Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of detecting HIV-1 nucleic acids in a sample (such as from a sample containing or suspected to contain HIV-1 nucleic acid). In some examples, the methods include loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) or reverse transcription-LAMP (RT-LAMP). In some examples, the methods include contacting a sample with one or more sets of LAMP primers specific for HIV-1 (such as LAMP primers specific for an HIV-1 integrase nucleic acid or LAMP primers specific for an HIV-1 reverse transcriptase nucleic acid) under conditions sufficient to produce an amplification product and detecting the amplification product. Sets of LAMP primers for detection of HIV-1 integrase nucleic acids (such as SEQ ID NOs: 8-14 or 8-27) and HIV-1 reverse transcriptase nucleic acids (such as SEQ ID NOs: 1-7) are provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that bind or neutralize anthrax protective antigen (PA) toxin. The invention provides such antibodies, fragments of such antibodies retaining anthrax PA toxin-binding ability, fully human or humanized antibodies retaining anthrax PA toxin-binding ability, and pharmaceutical compositions including such antibodies. The invention further provides for isolated nucleic acids encoding the antibodies of the invention and host cells transformed therewith. Additionally, the invention provides for prophylactic, therapeutic, and diagnostic methods employing the antibodies and nucleic acids of the invention.

Abstract: Embodiments of a novel platform for delivering a peptide antigen to a subject to induce an immune response to the peptide antigen are provided. For example, nanoparticle polyplexes are provided that comprise a polymer linked to a peptide conjugate by an electrostatic interaction. The conjugate comprises a peptide antigen linked to a peptide tag through an optional linker. An adjuvant may be included in the nanoparticle polyplex, linked to either the polymer or the conjugate, or admixed with the nanoparticles. The nanoparticle polyplex can be administered to a subject to induce an immune response to the peptide antigen.

Abstract: Methods of detecting influenza, including differentiating between type and subtype are disclosed, for example to detect, type, and/or subtype an influenza infection. A sample suspected of containing a nucleic acid of an influenza virus, is screened for the presence or absence of that nucleic acid. The presence of the influenza virus nucleic acid indicates the presence of influenza virus. Determining whether the influenza virus nucleic acid is present in the sample can be accomplished by detecting hybridization between an influenza specific probe, influenza type specific probe, and/or subtype specific probe and an influenza nucleic acid. Probes and primers for the detection, typing and/or subtyping of influenza virus are also disclosed. Kits and arrays that contain the disclosed probes and/or primers also are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are yeast-based immunotherapeutic compositions comprising mucin-1 (MUC1), as well as methods for the prevention and/or treatment of cancers characterized by the expression or overexpression of mucin-1 (MUC1).

Abstract: New methods and assays for multiplexed detection of analytes using phosphors that are uniform in morphology, size, and composition based on their unique optical lifetime signatures are described herein. The described assays and methods can be used for imaging or detection of multiple unique chemical or biological markers simultaneously in a single assay readout.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gene transfer-based method to protect a subject from Sjogren's syndrome. The method comprises administering to the subject an AAV virion comprising an AAV vector that encodes aquaporin-1 (AQP-1) protein. Also provided are AQP-1 proteins and nucleic acid molecules that encode such proteins. Also provided are AAV vectors and AAV virions that encode an AQP-1 protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to attenuated, immunogenic West Nile virus chimeras built on a dengue virus backbone for the production of immunogenic, live, attenuated West Nile virus vaccines.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions for inhibiting transmission of a sexually transmitted infection that contain one or more polyanionic microbicides, such as carrageenans, including lambda carrageenan, as well as water-soluble metal salts and specified lectins. Also disclosed are methods for making and using the compositions.

Abstract: Provided herein are engineered cell lines. In some embodiments, cells of an engineered cell line have altered expression of a gene and/or altered expression of an miRNA, wherein the altered expression results in increased or decreased production of a virus. The virus is a picornavirus, such as a poliovirus or Enterovirus 71. Also provided herein are methods for using the engineered cells to produce virus, and methods for treating a subject having or at risk of having a viral infection.

Abstract: Described herein are exemplary methods for estimating a nonparametric joint radius-length (R-L) distribution of an ensemble of porous elements represented generally by finite cylinders. Some described methods comprise estimating an eccentricity distribution of a group of anisotropic porous elements. For example, disclosed methods can be applied to estimate a nonparametric joint R-L distribution of injured axons in nervous tissue, muscle tissue, plant elements, or other porous materials. Employing a novel three dimensional (3-D) double pulsed-field gradient (d-PFG) magnetic resonance (MR) acquisition scheme, both the marginal radius and length distributions of a population of generally cylindrical porous elements can be obtained. The marginal radius and length distributions can then b e used to constrain and stabilize the estimate of the joint radius-length distribution. Using the marginal distributions as constraints allows the joint R-L distribution to be reconstructed from an underdetermined system (i.e.

Abstract: Recombinant paramyxoviruses including a viral genome encoding a heterologous gene are provided. In several embodiments, the recombinant paramyxovirus is a recombinant parainfluenza virus, such as a recombinant PIV3 including a viral genome encoding a heterologous respiratory syncytial virus F ectodomain linked to the transmembrane domain and the cytoplasmic tail of the F protein from the PIV3. Nucleic acid molecules including the genome of a recombinant paramyxoviruses are also provided. The recombinant viruses may advantageously be used in vaccine formulations, such as for vaccines against parainfluenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to methods that include delivering to a subject a nucleic acid encoding an antigen, wherein the nucleic acid is delivered via a tumor-selective vehicle or via intratumoral injection, and delivering to the subject an immune cell expressing a receptor that binds to the antigen.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are codon-optimized nucleic acids encoding a reduced-size ATP7A protein. Also disclosed are vectors and recombinant viruses (such as recombinant adeno-associated viruses) including the codon-optimized nucleic acids encoding the reduced-size ATP7A protein and compositions including the disclosed vectors and viruses. Further disclosed herein are methods of treating copper transport disorders, for example by administering a disclosed nucleic acid, vector, or recombinant virus to a subject with a copper transport disorder, such as Menkes disease, occipital horn syndrome, or ATP7A-related distal motor neuropathy.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods to determine whether or not a subject has been exposed to radiation, and if exposed, to determine the approximate dose of radiation exposure. In particular embodiments, the methods including detecting the presence or absence of one or more RNAs (such as one or more miRNAs, mRNAs, and/or lncRNAs) in a sample from a subject, such as a subject who has been exposed or is suspected of having been exposed to radiation. In particular examples, the presence or absence of the one or more RNAs is determined based on whether an amount of a particular RNA is detected in a sample from a subject at a level above (e.g., the RNA is determined to be present in the sample) or below (e.g., the RNA is determined not to be present (is absent) in the sample) a pre-determined cutoff value or a control.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a biosensor capable of measuring the total concentration of one or a plurality of ammonia or ammonium ions with the use of indophenol reagents in the presence of an ionomer. In some embodiments, the biosensor comprises a perflurinated membrane that comprises an ionomer in contact with an alkali buffer in a vessel configured to receive a sample, such as whole blood. The disclosure also relates to a method of detecting or quantifying the ammonia or ammonium ion concentration in whole blood in a point of care bio sensor without reliance on gas chromatography or any measurement that takes more than about twenty minutes.

Abstract: A modified adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid protein comprising at least one non-native amino acid that confers to the modified AAV particles new properties, such as increased transduction efficiency and reduced immunogenicity. These modified AAV proteins and particles are particularly useful for gene therapy and the treatment of various diseases and conditions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for detecting presence of an influenza virus in a sample, such as a biological sample obtained from a subject or an environmental sample. In some embodiments, the compositions and methods can be used to quickly identify particular subtypes of influenza virus (such as seasonal or variant influenza subtype H3, influenza subtype H5, Eurasian influenza subtype H7, North American influenza subtype H7, and/or influenza subtype H9) present in a sample. Probes and primers are provided herein that permit the rapid detection and/or discrimination of influenza virus subtype nucleic acids in a sample. Devices (such as arrays) and kits for detection and/or discrimination of influenza virus subtype nucleic acids are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Compositions comprising glucan-encapsulated siRNA directed against a region of the gene encoding the human CB1 receptor for use in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in a human subject. Additionally, methods for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising glucan-encapsulated siRNA directed against the CB1 receptor.

Abstract: Methods of inducing an immune response in a subject to the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) are provided. In several embodiments, the immune response is a protective immune response that inhibits or prevents MERS-CoV infection in the subject. Recombinant MERS-CoV polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules encoding same are also provided. Additionally, neutralizing antibodies that specifically bind to MERS-CoV S protein and antigen binding fragments thereof are disclosed. The antibodies and antigen binding fragments are useful, for example, in methods of detecting MERS-CoV S protein in a sample or in a subject, as well as methods of preventing and treating a MERS-CoV infection in a subject.