Genetically engineered hematopoietic cells such as hematopoietic stem cells having one or more genetically edited genes of lineage-specific cell-surface proteins and therapeutic uses thereof, either alone or in combination with immune therapy that targets the lineage-specific cell-surface proteins.

The disclosure is directed to compositions and methods comprising genetically engineered fibroblasts for inhibiting progression of a cancerous tumor.

RNA-guided programmable cytosine and adenine base editors are a powerful class of genome editing tool for the introduction of localized base transitions without generating a double-stranded DNA break. Base editors (BE) have an optimal window of activity relative to the PAM recognized by the Cas9 enzyme and these constructs are strand selective. Here we demonstrate that fusion of a programmable DNA-binding domain (pDBD) or another Cas9 orthologue to spCas9-BE, we can produce an RNA-programmable Cas9-BE-pDBD chimera or Cas9-BE-Cas9 chimeras with dramatically improved activities and increased targeting range. Cas9-pDBD or Cas9-Cas9 fusion base editors display an expanded targeting repertoire and achieve highly specific genome editing, which can be tailored to achieve extremely precise genome editing at nearly any genomic locus.

Methods for manufacturing genetically engineered T cells expressing a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), such as a CAR that binds human CD19, BCMA, or CD70, and having multiple additional gene edits, for example, a disrupted Regnase-1 gene, a disrupted TGFBRII gene, a disrupted TRAC gene, a disrupted β2M gene, or a combination thereof, using CRISPR/Cas gene editing systems.

Aspects of this invention inter alia relate to novel systems for targeting, editing or manipulating DNA in a cell, comprising one or more heterologous vector(s) encoding a SluCas9 nuclease from Staphylococcus lugdunensis or variants thereof, and one or more guide RNAs (gRNAs), or a SluCas9 nuclease or variant thereof and one or more gRNAs.

The present disclosure provides RNA-guided CRISPR-Cas effector proteins, nucleic acids encoding same, and compositions comprising same. The present disclosure provides ribonucleoprotein complexes comprising: an RNA-guided CRISPR-Cas effector protein of the present disclosure; and a guide RNA. The present disclosure provides methods of modifying a target nucleic acid, using an RNA-guided CRISPR-Cas effector protein of the present disclosure and a guide RNA. The present disclosure provides methods of modulating transcription of a target nucleic acid.

The invention provides for systems, methods, and compositions for altering expression of target gene sequences and related gene products. Provided are structural information on the Cas protein of the CRISPR-Cas system, use of this information in generating modified components of the CRISPR complex, vectors and vector systems which encode one or more components or modified components of a CRISPR complex, as well as methods for the design and use of such vectors and components. Also provided are methods of directing CRISPR complex formation in eukaryotic cells and methods for utilizing the CRISPR-Cas system. In particular the present invention comprehends optimized functional CRISPR-Cas enzyme systems. In particular the present invention comprehends engineered new guide architectures and enzymes to be used in optimized Staphylococcus aureus CRISPR-Cas enzyme systems.

This disclosure provides an engineered system comprising: a first nucleic acid molecule encoding a CasX nuclease, and a guide RNA (gRNA) or a second nucleic acid molecule encoding the gRNA, where the first nucleic acid molecule is codon optimized for a eukaryotic cell, and where the gRNA is designed to hybridize with a target site in the eukaryotic cell. Further, this disclosure provides a method of modifying at least one target site in a eukaryotic genome comprising: providing a eukaryotic cell with a CasX nuclease or a first nucleic acid molecule encoding the CasX nuclease, and providing the eukaryotic cell with a guide RNA (gRNA) or a second nucleic acid molecule encoding the gRNA, where the gRNA and the CasX nuclease form a complex, where the gRNA hybridizes to the target site, and where the complex generates a modification at the target site.

In some aspects, fusosome compositions and methods are described herein that comprise membrane enclosed preparations, comprising a fusogen. In some embodiments, the fusosome can the target cell, thereby delivering complex biologic agents to the target cell cytoplasm.

Systems and methods to genetically modify B cells to express selected antibodies are described. The systems and methods can be used to: obviate the need for classical vaccinations; provide protection against infectious agents for which no vaccinations are currently available; provide protection against infectious agents when patients are otherwise immune-suppressed; and/or provide a benefit provided by a therapeutic antibody, such as in the treatment of autoimmune disorders.