Systems and methods for targeted gene modification, targeted insertion, perturbation of gene transcripts, and nucleic acid editing. Novel nucleic acid targeting systems comprise components of CRISPR systems, reverse transcriptase, pegRNAs, paired pegRNAs or modified pegRNAs, DNA processing proteins, recombinases, proteins for inhibiting nucleases, and proteins for promoting ssDNA annealing.

The present invention relates to methods and kits for detecting in a sample the presence of a virus particle or a virus-like particle that has reverse transcriptase activity and methods for preparing a retroviral contaminant-free substance. An aspect of the present invention is a method for detecting the presence of a virus particle in a sample of a Virus-like Particle (VLP) drug substance comprising a step of performing PCR-based reverse transcriptase (PBRT) on a sample of the VLP drug substance that has been treated with a protease.

Disclosed are DNA polymerases having increased reverse transcriptase efficiency relative to a corresponding, unmodified polymerase. The polymerases are useful in a variety of disclosed primer extension methods. Also disclosed are related compositions, including recombinant nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells, which are useful, e.g., for production of the DNA polymerases.

Provided are DNA polymerases having increased reverse transcriptase efficiency relative to a corresponding, unmodified polymerase. The polymerases are useful in a variety of primer extension methods. Also provided are related compositions, including recombinant nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells, which are useful, e.g., for production of the DNA polymerases.

The invention provides novel reverse transcriptases (RTs) with desirable properties such as increased thermostability, increased thermoreactivity and/or increased resistance to inhibitors. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods of producing, amplifying and/or sequencing nucleic acid molecules (particularly cDNA molecules) using kits, compositions and/or reactions mixtures containing such novel reverse transcriptase enzymes.

Provided herein are compositions and methods to make and use engineered cells, for the purpose of increasing the cell density of a culture comprising metazoan cells and for the production of a cultured edible product.

Provided herein are compositions and methods to make and use engineered cells, for the purpose of increasing the cell density of a culture comprising metazoan cells and for the production of a cultured edible product.

Improved compositions and methods for using modified non-retroviral reverse transcriptase to perform 3′ extension of a nucleic acid, employ non-templated deoxynucleotide addition to a single-stranded nucleic acid and/or synthesis of complementary DNA using non-complementary nucleic acids as primer and template (RNA- or DNA-templated DNA polymerase activity.

Embodiments described herein relate to compositions including genetically modified CAR cells and uses thereof for treating cancer. Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to compositions and methods for T cell response enhancement and/or CAR cell preparation. For example, a method may include obtaining cells comprising a CAR and culturing the cells in the presence of an agent that is recognized by the extracellular domain of the CAR.

Disclosed are engineered retrons and methods of use such as to modify the genome of a host (e.g., mammalian) cell by delivering the engineered retron or the encoded ncRNA in vitro or in vivo to the host (e.g., mammalian) cell.