Abstract: The present invention discloses positive control material for nucleic acid amplification based detection of microorganisms in biological samples. The control material comprises purified microorganism that is rendered non-infectious but is amenable to nucleic acid amplification. Also disclosed is a process for making and using the control material.

Abstract: The present invention discloses positive control material for nucleic acid amplification based detection of microorganisms in biological samples. The control material comprises purified microorganism that is rendered non-infectious but is amenable to nucleic acid amplification. Also disclosed is a process for making and using the control material.

Abstract: Novel models of interactions of the Nonstructural Protein of influenza A and influenza B viruses (NS1A and NS1B, respectively) with dsRNA are presented. On the basis of the models, novel recombinant viruses and vaccines against influenza A and influenza B viruses are provided.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with epitopes derived from human papilloma virus, and peptides having a size of about 22-45 amino acid residues comprising minimal T cell epitopes. The invention further provides clinically relevant approaches for immunizing subjects against (Myco)bacterially and/or virally infected cells or tumor cells, and in particular against HPV. The invention demonstrates that peptide sequences of 22-35 amino acid residues in length can induce both peptide-specific CD8+ cytolytic cells and CD4+ T-helper cells. Moreover, the invention demonstrates that vaccination with 22-35 residue long peptides results in a more vigorous CD8+ cytolytic T-cell response than vaccination with peptides of the exact minimal CTL epitope length. The invention further demonstrates that the intrinsic capacity of certain minimal CTL epitopes which instead of activating cytolytic effector cells tolerize these cytolytic cells, can be overcome by use of these 22-35 amino acid long peptides.

Abstract: Antibodies against influenza neuraminidase, compositions containing the antibodies, and methods of using the antibodies are provided herein.

Abstract: Improved DNA vaccine plasmids are disclosed that contain novel immunostimulatory RNA compositions. The improved plasmids eliminate all extraneous sequences, incorporate a novel antibiotic free short RNA based selectable marker, increase eukaryotic expression using a novel chimeric promoter, improve yield and stability during bacterial production, and improve immunostimulation. These vectors are utilized in immunization to elicit improved immune responses or therapy to induce type 1 interferon production.

Abstract: Methods for producing an immune response to a benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) virus are disclosed herein. In several examples, the immune response is a protective immune response. In additional embodiments, methods are disclosed for inhibiting an infection with BPH virus, or treating an infection with BPH virus. Also disclosed are methods for detecting presence of BPH virus in a subject. The methods include detecting the presence of one or more BPH virus polynucleotides or polypeptides in a sample from the subject, or presence of at least one antibody that specifically binds to a BPH virus polypeptide.

Abstract: Provided herein is a nucleic acid comprising consensus amino acid sequence of foot-and-mouth disease FMDV VP1-4 coat proteins of FMDV subtypes A, Asia 1, C, O, SAT1, SAT2, and SAT3 as well as plasmids and vaccines expressing the sequences. Also provided herein is methods for generating an immune response against one or more FMDV subtypes using the vaccine as described above as well as methods for deciphering between vaccinated mammals with the vaccine and those that are infected with FMDV.

Abstract: Described are binding molecules such as human monoclonal antibodies that bind to influenza virus H5N1 and have neutralizing activity against influenza virus H5N1. Also described are nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies, and compositions comprising the antibodies and methods of identifying or producing the antibodies. The antibodies can be used in the diagnosis, prophylaxis, and/or treatment of an influenza virus H5N1 infection. In certain embodiments, the antibodies provide cross-subtype protection in vivo, such that infections with H5, H2, H6, H9, and H1-based influenza subtypes can be prevented and/or treated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) strain. The invention also relates to immunogenic compositions containing the novel PCV2 strain, PCV2 test kits, and applications of the novel PCV2 strain.

Abstract: A composition-of-matter comprising an antibody or antibody fragment including an antigen-binding region capable of specifically binding an antigen-presenting portion of a complex composed of a human antigen-presenting molecule and an antigen derived from a pathogen is disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to novel peptide agents, e.g., antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof, that bind hemagglutinin protein of influenza viruses, and methods of their use.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an HIV antibody-inducing peptide antigen that is effective in developing an antibody or a vaccine having specificity and binding activity for the three-dimensional structure of a neutralization target, i.e. the mechanism by which HIV invades a target cell; a method for synthesizing the same; a vaccine comprising the peptide antigen, or an HIV three-dimensional structure-recognizing antibody induced by the peptide antigen; and a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for HIV infection comprising the peptide antigen, the vaccine, or the HIV three-dimensional structure-recognizing antibody as an active ingredient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recombinant virus containing a nucleotide sequence encoding a tumor-therapeutic full-length antibody with human constant regions, and uses thereof. After a nucleotide sequence of a gene encoding a tumor-therapeutic full-length antibody with human constant regions of the light chain and the heavy chain is inserted into the genome of a recombinant virus, the tumor-therapeutic full-length antibody with human constant regions can be efficiently expressed in tumor cells, thereby inhibit the growth and metastasis of tumors.

Abstract: A composition-of-matter comprising an antibody or antibody fragment including an antigen-binding region capable of specifically binding an antigen-presenting portion of a complex composed of a human antigen-presenting molecule and an antigen derived from a pathogen is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for the treatment or prevention of viral infections. The polyvalent (e.g., 2-valent) vaccines described herein incorporate computationally-optimized viral polypeptides that can increase the diversity or breadth and depth of cellular immune response in vaccinated subjects.

Abstract: Antibodies to human Cytomegalovirus (CMV) gB protein have been isolated from human B cells. The affinities of these antibodies are higher than the best previously reported antibodies. Since high affinity is critical to prevention of virus transfer across the placenta, the invention antibodies are useful as therapeutic and prophylactic agents to prevent or ameliorate effects on the fetus of CMV infection during pregnancy.

Abstract: Isolated, latently infected T cell lines are provided that can be utilized in high throughput screening to discover compounds capable of activating HIV-I. The T cell lines harbor a latent HIV-I derived vector pro virus, which upon activation expresses a marker for late viral gene expression due to the insertion of the marker gene in the position of HIV-I envelope.

Abstract: Chimeric therapeutics are disclosed that include a modified viral core protein comprising at least one mutation or modification in an immunogenic epitope and a therapeutic agent. The therapeutic agent may be associated with the modified viral core protein and may be a nucleic acid, a protein, or a small molecule. Also disclosed are particles and compositions that include the disclosed chimeric therapeutics.

Abstract: Described are binding molecules such as human monoclonal antibodies that bind to influenza virus H5N1 and have neutralizing activity against influenza virus H5N1. Also described are nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies, and compositions comprising the antibodies and methods of identifying or producing the antibodies. The antibodies can be used in the diagnosis, prophylaxis, and/or treatment of an influenza virus H5N1 infection. In certain embodiments, the antibodies provide cross-subtype protection in vivo, such that infections with H5, H2, H6, H9, and H1-based influenza subtypes can be prevented and/or treated.