Abstract: Provided herein are hybrid polypeptides that specifically bind to a disease-associated isoform of a polypeptide involved in diseases of protein aggregation. The hybrid polypeptides can be used for diagnosis and treatment of such diseases. In a particular embodiment, a hybrid protein that specifically binds to the infectious form of a prion (PrPSc) is provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for obtaining a broadly neutralizing antibody (bNab), including screening memory B cell cultures from a donor PBMC sample for neutralization activity against a plurality of HIV-1 species, cloning a memory B cell that exhibits broad neutralization activity; and rescuing a monoclonal antibody from that memory B cell culture. The resultant monoclonal antibodies are characterized by their ability to selectively bind epitopes from the Env proteins in native or monomeric form, as well as to inhibit infection of HIV-1 species from a plurality of clades. Compositions containing human monoclonal anti-HIV antibodies used for prophylaxis, diagnosis and treatment of HIV infection are provided. Methods for generating such antibodies by immunization using epitopes from conserved regions within the variable loops of gp120 are provided. Immunogens for generating anti-HIV1 bNAbs are also provided. Furthermore, methods for vaccination using suitable epitopes are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for identifying cognate binding pairs from two libraries of biomolecules (e.g., polypeptides). The methods typically involve displaying a first library of candidate biomolecules (e.g., receptors or epitopes) on a first replicable genetic package (e.g., a cell surface display platform) and displaying a second library of candidate biomolecules (e.g., ligands) on a second replicable genetic package (e.g., a phage display platform), contacting the first library with the second library, and then selecting members of the first library to which a member of the second library is bound. Also provided in the invention are compositions and kits for carrying out the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for identifying cognate binding pairs from two libraries of biomolecules (e.g., polypeptides). The methods typically involve displaying a first library of candidate biomolecules (e.g., receptors or epitopes) on a first replicable genetic package (e.g., a cell surface display platform) and displaying a second library of candidate biomolecules (e.g., ligands) on a second replicable genetic package (e.g., a phage display platform), contacting the first library with the second library, and then selecting members of the first library to which a member of the second library is bound. Also provided in the invention are compositions and kits for carrying out the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides peptide synthons having protected functional groups for attachment of desired moieties (e.g. functional molecules or probes). Also provided are peptide conjugates prepared from such synthons, and synthon and conjugate preparation methods including procedures for identifying the optimum probe attachment site. Biosensors are provided having environmentally sensitive dyes that can locate specific biomolecules within living cells and detect chemical and physiological changes in those biomolecules as the living cell is moving, metabolizing and reacting to its environment. Methods are included for detecting GTP activation of a Rho GTPase protein using polypeptide biosensors. When the biosensor binds GTP-activated Rho GTPase protein, the environmentally sensitive dye emits a signal of a different lifetime, intensity or wavelength than when not bound.

Abstract: The invention relates to modified hepatitis C virus E2 polypeptides that are effective in eliciting the production of cross-neutralizing antibodies against hepatitis C virus. The invention provides modified hepatitis C virus E2 polypeptides, preparations and pharmaceutical compositions containing them, as well as methods for using these modified E2 polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention provides peptide synthons having protected functional groups for attachment of desired moieties (e.g. functional molecules or probes). Also provided are peptide conjugates prepared from such synthons, and synthon and conjugate preparation methods including procedures for identifying optimum probe attachment sites. Biosensors are provided having functional molecules that can locate and bind to specific biomolecules within living cells. Biosensors can detect chemical and physiological changes in those biomolecules as living cells are moving, metabolizing and reacting to its environment. Methods are included for detecting GTP activation of a Rho GTPase protein using polypeptide biosensors. When the biosensor binds GTP-activated Rho GTPase protein, an environmentally sensitive dye emits a signal of a different lifetime, intensity or wavelength than when not bound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to at least one novel anti-Dengue virus antibody, including isolated nucleic acids that encode at least one anti-Dengue virus antibody, vectors, host cells, transgenic animals or plants, and methods of making and using thereof, including therapeutic compositions, methods and devices.

Abstract: Human monoclonal antibodies and fragments thereof which bind, neutralize and provide passive immunotherapy to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) antigenic subgroups A and B are disclosed. Also disclosed are diagnostic and immunotherapeutic methods of using the monoclonal antibodies as well as cell line producing the monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract: The invention provides peptide synthons having protected functional groups for attachment of desired moieties (e.g. functional molecules or probes). Also provided are peptide conjugates prepared from such synthons, and synthon and conjugate preparation methods including procedures for identifying optimum probe attachment sites. Biosensors are provided having functional molecules that can locate and bind to specific biomolecules within living cells. Biosensors can detect chemical and physiological changes in those biomolecules as living cells are moving, metabolizing and reacting to its environment. Methods are included for detecting GTP activation of a Rho GTPase protein using polypeptide biosensors. When the biosensor binds GTP-activated Rho GTPase protein, an environmentally sensitive dye emits a signal of a different lifetime, intensity or wavelength than when not bound.

Abstract: The present invention provides antibodies that specifically bind with a high degree of binding affinity to a native ungulate PrPC and/or a denatured ungulate PrPSc, but not to a native ungulate PrPSc. Preferred antibodies find native bovine PrPC and treated PrPSc but not native bovine PrPSc and can be used in an assay to determine if a sample is infected with infectious prions, i.e. PrPSc.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods for producing antibody libraries, and particularly for increasing antibody library diversity by inducing mutagenesis within the CDR regions of immunoglobulin heavy or light chains that are displayed on the surface of filamentous phage particles comprising the library. The invention also describes oligonucleotides useful for increasing the library diversity, and universal light chains useful in the library production methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for the identification and clonal isolation of antibodies that bind to unique epitopes. The method is based on the use of antibodies as solid phase capture reagents to bind a known capture antibody epitope, thereby precluding the capture antibody epitope from being presented to a population of antibodies to be screened. The method is particularly suited for screening libraries of cloned antibodies, such as phage display combinatorial antibodies. An antibody specific for herpes simplex virus (HSV), was employed as a model for the assay.

Abstract: Antibodies are disclosed which specifically bind to native PrPSc in situ. Preferred antibodies bind only to the native PrPSc of a particular species e.g., human, cow, sheep, pig, etc. Particularly preferred antibodies bind specifically to a particular isoform of human PrPSc. Preferred antibodies of the invention are (1) produced by phage display methodology, (2) bind specifically to native PrPSc, (3) neutralizes the infectivity of prions, (4) bind to PrPSc in situ and (5) bind 50% or more of PrPSc in a liquid flowable sample. Antibodies of the invention can be bound to a substrate and used to assay a sample (which has any PrPc denatured via proteinase K) for the presence of PrPSc of a specific species which PrPSc is associated with disease. Antibodies which specifically bind to human PrPSc can be labeled and injected carrying out an in vivo diagnostic test to determine if the human is infected with prions associated with disease.

Abstract: Antibodies are disclosed which specifically bind to native PrPSc in situ. Preferred antibodies bind only to the native PrPSc of a particular species e.g., human, cow, sheep, pig, etc. Particularly preferred antibodies bind specifically to a particular isoform of human PrPSc. Preferred antibodies of the invention are (1) produced by phage display methodology, (2) bind specifically to native PrPSc, (3) neutralizes the infectivity of prions, (4) bind to PrPSc in situ and (5) bind 50% or more of PrPSc in a liquid flowable sample. Antibodies of the invention can be bound to a substrate and used to assay a sample (which has any PrPc denatured via proteinase K) for the presence of PrPSc of a specific species which PrPSc is associated with disease. Antibodies which specifically bind to human PrPSc can be labeled and injected carrying out an in vivo diagnostic test to determine if the human is infected with prions associated with disease.

Abstract: Human monoclonal antibodies and fragments thereof which bind and neutralize respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) antigenic subgroups A and B are disclosed. Also disclosed are diagnostic and immunotherapeutic methods of using the monoclonal antibodies as well as cell lines producing the monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to at least one novel anti-Dengue virus antibody, including isolated nucleic acids that encode at least one anti-Dengue virus antibody, vectors, host cells, transgenic animals or plants, and methods of making and using thereof, including therapeutic compositions, methods and devices.

Abstract: The invention provides peptide synthons having protected functional groups for attachment of desired moieties (e.g. functional molecules or probes). Also provided are peptide conjugates prepared from such synthons, and synthon and conjugate preparation methods including procedures for identifying optimum probe attachment sites. Biosensors are provided having functional molecules that can locate and bind to specific biomolecules within living cells. Biosensors can detect chemical and physiological changes in those biomolecules as living cells are moving, metabolizing and reacting to its environment. Methods are included for detecting GTP activation of a Rho GTPase protein using polypeptide biosensors. When the biosensor binds GTP-activated Rho GTPase protein, an environmentally sensitive dye emits a signal of a different lifetime, intensity or wavelength than when not bound.

Abstract: A method for providing passive immmunotherapy to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease in a host is disclosed. The method includes administering to a host a human monoclonal antibody Fab fragment that neutralizes both antigenic subgroup A and subgroup B of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or a monoclonal antibody comprising the fragment.

Abstract: Antibodies are disclosed which specifically bind to native PrPSc in situ. Preferred antibodies bind only to the native PrPSc of a particular species e.g., human, cow, sheep, pig, etc. Particularly preferred antibodies bind specifically to a particular isoform of human PrPSc. Preferred antibodies of the invention are (1) produced by phage display methodology, (2) bind specifically to native PrPSc, (3) neutralizes the infectivity of prions, (4) bind to PrPSc in situ and (5) bind 50% or more of PrPSc in a liquid flowable sample. Antibodies of the invention can be bound to a substrate and used to assay a sample (which has any PrPc de-natured via proteinase K) for the presence of PrPSc of a specific species which PrPSc is associated with disease. Antibodies which specifically bind to human PrPSc can be labeled and injected carrying out an in vivo diagnostic test to determine if the human is infected with prions associated with disease.