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Porcine enteric calicivirus (PEC) is a member of the genus Sapovirus in the family Caliciviridae. This virus causes diarrheal illness in pigs, and is presently the only enteric calicivirus that can be grown in cell culture. In addition to its relevance to veterinary medicine as a diarrheal agent in pigs, PEC serves as an important model for the study of enteric caliciviruses that cause diarrhea and that cannot be grown in cell culture (including the noroviruses represented by Norwalk virus).

This technology focuses on the creation of single-component AMA1-RON2 (Apical membrane antigen 1-rhoptry neck protein 2) vaccine candidates. These candidates are based on a novel composition of matter designed to elicit a more effective immune response against the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. The standout aspect of this technology is the Structure-Based Design 1 (SBD1) immunogen, engineered through a structure-based design that significantly enhances its ability to produce potent, strain-transcending neutralizing antibodies.

NIAID scientists have developed plasmids that allow for production of pseudoviruses expressing SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. As SARS-CoV-2 is a lethal airborne virus, it must be handled in high-containment Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratories that require strict airflow, ventilation and decontamination procedures.

LAD2 and LADR cell lines are invaluable tools in mast cell research, offering insights into mastocytosis and immune responses. Derived from CD34+ cells, LAD2 cells have been extensively used for over 18 years, while LADR cells, a newer variant, exhibit enhanced characteristics such as larger size, increased granulation, and faster doubling time. Both cell lines release granular contents upon FceRI aggregation and can be infected with various strains of HIV. LADR cells, in particular, show greater expression of certain surface receptors and mRNA compared to LAD2 cells.

This technology involves studying the role of the Tumor-Associated Calcium Signal Transducer 2 (TACSTD2) gene in Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection and hepatocellular carcinoma. Researchers perform transcriptomics analysis on liver specimens from HCV-infected patients, identify TACSTD2 as a key gene, and create a stable cell line that overexpresses TACSTD2 to investigate its impact on HCV infection and replication. This technology aims to provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of HCV infection and its association with liver cancer.

The technology involves the genetic engineering of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) to express two additional genes, green fluorescent protein (GFP) and Renilla luciferase, from different positions within the viral genome. GFP serves as a visual marker for RSV infection, allowing researchers to monitor and track infected cells using fluorescence microscopy, while luciferase functions as a highly sensitive reporter gene that enables quantitative assessment of viral replication through enzymatic assays.

The technology involves genetically engineering Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) to express enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP), enabling the monitoring of virus infection and gene expression through GFP fluorescence. This system serves as a sensitive and versatile tool for virology research, antiviral drug screening, and diagnostic applications.

In this technology, researchers have engineered a modified version of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) strain A2 using reverse genetics to incorporate green fluorescent protein (GFP) into the first-gene position. This genetic modification allows for the efficient monitoring of RSV infection and the screening of potential chemical inhibitors. The GFP expression can be easily detected through fluorescence microscopy in live or fixed cells, providing a sensitive tool for both research and drug discovery.