Abstract: A sensor for passively measuring a maximum temperature within a nuclear reactor comprises a substrate, and a plurality of melt wires within a cavity defined within the substrate, at least one melt wire of the plurality of melt wires exhibiting a variable melting temperature along a length of the at least one melt wire. Related sensors and methods of forming the sensors are also disclosed.

Abstract: In this application is described a method for preparing nano-VLP composition, thereby permitting purification using chromatography and filtration. The nano-VLP composition has a more uniform size range of filovirus particles, roughly 230 nm diameter, allowing ease of manipulation of the composition, while retaining GP conformational integrity and the antigenic effectiveness of the vaccine. Additionally, the nano-VLP can be lyophilized without loss of nano-VLP structure, or GP immunogenicity. Lyophilized nano-VLP have greatly enhanced thermostability, allowing the creation of a filovirus nano-VLP vaccine without a cold chain requirement.

Abstract: The invention relates to vaccines comprising recombinant vectors, such as recombinant adenoviruses. The vectors comprise heterologous nucleic acids encoding for at least two antigens from one or more tuberculosis-causing bacilli. Also described is the use of specific protease recognition sites linking antigens through which the encoded antigens are separated upon cleavage. After cleavage, the antigens contribute to the immune response in a separate manner. The recombinant vectors may comprise a nucleic acid encoding the protease cleaving the linkers and separating the antigens. Further described is the use of genetic adjuvants encoded by the recombinant vectors, wherein such genetic adjuvants may also be cleaved through the presence of the cleavable linkers and the specific protease.

Abstract: Described are vaccines comprising recombinant vectors, such as recombinant adenoviruses. The vectors comprise heterologous nucleic acids encoding at least two antigens from one or more tuberculosis-causing bacilli. Also described is the use of specific protease recognition sites linking antigens through which the encoded antigens are separated upon cleavage. After cleavage, the antigens contribute to the immune response in a separate manner. The recombinant vectors may comprise a nucleic acid encoding the protease cleaving the linkers and separating the antigens. Also described is the use of genetic adjuvants encoded by the recombinant vectors, wherein such genetic adjuvants may also be cleaved through the presence of the cleavable linkers and the specific protease.

Abstract: Described are vaccines comprising recombinant vectors, such as recombinant adenoviruses. The vectors comprise heterologous nucleic acids encoding at least two antigens from one or more tuberculosis-causing bacilli. Also described is the use of specific protease recognition sites linking antigens through which the encoded antigens are separated upon cleavage. After cleavage, the antigens contribute to the immune response in a separate manner. The recombinant vectors may comprise a nucleic acid encoding the protease cleaving the linkers and separating the antigens. Also described is the use of genetic adjuvants encoded by the recombinant vectors, wherein such genetic adjuvants may also be cleaved through the presence of the cleavable linkers and the specific protease.

Abstract: Bacterial packaging strains useful for generating recombinant double-stranded RNA nucleocapsids (rdsRNs) are provided. The packaging strains are useful for the production of RNA encoding vaccine antigens, bioactive proteins, immunoregulatory proteins, antisense RNAs, and catalytic RNAs in eukaryotic cells or tissues. Recombinant ssRNA is introduced into the strains and packaged to form rdsRNs de novo.

Abstract: The invention relates to vaccines comprising recombinant vectors, such as recombinant adenoviruses. The vectors comprise heterologous nucleic acids encoding for at least two antigens from one or more tuberculosis-causing bacilli. Also described is the use of specific protease recognition sites linking antigens through which the encoded antigens are separated upon cleavage. After cleavage, the antigens contribute to the immune response in a separate manner. The recombinant vectors may comprise a nucleic acid encoding the protease cleaving the linkers and separating the antigens. Further described is the use of genetic adjuvants encoded by the recombinant vectors, wherein such genetic adjuvants may also be cleaved through the presence of the cleavable linkers and the specific protease.

Abstract: The invention relates to vaccines comprising recombinant vectors, such as recombinant adenoviruses. The vectors comprise heterologous nucleic acids encoding for at least two antigens from one or more tuberculosis-causing bacilli. The invention also relates to the use of specific protease recognition sites linking antigens through which the encoded antigens are separated upon cleavage. After cleavage, the antigens contribute to the immune response in a separate manner. The recombinant vectors may comprise a nucleic acid encoding the protease cleaving the linkers and separating the antigens. The invention furthermore relates to the use of genetic adjuvants encoded by the recombinant vectors, wherein such genetic adjuvants may also be cleaved through the presence of the cleavable linkers and the specific protease.

Abstract: A vaccine for treating or preventing the establishment of latent tuberculosis infections is provided. The vaccine comprises a recombinant mycobacterium that overexpresses the transcription factor DosR, at a level sufficient to induce production of the dosR regulon genes or proteins. A host to whom the vaccine is administered mounts an immune response to the dosR regulon proteins and is thus protected from the establishment, persistence or reactivation of latent tuberculosis.

Abstract: A recombinant double stranded RNA (dsRNA) phage expresses dsRNA-encoded genes in eukaryote cells. Recombinant dsRNA phage are useful for the expression of dsRNA expression cassettes encoding passenger genes, such as, but not restricted to, vaccine antigens, bioactive proteins, immunoregulatory proteins, antisense RNAs, and catalytic RNAs in eukaryotic cells or tissues. Methods are provided to deliver recombinant dsRNA phage to eukaryotic cells and tissues, either by direct administration, formulated in lipid or polylactide-coglycolide, or by utilizing a bacterial vaccine vector.

Abstract: Compositions and methods useful in the production of proteins in vitro and in vivo are provided. In particular, this invention provides bionanoparticles comprised of replication-proficient, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) capsids which are capable of transfecting, for example, target bacterial, yeast, plant and mammalian cells, and causing expression of genes of interest in said transfected cells. The bionanoparticles comprised of replication-proficient, dsRNA capsids are also capable of expressing genes of interest in vitro. The genes of interest can encode proteins that are useful, for example, as research reagents, therapeutics and vaccines. Also described are methods that enable the construction of bionanoparticles comprised of replication-proficient dsRNA capsids and methods for transfecting cells with said bionanoparticles and expressing said genes of interest in transfected cells and in vitro.

Abstract: A recombinant double stranded RNA (dsRNA) nucleocapsid useful for the expression of dsRNA expression cassettes encoding passenger genes, such as, but not restricted to, vaccine antigens, bioactive proteins, immunoregulatory proteins, antisense RNAs, and catalytic RNAs, replicates in bacterial hosts and includes a P8 protein shell and three dsRNA segments where one of the segments includes a cap independent translation enhancer (CITE) operationally linked to a passenger gene.

Abstract: A recombinant double stranded RNA (dsRNA) phage expresses dsRNA-encoded genes in eukaryote cells. Recombinant dsRNA phage are useful for the expression of dsRNA expression cassettes encoding passenger genes, such as, but not restricted to, vaccine antigens, bioactive proteins, immunoregulatory proteins, antisense RNAs, and catalytic RNAs in eukaryotic cells or tissues. Methods are provided to deliver recombinant dsRNA phage to eukaryotic cells and tissues, either by direct administration, formulated in lipid or polylactide-coglycolide, or by utilizing a bacterial vaccine vector.

Abstract: The present invention provides vaccine compositions for effective induction of both mucosal and systemic immunity to pathogenic Mycobacterium species. Vaccination protocols are provided in which both parenteral and mucosal vaccine formulations are administered to a host. The parenteral and mucosal formulations comprise live, attenuated Mycobacteria.

Abstract: A recombinant double stranded RNA (dsRNA) phage expresses dsRNA-encoded genes in eukaryote cells. Recombinant dsRNA phage are useful for the expression of dsRNA expression cassettes encoding passenger genes, such as, but not restricted to, vaccine antigens, bioactive proteins, immunoregulatory proteins, antisense RNAs, and catalytic RNAs in eukaryotic cells or tissues. Methods are provided to deliver recombinant dsRNA phage to eukaryotic cells and tissues, either by direct administration, formulated in lipid or polylactide-coglycolide, or by utilizing a bacterial vaccine vector.

Abstract: The invention relates to vaccines comprising recombinant vectors, such as recombinant adenoviruses. The vectors comprise heterologous nucleic acids encoding for at least two antigens from one or more tuberculosis-causing bacilli. The invention also relates to the use of specific protease recognition sites linking antigens through which the encoded antigens are separated upon cleavage. After cleavage, the antigens contribute to the immune response in a separate manner. The recombinant vectors may comprise a nucleic acid encoding the protease cleaving the linkers and separating the antigens. The invention furthermore relates to the use of genetic adjuvants encoded by the recombinant vectors, wherein such genetic adjuvants may also be cleaved through the presence of the cleavable linkers and the specific protease.

Abstract: A vaccine for treating or preventing the establishment of latent tuberculosis infections is provided. The vaccine comprises a recombinant mycobacterium that overexpresses the transcription factor DosR, at a level sufficient to induce production of the dosR regulon genes or proteins. A host to whom the vaccine is administered mounts an immune response to the dosR regulon proteins and is thus protected from the establishment, persistence or reactivation of latent tuberculosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant double stranded RNA phages (rdsRP) that express dsRNA-encoded genes in eukaryote cells. Recombinant dsRNA phages are useful for the expression of dsRNA expression cassettes encoding passenger genes, such as, but not restricted to, vaccine antigens, bioactive proteins, immunoregulatory proteins, antisense RNAs, and catalytic RNAs in eukaryotic cells or tissues. Methods are provided to deliver a recombinant dsRNA phage to eukaryotic cells and tissues, either by direct administration, formulated in lipid or polylactidecoglycolide, or by utilizing a bacterial vaccine vector.

Abstract: Bacterial packaging strains useful for generating recombinant double-stranded RNA nucleocapsids (rdsRNs) are provided. The packaging strains are useful for the production of RNA encoding vaccine antigens, bioactive proteins, immunoregulatory proteins, antisense RNAs, and catalytic RNAs in eukaryotic cells or tissues. Recombinant ssRNA is introduced into the strains and packaged to form rdsRNs de novo.

Abstract: Mycobacterium strains that have an enhanced ability to elicit a MHC-Class I-restricted CD8+ T cell immune response are provided. The Mycobacterium strains are genetically engineered to express: a endosomolytic protein that is active at neutral pH (e.g. Perfringolysin O), permitting escape of the Mycobacterium from endosomes into the cytoplasm of the cell; and antigens of interest, such as tuberculosis antigens. The invention also provides vaccine preparations containing such Mycobacterium strains.