Methods and materials for improved delivery of dsRNA are presented. In particular, methods for controlling an insect pest by stably delivering large quantities of dsRNA to the insect pest are provided. Compositions comprising a bacterium containing a large quantity of dsRNA targeting an insect gene in which the dsRNA exhibits increased stability and activity are also provided.

The invention provides immunotherapeutic and prophylactic bacteriophage viral-like particle (VLPs) which are useful in the treatment and prevention of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and related disorders, including cervical cancer and persistent infections associated with HPV. Related compositions (e.g. vaccines), nucleic acid constructs, and therapeutic methods are also provided. VLPs and related compositions of the invention induce high titer antibody responses against HPV L2 and protect against HPV challenge in vivo. VLPs, VLP-containing compositions, and therapeutic methods of the invention induce an immunogenic response against HPV infection, confer immunity against HPV infection, protect against HPV infection, and reduce the likelihood of infection by HPV infection.

Provided herein is a synthetic viral particle that positive control for COVID assays, along with methods for making and using the viral particle.

The present invention relates to a system and method for controlling peptide display valency on virus-like particles (VLPs), especially including MS2 VLPs. In this method, large amounts of wild-type and low quantities of single-chain dimer coat proteins may be produced from a single RNA. Valency is controlled in immunogen (vaccine) production by providing a system that allows the production of large amounts of wild-type and low quantities of single-chain dimer coating proteins from a single RNA, allowing facile adjustment of display valency levels on VLPs, especially MS2 VLPS over a wide range, from few than one-on average- to as many as ninety per particle. This facilitates the production of immunogens and vaccines, including VLPs exhibiting low valency. Nucleic acid constructs useful in the expression of virus-like particles are disclosed, comprised of a coat polypeptide of MS2 modified by insertion of a heterologous peptide, wherein the heterologous peptide is displayed on the virus-like particle and encapsidates MS2 niRNA. Nucleic acid constructs are also disclosed which are useful in the expression of virus-like particles comprised of a coat polypeptide of PP7 modified by insertion of a heterologous peptide, wherein the heterologous peptide is displayed on the virus-like particle and encapsidates PP7 mRNA.

The invention describes recombinant DNA sequences transcribed into RNA constructs capable of forming Virus Like Particles (VLPs) suitable for insect control applications.

The invention describes recombinant DNA sequences transcribed into RNA constructs capable of forming Virus Like Particles (VLPs) suitable for insect control applications. Specifically, the disclosure provides a method for controlling target insects comprising, transforming a microbial host with a first DNA sequence comprising a gene encoding a bacteriophage capsid protein and a second DNA sequence encoding an RNA transcript comprising at least one bacteriophage pac sequence coupled to an RNAi precursor sequence, inducing the microbial host to express the first and second DNA sequences, isolating virus-like-particles (VLPs) comprising the capsid protein and RNAi precursor from the microbial host, and contacting the isolated VLPs with the target insects.

The present invention relates to a modified virus-like particle of RNA bacteriophage AP205 (AP205 VLP) comprising AP205 coat protein dimers to which antigenic polypeptides are fused at the N-terminus and/or at the C-terminus. The modified AP205 VLPs can be used as a platform, in particular for vaccine development, in generating immune responses against a variety of antigens.

The invention describes recombinant DNA sequences transcribed into RNA constructs capable of forming Virus Like Particles (VLPs) suitable for insect control applications. Specifically, the disclosure provides a method for controlling target insects comprising, transforming a microbial host with a first DNA sequence comprising a gene encoding a bacteriophage capsid protein and a second DNA sequence encoding an RNA transcript comprising at least one bacteriophage pac sequence coupled to an RNAi precursor sequence, inducing the microbial host to express the first and second DNA sequences, isolating virus-like-particles (VLPs) comprising the capsid protein and RNAi precursor from the microbial host, and contacting the isolated VLPs with the target insects.

A novel nano-carrier system and method include a virus-like particle, and a functional RNA encapsulated inside the virus-like particle. The virus-like particle protects the functional RNA from nuclease degradation in vivo, and the functional RNA maintains its functionality while being encapsulated inside the virus-like particle. The system and method may be used to modify, reduce, or treat a disease in a subject.

The present invention provides a bioengineered bacteriophage-like nanoparticle, rQ@b-3WJ, comprising a Q capsid and a 3WJ RNA scaffold (b-3WJ), which is a three-way junction motif integrated with (1) a Q phage capsid binding hairpin; (2) a light-up aptamer; and (3) a structural siRNA element (siRNA.sub.1); wherein the Q phage capsid binding hairpin is further integrated with a different structural siRNA element (siRNA.sub.2). Also provided is a nanoparticle, TrQ@b-3WJ, comprising a Q capsid conjugated with TAT peptides and a 3WJ RNA scaffold (b-3WJ), which enhances cellular internalization for highly efficient gene silencing.