The present disclosure provides materials and methods related to engineered bacteria for use in vaccines. In particular, the present disclosure provides novel compositions and methods for generating vaccine compositions comprising bacteria (e.g., Lactobacillus) engineered to express immunogenic polypeptides and immunogenicity-enhancing adjuvant polypeptides to treat and/or prevent infection from a pathogenic organism (e.g., coronavirus).

A bioelectronic device houses therapeutic cells and is configured to be implanted in a host. The device includes an electrochemical cell that produces oxygen gas from water when a voltage is applied. The oxygen gas produced by the electrochemical cell is stored in a gas diffusion chamber in the device. The therapeutic cells in a cell housing chamber in the device receive oxygen gas from the gas diffusion chamber to help keep the cells alive and functioning when the device is implanted in a low oxygen environment. The device receives power wirelessly.

Methods are provided for transfecting cells with large cargo using a poly(beta-amino ester) (PBAE) molecule, and achieving high efficiency and viability. A method is provided of transfecting cells with a cargo, by forming a complex of the cargo with a (PBAE) molecule, mixing the complex with a first buffer and contacting the complex with the cells, wherein the cargo has a dimension of at least 0.1 μm. The PBAE molecule may be formed by reacting an amine with a di(acrylate ester). In some aspects, the PBAE molecule is poly(1,4-butanediol diacrylate-co-4-amino-1-butanol). In some aspects, the PBAE molecule is capped with 1-(3-aminopropyl)-4-methylpiperazine.

Methods are provided for transfecting cells with large cargo using a poly(beta-amino ester) (PBAE) molecule, and achieving high efficiency and viability. A method is provided of transfecting cells with a cargo, by forming a complex of the cargo with a (PBAE) molecule, mixing the complex with a first buffer and contacting the complex with the cells, wherein the cargo has a dimension of at least 0.1 μm. The PBAE molecule may be formed by reacting an amine with a di(acrylate ester). In some aspects, the PBAE molecule is poly(1,4-butanediol diacrylate-co-4-amino-1-butanol). In some aspects, the PBAE molecule is capped with 1-(3-aminopropyl)-4-methylpiperazine.

A DNA plasmid useful for diagnostic and therapeutic gene therapy is disclosed. Improvements to gene therapy methods known in the art are provided to ensure cancer-targeting, high efficacy, and long durability of expression. The DNA plasmid is combined with compositions of polymeric nanoparticles for non-viral gene therapy to treat cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma and prostate cancer.

A DNA plasmid useful for diagnostic and therapeutic gene therapy is disclosed. Improvements to gene therapy methods known in the art are provided to ensure cancer-targeting, high efficacy, and long durability of expression. The DNA plasmid is combined with compositions of polymeric nanoparticles for non-viral gene therapy to treat cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma and prostate cancer.

A method is provided for treating a recipient with a biological product obtained from at least one donor that may be the same as, or different from, the recipient. The method includes identifying a targeted level of gene expression of a first gene in a biological product to be transferred from at least one donor to a recipient; treating the at least one donor to achieve the targeted level of gene expression of the first gene in the biological product; and transferring the biological product from the at least one donor to the recipient.

Provided herein are methods of treating graft-versus-host disease in a subject by administering pharmaceutical compositions containing bacterial strains of the Clostridia class. Also described herein are exemplary human-derived bacteria belonging to the Clostridia class, combinations of which have been shown to induce accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in the colon and suppress immune functions, and are therefore useful for mitigating pathological immune responses. Pharmaceutical compositions containing these and/or related bacteria can be used to prevent and treat immune-mediated diseases such as graft-versus-host disease.

Disclosed are enhanced umbilical cord-derived adhesive stem cells, a preparation method therefor, and a use thereof. The enhanced umbilical cord-derived adhesive stem cells have an anti-inflammatory effect, a blood vessel regeneration effect, or a nerve regeneration effect, thereby being usable in a pharmaceutical composition or a cell therapeutic agent for treating or preventing various diseases.

The disclosure in some aspects relates to recombinant adeno-associated viruses having distinct tissue targeting capabilities. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to gene transfer methods using the recombinant adeno-associated viruses. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to isolated AAV capsid proteins and isolated nucleic acids encoding the same.