Researchers introduced two advances that address key bottlenecks in AAV gene therapy: a rapid point‑of‑care test for AAV8 binding antibodies and discovery of AAV capsid variants that improve transduction of human vascular cells. The Chembio Dual Path Platform (DPP)‑based assay enables detection of anti‑AAV8 antibodies in plasma, serum, and whole blood at bedside, which could speed patient screening and trial enrollment. Separately, a Gene Therapy paper from Stamataki and colleagues described engineered AAV variants that increase transduction of human endothelial cells—critical for vascular and cardio‑metabolic gene therapies. Improved capsids and rapid serostatus assays address two linked obstacles: preexisting immunity and inefficient targeting. Together these tools may broaden patient eligibility and enable more precise vector selection for vascular indications, while highlighting ongoing engineering and diagnostics progress in the AAV field.