Nanograms of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein delivered by exosomes induce potent neutralization of both delta and omicron variants.

Exosomes are emerging as potent and safe delivery carriers for use in vaccinology and therapeutics. A better vaccine for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is needed to provide improved, broader, longer lasting neutralization of SARS-CoV-2, a more robust T cell response, enable widespread global usage, and further enhance the safety profile of vaccines given the likelihood of repeated booster vaccinations. Here, we use Capricor's StealthXTM platform to engineer exosomes to express native SARS-CoV-2 spike Delta variant (STX-S) protein on the surface for the delivery of a protein-based vaccine for immunization against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Exosome-Based Multivalent Vaccine: Achieving Potent Immunization, Broadened Reactivity, and Strong T-Cell Responses with Nanograms of Proteins.

Currently approved vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have focused solely on the spike protein to provide immunity. The first vaccines were developed rapidly using spike mRNA delivered by lipid nanoparticles but required ultralow-temperature storage and have had limited immunity against variations in spike. Subsequently, protein-based vaccines were developed, which offer broader immunity but require significant time for development and the use of an adjuvant to boost the immune response.

Architecture, implementation, and testing of a multiple-shell gas injection system for high current implosions on the Z accelerator.

Tests are ongoing to conduct ~20 MA z-pinch implosions on the Z accelerator at Sandia National Laboratory using Ar, Kr, and D2 gas puffs as the imploding loads. The relatively high cost of operations on a machine of this scale imposes stringent requirements on the functionality, reliability, and safety of gas puff hardware. Here we describe the development of a prototype gas puff system including the multiple-shell nozzles, electromagnetic drivers for each nozzle's valve, a UV pre-ionizer, and an inductive isolator to isolate the ~2.

Array-comparative genomic hybridization characterization of human pluripotent stem cells.

During culture adaptation, human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) tend to acquire chromosomal aberrations. Generally, stem cell lines are screened for large-scale chromosomal changes using low resolution karyotype analysis. Recent studies characterizing human stem cells using array-comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) suggests most abnormalities acquired during culture are under the resolution of karyotype analysis and therefore are routinely missed.

High resolution array-CGH characterization of human stem cells using a stem cell focused microarray.

Human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells (ESCs, iPSCs) that are cultured for an extended period of time are susceptible to genomic instability. Chromosomal aberrations decrease the reliability and reproducibility of experiments and could deem the cells unusable for therapeutic purposes. The genetic stability of human ESCs and iPSCs is commonly monitored by karyotype analysis.