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 encompasses porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) vaccines or compositions. The vaccine or composition may be a vaccine or composition containing PEDV antigens. The invention also encompasses recombinant vectors encoding and expressing PEDV antigens, epitopes or immunogens which can be used to protect porcine animals against PEDV.

Abstract: Described is the use of a parvovirus, preferably H-1PV, for the therapeutical elimination of cancer stem cells (CSCs), preferably neuroblastoma stem cells and glioblastoma stem cells.

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 invention is directed to an adenovirus-antigen conjugate comprising (a) a disrupted adenovirus with a coat protein and (b) an antigen conjugated to the coat protein of the disrupted adenovirus, as well as a conjugate comprising (a) a disrupted adenovirus with a coat protein and (b) an antigen conjugated to the coat protein of the disrupted adenovirus. The invention also provides a method of inducing an immune response against an antigen in a human using the aforementioned conjugates. The invention further provides an adeno-associated viral vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence which encodes an antibody directed against cocaine.

Abstract: A fusion protein for use as an immunogen enhancer for enhancing antigen-specific T cell responses is disclosed. The fusion protein comprises: (a) an antigen-presenting cell (APC)-binding domain or a CD91 receptor-binding domain; (b) a protein transduction domain; and (c) an antigen of a pathogen, wherein the APC-binding domain or the CD91 receptor-binding domain is located at the N-terminus of the fusion protein, and the antigen of the pathogen is located at the C-terminus of the protein transduction domain. The protein transduction domain is selected from the group consisting of: (i) a fusion polypeptide, comprising a T cell sensitizing signal-transducing peptide, a linker, and a translocation peptide; (ii) a T cell-sensitizing signal-transducing peptide; and (iii) a translocation peptide of 34-112 amino acid residues in length.

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: The present invention relates to novel methods for detecting a member of a known binding pair in a sample, including a cell, where one member of the pair (termed the “receptor”) is expressed by a bacteriophage, which phage is then used to detect the presence of the other member of the pair (termed the “ligand” or “target”). Rather than detecting the binding of the phage using antibody-based technology, the present invention relates to detecting marker molecule associated with the phage. In one aspect, the invention relates to identifying an antigen-bearing moiety (e.g., a red blood cell antigen) of interest present on a cell, e.g., a red blood cell, using antibody-displaying bacteriophage, as well as detecting anti-red blood cell auto- or alloantibodies and/or complement in a sample, using antiglobulin reagent-displaying bacteriophage and detecting a marker molecule associated with the phage. In one aspect, the phenotype of the phage is not linked with the genotype of the phage.

Abstract: Disclosed are a novel expression vector for efficient expression of recombinant proteins in mammalian cells, a mammalian cell transformed with the vector, and a method for production of the mammalian cell. The expression vector is an expression vector for expression of a mammalian protein and includes a gene expression regulatory site, and a gene encoding the protein downstream thereof, and an internal ribosome entry site further downstream thereof, and a gene encoding a glutamine synthetase further downstream thereof, and a dihydrofolate reductase gene downstream of either the same gene expression regulatory site or another gene expression regulatory site in addition to the former.

Abstract: Provided in the embodiments of the present invention is a vaccine composition including an immune amount of attenuated live vaccine, inactivated vaccine, subunit vaccine, synthetic vaccine, or genetically engineered vaccine of the porcine pseudorabies virus strain. The vaccine composition can effectively induce antibody generation, and prevent infections of virulent strains of the porcine pseudorabies virus, and provides effective protection for pigs.

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: The present invention relates to vaccines comprising at least one mRNA encoding at least one antigen for use in the treatment of a disease in newborns and/or infants, preferably exhibiting an age of not more than 2 years, preferably of not more than 1 year, more preferably of not more than 9 months or even 6 months, wherein the treatment comprises vaccination of the newborn or infant and eliciting an immune response in said newborn or infant. The present invention is furthermore directed to kits and kits of parts comprising such a vaccine and/or its components and to methods applying such a vaccine or kit.

Abstract: GB virus C (GBV-C or hepatitis G virus) is a flavivirus that frequently leads to chronic viremia in humans. The invention provides compositions and methods involving GBV-C E2 polypeptides and peptides for use in modulating immune responses, including inhibition inflammation related to pathogenic T-cell activation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods comprising chemopreventive agents that may be cupredoxin(s) or variants, derivatives and structural equivalents of cupredoxins, and at least one other chemopreventive agent. Specifically, these compositions may comprise azurin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and/or the 50-77 residue region of azurin (p28). The compositions of the invention may be used to prevent or inhibit the development of premalignant lesions in mammalian cells, tissues and animals, and thus prevent cancer.

Abstract: This invention concerns anti-inflammatory agents, compositions, and methods for treating inflammatory disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chimeric pestiviruses having utility as immunogenic compositions and vaccines. Also described herein are methods and kits for treating or preventing the spread of bovine viral diarrhea virus infection, as well as methods and kits for differentiating between vaccinated and wild-type infected animals.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of reducing the virucidal activity of a composition comprising a PCV-2 antigen as well as antigenic preparations and immunogenic compositions comprising a PCV-2 antigen, wherein the virucidal activity has been reduced. In addition, the present invention also relates to a method of increasing the immunogenicity of an immunogenic composition comprising a PCV-2 antigen as well as immunogenic composition with an increased immunogenicity.

Abstract: The invention relates to virus-like particles of bacteriophage MS2 (MS2 VLPs) displaying peptide epitopes or peptide mimics of epitopes of Nipah Virus envelope glycoprotein that elicit an immune response against Nipah Virus upon vaccination of humans or animals. Affinity selection on Nipah Virus-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies using random sequence peptide libraries on MS2 VLPs selected peptides with sequence similarity to peptide sequences found within the envelope glycoprotein of Nipah itself, thus identifying the epitopes the antibodies recognize. The selected peptide sequences themselves are not necessarily identical in all respects to a sequence within Nipah Virus glycoprotein, and therefore may be referred to as epitope mimics VLPs displaying these epitope mimics can serve as vaccine. On the other hand, display of the corresponding wild-type sequence derived from Nipah Virus and corresponding to the epitope mapped by affinity selection, may also be used as a vaccine.

Abstract: Methods for increasing the efficiency of target tissue penetration of an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector in a patient are provided. In some aspects, the methods involve inhibiting the interaction of the serum protein galectin 3 binding protein (G3BP) with AAV vector. Further provided are methods for reducing tissue distribution of a virus or for neutralizing a virus harbored by an organ destined for transplant, or newly transplanted, by administering a composition comprising G3BP.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention include, but are not limited to PCR primer pairs, sequencing primers, and/or associated thermocycling protocols targeting a region identified by the inventors within the 5? untranslated region of enteroviruses for the purpose of identifying, subtyping, and/or classifying of virus in samples using nucleic acid sequencing. The sequencing procedures can use nucleic acid templates, such as cDNA or PCR amplicons, as a template for sequencing in medium to high throughput format that is cost effective and easily deployed to other clinical microbiology laboratories.