Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for determining co-receptor usage of an HIV in a subject including the steps of: culturing a viral preparation derived from the subject's plasma with one or more cell lines which express surface CD4 and CCR5, surface CD4 and CXCR4, or surface CD4, CCR5 and CXCR4, wherein an anticoagulant is added to the viral preparation or to the culture; and screening for infection, wherein the presence or absence of infected cells is indicative of the co-receptors used by the HIV.

Abstract: An optical communication system includes a head-end station, an optical fibre network and a number or sensors and actuators connected via the network to the head-end station. The head-end station includes one or more broadband sources and is arranged to output a broadband signal onto the network. The sensors modulate the broadband signal received from the head-end station and return narrowband components of the signal via the network to the head-end. There the different narrowband components are detected, for example using a demultiplexer and the resulting signals processed by control electronics. The head-end station also includes an optical circuit arranged to split a signal from a broadband source into different narrowband components. Electro-optic modulators (FOM) modulate the different narrowband components and the resulting narrowband signals are output onto the fibre network and transmitted to the actuators. The electro-optic modulators (FOM) are operated by the control electronics.