Compositions and methods for inducing and isolating virus-like particles (VLPs), and for allowing real-time assessment of VLP-captured analytes obtained from targeted living mammalian cells, are provided.

The subject invention pertains to materials and methods for detecting, preventing and treating retroviral infections in humans and other animals susceptible to infection by retrovirus. It has been discovered that FIV can be transmitted from cats to humans and that the FIV can infect human cells in vivo and that antibodies generated by the infected person cross-react with HIV antigens. Thus, the methods and compositions of the subject invention can be used to detect, prevent and treat FIV infection in humans and other non-feline animals that are susceptible to FIV infection. The methods and compositions of the invention can also be used to prevent and treat infection by HIV in humans.

The present invention provides a kit of vectors comprising a first and second viral vector, wherein the first viral vector comprises a transgene of interest (TOI), and presence of the second viral vector in a host cell is required for integration of the first viral vector TOI into the host cell genome.

The invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for the treatment or prevention of viral infections. The polyvalent (e.g., 2-valent) vaccines described herein incorporate computationally-optimized viral polypeptides that can increase the diversity or breadth and depth of cellular immune response in vaccinated subjects.

The present invention relates to novel immunogens based on overlapping peptides (OLPs) and peptides derived therefrom useful for the prevention and treatment of AIDS and its related opportunistic diseases. The invention also relates to isolated nucleic acids, vectors and host cells expressing these immunogens as well as vaccines including said immunogens.

The present invention relates to the use of a particle, including a virus-like particle (VLP), for the discovery and analysis of protein-protein interactions that are modulated by small molecules.

Provided herein, in some embodiments, are artificial ribosomes that synthesize nonribosomal peptides, polyketides, and fatty acids with full control over peptide sequence. Also provided herein are methods for programmed synthesis of nonribosomal peptides, polyketides, and fatty acids. In particular, provided herein are methods for scalable synthesis of a wide range of antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anticancer compounds.

This disclosure relates to a virus-like particle in which a small molecule-protein complex is entrapped, ensuring the formation of the small molecule-protein complex under physiological conditions, while protecting the small molecule-protein complex during purification and identification. The disclosure further relates to the use of such virus-like particle for the isolation and identification of small molecule-protein complexes.

The present invention provides an expression vector for preventing or inhibiting HIV entry, fusion or replication in mammalian cells. In particular, the invention provides a recombinant retroviral vector that encodes an inhibitor of a HIV co-receptor, such as CCR5 or CXCR4, and a protein that inhibits HIV fusion to target cells and/or HIV replication. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising such constructs and methods of use thereof to prevent or treat HIV infection in a patient are also disclosed.

The invention provides methods and compositions for eliciting broad immune responses. The methods employ nucleic acid vaccines that encodes highly conserved elements from a virus.