Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions, kits, and methods of making RNA vaccines having an appropriate cap structure. Systems, apparatus, compositions, and/or methods may include and/or use, in some embodiments, non-naturally occurring single-chain RNA capping enzymes. In some embodiments, an RNA capping enzyme may include an FCE variant having (a) an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to positions 1 to 878 of SEQ ID NO: 1, and/or (b) one or more substitutions relative to SEQ ID NO: 1 at a position selected from positions corresponding to positions 215, 337, 572, 648, and 833 (e.g., a position selected from positions corresponding to position 215, 337, and 572) of SEQ ID NO: 1.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions, kits, and methods of making RNA vaccines having an appropriate cap structure. Systems, apparatus, compositions, and/or methods may include and/or use, in some embodiments, non-naturally occurring single-chain RNA capping enzymes. In some embodiments, an RNA capping enzyme may include an FCE variant having (a) an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to positions 1 to 878 of SEQ ID NO: 1, and/or (b) one or more substitutions relative to SEQ ID NO: 1 at a position selected from positions corresponding to positions 215, 337, 572, 648, and 833 (e.g., a position selected from positions corresponding to position 215, 337, and 572) of SEQ ID NO: 1.

Abstract: Kits and methods are provided that utilize a mesophilic strand displacing polymerase selected from Bsu DNA polymerase (large fragment) and Klenow in Loop mediated amplification (LAMP) at temperatures in the range of 34° C.-52ºC. This contrasts with 60° C.-65° C. required for standard Bst polymerase dependent LAMP. The reduced temperature of the LAMP reaction enables the use of other proteins that are temperature sensitive in a one-step reaction. For example, a Cas protein such as Cas12a may be used with a target nucleic acid specific guide RNA and optionally a reporter oligonucleotide containing a quencher and a fluorophore or lateral flow reagents to determine the presence of pathogens in a sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions, kits, and methods of making RNA vaccines having an appropriate cap structure. Systems, apparatus, compositions, and/or methods may include and/or use, in some embodiments, non-naturally occurring single-chain RNA capping enzymes. In some embodiments, an RNA capping enzyme may include an FCE variant having (a) an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to positions 1 to 878 of SEQ ID NO: 1, and/or (b) one or more substitutions relative to SEQ ID NO: 1 at a position selected from positions corresponding to positions 215, 337, 572, 648, and 833 (e.g., a position selected from positions corresponding to position 215, 337, and 572) of SEQ ID NO: 1.

Abstract: Provided herein, among other things, is a method for deaminating a double-stranded nucleic acid. In some embodiments, the method may comprise contacting a double-stranded DNA substrate that comprises cytosines and a double-stranded DNA deaminase having an amino acid sequence that is at least 80% identical to any of SEQ ID NOS: 21, 40, 47, 49, 50, 55, 58, 59, 62, 63, 65, 67, 70, 71, 76, 106, 107, 110, 112, 114, 117, 163 and/or 164 to produce a deamination product that comprises deaminated cytosines. Enzymes and kits for performing the method are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method for efficiently capping RNA in vitro. In some embodiments the capping reaction may be done at high temperature using Vaccinia capping enzyme or a variant thereof. In other embodiments, the capping reactions may comprise a capping enzyme from a large virus of amoeba, e.g., Faustovirus, mimivirus or moumouvirus, or a variant thereof. Compositions and kits for practicing the method are also provided.

Abstract: An improved adapter design for ligation to target RNA in a library is described which enables target RNAs that would normally be under-represented or not represented at all in a cDNA library or a PCR product of the cDNA library, to be represented with average frequency.

Abstract: An improved adapter design for ligation to target RNA in a library is described which enables target RNAs that would normally be under-represented or not represented at all in a cDNA library or a PCR product of the cDNA library, to be represented with average frequency.

Abstract: An adapter is disclosed that converts a received stereo audio signal into a signal having more than two channels, such as a surround sound signal. For example, the adapter may convert a stereo signal to a 5.1 signal. Other types of surround sound may alternatively be generated from the stereo signal. In addition, the adapter may have no active electronic components. That is, the adapter may require no power source to perform the signal conversion other than the power inherent to the stereo signal itself. Where the adapter requires no source of power and uses relatively few parts, the adapter may be assembled in a relatively small housing.

Abstract: When a load is to be moved between preselected points along a path such that its weight aids movement in one direction and opposes it in the other (for example when scenery supported from a hoist is to be moved between "deads" in a theater or studio), the supported load is initially weighed and a signal representing its weight is stored. This signal is extracted from store when movement between positions is required and is applied to the hoist driving system to provide a torque balancing the load weight before a brake on the hoist driving system is removed. Thereafter the load is moved to the new position, the brake is reapplied and the stored weight signal is removed from the driving system.