Abstract: Embodiments of immunogens based on the HIV-1 Env fusion peptide and methods of their use and production are disclosed. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the immunogens are also provided. In several embodiments, the immunogens can be used to generate an immune response to HIV-1 Env in a subject, for example, to treat or prevent an HIV-1 infection in the subject.

Abstract: Embodiments of a recombinant human Parainfluenza Virus (hPIV) F ectodomain trimer stabilized in a prefusion conformation are provided. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the hPIV F ectodomain trimer and methods of producing the hPIV F ectodomain trimer. Methods for inducing an immune response in a subject are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the method can be a method for treating or inhibiting a hPIV infection in a subject by administering a effective amount of the recombinant hPIV F ectodomain trimer to the subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine for Zika virus, the vaccine comprising Zika virus membrane and envelope proteins. More specifically, the vaccine comprises nucleic acid molecules encoding modified Zika virus membrane and/or envelope proteins. When introduced into a cell, the encoded proteins are produced, which results in the production of a virus-like particle capable of eliciting an immune response against Zika virus.

Abstract: Compounds useful as components of immunogenic compositions for the induction of an immunogenic response in a subject against viral infection, methods for their use in treatment, and processes for their manufacture are provided herein. The compounds comprise a nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence which encodes a Zika virus antigen.

Abstract: Methods of inducing an immune response in a subject to the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) are provided. In several embodiments, the immune response is a protective immune response that inhibits or prevents MERS-CoV infection in the subject. Recombinant MERS-CoV polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules encoding same are also provided. Additionally, neutralizing antibodies that specifically bind to MERS-CoV S protein and antigen binding fragments thereof are disclosed. The antibodies and antigen binding fragments are useful, for example, in methods of detecting MERS-CoV S protein in a sample or in a subject, as well as methods of preventing and treating a MERS-CoV infection in a subject.

Abstract: Methods of inducing an immune response in a subject to the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) are provided. In several embodiments, the immune response is a protective immune response that inhibits or prevents MERS-CoV infection in the subject. Recombinant MERS-CoV polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules encoding same are also provided. Additionally, neutralizing antibodies that specifically bind to MERS-CoV S protein and antigen binding fragments thereof are disclosed. The antibodies and antigen binding fragments are useful, for example, in methods of detecting MERS-CoV S protein in a sample or in a subject, as well as methods of preventing and treating a MERS-CoV infection in a subject.

Abstract: Embodiments of a recombinant Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) F ectodomain trimer stabilized in a prefusion conformation are provided. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the RSV F ectodomain trimer and methods of producing the RSV F ectodomain trimer. Methods for inducing an immune response in a subject are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the method can be a method for treating or preventing a RSV infection in a subject by administering a therapeutically effective amount of the recombinant RSV F ectodomain trimer to the subject.

Abstract: Methods of inducing an immune response in a subject to the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) are provided. In several embodiments, the immune response is a protective immune response that inhibits or prevents MERS-CoV infection in the subject. Recombinant MERS-CoV polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules encoding same are also provided. Additionally, neutralizing antibodies that specifically bind to MERS-CoV S protein and antigen binding fragments thereof are disclosed. The antibodies and antigen binding fragments are useful, for example, in methods of detecting MERS-CoV S protein in a sample or in a subject, as well as methods of preventing and treating a MERS-CoV infection in a subject.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising four adenoviral vectors, each comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a clade A HIV Env protein, a clade B HIV Env protein, a clade C HIV Env protein, and a clade B HIV Gag-Pol fusion protein, respectively. The invention also provides a method of inducing an immune response against HIV-1 in an animal comprising administering the composition to the animal.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of inducing an immune response against a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in a mammal. The method comprises administering to the mammal an adenoviral vector composition comprising one or more adenoviral vectors encoding two or more different HIV antigens, the production of which induces an immune response against HIV in the mammal. The invention also provides an adenoviral vector composition comprising four adenoviral vectors encoding an HIV clade A Env protein, an HIV clade B Env protein, an HIV clade C Env protein, and a fusion protein comprising an HIV clade B Gag protein and Pol protein, respectively.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a nucleic acid molecule encoding a HIV-1 polypeptide which comprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, or SEQ ID NO: 4. The invention also provides a method of inducing an immune response against HIV-1 in a mammal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a multiclade HIV plasmid DNA or viral vector vaccine including components from different clades of Env (optionally Env chimeras) and Gag-Pol-(optionally)Nef from a singlr clade. The vaccine of the invention may further include V1, V2, V3, or V4 deletions or combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the invention provides multiclade HIV envelope immunogens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an influenza immunogen that includes one or more DNA constructs encoding at least two divergent influenza HAs, wherein each of such one or more DNA constructs encodes one or more of the at least two divergent influenza HAs. Such an immunogen, when administered to a subject, induces an immune response to a plurality of strains of influenza virus, wherein at least one strain of the plurality of strains does not encode any of the divergent influenza HAs encoded by the immunogen. The divergent influenza HAs can be swine influenza HAs or equine influenza HAs, such as influenza H1 HAs or influenza H3 HAs. The invention also relates to a method to use such an immunogen to induce such an immune response as well as to DNA constructs comprising such divergent influenza HAs. Such an immunogen can provide a heterologous as well as a homologous immune response. Such an immunogen can be used to induce an immune response against evolving influenza virus.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and six plasmids, each of which encodes an HIV Env, Gag, Pol, or Nef protein. The invention also provides a method of inducing an immune response in an animal using the composition.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a multiclade HIV plasmid DNA or viral vector vaccine including components from different clades of Env (optionally Env chimeras) and Gag-Pol-(optionally)Nef from a single Glade. The vaccine of the invention may further include V1, V2, V3, or V4 deletions or combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the invention provides multiclade HIV envelope immunogens.

Abstract: H5 hemagglutinin (HA) polypeptides are provided that are adapted to humans through mutations that change receptor specificity in the H1 serotype, and related polynucleotides, methods, compositions, and vaccines.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a multiclade HIV plasmid DNA or viral vector vaccine including components from different clades of Env (optionally Env chimeras) and Gag-Pol-(optionally)Nef from a single clade. The vaccine of the invention may further include V1, V2, V3, or V4 deletions or combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the invention provides multiclade HIV envelope immunogens.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of inducing an immune response against a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in a mammal. The method comprises administering to the mammal an adenoviral vector composition comprising one or more adenoviral vectors encoding two or more different HIV antigens, the production of which induces an immune response against HIV in the mammal. The invention also provides an adenoviral vector composition comprising four adenoviral vectors encoding an HIV clade A Env protein, an HIV clade B Env protein, an V clade C Env protein, and a fusion protein comprising an HIV clade B Gag protein and Pol protein, respectively.

Abstract: These vaccines target H5N1, H1, H3 and other subtypes of influenza and are designed to elicit neutralizing antibodies, as well as cellular immunity. The DNA vaccines express hemagglutinin (HA) or nucleoprotein (NP) proteins from influenza which are codon optimized and/or contain modifications to protease cleavage sites of HA which affect the normal function of the protein. Adenoviral constructs expressing the same inserts have been engineered for prime boost strategies. Protein-based vaccines based on protein production from insect or mammalian cells using foldon trimerization stabilization domains with or without cleavage sites to assist in purification of such proteins have been developed. Another embodiment of this invention is the work with HA pseudotyped lentiviral vectors which would be used to screen for neutralizing antibodies in patients and to screen for diagnostic and therapeutic antivirals such as monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a multiclade HIV plasmid DNA or viral vector vaccine including components from different clades of Env (optionally Env chimeras) and Gag-Pol-(optionally)Nef from a single clade. The vaccine of the invention may further include V1, V2, V3, or V4 deletions or combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the invention provides multiclade HIV envelope immunogens.