Abstract: A method of constructing biologically active compounds which mimic the biological activity of the biologically active protein or which block the activity of the biologically active protein is disclosed. A method of identifying specific and discrete portions of pathogen antigens which either serve as epitopes for neutralizing antibodies or which are involved in pathogen binding to host cell receptors is disclosed. A method of constructing biologically active compounds which compete with cellular receptors for binding to either biologically active proteins or pathogen antigens is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of prophylactic and therapeutic immunization of an individual against pathogen infection, diseases associated with hyperproliferative cells and autoimmune diseases are disclosed. The methods comprise the steps of administering to cells of an individual, a nucleic acid molecule that comprises a nucleotide sequence that encodes a protein which comprises at least one epitope that is identical or substantially similar to an epitope of a pathogen antigen, a hyperproliferative cell associated protein or a protein associated with autoimmune disease respectively. In each case, nucleotide sequence is operably linked to regulatory sequences to enable expression in the cells. The nucleic acid molecule is free of viral particles and capable of being, expressed in said cells. The cells may be contacted cells with a cell stimulating agent. Methods of prophylactically and therapeutically immunizing an individual against HIV are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of constructing biologically active compounds which mimic the biological activity of the biologically active protein block the activity of the biologically active protein is disclosed. A method of identifying specific and discrete portions of pathogen antigens which either serve as epitopes for neutralizing antibodies or which are involved in pathogen binding to host cell receptors is disclosed. A method of constructing biologically active compounds which compete with cellular receptors for binding to either biologically active proteins or pathogen antigens is disclosed.

Abstract: Improved vaccines are disclosed. The improved vaccines include a nucleotide sequence that encodes a coding sequence that comprises an immunogenic target protein linked to or comprising an intracellular cellular targeting sequence, the coding sequence being operably linked to regulatory elements are disclosed. Methods of immunizing individuals are disclosed.

Abstract: Improved vaccines are disclosed. The improved vaccines include a nucleotide sequence that encodes a coding sequence that comprises an immunogenic target protein linked to or comprising an intracellular cellular targeting sequence, the coding sequence being operably linked to regulatory elements are disclosed. Methods of immunizing individuals are disclosed.

Abstract: DNA molecules which encode rip-1 protein sequences are disclosed. Expression vectors and host cells which include the DNA molecules are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of inducing genetic material into cells of an individual and compositions and kits for practicing the same are disclosed. The methods comprise the steps of contacting cells of an individual with a polynucleotide function enhancer and administering to the cells, a nucleic acid molecule that is free of retroviral particles. The nucleic acid molecule comprises a nucleotide sequence that encodes a protein that comprises at least one epitope that is identical or substantially similar to an epitope of a pathogen antigen or an antigen associated with a hyperproliferative or autoimmune disease, a protein otherwise missing from the individual due to a missing, non-functional or partially functioning gene, or a protein that produces a therapeutic effect on an individual. Methods of prophylactically and therapeutically immunizing an individual against HIV are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and kits for practicing methods of the present invention are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the generation of single chain antibody fragments.

Abstract: A method of identifying peptides which mimic biologically active proteins is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of making a recombinant antibody library from genetic material obtained from an animal which has been immunized against antibodies that bind to the biological active protein to the mimicked. Recombinant antibodies are screened to identify antibodies which compete with the biological active protein. Peptides which comprise the recombinant antibody's CDR sequences are synthesized. Synthetic peptides which mimic GM-CSF are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of immunizing an individual against pathogen is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of treating an individual who has a hyperproliferative disease, or of treating an individual who is infected by a pathogen. Specifically, the individual is injected with bupivacaine along with DNA in an expressible form, the DNA encoding an antigen. The encoded antigen can be from a protein from the pathogen or from a protein associated with the hyperproliferative disease.

Abstract: Methods of prophylactic and therapeutic immunization of an individual against pathogen infection, diseases associated with hyperproliferative cells and autoimmune diseases are disclosed. The methods comprise the steps of administering to cells of an individual, a nucleic acid molecule that comprises a nucleotide sequence that encodes a protein which comprises at least one epitope that is identical or substantially similar to an epitope of a pathogen antigen, a hyperproliferative cell associated protein or a protein associated with autoimmune disease respectively. In each case, nucleotide sequence is operably linked to regulatory sequences to enable expression in the cells. The nucleic acid molecule is free of viral particles and capable of being expressed in said cells. The cells may be contacted cells with a cell stimulating agent. Methods of prophylactically and therapeutically immunizing an individual against HIV are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of constructing biologically active compounds which mimic the biological activity of the biologically active protein or which block the activity of the biologically active protein is disclosed. A method of identifying specific and discrete portions of pathogen antigens which either serve as epitopes for neutralizing antibodies or which are involved in pathogen binding to host cell receptors is disclosed. A method of constructing biologically active compounds which compete with cellular receptors for binding to either biologically active proteins or pathogen antigens is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of prophylactic and therapeutic immunization of an individual against pathogen infection, diseases associated with hyperproliferative cells and autoimmune diseases are disclosed. The methods comprise the steps of administering to cells of an individual, a nucleic acid molecule that comprises a nucleotide sequence that encodes a protein which comprises at least one epitope that is identical or substantially similar to an epitope of a pathogen antigen, a hyperproliferative cell associated protein or a protein associated with autoimmune disease respectively. In each case, nucleotide sequence is operably linked to regulatory sequences to enable expression in the cells. The nucleic acid molecule is free of viral particles and capable of being expressed in said cells. The cells may be contacted cells with a cell stimulating agent. Methods of prophylactically and therapeutically immunizing an individual against HIV are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating mammalian diseases and conditions characterized by myelin destruction. The present invention provides methods for inducing myelin formation by myelin forming cells expressing reovirus type 3 receptors comprising administering to such cells an effective amount of a compound bindable with the reovirus type 3 receptor. The compounds for use in the method of the invention preferably comprise antibodies and peptides, more preferably synthetic peptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides a panel of HIV peptides useful in diagnosing whether or not a patient is of vertical HIV transmission status, methods for diagnosing same, methods for identifying epitopes and peptides associated with non-transmission status, and pharmaceutical and vaccine compositions containing same.

Abstract: This invention discloses novel polypeptides having an antigenic determinant or determinants immunologically cross-reactive with determinants of a glycoprotein having a molecular weight of approximately 41,000 daltons, and determinants of a glycoprotein having a molecular weight of approximately 160,000 daltons which are obtained from cells infected with human immunodeficiency virus-1. The invention further discloses novel polypeptides having an antigenic determinant or determinants specific for a glycoprotein having a molecular weight of approximately 41,000 daltons obtained from cells infected with human immunodeficiency virus-1, the polypeptides further having an antigenic determinant or determinants immunologically cross-reactive with at least one glycoprotein having a molecular weight of 25,000 to 35,000 daltons, 45,000 daltons to 60,000 daltons, 80,000 to 100,000 daltons or 180,000 or 220,000 daltons, which are obtained from HSB, St, HeLa and human cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating mammalian diseases and conditions characterized by myelin destruction. The present invention provides methods for inducing myelin formation by myelin forming cells expressing reovirus type 3 receptors comprising administering to such cells an effective amount of a compound bindable with the reovirus type 3 receptor. The compounds for use in the method of the invention preferably comprise antibodies and peptides, more preferably synthetic peptides.