Main Menu

Available for licensing from the NIH are gene constructs that express immunogenic proteins based on viral genes that have been optimized for expression in mammalian cells. Using vaccine vectors expressing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) proteins from the optimized genes, this technology was shown to result in a potent RSV-specific cellular immune responses with favorable phenotypic patterns. This technology was shown to generate a superior immune (both humoral and cellular) response when utilized as part of a heterologous vector prime-boost regimen.

Anthrax, whether resulting from natural or bioterrorist-associated exposure, is a constant threat to human health. The lethality of anthrax is primarily the result of the effects of anthrax toxin, which has 3 components: a receptor-binding protein known as "protective antigen" (PA) and 2 catalytic proteins known as "lethal factor" (LF) and "edema factor" (EF). Although production of an efficient anthrax vaccine is an ultimate goal, the benefits of vaccination can be expected only if a large proportion of the population at risk is immunized.

The disease burden associated with dengue virus infection has increased over the past several decades in the tropical and semi-tropical regions of the world, where over 2 billion people live at risk of dengue infection. Annually, there are an estimated fifty (50) to one hundred (100) million cases of dengue fever, making development of an effective vaccine a priority. In addition, there is a need for a "travelers vaccine" to protect those visiting dengue virus endemic areas, similar in scope to other currently available "travelers vaccines", such as hepatitis A vaccine.

Over the past decade, Staphylococcus epidermidis has become the most prevalent pathogen involved in nosocomial infections. Usually an innocuous commensal microorganism on human skin, this member of the coagulase-negative group of staphylococci can cause severe infection after penetration of the epidermal protective barriers of the human body. In the U.S. alone, S. epidermidis infections on in-dwelling medical devices, which represent the main type of infection with S. epidermidis, cost the public health system approximately $1 billion per year. Importantly, S.

Concerns that variola (smallpox) virus might be used as a biological weapon have led to the recommendation of widespread vaccination with vaccinia virus. While vaccination is generally safe and effective for prevention of smallpox, it is well documented that various adverse reactions in individuals have been caused by vaccination with existing licensed vaccines. Vaccinia immune globulin (VIG) prepared from vaccinated humans has historically been used to treat adverse reactions arising from vaccinia immunization.

The four dengue virus (DENV) serotypes (DENV-1 to DENV-4) are the most important arthropod-borne flaviviruses in terms of morbidity and geographic distribution. Up to 100 million DENV infections occur every year, mostly in tropical and subtropical areas where vector mosquitoes are abundant. Infection with any of the DENV serotypes may be asymptomatic or may lead to classic dengue fever or more severe dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS), which are increasingly common in the dengue endemic areas.

Aquaporins, also known as water channels, form pores in cell membranes and selectively transport water in and out of the cell. Aquaporins are involved in regulation of water balance and blood pressure, and thirteen different isoforms have been found in mammals. Aquaporin 2 (AQP2) is located in the collecting duct of the kidney, and is regulated by the peptide hormone vasopressin. AQP2 expression is increased in conditions where there is water retention, such as pregnancy and congestive heart failure, and mutations of AQP2 are associated with nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.

Available for licensing and commercial development are compositions and methods for the treatment and inhibition of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a dangerous human pathogen. The invention concerns immunogenic peptides that can be used to induce protective immunity against MRSA, including phenol-soluble modulin (PSM) peptides.

Available for licensing and commercial development is a patent estate and related biological materials for producing therapeutic or prophylactic vaccines against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). The claimed vaccine strategy relates to the engineering and creation of live-attenuated RSV vaccine candidates by shifting the position of one or more viral genes relative to the viral promoter (aka promoter-proximal attenuation). The gene shifts can be constructed by insertion, deletion or rearrangement of genes or genome segments within the recombinant genome or antigenome.

AFMAnalyze is a software package that is designed to significantly enhance the analysis and application of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) data. This software automates AFM data collection and analysis, and is equipped with a Graphical User Interface (GUI)-intensive computational tool that is capable of replacing the manual or algorithmic methods for reconstructing, analyzing and interpreting large AFM data sets. AFMAnalyze provides a more robust, objective, and automated method for collecting and interpreting AFM results.