Antigen-capture Electrochemiluminescent Assay for Determining Rabies Vaccine Potency

CDC researchers developed a more efficient method of assessing rabies vaccine potency using an antigen-capture electrochemiluminescent (ECL) assay. This assay utilizes SULFO-NHS-Ester labeled murine monoclonal antibodies to quantify glycoprotein concentration, which is an indicator of vaccine potency. Currently, the potency of rabies vaccines is determined by the effective-dose (ED50) mouse study evaluation method, which is more than 50 years old.

Recombinant Pan-Lyssavirus for Use in Rabies and Broad-Lyssavirus Vaccination

CDC researchers have developed recombinant lyssaviruses that can be used for the development of an improved, broad-spectrum vaccine against several rabies genotypes. Lyssaviruses are single-stranded RNA viruses that cause rabies and rabies-like diseases in mammals. Currently, there are commercially available vaccines that are considered to be effective against infections from a single viral phylogroup; however, these vaccines confer little or no protection against viruses outside of the phylogroup.

Composition and Methods for Rapid Detection of HIV by Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification

This invention relates to methods and compositions for rapid detection of HIV nucleic acids in a biological sample. Specifically, it involves the use of the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for rapid detection of HIV-1 and/or HIV-2. The use of rapid HIV tests is highly attractive for screening of patient samples, especially in developing countries where resources are limited, because they are quick, easy to perform, and do not require any special equipment.

Reduced Virulence Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus for Vaccine Development

This invention relates to a genetically modified hemorrhagic fever virus that can be used as an effective live vaccine agent. Hemorrhagic fever evades the human immune response using the viral ovarian tumor domain (vOTU) protease, which inhibits critical host-immunity functions. The present genetically modified virus has a vOTU protease with decreased ability to remove ubiquitin (Ub) and ISG15 tags from proteins in cells it infects. Thus, the virulence is reduced, creating an immunogenic and non-pathogenic virus for use as a live vaccine against Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus.

Rapid Detection of Multi-Drug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Using Real-Time PCR and High-Resolution Melt Analysis

CDC scientists have developed a rapid, sensitive, and specific real-time PCR assay that is capable of detecting the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and determining its resistance profile to antibiotics, such as rifampicin and isoniazid. Currently, there are few assays available that are capable of both detecting M. tuberculosis and determining the bacteria's drug resistance. This assay incorporates multiple fluorescent chemistries, providing a simple and cost-effective method of determining the bacteria's drug resistance.

Use of Vitronectin as a Biomarker for the Detection of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever

Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a severe, potentially deadly infection spread by mosquitos. CDC scientists have identified vitronectin as an important biomarker of DHF. They have shown vitronectin is significantly reduced in DHF and severe dengue infections when compared to dengue non-hemorrhagic fever patients. Presently, DHF is established by assessing antibody concentrations and other rule-of-thumb criteria, but often these assays can be difficult to interpret and lead to false conclusions.

Multiplex Assay for Detection of Dengue Virus

Dengue virus (DENV) is the cause of dengue illness (dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever, and dengue shock syndrome). CDC researchers have developed a RT-PCR multiplex assay that, prior to sero-conversion, selectively detects dengue virus in biological or other fluid media, such as whole blood, plasma, or serum. The primers and probes from this assay are sufficiently specific to amplify and detect all four DENV serotypes. This FDA-approved technology may provide an improved method for rapid and accurate serotyping of dengue virus in clinical and research settings.

4-Amino-2-(piperidin-3-yl)isoindoline-1,3-diones as Anti-inflammatory Agents for Systemic Degenerative and Neurodegenerative Disorders

Summary:

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) seeks research co-development partners and/or licensees for the pre-clinical and clinical development of the compounds as anti-inflammatory therapeutics for systemic degenerative and neurodegenerative disorders.

Description of Technology:

Method To Generate Chondrocytes from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hIPSCs) and their use in Repairing Human Injury and Degenerative Diseases

This technology includes a method for differentiating human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into stable chondrocytes, capable of producing cartilage, and their use in cartilage repair in human injury and degenerative diseases. In suspension culture, hiPSC aggregates demonstrate gene and protein expression patterns similar to articular cartilage.