Thermostable Cas9 nucleases. The present invention relates to the field of genetic engineering and more particularly to nucleic acid editing and genome modification. The present invention provides an isolated Cas protein or polypeptide fragment thereof having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or a sequence of at least 77% identity therewith. The Cas protein or polypeptide is capable of binding, cleaving, marking or modifying a double stranded target polynucleotide at a temperature in the range 20° C. and 100° C. inclusive. The invention further provides isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding said Cas9 nucleases, expression vectors and host cells. The invention also provides PAM sequences recognized by the Cas protein or polypeptide, The Cas9 nucleases disclosed herein provide novel tools for genetic engineering in general, in particular at elevated temperatures and are of particular value in the genetic manipulation of thermophilic organisms; particularly microorganisms.

The present invention relates to a RNA molecule comprising a first ribozyme, a first ligation sequence, an effector molecule, a second ligation sequence, and a second ribozyme. Methods of producing circular RNA molecules and treatment methods are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to AAVs encoding a SOD1 targeting polynucleotide which may be used to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and/or canine degenerative myelopathy (DM).

The present disclosure relates to gene therapy targeting GluK2 subunit that can be used to inhibit epileptiform discharges. Short interfering RNA sequences against the human Grik2 gene sequence are described which are efficient in decreasing the expression of GluK2-containing KARs in neurons engineered to express the equivalent shRNA or miRNA. Using a tissue culture model of TLE, the examples remarkably demonstrate that viral expression of shRNA or miRNA inhibits the frequency of epileptiform discharges. Therefore, RNA therapeutics aimed at decreasing the expression of GluK2-containing KARs in neurons can remarkably prevent spontaneous epileptiform discharges in TLE. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a recombinant antisense oligonucleotide that targets a Grik2 mRNA. The present disclosure also relates to a method for treating epilepsy in a subject in need thereof, wherein the method comprises: administering an effective amount of a vector comprising an oligonucleotide encoding an inhibitory RNA that binds (e.g., hybridizes) specifically to Grik2 mRNA and inhibits expression of Grik2 in the subject.

Compositions and methods for mitochondria genome editing are provided. Also provided are methods for treating mitochondrial disorders by the disclosed compositions.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods and compositions for treating pancreatic cancer (e.g., islet cell tumors). In some aspects, adeno-associated virus (AAV) may be used to deliver an interfering RNA that targets thymidylate synthase (TS).

A system to limit the expression of a vector-derived transgene within a window that alleviates the disease-causing genetic deficiency without producing overexpression toxicity is described. This provides for ‘dosage-insensitivity’, whereby cells or tissues receiving more vector-derived transgene are disproportionately suppressed through an in-built single gene circuit that can regulate adaptively.

The present invention relates to compositions of recombinant polynucleic acid constructs comprising at least one nucleic acid sequence encoding an siRNA capable of binding to a target mRNA and at least one nucleic acid sequence encoding a gene of interest. Also disclosed herein is use of the compositions in treating cancers and in simultaneously modulating expression of two or more genes.

The present disclosure relates to one or more agents, therapies, treatments, and methods of use of the agents and/or therapies and/or treatments for increasing production of a belatacept-similar protein and interfering RNA of tumor necrosis factor alpha. Embodiments of the present disclosure can be used as a therapy or a treatment for a subject that has a condition whereby the subject's immune system is, or is likely to become, dysregulated and where the production of the belatacept-similar protein and decreased production of tumor necrosis factor alpha may be of therapeutic benefit.

A lentiviral vector system for expressing a lentiviral particle is disclosed. The lentiviral vector system includes a therapeutic vector, an envelope plasmid, and at least one helper plasmid. The lentiviral vector system can produce a lentiviral particle for inhibiting PARP expression in neuron cells of a subject afflicted with Parkinson's disease.