The invention provides for systems, methods, and compositions for targeting nucleic acids. In particular, the invention provides non-naturally occurring or engineered RNA-targeting systems comprising a novel RNA-targeting CRISPR effector protein and at least one targeting nucleic acid component like a guide RNA.

An optimized coding sequence of human blood clotting factor eight (VIII) and a promoter may be used in vectors, such as rAAV, for introduction of factor VIII, and/or other blood clotting factors and transgenes. Exemplary of these factors and transgenes are alpha-1-antitrypsin, as well as those involved in the coagulation cascade, hepatocye biology, lysosomal storage, urea cycle disorders, and lipid storage diseases. Cells, vectors, proteins, and glycoproteins produced by cells transformed by the vectors and sequence, may be used in treatment.

The present invention provides codon optimized Factor IX sequences, vectors and host cells comprising codon optimized Factor IX sequences, polypeptides encoded by codon optimized Factor IX sequences, and methods of producing such polypeptides. The present invention also provides methods of treating bleeding disorders such as hemophilia comprising administering to the subject a codon optimized Factor IX nucleic acid sequence or the polypeptide encoded thereby.

This invention discloses a method of increasing production of virus-like particles comprising expressing an avian influenza matrix protein. The invention also comprises methods of making and using said VLPs.

Regimens useful treating a human patient having familial hypercholesterolemia are described. Such regimens comprise co-administration of corticosteroids with a suspension of replication deficient recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) comprising LDLR.

A strain of an Apicomplexa of the family Sarcocystidae, wherein the strain is replicative and expresses one or more heterologous protein(s) selected from the group including therapeutic proteins, antigens, recombinant surface receptor or combinations thereof, and wherein the strain is selected from the group including Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninium. Also, the use of the strain for preventing or treating cancers or infectious diseases in a subject in need thereof.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to compositions and methods useful for treating ocular ciliopathies, for example Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). In some embodiments, the disclosure provides isolated nucleic acids comprising a transgene encoding a CEP290 protein fragment, and methods of treating ocular ciliopathies using the same.

The present invention relates to nucleic acid regulatory elements that are able to enhance muscle-specific expression of genes, in particular expression in cardiac muscle and/or skeletal muscle, methods employing these regulatory elements and uses of these elements. Expression cassettes and vectors containing these nucleic acid regulatory elements are also disclosed. The present invention is particularly useful for applications using gene therapy, more particularly muscle-directed gene therapy, and for vaccination purposes.

Provided herein are nucleic acids, vectors, and cells containing an expression-optimized codon that encodes a Munc13-4 polypeptide or a STXBP2 polypeptide. Also provided are methods of making and using the nucleic acids, vectors, and cells. Also provided herein are methods of treating of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in a subject.

The present invention provides RNA-guided endonucleases, which are engineered for expression in eukaryotic cells or embryos, and methods of using the RNA-guided endonuclease for targeted genome modification in in eukaryotic cells or embryos. Also provided are fusion proteins, wherein each fusion protein comprises a CRISPR/Cas-like protein or fragment thereof and an effector domain. The effector domain can be a cleavage domain, an epigenetic modification domain, a transcriptional activation domain, or a transcriptional repressor domain. Also provided are methods for using the fusion proteins to modify a chromosomal sequence or regulate expression of a chromosomal sequence.