The invention relates to a method for feeding a flatworm and to a flatworm extract that is free of human-pathogenic microorganisms and is useful in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and nutraceutical fields.

A novel, alternative, low-cost synthesis process for the in vitro production of carminic acid by using the hemolymph cells of the insect Dactylopius coccus Costa (cochineal scale insect) for use in the dye industry for food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and textiles.

The present invention provides animal cells that have been engineered to express one or more viral antigens. The engineered cells can be formulated into cultured meat products that can be used as edible vaccines.

The present invention provides robust, streamlined, reproducible and highly efficient eukaryotic cell transfection systems and related methods. The highly-efficient systems and methods of the present invention reduce the number of steps required to transfect cells and reduce, e.g., eliminate, the need for specialized equipment. In particular, the systems and related methods afford the ability for streamlining transfection while retaining and improving robust and reproducible transfection efficiencies, cell viability, and/or protein production. Furthermore, the highly-efficient systems and methods of the present invention for transfecting eukaryotic cells also eliminate the need for any specialized or complicated preparation of exogenous nucleic acid, which makes available high throughput and/or large scale transfection.

Provided herein is a dual vector transfection system for the production of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV). The dual vector transfection system generally comprises: (1) a first nucleic acid vector comprising a first nucleotide sequence encoding an AAV Rep protein, a second nucleotide sequence comprising an rAAV genome comprising a transgene, and a third nucleotide sequence encoding an AAV capsid protein; and (2) a second nucleic acid vector comprising a helper virus gene.

An insect culture maintenance system includes a sequence of open-ended cylindrical tubes [500, 502, 504, 506] joined pairwise alternately at their tops and bottoms using multiple dual-cap connectors. Each dual-capped connector has a channel from an inside of a first cap to an inside of a second cap. In use, connectors that cap the bottoms of the tubes [508, 512] are filled with insect food media [518, 520], while connectors that cap the tops of the tubes [510] are open. As a result of this design, adults pass from one tube to the next through the top dual-cap connectors, while larvae pass from one tube to the next through the bottom dual-cap connectors, resulting in propagation of subsequent generations of insects through the sequence of tubes.

Described herein are compositions and methods to cryopreserve sporozoites. In some aspects, the method can include the step of placing harvested salivary glands containing sporozoites into an insect-based medium.

The present disclosure relates to Dopa containing ultrashort peptides capable of forming a gel, to a gel comprising a peptide in accordance with the present disclosure, and to a glue comprising a peptide in accordance with the present disclosure. Such gel is adhesive and is biocompatible. The peptides are suitable for building 3D structures, 3D printing, gluing as well as other applications.

The present invention is directed to recombinantly-modified adeno-associated virus (AAV) helper vectors that are capable of increasing the packaging efficiency of recombinantly-modified adeno-associated virus (rAAV) and their use to improve the packaging efficiency of such rAAV. The present invention is particularly directed to recombinantly-modified adeno-associated virus (AAV) helper vectors that have been further modified to replace (or augment) the P5 and/or P40 promoter sequences that are natively associated with the Rep proteins encoded by such rAAV with AAV P5 and/or P40 promoters that are associated with the Rep proteins of an rAAV of different serotype. The use of such substitute or additional promoter sequences causes increased production of recombinantly-modified adeno-associated virus.

The present disclosure describes methods and systems for use in the production of adeno-associated virus (AAV) particles, compositions and formulations, including recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAV). The present disclosure presents cell culture mediums for use in producing adeno-associated viruses (AAV), such as AAV which comprise a polynucleotide encoding a payload. In certain embodiments, the cell culture medium comprises a hydrolysate mixture, L-glutamine, poloxamer 188 (e.g. 10% pluronic F-68), a lipid emulsion, and a cholesterol mixture. In certain embodiments, the production process and system use Spodoptera frugiperda insect cells (such as Sf9 or Sf21) as viral production cells (VPCs). In certain embodiments, the production process and system use Baculoviral Expression Vectors (BEVs) and/or Baculoviral Infected Insect Cells (BIICs) in the production of rAAVs.