Abstract: Provided herein are modified DNAzymes, including DNAzymes with overhang sequences not complementary to the target RNA, in particular, overhangs with high G content. Also provided are compositions comprising the DNAzyme; vectors including the DNAzymes; pharmaceutical compositions including the vectors; and methods including any of the above for cleaving a target RNA; inducing cell death; and treating various diseases and disorders.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods comprising a DNAzyme targeting a transcript encoding a cell wall synthesis enzyme, for use in reducing an amount of a biofilm in a subject with a bacterial infection; increasing or enhancing antibiotic susceptibility in a subject with a bacterial infection; and inhibiting bacterial growth in a subject with a bacterial infection.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a digital camera, and a computer processor configured to drive the digital camera to acquire, for each of a plurality of imaging fields of a stained bodily sample, three or more digital images. At least one of the images is a brightfield image and at least two of the images are fluorescent images, each of the fluorescent images being acquired using respective first and second filters, which are different from each other. The computer processor performs image processing on the digital images, by extracting visual classification features from each of the three or more digital images, and identifies one or more entities that are contained within the bodily sample, based upon the image processing. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods for monitoring an immune response. Methods comprise linking a polynucleotide sequence encoding a heavy chain variable region and a polynucleotide sequence encoding a light chain variable region from a single lymphocyte from a biological sample obtained before an immune response and linking a polynucleotide sequence encoding a heavy chain variable region and a polynucleotide sequence encoding a light chain variable region from a single lymphocyte from a biological sample obtained during or after an immune response. Methods further comprise performing high-throughput sequencing of the linked (paired) sequences from before the immune response and from during or after the immune response, and comparing the resulting sequence reads.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including successively acquiring a plurality of microscopic images of a portion of a blood sample, and tracking motion of pixels within the successively acquired microscopic images. Trypomastigote parasite candidates within the blood sample are identified, by identifying pixel motion that is typical of trypomastigote parasites. It is determined that the blood sample is infected with trypomastigote parasites, at least partially in response thereto. An output is generated indicating that that the blood sample is infected with trypomastigote parasites. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Compositions of matter comprising RNA silencing molecules capable of mediating cleavage of p21 mRNA are disclosed. Methods of eradicating senescent cells or cancer cells, as well as methods of treating senescence-associated diseases or disorders, cancer, and fibrotic diseases and disorders are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides ribosomal RNA origami nanostructures and in particular nanostructures comprising RNA staples, composition comprising such origami nanostructures as well as methods for manufacturing such origami structures.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprising a DNAzyme molecule capable of mediating cleavage of p21 mRNA corresponding to SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein said DNAzyme molecule comprises a nucleic acid sequence at least 80% identical to the nucleic acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 23, 29, 33-38, 40, 42, 45-48, 53-60, 63-65, 69-74 or 78, is disclosed. Methods of eradicating senescent cells or cancer cells, as well as methods of treating senescence-associated diseases or disorders, cancer, and fibrotic diseases and disorders are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprising a DNAzyme molecule capable of mediating cleavage of p21 mRNA corresponding to SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein said DNAzyme molecule comprises a nucleic acid sequence at least 80% identical to the nucleic acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 23, 29, 33-38, 40, 42, 45-48, 53-60, 63-65, 69-74 or 78, is disclosed. Methods of eradicating senescent cells or cancer cells, as well as methods of treating senescence-associated diseases or disorders, cancer, and fibrotic diseases and disorders are also disclosed.

Abstract: An oligonucleotide is provided. The oligonucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence of at least one DNAzyme, the DNAzyme being capable of silencing at least one target gene of a bacteria to thereby render the bacteria susceptible to antibiotic treatment.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprising a DNAzyme molecule capable of mediating cleavage of p21 mRNA corresponding to SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein said DNAzyme molecule comprises a nucleic acid sequence at least 80% identical to the nucleic acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 23, 29, 33-38, 40, 42. 45-48. 53-60, 63-65, 69-74 or 78, is disclosed. Methods of eradicating senescent cells or cancer cells, as well as methods of treating senescence-associated diseases or disorders, cancer, and fibrotic diseases and disorders are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions of matter comprising RNA silencing molecules capable of mediating cleavage of p21 mRNA are disclosed. Methods of eradicating senescent cells or cancer cells, as well as methods of treating senescence-associated diseases or disorders, cancer, and fibrotic diseases and disorders are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein are DNAzymes conjugated to an organic moiety and methods of facilitating entry of DNAzymes into bacteria, utilizing same. Also provided are methods of targeting bacterial target genes, methods of treating or inhibiting the progression of bacterial infections, and methods of increasing susceptibility of bacteria to an antibiotic, using the described DNAzymes, which are optionally capable of silencing at least one target gene of bacteria and/or rendering bacteria susceptible to antibiotic treatment.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes compositions and methods for selection functional aptamers. In certain embodiments, provided herein are methods of using aptamer cluster-containing particles to identify functional aptamers from an aptamer library. In certain embodiments, provided herein are functionally enriched populations of aptamers. In certain embodiments, provided herein are methods for selecting an aptamer for use in personalized cancer treatment and methods for preparing a tumor delivery system. In certain embodiments, provide herein are compositions comprise the aptamer cluster-containing particles, target cells (e.g., cancer cells, immune cells, etc.) and/or a detectable indicator of cellular function (e.g., a fluorescent indicator of apoptosis, cell proliferation, gene or protein expression, etc.).

Abstract: The present disclosure describes compositions and methods for rapid selection of both binding and functional oligonucleotides (DNA, RNA, or any natural or synthetic analog of these). In certain embodiments, provided herein are flow cells (e.g., flow cells for an Illumina sequencing instrument or a Polonator sequencing instrument) comprising within its flow chamber a plurality of immobilized aptamer clusters (e.g., from an aptamer library described herein) and, optionally, one or more target cells (e.g., cancer cells, immune cells, etc.) and/or a detectable indicator of cellular function (e.g., a fluorescent indicator of apoptosis, cell proliferation, gene or protein expression, etc.). In certain embodiments, provided herein are methods of using such an aptamer cluster-containing flow cell to identify functional aptamers from an aptamer library (e.g., in a sequencing instrument, such as an Illumina sequencing instrument).

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and compositions for the treatment of rapidly evolving biological entities (e.g., cancer cells, bacteria, virus, etc.) using therapeutic nucleic acids.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including successively acquiring a plurality of microscopic images of a portion of a blood sample, and tracking motion of pixels within the successively acquired microscopic images. Trypomastigote parasite candidates within the blood sample are identified, by identifying pixel motion that is typical of trypomastigote parasites. It is determined that the blood sample is infected with trypomastigote parasites, at least partially in response thereto. An output is generated indicating that that the blood sample is infected with trypomastigote parasites. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with a digital camera that is configured to acquire images of a bodily sample. Two or more stains are configured to stain the bodily sample. A computer processor drives the digital camera to acquire, for each of a plurality of imaging fields of the bodily sample, two or more digital images, at least one of the images being acquired under brightfield lighting conditions, and at least one of the images being acquired under fluorescent lighting conditions. The computer processor performs image processing on the digital images, by extracting visual classification features from the digital images and analyzing the extracted visual classification features. The computer processor outputs a result of the image processing that includes an indication of one or more entities that are contained within the sample. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods for identifying a microbe that modulates an activity of a target cell, a target virus, or an enzymatic reaction of a target substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides to a set of anti-pathogenic nucleic acids capable of forming in cellulo one or more nucleic acid origami nanostructure together with one or more pathogenic RNA such as ribosomal RNA, pre-rRNA or mRNA present in the pathogenic cells. The present invention further provides nucleic acid constructs comprising the sequences of the set of anti-pathogenic staple nucleic acids and a vector comprising such a nucleic acid construct. Compositions, including pharmaceutical compositions, comprising the sets, the construct or the vector and use thereof are provided as well.