Abstract: This in invention relates to methods for the nucleic acid amplification of multiple variants (strains) of any pathogen present in a sample, and preferably in a sample from a pathogen infected individual. In preferred embodiments, the pathogen is a retrovirus, such as HIV. The amplified pathogen nucleic acid can be used to identify the pathogen variants present in a sample, to quantitate the pathogen present in a sample, and as a nucleic acid vaccine, or in the preparation of antigen presenting cell vaccines. Nucleic acids produced by the methods of the invention or the proteins encoded thereby can be used to transfect/load antigen presenting cells. The loaded antigen presenting cells can then be used as a vaccine for the treatment of pathogen infection. In another embodiment, nucleic acids produced by the methods of the invention can be used directly as nucleic acid vaccines without prior loading into antigen presenting cells.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, kits, compositions and uses related to the treatment of a B cell mediated autoimmune disorder with a T cell vaccine comprising a therapeutically effective amount of T cells autologous to the patient and that react to an autoantigen or specific epitope(s) thereof associated with the B cell mediated autoimmune disorder, wherein the treatment is provided to a patient in need thereof having suppressed B cell immune responses.

Abstract: This in invention relates to methods for the nucleic acid amplification of multiple variants (strains) of any pathogen present in a sample, and preferably in a sample from a pathogen infected individual. In preferred embodiments, the pathogen is a retrovirus, such as HIV. The amplified pathogen nucleic acid can be used to identify the pathogen variants present in a sample, to quantitate the pathogen present in a sample, and as a nucleic acid vaccine, or in the preparation of antigen presenting cell vaccines. Nucleic acids produced by the methods of the invention or the proteins encoded thereby can be used to transfect/load antigen presenting cells. The loaded antigen presenting cells can then be used as a vaccine for the treatment of pathogen infection. In another embodiment, nucleic acids produced by the methods of the invention can be used directly as nucleic acid vaccines without prior loading into antigen presenting cells.

Abstract: This in invention relates to methods for the nucleic acid amplification of multiple variants (strains) of any pathogen present in a sample, and preferably in a sample from a pathogen infected individual. In preferred embodiments, the pathogen is a retrovirus, such as HIV. The amplified pathogen nucleic acid can be used to identify the pathogen variants present in a sample, to quantitate the pathogen present in a sample, and as a nucleic acid vaccine, or in the preparation of antigen presenting cell vaccines. Nucleic acids produced by the methods of the invention or the proteins encoded thereby can be used to transfect/load antigen presenting cells. The loaded antigen presenting cells can then be used as a vaccine for the treatment of pathogen infection. In another embodiment, nucleic acids produced by the methods of the invention can be used directly as nucleic acid vaccines without prior loading into antigen presenting cells.

Abstract: This invention provides novel CD40L polypeptides and nucleic acids, as well as antigen presenting cells and vaccines comprising such CD40L polypeptides and/or nucleic acids, and related methods for preparing the antigen presenting cells and vaccines. The antigen presenting cells and vaccines are useful for enhancing an immune response. The invention provides a method for preparing mature dendritic cells (DCs), comprising the sequential steps of: (a) signaling isolated immature dendritic cells (iDCs) with a first signal comprising an interferon gamma receptor (IFN-?R) agonist and/or a tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor (TNF-?R) agonist to produce signaled dendritic cells; and (b) signaling said signaled dendritic cells with a second transient signal comprising an effective amount of a CD40 agonist to produce CCR7+ mature dendritic cells. Also provided by this invention are enriched populations of dendritic cells prepared by the methods of the invention.

Abstract: This in invention relates to methods for the nucleic acid amplification of multiple variants (strains) of any pathogen present in a sample, and preferably in a sample from a pathogen infected individual. In preferred embodiments, the pathogen is a retrovirus, such as HIV. The amplified pathogen nucleic acid can be used to identify the pathogen variants present in a sample, to quantitate the pathogen present in a sample, and as a nucleic acid vaccine, or in the preparation of antigen presenting cell vaccines. Nucleic acids produced by the methods of the invention or the proteins encoded thereby can be used to transfect/load antigen presenting cells. The loaded antigen presenting cells can then be used as a vaccine for the treatment of pathogen infection. In another embodiment, nucleic acids produced by the methods of the invention can be used directly as nucleic acid vaccines without prior loading into antigen presenting cells.

Abstract: This invention provides methods to prepare and use immunostimulatory cells for enhancing an immune response. The invention provides a method for preparing mature dendritic cells (DCs), comprising the sequential steps of: (a) signaling isolated immature dendritic cells (iDCs) with a first signal comprising an interferon gamma receptor (IFN-?R) agonist and/or a tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor (TNF-?R) agonist to produce signaled dendritic cells; and (b) signaling said signaled dendritic cells with a second transient signal comprising an effective amount of a CD40 agonist to produce CCR7+ mature dendritic cells. Also provided by this invention are enriched populations of dendritic cells prepared by the methods of the invention. Such dendritic cells have enhanced immunostimulatory properties and increased IL-12 secretion and/or decreased IL-10 secretion. CD40 signaling can be initiated by one or more of polypeptide translated from an exogenous polynucleotide encoding CD40L (e.g.

Abstract: This invention provides methods to prepare and use immunostimulatory cells for enhancing an immune response. The invention provides a method for preparing mature dendritic cells (DCs), comprising the sequential steps of: (a) signaling isolated immature dendritic cells (iDCs) with a first signal comprising an interferon gamma receptor (IFN-?R) agonist and/or a tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor (TNF-?R) agonist to produce signaled dendritic cells; and (b) signaling said signaled dendritic cells with a second transient signal comprising an effective amount of a CD40 agonist to produce CCR7+ mature dendritic cells. Also provided by this invention are enriched populations of dendritic cells prepared by the methods of the invention. Such dendritic cells have enhanced immunostimulatory properties and increased IL-12 secretion and/or decreased IL-10 secretion. CD40 signaling can be initiated by one or more of polypeptide translated from an exogenous polynucleotide encoding CD40L (e.g.

Abstract: An apparatus and computer-implemented polygon bounding method generate, in a first step, a binary array representation of a closed contour input object relative to a reference coordinate system. Subsequently, in a single pass through the binary array, a bounding polygon is generated as a sequence of parallel "bands," each representing a pair of opposing sides of the polygon. The polygon bands are oriented at successive generally uniform rotations of the reference coordinate system and are positioned to define the bounds of the closed contour for each rotation angle. The spacing and positioning of the bands can thus be used to define polygon size and position at each angle. In this way, comparisons between a plurality of polygons can be made systematically using defined geometrical criteria.