Improved simian HIV (SHIV) prevention in non-human primate models with chemoprophylaxis combination that can be taken in one or two oral doses before or after exposure

HIV and AIDS remain persistent problems for the United States and countries around the world. In 2015, nearly 40,000 people were diagnosed with HIV in the US alone. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can help prevent HIV infections in people who are not infected with HIV but are at high risk of becoming infected with HIV. PrEP involves taking daily medications and is the most effective when medications are taken consistently. However, many people find it challenging to adhere to a daily pill schedule and cannot fully benefit from PrEP.

Personalized Cancer Evaluation (PERCEVAL) Method and Software

Cancer represents the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with approximately 14 million new cases and 8.2 million cancer related deaths in 2012. This number is predicted to rise by approximately 70% over the next two decades according to the World Health Organization. Prognosis depends heavily on both early detection and frequent monitoring of the patient's response to treatment. Cancerous tumors shed nucleic acids into blood, which can be detected by ultra-deep sequencing of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA).

Cardiolipin Modification for Immunoassay Detection of Syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that remains a global health threat. Syphilis rates in the United States have also been increasing. Left untreated, syphilis infection can span decades and have serious complications including blindness, dementia and paralysis. Syphilis in pregnancy causes prematurity, low birthweight, neonatal death, and infections in newborns. Improvements in syphilis detection are needed to facilitate early diagnosis of active infections and monitor treatment with antibiotics.

Diagnostic Assay with Modified Cardiolipin for Detecting Active Syphilis Infections

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that remains a global health threat. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 12 million new cases are reported in adults annually worldwide. Syphilis rates are rising domestically as well. The rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test (including automated version) and the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test are commercially available and used to detect/screen active infection.

Monoclonal Antibody to Detect the Antiretroviral Drug Emtricitabine – for HIV Drug Adherence Monitoring

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and World Health Organization (WHO) approved the antiretroviral drug emtricitabine (FTC)/ tenofovir disoproxil fumurate (TDF) combination for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in high risk populations. Efficacy of PrEP depends strongly on adherence to taking the FTC/TDF pill daily. In the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1.2 million Americans will benefit from PrEP. FTC is also a key component of antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens of HIV-infected persons and significantly associated with adherence.

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.