Methods of producing a hybrid organism. The methods include providing a first organism, providing a second organism, providing a fusing medium, combining the first organism and the second organism in or on the fusing medium to define a fusion environment, and initiating somatic fusion between the first organism and the second organism in the fusion environment to produce the hybrid organism. The first organism is either a plant organism or a fungus organism. The second organism is either a plant organism or a fungus organism. In some examples, the first organism is Tuber melanosporum . In certain examples, the second organism is either Panaeolus cambodginiensis or Panaeolus cyanescens . In some examples, the methods include incubating the hybrid organism, regenerating cell walls of the hybrid organism, and/or replicating the hybrid organism.

The present disclosure describes the fusogenic activity of the Myomaker protein. This polypeptide, when expressed in non-muscle cells, is able to drive fusion of the cell with a muscle cell, but not with other non-muscle cells. The use of this protein and cell expressing it in the delivery of exogenous genetic material to muscle cells also is described.

The present disclosure describes the fusogenic activity of the Myomaker protein. This polypeptide, when expressed in non-muscle cells, is able to drive fusion of the cell with a muscle cell, but not with other non-muscle cells. The use of this protein and cell expressing it in the delivery of exogenous genetic material to muscle cells also is described.

A method of alignment and fusion of cells with an electrical field includes firing a first fluid dispenser of an electrofusion device until a first impedance sensor in a first microfluidic channel of the electrofusion device detects a presence of a first cell. The method includes firing a second fluid dispenser of the electrofusion device until a second impedance sensor in a second microfluidic channel of the electrofusion device detects a presence of a second cell. The method includes moving the first cell and the second cell into a merging chamber of the electrofusion device by firing a third fluid dispenser of the electrofusion device, in response to alignment of the first cell in the first microfluidic channel with the second cell in the second microfluidic channel. The method further includes fusing the first cell and the second cell in the merging chamber by creating an electrical field in the merging chamber.

A method of alignment and fusion of cells with an electrical field includes firing a first fluid dispenser of an electrofusion device until a first impedance sensor in a first microfluidic channel of the electrofusion device detects a presence of a first cell. The method includes firing a second fluid dispenser of the electrofusion device until a second impedance sensor in a second microfluidic channel of the electrofusion device detects a presence of a second cell. The method includes moving the first cell and the second cell into a merging chamber of the electrofusion device by firing a third fluid dispenser of the electrofusion device, in response to alignment of the first cell in the first microfluidic channel with the second cell in the second microfluidic channel. The method further includes fusing the first cell and the second cell in the merging chamber by creating an electrical field in the merging chamber.

The present invention provides compositions, systems, kits, and methods for combining a. single myeloma cell and a single B-cell (e.g., from an animal exposed to a desired antigen) via discrete entity (e.g., droplet) microfluidics. In certain embodiments, a microfluidic device is used to merge a discrete entity containing a B-cell, and a discrete entity containing a myeloma cell, and a discrete entity containing gellable material, at a merger region via a trapping element in order to generate a combined discrete entity. In further embodiments, the combined discrete entity is treated such that a gelled discrete entity is formed.

The present invention provides compositions, systems, kits, and methods for combining a. single myeloma cell and a single B-cell (e.g., from an animal exposed to a desired antigen) via discrete entity (e.g., droplet) microfluidics. In certain embodiments, a microfluidic device is used to merge a discrete entity containing a B-cell, and a discrete entity containing a myeloma cell, and a discrete entity containing gellable material, at a merger region via a trapping element in order to generate a combined discrete entity. In further embodiments, the combined discrete entity is treated such that a gelled discrete entity is formed.

This disclosure provides improved cell lines for manufacture of protein-based pharmaceutical agents, considerably reducing the cost of commercial production. The cell lines are obtained by selecting cells from a mixed population for one or more characteristics that support protein production on a non-specific basis, such as the level of endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and/or other desired phenotypic features, compared with other cells in the starting mixture. Particularly effective producer cell lines can be obtained by preparing the cells for functional selection by making cell hybrids. A gene encoding a therapeutic protein of interest may be transfected into the cells before or after one or more cycles of fusion and selection. Depending on the protein product being expressed, cell lines may be obtained that produce eight grams or more of protein per liter of culture fluid.

This disclosure provides improved cell lines for manufacture of protein-based pharmaceutical agents, considerably reducing the cost of commercial production. The cell lines are obtained by selecting cells from a mixed population for one or more characteristics that support protein production on a non-specific basis, such as the level of endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and/or other desired phenotypic features, compared with other cells in the starting mixture. Particularly effective producer cell lines can be obtained by preparing the cells for functional selection by making cell hybrids. A gene encoding a therapeutic protein of interest may be transfected into the cells before or after one or more cycles of fusion and selection. Depending on the protein product being expressed, cell lines may be obtained that produce eight grams or more of protein per liter of culture fluid.

NWB-CMS Brassica oleracea has cytoplasmic male sterility. It relates to NWB-CMS cabbage plant having cytoplasmic male sterility derived from NWB-CMS cabbage line produced by fusion between protoplast of NWB-CMS radish line plant derived from callus of NWB-CMS radish line having cytoplasmic male sterility with inactivated nucleus and protoplast of male fertile cabbage plant with inactivated cytoplasm and a seed thereof, a plant of NWB-CMS Brassica oleracea line having cytoplasmic male sterility produced by breeding of a male fertile Brassica oleracea as a subject for introduction with the NWB-CMS cabbage plant as a breeding line and a seed thereof, a method for producing a hybrid seed of NWB-CMS Brassica oleracea line having cytoplasmic male sterility comprising breeding of a male fertile Brassica oleracea as a subject for introduction with the NWB-CMS cabbage plant as a breeding line, and a hybrid seed of NWB-CMS Brassica oleracea line produced by the method.