Abstract: The invention relates to recombinant MVA which is capable of expressing structural HCV antigens, functional parts of said structural antigens or epitopes of said structural antigens. The invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition, especially in the form of a vaccine and containing the recombinant MVA according to the invention, to eukaryotic cells that contain the inventive recombinant MVA and to various uses of the recombinant MVA, for example for producing recombinant structural proteins, for producing a pharmaceutical preparation that is suitable for the therapy and prophylaxis of HCV infections and diseases thereby caused. The invention further relates to methods for producing recombinant MVA and recombinant structural HCV polypeptides encoded by said recombinant MVA, and to DNA or RNA of said recombinant MVA.

Abstract: Recombinant MVA viruses containing and/or capable of expressing dengue virus antigens and the use of such recombinant MVA for vaccination.

Abstract: A new DNA vector is disclosed comprising a nucleic acid sequence useful for inserting heterologous sequences into the genome of poxviruses by homologous recombination. Also disclosed are recombinant poxviruses carrying heterologous coding sequences transferred by the DNA vector.

Abstract: The invention relates to MHC tetramer fusion proteins, MHC monomer fusion proteins, DNA encoding a MHC fusion protein as well as RNA yielding after transcription a MHC monomer fusion protein. Furthermore, the invention discloses the use of a DsRed protein as an agent for the tetramerization of MHC molecules, methods for the preparation of fusion proteins containing MHC and DsRed, and methods for the preparation of MHC tetramers. Moreover, the invention describes methods for the examination of an antigen-specific cellular immune response, particularly for the detection of T lymphocytes carrying specific T cell receptors on their surfaces, the uses of the MHC monomers and tetramers prepared according to the invention as well as test systems containing the MHC monomers or MHC tetramers according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a DNA vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence useful for inserting heterologous sequences into the genome of poxviruses by homologous recombination. The present invention relates also, inter alia, to recombinant poxvirses carrying heterologous coding sequences transferred by the vector according to the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reporter gene construct for the detection of the HIV Rev and HIV Tat proteins. Furthermore, the invention relates to a functionality test method for Rev and Rev fusion proteins prepared in a recombinant manner, a method of screening for sequences of different origin for their activity as an instability element, a method of screening for sequences which cause the transport out of the nucleus into the cytoplasm by binding to cellular or other viral shuttle proteins, as well as to a method for the detection of HIV-infected cells. The reporter gene construct according to the present invention, after it has been introduced into cells, in the presence of HIV Rev and HIV Tat proteins results in the formation of reporter proteins which may be used for quantitative/qualitative detection of the HIV Rev and HIV Tat proteins.

Abstract: Recombinant MVA viruses containing and/or capable of expressing dengue virus antigens and the use of such recombinant MVA for vaccination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant vaccinia viruses derived from the modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) and containing and capable of expressing foreign genes which are inserted at the site of a naturally occurring deletion in the MVA genome, and the use of such recombinant MVA viruses for the production of polypeptides, e.g. antigens or therapeutic agents, or viral vectors for gene therapy, and the use of such recombinant MVA viruses encoding antigens as vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant vaccinia viruses derived from the modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) and containing and capable of expressing foreign genes which are inserted at the site of a naturally occurring deletion in the MVA genome, and the use of such recombinant MVA viruses for the production of polypeptides, e.g. antigens or therapeutic agents, or viral vectors for gene therapy, and the use of such recombinant MVA viruses encoding antigens as vaccines.

Abstract: A method and composition are described for the treatment of mammalian HIV infections including administering an effective subtoxic dosage of melittin (Seq. ID NO:1) to the mammal whereby the growth of HIV infected cells or the replication of the virus in the infected cells of the mammal is inhibited.

Abstract: The instant invention is drawn to human cell line LC5, ATCC CCL-5 and CNCM I-842, which are useful in a method of screening for retrovirus inhibitors.