Abstract: The present invention relates to oncolytic adenoviruses with functional deletions of immunodominant T-cell epitopes of adenovirus proteins, as well as to methods of using the oncolytic adenoviruses for the treatment of diseases, such as cancer. The oncolytic adenoviruses may also contain one or more heterologous nucleic acid sequences each encoding a tumor antigen or epitope. The oncolytic adenoviruses may also contain other mutations and insertions of DNA sequences used to confer selectivity and antitumor potency. The invention has application in the field of cancer therapy.

Abstract: Methods for preparing highly purified rLV vector formulations at the scale needed to meet anticipated demand for human gene therapy are provided.

Abstract: A novel assay and a suite of devices may isolate nucleic acids from prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and prepare samples for real-time (quantitative) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. The assay may employ an aqueous-based non-alcohol approach that yields robust RNA quality. The suite of ready-to-use devices may provide pre-loaded reagents in liquid and lyophilized formats to enable rapid manual operation in a laboratory or remote field environments. The assay and devices may be particularly suitable to analysis in microgravity or deep space environments.

Abstract: Production of etanercept using perfusion methods achieves attractive yields of properly folded protein. Desired temperature, feed media, titers and percent correctly folded protein are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for predicting an effect of a medication or a treatment regimen to a subject suffering from a cancer, the method comprises: (A) obtaining a tissue from the subject; (B) dissociating the tissue to obtain a multicellular cluster, wherein the multicellular cluster comprises the cancer cell; (C) culturing the multicellular cluster on a cellulose sponge; (D) exposing the cultured multicellular cluster to the medication or the treatment regimen; and (E) measuring a first survival rate of the cancer cell before exposing to the medication or the treatment regimen and a second survival rate of the cancer cell after exposing to the medication or the treatment regimen, when the second survival rate is lower than the first survival rate, the method predicts positive effect of the medication or the treatment regimen to the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of modifying a targeted site of a double stranded DNA, including a step of contacting a complex wherein a nucleic acid sequence-recognizing module that specifically binds to a target nucleotide sequence in a selected double stranded DNA and DNA glycosylase with sufficiently low reactivity with a DNA having an unrelaxed double helix structure (unrelaxed DNA) are bonded, with the double stranded DNA, to convert one or more nucleotides in the targeted site to other one or more nucleotides or delete one or more nucleotides, or insert one or more nucleotides into the targeted site, without cleaving at least one strand of the double stranded DNA in the targeted site.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods useful, inter alia, for the delivery of ribonucleoprotein complexes (e.g., Cas9/guide RNA complexes) into cells. The compositions and methods provided herein are particularly useful for the delivery of ribonucleoprotein complexes into pluripotent cells and lymphatic cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to adenoviral vectors, wherein the viral capsid has been coated with polypeptides, which are capable of stimulating a peptide-specific immune response in a subject and uses thereof. Furthermore, the present invention relates to methods of treating diseases, e.g. cancer, by adenoviral vectors which have been coated by polypeptides causing peptide-specific immune response. Also the present invention relates to a method of coating adenoviral vectors by specific peptides as well as to a method of identifying those peptides suitable for coating the capsid of an adenoviral vector.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for determining whether a patient exhibiting acute gastroenteritis will benefit from treatment with therapeutic agents that inhibit Norovirus genogroup I (GI) or Norovirus genogroup II (GII). The methods disclosed herein are based on detecting Norovirus genogroup I (GI) and Norovirus genogroup II (GII) in a stool sample without extracting viral nucleic acids from a clinical specimen prior to performing real-time reverse transcription PCR. Kits for use in practicing the methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a producer cell which expresses a tagging protein at the cell surface, such that retroviral vectors produced by the cell are tagged with the tagging protein, wherein the tagging protein comprises: i) a binding domain which binds to a capture moiety ii) a spacer; and iii) a membrane targeting domain such that, when incorporated a retroviral vector, the tagging protein facilitates purification of the retroviral vector from cellular supernatant via binding of the tagging protein to the capture moiety. The present invention also relates to a retroviral vector comprising such a producer cell-derived tagging protein.

Abstract: Provided are methods for rapidly inactivating a pathogen, or for producing a vaccine composition containing an inactivated noninfectious pathogen having retained antigenicity and/or immunogenicity, comprising exposing the pathogen to a chemical inactivating agent (e.g., one or more chemical oxidizing, alkylating or crosslinking agents) in the presence of inorganic polyatomic oxyanions in an amount and for a time sufficient to render the pathogen noninfectious while enhancing retention of pathogen antigenicity and/or immunogenicity relative to that retained by contacting the pathogen with the chemical inactivating agent alone. The methods are broadly applicable to pathogens having RNA or DNA genomes (e.g., including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites).

Abstract: A fusion protein comprising factor VII (FVII) and transferrin according to the present invention has an improved specific activity of FVII compared to existing FVII fusion proteins comprising other fusion partners than transferrin, and thus can be effectively used in a therapy using FVII.

Abstract: The present invention is generally related to engineered bacteriophages expressing antimicrobial peptides or lytic enzymes or fragments thereof for targeting a broad spectrum of bacterial hosts, and for the long-term suppression of bacterial phage resistance for reducing bacterial infections. In some embodiments, bacteriophages express antimicrobial peptides or antimicrobial polypeptides (e.g. phage lytic enzymes) which are secreted from the host bacteria, or alternatively released upon lysis of the bacterial host cell. Aspects of the present invention also relate to the use of the engineered bacteriophages for the reduction of bacterial infections, both in a subject or for bioremediation purposes, in clinical settings and wound healing.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for selectively reducing the amount of antibiotic resistant and/or virulent bacteria in a mixed bacteria population, or for reducing any other type of unwanted bacteria in a mixed bacteria population. The compositions and methods involve targeting bacteria that are differentiated from other members of the population by at least one unique clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) targeted DNA sequence. The compositions and methods can be readily adapted to target any bacteria or any bacteria plasmid, or both.

Abstract: The present invention belongs to the field of animal health and provides means to study Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), a viral disease affecting swine, and for the development of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics for the prophylaxis, treatment and diagnosis of PRRS. In a first consideration, the invention relates to a new PRRS virus variant. and, in a second consideration, to a nucleic acid sequence which comprises the genome of an infectious genotype I (EU) PRRS virus clone. Based on this, new PRRS vaccine candidates with improved properties are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel synthetic bacteriophages and bacteriophage compositions, methods of production thereof, and therapeutic uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or Hepatitis D virus (HDV) receptor and its use for the development of cells, cell lines and non-human animals that are susceptible to HBV and/or HDV infection and can be used for immunological studies and/or for the screening of drugs, post-entry restriction factors and host dependency factors. It further relates to the use of the receptor for the identification of compounds useful in the treatment of HBV and/or HDV infection.

Abstract: A nutrient-germinant composition to aid in spore germination and a method for increased spore germination efficiency. The composition comprises L-amino acids, D-glucose and/or D-fructose, a phosphate buffer, an industrial preservative, and may include bacteria spores or they may be separately combined for germination. The method comprises providing a nutrient-germinant composition and bacteria spores, preferably of one or more Bacillus species, and heating to a preferred elevated temperature range of 41° C. to 44° C. for an incubation period of around 2 to 60 minutes. The nutrient-germinant composition is preferably in a concentrated liquid form that is diluted just prior to initiating the germination/incubation method at the point of use. The method may also include dispensing a germinated spore solution to a point-of-use/consumption, such as animal feed, water, or bedding, or a wastewater system or drain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing stabilised vaccines, the method comprising: (a) mixing antigens with a solution comprising: (i) chitosan; (ii) at least three different amino acids and/or at least one dipeptide or tripeptide; and (iii) a sugar; and (b) drying the mixture obtained in (a).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel bacteriophage ?CJ28 (KCCM11466P) and a composition containing the same as an active ingredient. Further, the present invention relates to a method for preventing and/or treating infective diseases caused by enterotoxic Escherichia coli (ETEC) of animals excluding humans by using the composition.

Abstract: This document relates to methods and materials for virotherapy. For example, this document provides methods and materials for treating cancer using a recombinant mumps virus as an oncolytic agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genetically modified bacteria and methods of optimizing genetically modified bacteria for the production of a metabolite.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method of increasing production of virus-like particles comprising expressing an avian influenza matrix protein. The invention also comprises methods of making and using said VLPs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for promoting virus infection and increasing virus production, by using a cell line having lost Bst2 gene functions and, more specifically, to a method for promoting target virus infection and increasing target virus production, in addition to promoting virus budding and inhibiting host cell apoptosis by removing the Bst2 gene from a cell line having the ability to produce a virus. According to the present invention, the method for promoting target virus infection and increasing target virus production, by using an animal cell line having lost Bst2 gene functions, can improve production yields of a target virus and an antigen protein, and thus can be useful for the preparation of vaccines for treating and preventing viral diseases.

Abstract: Peptides of 5 to 14 amino acids in length that stimulate subcutaneous adipogenesis in mammals and uses thereof are provided.

Abstract: Methods are generally disclosed for attaching a cell binding motif to a carboxy end of a coat protein of a Tobacco Mosaic Virus particle to form a modified-TMV particle; and attaching a cell to the cell binding motif of the modified-TMV particle. Methods are also disclosed for incorporated virus particles, e.g., TMV virus particles into hydrogels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optimized baculovirus construct useful for the production of virus(-like) particles or viral vectors, in particular viral vectors for gene therapy.

Abstract: The invention provides improved adeno-associated virus (AAV) Factor VIII (FVIII) vectors, including AAV FVIII vectors that produce a functional Factor VIII polypeptide and AAV FVIII vectors with high expression activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of microbiology, specifically to a bacteriophage, polypeptide and a corresponding polynucleotide, a nucleic acid molecule and/or vector and/or cell comprising such polynucleotide, a composition comprising said bacteriophage, polypeptide, polynucleotide, construct, vector and/or cell, preferably for preventing, treating or diagnosing contamination with and/or a condition in an individual related to Salmonella. The invention further relates to an antimicrobial composition for medical use or for use as a food additive or as a disinfectant, or for detecting bacteria, preferably in a diagnostic application, wherein said antimicrobial composition comprises a bacteriophage, polypeptide, corresponding polynucleotide, construct and/or vector and/or cell comprising such polypeptide and/or composition according to the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of filovirus infections. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of treating filovirus infection in a subject in need thereof comprising administering the subject with a therapeutically effective amount of at least one oligonucleotide comprising the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 to SEQ ID NO:15.

Abstract: A vaccine composition is disclosed. The vaccine composition comprises: (a) a therapeutically effective amount of an influenza virus-like particle (VLP) comprising: (i) influenza M1, influenza M2, influenza hemagglutinin (HA), and influenza neuraminidase (NA) proteins; (b) Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) capsid protein VP3, recombinant FMDV VP3 (rVP3), VP3 peptide, or SUMO VP3; and (c) alum. Also disclosed is use of a vaccine composition according to the invention in the manufacture of a medicament for inducing an immunogenic response in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Described herein is an adenovirus comprising an AB-loop comprising a targeting motif and methods of making and using the adenovirus. The targeting motif of the adenovirus can selectively bind to a tumor cell. The targeting motif of the adenovirus can selectively bind to cell markers and/or cell surface antigens including, for example, CD 133.

Abstract: A live, attenuated HIV vaccine is provided, and methods of making a attenuated HIV vaccine are provided.

Abstract: CMV vectors comprising a heterologous protein antigen, an active UL131 protein (or an ortholog thereof), and an active UL128 protein (or an ortholog thereof) but lacking an active UL130 protein (or an ortholog thereof) are provided. CMV vectors comprising a heterologous protein antigen, an active UL131 protein (or an ortholog thereof), and an active UL130 protein (or an ortholog thereof) but lacking an active UL128 protein are also provided. In addition, methods of using CMV vectors to generate an immune response characterized as having at least 10% of the CD8+ T cells directed against epitopes presented by MHC Class II are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for constructing an Fv library based on a combination of proteins, a method of screening a desired antibody using the constructed Fv library, an Fv antibody screened by the screening method, and an Fv library constructed by the Fv library construction method. The Fv library of the present invention is based on a combination of proteins so that members thereof can be individually analyzed for their function. Moreover, the Fv library enables a desired Fv antibody to be screened without needing a target antigen preparation. In addition, the protein combination based Fv library makes it possible to significantly reduce the number of protein purification processes to thereby reduce costs and time, compared to conventional DNA-based libraries.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of selective screening. In addition, various targeting proteins and sequences, as well as methods of their use, are also provided.

Abstract: This disclosure provides pharmaceutical adenovirus formulations, in particular, liquid pharmaceutical formulations comprising adenoviruses.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolated peptides and chimeric polypeptides derived from Saposin A that have anti-angiogenic activity. These peptides are small, consisting essentially of at least 10 consecutive amino acid residues from the 31st-50th amino acid residue of Saposin A. The invention also relates to the use of these isolated peptides and chimeric polypeptides in compositions for the treatment, prevention, and inhibition of angiogenesis-related diseases and disorders such as cancer and cancer metastasis.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide an egg drop syndrome (EDS) vaccine that is capable of effectively preventing EDS and can be stably supplied. The EDS vaccine provided to this end contains as an active ingredient fused protein in which a polypeptide having a coiled-coil forming unit is bound to the knob region in the fiber protein of EDS virus (EDSV).

Abstract: Methods and compositions for increasing the production of recombinant proteins by introducing ICP0 to cells capable of producing a recombinant protein are encompassed. In one method, the recombinant protein is a protein that is required for the replication of a replication defective virus, wherein the recombinant protein is provided to the replication defective virus in trans.

Abstract: Described herein is a method that generally includes infecting a host cell with a rescue adenovirus, wherein the rescue adenovirus genome comprises a loxP site and encodes at least one marker, and wherein the host cell comprises a library of polynucleotides that complement the adenovirus genome marker and encode a detectable polypeptide; incubating the infected host cell under conditions effective to permit recombination between the adenovirus genome and one or more of the library polynucleotides and the production of recombinant adenovirus particles comprising at least on detectable polypeptide; and detecting the at least one detectable polypeptide. Also described are adenovirus libraries constructed using such a method.

Abstract: A method of producing a picornavirus-like particle (PVLP) in a plant is provided. The method comprises introducing a first nucleic acid and a second nucleic acid into the plant, portion of the plant, or a plant cell. The first nucleic acid comprising a first regulatory region active in the plant operatively linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding a polyprotein. The second nucleic acid comprises a second regulatory region active in the plant and operatively linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding one or more protease. The plant, portion of the plant, or plant cell is incubated under conditions that permit the expression of the nucleic acids, thereby producing the PVLP. A PVLP comprising the polyprotein is also provided.

Abstract: A chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) contains a human Fc?RI? extracellular domain or a mutant Fc?RI? extracellular domain that has a reduced binding affinity for human IgE compared to wild type human Fc?RI? extracellular domain. The CAR further contains an intracellular signaling domain comprising at least one immunoreceptor-based activation motif (ITAM). The CAR may further comprise a costimulatory signaling domain, such as an intracellular domain of at least one of the costimulatory molecules 4-1BB, CD27, CD28, CD134 or ICOS. T cells transduced with vectors encoding the CAR are used in CAR-based adoptive T-cell therapy for targeting IgE-expressing B cells and treating IgE-mediated allergic diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to production of proteins in insect cells whereby repeated coding sequences are used in baculoviral vectors. In particular the invention relates to the production of parvoviral vectors that may be used in gene therapy and to improvements in expression of the viral rep proteins that increase the productivity of parvoviral vectors.

Abstract: The present invention discloses and claims virus like particles (VLPs) that express and/or contains seasonal influenza virus proteins, avian influenza virus proteins and/or influenza virus proteins from viruses with pandemic potential. The invention includes vector constructs comprising said proteins, cells comprising said constructs, formulations and vaccines comprising VLPs of the inventions. The invention also includes methods of making and administrating VLPs to vertebrates, including methods of inducing substantial immunity to either seasonal and avian influenza, or at least one symptom thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides novel methods, materials and systems that can be used to generate viral vectors having altered tissue and cell targeting abilities. In illustrative embodiments of the invention, the specificity of lentiviral vectors was modulated by a thin polymer shell that synthesized and coupled to the viral envelope in situ. The polymer shell can confers such vectors with new targeting ability via agents such as cyclic RGD (cRGD) peptides that are coupled to the polymer shell. These polymer encapsulated viral vectors exhibit a number of highly desirable characteristics including a higher thermal stability, resistance to serum inactivation in vivo, and an ability to infect dividing and non-dividing cells with high efficiencies.

Abstract: The present invention can induce stronger cellular immunity to hepatitis C and provide a treatment means and a prevention means that are effective in completely eliminating the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Provided is a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment and/or prevention of hepatitis C, said composition comprising a recombinant vaccinia virus (a) and a recombinant vector (b) and characterized in that after one of the recombinant vaccinia virus (a) and the recombinant vector (b) is administered for initial immunity, the other is administered for additional immunity. The recombinant vaccinia virus (a) contains an expression promoter and all or a portion of the cDNA of the HCV genome. The recombinant vector (b) contains an expression promoter and all or a portion of the cDNA of the HCV (where the cDNA contained in the recombinant vector (b) has a different base sequence than that included in the recombinant vaccinia virus (a)).

Abstract: The present invention features compositions and methods featuring ALT-803, a complex of an interleukin-15 (IL-15) superagonist mutant and a dimeric IL-15 receptor ?/Fc fusion protein useful for enhancing an immune response against a neoplasia (e.g., multiple myeloma, melanoma, lymphoma) or a viral infection (e.g., human immunodeficiency virus).

Abstract: Methods for the measuring cell-free nucleic acids and/or virus particles from dried blood spots are described. The methods can include the steps of rehydrating a dried blood sample, optionally fixing cells present in the rehydrated dried blood sample, eluting cell-free virus particles from the rehydrated dried blood sample, separating the cell-free viruses from any cell debris that may be present in the rehydrated dried blood sample by way of a filter, and measuring cell-free virus particles by a viral particle quantification technique.

Abstract: The present invention relates to virus growth media that improve the yield of alpha-herpesviruses (e.g., HSV-2) grown in cell cultures. The growth media of the invention include two additives, a disaccharide and a lipid mixture, that can be added to serum-free or serum-enriched growth media to improve the efficiency of virus production. The invention further provides methods of producing alpha-herpesviruses (e.g., HSV-2) in such growth media.