Abstract: A genetically disabled mutant virus has a genome which is defective in respect of a selected gene that is essential for the production of infectious new virus particles, and which carries heterologous genetic material encoding an immunomodulatory protein such as GM-CSF, IL-2, or others, such that the mutant virus can infect normal host cells and cause expression of immunomodulatory protein, but the mutant virus cannot cause production of infectious new virus particles except when the virus infects recombinant complementing host cells expressing a gene that provides the function of the essential viral gene; the site of insertion of the heterologous genetic material encoding the immunomodulatory protein preferably being at the site of the defect in the selected essential viral gene. Uses include prophylactic and therapeutic use in generating an immune response in a subject treated therewith; use in the preparation of an immunogen such as a vaccine for use in tumour therapy; use in the in-vitro expansion of (e.

Abstract: A genetically disabled mutant virus has a genome which is defective in respect of a selected gene that is essential for the production of infectious new virus particles, and which carries heterologous genetic material encoding an immunomodulatory protein such as GM-CSF, IL-2, or others, such that the mutant virus can infect normal host cells and cause expression of immunomodulatory protein, but the mutant virus cannot cause production of infectious new virus particles except when the virus infects recombinant complementing host cells expressing a gene that provides the function of the essential viral gene; the site of insertion of the heterologous genetic material encoding the immunomodulatory protein preferably being at the site of the defect in the selected essential viral gene. Uses include prophylactic and therapeutic use in generating an immune response in a subject treated therewith; use in the preparation of an immunogen such as a vaccine for use in tumour therapy; use in the in-vitro expansion of (e.

Abstract: Culture of human oranimal herpesviruses, e.g. disabled mutant herpesviruses, can be carried out on primary cells which have been made recombinant so as to express a first gene that extends their culturable life and a second gene derived from the virus. The virus products can be used in vaccines or gene delivery to cells.

Abstract: A genetically disabled mutant virus has a genome which is defective in respect of a selected gene that is essential for the production of infectious new virus particles, and which carries heterologous genetic material encoding an immunomodulatory protein such as GM-CSF, IL-2, or others, such that the mutant virus can infect normal host cells and cause expression of immunomodulatory protein, but the mutant virus cannot cause production of infectious new virus particles except when the virus infects recombinant complementing host cells expressing a gene that provides the function of the essential viral gene; the site of insertion of the heterologous genetic material encoding the immunomodulatory protein preferably being at the site of the defect in the selected essential viral gene. Uses include prophylactic and therapeutic use in generating an immune response in a subject treated therewith; use in the preparation of an immunogen such as a vaccine for use in tumor therapy; use in the in-vitro expansion of (e.g.

Abstract: Avipox virus, especially fowlpox virus (FPV), for promoting the transcription of a foreign gene inserted in a fowlpox virus (FPV) vector, said DNA comprising the promoter of the gene which encodes a protein of about 53 amino acids in a sequence beginning:Met Glu Ser Pro Ala Glu Lys Pro Thr IleAsp Ser Pro Pro Glu Gly Asn Val Gln Proor a variation of such an amino acid sequence, said promoter consisting substantially of sequence to the 5' end of said gene which is non-coding for said gene.

Abstract: Fowlpox virus (FPV) or other avipox virus promoter DNA for use in expressing a foreign gene inserted in a FPV vector by homologous recombination, which comprises the promoter of the following 4a gene, said 4a gene encoding a protein of very roughly about 890 amino acids in a sequence beginningMet Met Leu Ile Lys Asn Ile Val Thr LeuAsp Gln Leu Glu Ser Ser Asp Tyr Leu Tyr.

Abstract: The invention relates to DNA from fowlpox virus (FPV) providing a non-essential region for the insertion of foreign genes thereinto and thence the construction of a vector for homologous recombination with a wild type FPV, whereby the resulting recombinant FPV can be used for vaccination of animals, especially chickens. In this invention, the non-essential region consists substantially of a length of DNA from the long unique sequence of the terminal inverted repeat (TIR) of FPV or from the region at FPV which corresponds approximately to the HindIII D fragment genes D8 and D9 in vaccinia virus.

Abstract: Fowlpox virus (FPV) promoter DNA for use in expressing a foreign gene inserted in a FPV vector by homologous recombination, which comprises the promoter of any of the following FPV genes:(1) The FB4b gene which encodes a protein of about 657 amino acids in a sequence beginning ##STR1## (2) The BamHI fragment ORF8 gene encoding a protein of about 116 amino acids in a sequence beginning ##STR2## (3) The BamHI fragment ORF5 gene encoding a protein of about 105 amino acids in a sequence beginning ##STR3## (4) The BamHI fragment ORF10 gene encoding a protein of about 280 amino acids in a sequence beginning ##STR4##

Abstract: The problem of diagnosis and typing of infectious bronchitis virus in poultry has been solved and important progress made towards an IBV vaccine by this invention. DNA complementary to the region of genomic IBV RNA which codes for a spike protein polypeptide comprising the S1 polypeptide (containing antigenic determinants) or the S2 polypeptide (containing means for anchoring the spike protein to the viral membrane) has been made. It can be carried by a cloning vector, incorporated in a host and cloned. It can also be cloned in a poxvirus which is used to transfect mammmalian cells. Such cells express an artificial spike protein polypeptide.