Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of synthetic receptors and their uses. More specifically, the present disclosure relates novel synthetic receptors that target IL-23 and the use of such receptor in the treatment of conditions involving immune dysfunction, particularly autoimmunity.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to materials and methods for evaluation of transplant rejection in a subject. In particular. provided herein are synthetic scaffolds and methods of use thereof for early diagnosis of transplant rejection in a subject.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for treating cancer using administration of certain volumes of CpG oligonucleotides (CpG ODN) and, optionally, administration of a checkpoint inhibitor such as an anti-PD-1 antibody, an anti-PD-L1 antibody, and/or an anti-CTLA-4 antibody. In preferred embodiments, the CpG ODN are selected based on their propensity to induce high amounts of interferon alpha (IFN-?) and T-cell activation relative to interleukin-10 (IL-10) and B-cell activation. In certain embodiments, the methods further include pretreatment with radiotherapy, to potentiate the combination immunotherapy.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for treating cancer using administration of certain volumes of CpG oligonucleotides (CpG ODN) and, optionally, administration of a checkpoint inhibitor such as an anti-PD-1 antibody, an anti-PD-L1 antibody, and/or an anti-CTLA-4 antibody. In preferred embodiments, the CpG ODN are selected based on their propensity to induce high amounts of interferon alpha (IFN-a) and T-cell activation relative to interleukin-10 (IL-10) and B-cell activation. In certain embodiments, the methods further include pretreatment with radiotherapy, to potentiate the combination immunotherapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates in part to compositions and methods for treating a wound, or location of interest, in mammal by administering a decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) lacking thrombospondin-2 (TSP-2-null ECM). In certain embodiments, the invention provides an acellular composition comprising a decellularized TSP-2-null ECM. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a tunable hydrogel comprising a decellularized TSP-2-null ECM. The invention also provides, in certain embodiments, methods for accelerating cellular migration, methods for enhancing cellular invasion, methods for enhancing vascular growth and maturation of a region to be treated, and/or methods for enhancing a wound repair in a mammal in need thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein is a biomaterial comprising a sensor system comprising a donor fluorophore linked to a target binding moiety (TBM) and an acceptor molecule linked to a TBM, wherein, when the TBM linked to the donor fluorophore and the TBM linked to the acceptor molecule binds to a target, a resonance energy transfer (RET; e.g., Forster (or Fluorescence) resonance energy transfer (FRET), bioluminescent resonance energy transfer (BRET), chemiluminescent resonance energy transfer (CRET), or a combination thereof) from the donor fluorophore to the acceptor molecule occurs and a detectable signal is produced. An medical device, e.g., an implant, comprising the presently disclosed biomaterial comprising a sensor system is further provided. Related medical devices and solid supports are furthermore provided herein. Use of the biomaterials and medical devices in methods of determining a level of expression of a gene, an RNA, or a protein, is additionally provided.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to particle heaters for heating solid particles to store electrical energy as thermal energy. Thermal energy storage directly converts off-peak electricity into heat for thermal energy storage, which may be converted back to electricity, for example during peak-hour power generation. The particle heater is an integral part of an electro-thermal energy storage system, as it enables the conversion of electrical energy into thermal energy. As described herein, particle heater designs are described that provide efficient heating of solid particles in an efficient and compact configuration to achieve high energy density and low cost.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to particle heaters for heating solid particles to store electrical energy as thermal energy. Thermal energy storage directly converts off-peak electricity into heat for thermal energy storage, which may be converted back to electricity, for example during peak-hour power generation. The particle heater is an integral part of an electro-thermal energy storage system, as it enables the conversion of electrical energy into thermal energy. As described herein, particle heater designs are described that provide efficient heating of solid particles in an efficient and compact configuration to achieve high energy density and low cost.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of monitoring progression, regression, or stage of an AID in a subject, measuring a level of expression of a gene, an RNA, or a protein, or a combination thereof, in a sample obtained from a niche at the implantation site of a synthetic scaffold in the subject at a first time point and at a second time point, wherein the expression level measured at the first time point is compared to the expression level measured at the second time point, wherein the difference in the level of expression at the second time point relative to the level of expression at the first time point is indicative of progression, regression, or stage of the autoimmune disease. Related methods of detecting an AID, determining treatment for a subject with an AID, determining efficacy of an AID treatment, or treating an AID, are further provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates in part to compositions and methods for treating a wound, or location of interest, in mammal by administering a decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) lacking thrombospondin-2 (TSP-2-null ECM). In certain embodiments, the invention provides an acellular composition comprising a decellularized TSP-2-null ECM. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a tunable hydrogel comprising a decellularized TSP-2-null ECM. The invention also provides, in certain embodiments, methods for accelerating cellular migration, methods for enhancing cellular invasion, methods for enhancing vascular growth and maturation of a region to be treated, and/or methods for enhancing a wound repair in a mammal in need thereof.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for treating cancer using administration of certain volumes of CpG oligonucleotides (CpG ODN) and, optionally, administration of a checkpoint inhibitor such as an anti-PD-1 antibody, an anti-PD-L1 antibody, and/or an anti-CTLA-4 antibody. In preferred embodiments, the CpG ODN are selected based on their propensity to induce high amounts of interferon alpha (IFN-a) and T-cell activation relative to interleukin-10 (IL-10) and B-cell activation. In certain embodiments, the methods further include pretreatment with radiotherapy, to potentiate the combination immunotherapy.

Abstract: A peer-to-peer loan facilitation system. A first electronic device creates a lending bid or borrowing request specifying one or more terms and conditions for a financial loan. A second electronic device generates search criteria for a lending bid or a borrowing request including one or more terms and conditions for a financial loan. A server receives from the first electronic device the lending bid or borrowing request, receives from the second electronic device the search criteria, and matches the search criteria to the lending bid or borrowing request if the one or more terms and conditions of the search criteria are similar to those of the lending bid or borrowing request. The server facilitates the exchange of electronic correspondence between the first electronic device and the second electronic device. A database connected to the server records the electronic correspondences exchanged between the first electronic device and the second electronic device.

Abstract: Among other things, the present disclosure relates to designed oligonucleotides, compositions, and methods thereof. In some embodiments, provided oligonucleotide compositions provide altered splicing of a transcript. In some embodiments, provided oligonucleotide compositions have low toxicity. In some embodiments, provided oligonucleotide compositions provide improved protein binding profiles. In some embodiments, provided oligonucleotide compositions have improved delivery. In some embodiments, provided oligonucleotide compositions have improved up-take. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods for treatment of diseases using provided oligonucleotide compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chimeric polypeptides in which a serum albumin protein has been altered to include one or more biologically active heterologous peptide sequences. The chimeric polypeptides may exhibit therapeutic activity related to the heterologous peptide sequences coupled with the improved serum half-lives derived from the serum albumin protein fragments. Heterologous peptide sequences maybe chosen to promote any biological effect, including angiogenesis inhibition, antitumor activity, and induction of apoptosis. The therapeutic effect may be achieved by direct administration of the chimeric polypeptide, or by transfecting cells with a vector including a nucleic acid encoding such a chimeric polypeptide.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is the synthesis of a binary method that combines variegated antibody display libraries, e.g., in a “display mode”, with soluble secreted antibody libraries, e.g., in a “secretion mode”, to yield a method for the efficient isolation of antibodies having a desired biological activity.