Abstract: The invention is related to chimeric Virus-Like Particles (VLPs) containing and displaying epitopes and antigen from Zika Virus (ZIKV); and to methods for creation and production of such chimeric VLPs to their applications, including but not limited to vaccines, diagnostics, clinical studies, assay development and antibody discovery.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the identification of biological markers associated with an increased risk of developing Diabetes, as well as methods of using such biological markers in diagnosis and prognosis of Diabetes. The biological markers of the invention may indicate new targets for therapy or constitute new therapeutics for the treatment or prevention of Diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the identification of biological markers associated with an increased risk of developing Diabetes, as well as methods of using such biological markers in diagnosis and prognosis of Diabetes. The biological markers of the invention may indicate new targets for therapy or constitute new therapeutics for the treatment or prevention of Diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses nucleic acids, methods, compositions, and kits for sensitive, rapid and specific detection of Mycoplasma, Acholeplasma, Ureaplasma, Phytoplasma and Spiroplasma species in a sample. The invention utilizes specific primers and amplification methods that permit differentiation between species due to specific amplification of target nucleic acids of contaminating Mollicute cells. In one embodiment, the invention utilizes the differing melting temperatures (Tm) of various potential PCR products to identify whether they are specific target amplification products, non-specific, non-target amplification products, specific positive control products, or primer-dimer products.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the identification of biological markers associated with an increased risk of developing Diabetes, as well as methods of using such biological markers in diagnosis and prognosis of Diabetes. The biological markers of the invention may indicate new targets for therapy or constitute new therapeutics for the treatment or prevention of Diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the identification of biological markers associated with an increased risk of developing Diabetes, as well as methods of using such biological markers in diagnosis and prognosis of Diabetes. The biological markers of the invention may indicate new targets for therapy or constitute new therapeutics for the treatment or prevention of Diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of immortalized neonatal human hepatocytes that exhibit phenotypic features of human hepatic progenitor cells. The invention is also directed to a method of obtaining telomerase-immortalized neonatal human hepatocytes that exhibit phenotypic features of human hepatic progenitor cells. Furthermore, the instant invention describes methods of using the immortalized neonatal human hepatocytes in cellular therapies, toxicological studies, pharmacokinetic studies, metabolic studies, therapeutic gene delivery and for the production of fully differentiated hepatocytes.

Abstract: A method for rapidly determining the species and/or strain of an organism by genotyping is presented. The method extends the use of indexing linkers to a method of genotyping. The genome of an unknown organism is digested by a restriction endonuclease which cleaves at a site different from the recognition site of the enzyme thereby producing DNA fragments and producing staggered ends. A subset of these fragments is ligated to linkers with staggered ends, with only those DNA fragments with staggered ends which are complementary to the staggered ends of the linkers being ligated to the linkers. DNA fragments with linkers at each end are then amplified. The number and sizes of amplified DNA fragments are then compared to a database containing the expected number and sizes of fragments from known organisms. A match between the assay data and the database is determinative of the species or strain of the unknown organism.

Abstract: An adhesive backed covering for use on a microtiter plate is disclosed. The covering comprises labels printed or embossed thereon which will align on top of individual wells when the cover is placed onto the microtiter plate. Preferably each label will be unique to uniquely identify each well of the microtiter plate. The use of these covers aids in the manual identification of individual wells of microtiter plates thereby minimizing human error. Preferably the covers can easily be penetrated by a pipet tip or other extraction device, such as a wooden applicator or toothpick, to allow easy access to individual wells while protecting other wells which remain sealed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an enhanced system for specific, sensitive and rapid detection of the presence and identification of the specific mycoplasma contained in a sample of nucleic acid, wherein the sample nucleic acid is amplified using nested PCR which uses a mixture of first stage and second stage primers, each comprising at least one single sequence and at least one mixed sequence primer.

Abstract: A preparation of freeze-dried microorganisms and a method for preparing a freezed-dried suspension of microorganisms and culture medium, in which the freeze-dried microorganisms can be directly cultured via addition of setrile, distilled water. The freeze-dried preparation contains a sufficient amount of a colloidal component, such as gelatin, to form the microorganisms into a microbial plug.

Abstract: A preparation of freeze-dried microorganisms and method for preparing a freeze-dried suspension of microorganisms and culture medium in which the freeze dried microorganisms can be directly cultured simply by adding sterile distilled water to the vessel in which the microorganisms are freeze-dried.