Abstract: The present invention includes interferon-tau (IFN?) pharmaceutical compositions useful for oral administration to treat cancers, autoimmune disorders (particularly multiple sclerosis), cell proliferative disorders and viral disease.

Abstract: Novel human kinase-like polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. In addition to isolated, full-length kinase-like proteins, the invention further provides isolated kinase-like fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-kinase-like antibodies. The invention also provides kinase-like 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 nonhuman transgenic animals in which a kinase-like gene has been introduced or disrupted. Diagnostic, screening, and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: Cloned filovirus genomic cDNA and methods of using the cDNA are provided. Further provided are noninfectious lipid encapsulated filovirus-based particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nine residue peptides (ApoptoM) from flavivirus M ectodomain able to modulate specifically the apoptotic activity of diverse flavivirus, to pharmaceutical composition comprising the same and their use for the treatment and/or the prevention of flavivirus-linked infections and cancers.

Abstract: Agents that modulate an interaction of an FBL2 protein with an NS5A or NS5B Flaviviridae protein in a mixture are identified by contacting the mixture with a candidate agent under conditions wherein but for the presence of the agent, the FBL2 protein and the Flaviviridae protein engage in a reference interaction; and detecting an agent-biased interaction. Flaviviridae replication is inhibited by contacting a Flaviviridae-infected cell with an FBL2-specific reagent; and detecting a resultant Flaviviridae replication inhibition.

Abstract: An HCV antigen/antibody/antigen assay is provided. The assay employs an isolated first antigen from a region of the HCV polyprotein, and an HCV multiple epitope fusion antigen that includes an epitope from the same region of the polyprotein as the first antigen. Both the first antigen and the multiple epitope fusion antigen bind antibodies present in an HCV-infected sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a safe and effective vaccine composition against West Nile virus disease. An immunogenically active component of West Nile virus or plasmid DNA, an adjuvant such as a metabolizable oil, and a pharmacologically acceptable carrier are formulated into an immunizing vaccine. The invention also provides a method for the prevention or amelioration of West Nile disease, such as encephalitis, in equidae by administering the vaccine composition herein set forth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel recombinant Sabin type 1 poliovirus vector for the immunogenicity of neutralizing antibody against polioviral infection, which comprises: (a) a genomic nucleotide sequence of a parent Sabin type 1 poliovirus; (b) a nucleotide sequence encoding an additional polioviral cleavage site; and (c) a nucleotide sequence of a conformational epitope encoding a VP1 neutralizing epitope of poliovirus type 2 or 3 and linked to the nucleotide sequence of (b).

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials involved in displaying polypeptide sequences using viruses such as avian leukosis viruses. Specifically, the invention provides nucleic acid molecules, collections of nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides, collections of polypeptides, viruses, and collections of viruses as well as methods for making nucleic acid molecules, collections of nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides, collections of polypeptides, viruses, and collections of viruses. The invention also provides methods for obtaining displayed polypeptide sequences that interact with biological molecules and/or cells as well as methods for identifying biological molecules that interact with displayed polypeptides.

Abstract: West Nile virus capture oligonucleotides, primers and probes derived from conserved regions of the West Nile virus genome are disclosed. Also disclosed are nucleic acid-based assays using the capture oligonucleotides, primers and probes.

Abstract: This invention provides submicron oil-in-water emulsions useful as a vaccine adjuvant for enhancing the immunogenicity of antigens. The present invention also provides vaccine compositions containing an antigen combined with such emulsions intrinsically or extrinsically. Methods of preparing the emulsions and vaccines are also provided by the present invention.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for producing alphavirus replicon particles in high yield; replicon RNAs are electroporated into permissive cells, where the cells are at a relatively high density, together with at least one helper nucleic acid providing the necessary functions for packaging. After a growth period in appropriate medium, alphavirus replicon particles are harvested from the surfaces of the cells in which they were produced using a salt wash in which the salt concentration is from about 0.2 to about 5 M sodium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, ammonium acetate, ammonium bicarbonate, among others. After dilution, if necessary, the particles can be purified by a suitable chromatographic technique.

Abstract: Method for efficiently expressing a protein in an active form by using baculovirus expression system wherein the protein is selected from a membrane-bound enzyme, a substrate of the membrane-bound enzyme, a membrane-bound enzyme activator, a membrane-bound transport protein, a channel protein, a membrane structural protein, a protein involved in adhesion, a protein involved in antigen presentation, or a protein involved in formation of high dimensional structure of a protein. There is provided a method for expressing such a protein by culturing a host infected with at least one type of recombinant baculovirus which contains a gene encoding the protein, wherein the protein is expressed in a budded baculovirus released from the host.

Abstract: A method of inducing an immune response in a subject against a flavivirus. The method involves administering to the subject with a fusion polypeptide including a signal peptide and a part of an envelope protein of the flavivirus, or with an expression vector containing a nucleic acid encoding the fusion polypeptide. Also disclosed are a polypeptide, an expression vector, and vaccines containing the polypeptide or expression vector.

Abstract: A vaccine against Newcastle Disease contains one or more mutant immunogens of the NDW strain. The mutant immunogen lacks the antigenic binding site on the F glycoprotein which is recognized by the monoclonal antibody mAb 54. Reagent kits and assay methods help to distinguish vaccinated members of a poultry flock from those that may have been infected with wild-type Newcastle Disease virus.

Abstract: The invention provides antibodies specific for HIV env, including monoclonal antibodies and related hybridomas. The antibodies block CD4/g120 binding and reduce reverse transcriptase activity in vitro.

Abstract: The present invention provides an in vitro activity assay for human hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA polymerase, which comprises using, as the 5? oligonucleotide in PCR amplification of HBV DNA polymerase from a sample, an oligonucleotide into which has been incorporated the SP6 viral polymerase promoter, directly transcribing and translating the PCR products in the presence of a radio-labelled agent and measuring the priming of the HBV DNA polymerase. The present invention also provides the use of such an assay to assay activity of various serum samples, to screen for inhibitors of the HBV DNA polymerase and to test and/or screen potential anti-HBV drugs for their ability to inhibit DNA priming activity of human HBV DNA polymerase.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that a high titer reassortant influenza virus is produced in mammalian cell culture by replacing the NS gene of the A/PuertoRico/3/24 master strain with the NS gene of the A/England/1/53 strain. The invention provides influenza viruses and vaccines generated in mammalian cells as well as methods for producing such. The invention further provides an influenza virus master strain and kits for generating reassortant influenza viruses in mammalian cell culture and methods of making and using the master strain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of a subunit vaccine to prevent or treat infection of Epstein Barr Virus. In particular, EBNA-1 was identified as a vaccine antigen. In a specific embodiment, a purified protein corresponding to EBNA-1 elicited a strong CD4+ T cell response. The responsive CD4+ T cell are primarily TH1 in function. EBNA-1 is an attractive candidate for a protective vaccine against EBV, and for immunotherapy of EBV infection and neoplasms, particularly with dendritic cells charged with EBNA-1.