The present invention provides a method of manufacturing circular nucleic acid vectors containing a transgene comprising: (a) contacting a host system with a template, wherein the template comprises at least one flanking cleavage site(s), and (i) at least one phage origin of replication (ORI); (ii) at least one Terminal Repeat (TR), and; (iii) a promoter sequence operatively linked to a transgene; (b) incubating the host system for a time sufficient for replication to occur resulting in circular nucleic acid production; and (c) recovering the circular nucleic acid production, wherein the circular nucleic acid self-anneals.

Provided herein are double strand DNA molecules comprising inverted repeats, expression cassette and one or more restriction sites for nicking endonucleases, the methods of use thereof, and the methods of making therefor.

The present invention enables simultaneous and stable expression of a plurality of foreign genes by using a stealthy RNA gene expression system that is a complex that does not activate the innate immune mechanism and is formed from an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, a single-strand RNA binding protein, and negative-sense single-strand RNAs including the following (1) to (8): (1) a target RNA sequence that codes for any protein or functional RNA; (2) an RNA sequence forming a noncoding region and derived from mRNA expressed in animal cells; (3) a transcription initiation signal sequence recognized by the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase; (4) a transcription termination signal sequence recognized by the polymerase; (5) an RNA sequence containing a replication origin recognized by the polymerase; (6) an RNA sequence that codes for the polymerase and of which codons are optimized for the species from which an introduction target cell is derived; (7) an RNA sequence that codes for a protein for regulating the activity of the polymerase and of which codons are optimized for the species from which the introduction target cell is derived; and (8) an RNA sequence that codes for the single-strand RNA binding protein and of which codons are optimized for the species from which the introduction target cell is derived.

Methods are disclosed for reprogramming a somatic cell, including an adherent cell and a cell in suspension, into an induced pluripotent stem comprising expressing exogenous Sox-2, exogenous Klf-4, exogenous Oct3/4 from DNA that has not integrated into the genome of the somatic cell, suppressing p53 activity within the somatic cell, and exposing the somatic cell to reprogramming-assistance factors comprising an exogenous Alk-5 inhibitor, an exogenous histone deacetylase inhibitor, and an exogenous activator of glycolysis. Compositions and kits for use in such methods are also disclosed as are cells made by such a method.

Genetic circuits have been developed to regulate behaviors of replicon RNA in responses to small molecules, which has broader applications, such as for quantitative expression of cargo genes, temporary expression of immunomodulatory cytokines or antigens for better cancer immunotherapy or vaccination, and for increased safety in use of self-replicating vectors or in combination with other viral-delivery vectors. Described herein are genetic circuits suitable for systems that either require a tight off state or a slow off state, which can serve for instance where either a kill switch or prolonged protein expression (e.g., of vaccine antigens) are needed.

RNA encoding an immunogen is delivered to a large mammal at a dose of between 2 μg and 100 μg. Thus the invention provides a method of raising an immune response in a large mammal, comprising administering to the mammal a dose of between 2 μg and 100 μg of immunogen-encoding RNA. Similarly, RNA encoding an immunogen can be delivered to a large mammal at a dose of 3 ng/kg to 150 ng/kg. The delivered RNA can elicit an immune response in the large mammal.

This invention relates to modified parvovirus inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) that do not functionally interact with wild-type large Rep proteins, synthetic Rep proteins that functionally interact with the modified ITRs, and methods of using the same for delivery of nucleic acids to a cell or a subject. The modifications provide a novel Rep-ITR interaction that limits vector mobilization, increasing the safety of viral vectors.

The application describes methods for synthetic synthesis and cell-free synthesis of DNA vectors, particularly closed-ended DNA vectors (e.g., ceDNA vectors) having linear and continuous structure for delivery and expression of a transgene. The present invention relates to an in vitro process for production of closed-ended DNA vectors, corresponding DNA vector products produced by the methods and uses thereof, and oligonucleotides and kits useful in the process of the invention. DNA vectors produced using the methods described herein are free from unwanted side effects due to contaminants introduced during production in cell lines, for example, bacterial or insect cell lines. Further provided herein are methods and cell lines for reliable gene expression in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo using the ceDNA vectors synthesized using the methods herein.

RNA encoding an immunogen is delivered to a large mammal at a dose of between 2 g and 100 g. Thus the invention provides a method of raising an immune response in a large mammal, comprising administering to the mammal a dose of between 2 g and 100 g of immunogen-encoding RNA. Similarly, RNA encoding an immunogen can be delivered to a large mammal at a dose of 3 ng/kg to 150 ng/kg. The delivered RNA can elicit an immune response in the large mammal.

The present invention provides polynucleotide vectors for high expression of heterologous genes. Some vectors further comprise novel elements that further improve expression. The gene transfer systems can be used in methods, for example, gene expression, bioprocessing, gene therapy, insertional mutagenesis, or gene discovery.