The present disclosure provides, in part, a priming and boosting vector-based platform to develop vaccines against viral pathogens that is tailored to elicit a broad T cell response targeting conserved viral epitopes while including helper T cell (T.sub.H) epitopes and an adjuvant to achieve a balanced immune response consisting of both cellular immunity, coupled with a broad neutralizing antibody response in the design of a candidate universal vaccine to HIV or a human coronavirus, e.g., SARS-CoV-2. The universal vaccines are prepared against an immunogen of an infectious pathogenic virus comprising at least one nucleic acid polynucleotide comprising an open reading frame encoding at least one polypeptide antigen or an immunogenic fragment thereof, wherein the polypeptide antigen, or the immunogenic fragment thereof, comprises a conserved internal protein that is enriched in T cell recognition antigens. The effectiveness of the priming and boosting platform is tested in humanized mouse models: a transgenic mouse model that expresses the hACE2 gene under the control of the human cytokeratin 18 promoter and a humanized mouse model comprising a fully functional human immune system.

The present invention provides compositions and methods for inducing immune responses in subjects using HV-based vectors that can be grown in single celled organisms and administered in their nucleic acid form.

Provided herein, are compositions based on retroviruses (e.g., lentiviruses) comprising one or more nucleic acid molecules encoding retroviral Pol polyprotein components and a nucleic acid molecule comprising one or more transgene sequences flanked by long terminal repeat sequences, for delivery of the one or more transgenes to a target cell ex vivo or in vivo. The compositions are useful for delivering to a target cell (e.g., hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), liver cells, ocular cells, muscle cells, epithelial cells, T cells, etc.) and/or stably expressing any transgene (e.g., beta-globin, Factor VIII, RP GTPase regulator (RPGR), dystrophin, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a chimeric antigen receptor, etc.) with a biological effect to treat and/or ameliorate the symptoms associated with any disorder related to gene expression (e.g., sickle cell disease, beta-thalassemia, haemophilia B, retinitis pigmentosa, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, cancer, etc.).

The present invention includes compositions and methods for the expression, secretion and use of novel compositions for use as, e.g., vaccine and antigen delivery vectors, to delivery antigens to antigen presenting cells. In one embodiment, the vector is an anti-CD40 antibody, or fragments thereof, and one or more antigenic peptides linked to the anti-CD40 antibody or fragments thereof, including humanized antibodies.

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.

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.

Compounds having drug and bio-affecting properties, their pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use are set forth. In particular, betulinic acid derivatives that possess unique antiviral activity are provided as HIV maturation inhibitors, as represented by compounds of Formula I:

##STR00001##

These compounds are useful for the treatment of HIV and AIDS.

The present invention includes compositions and methods for the expression, secretion and use of novel compositions for use as, e.g., vaccines and antigen delivery vectors, to delivery antigens to antigen presenting cells. In one embodiment, the vector is an anti-CD40 antibody, or fragments thereof, and one or more antigenic peptides linked to the anti-CD40 antibody or fragments thereof, including humanized antibodies.

The present invention relates to a retro viral system for the transfer of non-viral RNA into target cells and more particularly a retroviral particle capable of delivering multiple RNAs. More particularly, it relates to retroviral particles comprising a protein derived from the Gag polyprotein, an envelope protein, optionally an integrase and at least two encapsidated non-viral RNAs, the encapsidated non-viral RNAs each comprising an RNA sequence of interest linked to an encapsidation sequence, each encapsidation sequence being recognised by a binding domain introduced into the protein derived from the Gag polyprotein and/or into the integrase.

The present invention relates to a retroviral system for the transfer of non-viral RNA into target cells and more particularly a retroviral particle capable of delivering multiple RNAs. More particularly, it relates to retroviral particles comprising a protein derived from the Gag polyprotein an envelope protein, optionally an integrase and at least two encapsidated non-viral RNAs, the encapsidated non-viral RNAs each comprising an RNA sequence of interest linked to an encapsidation sequence, each encapsidation sequence being recognised by a binding domain introduced into the protein derived from the Gag polyprotein and/or into the integrase.