Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for encapsulating inorganic micro- or nanostructures within polymeric microgels are described. In various embodiments, viruses are encapsulated with microgels during microgel formation. The viruses can provide a template for in situ synthesis of the inorganic structures within the microgel. The inorganic structures can be distributed substantially homogeneously throughout the microgel, or can be distributed non-uniformly within the microgel. The inventive microgel compositions can be used for a variety of applications including electronic devices, biotechnological devices, fuel cells, display devices and optical devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to high content surface areas containing nickel and/or cobalt metallic compounds assembled on a modified Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) template, wherein the modified TMV template is engineered to encode unique placement of cysteine residues that self-assemble onto gold patterned surfaces in a substantially aligned fashion, producing a >10 fold increase in surface area. Deposition of ionic metals onto the surface assembled virus templates produce uniform metal coatings for the fabrication of oriented high surface area materials.

Abstract: A biodegradable delivery system for actives such as pharmaceutical drugs. The delivery system includes actives infused into the capsid of a purified plant virus. The loaded capsids are embedding in electrospun biodegradable polymer fibers, forming a nonwoven fabric.

Abstract: The use of biomaterials, such as viruses and virus-like particles, to form nanostructures is generally disclosed. For instance, rod-like viruses can be used to form composite nanofibers that are fixed together in a head-to-tail assembly by a polymer. Also, 2-dimensional nanostructures formed from crosslinked viruses assembled in a single, film-like layer are generally disclosed. Porous gels having controllable pore size through the use of virus particles are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are antigen-specific induced tolerogenic dendritic cells (itDCs) that are produced from combining itDCs with antigen in particulate form, as well as related compositions and methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to virosomes comprising hemagglutinin (HA) with improved fusion activity. Preferably, the HA comprised in said virosomes was derived from influenza virus produced in a cell line. The present invention also relates to compositions and a kit comprising the virosomes according to the invention. Further, the present invention relates to uses and methods involving said virosomes, as well as to a method for preparing same.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for generating humoral and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) immune responses in a subject and related compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed are synthetic nanocarrier compositions, and related methods, comprising MHC Class I-restricted and/or MHC Class II-restricted epitopes associated with undesired CD8+ T cell responses and immunosuppressants that provide tolerogenic immune responses against antigens that comprise the epitopes.

Abstract: Disclosed are synthetic nanocarrier methods, and related compositions, comprising administering B cell and/or MHC Class II-restricted epitopes of an antigen and immunosuppressants in order to reduce antigen-specific activation of innate immune cells.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods that can be used immunize a subject against influenza. Generally, the compositions and methods include polypeptides obtained or derived from human influenza A virus hemagglutinin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biosafe and useful vector to transfer genetic material to CD14+ mononuclear cells (monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages) in an efficient and specific manner. The embodiment of the invention makes use of the chimeric human adenovirus vectors 5 carrying the short fiber of enterotropic Ad40 to transfer genetic material to the target CD14+ mononuclear cells.

Abstract: One-dimensional ring structures from M13 viruses were constructed by two genetic modifications encoding binding peptides and synthesis of a heterobifunctional linker molecule. The bifunctional viruses displayed an anti-streptavidin peptide and hexahistidine (SEQ ID NO:4) peptide at opposite ends of the virus as pIII and pIX fusions. Stoichiometric addition of the streptavidin-NiNTA linker molecule led to the reversible formation of virus-based nanorings with circumferences corresponding to lengths of the packageable DNAs. These virus-based ring structures can be further engineered to nucleate inorganic materials and form metallic, magnetic, or semiconductor nanorings using trifunctionalized viruses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a targeted multi-layered drug delivery system for the delivery of cytotoxic agents to B-cells.

Abstract: Pseudotyped retroviruses having viral glycoproteins with modified O glycosylation regions are provided. Also provided are methods for making the pseudotyped retroviruses of the present invention and for using the pseudotyped retroviruses for transduction of target cells. Cells for stably producing the pseudotyped retroviruses or the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: A self-assembling nanoparticle drug delivery system for the delivery of drugs including peptides, proteins, nucleic acids or synthetic chemical drugs is provided. The self-assembling nanoparticle drug delivery system described herein includes viral capsid proteins, such as Hepatitis B Virus core protein, encapsulating the drug, a lipid bi-layer envelope and targeting or facilitating molecules anchored in the lipid bilayer. A method for construction of the self-assembling nanocparticle drug delivery system is also provided.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for identifying a therapeutically responsive phenotype, as distinguished, e.g. from an alkylating agent resistant phenotype in a cell, which method may be used to evaluate the likelihood of successful outcome of treating a tumor cell with an alkylating agent. The method is directed to the NF-?B activation in response to DNA damage caused by alkylating agents. It comprises the step of measuring a level of expression of a protein, which participates in the NF-?B pathway. Preferably it comprises measuring the expression of TNFAIP3 in the cell, wherein a resistant phenotype has less expression of TNFAIP3 than a sensitive phenotype. Another particularly significant gene, which predicts survival, is NFKBIA. Other genes whose altered expression level is associated with resistance or prognosis are TNIP1, TNIP2, RIP, NFKBIB, Beta4GalNAc-T4, NFKBIE, C8orf4, LIF, CD44, FBXO32, and SDC1, and these are also measured in certain embodiments.

Abstract: A nanoarray template utilizing coordination chemistry or metal ion binding to control the site-isolation and orientation of virus particles is provided. The nanoarray template is generated by lithography including Dip Pen Nanolithography. The surface chemistry that is inherent in many viruses, metal-ion based or inorganic coordination chemistry is used to immobilize individual virus particles without the need for their genetic modification. Single particle control enables a wide variety of studies involving viruses that are not possible with microarrays, including single particle, single cell infectivity studies, exploration of such structures as templates in materials synthesis and molecular electronics, and studies aimed at understanding how surface presentation influences their bioactivity. This is an example of such control at the single-particle level, and therefore, commercial use of nanoarrays in biological systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel fusogenic vesicles as highly efficient and versatile encapsulation systems for delivering a substance of choice, such as nucleic acids, proteins, peptides, antigens, pharmaceutical drugs and cosmetic agents to cells and tissues.

Abstract: The present invention describes mirrored adenoassociated virus genomes that can spontaneously fold to form double-stranded DNA structures capable of directing efficient RNA transcription in mammalian cell nuclei. Also described are mirrored adenoassociated viral particles that incorporate the mirrored vector genome and a suitable adenoassociated viral capsid. Further described are DNA templates and methods for producing the mirrored adenoassociated vector genomes and mirrored adenoassociated viral particles. Methods of administering these reagents to mammals are also described as are specific in vitro and in vivo applications where the mirrored adenoassociated virus has unique utility.

Abstract: A method for patterning a one or more biomolecules on a substrate that includes coating the substrate with a coating of the one or more biomolecules, applying a laser to the coating, and ablating a portion of the one or more biomolecules with the laser in a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of purifying encapsidated virus, e.g., viral particles comprising viral nucleic acid, from compositions comprising encapsidated viral nucleic acid and viral particles that lack viral nucleic acid; methods for reducing the particle:genome ratio in a preparation of encapsidated viral nucleic acid; and methods for selectively inactivating viral particles that lack viral nucleic acid in a liquid composition comprising encapsidated viral nucleic acid and the viral particles that lack viral nucleic acid. The methods generally involve subjecting the composition to hydrostatic pressure such that the viral particles lacking viral nucleic acid are selectively inactivated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition of influenza virosomes comprising reconstituted envelopes of said virus, wherein the viral envelopes are entirely derived from influenza viral particles, wherein no lipid is added from an external source to the reconstituted virosomes, wherein the virosomes comprise the influenza antigens haemagglutinin and/or neuraminidase or derivatives thereof, wherein no separate adjuvant and/or immune stimulator is added to the composition, and wherein the composition is for intranasal or inhalational administration, which composition is characterized in that a single intranasal or inhalational administration to a human being is sufficient for the induction of a systemic immune response and/or a local immune response and/or a cytotoxic lymphocytes response against said influenza antigens, which systemic response is in accordance with the CHMP criteria for influenza vaccine, and wherein the dose of haemagglutinin per viral strain per intranasal or inhalational administration is