The invention provides methods for reprogramming somatic cells to generate multipotent or pluripotent cells. Such methods are useful for a variety of purposes, including treating or preventing a medical condition in an individual. The invention further provides methods for identifying an agent that reprograms somatic cells to a less differentiated state.

Provided are: a nucleic acid including a nucleic acid sequence encoding a chimeric protein including at least part of an ion-transporting receptor rhodopsin and at least part of a G protein-coupled receptor rhodopsin and a nucleic acid sequence encoding a signal sequence; and a nucleic acid including a nucleic acid sequence encoding a chimeric protein including at least part of an ion channeling receptor rhodopsin and at least part of a G protein-coupled receptor rhodopsin; and a nucleic acid construct including the nucleic acid sequences. The use of the nucleic acids or nucleic acid constructs prevents and suppresses the progress of retinal diseases, and enhances the visual cognitive behavioral function and visual function.

An expression vector containing appropriate mitochondrion-targeting sequences (MTS) and appropriate 3′UTR sequences provides efficient and stable delivery of a mRNA encoding a protein (CDS) to the mitochondrion of a mammalian cell. The MTS and 3′UTR sequences guide the CDS mRNA from the nuclear compartment of the cell to mitochondrion-bound polysomes, where the CDS is translated. This provides an efficient translocation of a mature functional protein into the mitochondria. A method of targeting mRNA expressed in the nuclear compartment of a mammalian cell to the mitochondrion is also provided. The vector and methods can be used to treat defects in mitochondrial function.

The invention provides a genetically modified non-human animal that comprises in its genome unrearranged T cell receptor variable gene loci, as well as embryos, cells, and tissues comprising the same. Also provided are constructs for making said genetically modified non-human animal and methods of making the same. Various methods of using the genetically modified non-human animal are also provided.

The present disclosure provides a promoter having at least the core components of a duck retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) promoter, as well as expression constructs having the duck RIG-I promoter operably linked to a gene product-encoding nucleic acid (e.g., an avian RIG-I protein), and recombinant host cells containing the duck RIG-I promoter, e.g., in such expression constructs. The present disclosure also provide animals genetically modified to have a gene encoding a duck RIG-I promoter operably linked to a gene product-encoding nucleic acid (e.g., an avian RIG-I protein, such as a duck RIG-I protein).

Non-human animal cells and non-human animals comprising CRISPR/Cas synergistic activation mediator system components and methods of making and using such non-human animal cells and non-human animals are provided. Methods are provided for using such non-human animals to increase expression of target genes in vivo and to assess CRISPR/Cas synergistic activation mediator systems for the ability to increase expression of target genes in vivo.

Provided is a method of producing a genome-edited bird having resistance to avian influenza viruses. A method according to an aspect may enable precise inhibition of interaction between virus proteins while maintaining the original function of an ANP32A gene in a host by substituting only key amino acids of the ANP32A gene. When the method is used, by including cell lines having resistance to avian influenza viruses, new poultry and bird breeds that may not pose any biological safety issues may be efficiently developed. Thus, it is expected that the potential for industrial application is high.

Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for inactivating TCR and/or HLA genes, using engineered nucleases comprising at least one DNA binding domain and a cleavage domain or cleavage half-domain in conditions able to preserve cell viability. Polynucleotides encoding nucleases, vectors comprising polynucleotides encoding nucleases and cells comprising polynucleotides encoding nucleases and/or cells comprising nucleases are also provided.

Provided is a method for preparing a diabetic dog model by means of gene editing technology, a diabetic dog model prepared therefrom, as well as cells and issues thereof. The method comprises the following steps: (1) obtaining a dog fertilized egg cell, which comprises a point mutation in GCK gene, for a diabetic dog model by means of gene editing; and (2) transplanting the dog fertilized egg cell into one fallopian tube of a female dog, in which both fallopian tubes have been flushed, to prepare a diabetic dog model comprising a point mutation in GCK gene.

Provided herein are polynucleotide constructs comprising a CD11b promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding one or more therapeutic polypeptides, to vectors, cells, and/or compositions comprising the same, and to methods of their use.