Abstract: Provided herein are mutants of estrogen receptor alpha ligand binding domain (ER-LBD), and chimeric proteins including such mutant ER-LBD. Also provided are methods of modulating transcription and modulating localization of such chimeric proteins.

Abstract: Provided herein are mutants of estrogen receptor alpha ligand binding domain (ER-LBD), and chimeric proteins including such mutant ER-LBD. Also provided are methods of modulating transcription and modulating localization of such chimeric proteins.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel 5? UTR sequences that can be used to control gene expression in various contexts. Also disclosed herein are methods of engineering 5? UTR sequences and methods and kits for screening 5? UTR sequences for a property of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a digital CRISPR-based method for detecting and quantitating target nucleic acids in a sample comprising: forming a mixture comprising sample nucleic acids; isothermal amplification reaction reagents for amplifying one or more target nucleic acid sequences; partitioning the mixture into a plurality of compartments; incubating the partitioned mixture at a temperature for isothermal amplification and Cas effector cleavage of an amplified DNA strand, detecting a signal from cleavage of the non-target sequence, thereby detecting the one or more target sequences in the sample, and determining the copy number of the target nucleic acid based on a Poisson distribution of the proportion of positive-to-negative compartments. The invention also relates to a method for detecting presence and/or of a disease in a subject, and a kit to quantitate nucleic acids in a sample.

Abstract: Provided herein, in some embodiments, are hydrogel-elastomer and hydrogel-alginate devices, compositions and associated methods to encapsulate living cells.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for inducing cell death in a regulated manner, for example in a safety switch system. Inducible cell death can be triggered by ligand binding to a one or more ligand binding domains. Cell death can include induction of apoptosis.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for dynamically controlling and targeting multiple immunosuppressive mechanisms in cancer. Some aspects provide cells engineered to produce multiple effector molecules, each of which modulates a different immunosuppressive mechanisms of a tumor, as well as methods of using the cells to treat cancer, such as ovarian, breast, or colon cancer.

Abstract: Synthetic promoters that are differentially modulated between certain diseased cells (e.g., cancer cells) and normal cells (e.g., non-cancer cells) are described. The synthetic promoters may be used to drive expression of gene(s) of interest in a specific cell type or during a specific cellular state. These synthetic promoters are useful, for example, for targeted expression of therapeutic molecules in diseased cells.

Abstract: Provided herein, in some aspects, are tools (e.g., methods, compositions and nucleic acids) for building genetic circuits in Bacteroides and Parabacteroides bacteria, as well as the bacteria containing the genetic circuits.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for regulating expression of effector molecules using regulatable transcription factors and/or activation inducible promoters.

Abstract: The disclosure provides compositions and methods for growing programmable enzyme-functionalized and sense-and-response bacterial cellulose living materials with engineered microbial co-cultures.

Abstract: Transient molecules in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, such as nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide, are important signals and mediators of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Because these molecules may be short-lived in the body, they are difficult to detect. To track these reactive molecules in the GI tract, a miniaturized device has been developed that integrates genetically engineered probiotic biosensors with a custom-designed photodetector and readout chip. Leveraging the molecular specificity of living sensors, bacteria were genetically encoded to respond to IBD-associated molecules by luminescing. Low-power electronic readout circuits (e.g., using nanowatt power) integrated into the device convert the light from just 1 ?L of bacterial culture into a wireless signal. Biosensor monitoring was demonstrated in the GI tract of small and large animal models and integration of all components into a sub-1.4 cm3 ingestible form factor capable of supporting wireless communication.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for dynamically controlling and targeting multiple immunosuppressive mechanisms in cancer. Some aspects provide cells engineered to produce multiple effector molecules, each of which modulates a different immunosuppressive mechanisms of a tumor, as well as methods of using the cells to treat cancer, such as ovarian, breast, or colon cancer.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for dynamically controlling and targeting multiple immunosuppressive mechanisms in cancer. Some aspects provide cells engineered to produce multiple effector molecules, each of which modulates a different immunosuppressive mechanisms of a tumor, as well as methods of using the cells to treat cancer, such as ovarian, breast, or colon cancer.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for dynamically controlling and targeting multiple immunosuppressive mechanisms in cancer. Some aspects provide cells engineered to produce multiple effector molecules, each of which modulates a different immunosuppressive mechanisms of a tumor, as well as methods of using the cells to treat cancer, such as ovarian, breast, or colon cancer.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for dynamically controlling and targeting multiple immunosuppressive mechanisms in cancer. Some aspects provide cells engineered to produce multiple effector molecules, each of which modulates a different immunosuppressive mechanisms of a tumor, as well as methods of using the cells to treat cancer, such as ovarian, breast, or colon cancer.

Abstract: Described herein are engineered fusion proteins comprising a variant protease (e.g., an HCV NS3 protease) fused to a polypeptide of interest and a cognate protease cleavage site. The cleavability of the cognate protease cleavage site enables the controllability of one or more functions of the polypeptide of interest. Additionally disclosed are methods for generating engineered fusion proteins as well as their therapeutic use.

Abstract: Various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to methods and compositions for functionalizing endogenous bacteria in vivo. The methods include delivering to endogenous bacterial cells a recombinant bacteriophage or phagemid that is engineered to contain at least one genetic circuit.

Abstract: Disclosed here are recombinant bacteriophages with tail fibers encoded by at least two subsets of genomic fragments from different bacteriophage having different host ranges.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of physicochemical-guided peptide design that utilize specific functional determinants to a protein's property of interest. Also described herein are novel synthetic peptide antibiotics that have increased potency and/or decreased toxicity relative to the template peptide from which they were derived, and methods of use thereof in treating microbial infections.