Described herein are methods for determining a sequence of a region of interest from an mRNA molecule. Sequenced polynucleotides can include a barcode region, a homopolymer region (e.g., a poly-A region), and a target region associated with the mRNA molecule. According to some methods, the barcode region omits the same base present in the homopolymer region. According to some methods, extension of the primer used for sequencing is stalled within the homopolymer region. According to some methods, sequencing flow cycles and the different barcode regions of the polynucleotides configured are such that the primer is extended to the end of the barcode region across the plurality of polynucleotides before being extended into the homopolymer region. According to some methods, two primers or a cleavable primer is used to separately sequence the barcode region and the target region.

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.

The present invention relates to a detection method for detecting a target RNA contained in a sample with high sensitivity by using nicking/extension chain reaction system-based isothermal nucleic acid amplification (NESBA) that uses activity of a cleavage enzyme and a DNA polymerase. The NESBA of the present invention is a new concept isothermal target RNA detection method that realizes higher amplification efficiency than the existing NASBA technology and is deemed to be utilizable as a new concept diagnosis technology that can replace conventional target RNA detection technologies.

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.

A gene editing system comprising: (a) a Type V CRISPR nuclease polypeptide or a first nucleic acid encoding the Type V CRISPR nuclease polypeptide; (b) a reverse transcriptase (RT) polypeptide or a second nucleic acid encoding the RT polypeptide; (c) a guide RNA (gRNA) or a third nucleic acid encoding the gRNA, wherein the gRNA comprises one or more binding sites recognizable by the Type V CRISPR nuclease (CRISPR nuclease binding sites) and a spacer sequence specific to a target sequence within a genomic site of interest, the target sequence being adjacent to a protospacer adjacent motif (PAM); and (d) a reverse transcription donor RNA (RT donor RNA) or a fourth nucleic acid encoding the RT donor RNA, wherein the RT donor RNA comprises a primer binding site (PBS) and a template sequence.

Provided herein is a reverse transcriptase mixture comprising a reverse transcriptase and a colored dye at a concentration in the range of 0.003%-1% (v/w). The colored dye may be visually observed during transfer of the mix from one vessel to another and addition of the mix to another mix can be confirmed by eye by observing the colored dye.