Abstract: An anti-HBs monoclonal antibody is described herein. This antibody can bind to the following: (i) a wild type HBsAg; (ii) at least one mutant HBsAg selected from the group consisting of a first mutant HBsAg and a second mutant HBsAg; and (iii) at least one mutant HBsAg selected from the group consisting of a third mutant HBsAg and a fourth mutant HBsAg. The first mutant HBsAg has a mutation at position 120. The second mutant HBsAg has a mutation at position 141. The third mutant HBsAg has a substitution to a lysine at position 118. The fourth mutant HBsAg has only one mutation at position 144 and an amino acid at the position 144 is substituted by a glutamic acid.

Abstract: Recombinant viral vectors, especially parvovirus vectors such as adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors, capable of enhanced expression of heterologous sequences, and methods for their construction and use, are provided. The vectors have a structure, or are capable of rapidly adopting a structure, which involves intrastrand base pairing of at least one region in a heterologous sequence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel isolated avian hepatitis E virus having a nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or its complementary strand. The invention further concerns immunogenic compositions comprising this new virus or recombinant products such as the nucleic acid and vaccines that protect an avian or mammalian species from viral infection or hepatitis-splenomegaly syndrome caused by the hepatitis E virus. Also included in the scope of the invention is a method for propagating, inactivating or attenuating a hepatitis E virus comprising inoculating an embryonated chicken egg with a live, pathogenic hepatitis E virus and recovering the virus or serially passing the pathogenic virus through additional embryonated chicken eggs until the virus is rendered inactivated or attenuated.

Abstract: Disclosed is an immunogenic hybrid polypeptide comprising a mimetic peptide of a B cell epitope of apolipoprotein B-100 and a helper T cell epitope, the mimetic peptide being fused at its C-terminus to an N-terminus of the helper T cell epitope. Also disclosed is a vaccine composition for preventing or treating obesity comprising the polypeptide.

Abstract: A new coronavirus is disclosed herein with a tropism that includes humans. Means and methods are provided for diagnosing subjects (previously) infected with the virus. Also provided are among others vacines, medicaments, nucleic acids and specific binding members.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibody specifically binding to polypeptide(s) comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID No.

Abstract: This invention pertains to BIV constructs encompassing BIV combination vectors, BIV vectors and BIV packaging vectors and particularly the invention pertains to a three vector system comprising: a) a BIV vector construct including a DNA segment from a BIV genome, a packaging sequence to package RNA into virions; a promoter operably linked to the DNA segment; and a transgene operably linked to a second promoter; b) a BIV packaging vector construct comprising a BIV DNA sequence fragment comprising at least a gag gene or pol gene of BIV; a promoter operably linked to the BIV DNA fragment; and a polyadenylation sequence located downstream of the BIV DNA fragment; and c) an expression vector construct comprising a gene encoding a viral surface protein. Also provided is a method for transferring a gene of interest into a mammalian cell.

Abstract: Recombinant viral vectors, especially parvovirus vectors such as adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors, capable of enhanced expression of heterologous sequences, and methods for their construction and use, are provided. The vectors have a structure, or are capable of rapidly adopting a structure, which involves intrastrand base pairing of at least one region in a heterologous sequence.

Abstract: The invention provides scFv antibodies and monoclonal antibodies that neutralize SARS-CoV. Also provided are methods of treating and/or preventing a coronavirus-related disease or disorder such as SARS. The invention also provides methods of vaccinating a patient against SARS-CoV. Also provided are methods of diagnosing coronavirus-related diseases or disorders and methods of detecting the presence of a coronavirus in a sample. The invention additionally provides methods of screening for compounds that modulate the binding of SARS-CoV and the SARS-CoV receptor ACE2 as well as for compounds useful to treat SARS-CoV-related diseases or disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated and purified DNA encoding feline CD80 (B7-1) ligand, feline CD86 (B7-2) ligand, feline CD28 receptor, or feline CTLA-4 (CD152) receptor, as well as vectors comprising nucleic acid encoding feline CD80, feline CD86, feline CD28, or feline CTLA-4. The present invention provides a host cells transformed with CD80-encoding vectors, CD86-encoding vectors, CD28-encoding vectors, or CTLA-4-encoding vectors. The invention provides polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acid of feline CD80, feline CD86, feline CD28, or feline CTLA-4. The present invention provides a vaccine comprising an effective amount of polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acid of feline CD80, feline CD86, feline CD28, or feline CTLA-4. The present invention also provides vaccines which further comprise immunogens derived from pathogens. The invention provides for vaccines capable of enhancing an immune response. The invention also provides for vaccines capable of suppressing and immune response.

Abstract: Human scFvs are disclosed which interact with a conformational epitope along the pre-hairpin, N-helix coiled coil structure within the heptad repeat 1 (HR1) region of gp41 of HIV. These antibodies, as well as IgG conversions, are shown to neutralize diverse HIV isolates. Isolated nucleic acid molecules are also disclosed which encode relevant portions of these antibodies, as well as the purified forms of the expressed antibodies or relevant antibody fragments, such as VH and VL chains. The antibody compositions disclosed within this specification may provide for a therapeutic treatment against HIV infection by reducing viral load levels within an infected individual, thus prolonging the asymptomatic phase of HIV infection. These antibodies will also be useful in assays to identify HIV antiviral compounds as well as allowing for the identification of candidate HIV vaccines, such as HIV peptide vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant adenoviral vectors based on adenoviruses that encounter pre-existing immunity in a minority of the human population and which harbor a chimeric capsid. The chimeric capsid comprises fiber proteins that have at least the knob domain of a human adenovirus that binds to the Coxsackievirus and Adenovirus Receptor (CAR) and a hexon protein from an adenovirus serotype that encounters pre-existing immunity in a low percentage of the human population.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies including human antibodies and antigen-binding portions thereof that specifically bind to human SARS-CoV S protein, and that function to neutralize SARS-CoV. The invention also relates to antibodies that are bispecific, derivatized, single chain antibodies or portions of fusion proteins. The invention also relates to isolated heavy and light chain immunoglobulins derived from human anti-SARS-CoV S protein antibodies and nucleic acid molecules encoding such immunoglobulins. The present invention also relates to methods of using the antibodies and compositions for diagnosis and treatment. The invention also provides gene therapy methods using nucleic acid molecules encoding the heavy and/or light immunoglobulin molecules that comprise the human anti-SARS-CoV S protein antibodies. The invention also relates to transgenic animals or plants comprising nucleic acid molecules of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention describes HIV-1 subtype isolate regulatory/accessory genes, and modifications and derivatives thereof. The genes which are described are the tat, nef and rev genes. Consensus amino acid sequences are also disclosed. The invention also relates to a vaccine including two or more of the nucleotide sequences, and nucleotide sequences from the pol and/or gag genes of HIV-1.

Abstract: There is provided a HBV precore protein having an ability of forming particles, and a means for determining it. A novel HBV precore protein that forms the virus (like) particles of HBV was identified. The present invention provides this novel HBV precore protein. Furthermore, there are provided core-like particles and virus-like particles formed by this HBV precore protein. These virus-like particles can be used for vaccines and therapeutic agents. The present invention also provides a method of determining the HBV precore protein and a method of determining the anti-HBV precore protein antibody.

Abstract: The present invention provides binding molecules that specifically bind to SARS-CoV, nucleic acid molecules encoding the binding molecules, compositions comprising the binding molecules and methods of identifying or producing the binding molecules. The binding molecules are capable of specifically binding to SARS-CoV and can be used in the diagnosis, prophylaxis and/or treatment of a condition resulting from SARS-CoV.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods for separating hemagglutinin (HA) antigens, comprising the steps of applying a reduced and derivatized antigen preparation comprising solubilized HA antigens and a detergent in a pH controlled solution, on a Reversed-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography column; and eluting the HA antigens from the column with an ion pairing agent in an organic mobile phase. The invention further relates to quantifying methods using the methods for separating the antigens with the further step of measuring the peak area of the eluted antigen in a chromatogram resulting from the elution step.

Abstract: Recombinant enteroviruses for use as vaccines or vectors, which are modified in tropism or virulence, are disclosed. Also disclosed are DNA constructs comprising enterovirus-derived molecular determinants of tropism or virulence for use in targeting genes of interest to specific cells or tissues. The recombinant enteroviruses and DNA constructs comprise molecular determinants of tropism and virulence localized in specific domains of the 5?NTR of the enteroviral genome.

Abstract: This invention pertains to BIV constructs encompassing BIV combination vectors, BIV vectors and BIV packaging vectors and particularly the invention pertains to a three vector system comprising: a) a BIV vector construct including a DNA segment from a BIV genome, a packaging sequence to package RNA into virions; a promoter operably linked to the DNA segment; and a transgene operably linked to a second promoter; b) a BIV packaging vector construct comprising a BIV DNA sequence fragment comprising at least a gag gene or pol gene of BIV; a promoter operably linked to the BIV DNA fragment; and a polyadenylation sequence located downstream of the BIV DNA fragment; and c) an expression vector construct comprising a gene encoding a viral surface protein. Also provided is a method for transferring a gene of interest into a mammalian cell.

Abstract: The invention provides novel TRIM polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules. In addition to isolated, full-length TRIM proteins, the invention further provides isolated TRIM fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-TRIM antibodies. The invention also provides TRIM nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced and non-human transgenic animals in which an TRIM gene has been introduced or disrupted. The present invention also provides methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of viral infection and/or replication, e.g., HIV infection. The invention further provides methods for identifying a compound capable of treating or preventing viral infection and/or replication, e.g., HIV infection and AIDS. In addition, the invention provides a method for treating a subject having a viral infection and/or replication, e.g.