This invention relates to genetic engineering, in particular to an insertion site for a transgene, cells comprising a transgene or other modification at that insertion site, vectors for targeting that insertion site, and methods for creating transgenic cells by insertion or other modification at that site. The insertion site, or “safe harbour locus”, is identified within the SPATA13 gene on human chromosome 13q12.12. Mammalian cells comprising a genetic modification within the SPATA13 gene on chromosome 13q12.12 are described, wherein the modification may be an insertion such as an integrated transgene. Nucleic acid molecules able and adapted to guide the insertion of a transgene to that insertion site are also described. These cells or nucleic acids may be useful in therapy.

The present disclosure relates to a novel platform for immunotherapy which combines CAR engineered γδ T cells with armoring interleukin IL-18 that can be expressed constitutively or inducibly, or with a chimeric cytokine receptor comprising the endodomain of the IL-18 receptor. The system/platform and the associated methods according to the present disclosure have advantages such as increased immune cell potency and persistence for therapeutic applications.

The present invention provides, in certain aspects, a natural killer (NK) cell that expresses all or a functional portion of interleukin-15 (IL-15), and methods for producing such cells. The invention further provides methods of using a natural killer (NK) cell that expresses all or a functional portion of interleukin-15 (IL-15) to treat cancer in a subject or to enhance expansion and/or survival of NK cells.

The invention provides improved T cell compositions and methods for manufacturing T cells. More particularly, the invention provides methods of T cell manufacturing that result in adoptive T cell immunotherapies with improved survival, expansion, and persistence in vivo.

A method of producing helper T cells, comprising: (i) culturing T cells, which have been induced from pluripotent stem cells and into which a CD4 gene or a gene product thereof has been introduced, in a medium containing IL-2 and IL-15; and (ii) isolating CD40L-highly expressing T cells from cells obtained in step (i).

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to compositions and methods of enhancing lymphocytes' ability to treat cancer patients. Embodiments relate to a polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), a nucleic acid encoding an Oxygen-Dependent Degradation domain (ODD), and a nucleic acid encoding one or multiple sequences of Hypoxia-Response Element (HRE).

A therapeutic molecule (single chain-based antibody or ligand-based) optimized for expression and secretion from engineered T cells, which may be gamma delta (gd) T cells. When expressed from engineered gdT cells, the STAR will be secreted and mediate engagement between gdT cells and antigen/receptor on target cells. Binding mediates the formation of a cytolytic synapse between the gdT cell and the target cell leading to activation the gdT cells to release proteolytic enzymes that kill target cells.

This disclosure relates to genetically engineered microorganisms for treating or reducing the risk of bacterial infections or dysbiosis, and further discloses methods of making and using such microorganisms.

The invention is directed to a bispecific chimeric antigen receptor, comprising: (a) at least two antigen-specific targeting regions; (b) an extracellular spacer domain; (c) a transmembrane domain; (d) at least one co-stimulatory domain; and (e) an intracellular signaling domain, wherein each antigen-specific targeting region comprises an antigen-specific single chain Fv (scFv) fragment, and binds a different antigen, and wherein the bispecific chimeric antigen receptor is co-expressed with a therapeutic control. The invention also provides methods and uses of the bispecific chimeric antigen receptors.

Provided are improved compositions and methods for achieving gene therapy in hematopoietic cells and hematopoietic precursor cells, including erythrocytes, erythroid progenitors, and embryonic stem cells. Also provided are improved gene therapy methods for treating hematopoietic-related disorders. Retroviral gene therapy vectors that are optimized for erythroid specific expression and treatment of hemoglobinopathic conditions are disclosed.