Abstract: The invention relates to methods of generating hepatic cells by overexpressing combinations of transcription factors, in particular for use in cellular reprogramming methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for generating RNA Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) transfected T cells. The RNA-engineered T cells can be used in adoptive therapy to treat cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating cancer in a patient. In one embodiment, the method comprises a first-line therapy comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a genetically modified T cell expressing a CAR wherein the CAR comprises an antigen binding domain, a transmembrane domain, a costimulatory signaling region, and a CD3 zeta signaling domain and monitoring the levels of cytokines in the patient post T cell infusion to determine the type of second-line of therapy appropriate for treating the patient as a consequence of the presence of the CART cell in the patient.

Abstract: Improved molluscan shellfish in diploid, tetraploid and triploid forms are provided. Also provided are methods for improving molluscan shellfish through progressive rotational crossbreeding and/or coalesced interploidy breeding.

Abstract: Four zebrafish gene promoters, which are skin specific, muscle specific, skeletal muscle specific and ubiquitously expressed respectively, were isolated and ligated to the 5? end of the EGFP gene. When the resulting chimeric gene constructs were introduced into zebrafish, the transgenic zebrafish emit green fluorescence under a blue light or ultraviolet light according to the specificity of the promoters used. Thus, new varieties of ornamental fish of different fluorescence patterns, e.g., skin fluorescence, muscle fluorescence, skeletal muscle-specific and/or ubiquitous fluorescence, are developed.

Abstract: This invention relates to an enriched population of isolated and expanded human cord blood stem cells and a method of producing an enriched population of isolated and expanded human cord blood stem cells. The expanded human cord blood stem cells are CD34+, CD90+, CD1 84+, CD1 17+, CD49f+, ALDH+, CD45RA? and express pluripotency genes SOX2, OCT4, NANOG, and ZIC3. In one embodiment, the stem cells in the enriched population of the present invention are positive for aldehyde dehydrogenase activity (ALDH+). In addition, in one embodiment the expanded stem cells are nearly depleted of T cells and B cells and contain a limited number of monocytes (CD14). Also disclosed is a method of treating a subject for a hematological disorder using the stem cells of the present invention and a method of determining the effects of a compound on hematopoietic stem cells.

Abstract: Mice having a restricted immunoglobulin heavy chain locus are provided, wherein the locus is characterized by a single polymorphic human VH gene segment, a plurality of human DH gene segments and a plurality of JH gene segments. Methods for making antibody sequences that bind an antigen (e.g., a viral antigen) are provided, comprising immunizing a mouse with an antigen of interest, wherein the mouse comprises a single human VH gene segment, a plurality of human DH gene segments and a plurality of JH gene segments, at the endogenous immunoglobulin heavy chain locus.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is disclosed which comprises at least two populations of autosomal-identical induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), wherein the complement of sex chromosomes of the first population of the at least two populations is non-identical to the complement of sex chromosomes of the second population of the at least two populations. Uses thereof and methods of generating same are also disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and compositions for producing a gene of interest (GOI) which, in certain embodiments, can reduce the metabolic burden on cells and reduce decoupling of GOI production from marker production, as compared to prior art methods. The methods relate to positive selection and negative selection approaches to establishing high GOI-producing cell lines, e.g., CHO lines. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise transfecting a cell with (a) an oligonucleotide comprising a GOI and a non-coding RNA, and (b) an oligonucleotide encoding a selection protein; wherein the non-coding RNA promotes or inhibits production of the selection protein. The cell producing the GOI can be identified and/or selected as a result of or by detecting the absence or the presence of the selection protein.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the production of photoreceptor cells and photoreceptor progenitor cells from pluripotent stem cells. Additionally provided are compositions of photoreceptor cells and photoreceptor cells, as well as methods for the therapeutic use thereof. Exemplary methods may produce substantially pure cultures of photoreceptor cells and/or photoreceptor cells.

Abstract: Genetically modified cells with at least one codon substituted to a synonymous codon, and with modified replicative fitness as compared to the unmodified cell, wherein a slower translating synonymous codon increases replicative fitness and a faster translating codon decreased replicative fitness are provided. Further, vaccine composition comprising those cells as well as methods for modifying replicative fitness of a cell are provided.

Abstract: Methods of tissue engineering, and more particularly methods and compositions for generating various vascularized 3D tissues, such as 3D vascularized embryoid bodies and organoids are described. Certain embodiments relate to a method of generating functional human tissue, the method comprising embedding an embryoid body or organoid in a tissue construct comprising a first vascular network and a second vascular network, each vascular network comprising one or more interconnected vascular channels; exposing the embryoid body or organoid to one or more biological agents, a biological agent gradient, a pressure, and/or an oxygen tension gradient, thereby inducing angiogenesis of capillary vessels to and/or from the embryoid body or organoid; and vascularizing the embryoid body or organoid, the capillary vessels connecting the first vascular network to the second vascular network, thereby creating a single vascular network and a perfusable tissue structure.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to methods that include delivering to a subject a nucleic acid encoding an antigen, wherein the nucleic acid is delivered via a tumor-selective vehicle or via intratumoral injection, and delivering to the subject an immune cell expressing a receptor that binds to the antigen.

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: Disclosed herein are nucleic acids encoding for and proteins expressing chimeric C1q polypeptides, non-human animals comprising said nucleic acids, and methods of making or using said non-human animals.

Abstract: The invention discloses for the first time pluripotent cells, including hypoimmune pluripotent ABO blood type O Rhesus Factor negative (HIPO?) cells, that evade rejection by the host allogeneic immune system and avoid blood antigen type rejection. The HIPO? cells comprise reduced HLA-I and HLA-II expression, increased CD47 expression, and a universal blood group O Rh? (“O?”) blood type. The universal blood type is achieved by eliminating ABO blood group A and B antigents as well as eliminating Rh factor expression, or by starting with an O? parent cell line. These new, novel HIPO? cells evade host immune rejection because they have an impaired antigen presentation capacity, protection from innate immune clearance, and lack blood group rejection. The cells of the invention also include O? pluripotent stem cells (iPSCO?) and O? embryonic stem cells (ESCO?).

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: Method for determining developmental fate of early embryos comprises measuring the expression level of a gene selected from the group consisting of CDKN1C, IGF2R, MAGEL2, MKRN3, NAP1L5, NDN, PEG3, PHLDA2, TSSC4, and UBE3A genes. Also disclosed is a method for improving pregnancy rate, wherein early embryos whose expression level of the MKRN3, NDN, PEG3, PHLDA2, TSSC4, or UBE3A gene is not increased, or the expression level of the CDKN1C, IGF2R, MAGEL2, or NAP1L5 gene is not decreased, are selected for planting into a suitable uterus for further development. Also disclosed are methods for increasing the likelihood of an early embryo to develop successfully into full-term pregnancy, wherein a suitable amount of siRNA corresponding to the PHLDA2 gene is injected into a fertilized egg which is in turn cultured further and planted into a suitable uterus.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for generating SC-? cells, and isolated populations of SC-? cells for use in various applications, such as cell therapy.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to genetically modified non-human animals that express a human or chimeric (e.g., humanized) CD137, and methods of use thereof.