Abstract: The present invention encompasses engineered meganucleases which recognize and cleave a recognition sequence within an open reading frame (ORF) of the genome of at least two genotypes of the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). The present invention also encompasses methods of using such engineered meganucleases in a pharmaceutical composition and in methods for treating or reducing the symptoms of a HBV infection, or treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Further, the invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising engineered meganuclease proteins, nucleic acids encoding engineered meganucleases, and the use of such compositions for treating HBV infections or HCC.

Abstract: Disclosed are recombinant meganucleases engineered to recognize and cleave recognition sequences present in a mutant RHO P23H allele. The invention further relates to the use of such recombinant meganucleases in methods for treating retinitis pigmentosa, wherein the mutant RHO P23H allele is preferentially targeted, cleaved, and inactivated.

Abstract: Rationally-designed LAGLIDADG meganucleases and methods of making such meganucleases are provided. In addition, methods are provided for using the meganucleases to generate recombinant cells and organisms having a desired DNA sequence inserted into a limited number of loci within the genome, as well as methods of gene therapy, for treatment of pathogenic infections, and for in vitro applications in diagnostics and research.

Abstract: Targeted transcriptional effectors (transcription activators and transcription repressors) derived from meganucleases are described. Also described are nucleic acids encoding same, and methods of using same to regulate gene expression. The targeted transcriptional effectors can comprise (i) a meganuclease DNA-binding domain lacking endonuclease cleavage activity that binds to a target recognition site; and (ii) a transcription effector domain.

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 combination with mitochondrial transit peptides in methods for producing genetically-modified eukaryotic cells, and to a population of genetically-modified eukaryotic cells wherein the mtDNA has been modified or edited.

Abstract: The present disclosure encompasses engineered meganucleases that bind and cleave recognition sequences within a dystrophin gene. The present disclosure also encompasses methods of using such engineered meganucleases to make genetically modified cells. Further, the disclosure encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising engineered meganuclease proteins, or polynucleotides encoding engineered meganucleases of the disclosure, and the use of such compositions for the modification of a dystrophin gene in a subject, or for treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Abstract: The present disclosure encompasses engineered meganucleases that bind and cleave recognition sequences within a dystrophin gene. The present disclosure also encompasses methods of using such engineered meganucleases to make genetically modified cells. Further, the disclosure encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising engineered meganuclease proteins, or polynucleotides encoding engineered meganucleases of the disclosure, and the use of such compositions for the modification of a dystrophin gene in a subject, or for treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of molecular biology and recombinant nucleic acid technology. In particular, the invention relates to a method of treating a patient with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy comprising the removal of at least one exon from the dystrophin gene using engineered nucleases.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are recombinant meganucleases engineered to bind and cleave a recognition sequence in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of a eukaryotic cell, such as a plant cell. 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: Rationally-designed LAGLIDADG meganucleases and methods of making such meganucleases are provided. In addition, methods are provided for using the meganucleases to generate recombinant cells and organisms having a desired DNA sequence inserted into a limited number of loci within the genome, as well as methods of gene therapy, for treatment of pathogenic infections, and for in vitro applications in diagnostics and research.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses engineered meganucleases which recognize and cleave a recognition sequence within the human PCSK9 gene. The present invention also encompasses methods for using such engineered meganucleases in a pharmaceutical composition and in methods for treating or reducing the symptoms of cholesterol-related disorders, such as hypercholesterolemia. Further, the invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising engineered meganuclease proteins, nucleic acids encoding engineered meganucleases, and the use of such compositions for treating cholesterol-related disorders, such as hypercholesterolemia.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses engineered meganucleases which recognize and cleave a recognition sequence within the human PCSK9 gene. The present invention also encompasses methods for using such engineered meganucleases in a pharmaceutical composition and in methods for treating or reducing the symptoms of cholesterol-related disorders, such as hypercholesterolemia. Further, the invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising engineered meganuclease proteins, nucleic acids encoding engineered meganucleases, and the use of such compositions for treating cholesterol-related disorders, such as hypercholesterolemia.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are recombinant meganucleases engineered to recognize and cleave a recognition sequence present in the human beta-2 microglobulin gene. 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 T cells having reduced cell-surface expression of beta-2 microglobulin.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel co-stimulatory domains useful in genetically-modified cells to promote cell proliferation and/or promote cytokine secretion after antigen recognition. For example, disclosed herein are genetically-modified cells comprising a chimeric antigen receptor or an inducible regulatory construct incorporating the co-stimulatory domains disclosed herein. Also disclosed herein are plasmids and viral vectors comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding the co-stimulatory domains, and methods of administering compositions comprising the novel co-stimulatory domains to subjects in order to reduce the symptoms, progression, or occurrence of disease, such as cancer.

Abstract: The present disclosure encompasses engineered meganucleases that bind and cleave recognition sequences within a dystrophin gene. The present disclosure also encompasses methods of using such engineered meganucleases to make genetically modified cells. Further, the disclosure encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising engineered meganuclease proteins, or polynucleotides encoding engineered meganucleases of the disclosure, and the use of such compositions for the modification of a dystrophin gene in a subject, or for treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses engineered meganucleases that bind and cleave a recognition sequence within a TTR gene. The present invention also encompasses methods of using such engineered meganucleases to make genetically-modified cells. Further, the invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising engineered meganuclease proteins, or nucleic acids encoding engineered meganucleases of the invention, and the use of such compositions for treatment of TTR-associated diseases, such as transthyretin amyloidosis.

Abstract: The present disclosure encompasses engineered meganucleases that bind and cleave recognition sequences within a dystrophin gene. The present disclosure also encompasses methods of using such engineered meganucleases to make genetically modified cells. Further, the disclosure encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising engineered meganuclease proteins, or polynucleotides encoding engineered meganucleases of the disclosure, and the use of such compositions for the modification of a dystrophin gene in a subject, or for treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a genetically-modified cell comprising in its genome a modified human T cell receptor alpha constant region gene, wherein the cell has reduced cell-surface expression of the endogenous T cell receptor. The present disclosure further relates to methods for producing such a genetically-modified cell, and to methods of using such a cell for treating a disease in a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed are rationally-designed, non-naturally-occurring meganucleases in which a pair of enzyme subunits having specificity for different recognition sequence half-sites are joined into a single polypeptide to form a functional heterodimer with a non-palindromic recognition sequence. The invention also relates to methods of producing such meganucleases, and methods of producing recombinant nucleic acids and organisms using such meganucleases.

Abstract: The present disclosure encompasses engineered meganucleases that bind and cleave recognition sequences within a dystrophin gene. The present disclosure also encompasses methods of using such engineered meganucleases to make genetically modified cells. Further, the disclosure encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising engineered meganuclease proteins, or polynucleotides encoding engineered meganucleases of the disclosure, and the use of such compositions for the modification of a dystrophin gene in a subject, or for treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.