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: 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: 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: 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.

Abstract: Recombinant monoclonal antibodies to human cytomegalovirus (CMV) gB protein are described. The affinities of these antibodies are higher than the best previously reported antibodies. Since high affinity is critical to prevention of virus transfer across the placenta, the invention antibodies are useful as therapeutic and prophylactic agents to prevent or ameliorate effects on the fetus of CMV infection during pregnancy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for preparing virus-like particles comprising immunogenic cyclic dinucleotides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery that measurement of the level of cytochrome c (Cyt-C) in the plasma can be used as a diagnostic signature to predict antiretroviral therapy (ART) toxicity in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients. Thus, in various embodiments described herein, the methods of the invention relate to methods of diagnosing a HIV patient with ART toxicity, methods of predicting a patient's risk of having or developing toxicity for ART, methods of assessing if a patient will benefit from a change in the treatment strategies by adjusting the dosage and/or changing the medication or even terminating of ART, and methods of predicting antiretroviral drugs propensity for causing mitochondrial toxicity. Furthermore, the invention encompasses a diagnostic kit for carrying out the aforementioned methods.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are mosaic conserved region HIV polypeptides and immunogenic polypeptides including one or more of the mosaic conserved region polypeptides. In some embodiments, the immunogenic polypeptides are included in an immunogenic composition, such as a polyvalent immunogenic composition. Also disclosed herein are methods for treating or inhibiting HIV in a subject including administering one or more of the disclosed immunogenic polypeptides or compositions to a subject having or at risk of HIV infection. In some embodiments, the methods include inducing an immune response in a subject comprising administering to the subject at least one of the disclosed immunogenic polypeptides or a nucleic acid encoding at least one of the immunogenic polypeptides.

Abstract: Described are binding molecules such as human monoclonal antibodies that bind to influenza virus H5N1 and have neutralizing activity against influenza virus H5N1. Also described are polynucleotides encoding the antibodies, and compositions comprising the antibodies and methods of identifying or producing the antibodies. The antibodies can be used in the diagnosis, prophylaxis, and/or treatment of an influenza virus H5N1 infection. In certain embodiments, the antibodies provide cross-subtype protection in vivo, such that infections with H5, H2, H6, H9, and H1-based influenza subtypes can be prevented and/or treated.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to HIV-1 and, in particular, to broadly neutralizing HIV-1 antibodies, and to HIV-1 immunogens and to methods of using such immunogens to induce the production of broadly neutralizing HIV-1 antibodies in a subject (e.g., a human).

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and compositions for treatment of HIV infection using a T20 expression vector, such as that shown in SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:3. The T20 expression vector may be used in a variety of therapeutic applications, such as ex vivo transfection of dendritic cells to induce a host immune response to HIV, localized transfection in vivo in a gene therapy approach to provide longer term delivery of T20, or in vitro production of T20 peptide. The T20 may be secreted into the circulation to act as a fusion inhibitor of HIV infection, or may induce an endogenous immune response to HIV or HIV-infected cells. Alternatively, a DDD peptide may be incorporated in a fusion protein comprising T20 or another antigenic protein or peptide to enhance the immune response to the protein or peptide.

Abstract: Dual variable domain immunoglobulins (DVD Igs) are provided capable of tetravalent binding to bispecific sites of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The DVD Igs may be asymmetric and may have more variable domains on either the light chain or the heavy chain of the Igs. The DVD Igs may have specificity for gp41 and gp120. Therapies are provided using DVD Igs to neutralize HIV viral loads.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel immunogens based on overlapping peptides (OLPs) and peptides derived therefrom useful for the prevention and treatment of AIDS and its related opportunistic diseases. The invention also relates to isolated nucleic acids, vectors and host cells expressing these immunogens as well as vaccines including the immunogens.

Abstract: The invention provides a construct containing two or more monomeric griffithsin molecules, optionally joined by a linker, as well as conjugate comprising the construct, a nucleic acid encoding the construct or conjugate, vectors, and cells. A nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide or fusion protein, as well as compositions or cells comprising the polypeptide, fusion protein, or nucleic acid also are provided.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to novel peptide agents, e.g., antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof, that bind hemagglutinin protein of influenza viruses, and methods of their use.

Abstract: The invention provides, e.g., compositions and methods for increasing activation of immune cells.

Abstract: A method and diagnostic kit for selective isolation of microorganisms of interest and/or nucleic acids of interest including: a) bringing a liquid biological sample into contact with a saponin formulation to destabilize untargeted elements within the liquid biological sample, b) inducing osmotic shock of the untargeted elements to specifically lyse the untargeted elements, c) adding a solution of at least one enzyme capable of lysing free nucleic acids derived from the untargeted elements lysed in solution in the sample, and d) selectively obtaining the microorganisms of interest or the nucleic acids of interest. A precipitant of the unlyzed microorganisms of interest may be optionally added in solution. The microorganisms of interest have cell membranes or capsids that do not contain cholesterol. The untargeted elements may include untargeted cells having cell membranes containing cholesterol, and optionally viruses with envelopes containing cholesterol, mycoplasmas containing cholesterol, and cell debris.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns methods and materials for inducing an immune response in an animal or person against an immunodeficiency virus, such as HIV, SIV, or FIV. In one embodiment, a method of the invention comprises administering one or more antigens and/or immunogens to the person or animal wherein the antigen and/or immunogen comprises one or more evolutionarily conserved epitopes of immunodeficiency viruses. In one embodiment, the epitope is one that is conserved between HIV and SIV, or between HIV and FIV. In another embodiment, the epitope is one that is conserved between HIV, SIV, and FIV.

Abstract: The invention relates to a recombinant novirhabdovirus expressing a chimeric protein comprising the sequence of an antigen of interest flanked, at the N-terminus, by a signal peptide, and at the C-terminus, by a polypeptide comprising at least one portion of the transmembrane domain of a rhabdovirus G protein. Said recombinant novirhabdovirus can be used especially for inducing an immune response to the antigen of interest.