The disclosure provides materials in the form of flavivirus variants that each encode a Non-Structural Protein-1 (NS1) variant, wherein the coding region is a chimera of at least two different NS1 coding regions, or wherein the coding region has at least one mutation in a codon of a canonical Asn-Xxx-Ser/Thr N-linked glycosylation site, wherein Asn is asparagine, Xxx is any amino acid, and Ser/Thr is either serine or threonine, or wherein the coding region is both a chimera and has at least one mutation in a codon of a canonical N-liked glycosylation site, wherein Asn is asparagine, Xxx is any amino acid, and Ser/Thr is either serine or threonine. The disclosure also provides methods of using such flavivirus variants to inhibit the transmission of infectious flavivirus.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to nucleic acid vaccines. The vaccines include one or more RNA polynucleotides having an open reading frame encoding one or more Chikungunya antigen(s), one or more Zika virus antigens, and one or more Dengue antigens. Methods for preparing and using such vaccines are also described.

The present invention provides compositions and methods of use comprising a chimeric dengue virus E glycoprotein comprising a dengue virus E glycoprotein backbone, which comprises amino acid substitutions that may introduce an epitope that is recognized by an antibody from a dengue virus serotype that is different from the dengue virus serotype of the dengue virus E glycoprotein backbone.

Provided herein are RNA molecules encoding viral replication proteins and antigenic proteins or fragments thereof. Also provided herein are compositions that include RNA molecules encoding viral replication proteins and antigenic proteins or fragments thereof, and lipids. RNA molecules and compositions including them are useful for inducing immune responses.

Provided herein are anti-infective peptides and uses thereof. Such anti-infective peptides are useful against bacteria and viruses. Also provided herein are compositions comprising said anti-infective peptides.

Described herein are processes for purifying infectious virus particles and uses of protamine in such processes.

Described herein are processes for purifying infectious virus particles and uses of protamine in such processes.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to attenuated flaviviruses for use in vaccines and immunogenic compositions. Embodiments include methods for treating or preventing one or more conditions, for example flavivirus infection, using an attenuated flavivirus. In some embodiments, the disclosed methods and compositions involve one or more attenuated flaviviruses that are capable of inducing a protective immune response.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to attenuated flaviviruses for use in vaccines and immunogenic compositions. Embodiments include methods for treating or preventing one or more conditions, for example flavivirus infection, using an attenuated flavivirus. In some embodiments, the disclosed methods and compositions involve one or more attenuated flaviviruses that are capable of inducing a protective immune response.

Insecticidal toxins described herein are fused toxin peptides made up of a targeting domain fused to a toxin domain. The targeting peptide generates a specific association with mosquitoes by causing the fused toxin peptide to bind mosquitoes in a way that leads to the insecticidal activity. Transgenic plants described herein are mosquitocidal by expressing an insecticidal toxin protein in nectar that includes a targeting peptide to ensure specificity against mosquitoes. These transgenic plants serve as role models for safety, since they are non-crop plants and specific to one mosquito species.