Abstract: The present invention relates to the determination of an authentic HCV genome RNA sequences, to construction of infectious HCV DNA clones, and to use of the clones, or their derivatives, in therapeutic, vaccine, and diagnostic applications. The invention is also directed to HCV vectors, e.g., for gene therapy of gene vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and assays for detecting bacteriophage MS2 in a sample.

Abstract: Amplibody compositions and methods used to interact with agglomeration proteins are disclosed herein. Compositions herein comprise one or more DNA or RNA molecules having affinity for at least one agglomeration protein. The nucleic acid component is a naturally or non-naturally occuring molecule with twenty or more ribonucleotide bases. For RNA, at least one nucleotide sequence portion of this RNA molecule has affinity to at least one consensus sequence present in the agglomeration RNA-binding protein. The portion of nucleotide sequence of RNA having affinity for agglomeration proteins is a sequence that is derived from either and RNA virus, and RNA agglomeration proteins is a sequence that is derived from either and RNA virus, an RNA phage, a messenger RNA (“mRNA”), a ribosomal RNA (“rRNA), a transfer RNA (“tRNA”), a sequence that is received as a template by one or more RNA dependent RNA polymerases, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated polynucleotide molecules, including plasmids; viral vectors; and transfected host cells that comprise a DNA sequence encoding an infectious RNA sequence encoding a North American PRRS virus; and also North American PRRS viruses encoded thereby. The invention further provides isolated infectious RNA molecules encoding a North American PRRS virus. The invention also provides isolated polynucleotide molecules, infectious RNA molecules, viral vectors, and transfected host cells encoding genetically-modified North American PRRS viruses; and genetically-modified North American PRRS viruses encoded thereby. The invention also provides vaccines comprising such plasmids, RNA molecules, viral vectors, and North American PRRS viruses, and methods of using these vaccines in swine and in other animals. Also provided are isolated polynucleotide molecules, viral vectors, and transfected host cells that comprise a nucleotide sequence encoding a peptide of a North American PRRS virus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for gene therapy, especially to adenovirus-based gene therapy, and related cell lines and compositions. In particular, novel nucleic acid constructs and packaging cell lines are disclosed, for use in facilitating the development of high-capacity and targeted vectors. The invention also discloses a variety of high-capacity adenovirus vectors and related compositions and kits including the disclosed cell lines and vectors. Finally, the invention discloses methods of preparing and using the disclosed vectors, cell lines and kits.

Abstract: The instant invention involves the use of a combination of preparatory steps in conjunction with mass spectroscopy and time-of-flight detection procedures to maximize the diversity of biopolymers which are verifiable within a particular sample. The cohort of biopolymers verified within such a sample is then viewed with reference to their ability to evidence at least one particular disease state; thereby enabling a diagnostician to gain the ability to characterize either the presence or absence of at least one disease state relative to recognition of the presence and/or the absence of a biopolymer.

Abstract: Multivalent, multispecific molecules having at least one specificity for a pathogen and at least one specificity for the HLA class II invariant chain (Ii) are administered to induce clearance of the pathogen. In addition to pathogens, clearance of therapeutic or diagnostic agents, autoantibodies, anti-graft antibodies, and other undesirable compounds may be induced using the multivalent, multispecific molecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting bacteria and a nano-well device having one or more input/output connections about a gap and one or more bacteriophages at or about the gap that trigger a detectable electrical field fluctuation when the one or more bacteriophages contact a cognate target within a liquid sample.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving encapsidation of transgene RNA using retroviral packaging and transfer vectors. An HIV-2 transfer vector, which includes the transgene, is introduced into a packaging cell that is also transfected with (or stably expresses) an HIV-2 derived packaging vector or a combination of packaging vectors. The packaging vector has mutations in packaging signal sequences that are both upstream and downstream of the 5? splice donor site. The upstream mutation can be a functional deletion of a signal sequence located between the 5? LTR and the 5? splice donor site, while the downstream mutation can be a functional deletion of a signal sequence located between the 5? splice donor site and an initiation codon of the gag gene on the HIV-2 genome. It can also be composed of a combination of two or more partial vectors. A transfer vector, which is introduced into the packaging cell line, has a mutation that renders its splice donor site non-functional.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is the discovery of a novel hepatitis C virus (HCV) isolated from a human patient. Embodiments of the invention include HCV peptides, nucleic acids encoding said HCV peptides, antibodies directed to said peptides, compositions containing said nucleic acids and peptides, as well as, methods of making and using the aforementioned compositions including, but not limited to, diagnostics and medicaments for the treatment and prevention of HCV infection.

Abstract: A new isoform of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and polynucleotides encoding it have been identified. This isoform, MnSOD E3(?), is a splice variant lacking exon 3 of the full length MnSOD. The polypeptide can be expressed using appropriate host cells. Modulation of either the expression of the polynucleotides of the activity of the polypeptide is also described. Furthermore, diagnostic and therapeutic methods have been developed as a consequence of the isolation of the polynucleotides and polypeptides.

Abstract: A diagnostic reagent for hepatitis C virus infection obtained by sensitizing a solid phase with HCV antigen and a conjugated antigen prepared by chemical bonding of HCV antigen and a carrier protein, and a method of diagnosing hepatitis C virus infection, which comprises adding the diagnostic reagent for hepatitis C virus infection to a sample, and measuring the degree of agglutination of carrier particles as the solid phase. The diagnostic reagent and the method of diagnosis enable many samples to be measured with higher sensitivity and rapidity.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of isolation and purification of Streptomyces griseus trypsin (SGT) from PRONASE protease mixture in a single affinity chromatography step and uses of the purified SGT.

Abstract: Live rabies virus vaccines comprising a recombinant rabies virus genome which overexpresses the rabies virus G protein increase apoptotic activity in infected cells, and enhance the generation of anti-rabies immunity in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention features antibodies and antibody fragments that specifically bind a CD4-inducible HIV gp120 epitope that is enhanced by binding a co-receptor for HIV, such as CCR5 or CXCR4, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies or antibody fragments. The invention also features nucleic acids encoding the antibodies or antibody fragments, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nucleic acids encoding the antibodies or antibody fragments, vectors comprising the nucleic acids, and cells comprising the vectors. The invention further features methods of identifying antibodies or antibody fragments with broadly neutralizing activity against HIV. The invention also features methods of inhibiting HIV entry into cells and methods of inhibiting replication of HIV in mammals, using the antibodies and nucleic acids of the invention.

Abstract: Synthetic peptides immunoreactive with hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibodies are provided. The peptides are useful as laboratory reagents to detect or quantify HAV antibodies in biological samples in clinical or research-based assays and for inducing an immune response to HAV when administered to a human or animal. The peptides contain antigenic epitopes, modified antigenic epitopes or combinations of epitopes of the major structural capsid polypeptides or non-structural polypeptides of HAV and contain one or more molecules of the amino acid glutamine (Q) at the carboxyl end of the peptide, which enhances immunoreactivity and immunogenicity, particularly IgM antibody reactivity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel human antimicrobial peptide which is a member of the defensin superfamily. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human antimicrobial peptide. Antimicrobial peptide are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting disorders related to the immune system and therapeutic methods for such disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hyperproliferative diseases. Specifically, the present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising a modified Reoviridae virus, wherein the Reoviridae virus is conjugated to a hydroxylated hydrocarbon or a polycationic polymer to reduce the clearance of the composition and reduce the immunogenicity of the composition. Yet further, the invention relates to methods of treating a hyperproliferative disease by administering to a patient an effective amount of the modified Reoviridae virus.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to the discovery of a novel hepatitis C virus (HCV) isolate. Embodiments include HCV peptides, nucleic acids encoding said HCV peptides, antibodies directed to said peptides, compositions containing said nucleic acids and peptides, as well as methods of making and using the aforementioned compositions including, but not limited to, diagnostics and medicaments for the treatment and prevention of HCV infection.

Abstract: Permissiveness of human cells to replication of susceptible pathogenic human viruses is reduced by treating the cells with a selective inhibitor of prenylation of a host cell protein. Target viruses, especially Flaviviridae, are predetermined to lack a CXXX box and prenylated viral protein, and to be replication-dependent on host protein prenylation. The general method comprises (a) contacting human cells subject to infection by the virus with an effective amount of a selective inhibitor of a prenylation enzyme of the cells; and (b) confirming a resultant reduction in permissiveness of the cells to replication of the virus. Targeted enzymes include prenyl biosynthetic enzyme like HMG CoA reductase farnesyl and/or geranylgeranyl transferase enzymes.