One-Step Random Amplification Method to Detect Extremely Low Input Nucleic Acids for Virome, Microbiome, and Metagenomics in Clinical and Biological Specimens

Clinical and biological specimens often contain microbial nucleic acid in extremely low quantities, presenting a significant challenge for the detection of viral and bacterial pathogens. This also prevents direct sequencing of non-culturable samples using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Currently, NGS library preparation on most platforms requires 0.1 ng to 10 µg of DNA or cDNA, while microbial or viral nucleic acids in clinically relevant specimens, such as blood, serum, respiratory secretions, cerebral spinal fluid, and stool, often contain less than 0.1 ng.

Real-Time PCR Assay for HIV-1 Subtype Diagnosis and Global Surveillance of Drug Resistance

CDC researchers have developed a patented set of RT-PCR and sequencing primers based on HIV-1 group M sequences. Evaluation of the primers using samples collected around the world demonstrated broad detection capacity for multiple HIV-1 group subtypes and predominant circulating recombinant forms. Commercially available HIV-1 drug resistance (HIVDR) genotyping assays are expensive and have limited ability to detect non-B subtypes. This optimized assay is broadly sensitive in genotyping HIV-1 group M viral strains and more sensitive than other assays in detecting mixed viral populations.

Therapeutic and Diagnostic Targets for Severe RSV Infection

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infects nearly all children by their second birthday. RSV usually causes mild respiratory illness, however, a subset of patients experience severe infection that require hospitalization. Successful host defense against viral pathogens requires rapid recognition of the virus and activation of both innate and adaptive immunity. Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) are responsible for mounting an innate immune response and genetic variations within TLRs modulate severity of infection.

Monoclonal Antibodies Against Bacillus Anthracis Antigens

Anthrax, whether resulting from natural or bioterrorist-associated exposure, is a constant threat to human health. Bacillus anthracis is the causative agent of anthrax. It is surrounded by a polypeptide capsule of poly-gamma-D-glutamic acid (gamma-D-PGA), which is essential for virulence, is poorly immunogenic and has anti-phagocytic properties. Antibodies to the capsule have been shown to enhance phagocytosis and killing of encapsulated bacilli.

A Rapid Ultrasensitive Assay for Detecting Prions Based on the Seeded Polymerization of Recombinant Normal Prion Protein (rPrP-sen)

Prion diseases are neurodegenerative diseases of great public concern as humans may either develop disease spontaneously or, more rarely, due to mutations in their prion protein gene or exposures to external sources of infection. Prion disease is caused by the accumulation in the nervous system of abnormal aggregates of prion protein. This technology enables rapid, economical, and ultrasensitive detection of disease-associated forms of prion protein.

Assay for Predicting the Time of Onset of Niemann-Pick Disease Type C (NPC)

Niemann-Pick Disease, type C (NPC) is a rare, autosomal recessive, neurodegenerative disease. Approximately 95% of patients with NPC have mutations in NPC1, a gene implicated in intracellular cholesterol trafficking. Mutation of NPC1 causes intracellular accumulation of unesterified cholesterol in late endosomal/lysosomal structures and marked accumulation of glycosphingolipids, especially in neuronal tissue. Thus, NPC patients generally present with hepatosplenomegaly (enlargement of liver and spleen) and neurological degeneration.

A method to label heparan sulfate proteoglycan in the plasma membrane of mammalian cells

Heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) is a group of lipid-anchored proteoglycans, engaged in a variety of key biological functions on cell surface. HSPG-mediated endocytosis of neurotoxic protein aggregates has been linked to aging related neurodegenerative diseases. Labeling HSPG is a promising technique to trace cell profile in cell research, monitor its trafficking in live cells and in tissues. Researchers at the NIDDK have discovered a method in which a positively charged fluorescent protein binds specifically to HSPG on cell surface.

Simian T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Strain Type 3 (STLV-3) Subtype D Variant, a Highly Divergent STLV-3, for Development of Diagnostics, Therapeutics, Vaccines and Research Tools

Simian T-cell lymphotropic viruses (STLV) are nonhuman primate retroviruses closely related to the human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV). Types I, II, and III of HTLV have been found in humans and are believed to have originated from cross-species transmission of STLV from infected nonhuman primates. The HTLV viruses are known to cause leukemia, lymphoma, and neurological disorders.

Epstein-Barr Virus Antibody That Blocks Fusion And Neutralizes Virus Infection of B Cells

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the most common cause of infectious mononucleosis and is associated with nearly 200,000 cancers and 140,000 deaths each year. EBV-associated cancers include Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Burkitt B cell lymphoma, and EBV post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. The latent reservoir for EBV in the body is the B lymphocyte. Thus, blocking B cell infection is important for reducing EBV-related disease.