Disclosed are genetically modified nudiviruses capable of being sexually transmitted by an insect useful for controlling pest populations. The genetically modified nudiviruses are capable of causing sterility in a target population of insects. Also disclosed are insects infected with the disclosed genetically modified nudiviruses, methods of making the genetically modified nudiviruses, and methods of using the genetically modified nudiviruses to control an insect pest population.

Provided herein are compositions, methods, and kits for detecting human picobirnavims (PBV). In certain embodiments, provided herein are PBV specific nucleic acid probes and primers, and methods for detecting PBV nucleic acid.

Disclosed are the H. zea nudivirus sequence and two additional related sequences from H. virescens and H. armigera nudiviruses for development of genetically modified nudiviruses capable of being sexually transmitted by an insect useful for controlling pest populations. Such genetically modified nudiviruses are capable of causing sterility in a target population of insects. Previously disclosed were insects infected with the previously disclosed genetically modified H. zea nudivirus, methods of making genetically modified nudiviruses, and methods of using genetically modified nudiviruses to control an insect pest population.

Disclosed are genetically modified nudiviruses capable of being sexually transmitted by an insect useful for controlling pest populations. The genetically modified nudiviruses are capable of causing sterility in a target population of insects. Also disclosed are insects infected with the disclosed genetically modified nudiviruses, methods of making the genetically modified nudiviruses, and methods of using the genetically modified nudiviruses to control an insect pest population.

A cell comprising: a nucleotide sequence encoding a Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) operably linked to a promoter; two nucleotide sequences each encoding an isoform of HNF4α; and a nucleotide sequence encoding a repressor of HBV transcription, wherein said nucleotide sequence is mutated to decrease or silence expression of the repressor.

A mammalian expression system comprising an attenuated, recombinant ranavirus strain that has at least one expression element is disclosed. A method of delivering antigens to a mammal is disclosed that includes: providing a mammalian expression system comprising an attenuated, recombinant ranavirus strain that has at least one expression element; and administering to the mammal a therapeutic amount of the attenuated, recombinant ranavirus strain that has at least one expression element.

Disclosed are genetically modified nudiviruses capable of being sexually transmitted by an insect useful for controlling pest populations. The genetically modified nudiviruses are capable of causing sterility in a target population of insects. Also disclosed are insects infected with the disclosed genetically modified nudiviruses, methods of making the genetically modified nudiviruses, and methods of using the genetically modified nudiviruses to control an insect pest population.

A mammalian expression system comprising an attenuated, recombinant Ranavirus that has at least one foreign expression element using a unique combination of mammalian transcriptional and translational enhancement elements is disclosed. In other contemplated embodiments, a mammalian expression system comprising a virus, wherein the virus is engineered to express at least two vaccine antigens is disclosed. In addition, methods of delivering human antigens to a mammal are disclosed that include: providing a non-mammalian virus, engineering a recombinant virus that can express at least one foreign molecule by modifying the non-mammalian virus, and using the recombinant Ranavirus to express and deliver foreign antigens to a mammal.

This invention relates to compositions, methods, strategies, and treatment modalities related to the epigenetic modification of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genes.

A method for monitoring the viability of a megavirus in animal feed or an animal feed ingredient generally includes inoculating the animal feed or animal feed ingredient with a surrogate virus as a proxy for the megavirus, subjecting the animal feed or animal feed ingredient to a treatment that inactivates the megavirus and the surrogate virus, subjecting the animal feed or animal feed ingredient to storage or transportation conditions for at least 14 days, and determining the viability of the surrogate virus in the animal feed or animal feed ingredient, thereby monitoring the viability of the megavirus in the animal feed or animal feed ingredient. In one or more embodiments, the megavirus is African swine fever virus (ASFV) and the surrogate virus is an ASFV surrogate virus. In some of these embodiments, the ASFV surrogate virus is a Coccolithovirus such as, for example, Emiliania huxleyi virus.