Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for direct measurement of polymerase activity. In one example, a device includes at least a first electrode and a second electrode, the first and second electrode being separated by a gap; and a polymerase with two attachment sites, one for attaching to the first electrode and a second for attaching to the second electrode, wherein the two attachment sites are separated by a distance of at least about 1 nm and the distance does not significantly change with conformational changes of the polymerase.

Peptides that specifically bind erythrocytes are described. These are provided as peptidic ligands having sequences that specifically bind, or as antibodies or fragments thereof that provide specific binding, to erythrocytes. The peptides may be prepared as molecular fusions with therapeutic agents, tolerizing antigens, or targeting peptides. Immunotolerance may be created by use of the fusions and choice of an antigen on a substance for which tolerance is desired.

Provided herein are self-assembling pharmaceutical compositions comprising a heat shock protein fused to a biotin-binding protein, wherein the biotin-binding protein is non-covalently bound to four biotinylated components, and further wherein at least two of the four biotinylated components are not identical.

Provided herein are cell surface conjugates containing a cell surface molecule and at least one agent, such as at least one affinity tag, and engineered cells expressing such cell surface conjugates. In some embodiments, the cell surface molecule does not contain an intracellular signaling domain or is not capable of mediating intracellular signaling. In some embodiments, the cells engineered to contain the cell surface conjugate, such as T cells, further contain a genetically engineered recombinant receptor that specifically binds to antigens, such as a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Also provided are methods of detecting, identifying, selecting or targeting cells expressing the cell surface conjugates, such as in connection with methods of manufacturing engineered cells or in connection with administration of such cells to subjects, including methods of adoptive cell therapy.

The present invention provides a combination comprising a) an antigen binding domain specific for CD90, and b) an antigen binding domain specific for CD326, for use in treatment of human cancer comprising cancerous cells that co-express CD90 and CD326. In one embodiment of the invention the combination comprises a) an immune cell comprising a CAR comprising an antigen binding domain specific for a tag of a first and a second polypeptide, b) said tagged first polypeptide that has an antigen binding domain specific for CD90, and c) said tagged second polypeptide that has an antigen binding domain specific for CD326, wherein the tag of the first polypeptide and the tag of the second polypeptide are identical. In a further embodiment the concentrations used for said first and that second polypeptide are below the activation threshold of said CAR, respectively, but the sum of both concentrations is above the activation threshold of said CAR.

Methods for the rapid elimination of carbon monoxide (CO) from CO-bound hemoglobin, myoglobin and cytochrome c oxidase in subjects with CO poisoning are described. The disclosed therapy involves the use of rationally designed, modified, regulator of CO metabolism (RcoM) proteins and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, which scavenge carbon monoxide from poisoned tissue. The recombinant RcoM compositions are infused into blood, where they rapidly sequester carbon monoxide and limit the toxic effects of carbon monoxide on cellular respiration, oxygen transport and oxygen utilization.

The present invention provides fusion proteins that act on the glucocorticoid-induced TNFR family-related gene (GITR) and OX40 signaling pathway. In certain aspects, the proteins of the invention are useful in modulating both regulatory T (Treg) cells and effector T (Teff) cells.

Described herein are polypeptides, systems, and methods that relate to using domains that bind specifically to a biotinylamide to control receptor and cellular activity.

Engineered trimeric CD70 proteins for use in ex vivo T cell manufacturing are described. Use of the proteins during manufacturing creates expanded T cell populations with enhanced properties such as earlier proliferation in culture; selective expansion of nave and memory T cell subsets; longer persistence in vivo following administration to a subject; and improved therapeutic effect. Use of the proteins as therapeutics provide anti-cancer and anti-viral effects. The proteins can also be used as agonistic cell culture reagents in in vitro uses.

Disclosed is a modified bacterial hyaluronidase polypeptide, a production process thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition containing the modified bacterial hyaluronidase polypeptide, and its uses.