Aspects of the application relate to methods and compositions for delivering therapeutic nucleic acids to neural cells or tissue in a subject. Additional aspects of the application relate to therapeutic nucleic acids, for example therapeutic ribozymes, that are useful for inhibiting viral reactivation in a subject.

This document provides methods and materials for performing retinal pigment epithelium transplantation. For example, methods and materials for using fibrin supports for retinal pigment epithelium transplantation are provided.

The present invention relates to a method for culturing neural stem cells into spheroids, the method including: culturing neural stem cells in a culture vessel coated with a protein containing a VGVPG pentapeptide and an RGD integrin receptor ligand; and isolating the neural stem cells that are aggregated and formed into spheroids during the culturing.

Compositions and provided to induce cells of the inner ear to renter the cell cycle and to proliferate. In particular, hair cells are induced to proliferate by administration of a composition which activates the Myc and Notch. Supporting cells are induced to transdifferentiate to hair cells by inhibition of Myc and Notch activity or the activation of Atoh1. Methods of treatment include the intracellular delivery of these molecules to a specific therapeutic target.

The present invention provides a method for producing neural cells or a neural tissue, including the following steps (1)-(3): (1) a first step of culturing pluripotent stem cells in the absence of feeder cells and in a medium containing 1) a TGFβ family signal transduction pathway inhibiting substance and/or a Sonic hedgehog signal transduction pathway activating substance, and 2) a factor for maintaining undifferentiated state, (2) a second step of culturing the cells obtained in the first step in suspension to form a cell aggregate, and (3) a third step of culturing the aggregate obtained in the second step in suspension in the presence or absence of a differentiation-inducing factor to obtain an aggregate containing neural cells or a neural tissue.

A method for producing induced photoreceptor cells from an initial cell is provided, the method includes providing one or more transcription factors (TFs) including at least GON4L to the initial cell. In some versions, the initial cell is a human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC). In other embodiments the method includes providing the TFs OTX2 and/or NEUROD1 to the initial cell. Cells produced and obtainable by the method are also provided, the use of these cells as a medicament in the treatment of retinopathy, vectors for inducing the photoreceptor cells and combinations of transcription factors intended for this use.

A biosensor for detecting trinitrotoluene (TNT) is disclosed. The biosensor has cells, such as olfactory sensory neurons (or cilia derived therefrom), that preferentially express a TNT-responsive odorant receptor protein.

A method for the isolation, storage and retrieval of mature retinal cells is disclosed. The Method is applicable to adult mammalian cone cells, and more particularly human cone cells, and to healthy as well as pathological or otherwise altered cone cells. A kit for the isolation, storage and retrieval of mature retinal cells is also described.

Compositions are described for direct protein delivery into multiple cell types in the mammalian inner ear. The compositions are used to deliver protein(s) (such as gene editing factors) editing of genetic mutations associated with deafness or associated disorders thereof. The delivery of genome editing proteins for gene editing and correction of genetic mutations protect or restore hearing from genetic deafness. Methods of treatment include the intracellular delivery of these molecules to a specific therapeutic target.

The invention provides compositions and methods for treating or preventing hearing loss in a subject. The method comprises administering to the subject in need thereof, at least Myc or an agent that increases the expression of Myc in an inner ear organ, or associated neural structures, of the subject so as to treat or prevent the hearing loss.