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Noroviruses are now recognized as the major cause of non-bacterial gastroenteritis in all age groups, and efforts are underway to develop an effective vaccine. The lack of a robust cell culture system for human noroviruses has complicated vaccine development. Hence, norovirus virus like particles (VLPs) have played an important role in the understanding of virus structure, immune response, antigenic diversity, and vaccine design.

Inhibiting the ability of HIV-1, the virus that causes AIDS, to infect cells is one approach to both prevention and treatment of HIV. Scientists at the NIAID Vaccine Research Center have isolated and characterized neutralizing antibodies (VRC01, 02, 03, and 07) that bind to the CD4 binding site of HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120. These human monoclonal antibodies can potentially be used as a therapeutic to: (1) treat an HIV infection, (2) decrease and prevent HIV-transmission from mother to infant, and (3) be effectively combined with anti-retroviral drug therapy.

Due to the disorganized nature of blood vessels that run through tumors, chemotherapeutic agents often fail to penetrate tumors and kill cancer cells at the tumor’s center. This can lead to ineffective chemotherapeutic treatments, because tumors can quickly grow back if the entire tumor is not destroyed. NIH researchers have developed a therapeutic agent that solves this problem facing current chemotherapy treatments.

A plasmid encodes human CC chemokine receptor CX3CR1/CMKBRL1 as described in DNA Cell Biol. 1995 Aug;14(8):673-80, and developed in the laboratory of Philip M. Murphy at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

A plasmid encodes human interleukin-8 (IL-8) receptor CXCR1. IL-8 is a chemo-attractant cytokine that attracts and activates neutrophils in inflammatory regions.

A plasmid encodes human monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2). MCP-1/CCL2 is a chemokine that regulate migration and infiltration of monocytes/macrophages.

A plasmid encodes human fMLP receptor. Formyl peptide receptor (FPR, fMLP receptor) is a G protein-coupled receptor and mediates anti-inflammatory reactions in human neutrophils and other tissues.

A plasmid encodes human formyl peptide receptor-like 1 (FPRL1/FPR2).

Plasmid DNA (clone pNL4-3) that produces infectious HIV-1 virus particles in a wide variety of cells as described in the J Virol. 1986 Aug;59(2):284-91 and developed in the laboratory of Dr. Malcolm Martin at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

A plasmid encodes human C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2). CCR2 play important roles in the recruitment of monocytes/macrophages and T cells.