Aspects described herein relate to methods for controlling expression of RNA and polypeptides of interest using a tuneable self-splicing intron. Specifically, there is provided modified 5 and 3 exons of the T4 td intron which function as a tuneable self-splicing intron that can be introduced to any gene of interest to multiple spots in the open reading frame therefore allowing the intron to be inserted without changing the amino acid sequence of the protein of interest. Methods and a system for inducer controlled modification of a target genomic locus in a cell are also provided herein. The invention further provides kits for expressing an RNA of interest or a polypeptide of interest, and wherein the expression is in transformed host cells under the control of an inducer molecule.

Compositions and methods are provided for treating ocular disorders in a subject are provided. In one aspect, an adeno-associated viral vector is provided which includes a nucleic acid molecule comprising a sequence encoding CNGA3. In another aspect, an adeno-associated viral vector is provided which includes a nucleic acid molecule comprising a sequence encoding CNGB3. In another aspect, an adeno-associated viral vector is provided which includes a nucleic acid molecule comprising a sequence encoding REP-1. In desired embodiments, the subject is human, cat, dog, sheep, or non-human primate.

The present disclosure relates to genetically modified conditionally immortalized cells and cell lines, provided with a vector comprising a promoter sequence, at least one immortalization gene operably linked to the promoter sequence, a gene coding for an inducible regulator operably linked to the promoter sequence and a response element for the inducible regulator. The present disclosure further relates to methods for their preparation, and to immortalization and differentiation of such cells.

Provided is a system for regulating expression of a gene of interest in a target cell, including a recombinant first RNA molecule with (i) a coding sequence for a translation-suppressor protein and (ii) a first microRNA (miR) recognition element in its 3 UTR, wherein the first miR recognition element recognizes a first miR and binding of a first miR to the first miR recognition element reduces translation of the translation suppressor, and a recombinant second RNA molecule, with (i) a coding sequence for the gene of interest, (ii) a recognition sequence for the translation-suppressor, wherein binding of the translation-suppressor to the recognition sequence for the translation-suppressor reduces translation of the gene of interest, and, optionally, (iii) a second miR recognition element in its 3 UTR, wherein the second miR recognition element recognizes one or more second miR and binding of one or more of the one or more second miR to the second miR recognition element reduces translation of the gene of interest. Also provided are methods of using the system.

The invention provides a splice control module for sex-specific splicing and expression of a gene of interest. In certain embodiments, a dsx-based splice control module is used to express a lethal gene in an insect that is spliced in a sex-specific manner to impart lethality to female insects but not male insects.

Methods of making synthetic yeast cells by mating together two diploid (or higher ploidy) yeast species or hybrids to generate multi-ploid yeast hybrids are provided herein. The synthetic yeast cells made by this process and kits for performing the process are also provided.

UO.sub.2F.sub.2 biosensors, and related U-sensing and/or F-sensing genetic molecular components, genetic circuits, compositions, methods and systems are described, which in several embodiments can be used to detect and/or neutralize uranium and in particular bioavailable UO.sub.2F.sub.2.

The invention provides a platform and methods of using the platform for the regulation of the expression of a target gene using exposure to an aptamer ligand (for example, a small molecule). The platform features a polynucleotide gene regulation cassette that is placed in the target gene and includes a synthetic riboswitch positioned in the context of a 5 intron-alternative exon-3 intron. The riboswitch comprises an effector region and a sensor region (e.g., an aptamer that binds a small molecule ligand) such that the alternative exon is spliced into the target gene mRNA when the ligand is not present thereby preventing expression of the target gene. When the ligand is present, the alternative exon is not spliced into the target gene mRNA thereby providing expression of the target gene.

Genetically programmed microorganisms, such as bacteria or virus, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of modulating and treating cancers are disclosed.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to compositions and methods for epigenetic regulation of endogenous gene expression from viral vectors. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides expression constructs comprising a viral vector encoding a transgene, the activation of which is regulated by a rapamycin/rapalog-based system, and the transgene is capable of epigenetically regulate an endogenous gene.