There are disclosed hybrid proteins comprising at least one signal sequence; at least one DNA binding domain; and at least one cell penetrating peptide (CPP) domain. In embodiments the CPP domain is a TAT domain, and the DNA binding domain is a HU domain. There is also disclosed the use of the hybrid proteins to introduce exogenous DNA into target cells, and methods for introducing exogenous DNA into target cells using the hybrid proteins.

The invention pertains to a novel cell line, an HIV tat-rev dependent GFP-Gaussia luciferase Reporter cell line, known henceforth as the GGR cell line, that detects pseudotype and replication competent HIV (cloned or uncloned isolates, in cell media or human serum) rapidly and with high sensitivity. This GGR cell line provides an improved method of characterizing the entry phenotype of HIV envelope genes, and detecting and examining primary HIV samples in the context of laboratory research, clinical trial monitoring, and medical diagnostics. Examples include, but are not limited to, determining the functional HIV viral load, responsiveness to treatment, characterization of viral co-receptor usage (testing for viral co-receptor usage, i.e., CCR5 vs CXCR4, as required prior to prescribing FDA-approved CCR5 inhibitors), and characterization of other viral or drug resistance phenotypic properties to guide treatment.

Compositions and methods for inducing and isolating virus-like particles (VLPs), and for allowing real-time assessment of VLP-captured analytes obtained from targeted living mammalian cells, are provided.

The invention is directed to a system comprising a lentivirus vector particle which encodes at least one guide RNA sequence that is complementary to a first DNA sequence in a host cell genome, a Cas9 protein, and optionally a donor nucleic acid molecule comprising a second DNA sequence. The invention also is directed to a method of altering a DNA sequence in a host cell using such a system, where the host cell can be in a human and the altered DNA can be of the human β-globin gene. The invention also is directed to a fusion protein comprising a Cas9 protein and a cyclophilin A (CypA) protein. The invention also is directed to sequences of vectors that can be used in the system and method.

Disclosed are compositions and methods related to replication deficient Sindbis viruses that are able to function as controls for nucleic acid diagnostic assays (e.g., nucleic acid sequencing based assays and/or nucleic acid amplification based assays).

There are disclosed hybrid proteins comprising at least one signal sequence; at least one DNA binding domain; and at least one cell penetrating peptide (CPP) domain. In embodiments the CPP domain is a TAT domain, and the DNA binding domain is a HU domain. There is also disclosed the use of the hybrid proteins to introduce exogenous DNA into target cells, and methods for introducing exogenous DNA into target cells using the hybrid proteins.

There are disclosed hybrid proteins comprising at least one signal sequence; at least one DNA binding domain; and at least one cell penetrating peptide (CPP) domain. In embodiments the CPP domain is a TAT domain, and the DNA binding domain is a HU domain. There is also disclosed the use of the hybrid proteins to introduce exogenous DNA into target cells, and methods for introducing exogenous DNA into target cells using the hybrid proteins.

Disclosed are compositions and methods related to replication deficient Sindbis viruses that are able to function as controls for nucleic acid diagnostic assays (e.g., nucleic acid sequencing based assays and/or nucleic acid amplification based assays).

There are disclosed nucleic acid vectors for use in both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. In embodiments the vectors comprise a prokaryotic expression cassette and in embodiments comprise a eukaryotic expression cassette. In embodiments the vectors encode a hybrid protein comprising a DNA binding domain, a CPP domain and a signal sequence.

The invention is directed to a system comprising a lentivirus vector particle which encodes at least one guide RNA sequence that is complementary to a first DNA sequence in a host cell genome, a Cas9 protein, and optionally a donor nucleic acid molecule comprising a second DNA sequence. The invention also is directed to a method of altering a DNA sequence in a host cell using such a system, where the host cell can be in a human and the altered DNA can be of the human -globin gene. The invention also is directed to a fusion protein comprising a Cas9 protein and a cyclophilin A (CypA) protein. The invention also is directed to sequences of vectors that can be used in the system and method.