Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for performing a high throughput test to determine the presence of PrPsc in a tissue sample taken post mortem from brain, the test comprising the workflow of (A) sample preparation, (B) sample treatment, (C) sample analysis, (D) controls, and (E) classifying the results of the analysis as positive or negative. The invention is further directed to preparing a treated biological sample suspected of containing PrPsc such that it is suitable for specific detection of PrPsc, if present, the method comprising the steps of (a) homogenizing the sample; followed by (b) digesting the sample proteolytically by adding to the homogenate Proteinase K and incubating the sample; followed by (c) adding a peptidic protease inhibitor to the incubated mixture of step (b), thereby obtaining a treated biological sample suitable for specific detection of PrPsc, if present. The invention further provides a conditioned microwell plate.

Abstract: A process of concentration by precipitation of PrPsc for detecting or diagnosing PrPsc, wherein a tissue or biological fluid stemming from or obtained from an animal or human organism is brought together with an antibiotic from the family of aminoglycosides, preferably streptomycin or one of its derivatives. The use of such an antibiotic for eliminating PrPsc from a tissue or biological fluid and a kit for diagnosing pathologies associated with the presence of PrPsc is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides immunomodulatory compounds and methods for immunomodulation of cells and individuals using the immunomodulatory compounds.

Abstract: A purified polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID No. 1 of hepatitis E virus ORF 2 or its fragment, which is in the form of a polymer with n monomeric polypeptides, wherein n is an integer from 2-180; to a polypeptide of the present invention bound to a polypeptide containing epitope from hepatitis E virus ORF3or an immunogenic fragment thereof; to a recombinant expression vector comprising the DNA molecule encoding the above polypeptides and the host cell transformed with said recombinant expression vector which is able to express polypeptide of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention provides a simple method for diagnosing a non-symptomatic or symptomatic human or animal with transmissible spongiform encephalopathy.

Abstract: The use of Apolipoprotein B, Apolipoprotein E, fragments and mimetics thereof is provided for diagnostic, detection, prognostic and therapeutic applications In prion diseases. More specifically, the invention provides the use of Apolipoprotein B or fragments thereof for modulating or identifying modulators of the prion protein replication which are implicated in the pathogenesis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathics and other prion diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting PrP in a biological human or animal sample that may contain PrP. The inventive method is characterised in that it uses a molecule containing at least one positive charge and/or at least one osidic bond and a ligand other than a proteinic ligand selected from macrocyclic ligands and glycosaminoglycanes.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of an agent such as an antibody capable of reacting with PrP in the prevention of prion replication in a subject, in the treatment or prevention of prion infection, in the treatment or prevention of neuropathology associated with prion infection or in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of prion disease. Furthermore, the invention relates to methods of treatment of prion disease, methods of inhibiting prion replication and antibodies for use in such methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to oligodeoxynucleotides that suppress an immune response. Methods are disclosed for preventing or treating an immune-mediated disorder, such as, but not limited to, an autoimmune disease, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a suppressive oligodeoxynucleotide. Also disclosed are methods of suppressing an immune response in a subject by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a suppressive oligodeoxynucleotide.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to oligodeoxynucleotides that suppress an immune response. Methods are disclosed for preventing or treating inflammatory arthropathies by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a suppressive oligodeoxynucleotide.

Abstract: The invention provides an immunostimulatory nucleic acid. In certain embodiments according to this aspect of the invention, the sequence of the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide and/or immunomer is at least partially self-complementary.

Abstract: The invention provides an immunostimulatory nucleic acid. In certain embodiments according to this aspect of the invention, the sequence of the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide and/or immunomer is at least partially self-complementary.

Abstract: The present invention provides a series of artificial CpG-containing single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs), each of which is consisted of single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide DNA molecule containing one or more CpG(s), wherein said ODNs can stimulate human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) to produce antiviral substances. These ODNs can protect the cells against the attack from virus, wherein said virus is preferably selected from the group consisted of influenza virus and single-stranded positive strand RNA virus such as SARS virus, hepatitis C virus, dengue virus and Japanese encephalitis virus. Moreover, the antiviral use of artificial CpG ODNs and its use for treating and preventing viral infection are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of identifying candidate anti-viral agents.

Abstract: The inventive chimeric ligand in the form of a fusion polypeptide of a single-chain antibody specific for Tag-72 surface antigen and GaLV envelope glycoprotein shows high transduction efficiency to cancer cells, specifically infects target cells and efficiently delivers a therapeutic gene. Accordingly, the inventive chimeric ligand can be effectively used for gene therapy to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis.

Abstract: Methods for determining chronic hepatitis C infection are provided by the present invention. The methods generally involve determining the optical density of fluid samples which have tested positive for hepatitis C infection using an antibody-based assay. The optical density can then be used to determine in a predictive or probability-based manner whether the fluid sample contains chronic hepatitis C infection or whether the fluid sample merely contains antibodies to hepatitis C infection without resorting to costly molecular detection methods. Thus, the present invention permits differentiation between individuals who have cleared hepatitis C infection but still test positive in an antibody-based assay from individuals having chronic hepatitis C infection.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, including vaccines, and methods for vaccinating an animal against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and for treating or preventing hepatitis C viral infection in an animal. The invention includes a variety of novel HCV fusion proteins that can be used directly as a vaccine or in conjunction with a yeast-based vaccine vehicle to elicit an immune response against HCV in an animal. The invention also includes the use of the HCV fusion gene and protein described herein in any diagnostic or therapeutic protocol for the detection and/or treatment or prevention of HCV infection.

Abstract: The present invention features methods for identifying peptides that selectively bind to PrPSc or fragments thereof. The invention also features the use of such peptides in screening methods for the identification of candidate agents useful for the treatment of a prion disease.

Abstract: Proteins expressed from within the prion protein genes of all animals and humans, “prionins”, against which reagents can be prepared for accurate pre-symptomatic diagnosis, for detecting latent TSE, for detecting TSE contamination of food, blood and blood products and for therapeutic treatment of Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cows, Scrapie disease in sheep and Creutzfeldt-Jacob syndrome in humans, are revealed.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules comprising the sequence of a DNA virus microRNA. In another embodiment, the invention relates to single stranded DNA virus microRNA molecules. In yet another embodiment, the invention relates to single stranded anti-DNA virus microRNA molecules.