Abstract: The invention relates to novel means and processes for the detection of a virus in a biological sample comprising cells infected by the virus. In particular, the invention relates to a fluorescent reporter protein designed as a recombinant inactive form of flipGFP suitable for specific activation by viral components in particular by viral proteins, such as viral protease, wherein the viral component recognizes a cleavage site inserted in the recombinant flipGFP. The fluorescent reporter protein is suitable for use in an in vitro method of detection of virus infection in a biological sample when the virus is related to the viral components activating the inactive form of flipGFP into an active fluorescent flipGFP in a biological sample, especially a sample comprising cells, in particular unaltered cells.

Abstract: Method for producing a defective interfering viral genome (DVG), defective interfering particles comprising the DVG, and methods and uses thereof.

Abstract: The application generally relates to the attenuation of a RNA virus or of a clone thereof and involves the alteration of sequence space, more particularly the reduction, of mutational robustness of said RNA virus or clone. The means of the application are more particularly dedicated to the attenuation of an infectious RNA virus or clone, for the production of immunogenic composition or vaccine. More particularly, the means of the application involve the replacement of codon(s) by different codon(s), which is(are) selected to differ by only one nucleotide from a codon STOP, more particularly by different but synonymous codon(s), which is(are) selected to differ by only one nucleotide from a codon STOP.

Abstract: The application generally relates to the attenuation of a RNA virus or of a clone thereof and involves the alteration of sequence space, more particularly the reduction, of mutational robustness of said RNA virus or clone. The means of the application are more particularly dedicated to the attenuation of an infectious RNA virus or clone, for the production of immunogenic composition or vaccine. More particularly, the means of the application involve the replacement of codon(s) by different codon(s), which is(are) selected to differ by only one nucleotide from a codon STOP, more particularly by different but synonymous codon(s), which is(are) selected to differ by only one nucleotide from a codon STOP.

Abstract: The present invention provides a live, attenuated, invasive bacterium that infects a mammalian host cell, and releases exogenous RNA into the cytoplasm of the host cell. The present invention further provides compositions, including immunogenic compositions, comprising a subject bacterium. The present invention provides methods of delivering an RNA to a eukaryotic host cell in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo. The present invention provides methods of delivering a protein to a host cell in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo. The present invention provides methods of controlling expression of a target gene in a eukaryotic host cell. The present invention provides methods of inducing an immune response in a mammalian host to a polypeptide antigen, the method involving administering to the host a subject bacterium, wherein the antigen is encoded by the exogenous RNA produced by the bacterium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to replicons or self-replicating RNA molecules, derived from the genome of cardioviruses and aphtoviruses, which can be used to express heterologous proteins in animal cells. When injected in an animal host, for example in the form of naked RNA, these replicons permit the translation of the encoded heterologous protein. If the encoded heterologous protein is a foreign antigen, these replicons induce an immune response against the encoded heterologous protein. The invention uses cardiovirus and aphtovirus genomes to construct these replicons. The invention demonstrates that these replicons, when injected as naked RNA, can induce immune responses against a replicon-encoded heterologous protein in an animal recipient without the help of any kind of carrier or adjuvant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a live, attenuated, invasive bacterium that infects a mammalian host cell, and releases exogenous RNA into the cytoplasm of the host cell. The present invention further provides compositions, including immunogenic compositions, comprising a subject bacterium. The present invention provides methods of delivering an RNA to a eukaryotic host cell in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo. The present invention provides methods of delivering a protein to a host cell in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo. The present invention provides methods of controlling expression of a target gene in a eukaryotic host cell. The present invention provides methods of inducing an immune response in a mammalian host to a polypeptide antigen, the method involving administering to the host a subject bacterium, wherein the antigen is encoded by the exogenous RNA produced by the bacterium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to replicons or self-replicating RNA molecules, derived from the genome of cardioviruses and aphtoviruses, which can be used to express heterologous proteins in animal cells. When injected in an animal host, for example in the form of naked RNA, these replicons permit the translation of the encoded heterologous protein. If the encoded heterologous protein is a foreign antigen, these replicons induce an immune response against the encoded heterologous protein. The invention uses cardiovirus and aphtovirus genomes to construct these replicons. The invention demonstrates that these replicons, when injected as naked RNA, can induce immune responses against a replicon-encoded heterologous protein in an animal recipient without the help of any kind of carrier or adjuvant.