Anti-Vaccinia Monoclonal Antibody

The current technology describes a monoclonal antibody that reacts with a vaccinia virus protein abundantly expressed under an early viral promoter after infection of cells. The antibody is useful for quantitating vaccinia virus infected cells and for studying the function of the protein to which it binds, which is known to be a double stranded RNA binding protein involved in resistance of the virus to interferons. This antibody is available for licensing through a biological materials license agreement.

A Shuttle Plasmid, Recombinant MVA/HIV1 Clinical Vaccine Constructs and a Mechanism for Enhanced Stability of Foreign Gene Inserts by Codon Alternation and for Insertion of the Foreign Gene Between Two Vaccinia Virus Essential Genes

Since the onset of the AIDS epidemic more than two decades ago, enormous efforts have been directed to making a vaccine that will protect against human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV); an effective vaccine is thought to require the induction of cellular and humoral responses. Vaccine candidates have included a variety of HIV immunogens delivered as DNA, attenuated poxviruses, adenoviruses, vesicular stomatitis virus, proteins, and various combinations thereof. The inventors' efforts to design an HIV vaccine have focused on modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) as a vector.

HIV Monoclonal Antibodies

This technology describes several hybridomas that produce monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) useful in HIV research applications. The mAbs are specific for either gp41 or gp120. In particular, the hybridomas producing mAbs designated D19, D56, M12, T8 and T24 (all anti-gp120), and T32 and T33 (gp41 specific) were found to be of particular utility. Additional hybridomas expressing mAbs disclosed in the publications may also be available.

Biological/Research Material for H1N1 Influenza Virus Vaccine Research

Offered for licensing is a recombinant attenuated vaccinia virus, MVA, that expresses the haemagglutinin (HA) and nucleoprotein (NP) of influenza virus A/PR/8/34 (H1N1). The virus has been shown to stimulate protective immunity to influenza virus in mice.

The materials can be used for research purposes and in particular in the area of influenza virus vaccines.

The related publications listed below demonstrate the usefulness of this biological material in influenza virus vaccine research.

Method of Producing Immortalized Primary Human Keratinocytes for HPV Investigation, Testing of Therapeutics, and Skin Graft Generation

One of the major limitations of using cultured keratinocytes for research studies is that primary keratinocytes senesce after a few passages. Keratinocytes from specific anatomical sites are also difficult to culture. Scientists at the NIH have demonstrated that primary keratinocytes, from several anatomical sites, when treated with a small-molecule inhibitor of the ROCK protein maintain a proliferative state and become immortal without genetic modification to the cells.

Recombinant Sulfated HIV Envelope Protein and Methods for Making Protein

This technology comprises sulfated recombinant gp120 proteins and peptides. Also included are methods for producing sulfated recombinant gp120 proteins. The focus of this technology is on sulfation of two tyrosines in the V2 loop of the HIV major envelope glycoprotein, gp120, which increase the stability of gp120 and promote the synthesis of gp120 protein in its native "closed" conformation. Gp120 in its native form is highly sulfated; however, recombinant gp120 produced for vaccines or structural analyses typically display low levels of V2 tyrosine sulfation.

Next-Generation 5-HT-2B Serotonin-Receptor Antagonists for Anti-Fibrotic & Cardiopulmonary Therapy

This technology includes a family of small-molecule antagonists that selectively block the 5-HT2B serotonin receptor—an upstream driver of tissue-remodeling—to address fibrotic, cardiopulmonary and related disorders. Built on a conformationally-locked “(N)-methanocarba” nucleoside scaffold, the compounds show nanomolar potency, >30–400-fold selectivity over the closely related 5-HT2C receptor, and favorable oral bioavailability in rodents.

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-feeder Cell Line

This technology includes irradiated Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines (EBV-LCL) as feeder cells for the ex vivo expansion of natural killer (NK) cells. EBV-LCL feeder cells, altered by radiation to prevent uncontrolled growth, provide a supportive environment for NK cells to multiply effectively. This method addresses the challenge of obtaining sufficient quantities of functionally active NK cells, which are crucial components of the immune system known for their ability to target and destroy tumor cells and virally infected cells.

Subscribe to Research Materials