Disclosed herein are compositions, methods, and transgenic animals for sex biasing offspring of male animals, as well as methods of screening for sex biasing agents.

The present invention develops a novel method for controlling mosquito populations. Culicinae mosquitoes carrying one or more loci of transformant Tra-2 RNAi constructs which target to mosquito Transformer-2 locus in respective or none respective Culicinae mosquitoes. Tra-2 sequences used to assemble Tra-2 RNAi recombinant constructs are Tra-2 gene sequences of Culicinae mosquitoes and can be derived from endogenous or exogenous sequences. The Tra-2 RNAi expression is conditional, wherein the expression causing a knockdown effect into the endogenous Tra-2 gene results in mortality of X (m) chromosome bearing sperms and produces maleness mosquito population in the nature environmental of the species.

Dual suppression of the MAP kinase and PI3K/Akt pathways showed synergistic or greatly enhanced anti-melanoma cell effects, compared to suppression of a single pathway, including the inhibition of cell proliferation, transformation and invasion, induction of G.sub.0/G.sub.1 cell cycle arrest and, importantly, cell apoptosis. Remarkably, suppression of either pathway induces the expression of thyroid iodide-handling genes and dual suppression of the two pathways synergistically and robustly induces expression of these genes, accompanied by uptake of radioiodine in the cells. These genes include sodium/iodide symporter, thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor, thyroglobulin, thyroperoxidase, pendrin gene, thyroid transcription factors (e.g., TTF-1, TTF-2, PAX8) and other thyroid genes. Targeting major signaling pathways, such as the MAP kinase and PI3K/Akt pathways, for potent cell death, optionally coupled with induction of thyroid gene expression for adjunct radioiodine ablation therapy may be used for many human cancers, both thyroid and non-thyroid.

High-grade gliomas are the most common brain tumors in humans and are essentially incurable. The defining hallmark of these high-grade gliomas is the presence within the tumor mass of highly tumorigenic cellular subpopulations that fuel tumor aggressiveness. Identification of the molecular mechanisms remains elusive. Therefore, there is a need for diagnostic markers to accurately determine the type of glioma and appropriate treatment. Gene delivery vehicles are provided that comprise an oncogene, IRES-Cre-ER cassette and a gene encoding an oligonucleotide that inhibits p53 including shp53. Methods are also provided for determining a diagnosis and for treatment of non-aggressive and aggressive gliomas.

The present invention relates to processes for transfecting cells. In particular, the present invention relates to processes for using CRISPR to incorporate a polynucleotide into the genome of an avian primordial germ cell (PGC).

The invention in some aspects relates to isolated nucleic acids, compositions, and kits useful for identifying adeno-associated viruses in cells. In some aspects, the invention provides kits and methods for producing somatic transgenic animal models using recombinant AAV (rAAV) to an animal having at least one transgene that expresses a small interfering nucleic acid or at least one binding site for a miRNA.

The invention in some aspects relates to isolated nucleic acids, compositions, and kits useful for identifying adeno-associated viruses in cells. In some aspects, the invention provides kits and methods for producing somatic transgenic animal models using recombinant AAV (rAAV) to an animal having at least one transgene that expresses a small interfering nucleic acid or at least one binding site for a miRNA.

The present invention relates to methods for transfecting cells. In particular, the present invention relates to methods of transfecting primordial germ cells in avians, and to methods of breeding avians with modified traits.

The present invention relates to the specific inhibition of gene expression in mammals by bringing the target gene into contact with double stranded RNA (dsRNA).

The invention provides a previously uncharacterized protein (gamma secretase activating protein or gSAP) that activates -secretase to produce -amyloid protein (A). Deposition of A has been associated with Alzheimer's disease and other pathologies. The invention thus additionally provides, e.g., screening methods and novel research tools, inhibitors of this novel protein, and methods of diagnosis, treatment and control of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions associated with deposition of A.