Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the efficient identification of one or more functionalities of a product encoded by a nucleic acid sequence of interest. The methods utilize the abilities to over and/or under express the product in a cell, as well as the combination of these results, to permit the identification of at least one of the product's cellular or in vivo functionality.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition comprising: a stably integrating delivery vector; a modified mammalian thymidylate kinase (tmpk) wherein the modified mammalian tmpk increases phosphorylation of a prodrug relative to phosphorylation of the prodrug by wild-type human tmpk. The invention also relates to use of these compositions in methods of treatment of diseaseuuius such as graft versus host disease and cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lentiviral vectors for gene therapy, cancer treatment, producing recombinant proteins, such as antibodies and vaccines, and other therapeutic purposes. Novel lentiviral vectors are disclosed, e.g., comprising helper sequences in opposite orientations and/or minimally functional LTR sequences, which can be used to prepare high efficiency transduction vectors. Vectors are also designed to express silencing RNA and antisense polynucleotides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the efficient identification of one or more functionalities of a product encoded by a nucleic acid sequence of interest. The methods utilize the abilities to over and/or under express the product in a cell, as well as the combination of these results, to permit the identification of at least one of the product's cellular or in vivo functionality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multiple novel approaches for the generation of an immune response in an animal, such as a human, using lentivirus-based vector technology. The invention provides for the ability to mimic the efficacy of a live attenuated (LA) vaccine, without exposing the patient to the risk of disease as possible with some LA vaccines. The invention thus provides for systems of complementary conditionally replicating vectors, vectors that produce replication deficient virus like particles, and multi-antigen constructs that target a virus or microbial pathogen. The use of these materials in the practice of the invention permits the generation of robust cellular and humoral responses to the antigens presented thereby.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid constructs, expression systems, and methods relating to the regulation of gene expression. The invention may be applied to regulate the expression of any coding sequence of interest, including those coding for viral components necessary for the packaging of viral particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recombinant transcription unit capable of producing an RNA transcript of a predetermined size comprising a regulatory sequence operably linked to a nucleotide sequence comprising a transcribed region such that the transcription of said transcribed region is controlled by said regulatory sequence. The transcribed region comprises a region that encodes for a viral sequence, and a non-coding region downstream of the region encoding for said viral sequence, wherein the non-coding region comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a cis-acting ribozyme. Methods of using the recombinant transcription unit, and cells containing vectors comprising the recombinant transcription unit are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multiple novel approaches for the generation of an immune response in humans using lentivirus-based vector technology. The invention provides for the ability to mimic the efficacy of a live attenuated (LA) vaccine, without exposing the patient to the risk of disease as possible with some LA vaccines. The invention thus provides for systems of complementary conditionally replicating vectors, vectors that produce replication deficient virus like particles, and multi-antigen constructs that target a virus or microbial pathogen. The use of these materials in the practice of the invention permits the generation of robust cellular and humoral responses to the antigens presented thereby.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in the ability to transduce a retroviral vector borne nucleic acid into cells expressing ABC transporters by use of a substrate and/or inhibitor of said transporter. Compositions and kits relating to the practice of the methods are also disclosed. Methods to determine the level of increased transduction provided by a substrate and/or inhibitor compound are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid constructs, expression systems, and methods relating to the regulation of gene expression. The invention may be applied to regulate the expression of any coding sequence of interest, including those coding for viral components necessary for the packaging of viral particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conditionally replicating viral vector, methods of making, modifying, propagating and selectively packaging, and using such a vector, isolated molecules of specified nucleotide and amino acid sequences relevant to such vectors, a pharmaceutical composition and a host cell comprising such a vector, the use of such a host cell to screen drugs. The methods include the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of viral infection, in particular HIV infection, and, thus, are also directed to viral vaccines and the treatment of cancer, in particular cancer of viral etiology. Other methods include the use of such conditionally replicating viral vectors in gene therapy and other applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the efficient identification of one or more functionalities of a product encoded by a nucleic acid sequence of interest. The methods utilize the abilities to over and/or under express the product in a cell, as well as the combination of these results, to permit the identification of at least one of the product's cellular or in vivo functionality.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conditionally replicating viral vector, methods of making, modifying, propagating and selectively packaging, and using such a vector, isolated molecules of specified nucleotide and amino acid sequences relevant to such vectors, a pharmaceutical composition and a host cell comprising such a vector, the use of such a host cell to screen drugs. The methods include the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of viral infection, in particular HIV infection, and, thus, are also directed to viral vaccines and the treatment of cancer, in particular cancer of viral etiology. Other methods include the use of such conditionally replicating viral vectors in gene therapy and other applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, as well as compositions related thereto, for the efficient transduction of cells using viral vectors. The efficiency of transduction is increased by contacting the cell to be transduced with one or more molecules that bind the cell surface. Contact with a cell surface binding molecule may occur before, after, or simultaneously with contact between the viral vector and the cell. The transduced vectors may be constructed to express a gene of interest, permitting the transduced cells to be used as therapeutic and prophylactic agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved conditionally replicating vectors that have improved safety against the generation of replication competent vectors or virus. Also disclosed are methods of making, propagating and selectively packaging, modifying, and using such vectors. Included are improved helper constructs, host cells, for use with the improved vectors as well as pharmaceutical compositions and host cells comprising the vectors, the use of vector containing host cells to screen drugs, and methods of using the vectors to determine gene function. The methods also include the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of disease, especially viral infection, and HIV infection in particular.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, as well as compositions related thereto, for the efficient transduction of cells using viral vectors. The efficiency of transduction is increased by contacting the cell to be transduced with one or more molecules that bind the cell surface. Contact with a cell surface binding molecule may occur before, after, or simultaneously with contact between the viral vector and the cell. The transduced vectors may be constructed to express a gene of interest, permitting the transduced cells to be used as therapeutic and prophylactic agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid constructs, expression systems, and methods relating to the regulation of gene expression. The invention may be applied to regulate the expression of any coding sequence of interest, including those coding for viral components necessary for the packaging of viral particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved conditionally replicating vectors that have improved safety against the generation of replication competent vectors or virus. Also disclosed are methods of making, propagating and selectively packaging, modifying, and using such vectors. Included are improved helper constructs, host cells, for use with the improved vectors as well as pharmaceutical compositions and host cells comprising the vectors, the use of vector containing host cells to screen drugs, and methods of using the vectors to determine gene function. The methods also include the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of disease, especially viral infection, and HIV infection in particular.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conditionally replicating viral vector, methods of making, modifying, propagating and selectively packaging, and using such a vector, isolated molecules of specified nucleotide and amino acid sequences relevant to such vectors, a pharmaceutical composition and a host cell comprising such a vector, the use of such a host cell to screen drugs. The methods include the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of viral infection, in particular HIV infection, and, thus, are also directed to viral vaccines and the treatment of cancer, in particular cancer of viral etiology. Other methods include the use of such conditionally replicating viral vectors in gene therapy and other applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conditionally replicating viral vector, methods of making, modifying, propagating and selectively packaging, and using such a vector, isolated molecules of specified nucleotide and amino acid sequences relevant to such vectors, a pharmaceutical composition and a host cell comprising such a vector, the use of such a host cell to screen drugs. The methods include the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of viral infection, in particular HIV infection, and, thus, are also directed to vital vaccines and the treatment of cancer, in particular cancer of viral etiology. Other methods include the use of such conditionally replicating viral vectors in gene therapy and other applications.