The present disclosure provides systems, compositions, and methods for simultaneously editing both strands of a double-stranded DNA sequence at a target site to be edited. In some aspects, the systems comprise a first and second prime editor complex, wherein each of the first and second prime editor complexes comprises (1) a prime editor comprising (i) a nucleic acid programmable DNA binding protein (napDNAbp), and (ii) a polypeptide having an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity; and (2) a pegRNA comprising a spacer sequence, gRNA core, a DNA synthesis template, and a primer binding site, wherein the DNA synthesis template encodes a desired DNA sequence or a complement thereof, wherein the desired DNA sequence and the complement thereof form a duplex comprising an edited portion which integrates into the target site to be edited. In some aspects, the systems comprise a first, second, third, and fourth prime editor complex, each comprising a prime editor and a PEgRNA. Also provided herein are methods for simultaneously editing both strands of a double-stranded DNA sequence at a target site to be edited. Further provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions, polynucleotides, vectors, cells, and kits.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods and compositions for treatment of certain ocular diseases and disorders, for example age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In some embodiments, the methods comprise administering a subject having AMD one or more therapeutic agents that modulate the mTORCl pathway (or a component thereof). The disclosure is based, in part, on methods for treating AMD in a subject by administering one or more kinase inhibitors, for example one or more serine/threonine kinase inhibitors. In some embodiments, at least one of the serine/threonine kinase inhibitors is a Ribosomal protein S6 kinase beta-1 (S6K1) inhibitor.

The present disclosure relates to methods for improving myogenic differentiation capacity of a cell line or an immortalized cell line. For example, the present disclosure relates to methods of exposing an immortalized cell line (e.g., an immortalized fibroblast cell line) to culture media comprising signaling pathway agonists, antagonist, or a combination thereof in order to improve differentiation capacity. In another example, the present disclosure relates to methods of improving differentiation capacity of a cell line or an immortalized cell line where the method includes transforming an immortalized cell line with one or more myogenic regulatory factors and exposing the immortalized cell line to culture media comprising signaling pathway agonists, antagonists, or a combination thereof.

Provided is a kit for virus detection including a nucleic acid membrane containing a gold component and reacting with RNA polymerase to transcribe RNA, a biosensor for RNA polymerase detection based thereon, and RNA polymerase.

A DNA plasmid useful for diagnostic and therapeutic gene therapy is disclosed. Improvements to gene therapy methods known in the art are provided to ensure cancer-targeting, high efficacy, and long durability of expression. The DNA plasmid is combined with compositions of polymeric nanoparticles for non-viral gene therapy to treat cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma and prostate cancer.

The use of microorganisms to make alpha-functionalized chemicals and fuels, (e.g. alpha-functionalized carboxylic acids, alcohols, hydrocarbons, amines, and their beta-, and omega-functionalized derivatives), by utilizing an iterative carbon chain elongation pathway that uses functionalized extender units. The core enzymes in the pathway include thiolase, dehydrogenase, dehydratase and reductase. Native or engineered thiolases catalyze the condensation of either unsubstituted or functionalized acyl-CoA primers with an alpha-functionalized acetyl-CoA as the extender unit to generate alpha-functionalized β-keto acyl-CoA. Dehydrogenase converts alpha-functionalized β-keto acyl-CoA to alpha-functionalized β-hydroxy acyl-CoA. Dehydratase converts alpha-functionalized β-hydroxy acyl-CoA to alpha-functionalized enoyl-CoA. Reductase converts alpha-functionalized enoyl-CoA to alpha-functionalized acyl-CoA. The platform can be operated in an iterative manner (i.e. multiple turns) by using the resulting alpha-functionalized acyl-CoA as primer and the aforementioned alpha-functionalized extender unit in subsequent turns of the cycle. Termination pathways acting on any of the four alpha-functionalized CoA thioester intermediates terminate the platform and generate various alpha-functionalized carboxylic acids, alcohols and amines with different β-reduction degree.

The disclosure provides a high-fidelity polymerase with preference for gapped DNA and use thereof. The Klenow fragment (KlenDr) derived from Deinococcus radiodurans DNA polymerase I, which has the high-fidelity polymerization characteristics, is independent of 3′-5′ proofreading exonuclease activity, has the preference for binding gapped DNA, and is different from the existing commercial high-fidelity polymerase. Due to the specific affinity of KlenDr to gapped DNA substrate, the 3′ end of the forward primer will not be cut off, and the downstream nucleotide chain is rarely replaced.

Described herein are devices and methods for increasing the production of steviol glycosides, which have industrial and economic value. The steviol glycosides produced by the devices and methods disclosed herein do not require the ultra purification that is common in conventional or commercial methods and do not have a bitter aftertaste, making them better suited as flavor-enhancing additives to food, pharmaceutical, and nutritional supplement products.

Presented herein are altered polymerase enzymes for improved incorporation of nucleotides and nucleotide analogues, in particular altered polymerases that maintain high fidelity under reduced incorporation times, as well as methods and kits using the same.

Heterocyclic entities that modulate PI3 kinase activity, pharmaceutical compositions containing the heterocyclic entities, and methods of using these chemical entities for treating diseases and conditions associated with PI3 kinase activity are described herein.