Fluorescein-based SynNotch adaptors for regulating gene expression responses to diverse extracellular and matrix-based cues.

Synthetic Notch (SynNotch) receptors function like natural Notch proteins and can be used to install customized sense-and-respond capabilities into mammalian cells. Here, we introduce an adaptor-based strategy for regulating SynNotch activity via fluorescein isomers and analogs. Using an optimized fluorescein-binding SynNotch receptor, we describe ways to chemically control SynNotch signaling, including an approach based on a bio-orthogonal chemical ligation and a spatially controllable strategy via the photo-patterned uncaging of an o-nitrobenzyl-caged fluorescein conjugate.

Productive infection of the retinal pigment epithelium by SARS-CoV-2: Initial effects and consideration of long-term consequences.

As the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus continues to evolve and infect the global population, many individuals are likely to suffer from post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). Manifestations of PASC include vision symptoms, but little is known about the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to infect and impact the retinal cells. Here, we demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 can infect and perturb the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in vivo, after intranasal inoculation of a transgenic mouse model of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and in cell culture.

Immunofocusing on the conserved fusion peptide of HIV envelope glycoprotein in rhesus macaques.

During infection, the fusion peptide (FP) of HIV envelope glycoprotein (Env) serves a central role in viral fusion with the host cell. As such, the FP is highly conserved and therefore an attractive epitope for vaccine design. Here, we describe a vaccination study in non-human primates (NHPs) where glycan deletions were made on soluble HIV Env to increase FP epitope exposure.