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Zika virus (ZIKV) is a flavivirus primarily transmitted by infected Aedes mosquitoes. Infection with ZIKV during pregnancy can affect the fetus causing microcephaly, neurological complications, and other birth defects. Adults are also at a heightened risk of developing Guillain-Barre syndrome and other neurological disorders. In response to the 2015-2016 Zika outbreak, CDC scientists developed a recombinant vaccine candidate as well as reagents and methods to detect ZIKV infection. The recombinant vaccine candidate utilizes adenovirus vector expressed viral envelope proteins.

Due to the disorganized nature of blood vessels that run through tumors, chemotherapeutic agents often fail to penetrate tumors and kill cancer cells at the tumor’s center. This can lead to ineffective chemotherapeutic treatments, because tumors can quickly grow back if the entire tumor is not destroyed. NIH researchers have developed a therapeutic agent that solves this problem facing current chemotherapy treatments.

Rabies occurs in more than 150 countries and territories, resulting in at least 55,000 human deaths per year worldwide according to World Health Organization estimates. Rabies is a vaccine-preventable viral disease caused by numerous lyssaviruses that are found in a variety of animal species throughout the world. Rabies virus infects the central nervous system, causing disease in the brain with almost 100% mortality once clinical symptoms manifest.

Zika virus (ZIKV) can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus. Infection during pregnancy can cause microcephaly and other severe birth defects. Currently, there are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat Zika infections.

Antibiotic resistance is one of the world's most pressing health concerns. ß-lactamases, such as carbapenemases, are enzymes produced by bacteria that provide resistance to multiple ß-lactam antibiotics (e.g., penicillins, cephamycins, and carbapenems) by breaking down the antibiotic molecules and deactivating their antibacterial properties. Carbapenems are broad-spectrum antibiotics often prescribed to treat serious infections in hospitalized patients, and infections with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) have become a challenge in healthcare settings.

The Zika virus (ZIKV) can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus. Resulting infection by this virus can cause early miscarriage and a pattern of severe birth defects in fetuses and infants. Therefore, a rapid diagnostic assay that can be performed throughout pregnancy in a clinical setting is vital for prenatal care of women living in areas where this virus may be transmitted.

NIAID has a hybridoma available for non-exclusive licensing that produces a monoclonal antibody specific for DNA/RNA hybrids. This antibody, which has been extensively characterized by NIH researchers, is already a widely-used research tool. It is currently the only monoclonal antibody available that is specific for DNA/RNA hybrids, making it a unique reagent. It is used in immuno-fluorescence (IF) microscopy, where it can be used to detect sites of transcriptional activity and potentially sites of viral replication.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a flavivirus primarily transmitted by infected Aedes mosquitoes. Infection with ZIKV during pregnancy can affect the fetus causing microcephaly, neurological complications, and other birth defects. Adults are also at risk of developing Guillain-Barre syndrome and other neurological disorders from ZIKV infection. In response to the 2015-2016 Zika outbreak, CDC researchers developed new Zika virus chimeras that can be used for inactivated Zika vaccine candidates and faster Zika antibody (Ab) neutralization assay testing.

Counterfeit drugs (also known as “fake or falsified medicines”) have become a major world-wide public health concern. Falsified medicines may contain toxic substances, the wrong active ingredients, suboptimal amounts of active ingredients, or no active ingredients at all. CDC researchers developed a portable (handheld), battery-operated, and relatively inexpensive device that non-trained personnel can use quickly to evaluate a particular branded tablet for authenticity.

Rotavirus is a highly contagious, diarrhea-inducing pathogen that annually causes approximately 250,000 deaths worldwide and millions of hospitalizations, especially afflicting infants and young children. One strategy to combat this virus is through vaccination. Continuing safety and efficacy concerns with the currently existing live, oral vaccines against rotavirus have led researchers to search for alternative treatment approaches, such as vaccines containing inactivated rotavirus.