sequence encoding a fusion protein that is a reverse transcriptase polypeptide and a Cas1 polypeptide and a second transgene nucleic acid sequence encoding a Cas2 polypeptide, wherein the first transgene nucleic acid sequence and the second transgene nucleic acid sequence are under transcriptional control of an inducible promoter sequence, and a third transgene nucleic acid sequence including a CRISPR direct repeat (DR) sequence; wherein the CRISPR direct repeat sequence is specifically recognizable by a RT-Cas1-Cas2 complex formed by the expression products of the first transgene nucleic acid sequence and the second transgene nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to one or more compositions that upregulate the production of one or more sequences of micro-interfering ribonucleic acid (miRNA). The miRNA may be complimentary to a sequence of target messenger RNA (mRNA) that encodes for a target biomolecule and the miRNA can cause the target mRNA to be degraded or inactivated, decreasing the bioavailability of the target biomolecule within a subject that is administered the one or more compositions. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the target biomolecule is a complement or a factor. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the target biomolecule is a complement such as complement C1q, complement C1r, complement C1s, complement C3 or complement C5. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the target biomolecule is a factor such as Factor B, Factor D or Factor 10.

Abstract: Described herein are synthetic promoters and/or enhancers that are specific for cancer cells and methods of engineering synthetic cancer-specific promoters.

Abstract: Present invention relates to the in vitro use of the level or concentration in a salivary or breath sample of bacteria belonging to the Alloprevotella, Prevotella, Campylobacter, Rothia, Catonella, Porphyromona, Fretibacterium genus, or any combination thereof, for the diagnosis of carcinomas or epidermoid cancers, especially epidermoid cancer of the head and neck, in a patient, or to obtain useful data that allow such a diagnosis.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods using CRISPR-Cas13 enzyme, complexed with SARS-CoV-2 crRNA guide RNAs to detect and quantify the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in a sample with enhanced specificity and sensitivity. These methods can be used to diagnose SARS-CoV-2 infection, quantify the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA present in a sample, identify the presence of different SARS-CoV-2 splice variants, subtypes, or mutations, and to monitor reactivation of SARS-CoV-2 transcription.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for improving health through modulating calcium homeostasis modulator 2 (CALHM2) are provided in the present disclosure. The methods may include administering, to a subject, a pharmaceutical composition including an effective amount of one or more agents that decrease CALHM2 function level in the at least one body part of the subject. The compositions may include one or more agents that decrease CALHM2 function level in at least one body part of a subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to devices, compositions and methods for designing and producing nucleic acid molecules and the production of encoded proteins using these nucleic acid molecules. In some aspect, the disclosure relates to automation for the in vitro generation of coding DNA molecules, the in vitro transcription of these DNA molecules to generate protein coding RNA molecules, and the in vitro translation of these protein coding RNA molecules to produce proteins.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the selective extraction of rare molecular species from a mixture containing a predominance of related molecular species, and their subsequent release are provided. Compositions include a segregating probe having a target-specific targeting portion, a protecting portion, a scissile or cleavable site or portion, and a capture portion. Complex formation between the targeting portion and the target rare species results in protection of the cleavable site. Such complexes remain intact through a cleavage step directed to the cleavable site or portion of the segregating probe. While complex formation can occur between a segregating probe and a related, but non-target, species the cleavable site is not protected in such complexes. A subsequent capture step directed to the capture portion selectively captures or segregates the target rare species from the general milieu, which can be removed by washing.

Abstract: Circular RNA and methods and constructs for engineering circular RNA are disclosed. In some embodiments, the circular RNA includes the following elements arranged in the following sequence: a) an adjacent exon sequence of a 3? Group I self-splicing intron-exon, b) an internal ribosome entry site (IRES), c) a protein coding region or noncoding region, and d) an adjacent exon sequence of a 5? Group I self-splicing intron-exon.

Abstract: Provided herein are engineered Class 2. Type V nucleases and guide RNAs useful for the editing of target nucleic acids. Also provided are methods of making and using such variants to modify nucleic acids.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to engineered CRISPR-Cas effector proteins that comprise at least one modification compared to an unmodified CRISPR-Cas effector protein that enhances binding of the CRISPR complex to the binding site and/or alters editing preference as compared to wild type. In certain example embodiments, the CRISPR-Cas effector protein is a Type V effector protein. In certain other example embodiments, the Type V effector protein is Cpf1. Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to viral vectors for delivery of CRISPR-Cas effector proteins, including Cpf1. In certain example embodiments, the vectors are designed so as to allow packaging of the CRISPR-Cas effector protein within a single vector. There is also an increased interest in the design of compact promoters for packing and thus expressing larger transgenes for targeted delivery and tissue-specificity.