Abstract: Provided herein are peptide amphiphiles (PAs) comprising a bioactive peptide, nanofibers displaying the bioactive PAs, and methods of use thereof. The disclosed peptide amphiphiles comprise a hydrophobic tail, a structural peptide segment, a charged peptide segment, and a bioactive IKVAV peptide. The disclosed PAs may be used in cell culture methods and in methods of treating central nervous system injury.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to optical methods for the diagnosis of neuronal condition by converting a cell from a patient into a neuron and optically evaluating action potentials of that cell in vitro. The cell is transformed with an optical reporter and exhibits an optical signature in response to neural stimulation. Using genome-editing, a control cell can be made that is isogenic but—for a known mutation and a control signature obtained from the control cell. Thus, methods of the invention reveal potential neurodegenerative effects of a mutation as manifested in a patient's genetic context.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to optical methods for the diagnosis of neuronal condition by converting a cell from a patient into a neuron and optically evaluating action potentials of that cell in vitro. The cell is transformed with an optical reporter and exhibits an optical signature in response to neural stimulation. Using genome-editing, a control cell can be made that is isogenic but-for a known mutation and a control signature obtained from the control cell. Thus, methods of the invention reveal potential neurodegenerative effects of a mutation as manifested in a patient's genetic context. The optical signature of the cell, or the difference between the signature and the control signature, is correlated to a diagnosis of the neurodegenerative disease.

Abstract: The specification provides compositions and methods to treat neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: The specification provides compositions and methods to treat neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: The specification provides compositions and methods to treat neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to optical methods for the diagnosis of neuronal condition by converting a cell from a patient into a neuron and optically evaluating action potentials of that cell in vitro. The cell is transformed with an optical reporter and exhibits an optical signature in response to neural stimulation. Using genome-editing, a control cell can be made that is isogenic but-for a known mutation and a control signature obtained from the control cell. Thus, methods of the invention reveal potential neurodegenerative effects of a mutation as manifested in a patient's genetic context.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to optical methods for the diagnosis of neuronal condition by converting a cell from a patient into a neuron and optically evaluating action potentials of that cell in vitro. The cell is transformed with an optical reporter and exhibits an optical signature in response to neural stimulation. Using genome-editing, a control cell can be made that is isogenic but-for a known mutation and a control signature obtained from the control cell. Thus, methods of the invention reveal potential neurodegenerative effects of a mutation as manifested in a patient's genetic context. The optical signature of the cell, or the difference between the signature and the control signature, is correlated to a diagnosis of the neurodegenerative disease.

Abstract: The specification provides compositions and methods to treat neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to optical methods for the diagnosis of neuronal condition by converting a cell from a patient into a neuron and optically evaluating action potentials of that cell in vitro. The cell is transformed with an optical reporter and exhibits an optical signature in response to neural stimulation. Using genome-editing, a control cell can be made that is isogenic but-for a known mutation and a control signature obtained from the control cell. Thus, methods of the invention reveal potential neurodegenerative effects of a mutation as manifested in a patient's genetic context.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to optical methods for the diagnosis of neuronal condition by converting a cell from a patient into a neuron and optically evaluating action potentials of that cell in vitro. The cell is transformed with an optical reporter and exhibits an optical signature in response to neural stimulation. Using genome-editing, a control cell can be made that is isogenic but-for a known mutation and a control signature obtained from the control cell. Thus, methods of the invention reveal potential neurodegenerative effects of a mutation as manifested in a patient's genetic context. The optical signature of the cell, or the difference between the signature and the control signature, is correlated to a diagnosis of the neurodegenerative disease.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that motor neurons derived from patients with a neurodegenerative disease have decreased delayed rectifier potassium current and increased persistent sodium current compared to motor neurons derived from control healthy individuals. The present invention is also based on the discovery that the class of compounds known as “potassium channel openers” can be used to treat neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, and pain.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to optical methods for the diagnosis of neuronal condition by converting a cell from a patient into a neuron and optically evaluating action potentials of that cell in vitro. The cell is transformed with an optical reporter and exhibits an optical signature in response to neural stimulation. Using genome-editing, a control cell can be made that is isogenic but-for a known mutation and a control signature obtained from the control cell. Thus, methods of the invention reveal potential neurodegenerative effects of a mutation as manifested in a patient's genetic context.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to optical methods for the diagnosis of neuronal condition by converting a cell from a patient into a neuron and optically evaluating action potentials of that cell in vitro. The cell is transformed with an optical reporter and exhibits an optical signature in response to neural stimulation. Using genome-editing, a control cell can be made that is isogenic but-for a known mutation and a control signature obtained from the control cell. Thus, methods of the invention reveal potential neurodegenerative effects of a mutation as manifested in a patient's genetic context.

Abstract: Disease models for Parkinson's disease are disclosed comprising a dopaminergic neuron having one or more phenotypic or genotypic characteristics of Parkinson's disease where the neuron expresses an optical reporter of, and an optical activator of, electrical activity and that exhibits an optical signature in response to neural stimulation. Cells may optionally include an indicator of intracellular calcium levels. Transformed neurons may be optically evaluated for action potentials to track the development of disease, evaluate potential therapies, diagnosis of disease, and to identify mutations and genes associated with disease development and progression.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to optical methods for characterizing the effects of compounds on pain and other sensory phenomena. The effect of compounds on pain and other sensory phenomena may be characterized using dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons or sensory neurons expressing optogenetic proteins that allow neural activity to be stimulated and detected optically. The invention provides cell-based optical assays for studying the molecular and cellular bases of pain and sensory phenomena and as platforms to screen and validate drugs, e.g., for pre-clinical trials.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that motor neurons derived from patients with a neuro-degenerative disease have decreased delayed rectifier potassium current and increased persistent sodium current compared to motor neurons derived from control healthy individuals. The present invention is also based on the discovery that the class of compounds known as “potassium channel openers” can be used to treat neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, and pain.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates set of reference data or “scorecard” for a pluripotent stem cell, and methods, systems and kits to generate a scorecard for predicting the functionality and suitability of a pluripotent stem cell line for a desired use. In some aspects, a method for generating a scorecard comprises using at least 2 stem cell assays selected from: epigenetic profiling, differentiation assay and gene expression assay to predict the functionality and suitability of a pluripotent stem cell line for a desired use.