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This invention concerns "knockout" animals, including mice, which have a deficit of functional steroid hormone receptors, DNA constructs containing the mutations, and methods for producing the animals. The mutation is introduced into the animal or its ancestors at an embryonic stage. These knockout animals provide a model system for studying the biological role of hormones, including steroid hormones and sex steroids, in growth, development, morphological differentiation, and sexual and reproductive behavior and cycles, etc.

This technology is a highly sensitive tethered-bead immune sandwich assay. Analyte molecules are captured between two antibodies, a capture antibody and a detection antibody. The capture antibody on a micron-size bead binds analyte from a sample fluid. The bead-captured analyte is then exposed to a “detection” antibody that binds to the bead-captured analyte, forming a “sandwich”. The sandwiched analyte-bead complex then connects to a flexible polymer (such as DNA) anchored on a solid surface to form tethered particles.

Upon intranasal vaccination, live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) viruses may replicate within the nose for several days. Current clinical diagnostic tests cannot distinguish between LAIV viruses and multiple influenza viruses in recently inoculated patients that present with respiratory symptoms. This poses a problem for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with respiratory symptoms, as these symptoms may not be caused by influenza. CDC researchers have developed a real-time RT-PCR assay to detect the presence of LAIV viruses.

Mutations in the p53 gene are associated with 50% of all cancers and nearly 80% of the p53 mutations are missense changes. We have developed genetic assays based in yeast that can functionally categorize expressed p53 mutant proteins. The combined assays are referred to as the FIP53 system. Because human p53 cDNA can be conveniently cloned in yeast, the FIP53 system provides a rapid and sophisticated system for the functional analysis of p53 mutants. Four categories of mutations have already been identified.

Heterotrimeric G proteins couple signals between GPCRs (G protein coupled receptors) and effectors such as adenylyl cyclase, phospholipase C and ion channels. Among the G proteins are Go and Gi2. Go is highly expressed in the brain and some endocrine tissues while Gi2 is widely expressed throughout the body. The ß?-subunits of Go interact with ion channels, and the a subunit has been shown to inhibit adenylyl cyclase. However a physiological role of the Gi2a has not been determined in a tissue specific manner.

TRPCs (Canonical Transient Receptor Potential Channels) are a group of non-selective cation channels that allow sodium and calcium into cells. There are seven different genes in mice that code TRPCs. The in vivo roles played by TRPCs as a whole are poorly understood and very little is known about the in vivo roles played by individual TRPCs nor the role of these channels in specific tissues or cells.

Influenza virus is a major public health concern, causing up to 500,000 deaths annually. The current strategy of reformulating vaccines annually against dominant circulating strains leads to variable protective efficacy and is unlikely to protect against novel influenza viruses with pandemic potential. Thus, there is a great need for a vaccine that provides “universal” protection against influenza viruses.

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.

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.

A plasmid encodes human C-C motif chemokine receptor 3 (CCR3). It may contribute to the accumulation and activation of eosinophil and other inflammatory cells in the allergic airway.