Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to novel approaches to activate integrin signaling in order to overcome CD47 checkpoint inhibition and to promote macrophage phagocytic signaling pathway. The disclosure also provides methods and compositions for treatment of cancer, including solid tumor and hematologic malignancy, by promoting macrophage-mediated engulfment of cancer cells. Use of integrin activation in combination with adoptive transfer of engineered macrophages to increase engulfment of cancer cells is also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relate to novel chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that bind an engulfment receptor expressed on the surface of a phagocytic cell and activate the endogenous phagocytic signaling pathway. Also disclosed are compositions and methods useful for producing such CARs, nucleic acids encoding same, phagocytic cells that have been modified to include a targeted effector activity directed towards a cell of interest such as, e.g., a cancer cell, as well as for modifying a cell and/or for the treatment of various health disorders such as cancer, including solid tumor and hematologic malignancy.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relate to chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that bind an engulfment receptor expressed on the surface of a phagocytic cell and activate the endogenous phagocytic signaling pathway. Also disclosed are compositions and methods useful for producing such CARs, nucleic acids encoding same, phagocytic cells that have been modified to include a targeted effector activity directed towards a cell of interest such as, e.g., a cancer cell, as well as for modifying a cell and/or for the treatment of various health disorders such as cancer, including solid tumor and hematologic malignancy.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relate to novel chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that bind an engulfment receptor expressed on the surface of a phagocytic cell and activate the endogenous phagocytic signaling pathway. Also disclosed are compositions and methods useful for producing such CARs, nucleic acids encoding same, phagocytic cells that have been modified to include a targeted effector activity directed towards a cell of interest such as, e.g., a cancer cell, as well as for modifying a cell and/or for the treatment of various health disorders such as cancer, including solid tumor and hematologic malignancy.

Abstract: In one aspect, cells and cell-based assays for detecting the formation of cellular clusters of RNA (e.g., base-pairing mediated cellular clusters of RNA) are provided. In some embodiments, the cell comprises a heterologous polynucleotide comprising a promoter operably linked to a polynucleotide for encoding an RNA transcript comprising (i) an RNA sequence comprising a sequence that is prone to forming clusters of RNA and (ii) a binding motif for binding to a detectable molecule; and a heterologous detectable molecule that binds to the binding motif. In another aspect, methods of identifying an agent that dissolves or inhibits the formation of cellular clusters of RNA are provided.

Abstract: Methods, compositions, and kits are provided for imaging a polypeptide of interest. Methods, compositions, and kits are also provided for site-specific transcriptional regulation of one or more genetic elements.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for the screening and identification of agents having potent effects on the progression of the cell cycle. In one embodiment, the methods involve contacting a polymerized microtubule with a microtubule severing protein or a microtubule depolymerizing protein in the presence of an ATP or a GTP and a test agent; and (ii) detecting the formation of tubulin monomers, dimers or oligomers. The p60 subunit of katanin provides a particularly preferred microtubule severing protein possessing both ATPase and microtubule severing activities.

Abstract: The present invention features methods for purifying polypeptides of interest using a modified Fluorescein arsenical helix binder (FlAsH) compound immobilized on a solid support. An exemplary FlAsH target sequence motif is also presented. Examples of modification of the FlAsH compound which allow immobilization to a solid support are also provided. The present invention also provides DNA constructs for producing a dual affinity tagged polypeptide and methods for purification thereof.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for the screening and identification of agents having potent effects on the progression of the cell cycle. In one embodiment, the methods involve contacting a polymerized microtubule with a microtubule severing protein or a microtubule depolymerizing protein in the presence of an ATP or a GTP and a test agent; and (ii) detecting the formation of tubulin monomers, dimers or oligomers. The p60 subunit of katanin provides a particularly preferred microtubule severing protein possessing both ATPase and microtubule severing activities.

Abstract: This invention provides assays for agents that modulate (e.g. upregulate, downregulate or completely inhibit) microtubule depolymerizing or microtubule severing proteins. Such agents will have profound effects on progression of the cell cycle and act as potent anti-mitotic agents. The microtubule severing protein or microtubule depolymerizing protein is preferably a katanin, a p60 subunit of a katanin, an XKCM 1, or an OP18 polypeptide.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for the screening and identification of agents having potent effects on the progression of the cell cycle. In one embodiment, the methods involve contacting a polymerized microtubule with a microtubule severing protein or a microtubule depolymerizing protein in the presence of an ATP or a GTP and a test agent; and detecting the formation of tubulin monomers, dimers or oligomers. The p60 subunit of katanin provides a particularly preferred microtubule severing protein possessing both ATPase and microtubule severing activities.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for the screening and identification of agents having potent effects on the progression of the cell cycle. In one embodiment, the methods involve contacting a polymerized microtubule with a microtubule severing protein or a microtubule depolymerizing protein in the presence of an ATP or a GTP and a test agent; and detecting the formation of tubulin monomers, dimers or oligomers. The p60 subunit of katanin provides a particularly preferred microtubule severing protein possessing both ATPase and microtubule severing activities.