Abstract: The disclosure includes CpG reduced regulatory elements, polynucleotides comprising such CpG reduced regulatory elements, expression cassettes comprising such CpG reduced regulatory elements, and recombinant AAV vectors comprising such CpG reduced regulatory elements. The regulatory elements can be, for example, operably coupled to a transgene.

Abstract: A mouse model may be used in evaluation of the change in intelligence level. The mouse model may be a mouse model with high intelligence level. The mouse chromosome of the mouse model with high intelligence level at least includes all or a portion of chromosome 1 originated from wild-type mouse. The evaluation includes performing a test which may be an open field test, sucrose preference test, water maze test, space exploration Y maze test, active avoidance Y maze test, and/or fatigue rotarod test.

Abstract: The subject invention provides compositions and methods for isolating exosomes from, for example, biological fluid samples, cell cultures and/or cultured medium. Provided are Absolute Precipitation of Exosomes (APEX) reagents and precipitation techniques to isolate exosomes from various EV subsets, cells, dead cells, and/or cell debris. Advantageously, APEX is a rapid, effortless, inexpensive, high-recovery method to extract exosomes. This method is also faster and purer at isolating exosomes from other precipitation techniques.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for analyzing the content and distribution of microplastics in marine Cnidaria organisms, including: an exposure experiment of marine Cnidaria organisms; observation with a stereotype fluorescence microscope; plotting of a standard curve of fluorescence microplastics; sample fluorescence imaging and calculation of content of microplastics and freeze-drying of samples and calculation of a microplastics concentration. Technical solutions of the present disclosure can accurately position the distribution of microplastics in living marine Cnidaria organisms, and effectively and accurately quantify the content of microplastics in living organisms and local tissues, which is of great significance to the monitoring and treatment of new environmental pollutants.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for gene therapy of retinal degeneration related to mutations in nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 1 (NMNAT1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the method and use of reef coral fluorescent proteins in making transgenic red, green and yellow fluorescent zebrafish. Preferably, such fluorescent zebrafish are fertile and used to establish a population of transgenic zebrafish and to provide to the ornamental fish industry for the purpose of marketing. Thus, new varieties of ornamental fish of different fluorescence colors from a novel source are developed.

Abstract: Delivery of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has provided benefits to Parkinsonian patients and is currently being tested in a Phase 1/2a clinical trial for ALS patients. However, chronic trophic factor delivery prohibits dose adjustment or shut off in the event of side effects. To address this, the Inventors engineered a stably integrating, third-generation doxycycline-regulated vector, allowing inducible and reversible expression of a therapeutic molecule Human iPSC-derived neural progenitors were stably transfected with the vector, expanded and transplanted into the adult mouse brain. The Inventors observed that the addition and withdrawal of doxycycline led to GDNF expression that could be induced and reversed multiple times, demonstrating that doxycycline can penetrate the graft and regulate transgene expression in vivo.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a cell population containing embryonic erythroblasts, including the steps of: (1) subjecting pluripotent stem cells to suspension culture to form a cell aggregate; and (2) obtaining the cell population from the cell aggregate obtained in step (1), step (2) including step (2a) of subjecting the cell aggregate to adhesion culture. In addition, provided are an embryonic erythroblast-containing cell population, a cell culture composition containing the cell population, and a compound test method that uses the embryonic erythroblast-containing cell population.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for rearing and genetic manipulation of the genome of sap-feeding insects (e.g., whiteflies and others) to identify genetic targets for pest control, insecticides for pest control, and approaches to the genetic control of these pests.

Abstract: Mice that comprise a replacement of endogenous mouse IL-6 and/or IL-6 receptor genes are described, and methods for making and using the mice. Mice comprising a replacement at an endogenous IL-6R? locus of mouse ectodomain-encoding sequence with human ectodomain-encoding sequence is provided. Mice comprising a human IL-6 gene under control of mouse IL-6 regulatory elements is also provided, including mice that have a replacement of mouse IL-6-encoding sequence with human IL-6-encoding sequence at an endogenous mouse IL-6 locus.

Abstract: Dysfunctional or exhausted T cells arise in chronic diseases including chronic viral infections and cancer, and express high levels of co-inhibitory receptors. Therapeutic blockade of these receptors has clinical efficacy in the treatment of cancer. While co-inhibitory receptors are co-expressed, the triggers that induce them and the transcriptional regulators that drive their co-expression have not been identified. The immunoregulatory cytokine IL-27 induces a gene module in T cells that includes several known co-inhibitory receptors (Tim-3, Lag-3, and TIGIT). The present invention provides a novel immunoregulatory network as well as novel cell surface molecules that have an inhibitory function in the tumor microenvironment. The present invention further provides the novel discovery that the transcription factors Prdm1 and c-Maf cooperatively regulate the expression of the co-inhibitory receptor module.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of enriching a retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell population derived from stem cells. Such a method may comprise removing contaminating cells through the depletion of CD24 positive cells, CD56 positive cells, and/or CD90 positive cells from a starting population of RPE cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for production of undifferentiated or differentiated embryonic stem cell aggregate suspension cultures from undifferentiated or differentiated embryonic stem cell single cell suspensions and methods of differentiation thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides for a somatic fully haploid, karyotypically stable human cell line, e.g. obtainable by targeted deletion of one or more disomic chromosomal regions of a somatic near-haploid human parental cell, a method of producing the same, as well as the use of the cell line for producing isogenic cell variants, comprising genomic mutations at different genomic target sites, and a library of such cell variants.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of producing a preparation of fibroadipogenic progenitors (FAPs) from a cell mixture. In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of producing a preparation of human FAPs from a skeletal muscle biopsy sample for later use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transgenic red ornamental fish, as well as methods of making such fish by in vitro fertilization techniques. Also disclosed are methods of establishing a population of such transgenic fish and methods of providing them to the ornamental fish industry for the purpose of marketing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of generating and expanding hitman embryonic stem cell derived mesenchymal-like stem/stromal cells. These hES-MSCs are characterized at least in part by the low level of expression of IL-6. These cells are useful for the prevention and treatment of T cell related autoimmune disease, especially multiple sclerosis, as well as for delivering agents across the blood-brain barrier and the blood-spinal cord barrier. Also provided is a method of selecting clinical grade hES-MSC and a method of modifying MSC to produced a MSC with specific biomarker profile. The modified MSC are useful for treatment of various diseases.

Abstract: Provided are a method of preparing in vitro-matured intestinal organoids, and intestinal organoids prepared by the method.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to ligand like a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), comprising an antigen binding domain specific for one or more antigens selected from the group consisting of CLA, CD142, CD73, CD49c, CD66c, CD104, CD318 and TSPAN8; cell populations expressing such CARs and the use of the cell populations for cancer therapy.

Abstract: A vascularized cardiac organoid with a chamber structure and its preparation method is presented. The cardiac organoids have a unique chamber structure, which includes a myocardium wall. Within the cardiac organoids, a vascular network is developed, enclosed within the myocardium wall. This vascular network is composed of endothelial cells surrounded by smooth muscle cells, forming a network of branched tubular structures. The presence of vasculature significantly promotes the arrangement of the myocardium, enhances the organization of the cardiac cytoskeleton, and promotes the consistency and beating frequency of cardiac cells. The vasculature facilitates the growth and size increase of the cardiac organoids.