The invention features compositions and methods that are useful for identifying allele variants that modulate gene expression. Compositions and articles defined by the invention were isolated or otherwise manufactured.

The invention features compositions and methods that are useful for identifying allele variants that modulate gene expression. Compositions and articles defined by the invention were isolated or otherwise manufactured.

The invention relates to a method for initiating the replication of a deoxyribonucleic acid molecule, said method comprising a step of inserting, into said deoxyribonucleic acid molecule, at least one nucleic acid molecule representing a multicellular DNA replication origin, the replication origin comprising at least nine nucleotides, the at least nine nucleotides consisting of at least three uninterrupted origin repeating elements (OGRE).

Provided are constructs and methods useful for the screening and identification of polynucleotide sequences of interest, in particular promoters, RNA stability modifying sequences and transcriptional modifying sequences.

Disclosed herein are methods useful for modulating expression of a target gene by modulating binding between a ribonucleic acid (RNA) transcribed from at least one regulatory element of a target gene and a transcription factor which binds to both the RNA and the regulatory element. Also disclosed herein are methods and assays for identifying agents that interfere with binding between RNA transcribed from at least one regulatory element and a transcription factor which binds to the RNA and to the regulatory element.

Described herein is a method for identifying synthetic inducible promoters that have specified induction and/or repression for DNA binding proteins such as an allosteric transcription factor and an inducer molecule. The method includes an in vitro selection from an unselected polynucleotide library comprising a plurality of random degeneracies, and an in vivo selection to produce an induced promoter library. Produced is an induction table, which allows the selection of a promoter with specific induction and/or repression properties. Also included are biosensors containing the synthetic inducible promoters.

Described herein is a method for identifying synthetic inducible promoters that have specified induction and/or repression for DNA binding proteins such as an allosteric transcription factor and an inducer molecule. The method includes an in vitro selection from an unselected polynucleotide library comprising a plurality of random degeneracies, and an in vivo selection to produce an induced promoter library. Produced is an induction table, which allows the selection of a promoter with specific induction and/or repression properties. Also included are biosensors containing the synthetic inducible promoters.

Compositions and methods are provided for novel guide RNA/Cas endonuclease systems. Type II Cas9 endonuclease systems originating from Brevibacillus laterosporus, Lactobacillus reuteri Mlc3, Lactobacillus rossiae DSM 15814, Pediococcus pentosaceus SL4, Lactobacillus nodensis JCM 14932, Sulfurospirillum sp. SCADC, Bifidobacterium thermophilum DSM 20210, Loktanella vestfoldensis, Sphingomonas sanxanigenens NX02, Epilithonimonas tenax DSM 16811, Sporocytophaga myxococcoides are described herein. The present disclosure also describes methods for genome modification of a target sequence in the genome of a cell, for gene editing, and for inserting a polynucleotide of interest into the genome of a cell.

Compositions and methods are provided for rapid characterization of Cas endonuclease systems and the elements comprising such systems, including, but not limiting to, rapid characterization of PAM sequences, guide RNA elements and Cas endonucleases. Type II Cas9 endonuclease systems originating from Brevibacillus laterosporus, Lactobacillus reuteri MIc3, Lactobacillus rossiae DSM 15814, Pediococcus pentosaceus SL4, Lactobacillus nodensis JCM 14932, Sulfurospirillum sp. SCADC, Bifidobacterium thermophilum DSM 20210, Loktanella vestfoldensis, Sphingomonas sanxanigenens NX02, Epilithonimonas tenax DSM 16811, Sporocytophaga myxococcoides are described herein. The present disclosure also describes methods for genome modification of a target sequence in the genome of a cell, for gene editing, and for inserting a polynucleotide of interest into the genome of a cell.

The present invention comprises generally applicable methods for identifying endogenous physiologically relevant genetic elements that affects a intracellular phenotype of interest. In the methods, non-living cells that have been subjected to a mutagenesis treatment are sorted based on phenotype and analyzed to identify the genetic element. By use of these methods, elements previously unknown to be involved in a phenotype can be identified, for example in relationship to health conditions, external stress or drug response, in particular in cancer.