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This invention relates to methods of rapidly detecting influenza, including differentiating between type and subtype. CDC researchers have developed a rapid, accurate, real-time RT-PCR assay that has several advantages over culture and serological tests, which require 5 to 14 days for completion; this assay can also be easily implemented in kit form. To date, hundreds of human cases of infection with the H3N2 variant virus have been confirmed.

The vast majority of people infected with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) will have chronic infection. Over decades, this can lead to liver disease and liver cancer. In fact, HCV infection is the leading cause of liver transplants in the U.S. Several new drugs have recently come into the market that will likely change the HCV treatment paradigm. However, the effectiveness of these new drugs can vary depending on the HCV genotype. Thus, there is still the need for additional new therapeutics against HCV.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is mosquito-borne alphavirus endemic in Africa, India, and Southeast Asia. In 2013 CHIKV infection has also emerged in the Caribbean and a pandemic of CHIKV has re-emerged in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan. Currently, there is no vaccine available for the prevention of CHIKV infection and no specific therapy exists to treat the illness.

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is the causative agent of infectious mononucleosis and is associated with certain types of cancers, such as Hodgkin's lymphoma, Burkitt's lymphoma, gastric carcinoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. There are currently no vaccines against EBV on the market and there is only supportive treatment available for EBV infection.

Available for licensing and commercial development is a three-dimensionally configured curved catheter for safe traversal of the right atrial appendage (RAA). The device is configured to optimize one-way access of the pericardial space through the right atrium and into the RAA reducing the risk of coronary lacerations. Specifically the curved catheter is best described in three segments: a proximal segment, a transitional segment and a distal segment; the transition segment having a clockwise spiral shaped curvature.

The invention relates to molecules wherein Evan’s Blue dye is chemically conjugated to CpG Oligonucleotides that elicit anti-tumoral or infection fighting immunity. Evans Blue, a symmetric azo dye, has high binding affinity to albumin. Albumin binding ability of Evans blue is utilized with CpGs and tumor-specific antigens, in order to leverage endogenous albumin that increases the safety and the potency of molecular vaccines.

The invention pertains to methods of increasing the density of carboxylic acids on the surface of a carbon nanoparticle that can be functionalized with biologically relevant molecules, such as antibodies or peptides, for biomedical applications. Advantageously, the method could increase functionalization of a nanoparticle by at least about 1x107 functional groups/g of nanoparticle.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a flavivirus transmitted by mosquitos that is strongly linked to neurological complications including Guillain-Barré syndrome, meningoencephalitis, and microcephaly. The association between active ZIKV infection during pregnancy and microcephaly and intrauterine growth retardation in the fetus has been confirmed in murine models of ZIKV infection.

Ebola virus infection can lead to severe hemorrhagic fever, known as Ebola virus disease (EVD), which is often fatal. The Zaire species of Ebola virus (EBOV) was responsible for the largest Ebola outbreak in history, which occurred in 2014. Scientists at the NIAID Vaccine Research Center have developed a human monoclonal neutralizing antibody, mAb114 for treatment and prevention of EBOV infection. Because there are very few treatments available to treat or prevent EBOV infection, there is a great need to develop effective pre- and post- exposure therapeutics before another outbreak occurs.

Influenza B causes significant morbidity and mortality yearly around the world. There are two genetically and antigenically distinct lineages of influenza B that are known to co-circulate within the same influenza season. Currently, the trivalent influenza vaccine only has one influenza B lineage component.