Provided are methods of detecting replication competent virus, e.g., replication competent retrovirus such as gammaretrovirus or lentivirus, in a sample containing a cell transduced with a viral vector particle encoding a recombinant and/or heterologous molecule, e.g., heterologous gene product. The methods may include assessing transcription of one or more target genes, such as viral genes, that are expressed in a retrovirus but not expressed in the viral vector particle. Replication competent retrovirus may be determined to be present if the levels of RNA of the one or more target genes is higher than a reference value, which can be measured directly or indirectly, including from a positive control sample containing RNA from the respective target gene at a known level and/or at or above the limit of detection of the assay.

The present invention relates to methods and kits for diagnosis of cancer in a subject by detecting human endogenous retrovirus env (HERV-WL) polypeptides.

A method of testing a subject for a propensity to develop, diagnose, or treat ALSV-induced infection or cancer, comprising the steps of obtaining a cell, tissue, or fluid sample from the subject, processing the sample to isolate DNA from the sample, and examining the DNA isolated from the sample to detect the presence of the ALSV LTR. Preferably, the DNA is examined using a PCR-based assay with at least one primer set or any combination of the individual primers in first round or second round reactions from the group consisting of: J1F (SEQ ID NO: 22)/J1R (SEQ ID NO: 24), J1F (SEQ ID NO: 22)/J2R (SEQ ID NO: 25), J2F (SEQ ID NO: 23)/J1R (SEQ ID NO: 24), J2F (SEQ ID NO: 23)/J2R (SEQ ID NO: 25), J1F (SEQ ID NO: 22)/J3R (SEQ ID NO: 26), AL1D (SEQ ID NO: 1)/ALIVR1 (SEQ ID NO: 21), ALIVF1 (SEQ ID NO: 20)/ALIVR1 (SEQ ID NO: 21), AL1D (SEQ ID NO: 1)/NAL2B (SEQ ID NO: 18), ALIVF1 (SEQ ID NO: 20)/NAL2B (SEQ ID NO: 18), AL1D (SEQ ID NO: 1)/ALXB (SEQ ID NO: 19).

A method of amplifying a target nucleic acid (polynucleotide) contained in a particle including an enclosing lipid bilayer membrane according to the present invention includes the steps of: lysing the particle which is stored in a compartment constituted by a liquid in an amount of 100 μl or less; and amplifying the target nucleic acid in the compartment.

The invention includes methods for determining the presence of a latent viral population by analyzing an RNA population from the virus with digital techniques, such as digital PCR or by sequencing cDNA produced from the RNA. The invention additional includes methods for determining the presence of latent viral populations by detecting and/or quantifying enzymes that are uniquely associated with the virus, e.g., reverse transcriptases.

The present invention relates to a method for in vitro diagnosis or prognosis of colon cancer, including a step of detecting at least one expression product of at least one HERV nucleic acid sequence, the use of said isolated nucleic acid sequences as a molecular marker/molecular markers, and a kit including at least one specific binding partner for at least one expression product of the HERV nucleic acid sequences.

The present invention relates to a method for the in vitro diagnosis or prognosis of ovarian cancer, which includes a step of detecting at least one expression product of at least one HERV nucleic acid sequence, the use of said nucleic acid sequences, once isolated, as one or more molecular marker(s) and a kit including at least one specific binding partner of at least one of the expression products of the HERV nucleic acid sequences.

The present invention relates to a method for simultaneously detecting a plurality of pathogens from biologically-derived samples, and a kit for carrying out the method. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method for simultaneously detecting a plurality of pathogens that cause infectious uveitis, one of eye infections from samples such as anterior chamber fluid or vitreous by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and a kit for carrying out the method.

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 invention includes methods for determining the presence of a latent viral population by analyzing an RNA population from the virus with digital techniques, such as digital PCR or by sequencing cDNA produced from the RNA. The invention additional includes methods for determining the presence of latent viral populations by detecting and/or quantifying enzymes that are uniquely associated with the virus, e.g., reverse transcriptases.