Abstract: The subject invention pertains to isolated influenza virus that is capable of infecting canids and causing respiratory disease in the canid. The subject invention also pertains to compositions and methods for inducing an immune response against an influenza virus of the present invention. The subject invention also pertains to compositions and methods for identifying a virus of the invention and diagnosing infection of an animal with a virus of the invention.

Abstract: Methods of producing a pathogen with reduced replicative fitness are disclosed, as are attenuated pathogens produced using the methods. In particular examples, the method includes deoptimizing one or more codons in a coding sequence, thereby reducing the replicative fitness of the pathogen. Methods of using the attenuated pathogens as immunogenic compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to isolated influenza virus that is capable of infecting canids and causing respiratory disease in the canid. The subject invention also pertains to compositions and methods for inducing an immune response against an influenza virus of the present invention. The subject invention also pertains to compositions and methods for identifying a virus of the invention and diagnosing infection of an animal with a virus of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions including primers and probes, which are capable of interacting with the disclosed nucleic acids, such as the nucleic acids encoding the reverse transcriptase, protease, or integrase of HIV as disclosed herein. Thus, provided in an oligonucleotide comprising any one of the nucleotide sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOS: 1-89, 96-122, and 124-141. Also provided are the oligonucleotides consisting of the nucleotides as set forth in SEQ ID NOS: 1-89, 96-122, and 124-141. Each of the disclosed oligonucleotides is a probe or a primer. Also provided are mixtures of primers and probes and for use in RT-PCR and primary PCT reactions disclosed herein. Provided are methods for the specific detection of several mutations in HIV simultaneously or sequentially. Mutations in the reverse transcriptase, protease, or integrase of HIV can be detected using the methods described herein.

Abstract: Methods, kits and devices for detecting antineoplastic drug contamination of a surface are provided according to aspects of the present invention. According to aspects of the invention, methods for detecting antineoplastic drug contamination of a surface include providing a wetting solution compatible with the antineoplastic drug and formulated to promote release of the drug from the surface to be assayed; providing a solid matrix for reversible absorption of the antineoplastic drug; contacting the solid matrix with the wetting solution, generating an assay matrix; contacting the assay matrix and the surface, generating a surface sample; contacting the surface sample with a volume of wetting solution, generating a fluid test sample; and quantifying the antineoplastic drug in the fluid test sample by lateral flow assay to produce an assay result, thereby detecting antineoplastic drug contamination of the surface.

Abstract: Methods of producing a pathogen with reduced replicative fitness are disclosed, as are attenuated pathogens produced using the methods. In particular examples, the method includes deoptimizing one or more codons in a coding sequence, thereby reducing the replicative fitness of the pathogen. Methods of using the attenuated pathogens as immunogenic compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for detecting Neisseria meningitidis nucleic acid in a sample is provided including producing an amplification product by amplifying Neisseria meningitidis nucleotide sequence of the sodC gene or mRNA using a forward primer of SEQ ID NO: 1, and a reverse primer of SEQ ID NO: 2, and detecting the amplification product to detect Neisseria meningitidis in the sample. Also provided are reagents and methods for detecting and distinguishing Neisseria meningitidis from other infectious agents. A kit is provided for detecting and quantifying Neisseria meningitidis in a sample.

Abstract: This application provides universal labeled primers for detection and amplification of nucleic acid molecules. These universal primers can be attached to the 5?-end of a target sequence-specific primer. In particular examples, the universal primer includes a labeled nucleotide flanked on both sides a nucleotide whose complement nucleotides changes a detectable signal from the label when the universal primer hybridizes with its complementary nucleic acid molecule. Also disclosed are methods of using the universal primer in nucleic acid amplification, such as real-time PCR.

Abstract: Provided are Nocardia farcinica-specific primers comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1-39. Provided is a polynucleotide represented by SEQ ID NO:41 and SEQ ID NO:40. Further provided is a method of identifying a Nocardia farcinica infection in a subject with the primer identified by SEQ ID NO:1-39, or detecting the presence of a polynucleotide consisting of the nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:40 or SEQ ID NO:41. Also provided is a method of identifying Nocardia farcinica infection in a subject by amplifying DNA from the subject using a Nocardia farcinica-specific primer comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1-39. Further provided is a kit for identifying Nocardia farcinica comprising a Nocardia farcinica-specific primer comprising SEQ ID: NO:1-39 and a kit for identifying Nocardia farcinica comprising a Nocardia farcinica specific primer capable of amplifying SEQ ID NO:41.