Abstract: This invention relates, e.g., to a method for inhibiting the growth and/or proliferation and/or infectivity of a virus in a cell, such as a mammalian cell (e.g. for inhibiting entry of the virus into the cell), comprising administering, or causing to be administered, to the cell, 25-hydroxycholesterol (25HC) in an amount sufficient to inhibit the growth and/or proliferation and/or infectivity of the vines in the cell. The method can be carried out in vivo or in vitro. Among the viruses that can be inhibited are, e.g., VSV, HSV, MHV68, HCV, HIV, EBOV, RVFV, RSSEV and Nipah virus. In one embodiment of the invention, the 25HC is administered topically, e.g. to a mucosal surface.

Abstract: Provided are a cell line PA/PB1 HEK293T (Teton) for screening an influenza virus polymerase assembly inhibitors and a construction method thereof. The PA/PB1 HEK293T (Teton) cell line is constructed by integrating a vector expressing PA-GlucC fusion protein and a vector expressing GlucN-PB1 fusion protein into a HEK293T (Teton) cell via a triple plasmid system of pMDLg/pRRE, pRSV-Rev and pMD2.G. The HEK293T (Teton) cell line is formed by transforming a TOP10 competent cell with a synthesized Teton-3G gene fragment ligated to a lentiviral vector FG.

Abstract: This invention relates, e.g., to a method for inhibiting the growth and/or proliferation and/or infectivity of a virus in a cell, such as a mammalian cell (e.g. for inhibiting entry of the virus into the cell), comprising administering, or causing to be administered, to the cell, 25-hydroxycholesterol (25HC) in an amount sufficient to inhibit the growth and/or proliferation and/or infectivity of the vines in the cell. The method can be carried out in vivo or in vitro. Among the viruses that can be inhibited are, e.g., VSV, HSV, MHV68, HCV, HIV, EBOV, RVFV, RSSEV and Nipah virus. In one embodiment of the invention, the 25HC is administered topically, e.g. to a mucosal surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are recombinantly engineered influenza viruses and compositions thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates, e.g., to a method for inhibiting the growth and/or proliferation and/or infectivity of a virus in a cell, such as a mammalian cell (e.g. for inhibiting entry of the virus into the cell), comprising administering, or causing to be administered, to the cell, 25-hydroxycholesterol (25HC) in an amount sufficient to inhibit the growth and/or proliferation and/or infectivity of the virus in the cell. The method can be carried out in vivo or in vitro. Among the viruses that can be inhibited are, e.g., VSV, HSV, MHV68, HCV, HIV, EBOV, RVFV, RSSEV and Nipah virus. In one embodiment of the invention, the 25HC is administered topically, e.g. to a mucosal surface.

Abstract: A method of combinatorial optimization includes: (1) defining an objective function to optimize a combination of N input parameters of a complex system, wherein the objective function includes a weighted sum of n different optimization criteria, N?2, and n?2; (2) applying an initial combination of the N input parameters to the complex system to yield an initial output response; (3) executing an optimization procedure to generate an updated combination of the N input parameters, wherein executing the optimization procedure includes calculating an initial value of the objective function based on at least one of (a) the initial combination of the N input parameters and (b) the initial output response; and (4) applying the updated combination of the N input parameters to the complex system to yield an updated output response.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are nanofilm coatings for implantable medical devices comprising a diblock or triblock copolymer (PEO-PMMA or PMOXA-PDMS-PMOXA, respectively). Such nanofilms, may be used, for example, as amphiphilic supports for therapeutic agents. These materials are conducive towards the formation of active substrates for a suite of biological and medical applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are nanofilm coatings for implantable medical devices comprising a diblock or triblock copolymer (PEO-PMMA or PMOXA-PDMS-PMOXA, respectively). Such nanofilms, may be used, for example, as amphiphilic supports for therapeutic agents. These materials are conducive towards the formation of active substrates for a suite of biological and medical applications.

Abstract: Compounds compositions and methods of modulating the immune response are provided. The method uses fusion proteins of a cytokine and an antibody to potentiate the action of the cytokine.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds, compositions, animal models, drug screening methods, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treatment which relate to the modulation of the metabolism of xenobiotic compounds by administering agents which act on IRF3 or an IRF3 control pathway to modulate the activity, expression, or levels of cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in the metabolism of xenobiotic compounds in a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are nanofilm coatings for implantable medical devices comprising a diblock or triblock copolymer (PEO-PMMA or PMOXA-PDMS-PMOXA, respectively). Such nanofilms, may be used, for example, as amphiphilic supports for therapeutic agents. These materials are conducive towards the formation of active substrates for a suite of biological and medical applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for stimulating Toll-like receptors (TLR) to activate IRF (e.g., an IRF3) and signaling pathway, and thereby directing an antimicrobial activity. The present invention also provides methods for identifying agents that bind and/or stimulate TLR and mediate induction of an IRF3 pathway, thereby directing an antimicrobial activity. Additionally, the invention provides methods and agents for suppressing stimulation of TLR, thereby directing an anti-inflammatory response.

Abstract: Overexpression of a CRAF1 (CD40 receptor-associated factor 1) gene truncated by 323 to about 414 amino acids at the amino inhibits CD40-mediated cell activation, and is used to treat conditions characterized by an unwanted level of CD40-mediated intracellular signaling.

Abstract: Overexpression of a CRAF1 (CD40 receptor-associated factor 1) gene truncated by 323 to about 414 amino acids at the amino inhibits CD40-mediated cell activation, and is used to treat conditions characterized by an unwanted level of CD40-mediated intracellular signaling.