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The invention, a stabilized recombinant prefusion F protein (pre F), is a candidate subunit vaccine for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Pre-F is stabilized in the prefusion conformation and displays epitopes not present in postfusion F protein. Several potent RSV neutralizing antibodies bind pre F, but not postfusion F. Therefore, immunization with pre F may elicit an immune response superior to the response generated by postfusion F.

CDC researchers have developed methods of producing unlimited quantities of Group-C (GpC) rotavirus antigens. GpC rotaviruses are a major, worldwide cause of acute gastroenteritis in children and adults that is distinct from Group-A rotavirus. However, GpC rotaviruses cannot be grown in culture, resulting in a lack of tools for detection and treatment of GpC rotavirus disease.

CDC researchers have developed specific Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) immunogens for use in the development of RSV-directed vaccines and therapeutics. RSV is the most common cause of serious respiratory disease in infants and young children and an important cause of disease in the elderly. To date, efforts to make a mutually safe and effective vaccine have been largely unsuccessful.

CDC researchers have developed algorithmic methods for determining sigmoid curve optimums and calculating component concentrations. Sigmoid curves are commonly generated in bioassays and used to calculate results. Various techniques have been used to define the curve, analyze the observations, and calculate a concentration. This technology is an algorithmic approach to identifying the usable portion of a sigmoid curve.

This nucleic acid assay employs Light Upon Extension (LUX) chemistry and High Resolution Melt (HRM) analysis to detect and distinguish the different genotypes of Chlamydophila psittaci. C. psittaci is an atypical pathogen which may result in severe pneumonia upon infection of birds, mammals and humans (depending on inter-relationships between host and pathogen genotypes). Presently, C. psittaci clinical identification is achieved by a cumbersome and time-intensive mix of ompA gene sequencing, microarray analysis, RFLP and/or serological testing.

This CDC developed invention pertains to Streptococcus pneumoniae protein "pneumococcal fimbrial protein A (PfpA)," as well as the encoding pfpA gene. S. pneumoniae linked pneumococcal disease is prevalent among the very young, the elderly and also immunocompromised individuals. This invention covers the breadth of directly PfpA-related technology that might be employed for development of diagnostic tests for S. pneumoniae and/or vaccines directed against the pathogen.

Disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and developing countries. Pneumococcal disease is prevalent among the very young, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals. This invention is an improved, immunogenic peptide construct consisting of a combination of antigenic epitopes of the PsaA (37-kDa) protein from S. pneumoniae.

Research scientists at CDC have developed compositions and methods that can be used to develop attenuated vaccines having well-defined levels of replicative fitness and enhanced genetic stabilities. Infections by intracellular pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites, are cleared in most cases after activation of specific T-cell immune responses that recognize foreign antigens and eliminate infected cells. Vaccines against those infectious organisms traditionally have been developed by administration of whole live attenuated or inactivated microorganisms.

CDC researchers have developed a reverse transcription/semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-snPCR) assay for diagnosis of enterovirus infections within clinical specimens. Clinical laboratories currently identify enteroviruses by virus isolation and subsequent virus neutralization tests, or serological assays. In addition to being time consuming, these approaches are labor, cost and material intensive.

CDC researchers have developed a method of simultaneously detecting and distinguishing multiple antigens within a biological sample. Epidemiological and vaccine studies require species serotype identification. Current methods of serotyping are labor intensive and can easily give subjective, errant results. This technology utilizes serotype specific antibodies bound to fluorescent beads, allowing for simultaneous single tube capture and detection of multiple antigens in one rapid, high-throughput flow cytometry assay.