This invention provides a robust fermentation process for the expression of a capsid protein of a bacteriophage which is forming a VLP by self-assembly, wherein the process is scalable to a commercial production scale and wherein the expression rate of the capsid protein is controlled to obtain improved yield of soluble capsid protein. This is achieved by combining the advantages of fed-batch culture and of lactose induced expression systems with specific process parameters providing improved repression of the promoter during the growth phase and high plasmid retention throughout the process.

Methods and materials for improved delivery of dsRNA are presented. In particular, methods for controlling an insect pest by stably delivering large quantities of dsRNA to the insect pest are provided. Compositions comprising a bacterium containing a large quantity of dsRNA targeting an insect gene in which the dsRNA exhibits increased stability and activity are also provided.

The invention discloses a method for constructing functional exosomes capable of efficiently loading specific miRNA. In order to enable the exosome to carry miRNA with specific regulation function more efficiently so as to play a role in targeted regulation more accurately and efficiently, MS2 phage capsid protein is utilized to edit and construct a capture element of a specific miRNA molecule, and placenta mesenchymal stem cells are reprogrammed to enable the secreted exosome to efficiently load a target miRNA molecule, so that the target miRNA molecule is delivered to tissue cells to play a role in effective regulation, and therefore a new strategy is provided for realizing specific precise treatment in the future.

The invention discloses a method for constructing functional exosomes capable of efficiently loading specific miRNA. In order to enable the exosome to carry miRNA with specific regulation function more efficiently so as to play a role in targeted regulation more accurately and efficiently, MS2 phage capsid protein is utilized to edit and construct a capture element of a specific miRNA molecule, and placenta mesenchymal stem cells are reprogrammed to enable the secreted exosome to efficiently load a target miRNA molecule, so that the target miRNA molecule is delivered to tissue cells to play a role in effective regulation, and therefore a new strategy is provided for realizing specific precise treatment in the future.

This invention provides a robust fermentation process for the expression of a capsid protein of a bacteriophage which is forming a VLP by self-assembly, wherein the process is scalable to a commercial production scale and wherein the expression rate of the capsid protein is controlled to obtain improved yield of soluble capsid protein. This is achieved by combining the advantages of fed-batch culture and of lactose induced expression systems with specific process parameters providing improved repression of the promoter during the growth phase and high plasmid retention throughout the process.

Provided are compositions and methods for precise genome editing. The compositions include a fusion protein comprising a T4 DNA polymerase segment and a segment of an MS2 bacteriophage coat protein. The fusion protein operates with a Cas enzyme and one or more guide RNAs to produce one or more indels. The indel is produced in a DNA repair template free manner. Methods for producing the indels are also provided. A method includes introducing into the cell a fusion protein containing a T4 DNA polymerase segment and a segment of an MS2 bacteriophage coat protein, a Cas enzyme, and a guide RNA comprising MS2 protein binding sites. The guide RNA directs the Cas enzyme, the T4 DNA polymerase and the MS2 binding protein to the selected chromosome locus to produce the indel. The indel may correct a mutation in an open reading frame encoded by the selected chromosome locus.

The present invention relates to an isolated strain of DNA mycovirus or a degenerate strain thereof, an isolated hypovirulent fungal strain or part thereof, and the use of the isolated strain of DNA mycovirus or hypovirulent fungal strain or part thereof as a biological control agent. Processes and compositions for the biological control of phytopathogenic microorganisms, particularly fungi, using the DNA mycovirus and hypovirulent fungal strain are also provided.

This invention provides a robust fermentation process for the expression of a capsid protein of a bacteriophage which is forming a VLP by self-assembly, wherein the process is scalable to a commercial production scale and wherein the expression rate of the capsid protein is controlled to obtain improved yield of soluble capsid protein. This is achieved by combining the advantages of fed-batch culture and of lactose induced expression systems with specific process parameters providing improved repression of the promoter during the growth phase and high plasmid retention throughout the process.

The present invention relates to a modified virus-like particle of RNA bacteriophage AP205 (AP205 VLP) comprising AP205 coat protein dimers to which antigenic polypeptides are fused at the N-terminus and/or at the C-terminus. The modified AP205 VLPs can be used as a platform, in particular for vaccine development, in generating immune responses against a variety of antigens.

The technology described herein is directed to compositions, kits, systems and methods related to an engineered, inducible adenosine deaminase (iAD) enzymes, including but not limited to, an engineered inducible adenosine deaminase acting on RNA (ADAR) enzyme, which can be activated in the presence of an inducer. Also described are synthetic RNA molecules, to which the iAD can be specifically recruited to edit at least one target codon, leading to decreased or increased translation of the RNA molecules depending on the specific construct. The technology described herein is also directed to systems comprising the iAD and synthetic RNA molecule, nucleic acids and vectors encoding the iAD and synthetic RNA molecule, and methods of using such systems, nucleic acids, and vectors.