The invention provides improved methods for synthesizing polynucleotides, such as DNA and RNA, using renewable initiators coupled to a solid support. Using the methods of the invention, specific sequences of polynucleotides can be synthesized de novo, base by base, in an aqueous environment, without the use of a nucleic acid template.

The present invention is directed to the use of terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase (TdT) variants lacking dismutation acivity for template-free enzymatic synthesis of polynucleotides of any predetermined sequence. Such TdT variants permit higher yields of correct sequence polynucleotides.

Provided herein are methods and compositions related to non-human animals that express exogenous Terminal Deoxynucleotidyltransferase (TdT).

The present invention provides engineered terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) polypeptides useful in template-independent polynucleotide synthesis using a nucleoside triphosphate-3′-O-removable blocking group (NTP-3′-O-RBG), as well as compositions, methods of utilizing these engineered polypeptides, and polynucleotides encoding the engineered terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferases.

Disclosed an improved process for synthesising a nucleic acid strand using cycles of template independent enzyme extension. Having one or more of the amino groups on the base heterocyclic groups masked with protecting groups helps to prevent secondary structure in the extended strand, thereby improving access of the enzyme to the 3′ OH terminus for extension.

The invention relates to variants of a DNA polymerase of the polX family capable of synthesizing a nucleic acid molecule without a template strand, or of a functional fragment of such a polymerase, comprising at least one mutation of a residue in at least one specific position, and to uses of said variants, in particular for the synthesis of nucleic acid molecules comprising 3′-OH modified nucleotides.

The present invention relates to peptides, proteins, nucleic acids and cells for use in immunotherapeutic methods. In particular, the present invention relates to the immunotherapy of cancer. The present invention furthermore relates to tumor-associated T-cell peptide epitopes, alone or in combination with other tumor-associated peptides that can for example serve as active pharmaceutical ingredients of vaccine compositions that stimulate anti-tumor immune responses, or to stimulate T cells ex vivo and transfer into patients. Peptides bound to molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), or peptides as such, can also be targets of antibodies, soluble T-cell receptors, and other binding molecules.

The invention relates to the use of specific terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) enzymes in a method of nucleic acid synthesis, to methods of synthesizing nucleic acids, and to the use of kits comprising said enzymes in a method of nucleic acid synthesis. The invention also relates to the use of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferases and 3′-blocked nucleotide triphosphates in a method of template independent nucleic acid synthesis.

The present invention relates to peptides, proteins, nucleic acids and cells for use in immunotherapeutic methods. In particular, the present invention relates to the immunotherapy of cancer. The present invention furthermore relates to tumor-associated T-cell peptide epitopes, alone or in combination with other tumor-associated peptides that can for example serve as active pharmaceutical ingredients of vaccine compositions that stimulate anti-tumor immune responses, or to stimulate T cells ex vivo and transfer into patients. Peptides bound to molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), or peptides as such, can also be targets of antibodies, soluble T-cell receptors, and other binding molecules.

The present invention relates to variants of Terminal deoxynucleotidyl Transferase (TdT), each of which (i) has an amino acid sequence similarity to SEQ ID NO: 2. 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33 or 35 with corresponding amino acid substitutions, (ii) is capable of synthesizing a nucleic acid fragment without a template and (iii) is capable of incorporating a modified nucleotide into the nucleic acid fragment.