The present invention provides expression vectors for cell-surface expression of polypeptides comprising a transmembrane domain of glycophorin A.

The present invention describes compositions and methods for priming protective immunity in the presence of pre-existing maternal antibody. In some embodiments, the invention contemplates simultaneously masking vaccines to avoid antibody neutralization while targeting those vaccines to specific cell types in order to elicit an enhanced immune response. In other embodiments, vectors that recruit and activate specific antigen-presenting cells may further enhance the efficacy of those immune responses.

The present invention provides a retroviral or lentiviral vector having a viral envelope which comprises: (i) a mitogenic T-cell activating transmembrane protein which comprises a mitogenic domain and a transmembrane domain; and/or (ii) a cytokine-based T-cell activating transmembrane protein which comprises a cytokine domain and a transmembrane domain, wherein the mitogenic or cytokine-based T-cell activating transmembrane protein is not part of a viral envelope glycoprotein. When cells such as T-cells of Natural Killer cells are transduced by such a viral vector, they are simultaneously activated by the mitogenic T-cell activating transmembrane protein and/or the cytokine-based T-cell activating transmembrane protein.

The present invention relates to a recombinant self-assembled protein comprising a target-oriented peptide and a use thereof The recombinant self-assembled protein according to the present invention, comprising a target-oriented peptide, does not require an additional process for providing target-orientedness, and is thus capable of delivering a desired drug to a target tissue or target cell without using additives, such as chemical binders or stabilizers; therefore, the protein can be used for photothermal therapy, drug delivery, imaging, or the like. In particular, according to the present invention, it is possible to prepare gold-protein nanoparticle fusions in which uniform high-density gold nanoparticles having target-orientedness are bound to protein surfaces, without an additional process of surface stabilization or process for providing target-orientedness. Compared with conventional gold nanoparticles, the gold-protein nanoparticle fusions according to the present invention show structural stability against pH variation and concentration variation, and also have excellent target-orientedness; therefore, the fusions can bring a dramatic enhancement to the utilization of gold nanoparticles in photothermal therapy.

Recombinant adenoviruses that selectively replicate in E2F deregulated tumor cells are described. The recombinant adenoviruses have a genome encoding a modified E1A protein, a modified or deleted E4orf1 protein, a modified or deleted E4orf6/7 protein, or any combination thereof, such that the recombinant adenoviruses exhibit replication defects in normal cells compared to tumor cells. In some instances, the recombinant adenovirus genomes encode additional modifications that target the recombinant adenoviruses to specific cell types, detarget the viruses from the liver, inhibit viral replication in the liver, and/or evade pre-existing neutralizing antibodies.

Compositions of retroviruses and methods of using the same for gene delivery are disclosed, wherein the retroviruses comprise a viral envelope protein comprising at least one mutation that diminishes its native function, a non-viral membrane-bound protein comprising a membrane-bound domain and an extracellular targeting domain.

The present disclosure relates to fusion proteins that are highly useful for the generation of virus-like particles for the display of membrane spanning proteins. Related embodiments, methods and uses are disclosed.

The invention provides compositions and methods for manufacturing adoptive cell therapies. In particular embodiments, the invention provides methods of harvesting populations of cells, isolating and activating PBMCs, expanding T cells, and administering the T cell therapeutic to a subject in need thereof.

The present disclosure provides adeno-associated virus (AAV) virions with altered capsid protein, where the AAV virions exhibit greater infectivity of retinal cells compared to wild-type AAV. The present disclosure further provides methods of delivering a gene product to a retinal cell in an individual, and methods of treating ocular disease.

The invention provides compositions and methods for manufacturing adoptive cell therapies. In particular embodiments, the invention provides methods of harvesting populations of cells, isolating and activating PBMCs, expanding T cells, and administering the T cell therapeutic to a subject in need thereof.