Abstract: Materials and methods for improving immunotherapy are provided herein. In some cases, the materials and methods can be used in the treatment of cancers.

Abstract: Methods are provided for evaluating a subject for graft survival, e.g., in terms of predicting graft survival, identifying the presence of a deleterious graft condition, such as CAN and DT, identifying the severity and class of acute rejection, etc, in a subject are provided. In practicing the subject methods, the expression of at least one gene in a sample from the subject, e.g., a blood or biopsy sample, is assayed, e.g., at the nucleic acid and/or protein level, to evaluate the subject. Also provided are compositions, systems and kits that find use in practicing the subject methods. The methods and compositions find use in a variety of applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides vaccines and methods for making the vaccines that actively or passively protect an equid or other animal against Sarcocystis neurona. In particular, the present invention provides vaccines that provide active immunity which comprise a polypeptide or DNA vaccine that contains or expresses at least one epitope of an antigen that has an amino acid sequence substantially similar to a unique 16 (±4) kDa antigen and/or 30 (±4) kDa antigen of Sarcocystis neurona. The present invention further provides a vaccine that provides passive immunity to Sarcocystis neurona comprising polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies against at least one epitope of an antigen substantially similar to a unique 16 (±4) kDa antigen and/or 30 (±4) kDa antigen of Sarcocystis neurona.

Abstract: The present invention provides vaccines and methods for making the vaccines that actively or passively protect an equid or other animal against Sarcocystis neurona. In particular, the present invention provides vaccines that provide active immunity which comprise a polypeptide or DNA vaccine that contains or expresses at least one epitope of an antigen that has an amino acid sequence substantially similar to a unique 16 (±4) kDa antigen and/or 30 (±4) kDa antigen of Sarcocystis neurona. The present invention further provides a vaccine that provides passive immunity to Sarcocystis neurona comprising polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies against at least one epitope of an antigen substantially similar to a unique 16 (±4) kDa antigen and/or 30 (±4) kDa antigen of Sarcocystis neurona.

Abstract: The present invention provides vaccines and methods for making the vaccines that actively or passively protect an equid or other animal against Sarcocystis neurona. In particular, the present invention provides vaccines that provide active immunity which comprise a polypeptide or DNA vaccine that contains or expresses at least one epitope of an antigen that has an amino acid sequence substantially similar to a unique 16 (±4) kDa antigen and/or 30 (±4) kDa antigen of Sarcocystis neurona. The present invention further provides a vaccine that provides passive immunity to Sarcocystis neurona comprising polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies against at least one epitope of an antigen substantially similar to a unique 16 (±4) kDa antigen and/or 30 (±4) kDa antigen of Sarcocystis neurona.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for generating novel nucleic acid molecules through targeted spliceosomal mediated RNA trans-splicing. The compositions of the invention include pre-trans-splicing molecules (PTMs) designed to interact with a SERPINA1 target precursor messenger RNA molecule (target pre-mRNA) and mediate a trans-splicing reaction resulting in the generation of a novel chimeric RNA molecule (chimeric RNA). In particular, the PTMs of the present invention include those genetically engineered to interact with SERPINA1 target pre-mRNA so as to result in correction of SERPINA1 genetic defects responsible for AAT deficiency. The PTMs of the invention may also comprise sequences that are processed out of the PTM to yield duplex siRNA molecules directed specifically to mutant SERPIN A1 mRNAs. Such duplexed siRNAs are designed to reduce the accumulation of toxic AAT protein in liver cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat-stable and protease-resistant antibacterial activity in excretory-secretory products (ESP) of Trichuris suis. The antibacterial activity is not more than 10,000 MW; is resistant to boiling, trypsin, and pronase E; has a bactericidal mode of action; and is effective against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobactercoli, and Staphylococcus aureus. The antibacterial activity is useful in applications for killing or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms, in particular bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat-stable and protease-resistant antibacterial activity in excretory-secretory products (ESP) of Trichuris suis. The antibacterial activity is not more than 10,000 MW; is resistant to boiling, trypsin, and pronase E; has a bactericidal mode of action; and is effective against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobactercoli, and Staphylococcus aureus. The antibacterial activity is useful in applications for killing or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms, in particular bacteria.

Abstract: The apparatus and method of the present invention disclose a system in which multiple injections may be made into a capillary array. The injections are spaced in time with each injection followed by an interval of electrophoresis. Once all samples are loaded into the capillaries, continuous electrophoresis and detection is used to separate and detect target compounds within the sample. The interval between injections is matched to the target compound migration rate to be sufficient to allow the target compounds to be detectably separated when the compounds reach the detector.

Abstract: An immunoassay for Sarcocystis neurons antibodies in equines is described. The immunoassay uses blocking of Sarcocystis antigens by antibodies to Sarcocystis sp. other than Sarcocystis neurona in connection with the immunoassay.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for detecting and enumerating Campylobacter jejuni in an environmental sample. The present invention further provides a process which can distinguish antibiotic resistant strains of Campylobacter jejuni from wild-type strains, in particular, antibiotic-resistant strains resistant to high levels of ciprofloxacin. Both processes use PCR primers which flank a target sequence unique to Campylobacter jejuni in combination with one or more dual-labeled oligonucleotide probes complementary to the target sequence wherein the dual-labeled probes enable detection of PCR amplification by fluorescence detection means.

Abstract: The present invention provides an immunoassay to detect identifying antigens in horses that are infected with Sarcocystis neurona. The immunoassay is preferably an antigen-capture-based assay that relies upon polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies against a 16 (±4) and/or 30 (±4) kDa antigens specific to Sarcocystis neurona to detect the presence of the 16 (±4) and/or 30 (±4) kDa antigens in equine serum or equine cerebrospinal fluid.

Abstract: The apparatus and method of the present invention disclose a system in which multiple injections may be made into a capillary array. The injections are spaced in time with each injection followed by an interval of electrophoresis. Once all samples are loaded into the capillaries, continuous electrophoresis and detection is used to separate and detect target compounds within the sample. The interval between injections is matched to the target compound migration rate to be sufficient to allow the target compounds to be detectably separated when the compounds reach the detector.

Abstract: The apparatus and method of the present invention disclose a system in which multiple injections may be made into a capillary array. The injections are spaced in time with each injection followed by an interval of electrophoresis. Once all samples are loaded into the capillaries, continuous electrophoresis and detection is used to separate and detect target compounds within the sample. The interval between injections is matched to the target compound migration rate to be sufficient to allow the target compounds to be detectably separated when the compounds reach the detector.

Abstract: An immunoassay for Sarcocystis neurona antibodies in equines is described. The immunoassay uses blocking of Sarcocystis antigens by antibodies to Sarcocystis sp. other than Sarcocystis neurona in connection with the immunoassay.

Abstract: A method for performing separation assays of biochemical samples includes computing a quality metric based on peak data produced during the separation run. The quality metric is the basis for selecting a subsequent step in the assay, including whether to re-run the separation when the quality metric indicates a low quality separation run. In a preferred embodiment, the quality metric is computed based on a peak resolution metric indicative of the peak resolution of the sample peaks in the data and a signal-to-noise ratio of the data. When a co-migrating standard is included in the separation run, the quality metric is further based on the degree of migration linearity of the reference peaks produced by the standard. The method was reduced to practice in separations to size and sort DNA fragments in high-throughput capillary array electrophoresis separations.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining aneuploidy of selected chromosomes. An important feature of the invention is the quantitative amplification of STR markers with repeat units of at least 3 nucleotides. The amplified STR DNA is separated by size and the respective quantities of the amplified components are determined and related to chromosome copy number. The highly polymorphic nature of the STR markers permits a more sensitive and reliable quantitative analysis of the amplified DNA.

Abstract: A triangular trough for collecting specimens from the knife edge of a microtome, or ultramicrotome is made of a form cast plastic material, one of the side walls projecting downwardly below the bottom wall of the trough to allow the trough to be adhesively attached to the side of the knife. The trough is inexpensive enough to be suitable for one time use.

Abstract: Methods are provided for evaluating a subject for graft survival, e.g., in terms of predicting graft survival, identifying the presence of a deleterious graft condition, such as CAN and DT, identifying the severity and class of acute rejection, etc, in a subject are provided. In practicing the subject methods, the expression of at least one gene in a sample from the subject, e.g., a blood or biopsy sample, is assayed, e.g., at the nucleic acid and/or protein level, to evaluate the subject. Also provided are compositions, systems and kits that find use in practicing the subject methods. The methods and compositions find use in a variety of applications.

Abstract: Methods are provided for evaluating a subject for graft survival, e.g., in terms of predicting graft survival, identifying the presence of a deleterious graft condition, such as CAN and DT, identifying the severity and class of acute rejection, etc, in a subject are provided. In practicing the subject methods, the expression of at least one gene in a sample from the subject, e.g., a blood or biopsy sample, is assayed, e.g., at the nucleic acid and/or protein level, to evaluate the subject. Also provided are compositions, systems and kits that find use in practicing the subject methods. The methods and compositions find use in a variety of applications.