Abstract:
The present invention provides methods for rapidly identifying an RNA viral infection using an isothermal nucleic acid amplification reaction that can be carried out extracted RNA in the context of a crude biological sample.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for selecting a glycopolypeptide that binds to a target protein, the method including the steps of providing a pool of glycopolypeptides fused via puromycin linker to an encoding mRNA-cDNA duplex; combining the pool with a target protein to form a mixture; incubating the mixture for a period of time sufficient to allow any target protein to bind to one or more of the glycopolypeptides, thereby forming glycopolypeptide-target protein complexes; and isolating from the mixture the glycopolypeptide-target protein complexes, thereby identifying a plurality of selected glycopolypeptides.
Abstract:
The invention is directed to methods of screening immunogenic viral like particles and related immunogenic compositions and diagnostic techniques. In one embodiment, the invention provides methods of screening immunogenic viral like particles containing peptides corresponding to epitope regions of a wide variety of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, parasites, and microbes. Non-infectious antigens and allergens of interest can also be screened as described herein. Immunization, therapeutic and diagnostic applications are also described for the compositions and methods according to the invention. In another embodiment, the invention provides novel methods of identifying a cryptic neutralizing epitope and related vaccines, constructs, and libraries. In some embodiments, these methods use high-throughput formats that are facilitated by in silica or in vitro steps.
Abstract:
Assays and methods including mobile tagged single stranded nucleic acid reagents pre-loaded on an analysis device, which are preferably tagged, but not labeled and are complementary to a strand (preferably the anti-sense strand in double stranded DNA targets) of the target nucleic acid. The assay also includes a running buffer that includes a dye or other detectable label that nonspecifically binds only to double stranded nucleic acids. In addition, the analysis device includes a detection zone including one or more test zones that have an immobilized tag that binds to the tag on the mobile nucleic acid reagent.
Abstract:
The invention relates immunogenic polypeptides and epitopes from Plasmodium falciparum protein AMAl. The epitopes contain HLA class I binding motifs and stimulate an anti-malaria CD8 + T-cell response. The polypeptides can be incorporated into immunogenic formulations against malaria. Additionally, the antigens are useful for facilitating evaluation of immunogenicity of candidate malaria vaccines.
Abstract:
This disclosure relates to reagents, compositions, methods for stabilising RNA in an RNA-containing sample by contacting the sample with guanidine and a metal ion to form a stabilised RNA-containing composition in which the metal ion is present at a concentration which is no more than 20mM, and the metal ion is derived from a metal other than from a Group 1 or Group 2 metal.
Abstract:
A major challenge in vaccinology is to prospectively determine vaccine efficacy. Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for identifying early expression "signatures" that predicted immune responses in humans vaccinated with a vaccine.
Abstract:
The present invention provides improved vaccines comprising an isolated viral antigenic peptide and a synthetic peptide derived from a T cell epitope of HSP60. The invention includes mixtures where the peptide serves as an adjuvant as well as conjugates where the peptide is covalently linked to the viral antigen. The known synthetic peptide carrier, p458, provides significantly improved immunogenicity for synthetic viral epitopes and analogs. Ec27 is a novel peptide derived from HSP60 which increases the immunogenicity substantially of the viral antigen both as a mixture or a covalent conjugate. Some of the isolated viral epitopes are novel and are claimed for diagnostic as well as therapeutic or prophylactic uses.
Abstract:
The present invention provides rapid and accurate methods, primers, probes and kits for identifying the presence of a certain flaviviruses in a sample. Flaviviruses that can be detected include members of the Japanese encephalitis virus serogroup, Dengue virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus, Montana myotis leukoencephalitis virus, Modoc virus, ad Yellow Fever virus. The primers and probes of the invention can hybridize to regions in the 3' untranslated region of the viral genomes to be detected.