Abstract:
Compositions and methods to utilize coat proteins of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) as a scaffold with commonly available linker chemistries and surface antigens to enhance immune responses when used as a vaccination; randomized library to introduce a reactive lysine or cysteine residue externally located at the amino-terminus of the coat protein. TMV coat protein modification allows a controlled stoichiometric biotinylation of the Introduced lysine or cysteine residues further allowing the attachment of antigens using streptavidin as a linker to the biotinylated coat protein. A TMV-protein complex vaccine prepared utilizing this invention results in enhanced immunogenicity and a detectable humoral immune response after only a single immunization in mice.
Abstract:
Herein described are various methods for making a vaccine that are made of reassembled virus like particles (VLP). First, the VLPs are disassembled into coat proteins or encapsidation intermediate populations. Each population undergoes, for instance, chemical conjugation of unique peptide or nucleic moieties to form separate populations. Thereafter, a predetermined amount of each of the several (one or more) different coat proteins or encapsidation intermediates from the different populations is mixed and joined, forming intact VLPs, surrounding a nucleic acid core, that are composed of different coat proteins such that the reassembled VLP displays more than one peptide or other molecule. The nucleic acid can function either as a scaffold alone or can be engineered for the expression of an immunomodulatory protein in a eukaryotic cell.
Abstract:
A rolling circle DNA replicon which replicates in a host eukaryotic cell is disclosed which has a truncated replication cycle. The rolling circle DNA replicon comprises the following elements present on the same DNA molecule. It contains a Rep gene open reading frame from a virus belonging to the viral taxonomic families Geminiviridae, Circoviridae or genus Nanovirus . The Rep gene open reading frame is placed under transcriptional control of a promoter, which is placed 5' of the gene. Any sequences that are required to be present in cis on the rolling circle DNA replicon in order that the Rep protein might promote replication of the rolling circle DNA replicon are included. An expression cassette for expression of an ancillary protein that is capable of creating a cellular environment permissive for replication of the rolling circle DNA replicon in the host cell of interest is also included. At least one expression cassette with an RNA polymerase II promoter, a multiple cloning site, and transcription termination and polyadenylation signals suitable for transcription of RNA molecules not normally intrinsic to a geminiviral, circoviral or nanoviral genome is also included.
Abstract:
Vaccines and diagnostic composition are made and used for preventing, treating and detecting antigens from a papilloma virus, ebola virus, HIV virus, Rift Valley Fever virus or a parvovirus. The epitopes of these viruses are produced as genetically engineered fusion peptides in plants by infection with a recombinant tobamovirus vectors to express fusion proteins containing the epitope peptides.
Abstract:
Vaccines and diagnostic composition are made and used for preventing, treating and detecting antigens from a papilloma virus, ebola virus, HIV virus, Rift Valley Fever virus or a parvovirus. The epitopes of these viruses are produced as genetically engineered fusion peptides in plants by infection with a recombinant tobamovirus vectors to express fusion proteins containing the epitope peptides.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to plant produced native aprotinin and aprotinin variants having enzyme-inhibitory, immunological and pharmacokinetic properties and their preparation. In a preferred method a recombinant RNA plant virus is used to express native aprotinin + variants thereof in Nicotiana plants.
Abstract:
Vaccines and diagnostic composition are made and used for preventing, treating and detecting antigens from a papilloma virus, ebola virus, HIV virus, Rift Valley Fever virus or a parvovirus. The epitopes of these viruses are produced as genetically engineered fusion peptides in plants by infection with a recombinant tobamovirus vectors to express fusion proteins containing the epitope peptides.
Abstract:
Herein described are various methods for making a vaccine that are made of re-assembled virus like particles (VLP). First, the VLPs are disassembled into encapsidation intermediate populations. Each encapsidation intermediate population undergoes, for instance, chemical conjugation of unique peptide or nucleic moieties to form separate populations. Thereafter, a predetermined amount of each of the several (one or more) different encapsidation intermediates from the different populations is mixed and joined, forming intact VLPs, surrounding a nucleic acid core, that are composed of different encapsidation intermediate such that the reassembled VLP displays more than one peptide or nucleic acid. The nucleic acid can function either as a scaffold alone or can be engineered for the expression of an immunomodulatory protein in a eukaryotic cell.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an eukaryotic recombinant vector suited for bi-directional transcription of a transgene to yield both sense and antisense RNA transcripts of the transgene in an eukaryotic cell. The invention vectors are particularly suited for mediating gene silencing in a variety of biological systems. The present invention also provides host cells and transgenic plants comprising the invention vectors. Further provided by the invention are methods of inhibiting expression of an endogenous gene present in an eukaryotic cell. Also included is a method of identifying a biological function(s) of an endogenous gene of interest in an eukaryotic cell by selectively inhibiting the expression of the endogenous gene.