Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making engineered viral proteins and protein complexes that are useful as vaccine immunogens, engineered viral proteins and protein complexes made using such methods, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such engineered viral proteins and protein complexes. Such engineered viral proteins and protein complexes may comprise one or more cross-links that stabilize the conformation of an antibody epitope, such as a quaternary neutralizing antibody, and may exhibit an enhanced ability to elicit a protective immune response when administered to a subject as a component of a vaccine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an mRNA sequence, comprising a coding region, encoding at least one antigenic peptide or protein of RSV infections Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or a fragment, variant or derivative thereof. Additionally the present invention relates to a composition comprising a plurality of mRNA sequences comprising a coding region, encoding at least one antigenic peptide or protein of RSV infections Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or a fragment, variant or derivative thereof. Furthermore it also discloses the use of the mRNA sequence or the composition comprising a plurality of mRNA sequences for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition, especially a vaccine, e.g. for use in the prophylaxis or treatment of RSV infections Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections. The present invention further describes a method of treatment or prophylaxis of RSV infections using the mRNA sequence.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to compositions of and methods for live attenuated alphaviruses. In certain embodiments, a live, attenuated virus composition includes, but is not limited to, one or more live, attenuated alphaviruses and compositions to reduce inactivation and/or degradation of the live, attenuated alphavirus. In other embodiments, the live, attenuated virus composition may be a vaccine composition. In yet other compositions, a live, attenuated alphavirus composition may include HEPES buffer. In other embodiments, the HEPES buffer may further include a carbohydrate and gelatin and/or a salt.

Abstract: Polyvalent, primary isolate nucleic acid compositions for inducing an immune response against HIV are disclosed. The compositions and methods described herein are for the use of a nucleic acid composition that encodes one or more different HIV envelope glycoproteins. The synthetic, codon-optimized DNAs encoding one or more HIV proteins are a combination of different nucleic acids, such as DNA plasmids, generated from primary isolate DNA of different HIV major group genetic clades and/or different proteins. HIV polypeptide compositions for inducing an immune response against HIV are also disclosed. Methods for using the polypeptide compositions before, at the same time as, and/or after administration of the DNA compositions are provided.

Abstract: This invention provides antibodies or fragments thereof that are capable of specifically binding to at least one conformational epitope of enterovirus 71 (EV71), wherein the antibody individually comprises at least one variable light chain and at least one variable heavy chain. There is also provided a method of producing an antibody capable of specifically binding to at least one conformational epitope of enterovirus 71 (EV71).

Abstract: The present invention provides kits and assay methods for the early detection of pathogens, precise identification of the etiologic agent, and improved disease surveillance. More specifically, the present invention discloses an immunoassay leading to the rapid and simultaneous detection of antibodies to a wide range of infectious pathogens in biological fluids of infected patients. This immunoassay involves the covalent and oriented coupling of fusion proteins comprising an AGT enzyme and a viral antigen on an identifiable solid support (e.g. fluorescent microspheres), said support being previously coated with an AGT substrate. This coupling is mediated by the irreversible reaction of the AGT enzyme on its substrate. The thus obtained antigen-coupled microspheres show enhanced capture of specific antibodies as compared to antigen-coupled microspheres produced by standard amine coupling procedures.

Abstract: Methods are described for predicting ancestral sequences for viruses or portions thereof. Also described are predicted ancestral sequences for adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid polypeptides. The disclosure also provides methods of gene transfer and methods of vaccinating subjects by administering a target antigen operably linked to the AAV capsid polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to formulation comprising (i) at least one virus-based material, (ii) at least one polymer selected in the group of polyvinylpyrrolidone and derivatives thereof, (iii) at least one sugar, (iv) at least two different amino acids, (v) at least two pharmaceutical acceptable salts, wherein at least one of said salts is a phosphate salt and, optionally (vi) a pharmaceutical acceptable buffer. Such a formulation is particularly suitable for freeze-drying. The present invention also relates to the corresponding dry product, as well as its preparation process. The present invention also relates to a reconstituted material comprising said dry product, which can be administered to a patient in need thereof. Such formulation and reconstituted material are useful as vaccines, preferably for the treatment and/or the prevention of cancers, infectious diseases and/or autoimmune disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant adenoviruses and vectors thereof. In particular, the adenoviruses are novel simian adenoviruses having a low seroprevalence and high immunogenicity relative to other adenoviruses and vectors thereof. The invention also provides methods for production of the adenoviruses and for the treatment of diseases by administering the adenoviral vector(s) to a subject (e.g., a human).

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions relating to Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV), and vaccines for treatment and prevention thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of designing an inhibitor of the binding of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) glycoprotein (gp)120 to a CD4-receptor or to the integrin alpha4 beta7 (a4b7). The inhibitor interacts with at least two amino acid residues comprised in six motifs within the 3-dimensional structure of gp120. Also provided are compounds, pharmaceutical compositions thereof and uses thereof in the development of an inhibitor of the binding of a HIV gp120 to a CD4-receptor or an integrin alpha4 beta7 (a4b7). The inhibitors are useful for the prevention or treatment of an HIV infection and/or diseases associated with an HIV infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to an HIV-1 vaccine and, in particular, to a B cell lineage-based vaccination protocol.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for detecting viral infectivity and content in an enzyme preparation. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to methods for producing a pharmaceutical pancreatic enzyme composition. In additional embodiments, the invention relates to detecting infectious porcine parvovirus (PPV) and determining PPV content in pancreatic enzyme preparations (PEPs), including pancrelipase preparations.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions relating to Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV), and vaccines for treatment and prevention thereof.

Abstract: A rod-shaped plant virus having an interior surface and an exterior surface, and at least one imaging agent that is linked to the interior and/or exterior surface is described. The rod-shaped viruses can be combined into larger spherical nanoparticles. A rod-shaped plant virus or spherical nanoparticles including an imaging agent can be used in a method of generating an image of a tissue region of a subject such as a tumor or atherosclerotic tissue by administering the virus particle to the subject and generating an image of the tissue region of the subject to which the virus particle has been distributed.

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: Compositions are disclosed that induce broadly HIV therapeutic and vaccine inducing antibodies against diverse HIV clades and relate to the ability to identify HIV gp120-derived short peptide sequence immunogens and various therapeutic compositions made from the identified peptides which compose CCR5 binding sites. Also disclosed are methods of selecting peptide sequences that are likely candidates for drugs which will offer effective treatment in such areas as Alzheimer's disease, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis and other diseases associated with the human inflammatory cascade as well as related retroviruses such as HTLV-1, the cause of tropical spastic paraparesis.

Abstract: Methods for producing antibodies are provided and include transforming a plant cell with a nucleic acid encoding a heavy chain of an antibody, a light chain of an antibody, and a linking polypeptide connecting the heavy chain to the light chain. The nucleic acid is then expressed in the plant cell, such that, upon expression the linking polypeptide is cleaved to separate the heavy chain from the light chain. Isolated nucleic acid sequences, expression vectors, and transformed plant cells useful for producing the antibodies are also provided. Further provided are methods for treating a viral infection and include the steps of obtaining an antibody produced by the above-described methods and then administering the antibody to a subject.

Abstract: The disclosure provides immunogenic compositions comprising human picornavirus peptides derived from structural proteins of the virus, constructs comprising the peptides, the peptides themselves and their use in the prevention of picornavirus infection and disease. Particular peptides from VP4 and VP1 are disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for an isolated recombinant influenza virus having at least one of: a PA gene segment encoding PA with a residue at position 443 that is not arginine, a PB1 gene segment encoding PB1 with a residue at position 737 that is not lysine, a PB2 gene segment encoding PB2 with a residue at position 25 that is not valine or a residue at position 712 that is not glutamic acid, a NS gene segment encoding a NS1 with a residue at position 167 that is not proline, a HA gene segment encoding a HA with a residue at position 380 that is not threonine, or any combination thereof, and methods of making and using the virus.