Disclosed is a method for stimulating neural tissue, where the neural tissue includes one or more neurons genetically modified to express a light-sensitive protein. The method comprises applying a light stimulus and an electrical stimulus to the neural tissue, thereby triggering membrane depolarisation in at least one of the neurons. Also disclosed is an apparatus for applying the disclosed method. The apparatus includes a light-stimulation device for selectively applying a light stimulus and an electrical-stimulation device for selectively applying an electrical stimulus to the neural tissue.

Genetically-modified zebrafish lacking one or more immune-related genes, and the use thereof, e.g., in cell or tissue transplantation methods or in stem cell biology. Tumors, tissues, and cells originating from zebrafish, other fish species, frogs, mouse, human, or other mammals can be readily engrafted into zebrafish that lack specific immune system regulatory genes. Here, described are zebrafish in which the entire genomic regions comprising the coding sequences of genes required for the development of T, B, and NK cells (including NK-lysin expressing cells) are deleted.

A system is provided comprising a plurality of C. elegans cultures, where each culture comprises a transgenic C. elegans strain that models a mammalian disease or condition. Methods of using a system, e.g., for characterizing microbial strains of a mammalian microbiome and determining whether such microbial strains affect a mammalian disease or disorder.

The present invention relates to the field of anastasis, i.e., the process of reversal of apoptosis. More specifically, the present invention provides methods and compositions useful for studying anastasis. In one embodiment, the present invention provides an in vivo biosensor comprising (a) a transcription factor complex comprising the Gal4 transcription factor linked to an enzyme cleavable linker, wherein the transcription factor complex is tethered to the plasma membrane via a transmembrane domain; and (b) a reporter system comprising (1) a first nucleic acid encoding flippase operably linked to the upstream activating sequence that binds Gal4; and (2) a second nucleic acid comprising an FRT-flanked stop codon cassette separating a constitutive promoter and a fluorescent protein open reading frame.

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 neurons generally; and/or GABAergic neuron cell types such as lysosomal associated membrane protein 5 (Lamp5) neurons; vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-expressing (Vip) neurons; somatostatin (Sst) neurons; and/or parvalbumin (Pvalb) neuron cell types. Certain artificial expression constructs additionally drive selective gene expression in Layer 4 and/or layer 5 intratelencephalic (IT) neurons, deep cerebellar nuclear neurons or cerebellar Purkinje cells.

Methods of expressing a neuropeptide in a neuron of a subject are described. Methods of altering a behavior in a subject in need thereof are described. Kits are described. Vectors are described.

Provided herein are methods and compositions for dynamically controlling and targeting multiple immunosuppressive mechanisms in cancer. Some aspects provide cells engineered to produce multiple effector molecules, each of which modulates a different immunosuppressive mechanisms of a tumor, as well as methods of using the cells to treat cancer, such as ovarian, breast, or colon cancer.

The system for modulating the activity of cells according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a rotating magnetic field generating device which has an internal space in which a magnetic force generating unit and a living body can be disposed and forms a rotating magnetic field which satisfies Relationship Formulas 1 and 2 below; and magnetic particles disposed in the living body and capable of binding to a bioactive material and generating a torque when a rotating magnetic field is applied to transmit the torque to the bioactive material.

|M.sub.c|≥1 mT  [Relationship Formula 1]

|M.sub.75−M.sub.c|/D.sub.75≤5.0 T/m  [Relationship Formula 2]

In Relationship Formulas 1 and 2 above, M.sub.c is the strength of the magnetic field at the position of the rotation axis, D.sub.75 is the distance from the rotation axis to the 75% position of the distance to the magnetic force generating unit, and M.sub.75 is the strength of the magnetic field at the position D.sub.75.

The present invention provides NRP1 as a cell surface marker for isolating human cardiomyogenic ventricular progenitor cells (HVPs), in particular progenitor cells that preferentially differentiate into cardiac ventricular muscle cells. Additional HVP cell surface markers identified by single cell sequencing are also provided. The invention provides in vitro methods of the separation of NRP1+ ventricular progenitor cells, and the large scale expansion and propagation thereof. Large clonal populations of isolated NRP1+ ventricular progenitor cells are also provided. Methods of in vivo use of NRP1+ ventricular progenitor cells for cardiac repair or to improve cardiac function are also provided. Methods of using the NRP1+ ventricular progenitor cells for cardiac toxicity screening of test compounds are also provided.

The present disclosure relates to the genetically modified non-human animals that express a human or chimeric OX40, and methods of use thereof.