Compositions for use as a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 infection are disclosed, which comprise either a polypeptide that comprises at least one surge-associated mutation (e.g., deletion) in its amino acid sequence or a nucleic acid (e.g., mRNA) that encodes said polypeptide. Also disclosed are formulations that include these compositions, antibodies or their antigen-biding fragments directed to these polypeptides, methods of making such antibodies, methods of vaccinating subjects against SARS-CoV-2 infection, and methods of selecting an antibody, convalescent plasma, or vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Compositions for use as a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 infection are disclosed, which comprise either a polypeptide that comprises at least one surge-associated mutation (e.g., deletion) in its amino acid sequence or a nucleic acid (e.g., mRNA) that encodes said polypeptide. Also disclosed are formulations that include these compositions, antibodies or their antigen-biding fragments directed to these polypeptides, methods of making such antibodies, methods of vaccinating subjects against SARS-CoV-2 infection, and methods of selecting an antibody, convalescent plasma, or vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The subject invention pertains to the detection and differentiation of genetic variations by nucleic acid amplification. The invention provides methods of detecting one or more genetic variations in a nucleic acid that are in close proximity simultaneously. The invention further provides primer and probe oligonucleotides and methods of using said primers and probes in assays to detect genetic variants of concern of SARS-CoV-2. The methods of the invention detect genetic variants of other pathogens, including influenza, or genetic variants involved in inheritable diseases or cancer.

The subject invention pertains to the detection and differentiation of genetic variations by nucleic acid amplification. The invention provides methods of detecting one or more genetic variations in a nucleic acid that are in close proximity simultaneously. The invention further provides primer and probe oligonucleotides and methods of using said primers and probes in assays to detect genetic variants of concern of SARS-CoV-2. The methods of the invention detect genetic variants of other pathogens, including influenza, or genetic variants involved in inheritable diseases or cancer.

The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for determining whether a patient exhibiting acute gastroenteritis will benefit from treatment with therapeutic agents that inhibit Norovirus genogroup I (GI) or Norovirus genogroup II (GII). The methods disclosed herein are based on detecting Norovirus genogroup I (GI) and Norovirus genogroup II (GII) in a stool sample without extracting viral nucleic acids from a clinical specimen prior to performing real-time reverse transcription PCR. Kits for use in practicing the methods are also provided.

The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for determining whether a patient exhibiting acute gastroenteritis will benefit from treatment with therapeutic agents that inhibit Norovirus genogroup I (GI) or Norovirus genogroup II (GII). The methods disclosed herein are based on detecting Norovirus genogroup I (GI) and Norovirus genogroup II (GII) in a stool sample without extracting viral nucleic acids from a clinical specimen prior to performing real-time reverse transcription PCR. Kits for use in practicing the methods are also provided.

The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for determining whether a patient exhibiting acute gastroenteritis will benefit from treatment with therapeutic agents that inhibit Norovirus genogroup I (GI) or Norovirus genogroup II (GII). The methods disclosed herein are based on detecting Norovirus genogroup I (GI) and Norovirus genogroup II (GII) in a stool sample without extracting viral nucleic acids from a clinical specimen prior to performing real-time reverse transcription PCR. Kits for use in practicing the methods are also provided.

Methods and oligonucleotide reagents for diagnosing chikungunya virus and Zika virus infections are described. In particular, the invention relates to quantitative assays that can detect all lineages of chikungunya virus and Zika virus and distinguish chikungunya virus and Zika virus from each other as well as dengue virus and other arbovirus pathogens.

Disclosed herein are methods and systems for rapid detection of microorganisms such as bacteria in a sample. A genetically modified bacteriophage is also disclosed which comprises an indicator gene encoding one subunit of an indicator protein. The specificity of the bacteriophage allows detection of a particular bacteria of interest and an indicator signal may be amplified to optimize assay sensitivity.

Nucleic acid oligonucleotide sequences are disclosed which include amplification oligomers and probe oligomers which are useful for detecting multiple types of human papillomaviruses (HPV) associated with cervical cancer. Methods for detecting multiple HPV types in biological specimens by amplifying HPV nucleic acid sequences in vitro and detecting the amplified products are disclosed.