The invention concerns a non-human animal model useful for modeling complex human diseases; compositions comprising cell populations from the animal model having different genotypes for the same gene; methods for producing the animal model; and methods for studying a phenotype using an animal model or compositions of the invention.

The present disclosure provides recombinant nucleic acids comprising one or more polynucleotides encoding a polypeptide (e.g., an inhaled therapeutic polypeptide, such as a human alpha-1-antitrypsin polypeptide); viruses comprising the recombinant nucleic acids; compositions and formulations comprising the recombinant nucleic acids and/or viruses; methods of their use (e.g., for delivering the polypeptide to one or more cells of the respiratory tract and/or for the treatment of a disease affecting the lungs, such as alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency); and articles of manufacture or kits thereof.

Among other things, the present disclosure provides USH2A oligonucleotides, and compositions and methods of use thereof, for preventing and/or treating various conditions, disorders or diseases. In some embodiments, provided USH2A oligonucleotides comprise nucleobase modifications, sugar modifications, internucleotidic linkage modifications and/or patterns thereof, and have improved properties, activities and/or selectivities. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides USH2A oligonucleotides, compositions and methods for preventing and/or treating USH2A-related conditions, disorders or diseases, such as Usher Syndrome (e.g., Usher Syndrome Type 2A), atypical Usher syndrome, or nonsyndromic retinitis pigmentosa.

Nucleic acid and protein sequences relating to a cation channel which is sperm-specific (CatSper1) are disclosed. The CatSper1 protein is shown to be specifically expressed in sperm and to be necessary for sperm motility. Nucleic acids, vectors, transformed cells, transgenic animals, polypeptides, and antibodies relating to the CatSper1 gene and protein are disclosed. Also provided are methods of in vitro fertilization and contraception, methods of identifying modulators of CatSper1 activity, methods of genotyping subjects with respect to CatSper1, and methods of diagnosing and treating CatSper1-mediated disorders, including infertility.

Artificial expression constructs for selectively modulating gene expression in selected central nervous system cell types are described. The artificial expression constructs can be used to selectively express synthetic genes or modify gene expression in GABAergic interneurons.

Provided is a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) having an AAVhu68 capsid and a vector genome which comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a functional human arylsulfatase A (ARSA). Also provided are a production system useful for producing the rAAV, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the rAAV, and a method of treating a subject having metachromatic leukodystrophy, or ameliorating symptoms of metachromatic leukodystrophy, or delaying progression of metachromatic leukodystrophy via administrating an effective amount of the rAAV to a subject in need thereof.

The present disclosure provides animal models of wound healing and diseases associated with angiogenesis, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), fibrosis and cancer. The present disclosure further provides methods for identifying agents for promoting wound healing, modulating angiogenesis or treating diseases associated with angiogenesis, such as AMD and cancer.

Artificial expression constructs for selectively modulating gene expression in selected central nervous system cell types are described. The artificial expression constructs can be used to selectively express synthetic genes or modify gene expression in GABAergic interneurons.

The present invention relates to a method for producing a nonhuman primate animal model of cerebral infarction, comprising administering endothelin to basal ganglia and thalamic region of a nonhuman primate, and thereby inducing basal ganglia damage, thalamus damage, and internal capsule damage; and a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of cerebral infarction at a subacute to chronic stage, penetrating branch infarction, or cerebral infarction having brain damage in a penetrating branch territory, comprising a NeuroD1 protein or a polynucleotide encoding the NeuroD1 protein.

Provided herein are methods of generating hindbrain cells, including respiratory hindbrain cells, from pluripotent stem cells. Also provided are methods of generating a three-dimensional organoid comprising a population of hindbrain cells including a heterogeneous population of interneurons.