Described herein are human transgenic beta cells expressing fugetactic levels of CXCL12 to a subject in need thereof. Also described herein are beta cells comprising a transgene comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding CXCL12.

Described herein are human transgenic beta cells expressing fugetactic levels of CXCL12 to a subject in need thereof. Also described herein are beta cells comprising a transgene comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding CXCL12.

Tau reporter compositions, tau reporter cells, and tau reporter animals are provided that comprise a four-repeat (4R) tau isoform linked to a first reporter protein and a three-repeat (3R) tau isoform linked to a second reporter protein that is different from the first reporter protein. Methods are provided for making such tau reporter cells and tau reporter animals and for using such tau reporter cells and tau reporter animals for assessing the activity of tau-targeting reagents.

A renal tube assay device can include: a container having an inlet port and an outlet port; a matrix material in the container; and a lumen in the matrix material extending from the inlet port to the outlet port. The lumen can include a luminal surface with at least one low density region that has a lower density compared to another adjacent region of the matrix material that is located at least partially around the at least one low density region. The low density region can have a form of a bubble, bulge, capsule, or the like. The low density region can bulge into the lumen. A port can be adapted for receiving a pipette tip. The matrix material can include a hydrogel. The container can be located in a cell culture dish.

The invention relates to methods of altering expression of a genomic locus of interest or specifically targeting a genomic locus of interest in an animal cell, which may involve contacting the genomic locus with a non-naturally occurring or engineered composition that includes a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) binding polypeptide having a N-terminal capping region, a DNA binding domain comprising at least five or more Transcription activator-like effector (TALE) monomers and at least one or more half-monomers specifically ordered to target the genomic locus of interest, and a C-terminal capping region, wherein the polypeptide includes at least one or more effector domains, and wherein the polypeptide is encoded by and translated from a codon optimized nucleic acid molecule so that the polypeptide preferentially binds to the DNA of the genomic locus.

The present invention relates to a method for mass-producing vaccinia virus using suspended cells. Although methods for producing vaccinia virus using adherent cells in the related art have limitations that are not suitable for mass production of viruses due to the characteristics of adherent cells, the present inventors have developed a technique capable of producing viruses even in a bioreactor using a low appropriate cell number, MOI, culture FBS concentration, and a medium while using suspended cells, and it was also confirmed that the present invention has high virus productivity similar to that in the case of using adherent cells. Accordingly, the technique of producing vaccinia virus using suspended cells according to the present invention enables mass production of vaccinia virus with high productivity. Since it is possible to reduce production costs and time, manpower, and the like using suspended cells, it is expected that the technique will be effectively used in clinical and commercial production fields that require mass production of vaccinia virus.

The invention relates to methods for predicting the in vivo nephrotoxicity of a nucleic acid molecule, in particular a nucleic acid molecule such as a siRNA or an antisense oligonucleotide using an in vitro cell based assay measuring the levels of EGFR as toxicity biomarker, potentially in combination with other biomarkers like ATP and KIM-1.

A method or apparatus for creating a three-dimensional tissue construct of a desired shape for repair or replacement of a portion of an organism. The method may comprise injecting at least one biomaterial in a three-dimensional pattern into a first material such that the at least one biomaterial is held in the desired shape of the tissue construct by the first material. The apparatus may comprise an injector configured to inject at least one biomaterial in a three-dimensional pattern into a first material such that the at least one biomaterial is held in the desired shape of the tissue construct by the first material. The first material may comprise a yield stress material, which may be a material exhibiting Herschel-Bulkley behavior. The tissue construct may have a smallest feature size of ten micrometers or less.

Provided herein are methods and systems for bio-printing of three-dimensional cell-containing matrixes. Further, provided herein are methods and systems for generating a three-dimensional (3D) structure corresponding to a biological material, such as a kidney or lung comprising either nephron or alveolar structures. Also provided herein are bio-printed three-dimensional matrices for use in the generation nephron and/or alveolar structures.

The present disclosure provides infectious recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) virions that comprise a variant capsid protein and a heterologous nucleic acid. The present disclosure further provides the variant adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid proteins (and/or a nucleic acid encoding the variant AAV capsid proteins), which confer to an infectious rAAV virion an increased resistance to human AAV neutralizing antibodies. The present disclosure further provides host cells comprising an infectious rAAV virion and/or a nucleic acid encoding a subject variant AAV capsid protein. The present disclosure further provides methods of delivering a heterologous nucleic acid to a target cell where the target cell is contacted with a subject infectious rAAV virion. The present disclosure further provides methods of delivering a gene product to an individual, the methods generally involving administering an effective amount of a subject rAAV virion to an individual in need thereof.