Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide nucleic acids and compositions comprising gene regulatory elements (GREs) for specific expression in nociceptor cells. Other aspects of the disclosure relate to the use of vectors and compositions comprising the gene regulatory elements for treating or managing pain and other neurological diseases in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The technology described herein is directed to a gene regulatory element, e.g., enhancer, vectors comprising the same, adeno-associated vectors comprising the same and cells comprising said vectors. In another aspect, described herein are methods of treating a motor neuron disease or disorder comprising administration of said vectors, e.g., AAV vectors. In another aspect, described herein are nucleic acid compositions comprising the gene regulatory element as described herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure, at least in part, relates to compositions (e.g., isolated nucleic acid and rAAVs) and methods for treating Non-syndromic hearing loss and deafness (DFNB1) by delivering gap junction beta 2 (GJB2) protein to inner ear cells that normally express GJB2 (e.g., fibrocytes and supporting cells of the organ of Corti and nearby regions). The isolated nucleic acid of the present disclosure comprises an expression cassette, wherein the expression cassette comprises a gap junction beta 2 (GJB2) gene regulatory element (GRE) (e.g., GJB2 enhancers, GJB2 promoters, GJB2 5? UTR, and/or GJB2 3? UTR), and a nucleotide sequence encoding a GJB2 protein.

Abstract: The technology described herein is directed to adeno-associated vims (AAV) vectors comprising at least one gene regulatory element (GRE) and cells comprising said vectors. In another aspect, described herein are methods of screening for said gene regulatory elements. In another aspect, described herein are nucleic acid compositions comprising a GRE as described herein.