In an attempt to better understand why some viruses like influenza, Ebola and West Nile virus so lethal, a team of U.S. researchers believe to model the response of the body to viral pathogens.

The study, which will be led by Yoshiro Kavaoka - professor of patho-biological sciences and an expert on influenza and Ebola viruses from Washington University, will be funded with 18.3 million dollars from the National Institutes of Health USA. Its purpose is to study the detailed molecular mechanisms of infection of the cell, the cell response to a virus, and the interaction - host.

U.S. government - the main source of funding for the entire project, hopes all this lead to the creation of a new generation of antiviral drugs against some of the most dangerous pathogens. This is extremely important because against Ebola and West Nile virus are currently no approved drugs and those against influenza quickly lose their effectiveness.

The design of the test involves the measurement of a wide variety of parameters - such as specific to the virus and those specific to the host. Measurements will be made using the so-called. high-screened, wherein the complex machinery made ​​thousand measurements per second.

Advantage of study of three different pathogens - influenza viruses, and Ebola WNV is that they have different target cells and organs in the body. This systematic approach allows identification of common and different pathways and mediators in the course of various infections. Common mediators are potential targets for future broad products, i.e. those having efficacy against a number of pathogens. Unique key for an infection metabolites target for future narrow-spectrum drugs.

Buy West Nile Virus (WNV) products from Gentaur

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:
NATtrol™ Influenza External Run Controls (NATFLUA.B-6MC, NATFLUAH1N1-6MC and NATCXVA9-6MC) are formulated with purified, intact virus particles that have been chemically modified to render them non-infectious and refrigerator stable*. Each control contains 6 x 0.5 mL vials of NATtrol™ Influenza A.B or Influenza A H1N1 (2009) or Coxsackie virus A9 NATtrol™.  These controls are supplied in a purified protein matrix that mimics the composition of a true clinical specimen. *NATtrol™ Patents Pending

INTENDED USE:
- NATtrol™ Influenza External Run Controls are designed to evaluate the performance of nucleic acid tests for determination of the presence of respiratory virus nucleic acids. NATFLUA.B-6MC, NATFLUAH1N1-6MC and NATCXVA9-6MC can also be used for quality control of clinical assays and training of laboratory personnel.
- NATFLUA.B-6MC, NATFLUAH1N1-6MC and NATCXVA9-6MC contain intact organisms and should be run in a manner identical to that used for clinical specimens.

ETIOLOGIC STATUS/BIOHAZARD TESTING:
- NATtrol™ inactivation was carried out on each control. The inactivation was verified by the absence of virus growth in a validated tissue culture based infectivity assay.
- The purified protein matrix was manufactured from materials that were screened and found to be negative for HIV 1&2 Ab, HBsAg, HTLV I&II Ab, HCV Ab,HIV RNA, HBV DNA and HCV RNA using FDA cleared kits at the single donor level.

Catalog #:NATFLUA.B-6MC
Catalog #:NATFLUAH1N1-6MC
Catalog #:NATCXVA9-6MC

For more information download PDF file

Papillomaviruses are a very diverse group of viruses that infect human skin and mucosal cells, which serve as a barrier between the environment and a human being. Most representatives of this group do not cause any symptoms, but highly pathogenic types may cause cancer. Ancient literature contains the first known mention of skin warts. The first classification of warts was introduced by Roman physician Aulus Cornelius Celsus in 25 AD, and the assumption that warts may be transmitted via infection originated even earlier. However, the viral nature of papillomas was not demonstrated until the beginning of the twentieth century (reviewed in 4). The first papillomavirus was isolated in 1933 by the American virologist Richard Shope, who also isolated an influenza virus.

The evolutionary history of papillomaviruses seems to coincide with the origin of higher-order vertebrates, amniotes (including reptiles, birds, and mammals). Mammalian skin structure appears to make them the most suitable hosts for the papillomaviruses, and — today — papillomaviruses are widespread in mammals and rarely found in birds. The relationship between papillomaviruses and similar groups of DNA-viruses, such as polyomaviruses, is not well-demonstrated at the present time. There are more than a hundred types of papillomaviruseshigh-risk that can infect humans. These are collectively referred to as human papilloma viruses or HPV and are divided into (HR) and low-risk (LR) types by their carcinogenic properties. HPV are transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact, and approximately 30 types are transmitted sexually. LR HPV are much more common than HR HPV among humans and often do not cause any symptoms. In fact, only 18 types of HPV pose a cancer risk, mostly for anogenital cancers.

Current research suggests that LR HPVs produce more virions and infect more human hosts whereas HR types are less virulent but more difficult for the immune system to neutralize. The most dangerous HR HPV types are also the most widespread, HPV16 (reference strain) and HPV18, and the main cause of skin warts (especially in the anogenital zone) are HPV types 6 and 11. These and several other types of HPV attract serious attention.

Human papilloma virus particles lack a lipid envelope and are relatively small, with a diameter of only about 30 nm. In comparison, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and influenza virus virions are enveloped by a lipid bilayer derived from the host cell and are approximately four times larger. The papillomavirus genome consists of double-stranded DNA decorated and packed by histones of the host cell. It encodes two types of proteins, early (E) proteins and late (L) proteins: early HPV proteins maintain regulatory functions (and are responsible for oncotransformation of the host cell in the case of HR types), and late proteins form the capsid of the virion. The life cycle of HPV is bound to the life cycle of its host cells, keratinocytes, and HPV can only be cultivated in special organotypic raft cultures containing a population of cells at different developmental stages — similar to the skin of a living organism. Keratinocytes are the main cells of epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. Actively dividing young keratinocytes are found near the basal membrane that separates the epidermis from other layers of the skin and move towards the skin surface during maturation. Viral particles infect non-differentiated cells, and new virions are produced inside the keratinocytes during the terminal stage of differentiation.

The HPV early proteins are responsible for maintaining a proper amount of viral DNA inside the host cell nucleus. However, they also coordinate the expression of viral genes. Proteins E1 and E2 form a complex with viral DNA, which recruits the cell replication systems. Proteins E6 and E7 are responsible for the carcinogenic effect in HR HPV types. E6 is able to bind to the tumor suppressor p53 and promote its ubiquitination and degradation. Protein E7 binds several cell proteins and tumor suppressors, including theretinoblastoma protein. The activity of the E6 and E7 proteins leads to uncontrolled cell division.

Late proteins of HPV form the viral capsid and mediate packaging of DNA into the virion. The pentamer-forming L1 protein is the major component of the HPV capsid, and the L2 protein is a minor constituent. The HPV capsid looks roughly spherical, but, in fact, it has a icosahedral symmetry with the triangulation number that equals 7. Rather than a structure based on pentamers mixed with hexamers (like that of the soccer ball), the HPV capsid is composed of 72 L1 pentamers of two different types — 60 hexavalent pentamers and 12 pentavalent pentamers (reviewed in 2, chapter 3). Remarkably, the fold of HPV L1 proteins is similar to that of human nucleoplasmins, the proteins that regulate the assembly of nucleosomes. Whether they share a common ancestor or whether their similarity is the result of convergent evolution is not yet clear. Perhaps the interaction between L1 and nucleosomes on viral DNA is crucial for the encapsidation of the HPV genetic material.

One monomer of L2 is associated with each L1 pentamer of the HPV virion, and current research suggests that L2 is crucial for DNA recruitment to the viral particle. Some hypothesize that L2 — as well as L1 — may interact not with viral DNA but rather with its histones. To date, however, much of the process through which HPV DNA is packed inside the virion remains unknown. One facet of the process that is known may make HPV an important tool in human gene therapy: any segment of DNA less than 8 kb long may be packed inside the capsid [link], which enables the development and use of HPV-based transformation vectors. Interestingly, human cyclophilin participates in HPV capsid unpacking, a mechanism that has also been demonstrated for HIV.

A growing interest in HPV research can be partially — if not wholly — attributed to discovery of the relationship between HPV and cancer and the subsequent Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (2008) awarded for this work. German scientist Harald zur Hausen has shown that nearly all cases of cervical cancer are the result of HPV infection. Vaccines against HPV are currently being actively developed and introduced, and the main targets for such vaccines include the most dangerous and common HPV types: HPV6, HPV11, HPV16, HPV18.

Dr. Christopher Buck from the U.S. National Cancer Institute: Current vaccines against human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are a triumph of applied structural virology. However, the current vaccines, which use recombinant virus-like particles composed of the L1 major capsid protein, do not protect against all disease-causing HPV types. Fortunately, a new generation of HPV vaccines targeting conserved „Achilles’ heel“ epitopes present in the L2 minor capsid protein promise to offer broad protection against all HPVs, including all types that cause cancer, as well as types that cause benign skin warts (for which the papillomavirus family is named). Current knowledge about the structure, dynamics, and function of L2 during the infectious entry process is very limited. This structural information is desperately needed to inform the development of pan-protective HPV vaccines.

On 3 April 2013, the China Health and Family Planning Commission notified WHO of an additional four cases of human infection with influenza A(H7N9). The four patients are from Jiangsu province in eastern China. There is no link between the cases.

To date, the total number of confirmed cases of human infection with influenza A(H7N9) virus in China is seven. Three confirmed cases were reported earlier from Shanghai and Anhui provinces, including two deaths.The patients include a 45-year-old woman with illness onset on 19 March 2013; a 48-year-old woman with illness onset on 19 March 2013; an 83-year-old man with illness onset on 20 March 2013; and a 32-year-old woman with illness onset on 21 March 2013. All of these patients are in a critical condition.

More than 160 close contacts of these four cases in Jiangsu province are being closely monitored. Thus far, none of them have developed any symptoms of illness. Retrospective investigation is ongoing into two contacts of one of the cases reported earlier from Shanghai. Both of these contacts developed symptoms of illness; one died and the other recovered. No laboratory confirmation is available for these two contacts.

The Chinese government is actively investigating this event and has heightened disease surveillance for early detection, diagnosis and treatment. Infection prevention and control has been strengthened in health-care settings. Communication efforts between human and animal health and industry sectors have increased. The government has advised the population to maintain good personal hygiene, including frequent handwashing and avoiding direct contact with sick or dead animals.

WHO is in contact with national authorities and is following the event closely. The WHO-coordinated international response is also focusing on work with WHO Collaborating Centres for Reference and Research on Influenza and other partners to ensure that information is available and that materials are developed for diagnosis and treatment and vaccine development. No vaccine is currently available for this subtype of the influenza virus. Preliminary test results provided by the WHO Collaborating Centre in China suggest that the virus is susceptible to the neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir and zanamivir).

At this time there is no evidence of ongoing human-to-human transmission.

WHO does not advise special screening at points of entry with regard to this event, nor does it recommend that any travel or trade restrictions be applied.

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Dear Clients, 

We are happy to announce that another promo is available as of today: 

1. Intended Use 

Avian influenza virus H7N9 real time RT-PCR kit is used for the detection of gene H7 and gene N9 of avian influenza A subtype H7N9 in human nasal and pharyngeal secretions and bird fece by using real time PCR systems.

2. Principle of Real-Time PCR

The principle of the real-time detection is based on the fluorogenic 5’nuclease assay. During the PCR reaction, the DNA polymerase cleaves the probe at the 5’ end and separates the reporter dye from the quencher dye only when the probe hybridizes to the target DNA. This cleavage results in the fluorescent signal generated by the cleaved reporter dye, which is monitored real-time by the PCR detection system. The PCR cycle at which an increase in the fluorescence signal is detected initially (Ct) is proportional to the amount of the specific PCR product. Monitoring the fluorescence intensities during Real Time allows the detection of the accumulating product without having to re-open the reaction tube after the amplification.

3. Product Description

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) caused by certain subtypes of influenza A virus in animal populations, particularly chickens, poses a continuing global human public health risk. Direct human infection by an avian influenza A (H5N1) virus was first recognized during the 1997 outbreak in Hong Kong. The avian influenza virus H7N9 is one subgroup among the larger group of H7 viruses. Some cases of human infection with H7N9 virus in China are confirmed till early April of 2013.

Avian influenza virus H7N9 real time RT-PCR kit contains a specific ready-to-use system for the detection of avian influenza virus H7N9 by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) in the real-time PCR system. The master contains Super Mix for the specific amplification of the avian influenza virus H7N9 RNA. The reaction is done in one step real time RT-PCR. The first step is a reverse transcription (RT), during which the avian influenza virus H9 RNA is transcribed into cDNA. Afterwards, a thermostable DNA polymerase is used to amplify the specific gene fragments by polymerase chain reaction. Fluorescence is emitted and measured by the real time systems´ optical unit during the PCR. The detection of amplified avian influenza virus H7N9 DNA fragment is performed in fluorimeter channel FAM and HEX/VIC/JOE with the fluorescent quencher BHQ1. In addition, the kit contains a system to identify possible PCR inhibition by measuring the FAM fluorescence of the internal control (IC).

 4. Kit Contents

Analysis sensitivity: 1×10³copies/ml；

Note: Analysis sensitivity depends on the sample volume, elution volume, nucleic acid extraction methods and other factors .If you use the RNA extraction kits recommended, the analysis sensitivity is the same as it declares. However, when the sample volume is dozens or even hundreds of times greater than elution volume by some concentrating method, it can be much.

Our Price: EUR 562

For additional information, here is a full view of Gentaur's AIV-related products: 

http://antibody-antibodies.com/search_full.php?search=AIV