Abstract: The invention relates to a bunyavirus, in which separated (NSm)Gn and Gc coding regions are functionally present on two different genome segments, preferably a bunyavirus that comprises a total of at least 4 genome segments. The invention further relates to methods for producing said bunyavirus, and to a composition comprising said bunyavirus and a suitable excipient.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of producing infectious bunyavirus replicon particles. These bunyavirus replicon particles are safe and can be used outside a biosafety containment. The invention further relates to recombinant bunyavirus replicon particles and uses of these recombinant bunyavirus replicon particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bunyavirus, in which separated (NSm)Gn and Gc coding regions are functionally present on two different genome segments, preferably a bunyavirus that comprises a total of at least 4 genome segments. The invention further relates to methods for producing said bunyavirus, and to a composition comprising said bunyavirus and a suitable excipient.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of producing infectious bunyavirus replicon particles. These bunyavirus replicon particles are safe and can be used outside a biosafety containment. The invention further relates to recombinant bunyavirus replicon particles and uses of these recombinant bunyavirus replicon particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of producing infectious bunyavirus replicon particles. These bunyavirus replicon particles are safe and can be used outside a biosafety containment. The invention further relates to recombinant bunyavirus replicon particles and uses of these recombinant bunyavirus replicon particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of producing infectious bunyavirus replicon particles. These bunyavirus replicon particles are safe and can be used outside a biosafety containment. The invention further relates to recombinant bunyavirus replicon particles and uses of these recombinant bunyavirus replicon particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of stimulating an immune response against an antigenic protein in a mammalian subject. More specifically, the invention relates to routes of administration of a hybrid Newcastle Disease Virus-vector (NDV-vector) for eliciting an immune response against an antigenic protein that is encoded by the hybrid NDV-vector.

Abstract: The invention relates to vaccines used in the eradication or control of pestivirus infections, particularly those used in pigs or ruminants. The invention provides nucleic acid, pestivirus-like particles and a pestivirus vaccine, comprising the nucleic acid or particles, which is capable of eliciting a proper immune response without having the ability to spread throughout the vaccinated animal, thereby avoiding the negative consequences of viral spread. Preferably, the immune response allows for serological discrimination between vaccinated animals and wild-type pestivirus infected animals.

Abstract: Composition of matter comprising the causative agent of Mystery Swine Disease, Lelystad Agent, in a live, attenuated, dead, or recombinant form, or a part or component of it. Vaccine compositions and diagnostic kits based thereon. Recombinant nucleic acid comprising a Lelystad Agent-specific nucleotide sequence. Peptides comprising a Lelystad Agent-specific amino acid sequence. Lelystad Agent-specific antibodies.

Abstract: The invention relates to vaccines used in the eradication or control of pestivirus infections, particularly used in pigs or ruminants. The invention provides nucleic acid, pestivirus-like particles and a pestivirus vaccine, comprising the nucleic acid or particles, which is capable of eliciting a proper immune response without having the ability to spread throughout the vaccinated animal, thereby avoiding the negative consequences of viral spread. Preferably, the immunological response allows for serological discrimination between vaccinated animals and wild-type pestivirus infected animals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of increasing protein expression in baculo vector virus expression systems. The invention provides a method to produce a recombinant protein in insect cell culture which comprises selecting a recombinant baculovirus expressing said protein, growing insect cells in growth medium in a culture vessel and infecting the cells with an inoculum of at least one baculovirus at a cell density of 1×105 to 5×106 cells/ml with an m.o.i of <0.01. The invention also provides a method to produce recombinant pestivirus E2 or Em9 protein or fragments thereof in insect cell culture characterized by a final concentration of the protein fragments in the growth medium at harvest of at least 100 ?g/ml. The invention also provides a method of producing recombinant FSH, ?-units and/or ?-units, and complexes and fragments thereof, at a concentration in the growth medium at harvest of at least 15 ?/ml.

Abstract: Composition of matter comprising the causative agent of Mystery Swine Disease, Lelystad Agent, in a live, attenuated, dead, or recombinant form, or a part or component of it. Vaccine compositions and diagnostic kits based thereon. Recombinant nucleic acid comprising a Lelystad Agent-specific nucleotide sequence. Peptides comprising a Lelystad Agent-specific amino acid sequence. Lelystad Agent-specific antibodies.

Abstract: Composition of matter comprising the causative agent of Mystery Swine Disease, Lelystad Agent, in a live, attenuated, dead, or recombinant form, or a part or component of it. Vaccine compositions and diagnostic kits based thereon. Recombinant nucleic acid comprising a Lelystad Agent-specific nucleotide sequence. Peptides comprising a Lelystad Agent-specific amino acid sequence. Lelystad Agent-specific antibodies.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of increasing protein expression in baculo vector virus expression systems. The invention provides a method to produce a recombinant protein in insect cell culture which comprises selecting a recombinant baculovirus expressing said protein, growing insect cells in growth medium in a culture vessel and infecting the cells with an inoculum of at least one baculovirus at a cell density of 1×105 to 5×106 cells/ml with an m.o.i of <0.01. The invention also provides a method to produce recombinant pestivirus E2 or Em9 protein or fragments thereof in insect cell culture characterized by a final concentration of the protein fragments in the growth medium at harvest of at least 100 &mgr;g/ml. The invention also provides a method of producing recombinant FSH, &agr;-units and/or &bgr;-units, and complexes and fragments thereof, at a concentration in the growth medium at harvest of at least 15 &mgr;/ml.

Abstract: Composition of matter comprising the causative agent of Mystery Swine Disease, Lelystad Agent, in a live, attenuated, dead, or recombinant form, or a part or component of it. Vaccine compositions and diagnostic kits based thereon. Recombinant nucleic acid comprising a Lelystad Agent-specific nucleotide sequence. Peptides comprising a Lelystad Agent-specific amino acid sequence. Lelystad Agent-specific antibodies.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method to increase protein expression in baculo vector virus expression systems. The invention provides a method to produce a recombinant protein in insect-cell culture which comprises selecting a recombinant baculovirus expressing said protein, growing insect cells in growth medium in a culture vessel and infecting the cells with an inoculum of at least one baculovirus at a cell density of 1×105 to 5×106 cells/ml with an m.o.i of <0.01. The invention furthermore provides a method to produce recombinant pestivirus E2 or Em9 protein or fragments thereof in insect cell culture characterized by a final concentration of said protein (fragments) in the growth medium at harvest of at least 100 &mgr;g/ml. The invention furthermore provides a method to produce recombinant follicle stimulating hormone, &agr;-units an/or &bgr;-units and complexes and fragments thereof, at a concentration in the growth medium at harvest of at least 15 &mgr;l.

Abstract: Composition of matter comprising the causative agent of Mystery Swine Disease, Lelystad Agent, in a live, attenuated, dead, or recombinant form, or a part or component of it. Vaccine compositions and diagnostic kits based thereon. Recombinant nucleic acid comprising a Lelystad Agent-specific nucleotide sequence. Peptides comprising a Lelystad Agent-specific amino acid sequence. Lelystad Agent-specific antibodies.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for the production of recombinant bovine Follicle Stimulating Hormone (bFSH) as well as vectors and cells for use in those methods. In particular the invention provides baculovirus based vectors which are capable of expression of bFSH in insect cells. bFSH is a heterodimeric protein belonging to a family of glycoprotein hormones which are produced in the pituitary or the placenta. It finds its use in many fertility related applications. Expression of bFSH in baculovirus/insect cell systems leads to a recombinant bFSH which has an unexpected high activity in a human FSH receptor assay and/or a bovine immature oocyte assay. The genes encoding the subunits of bFSH may be present on one baculovirus derived vector or on two or more vectors which are to be cotransfected.

Abstract: The invention provides a nucleotide sequence corresponding to a classical swine fever virus (CSFV) genome or a part or a mutant thereof, which comprises at least a part of the nucleotide sequence of the CSFV C-strain depicted in SEQ ID No. 1, or a complement or RNA equivalent of such nucleotide sequence, or which comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding at least the amino acid sequence 268-494 of the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID No. 1, or a complement or RNA equivalent of such nucleotide sequence. Also provided is a pestivirus polypeptide corresponding to the amino acid sequence 690-1063 of SEQ ID No. 1 or part thereof, which contains a mutation in one of the epitopes within amino acid sequences 691-750 or 785-870, said mutation altering said epitope.

Abstract: The invention provides vaccines for preventing and controlling animal diseases, comprising a pseudorabies virus containing glycoprotein gp50 and having a mutation in its gp50 gene. The vaccines are suitable for use against Aujeszky's disease (pseudorabies), or against other animal diseases when the mutation is an insertion comprising a heterologous gene encoding an antigen corresponding to said animal disease. The pseudorabies virus may additionally have at least one mutation in one of its other genes, such as the gp63 gene or the gI gene. The vaccines are unable to spread from vaccinated to non-vaccinated animals.