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.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are isotopically labeled calcofluor derivatives and uses of such to detect fungi, such as filamentous fungi, including Aspergillus species, such as by positron emission tomography (PET) scanning.

Abstract: Provided herein are new methods, primers, and kits for genotyping HIV-1, including group M viral strains. The methods can be used for HIV-1 drug resistance surveillance and monitoring, for example in resource-poor countries. The disclosed methods can detected more mixed HIV-1 population than previous methods. Given the high efficiency in genotyping diverse HIV-1 group M viral strains from plasma and dried blood spot (DBS) samples and substantial reagent cost saving, the disclosed methods can be used for HIV-1 drug resistance genotyping in both antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naive and -experienced populations for surveillance purposes and patient monitoring.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for protein delivery. The invention features virus like particles, methods of making virus like particles and methods of using virus like particles to deliver proteins to a cell, to provide protein therapy and to treat diseases or disorders. The invention also features methods of targeting a protein to a cell, methods of protein therapy and methods of treating diseases or disorders using a TUS protein, a NLS or NES identified from full length TUS.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assaying the viscoelastic properties of a heterogeneous material are provided. The systems and methods allow for application of an in situ calibrated optical trap to optical trap beads within the material to assay the viscoelastic properties. In several embodiments, the material can be a biological material, such as tumor tissue or skin tissue.

Abstract: Methods for treating a subject for pancreatic cancer via administration of small anti-inflammatory peptides are disclosed. The peptides may be administered in conjunction with another therapeutic agent, such as a chemotherapeutic agent, or therapeutic regimen. In some cases, the anti-inflammatory peptide that finds use in the subject methods has the amino acid sequence Lys-Phe-Arg-Lys-Ala-Phe-Lys-Arg-Phe-Phe (SEQ ID NO:1) or a multimer, derivative, or variant thereof.

Abstract: Isolated VHH monoclonal antibodies are disclosed that specifically bind to a Norovirus polypeptide. In some embodiments, the Norovirus is a Genogroup I Norovirus or a Genogroup II Norovirus. In other embodiments, the Norovirus is Norwalk or MD2004 virus. In some embodiments, the monoclonal antibodies specifically bind VP1. Also disclosed are compositions including the disclosed antibodies, nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, expression vectors including the nucleic acids, and isolated host cells that express the nucleic acids. The antibodies and compositions disclosed herein can be used for detecting the presence of a Norovirus in a biological sample, or detecting a Norovirus infection. Also disclosed are methods of treating and/or preventing a NoV infection.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for detecting presence of an emerging influenza virus in a sample, such as a biological sample obtained from a subject or an environmental sample, are disclosed. In some embodiments, the compositions and methods can be used to quickly identify particular subtypes of influenza virus (such as a pandemic and/or emerging influenza virus subtype). Probes and primers are provided herein that permit the rapid detection and/or discrimination of pandemic 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 provided.

Abstract: The present description relates to an inhibitory RNA molecule, comprising an oligonucleotide that selectively knocks down expression a Nanog pseudogene expressed in many human cancers, a replicating viral vector capable of encoding such inhibitory RNA molecule, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said vector, and methods of treating cancer by administration of said pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: Novel influenza antigens, novel immunogenic or vaccine compositions, as well as uses of and methods for producing said antigens and compositions, are described.

Abstract: Described herein are RSV polynucleotide sequences that make use of multiple codons that are containing silent nucleotide substitutions engineered in multiple locations in the genome, wherein the substitutions introduce a numerous synonymous codons into the genome. Due to the large number of defects involved, the attenuated viruses disclosed herein provide a means of producing attenuated, live vaccines against RSV.

Abstract: This invention provides immunogenic compositions comprising an immune stimulant and an respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) oligopeptide or an unglycosylated RSV polypeptide. The RSV oligopeptides are shown in SEQ ID NO: 3-33. The unglycosylated RSV polypeptide may consist essentially of the ectodomain of an RSV G protein, such as that shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 or the ectodomain of an RSV F protein such as the ectodomain of the F protein shown in SEQ ID NO: 39.

Abstract: Described herein are recombinant polynucleotide-binding polypeptides, recombinant fusion proteins made with the described polynucleotide-binding polypeptides, methods of using the described recombinant polynucleotide-binding polypeptides and recombinant fusion proteins to modify genomic DNA of cells and, in some embodiments, create recombinant cells. Methods are also provided herein for genetically modifying a neuronal stem cell. Methods are also provided for treating a neurological disorder in a subject that include the administration of genetically modified neuronal stem cells produced by the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a bio-sensor 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 alkaline 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 biosensor without reliance on gas chromatography or any measurement that takes more than about twenty minutes.

Abstract: The invention relates to vaccine compositions including CEV serogroup immunogens, attenuated and inactivated viruses of the CEV serogroup and chimeric Bunyaviridae. Also disclosed are methods of treating or preventing CEV serogroup infection in a mammalian host, methods of producing a subunit vaccine composition or an immunogenic composition, isolated polynucleotides comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a CEV serogroup immunogen, methods for detecting La Crosse virus (LACV) infection in a biological sample and infectious chimeric Bunyaviridae.

Abstract: Synthetic polynucleotides encoding human methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (synMUT) and exhibiting augmented expression in cell culture and/or in a subject are described herein. An adeno-associated viral (AAV) gene therapy vector encoding synMUT under the control of a liver-specific promoter (AAV2/8-HCR-hAAT-synMUT-RBG) successfully rescued the neonatal lethal phenotype displayed by methylmalonyl-CoA mutase-deficient mice, lowered circulating methylmalonic acid levels in the treated animals, and resulted in prolonged hepatic expression of the product of synMUT transgene in vivo, human methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MUT).

Abstract: The invention relates to antibodies having specificity for human ROR1, compositions thereof, and methods for using such antibodies, including in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders associated with aberrant ROR1 expression.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits are described for identifying biomolecules (e.g., proteins and nucleic acids) expressed in a biological sample that are associated with the presence, development, or progression of a disease (such as cancer), or more generally determination of the etiology or risk factors associated with a disease. Sample types analyzed by the disclosed methods include but are not limited to archival tissue blocks that have been preserved in a fixative, tissue biopsy samples, tissue microarrays, and so forth. The methods disclosed herein correlate expression profiles of biomolecules with various disease types, and allow for the determination of relative survival rates; in some embodiments, the methods permit determination of survival rates for a subject with cancer. In other embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods for evaluating therapeutic regimes for the treatment, such as treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated and purified nucleic acid sequence encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) directed against B-cell Maturation Antigen (BCMA). The invention also provides host cells, such as T-cells or natural killer (NK) cells, expressing the CAR and methods for destroying multiple myeloma cells.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of detecting Plasmodium in a subject (for example, presence of Plasmodium parasite) by detecting the presence and/or amount of one or more metabolites in a sample from the subject. In some embodiments, the methods include detecting in the sample one or more metabolites listed in Table 1, Table 2, and/or Tables 5-8. The amount of the one or more metabolites in the sample is compared to the amount of the one or more metabolites in a control and presence of Plasmodium is determined if the amount of the one or more metabolites is different (for example statistically significantly increased or decreased) compared to the control.