The present invention relates to polynucleotides encoding immunogenic HIV polypeptides. Uses of the polypeptides in applications including immunization, generation of packaging cell lines, and production of HIV polypeptides are also described. Polynucleotides encoding antigenic HIV polypeptides are described, as are uses of these polynucleotides and polypeptide products therefrom, including formulations of immunogenic compositions and uses thereof.

The disclosure relates to a method of reprogramming one or more somatic cells, e.g., partially differentiated or fully/terminally differentiated somatic cells, to a less differentiated state, e.g., a pluripotent or multipotent state. In further embodiments the invention also relates to reprogrammed somatic cells produced by methods of the invention, to chimeric animals comprising reprogrammed somatic cells of the invention, to uses of said cells, and to methods for identifying agents useful for reprogramming somatic cells.

The invention provides compositions and methods for reprogramming minimal volumes of mononuclear cells. In particular aspects, the invention provides methods and compositions for reprogramming minimal volumes of umbilical cord blood obtained from cord blood segments from cryopreserved cord blood segments.

Disclosed is a method that includes: (i) providing a plurality of initial nucleic acid cassettes that include: a) a first coding region encoding a first immunoglobulin variable domain, b) a second coding region encoding a second immunoglobulin variable domain, and c) a ribosomal binding site disposed between the first and second coding regions for translation of the second polypeptide in a first expression system, wherein the first and second coding regions are in the same translational orientation; (ii) modifying each nucleic acid cassette of the plurality in a single reaction mixture so that it is functional in a second expression system, wherein the first and second region remain physically attached during the modifying; (iii) introducing each modified nucleic acid cassette into a mammalian cell to produce a mixture of transfected cells; and (iv) expressing each modified nucleic acid cassette in the transfected cells.

A eukaryotic expression vector capable of displaying a multi-chain polypeptide on the surface of a host cell is provided, such that the biological activity of the multi-chain polypeptide is exhibited at the surface of the host cell. Such a vector allows for the display of complex biologically active polypeptides, e.g., biologically active multi-chain polypeptides such as immunoglobulin Fab fragments. The present invention describes and enables the successful display of a multi-chain polypeptide on the surface of a eukaryotic host cell. Preferred vectors are described for expressing the chains of a multi-chain polypeptide in a host cell separately and independently (e.g., under separate vector control elements, and/or on separate expression vectors, thus forming a matched vector set). The use of such matched vector sets provides flexibility and versatility in the generation of eukaryotic display libraries, for example the ability to generate and to display multi-chain polypeptides by combining and recombining vectors that express variegations of the individual chains of a multi-chain polypeptide. Entire repertoires of novel chain combinations can be devised using such vector sets.

The present invention relates generally to synthetic genes for modifying endogenous gene expression in a cell, tissue or organ of a transgenic organism, in particular a transgenic animal or plant. More particularly, the present invention provides novel synthetic genes and genetic constructs which are capable of repressing delaying or otherwise reducing the expression of an endogenous gene or a target gene in an organism when introduced thereto.

The invention provides compositions and methods for manufacturing pluripotent cells. In particular, the invention provides improved culture platforms for manufacturing pluripotent cells with ground state pluripotency.

The invention relates to an expression vector operable in vertebrate liver cells, having an expression cassette with a bidirectional promoter, driving operably linked protein expression by a first side and a second side, a first expression unit, under the control of the first side of the promoter, said first expression unit comprising a positive selectable marker gene, a second expression unit, under the control of the second side of the promoter, comprising an ORFeus reporter element wherein said ORFeus reporter element comprises a gene encoding L1-ORF land a retrotransposition reporter gene encoding a retrotransposition reporter protein, wherein preferably the retrotransposition reporter protein from said retrotransposition reporter gene is provided only when the ORFeus reporter element is subject to retrotransposition. The invention also relates to transgenic animals which are useful to detect somatic retrotransposition.

Methods for generating midbrain dopamine (mDA) neuronal progenitor cells useful for autologous cell therapy in Parkinson's Disease, compositions comprising the cells, and methods of use thereof.

A simpler and more efficient method for reprogramming human somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells. According to the method, three transcription factors of OCT4, SOX2, and LIN28 are simultaneously transferred into somatic cells, and then reprogramming is performed under the co-induction of four small molecules of Peficitinib, VTP50469, SB203580, and FPFT-2216, wherein the peripheral blood reprogramming efficiency thereof can reach 0.02%, the induction period is only 14-16 days, and the system is stable.