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 mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). 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: 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 invention encompasses engineered nucleases which recognize and cleave a recognition sequence within a Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome. The engineered meganucleases can exhibit at least one optimized characteristic, such as enhanced specificity and/or efficiency of indel formation, when compared to the first-generation meganuclease HBV 11-12x.26. 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 hepatocellular carcinoma.

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: 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 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: 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: The present invention encompasses engineered nucleases which recognize and cleave a recognition sequence within the first exon of the human T cell receptor (TCR) alpha constant region gene. The engineered meganucleases can exhibit at least one optimized characteristic, such as enhanced (i.e., increased) specificity or efficiency of cleavage, when compared to the first-generation meganuclease TRC 1-2x.87EE. The present invention also encompasses methods of using such engineered nucleases to make genetically-modified cells, and the use of such cells in a pharmaceutical composition and in methods for treating diseases, such as cancer.

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 invention provides engineered meganucleases, derived from I-Cre1, which have substitutions at particular positions that increase the activity of the nucleases for recognition sequences containing certain center sequences. The invention also provides methods of cleaving double-stranded DNA using such engineered meganucleases. The invention further provides methods for improving the activity of engineered meganucleases for recognition sequences containing certain center sequences.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses engineered nucleases which recognize and cleave a recognition sequence within the first exon of the human T cell receptor (TCR) alpha constant region gene. The engineered meganucleases can exhibit at least one optimized characteristic, such as enhanced (i.e., increased) specificity or efficiency of cleavage, when compared to the first-generation meganuclease TRC 1-2x.87EE. The present invention also encompasses methods of using such engineered nucleases to make genetically-modified cells, and the use of such cells in a pharmaceutical composition and in methods for treating diseases, such as cancer.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses engineered nucleases which recognize and cleave a recognition sequence within a Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome. The engineered meganucleases can exhibit at least one optimized characteristic, such as enhanced specificity and/or efficiency of indel formation, when compared to the first-generation meganuclease HBV 11-12x.26. 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 hepatocellular carcinoma.

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 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: 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: Methods for producing in a plant a complex transgenic trait locus comprising at least two altered target sequences in a genomic region of interest are disclosed. The methods involve the use of two or more double-strand-break-inducing agents, each of which can cause a double-strand break in a target sequence in the genomic region of interest which results in an alteration in the target sequence. Also disclosed are complex transgenic trait loci in plants. A complex transgenic trait locus comprises at least two altered target sequences that are genetically linked to a polynucleotide of interest. Plants, plant cells, plant parts, and seeds comprising one or more complex transgenic trait loci are also disclosed.