The noroviruses (formerly known as “Norwalk-like viruses”) are associated with gastroenteritis outbreaks, affecting large numbers of individuals each year. Emerging data are supporting their increasing recognition as important agents of diarrhea-related morbidity and mortality. The frequency with which noroviruses are associated with gastroenteritis as “food and water-borne pathogens” has led to the inclusion of caliciviruses as Category B Bioterrorism Agents/Diseases.
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).
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.
The technology focuses on the development of a tetravalent bispecific antibody effective against Bacillus anthracis, the bacterium responsible for anthrax. This antibody combines the specificities of two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs): one targeting anthrax protective antigen (PA) and the other targeting the bacterial capsule. The anti-PA mAb shows potent toxin-neutralizing activity, while the anti-capsule mAb efficiently kills anthrax bacteria.
This technology includes a novel capsid protein for recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene transfer evaluation. We have identified a "fossilized" endogenous AAV sequence element (referred to as mAAV-EVE) within the germline of an ancient lineage of Australian marsupials and have cloned and sequenced mAAV-EVE orthologs from at least fifteen lineage-specific taxa.
This technology includes a novel concept and design for a lipoprotein targeting protease inhibitor for the treatment of Alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT) deficiency. A1AT deficiency occurs in about 1 in 2500 individuals in the United States and Europe, and people with this condition develop severe liver disease and emphysema/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Current treatment involves intravenous infusion of purified human A1AT protein, which is very expensive and only modestly effective.