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The BEI Resources SARS-CoV-2 landing page has been moved and given an upgrade!
Visit the new SARS-CoV-2 landing page to explore updated features and content.
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Hidden Phenotypic and Genetic Variation in Malaria Isolates
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Clinical isolates of Plasmodium, the parasite responsible for the deadliest form of human malaria, often comprise multiple parasite lineages. The presence of multiple lineages within a single malaria isolate may interfere with its authentication, including drug susceptibility testing and sequencing undertaken to ascertain its genetic identity.1
As part of BEI Resources’ Enhanced Authentication Initiative, single parasite lineages were cloned from three isolates confirmed to harbor multiple parasite lineages.1 These isolated lineages display unique, well-defined drug susceptibility profiles and genotypes at major drug resistance loci, making them an extremely valuable resource as potential controls for the screening of candidate antimalarials and for drug resistance research.
To learn more about the characterization of drug-resistant malaria reference isolates in the BEI Resources catalog, please contact Customer Care at Contact@BEIResources.org. Information will also be available from the Malaria Research and Reference Reagent Resource Center (MR4) poster presentation at the Molecular Parasitology meeting in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, on September 18-22, 2022.2
BEI Resources
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Single-Lineage Malaria Clones
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MRA-1315
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Plasmodium falciparum, Strain MRA1236-hap1
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MRA-1316
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Plasmodium falciparum, Strain MRA1236-hap2
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MRA-1317
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Plasmodium falciparum, Strain MRA1240-hap1
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MRA-1318
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Plasmodium falciparum, Strain MRA1240-hap2
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MRA-1319
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Plasmodium falciparum, Strain MRA1240-hap3
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MRA-1320
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Plasmodium falciparum, Strain MRA1285-hap1
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MRA-1321
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Plasmodium falciparum, Strain MRA1285-hap3
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References:
- Nkhoma, S. C., et al. “Dissection of Haplotype-Specific Drug Response Phenotypes in Multiclonal Malaria Isolates.” Int. J. Parasitol. Drugs Drug Resist. 15 (2021): 152-161. PubMed: 33780700.
- Ahmed, A. O. A., et al. “In vitro Antimalarial Susceptibility Profiles of Malaria Isolates in the BEI Resources Catalog." Molecular Parasitology Meeting XXXIII. September 18-20, 2022. Woods Hole, Massachusetts.
Image: Light microscopic image of Giemsa-stained human red blood cells infected with MRA-1316. (BEI Resources)
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Reagents Supporting Monkeypox Research
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Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis caused by the monkeypox virus for which the animal hosts include a range of rodents and non-human primates. In humans, the disease has a case fatality ranging from 1% to 10% and is dependent on the virulence of the infecting viral strain.1 Genetic clades originating from West Africa are associated with lower fatality than the clades from the Congo Basin.2 Human monkeypox was first recognized outside Africa in 2003 during an outbreak in the United States that was traced to imported virus-infected West African rodents, which spread to 47 individuals without any fatalities.2 The current global outbreak is similarly caused by the less virulent virus, spreading at an alarming speed that warrants more research into the many aspects of the virus and its transmission patterns.
Virus isolates originating from human cases in the United States from the 2003 outbreak (NR-2500) and more recently in 2022 (NR-58622) are available in the BEI Resources catalog. Three reagents derived from the 2022 isolate will be available in the catalog this fall. A full list of poxvirus-related reagents is available on the BEI Resources website (here). Please continue to check our online catalog for new reagents coming soon.
BEI Resources
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Monkeypox Isolates & Other Reagents
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NR-58622
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Monkeypox Virus, Isolate hMPXV/USA/MA001/2022
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NR-58627
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Quantitative Synthetic DNA from Monkeypox Virus
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NR-4928
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Genomic DNA from Monkeypox Virus, Isolate USA-2003
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NR-2639
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Genomic DNA from Vaccinia Virus, Western Reserve (NIAID, Tissue Culture-Adapted)
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NR-2638
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Genomic DNA from Vaccinia Virus, New York City Board of Health (Wyeth, Calf-Adapted)
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NR-2636
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Genomic DNA from Vaccinia Virus, Isolate IHD
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NR-2635
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Genomic DNA from Vaccinia Virus, Isolate Lister (Elstree)
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NR-2500
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Monkeypox Virus, Isolate USA-2003
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Coming Soon
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NR-58624
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Irradiated Lysate, Monkeypox Virus, Isolate hMPXV/USA/MA001/20
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NR-58633
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Protein A29 from Monkeypox Virus with C Terminal Histidine Tag, Recombinant from Escherichia coli
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NR-58634
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Protein L1R from Monkeypox Virus with N-Terminal Histidine Tag, Recombinant from Escherichia coli
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NR-58710
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Genomic DNA from Monkeypox Virus, Isolate hMPXV/USA/MA001/2023
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NR-58711
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Heat-Inactivated Monkeypox Virus, Isolate hMPXV/USA/MA001/2024
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References:
- Barron, M. and R. E. Rohde. “Monkeypox: What We Do and Don't Know About Recent Outbreaks.” American Society for Microbiology, https://asm.org/Articles/2022/May/Monkeypox-What-We-Do-and-Don-t-Know-About-Recent-O. Accessed 15 August 2022.
- “Monkeypox.” World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/monkeypox. Accessed 15 August 2022.
Image: Colorized transmission electron micrograph of monkeypox virus particles (in green). (NIAID/CC BY 2.0)
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SARS-CoV-2 Isolates and Reagents
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NIAID’s efforts to establish a repository of SARS-CoV-2 variants through BEI Resources has been recognized for promoting the global sharing of virus isolates during the pandemic to support development of diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics.1
The BEI Resources catalog contains more than 380 SARS-CoV-2 isolates and unique reagents representing ten Variants Being Monitored and the Variant of Concern Omicron. Recent additions include monoclonal antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 Spike glycoprotein receptor binding domain (RBD) and an isolate of lineage BA.5, now the dominant lineage in the United States.2
For an up-to-date listing of all currently available SARS-CoV-2 isolates, please visit the SARS-CoV-2 resource page on the BEI Resources website.
BEI Resources
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Recent SARS-CoV-2 Isolates
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NR-55483
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Isolate hCoV-19/USA/PHC205/2021 (Lineage B.1.1.519)
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NR-56519
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Isolate hCoV-19/USA/VA-FBCH_675/2021 (Lineage AY4.2; Delta Variant)
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NR-56695
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Isolate hCoV-19/France/PAC-IHUMI-6070/2022 (Lineage AY.4 plus Omicron; XD Variant)
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NR-56699
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Isolate hCoV-19/France/PAC-IHUMI-6070/2022 p2 (Lineage AY.4 plus Omicron; XD Variant)
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NR-56781
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Isolate hCoV-19/USA/NY-MSHSPSP-PV56475/2022 (Lineage BA.2.12.1; Omicron Variant)
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NR-56798
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Isolate hCoV-19/South Africa/CERI-KRISP-K040013/2022 (Lineage BA.5; Omicron Variant)
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BEI Resources
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Recent SARS-CoV-2 Reagents
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NR-55297
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Monoclonal Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein RBD, Clone 2TP1D10 (produced in vitro)
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NR-55298
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Monoclonal Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein RBD, Clone 2TP1E6 (produced in vitro)
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NR-55299
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Monoclonal Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein RBD, Clone 2TP1F2 (produced in vitro)
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NR-55303
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Monoclonal Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein RBD, Clone 2TP2F2 (produced in vitro)
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NR-56132
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Spike Glycoprotein (Stabilized) from SARS-CoV-2, with C-Terminal Histidine and Twin-Strep® Tags, Recombinant from HEK293F Cells
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NR-56133
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Spike Glycoprotein RBD from SARS-CoV-2, Wuhan-Hu-1 with C-Terminal Histidine Tag, Recombinant from HEK293 Cells
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NR-56517
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Spike Glycoprotein (Stabilized) from SARS-CoV-2, BA.2 Lineage (Omicron Variant) with C-Terminal Histidine and Avi Tags, Recombinant from HEK293 Cells
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References:
- Medina, P. B., et al. “Construction and Application of Biobanks for Infectious Diseases: Focus on SARS-CoV-2.” Innov. Dig. Health Diagn. Bio. 2 (2022): 40-47. doi: 10.36401/IDDB-21-06.
- “COVID Data Tracker.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions. Accessed 15 August 2022.
Image: Colorized transmission electron micrograph of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles (in gold). (NIAID/CC BY 2.0)
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Available Omicron-Related SARS-CoV-2 Reagents
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The SARS-CoV-2 Variant-of-Concern Omicron, also referred to as B.1.1.529, remains the dominant variant currently circulating globally, with subvariant BA.2.12.1 rapidly spreading in the United States.1,2,3,4 Omicron variant isolates representing BA.1 and BA.2 sub-lineages are now available in the BEI Resources catalog, with several others in production such as BA.2.12.1 and BA.4.
Other interesting variants, an XD isolate from France containing markers of both Delta (AY.4 lineage) and Omicron variants resulting from multiple recombination events and a B.1.640.2 isolate, will also be made available shortly.5,6 In addition to the isolates, two SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) glycoproteins from Omicron lineages B.1.1.529 (NR-56447) and AY.4 (NR-56517), as well as a genomic RNA from lineage B.1.1.529 (NR-56494), are available for order.
A full, up-to-date listing of all currently available and upcoming SARS-CoV-2 isolates and proteins, as well as genomic RNA, monoclonal antibodies, plasmids, peptide arrays and inactivated virus preparations, is available on the newly updated SARS-CoV-2 resource page on the BEI Resources website. New features include a SARS-CoV-2 search category with variant and lineage filters and a New Released Reagents section listing all of the most recent SARS-CoV-2 items. The BEI Resources Knowledge Base now incorporates the SARS-CoV-2 Frequently Asked Questions on topics related to the ordering process and how to register. Please visit the BEI Resources website and take a look around.
For questions or help navigating the new features, please contact BEI Resources Customer Care at Contact@BEIResources.org
BEI Resources
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Recently Added SARS-CoV-2 Isolates & Reagents
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NR-56447
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S Glycoprotein (Stabilized) from SARS-CoV-2, B.1.1.529 Lineage (Omicron Variant) with C-Terminal Histidine and Avi Tags, Recombinant from HEK293 Cells
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NR-56461
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Isolate hCoV-19/USA/MD-HP20874/2021 (Omicron Variant)
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NR-56481
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Isolate hCoV-19/USA/GA-EHC-2811C/2021 (Omicron Variant)
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NR-56494
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Genomic RNA from hCoV-19/USA/GA-EHC-2811C/2021 (Omicron Variant)
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NR-56495
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Isolate hCoV-19/USA/GA-EHC-2811C/2021 (Omicron Variant), Heat Inactivated
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NR-56517
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S Glycoprotein (Stabilized) from SARS-CoV-2, BA.2 Lineage (Omicron Variant) with C-Terminal Histidine and Avi Tags, Recombinant from HEK293 Cells
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NR-56520
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Isolate hCoV-19/USA/CO-CDPHE-2102544747/2021 (Lineage B.1.1.529, BA.2; Omicron Variant)
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References:
- “Covid Data Tracker.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions. Accessed 16 May 2022.
- "Science Brief: Omicron (B.1.1.529) Variant." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/scientific-brief-omicron-variant.html. Accessed 16 May 2022.
- "SARS-CoV-2 Variant Classifications and Definitions." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/variant-classifications.html. Accessed 16 May 2022.
- "Omicron Variant Report." Outbreak.info, https://outbreak.info/situation-reports/omicron. Accessed 16 May 2022.
- Ou, S., et al. “Tracking SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Diverse Spike Gene Mutations Identifies Multiple Inter-Variant Recombination Events.” Signal Transduct. Target Ther. 7 (2022): 138. PubMed: 35474215.
- Moisan, A., et al. “Evidence of Transmission and Circulation of Deltacron XD Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 in Northwest France.” Clin. Infect. Dis. (2022): ciac360. Online Ahead of Print. PubMed: 35535770.
Image: Scanning electron micrograph image of SARS-CoV-2 emerging from the surface of a cell (NIAID/CC BY 2.0)
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SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies
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The need for high-affinity, SARS-CoV-2-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is crucial in the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic, as such reagents can have important diagnostic, research and therapeutic applications. Researchers at the CDC and the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed an accelerated immunization (using three different immunogens) and hybridoma screening strategy to create novel, SARS-CoV-2-specific mouse mAbs. Several of these purified mouse mAbs with neutralizing properties are available to encourage the development of immunoassays that are broadly reactive to key SARS-CoV-2 variants.
The receptor binding domain (RBD) within the S1 subunit of the S glycoprotein has shown the greatest interest due to its key interaction with the human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptor found on many cell types, in particular lung epithelial cells.1 Differing functions, including binding of diverse protein epitopes, virus neutralization, impact on RBD-hACE2 binding, and immunohistochemical staining of infected lung tissue, were all correlated with variable gene usage and sequence to develop this set of mAbs. Variations in binding to key S mutations of interest and neutralization of variants reported for these novel mAbs offer functional utility in Western blot and ELISA assays.1
BEI Resources
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Recently Added SARS-CoV-2 Isolates & Reagents
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NR-56487
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Monoclonal Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S Glycoprotein, Clone 1-3A7
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NR-56488
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Monoclonal Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S Glycoprotein, Clone 1-3D7
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NR-56489
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Monoclonal Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S Glycoprotein, Clone 1-3F2
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NR-56490
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Monoclonal Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S Glycoprotein, Clone 1-3H2
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NR-56491
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Monoclonal Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S Glycoprotein RBD, Clone 1-3H6
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References:
- Chapman, A. P., et al. “Rapid Development of Neutralizing and Diagnostic SARS-COV-2 Mouse Monoclonal Antibodies.” Sci. Rep. 11 (2021): 9682. PubMed: 33958613.
Image: Colorized scanning electron micrograph of partially lysed cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 (NIAID/CC BY 2.0)
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SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant Isolates Now Available
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It has now been two years since the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) directed BEI Resources to prioritize reagents for the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic response, and BEI Resources remains committed to providing SARS-CoV-2 reagents to the research community. The BEI Resources catalog of SARS-CoV-2 reference and research reagents has expanded from the first cultured United States isolate (USA-WA1/2020; NR-52281) to more than 250 products. This includes isolates representing 13 WHO variants across 28 lineages and related reagents such as genomic RNA, proteins, inactivated virus preparations, proteins, peptide arrays and expression vectors for all 29 SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins. The newly added immunized pooled human sera are important as post-vaccination standard reference materials.1
Recent additions to the catalog include strains of the Variant of Concern Omicron (BEI Resources NR-56461, NR-56475 and NR-56481), the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant currently circulating in the United States.2,3 These isolates originated in the United States and contain characteristic mutations in the Spike protein associated with increased transmission and reduced susceptibility to therapeutic agents or acquired immunity through immune evasion.2,4
All SARS-CoV-2 variants have been analyzed by Next Generation Sequencing with respect to both the SARS-CoV-2, Wuhan-Hu-1 strain reference sequence and the original reference sequence for that isolate to confirm signature mutations. Certificates of Analysis for each stock produced include observed sequence variations noted in the Appendix section and detailed lot-specific data such as passage history and titer of each lot.
This comprehensive resource of quality-controlled reference and research reagents is made available free-of-charge to registrants supporting the development and testing of SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines. For more information on the ordering process and how to register, please refer to our Frequently Answered Questions or contact Customer Care at contact@beiresources.org.
BEI Resources
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Recently Added SARS-CoV-2 Isolates & Reagents
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NR-55607
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Isolate hCoV-19/Uganda/MUWRP-20200195568/2020 (Delta Variant)
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NR-56128
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Isolate hCoV-19/USA/MD-HP05285/2021 (Delta Variant), Heat Inactivated
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NR-56461
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Isolate hCoV-19/USA/MD-HP20874/2021 (Omicron Variant)
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NR-56475
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Isolate hCoV-19/USA/HI-CDC-4359259-001/2021 (Omicron Variant)
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NR-56481
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Isolate hCoV-19/USA/GA-EHC-2811C/2021 (Omicron Variant)
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NRH-17727
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Pooled Human Serum Sample, Pfizer Vaccine
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NRH-17846
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Pooled Human Serum Sample, Moderna Vaccine
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NRH-20012
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Pooled Human Serum Sample, Johnson and Johnson Vaccine
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NRH-21261
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Pooled Human Serum Sample, Novavax Vaccine
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NR-56494
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Genomic RNA from hCoV-19/USA/GA-EHC-2811C/2021 (Omicron Variant)
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NR-56495
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Isolate hCoV-19/USA/GA-EHC-2811C/2021 (Omicron Variant), Heat Inactivated
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References:
- Xiang, J., et al. "Establishment of Human Post-Vaccination SARS-CoV-2 Standard Reference Sera." medRXiv (2022). doi: 10.1101/2022.01.24.22269773. Online ahead of print.
- "SARS-CoV-2 Variant Classifications and Definitions." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/variant-classifications.html. Accessed 18 February 2022.
- "Covid Data Tracker." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions. Accessed 18 February 2022.
- "Omicron Variant Report." Outbreak.info, https://outbreak.info/situation-reports/omicron. Accessed 18 February 2022.
Image: Scanning electron micrograph of a cell infected with SARS-CoV-2 UK B.1.1.7 virus particles (NIAID/CC BY 2.0)
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SARS-CoV-2 Cell Lines
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Cell-based assays are valuable tools for SARS-CoV-2 research and offer alternative approaches for working with pathogenic viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 in a BSL-2 environment using recombinant viral systems. BEI Resources offers a variety of human and animal cell lines optimized for use in SARS-CoV-2 research through expression of the viral entry protein human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) and optimized with the addition of transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2) or furin, which make them highly susceptible to infection.
These cell lines are ideal for a variety of SARS-CoV-2 assays such as the study of viral entry pathways and binding inhibition, evaluation of viral inhibitors, screening of antiviral compounds, determination of antibody titer, pseudotyped lentivirus production, protein detection and purification assays, neutralization assays, use as cell culture controls and more.
Cell lines undergo 21-day broth and agar sterility testing and are confirmed free of Mycoplasma contamination by Hoechst DNA stain, 14-day broth and agar culture and PCR methods. Multiplex PCR amplification of the cytochrome C oxidase I gene is performed to authenticate host cell origin. ACE2 expression is confirmed in the seed material by indirect fluorescent antibody assay.
Please refer to the Product Information Sheet and Certificate of Analysis for recommended thawing, growth and subculturing conditions and use restrictions for each cell line.
BEI Resources
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SARS-CoV-2 Cell Lines
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NR-52511
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HEK-293T Cells Expressing hACE2 (HEK-293T-hACE2)1,2,3,4
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NR-53522
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A549 Cells Expressing hACE2 (HA-FLAG)2,5,6
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NR-53726
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Vero E6 Cells Expressing High Endogenous ACE21
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NR-54970
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Vero E6 Cells Expressing TMPRSS2 and hACE2 (Vero E6-TMPRSS2-T2A-ACE2)7
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NR-55293
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HEK-293T Cells Expressing TMPRSS2, hACE2 and Red Fluorescent Protein [HEK-293T-ACE 2.TMPRSS2 (mCherry)]8
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NR-55312
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Vero E6 Cells with High Expression of Human Furin (Vero-Furin)
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NR-55340
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Calu-3 Cells with High Expression of hACE2 [Calu-3 (Clone 2B4)-ACE2]
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References:
- Cong, Z., et al. "SARS-CoV-2 Spreads through Cell-to-Cell Transmission." bioRxiv (2021): doi: 10.1101/2021.06.01.446579. Online ahead of print. PubMed: 34100011.
- Chan, S.-W., T. Shafi and R. C. Ford. "Kite-Shaped Molecules Block SARS-CoV-2 Cell Entry at a Post-Attachment Step." Viruses 13 (2021): 2306. PubMed: 34835112.
- Crawford, K. H. D., et al. "Dynamics of Neutralizing Antibody Titers in the Months After Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection." J. Infect. Dis. 223 (2021): 197-205. PubMed: 33535236.
- Xia, Z., et al. "Rational Design of Hybrid SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitors Guided by the Superimposed Cocrystal Structures with the Peptidomimetic Inhibitors GC-376, Telaprevir, and Boceprevir." ACS Pharmacol. Transl. Sci. 4 (2021): 1408-1421. PubMed: 34414360.
- Curreli, F., et al. "Stapled Peptides Based on Human Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) Potently Inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Infection In Vitro." mBio 11 (2020): e02451-20. PubMed: 33310780.
- Prabhakara, C., et al. "Strategies to Target SARS-CoV-2 Entry and Infection Using Mechanisms of Inhibition by Acidification Inhibitors." PLoS Pathog. 17 (2021): e1009706. PubMed: 34252168.
- Sievers, B. L., et al. "Antibodies Elicited by SARS-CoV-2 Infection or mRNA Vaccines Have Reduced Neutralizing Activity against Beta and Omicron Pseudoviruses." Sci. Transl. Med. (2022): doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abn7842. Online ahead of print. PubMed: 35025672.
- Neerukonda, S. N., et al. "Establishment of a Well-Characterized SARS-CoV-2 Lentiviral Pseudovirus Neutralization Assay Using 293T Cells with Stable Expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2." PLoS One 16 (2021): e0248348. PubMed: 33690649.
Image: Scanning electron microscope image of SARS-CoV-2 emerging from the surface of a cell (NIAID/CC BY 2.0)
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Resources for Trypanosoma cruzi Research
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Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) is the protozoan parasite responsible for Chagas’ disease, a debilitating illness first identified in 1909 that remains a neglected tropical disease in Central and South America where it is endemic.1 T. cruzi has been identified through analysis of vector and climate data as a potential emerging health risk to humans in the southern United States, where the most commonly reported wildlife reservoirs are the raccoon and the Virginia opossum.2,3
Transmission to humans occurs through triatomine insect vectors and can be passed congenitally as well as through blood infusions, organ transplantation and ingestion of contaminated food and water, and often leads to chronic conditions such as myocarditis or meningoencephalitis.1,2,3
The BEI Resources T. cruzi catalog represents human, animal and vector isolates collected in the United States and throughout South America over a span of nearly 50 years. Many of these isolates are also available as transgenic strains, genomic DNA and monoclonal antibodies.
Recent additions of the virulent human strain Brazil are available in epimastigote and trypomastigote forms of the parasite life cycle both with and without luciferase expression, and genomic DNA.
BEI Resources
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Trypanosoma cruzi
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NR-40347
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Trypanosoma cruzi, Strain Brazil (+luc; trypomastigote stage)
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NR-46429
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Trypanosoma cruzi, Strain Brazil (+luc; axenic epimastigote)
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NR-53932
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Trypanosoma cruzi, Strain Brazil (axenic epimastigote)
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NR-55374
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Genomic DNA from Trypanosoma cruzi, Strain Brazil (NR-53932)
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NR-55285
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Trypanosoma cruzi, Strain Brazil (trypomastigote)
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References:
- Bern, C. "Chagas’ Disease." N. Engl. J. Med. 373 (2015): 456-466. PubMed: 26222561.
- Patel, J. M., et al. "Isolation, Mouse Pathogenicity, and Genotyping of Trypanosoma cruzi from an English Cocker Spaniel from Virginia, USA." Vet. Parasitol. 187 (2012): 394-398. PubMed: 22341614.
- Garza, M., et al. "Projected Future Distributions of Vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi in North America Under Climate Change Scenarios." PLoS Negl. Trop. Dis. 8 (2014): e2818. PubMed: 24831117.
Image: Photomicrograph of four flagellated Trypanosoma cruzi parasites in a blood sample taken in 1968. (CDC)
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Multidrug-Resistant Diversity Panels
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Diversity panels deposited by the Multidrug-Resistant Organism Repository and Surveillance Network (MRSN) within the Bacterial Diseases Branch of the Walter Reed Army Institute are now available. These panels support the research and development of new antibiotics and tools to treat infections caused the opportunistic pathogens Acinetobacter baumanii (A. baumanii) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa).
The A. baumanii MRSN diversity panel represents 70 different traditional Pasteur scheme multilocus sequence types (MLST) and contains 100 distinct alleles encompassing 32 families of antimicrobial resistance genes.1
The P. aeruginosa MRSN diversity panel represents 91 different MLSTs and 88 antimicrobial resistance genes resulting in 71 distinct antibiotic susceptibility profiles.2
Each panel consists of 100 isolates assembled from a larger collection of clinical isolates and contains genetically distinct strains from major epidemic clones with phenotypes ranging from pan-susceptible to pan-resistant. Isolates are fully characterized using whole genome sequencing, complete with antimicrobial-resistant gene content and comprehensive susceptibility profile of clinically relevant antibiotics detailed on the individual documentation available for each isolate.
The P. aeruginosa MRSN diversity panel is available as individual isolates (BEI Resources NR-51515 through NR-51614) and a complete panel of all 100 isolates (NR-51829). The 100 isolates in the A. baumanii MRSN Diversity Panel are available as BEI Resources NR-52148 through NR-52247 and the assembled panel as BEI Resources NR-52248.
BEI Resources
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Antibiotic Diversity Panels
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NR-51829
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Pseudomonas aeruginosa MRSN Diversity Panel
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NR-52248
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Acinetobacter baumannii MRSN Diversity Panel
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References:
- Galac, M. R., et al. "A Diverse Panel of Clinical Acinetobacter baumannii for Research and Development." Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 21 (2020): e00840-20. PubMed: 32718956.
- Lebreton, F., et al. "A Panel of Diverse Pseudomonas aeruginosa Clinical Isolates for Research and Development." JAC Antimicrob. Resist. 3 (2021): dlab179. PubMed: 34909689.
Image: Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of an Acinetobacter baumannii MRSN strain. (BEI Resources)
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Isolates and Proteins of Recent SARS-CoV-2 Variants
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The BEI Resources collection of SARS-CoV-2 materials includes over 40 isolates representing 7 of the 9 variants now classified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as Variants Being Monitored, as well as the Variant of Concern (VOC), Delta (also referred to as B.1.617.2 and AY lineages), which remains the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant circulating in the United States.1,2,3
Available Delta variant isolates (NR-55671 and NR-55672) originated in the United States and contain characteristic mutations of the Spike (S) glycoprotein, including T19R, D614G in the N3 loop of the S1 region, L452R and T478K in a key antigenic region of the receptor binding domain (RBD), P681R at the furin cleavage site, D950N in the heptad repeat region of the S2 domain, and two deletions, 156del and 157del in the N-Terminal Domain (NTD).1,2,3
In addition to isolates, the BEI Resources catalog contains nearly 40 recombinant forms of the SARS-CoV-2 S glycoprotein and RBD, key targets for vaccine development efforts and diagnostic and surveillance measures.4 This expansive S protein collection includes recently added Alpha (NR-55277), Beta (NR-55278), Delta (NR-55614) and Theta (NR-55633) variants. The purity, concentration and functional activity are detailed on the individual Certificates of Analysis, along with mutations present in the S glycoprotein as compared to the SARS-CoV-2 reference sequence.
A full, up-to-date listing of all currently available and upcoming SARS-CoV-2 isolates and proteins, as well as genomic RNA, monoclonal antibodies, plasmids, peptide arrays and inactivated virus preparations, is available on the SARS-CoV-2 resource page on the BEI Resources website.
BEI Resources will continue to make available variants as they emerge, with the intent of having each variant well represented. Requests continue to be fast-tracked and prioritized, with an anticipated turnaround window of 12-to-72 hours for new SARS-CoV-2 registrations and 24-to-48 hours for shipments of new orders. For more information on the ordering process and how to register, please refer to our Frequently Answered Questions or contact Customer Care at contact@beiresources.org.
BEI Resources
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SARS-CoV-2 Isolate Poduct Descriptions
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NR-55308
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Isolate USA/CA/VRLC009/2021 (Epsilon Variant)
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NR-55439
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Isolate USA/CA/VRLC012/2021 (Zeta Variant)
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NR-55461
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Isolate hCoV-19/USA/OR-OHSU-PHL00037/2021 (Alpha Variant)
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NR-55486
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Isolate hCoV-19/USA/CA-Stanford-15_S02/2021 (Kappa Variant)
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NR-55654
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Isolate hCoV-19/Peru/un-CDC-2-4069945/2021 (Lambda Variant)
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NR-55671
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Isolate hCoV-19/USA/MD-HP05285/2021 (Delta Variant)
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NR-55672
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Isolate hCoV-19/USA/MD-HP05647/2021 (Delta Variant)
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BEI Resources
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SARS-CoV-2 Protein Product Descriptions
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NR-55277
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Isolate USA/CA/VRLC009/2021 (Epsilon Variant)
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NR-55278
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Isolate USA/CA/VRLC012/2021 (Zeta Variant)
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NR-55614
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Isolate hCoV-19/USA/OR-OHSU-PHL00037/2021 (Alpha Variant)
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NR-55633
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Isolate hCoV-19/USA/CA-Stanford-15_S02/2021 (Kappa Variant)
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NR-55711
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Isolate hCoV-19/Peru/un-CDC-2-4069945/2021 (Lambda Variant)
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References:
- “SARS-CoV-2 Variant Classifications and Definitions.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/variant-info.html. Accessed 26 October 2021.
- “Covid Data Tracker.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions. Accessed 26 October 2021.
- “B.1.617.2 Lineage Report.” Outbreak.info, https://outbreak.info/situation-reports/delta.
- Winger, A. and T. Caspari. “The Spike of Concern - The Novel Variants of SARS-CoV-2.” Viruses 13 (2021): 1002. PubMed: 34071984.
Image: Transmission electron micrograph of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles (NIAID/CC BY 2.0)
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Stage-Specific, Fluorescent Toxoplasma gondii
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The genome of Toxoplasma gondii, the causal agent of toxoplasmosis, is readily amenable to genetic manipulation in the laboratory making it an ideal model system to study the basic biology of parasitism, such as its complex life cycle. The life cycle stages of T. gondii include sporozoites, merozoites, tachyzoites, and bradyzoites. The factors involving the stage conversion of invading tachyzoites to the bradyzoite stage contained within dormant tissue cysts and the mechanisms of cyst reactivation are not fully understood.
Recent additions to the BEI Resources protozoan catalog include two fluorescent, stage-specific, transgenic T. gondii reporter strains derived from the recombinant type I/III strain EGS, which is able to spontaneously form cysts in vitro.1,2,3,4 Transfection of strain EGS with plasmids expressing fluorescent tags under the control of stage-specific promoters resulted in two strains, T. gondii, strain EGS SAG1-mCherry LDH2-sfGFP (NR-53930) and T. gondii, strain EGS SAG1-mCherry LDH2-sfGFP MSF-BFP (NR-53931), that allow for monitoring of parasite stage conversion both in vitro and in vivo.5,6
NR-53930 expresses the red fluorescent protein mCherry and superfolder green fluorescent protein (sfGFP), with parasites in the bradyzoite stage positive for sfGFP and negative for mCherry; parasites in the tachyzoite stage of the life cycle are positive for mCherry and negative for sfGFP. NR-53931 has the addition of blue fluorescent protein (BFP), with merozoite-stage parasites positive for BFP and negative for sfGFP and mCherry.6
For more information on these strains, including specific culture conditions to induce stage conversion, please refer to the individual product documentation available on the BEI Resources website.
BEI Resources
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Poduct Description
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NR-53930
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Toxoplasma gondii, strain EGS SAG1-mCherry LDH2-sfGFP
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NR-53931
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Toxoplasma gondii, strain EGS SAG1-mCherry LDH2-sfGFP MSF-BFP
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References:
- Vidigal, P. V., et al. “Prenatal Toxoplasmosis Diagnosis from Amniotic Fluid by PCR.” Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop. 35 (2002): 1-6. PubMed: 11873253.
- Ferreira, A. M., et al. “Genetic Analysis of Natural Recombinant Brazilian Toxoplasma gondii Strains by Multilocus PCR-RFLP.” Infect. Genet. Evol. 6 (2006): 22-31. PubMed: 16376837.
- Ferriera, A. M., et al. “Virulence for BALB/c Mice and Antigenic Diversity of Eight Toxoplasma gondii Strains Isolated from Animals and Humans in Brazil.” Parasite 8 (2001): 99-105. PubMed: 11474987
- Paredes-Santos, T. C., et al. “Spontaneous Cystogenesis in vitro of a Brazilian Strain of Toxoplasma gondii.” Parasitol. Int. 62 (2013): 181-188. PubMed: 23269201.
- Paredes-Santos, T. C., et al. “Development of Dual Fluorescent Stage Specific Reporter Strains of Toxoplasma gondii to Follow Tachyzoite and Bradyzoite Development In Vitro and In Vivo.” Microbes Infect. 18 (2016): 39-47. PubMed: 26432517.
- Sinai, A. P., et al. “Bradyzoite and Sexual Stage Development.” In: L. M. Weiss and K. Kim, Toxoplasma gondii: The Model Apicomplexan - Perspectives and Methods (3rd ed.). Elsevier, 2020. 807-857.
Image: Transmission electron micrograph of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles (NIAID/CC BY 2.0)
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Recombinant Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Expressing SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein and eGFP
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The S glycoprotein remains a primary focus of SARS-CoV-2 immunotherapy research, particularly in the screening of convalescent human plasma and sera for the presence of neutralizing antibodies. Alternative approaches for working with pathogenic viruses outside of a BSL-3 laboratory using recombinant viral systems, such as Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV), have made this research more accessible.
A recombinant VSV recently deposited to BEI Resources by Dr. Kartik Chandran of Albert Einstein College of Medicine resembles SARS-CoV-2 in cellular entry and inhibition through expression of the SARS-CoV-2 S gene as the sole entry glycoprotein. rVSV-SARS-CoV-2 S (BEI Resources NR-55284) was generated by modification of a VSV antigenome, replacing its native glycoprotein with the full-length, wild-type SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan-Hu-1 S gene and enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP). After a plasmid-based rescue, rVSV-SARS-CoV-2 S was passaged 9 times and plaque-purified, resulting in a slowly replicating virus expressing the wild-type S gene.1 rVSV-SARS-CoV-2 S is provided as spin-clarified cell lysate and supernatant from infected Cercopithecus aethiops kidney cells (ATCC® CCL-81™).
rVSV-SARS-CoV-2 S is ideal for reporter-based screening of small-molecule and antibody-based inhibitors targeting the SARS-CoV-2 S glycoprotein, such as neutralizing antibodies present in convalescent human plasma and sera, as well as research targeting viral entry and its inhibition.
Please refer to the product documentation located on the BEI Resources website for detailed analysis of eGFP expression, titer determination and recommended growth conditions.
BEI Resources
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Poduct Description
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NR-55284
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Recombinant Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Expressing SARS-CoV-2 Spike with Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein
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References:
- Dieterle, M. E., et al. “A Replication-Competent Vesicular Stomatitis Virus for Studies of SARS-CoV-2 Spike-Mediated Cell Entry and Its Inhibition.” Cell Host Microbe 23 (2020): 486-496. PubMed: 32738193
Image: Transmission electron microscopic image vesicular stomatitis virus particles. (CDC/Dr. Fred. A. Murphy)
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Pseudotyped Lentivirus
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The pseudovirus system is a useful alternative approach for pathogenic viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 outside of a BSL-3 laboratory. Two pseudotyped lentivirus plasmid kits recently deposited by the Bloom Lab at the Fred Hutchinson Research Center in Seattle, Washington, provide a method of generating non-replicative pseudotyped lentiviral particles with SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) glycoprotein in a BSL-2 environment.1,2 These kits, NR-53816 and NR-53817, combined with HEK293T cells engineered to express the SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 (NR-52511), are ideal for performing SARS-CoV-2 antibody neutralization assays in a convenient 96-well format.
Production of the pseudotyped lentiviruses is achieved through the transfection of 5 plasmids. Each kit includes: one plasmid containing a viral entry protein encoding for S glycoprotein; three helper plasmids encoding for human immunodeficiency virus Gag and Pol, Tat1b, Rev1b; two helper plasmids (Tat1b and Rev1b nonsurface proteins) for lentivirus packaging; and one lentiviral backbone plasmid encoding for synthetic firefly luciferase (Luc2) and synthetic Zoanthus sp. green fluorescent protein (ZsGreen1) for visualization.
In addition to the pseudotyped lentivirus plasmid kits, BEI Resources now offers SARS-CoV-2 spike-pseudotyped lentiviruses (NR-53818 and NR-53819) with the same characteristics as those produced with the plasmid kits. NR-53818 is pseudotyped lentivirus with a C-terminally truncated S glycoprotein, a mutation that increases the titer of viral particles produced.3 NR-53819 includes the S glycoprotein with the mutation D614G, one of the first documented S glycoprotein variants, which is more infectious than wild-type SARS-CoV-2.4,5 Each vial of pseudotyped lentivirus is sufficient for one 96-well plate of neutralization assays
The use of the SARS-CoV-2 plasmid kits to make spike-pseudotyped lentiviruses for neutralization assays has been cited in numerous publications.6,7,8,9 Many online resources are available supporting the production of pseudotyped lentivirus and design of neutralization assays, including up-to-date protocols maintained by the Bloom Lab, as well as basic protocols on BEI Resources product information sheets.
Please refer to the product information on the BEI Resources website for detailed information on individual kit components, use restrictions and for the limited-use, research-only licenses of Luc2 and ZsGreen.
BEI Resources
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Product Description
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NR-53816
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SARS-CoV-2, Wuhan-Hu-1 Spike-Pseudotyped Lentiviral Kit, Version 2
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NR-53817
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SARS-CoV-2, Wuhan-Hu-1 Spike D614G-Pseudotyped Lentiviral Kit
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NR-53818
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SARS-CoV-2, Wuhan-Hu-1 Spike-Pseudotyped Lentivirus, Luc2/ZsGreen
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NR-53819
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SARS-CoV-2, Wuhan-Hu-1 Spike D614G-Pseudotyped Lentivirus, Luc2/ZsGreen
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NR-52511
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Human Embryonic Kidney Cells Expressing Human Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2, HEK-293T-hACE2 Cell Line
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NR-52520
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Vector pHAGE2 Containing the ZsGreen Gene
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NR-53742
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Vector pHDM Containing the SARS-CoV-2, Wuhan-Hu-1 Spike Glycoprotein Gene with C-Terminal Deletion
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NR-53765
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Vector pHDM Containing the SARS-CoV-2, Wuhan-Hu-1 Spike Glycoprotein Gene, D614G Mutant with C-Terminal Deletion
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References:
- Crawford, K. H. D., et al. “Dynamics of Neutralizing Antibody Titers in the Months after SARS-CoV-2 Infection.” J. Infect. Dis. 223 (2021): 197-205. PubMed: 33000143.
- Crawford, K. H. D., et al. “Protocol and Reagents for Pseudotyping Lentiviral Particles with SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein for Neutralization Assays.” Viruses 12 (2020): E513. PubMed: 32384820.
- Hulswit, R. J. G., C. A. M. de Haan and B. -J. Bosch. “Coronavirus Spike Protein and Tropism Changes.” Adv. Virus Res. 96 (2016): 29-57. PubMed: 27712627.
- Wu, F., et al. “A New Coronavirus Associated with Human Respiratory Disease in China.” Nature 579 (2020): 265-269. PubMed: 32015508.
- Klumpp-Thomas, C., et al. “Effect of D614G Spike Variant on Immunoglobulin G, M, or A Spike Seroassay Performance.” J. Infect. Dis. 223 (2021): 802-804. PubMed: 33257936.
- Starr, T. N., et al. “Prospective Mapping of Viral Mutations that Escape Antibodies Used to Treat COVID-19.” Science 371 (2021): 850-854. PubMed: 33495308.
- Hu, Y., et al. “Boceprevir, Calpain Inhibitors II and XII, and GC-376 have Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Activity Against Coronaviruses.” ACS Infect. Dis. 7 (2021): 586-597. PubMed: 33645977.
- Chandrasekar, S. S., et al. “Localized and Systemic Immune Responses Against SARS-CoV-2 Following Mucosal Immunization.” Vaccines 9 (2021): 132. PubMed: 33562141.
- Sanchez, S., et al. “Limiting the Priming Dose of a SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Improves Virus-Specific Immunity.” bioRxiv (2021): doi: 10.1101/2021.03.31.437931. PubMed: 33821275.
Image: Transmission electron micrograph of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles (NIAID/CC BY 2.0)
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Acinetobacter baumanii Diversity Panel
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The Multidrug-Resistant Organism Repository and Surveillance Network (MRSN) Acinetobacter baumanii diversity panel consists of 100 multidrug-resistant A. baumanii strains selected from a collection of over 3,500 clinical isolates collected between 2001 and 2017 from health care facilities around the world.1 This panel supports the research and development of new antibiotics and tools to treat infections caused by A. baumannii, an opportunistic pathogen and leading cause of infections in hospital and healthcare settings, and categorized by the World Health Organization as a priority 1 pathogen due to its increasing rates of antibiotic resistance.
The panel represents 70 different traditional Pasteur scheme multilocus sequence types, including genetically distinct isolates within the most globally prevalent clones, and contains multidrug-resistant, extensively drug-resistant and non-multidrug-resistant isolates with 100 distinct alleles encompassing 32 families of antimicrobial resistance genes. Isolates are fully characterized using whole genome sequencing complete with antibiotic susceptibility and antimicrobial-resistant gene content, ranging from pansensitive to panresistant phenotypes, and a comprehensive susceptibility profile consisting of 14 clinically relevant antibiotics.
The MRSN Acinetobacter baumanii Diversity Panel (BEI Resources NR-52148 through NR-52248) is currently in production and individual strains will be available on the BEI Resources website as they are released. The complete panel of 100 isolates will be available as BEI Resources NR-52248 later this year.
References:
- Galac, M. R., et al. “A Diverse Panel of Clinical Acinetobacter baumannii for Research and Development.” Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 64 (2020): e00840-20. PubMed: 32718956.
Image: Photograph of Acinetobacter baumannii cultured on sheep blood agar medium (CDC/Todd Parker)
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Isolates of Trypanosoma brucei Used in In Vivo Research
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The African trypanosomes infect a broad range of mammals across sub-Saharan Africa and result in significant losses to domestic livestock. Subspecies of Trypanosoma brucei also cause African trypanosomiasis in humans resulting in approximately 20,000 cases per year.1 The development of vaccines against this disease is extremely difficult due to high antigenic variation of trypanosome surface glycoproteins, and a rise in resistance to trypanocidal drugs has been documented.2,3 Mouse models of infection and drug susceptibility are critical to understanding the mechanisms of disease and the development of new therapeutic drugs.
BEI Resources houses several isolates of T. brucei to support in vivo research on African trypanosomiasis. T. brucei subsp. gambiense, strain 348BT (NR-53513) is a recent acquisition that was isolated from a patient in the Democratic Republic of Congo before receiving treatment with melarsoprol that displays reduced sensitivity to the drug in laboratory mice.4,5
Other African trypanosome acquisitions in BEI Resources catalog include the reference T. brucei subsp. brucei, strain TREU 667 (NR-46440), as well as a variety of clinical isolates used in drug susceptibility studies in vivo. For more information on the availability of these cultures, please visit the BEI Resources website or contact Customer Care at contact@beiresources.org.
BEI Resources
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Product Description
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NR-36197
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Trypanosoma brucei subsp. brucei, Strain STIB 247
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NR-36198
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Trypanosoma brucei subsp. gambiense, Strain STIB 386
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NR-46431
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Trypanosoma brucei subsp. rhodesiense, Strain KETRI 243
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NR-46432
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Trypanosoma brucei subsp. rhodesiense, Strain KETRI 269
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NR-46433
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Trypanosoma brucei subsp. rhodesiense, Strain KETRI 2285
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NR-46434
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Trypanosoma brucei subsp. rhodesiense, Strain KETRI 2482
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NR-46435
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Trypanosoma brucei subsp. rhodesiense, Strain KETRI 2538
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NR-46436
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Trypanosoma brucei subsp. rhodesiense, Strain KETRI 2537
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NR-46437
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Trypanosoma brucei subsp. rhodesiense, Strain KETRI 2562
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NR-46438
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Trypanosoma brucei subsp. rhodesiense, Strain KETRI 2772
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NR-46439
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Trypanosoma brucei subsp. brucei, Strain Lab 110 EATRO
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NR-46440
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Trypanosoma brucei subsp. brucei, TREU 667
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NR-53513
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Trypanosoma brucei subsp. gambiense, Strain 348BT
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References:
- Brun, R., et al. “Human African Trypanosomiasis.” Lancet 375 (2010): 148-159. PubMed: 19833383.
- Büscher, P., et al. “Human African Trypanosomiasis.” Lancet 390 (2017): 2397-2409. PubMed: 28673422.
- “Trypanosomiasis, Human African (Sleeping Sickness).” World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/trypanosomiasis-human-african-(sleeping-sickness). Accessed 29 July 2021.
- Pyana, P. P., et al. “Isolation of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense from Cured and Relapsed Sleeping Sickness Patients and Adaptation to Laboratory Mice.” PLoS Negl. Trop. Dis. 5 (2011): e1025. PubMed: 21526217.
- Pyana, P. P., et al. “Melarsoprol Sensitivity Profile of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense Isolates from Cured and Relapsed Sleeping Sickness Patients from the Democratic Republic of Congo.” PLoS Negl. Trop. Dis. 8 (2014): e3212. PubMed: 25275572.
Image: Photomicrograph of Trypanosoma brucei parasites in a Giemsa-stained blood sample (CDC/Blaine Mathison)
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Historical ATCC-Derived Bacillus Species Now Available
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A selection of historical Bacillus sp. isolates derived from ATCC® cultures have been made available to BEI registrants through the BEI Resources catalog.
This collection encompasses type strains or early isolates used to define the species, well-characterized quality control strains incorporated in biochemical identification systems and industrial applications, and represents environmental, dairy, grain and human isolates, some of which were originally isolated over 100 years ago. Several of these isolates have undergone reclassification as a result of taxonomic revision within the Bacillus genus following comparative phenotypic studies and improved genotypic analysis.1
For more detailed information including isolate history, please refer to the product documentation on the BEI Resources website.
BEI Resources
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Product Description
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NR-52256
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Bacillus sp., Strain NRS 201 (ATCC® 7064™)
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NR-52257
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Bacillus coagulans, Strain NRS 609T (ATCC® 7050™)2
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NR-52258
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Paenibacillus macerans, Strain NRS 888T (ATCC® 8244™)2 – Coming Soon
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NR-52259
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Bacillus megaterium, Strain Ford 19T (Gibson 1060) (ATCC® 14581™)2
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NR-52260
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Bacillus cereus, Strain NRRL B-569 (ATCC® 10876™) – Coming Soon
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NR-52261
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Bacillus paranthracis, Strain PCI 246 (ATCC® 13061™)
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NR-52262
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Bacillus licheniformis, Strain Gibson 46T (ATCC® 14580™)2
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NR-52263
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Paenibacillus polymyxa, Strain NCIB 8158T (ATCC® 842™)2 – Coming Soon
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NR-52264
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Lysinibacillis capsica, Strain CCM 2177 (ATCC® 4525™) – Coming Soon
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NR-52265
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Geobacillus stearothermophilus, Strain NCA 1518 (ATCC® 7953™)
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NR-52266
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Bacillus sp., Strain 1180 (ATCC® 39152™)
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NR-52267
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Bacillus licheniformis, Strain NRS 712 (ATCC® 9945™)
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References:
- Fritz, D. “Taxonomy of the Genus Bacillus and Related Genera: the Aerobic Endospore-Forming Bacteria.” Phytopathology 94 (2004): 1245-1248. PubMed: 18944461.
- Smith, N. R., et al. “Type Cultures and Proposed Neotype Cultures of Some Species in the Genus Bacillus.” J. Gen. Microbiol. 34 (1964): 269-272. PubMed: 14135533.
Image: Scanning electron micrograph of Bacillus cereus (M. Das Murtey, P. Ramasamy/ CC BY-SA 3.0)
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Parasitology and Vector Resources Update
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A recent review of the BEI Resources parasitology and arthropod vector research collection shows a significant increase in the availability of organisms and biomaterials supporting research of parasitic diseases.1
Since 2010, the BEI Resources collection has expanded with integration of the Malaria Research and Reference Reagent Resource (MR4), the Schistosome Resource (SR3) and the Filariasis Research Reagent Resource (FR3) Centers, the Black Fly Research and Resource Center from the University of Georgia, and by the continued contribution of strains and reagents by the research community.
The parasitic protozoa collection now totals over 500 wild-type, transgenic, reference and clinical isolate strains representing 10 genera, along with nucleic acids, antibodies, recombinant proteins and expression vectors integral to the study of many neglected tropical diseases.
Disease vectors such as ticks, mosquitoes, triatomines, sandflies and black flies are available in a variety of life stages. Please consult the Vector Resources catalog for a complete listing of available vectors, protocols and additional information and helpful resources.
To learn more about these reagents, to suggest a new reagent, or to learn how to contribute to the collection by making a deposit, please visit the BEI Resources website or contact Customer Care at contact@BEIResources.org.
References:
- Molestina, R. E. and T.T. Stedman. “Update on BEI Resources for Parasitology and Arthropod Vector Research.” Trends Parasitol. 36 (2020): 321-324. PubMed: 32035817
Image: Photomicrograph of fluorescent antibody-stained Brugia malayi (CDC/A.V. Sulzer)
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SARS-CoV-2 Variant Spike Proteins
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The SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) glycoprotein mediates viral binding to the host angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). This protein forms a trimer, and when bound to a host receptor allows fusion of the viral and cellular membranes.1 Multiple SARS-CoV-2 mutations in the S glycoprotein are currently under study, in particular three mutations in the receptor binding domain (RBD), K417N, E484K and N501Y, that may have functional significance.2 Structural modeling and mouse studies indicate N501Y increases S glycoprotein binding to ACE2, resulting in increased SARS-CoV-2 virulence.3,4 In addition, the E484K mutation drives immune evasion by altering RBD conformation and has been identified in escape mutants for convalescent antisera.5
The SARS-CoV-2 S glycoprotein is a key target for vaccine development efforts, as well as diagnostic and surveillance measures. To support these efforts, recombinant forms of the S glycoprotein and RBD from SARS-CoV-2 variants of interest and concern are now available in the BEI Resources catalog. The purity, concentration and functional activity are detailed on the Certificates of Analysis. Please consult the product documentation located on the product web pages for specific information on each protein.
The SARS-CoV-2 S glycoproteins were contributed or manufactured by Dr. Florian Krammer and Fatima Amanat, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, and Dr. Noah Sather, Center for Global Infectious Diseases, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington.
BEI Resources
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Product Description
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NR-54004
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Spike Glycoprotein RBD from SARS-CoV-2, United Kingdom Variant with C-Terminal Histidine Tag, Recombinant from HEK293 Cells
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NR-54005
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Spike Glycoprotein RBD from SARS-CoV-2, South Africa Variant with C-Terminal Histidine Tag, Recombinant from HEK293 Cells
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NR-55307
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Spike Glycoprotein (Stabilized) from SARS-CoV-2, P.1 Lineage with C-Terminal Histidine and Avi Tags, Recombinant from HEK293 Cells
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NR-55310
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Spike Glycoprotein (Stabilized) from SARS-CoV-2, B.1.351 Lineage with C-Terminal Histidine and Avi Tags, Recombinant from HEK293 Cells
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NR-55311
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Spike Glycoprotein (Stabilized) from SARS-CoV-2, B.1.1.7 Lineage with C-Terminal Histidine and Avi Tags, Recombinant from HEK293 Cells
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NR-55438
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Spike Glycoprotein (Stabilized) from SARS-CoV-2, B.1.526 Lineage with C-Terminal Histidine and Avi Tags, Recombinant from HEK293 Cells
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References:
- Hulswit, R. J. G., C. A. M. de Haan and B.-J. Bosch. “Coronavirus Spike Protein and Tropism Changes.” Adv. Virus Res. 96 (2016): 29-57. PubMed: 27712627.
- Tegally, H., et al. “Emergence and Rapid Spread of a New Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Related Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Lineage with Multiple Spike Mutations in South Africa.” medRxiv (2020). doi:10.1101/2020.12.21.20248640.
- Gu, H., et al. “Adaptation of SARS-CoV-2 in BALB/c Mice for Testing Vaccine Efficacy.” Science 369 (2020): 1603-1607. PubMed: 32732280.
- Leung, K., et al. “Early Transmissibility Assessment of the N501Y Mutant Strains of SARS-CoV-2 in the United Kingdom, October to November 2020.” Euro. Surveill. 26 (2021): 2002106. PubMed: 33413740.
- Andreano, E., et al. “SARS-CoV-2 Escape in vitro from a Highly Neutralizing COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma.” bioRxiv (2020): 10.1101/2020.12.28.424451. PubMed: 33398278.
Image: Transmission electron micrograph of a SARS-CoV-2 virus particle (NIAID/CC BY 2.0)
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Available SARS-CoV-2 Variants
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Thirty-five SARS-CoV-2 isolates are now available in the BEI Resources catalog. The collection includes isolates classified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as Variants of Concern and Variants of Interest, originating from the United States and internationally (Brazil, Canada, Chile, England, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Scotland, South Africa and Singapore).1,2 Available and upcoming isolates represent lineages B.1.617.1, B.1.617.2, B.1.1.7, B.1.351, P.1, P.2, B.1.5, B.1.1.298, B.1.222, B.1.427, B.1.526, B.1.529, B.1.617, R.1 and C.37 (formerly B.1.1.1).
SARS-CoV-2 isolates are produced in vitro by infection of Cercopithecus aethiops kidney epithelial (Vero) cells or Homo sapiens lung adenocarcinoma (Calu-3; ATCC® HTB-55™) cells with the deposited material and are provided frozen as spin-clarified cell lysate and supernatant. Virus propagation in Calu-3 cells have shown that the virus stocks are less prone to tissue culture adaptive changes. All SARS-CoV-2 variants have been analyzed by Next Generation Sequencing with respect to both the SARS-CoV-2, Wuhan-Hu-1 strain reference sequence and the original reference sequence for that isolate to confirm signature mutations. Certificates of Analysis for each stock produced include observed sequence variations noted in the Appendix section and detailed lot-specific data such as passage history and titer of each item lot.
BEI Resources will continue to make available variants as they emerge, with the intent to have a good representation of each variant. Requests are fast-tracked and prioritized, with an anticipated turnaround window of 12-to-72 hours for new SARS-CoV-2 registrations and 24-to-48 hours for shipments of new orders. For more information on the ordering process and how to register, please refer to our Frequently Answered Questions or contact Customer Care at contact@beiresources.org.
An up-to-date listing of all currently available and upcoming SARS-CoV-2 isolates, genomic RNA, monoclonal antibodies, plasmids, proteins, peptide arrays and inactivated virus preparations is available on the SARS-CoV-2 resource page on the BEI Resources website.
BEI Resources
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Product Description
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NR-52368
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SARS-CoV-2, Isolate New York 1-PV08001/2020 (B.4)
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NR-52387
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SARS-CoV-2, Isolate USA-CA2/2020 (B.2)
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NR-52439
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SARS-CoV-2, Isolate Chile/Santiago_op4d1/2020 (A.2)
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NR-55611
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SARS-CoV-2, Isolate hCoV-19/USA/PHC658/2021 (B.1.617.2; Delta)
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NR-55486
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SARS-CoV-2, Isolate hCoV-19/USA/CA-Stanford-15_S02/2021 (Kappa)
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NR-55308
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SARS-CoV-2, Isolate USA/CA/VRLC009/2021 (Epsilon)
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NR-55439
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SARS-CoV-2, Isolate USA/CA/VRLC012/2021 (Zeta)
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NR-55654
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SARS-CoV-2, Isolate hCoV-19/Peru/un-CDC-2-4069945/2021 (C.37)
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Coming Soon
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NR-55359
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SARS-CoV-2, Isolate hCoV-19/USA/NYDOH1/2021 (B.1526 + E484K)
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NR-55483
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SARS-CoV-2, Isolate hCoV-19/USA/PHC205/2021 (B.1.519)
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References:
- “SARS-CoV-2 Variant Classifications and Definitions.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/variant-surveillance/variant-info.html.
- "SARS-CoV-2 (hCoV-19) Mutation Reports." Outbreak.info, https://outbreak.info/situation-reports.
Image: Scanning electron micrograph of an apoptotic cell infected with SARS-COV-2 virus particles (NIAID/CC BY 2.0)
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Enterovirus and Acute Flaccid Myelitis Research Materials
In support of Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) vaccine development research, BEI Resources has performed initial screening of cell lines amenable for human vaccine development. The following study assesses the suitability of cell lines for virus propagation in the presence of serum and after adaptation to serum free (SF) conditions. A guidance on how to adapt cell lines to serum free media is provided.
Enterovirus and Acute Flaccid Myelitis
Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) has reemerged as a cause of severe respiratory infections in young children around the world and as a newly emerged neuropathogenic threat. First isolated in the United States (US) from children with serious respiratory illness in 19621, only sporadic clusters of EV-D68 infection were reported globally in the last decade2 until 2014 when an unusually large outbreak occurred in the US. During this outbreak (and in subsequent 2016 and 2018 outbreaks), a subset of children with laboratory confirmed EV-D68 related severe respiratory illness also developed an acute flaccid myelitis (AFM). Detection of virus in the spinal fluid of AFM affected children3 is rare but recently, researchers have found new evidence linking AFM to enteroviruses due to the presence of higher levels of EV specific antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid of children with AFM compared to non-AFM controls4,5.
BEI Resources Screening of Cell Lines for EV-D68 Propagation in Media Supplemented with Serum
Typically, EV-D68 is propagated in human rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells (ATCC® CCL-136™) at 33°C. However, this cell line is not amenable for vaccine production and additionally is maintained in serum containing media. Consequently, BEI Resources has performed an initial screen of suitable cell substrates for EV-D68 vaccine development. Five cell lines were tested for EV-D68 susceptibility and production rates to assess the successful propagation using two EV-D68 isolates originally grown in RD cells that are available in BEI Resources (see Table 1 for details).
Prior to infection, the cell lines were maintained at 37°C. Viral growth media contained 2% fetal bovine serum (FBS) (ATCC® 30-2020™) and the ATCC® recommended base media for each cell line (Table 1). The cells were infected with each viral strain using a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.01 and incubated at 33°C. When approximately 90% of the cells showed cytopathic effect (CPE), the virus was harvested by scraping the monolayer into the supernatant. The infected cell lysate was clarified by centrifugation at 2400g and the pellet underwent three freeze-thaw cycles to release the virus which was then added back to the supernatant. The viruses were titrated in RD cells by the 50% Tissue Culture Infectious Dose (TCID50) method and calculated by the Reed-Muench method. If a virus infected cell line displayed no signs of CPE after an extended incubation period of 12-14 days, the absence of virus was confirmed by performing an immunofluorescence assay (IFA) with a virus specific antibody. Furthermore, they underwent two blind passages with extended incubation to confirm that the cell line did not support growth of the virus. All infected cell lines were subjected to three total serial passages with the second and third passage utilizing a 1:100 dilution of virus inoculum in media rather than MOI. For a direct comparison of virus susceptible cell lines using MOI for passage 1, virus titration was performed RD cell line (Table 1).
The cells lines A549, MRC-5 and HEK-293 T/17 support growth of both EV-D68 viral isolates. These results are comparable to the same viral isolates grown in RD cells. HEK-293 cells supported growth of US/MO/14 18947 but showed reduced virus fitness for the three passages tested and did not support growth of the US/KY/14-18953 virus. CHO cells expressing the ICAM-1 receptor was not susceptible to the two isolates used in the cell screening assessments.
Table 1. Susceptibility of five cell lines growth in media containing 2% FBS using two EV-D68 isolates
Cell line
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Virus growth media
(Base Media) + 2% FBS
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Virus isolates *
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Passage 1 Titer
(in RD cells)
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Control: RD cells
(ATCC® CCL-136™)
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DMEM
(ATCC® 30-2002)
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US/MO/14-18947
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1.58 x107
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US/KY/14-18953
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1.58x107
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MRC-5
(ATCC® CCL-171™)
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EMEM
(ATCC® 30-2003)
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US/MO/14-18947
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1.58x107
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US/KY/14-18953
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8.89x106
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A549
(ATCC® CCL-185™)
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F-12K
(ATCC® 30-2004)
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US/MO/14-18947
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1.58x107
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US/KY/14-18953
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8.89x105
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HEK-293 T/17
(ATCC® CRL-11268™)
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DMEM
(ATCC® 30-2002)
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US/MO/14-18947
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2.81x107
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US/KY/14-18953
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1.58x106
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HEK-293
(ATCC® CRL-1573™)
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EMEM
(ATCC® 30-2003)
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US/MO/14-18947
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4.5x104
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US/KY/14-18953
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No growth
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CHO-ICAM-1
(ATCC® CRL-2093™)
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RPMI-1640
(ATCC® 30-2001)
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US/MO/14-18947
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No growth
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US/KY/14-18953
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No growth
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*US/MO/14-18947 is available in the BEI Resources catalog as NR-49129 and US/KY/14-18953 as NR-49132
BEI Resources Screening of Cell Lines for EV-D68 Propagation in Serum Free Media
BEI Resources performed a second screen of cell lines under serum free conditions to assess the growth of EV-D68 . Four of the cell lines (MRC-5, A549 and HEK-293 T/17 and 293) were adapted to grow in serum free conditions by weaning serum and switching into chemically defined media with supplements . All the cell lines were grown in viral growth media (base media recommended for each cell line) supplemented with 2% FBS to serve as controls. An additional control included use of RD cells grown in base media with 2% serum. (see Table 2 for details)
Serum Free (SF) adapted cell lines were grown in appropriate growth media at 37°C and infected with the EV-D68 isolate US/MO/14-18947 at a MOI of 0.001. All cell lines were incubated at 33°C for three passages with each successive passage infected at MOI of 0.001. All control cell lines were similarly infected. At the end of each passage virus from all cell lines were titrated (see Table 2). Note that viral titers were determined by a standard assay using RD cells.
Table 2. Comparison of EV-D68 growth in cell lines adapted to serum free conditions
Cell Line |
Media |
Titration in RD Cells |
Passage 1 |
Passage 2 |
Passage 3 |
Control: RD cells
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DMEM (+2% FBS) |
1.58x107 |
8.89x106 |
5.0x106 |
MFC-5
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EMEM (+2% FBS) |
8.89x106 |
5.0x106 |
1.58x106 |
SF media: PC-1 media |
2.81x106 |
1.58x106 |
1.58x106 |
A549
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F-12K (+2% FBS) |
2.81x107 |
1.58x107 |
2.81x107 |
SF media: PC-1 media |
1.58x107 |
2.81x106 |
2.81x106 |
HEK-293 T/17 |
DMEM (+2% FBS)
|
8.89x107 |
2.81x107 |
1.58x107 |
SF media: EX-CELL®
293 Serum-Free Media
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2.81x103 |
8.89x105 |
2.81x106 |
Infection and viral production of the EV-D68 US/MO/14-18947 virus isolate was successful over the course of three passages in serum free conditions for three cell lines, A549, MRC-5, and HEK-293 T/17, however HEK-293 did not support the growth of the virus. The CPE for HEK-293 T/17 in SF adapted cells is difficult to discern as the cells lose anchorage dependence. As a result, confirmation of viral infection in HEK-293 T/17 SF adapted cells requires IFA.
Summary of BEI Resources Cell Screening for EV-D68 Propagation
Using two EV-D68 isolates, it was observed that two cell lines A549 and MRC-5 successfully supported virus growth after adaptation to serum-free conditions for use in downstream vaccine developmental needs. Both the cell lines were found to be robust and tolerated the serum weaning process while maintaining their morphology and viability.
For guidance and protocols on serum free adaptation of cell lines A549, MRC-5, HEK-293 and HEK-293 T/17, please visit our Knowledge Base.
For information on the availability of virus isolates grown in serum free A549 adapted cells, please email Contact@BEIResources.org.
To support your Enterovirus research, BEI Resources has several isolates available
NR-51430 |
Enterovirus D68, Fermon |
NR-51844 |
Enterovirus D68, USA/MO-18949 mouse-adapted |
NR-51845 |
Enterovirus 71, Tainan/4643/98 mouse-adapted |
NR-51996 |
Enterovirus D68, USA/2018-23087 |
NR-51997 |
Enterovirus D68, USA/2018-23088 |
NR-51998 |
Enterovirus D68, USA/2018-23089 |
NR-51999 |
Enterovirus A71, USA/WA/2016-19522 |
NR-52000 |
Enterovirus A71, USA/2018-23092 |
NR-52009 |
Plasmid pBR322 Containing cDNA from Enterovirus D68, US/MO/14-18947, Infectious Clone pBR-49129 |
NR-52010 |
Plasmid pUC19 Containing cDNA from Enterovirus D68, US/MO/14-18949, Infectious Clone pUC-49130 |
NR-52011 |
Plasmid pUC19 Containing cDNA from Enterovirus D68, US/IL/14-18952, Infectious Clone pUC-49131 |
NR-52013 |
Enterovirus D68 US/MO/14-18947 (produced in serum-free A549 cells) |
NR-52014 |
Enterovirus D68 US/KY/14-18953 (produced in serum-free A549 cells) |
NR-52015 |
Enterovirus D68, USA/2018-23087 (produced in serum-free A549 cells) |
NR-52016 |
Enterovirus D68, USA/2018-23088 (produced in serum-free A549 cells) |
NR-52017 |
Enterovirus D68, USA/2018-23089 (produced in serum-free A549 cells) |
NR-52268 |
Homo sapiens Lung Carcinoma Cells (A549), Serum-Free |
NR-52353 |
Enterovirus D68, USA/2018-23201 (produced in serum-free A549 cells) |
NR-52354 |
Enterovirus D68, USA/2018-23263 (produced in serum-free A549 cells) |
NR-52356 |
Enterovirus D68, USA/2018-23209 (produced in serum-free A549 cells) |
NR-52357 |
Enterovirus D68, USA/2018-23216 (produced in serum-free A549 cells) |
NR-52375 |
Plasmid pUC19 Containing cDNA from Enterovirus D68, USA/Fermon, Clone EV-D68-R-Fermon |
NR-52376 |
Plasmid pUC57-Simple Containing cDNA from Enterovirus D68, USA/MN/1989-23220, Infectious Clone EV-D68-R23220 |
NR-52377 |
Plasmid pUC57-Simple Containing cDNA from Enterovirus D68, USA/WI/2009-23230, Infectious Clone EV-D68-R23230 |
NR-52378 |
Plasmid pUC57-Simple Containing cDNA from Enterovirus D68, USA/FL/2016-19504, Infectious Clone EV-D68-R19504 |
NR-52379 |
Plasmid pUC57-Simple Containing cDNA from Enterovirus D68, USA/2018-23088, Infectious Clone EV-D68-R23088 |
NR-52380 |
Plasmid pUC57-Simple Containing cDNA from Enterovirus D68, USA/IL/2018-23252, Infectious Clone EV-D68-R23252 |
NR-471 |
Human Enterovirus 71, Tainan/4643/1998 |
NR-472 |
Human Enterovirus 71, MP4 |
NR-49129 |
Enterovirus D68, US/MO/14-18947 |
NR-49130 |
Enterovirus D68, US/MO/14-18949 |
NR-49131 |
Enterovirus D68, US/IL/14-18952 |
NR-49132 |
Enterovirus D68, US/KY/14-18953 |
NR-49133 |
Enterovirus D68, US/IL/14-18956 |
NR-4960 |
Genomic RNA from Human Enterovirus 71, Tainan/4643/1998 |
NR-4961 |
Genomic RNA from Human Enterovirus 71, MP4 |
NR-49134 |
Genomic RNA from Enterovirus D68, US/MO/14-18947 |
NR-49135 |
Genomic RNA from Enterovirus D68, US/MO/14-18949 |
NR-49136 |
Genomic RNA from Enterovirus D68, US/IL/14-18952 |
NR-49137 |
Genomic RNA from Enterovirus D68, US/KY/14-18953 |
NR-49138 |
Genomic RNA from Enterovirus D68, US/IL/14-18956 |
Coming Soon
NR-52355 Enterovirus D68, USA/2018-23206 (produced in serum-free A549 cells)
References
1. Schieble JH et al. 1967. A probable new human picornavirus associated with respiratory diseases. Am J Epidemiol 85:297–310.
2. Eshaghi A et al. 2017. Global Distribution and Evolutionary History of Enterovirus D68, with Emphasis on the 2014 Outbreak in Ontario, Canada. Front Microbiol. 8:257.
3. https://www.cdc.gov/non-polio-enterovirus/about/ev-d68.html#seasonal-circulation
4. Mishra N et al. 2019. Antibodies to enteroviruses in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with acute flaccid myelitis. mBio 10:e01903-19.
5. Schubert RD et al. 2019. Pan-viral serology implicates enteroviruses in acute flaccid myelitis. Nat Med 25: 1748–1752
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Four New Species Added to BEI Resources Leishmania Collection
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Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by Leishmania parasites, which are transmitted to both humans and animals by female phlebotomine sandflies. Infections take several forms, with cutaneous leishmaniasis causing skin lesions in an estimated 700,000-to-1.2 million new cases per year, and the high mortality visceral leishmaniasis resulting in fevers, weight loss and enlargement of the spleen or liver.1
Leishmania is divided into two subgenera, Leishmania and Viannia, with more than 30 known species of Leishmania further classified as New World (Western hemisphere) and Old World (Eastern hemisphere) species. Pathogenic species of both subgenera have been grouped into complexes based on phylogenetic analyses determined through differences in the natural history of their vertebrate hosts, vector specificity, clinical manifestations, geographical distribution and, more recently, using molecular approaches with different genetic markers. 2,3
A recent deposit of Leishmania strains by Dr. K. P. Chang of Rosalind Franklin University has expanded the BEI Resources Leishmania collection by four new species, L. braziliensis, L.gerbilli, L. infantum and L. turanica. Strains have been sequenced for the nagt gene, allowing for inter- and/or intra-species discrimination.4 Please refer to the individual product documentation for more information on the nagt variant of each strain.
BEI Resources No. |
Product Description |
NR-50600 |
Leishmania turanica, Strain RHO/CN/99/KMA2 |
NR-50601 |
Leishmania gerbilli, Strain RHO/CN/62/20 |
NR-50603 |
Leishmania infantum, Strain HOM/TR/03/ADANA #7 |
NR-50608 |
Leishmania braziliensis, Strain HOM/BR/75/M2903 |
References:
- “Leishmaniasis.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/leishmaniasis.
- Schönian, G., et al. “Molecular Epidemiology and Population Genetics in Leishmania.” Med. Microbiol. Immunol. 190 (2001): 61-63. PubMed: 11770112.
- Marcili, A., et al. “Phylogenetic Relationships of Leishmania Species Based on Trypanosomatid Barcode (SSU rDNA) and gGAPDH Genes: Taxonomic Revision of Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi in South America.” Infect Genet Evol. 25 (2014): 44-51. PubMed: 24747606.
- Waki, K., et al. “Transmembrane Molecules for Phylogenetic Analyses of Pathogenic Protists: Leishmania-Specific Informative Sites in Hydrophilic Loops of Trans-Endoplasmic Reticulum N-Acetylglucosamine-1-Phosphate Transferase.” Eukaryot. Cell 6 (2007): 198-210. PubMed: 17142569.
Image: TEM image of Leishmania braziliensis (CDC/Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Luciana Flannery)
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Resources for Trypanosome Research
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Recent acquisitions in BEI Resources aim to contribute to research focused on understanding the mechanisms of disease and the development of novel therapeutic drugs for Trypanosome research. Such acquisitions include SSGCID clones, proteins and reference parasite strains used in genome and virulence studies. For more information on the availability of these materials please contact BEI Resources customer service.
Catalog Number
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Organism
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Strain
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Comments
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NR-36197
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Trypanosoma brucei brucei
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STIB 247
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In vivo strain, causes chronic infection in mice
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NR-36198
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Trypanosoma brucei gambiense
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STIB 386
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In vivo strain, causes chronic infection in mice
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NR-36630
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Trypanosoma cruzi
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TcVT-1
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Isolated from chagasic dog in Virginia, USA
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NR-40347
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Trypanosoma cruzi
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Y strain (+luc)
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Luciferase-expressing transgenic strain
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NR-41946
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Trypanosoma brucei brucei
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TREU 927/4 (GUTat 10.1)
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Genome strain
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NR-41947
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Trypanosoma congolense
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IL3000
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Genome strain
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NR-41948
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Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense
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WRATat (stock LVH/75/USAMRU-K/18) (MVAT7)
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Classic strain, isolated from human patient, Kenya, 1975
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NR-42009
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Trypanosoma brucei
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Lister 427 VSG 221
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Wild type bloodstream form
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NR-42010
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Trypanosoma brucei
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Lister 427
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Wild type procyclic form
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NR-42011
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Trypanosoma brucei
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Lister 427 VSG 221 (TetR T7RNAP)
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Transgenic bloodstream form co-expressing TetR and T7RNAP
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NR-42012
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Trypanosoma brucei
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Lister 427 29-13 (TetR T7RNAP)
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Transgenic procyclic form co-expressing TetR and T7RNAP
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BEI Resources Fungi Repository is Growing!
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BEI Resources is working to expand the fungal resources so that researchers have a broader range of organisms and reagents for their work. BEI Resources currently has eight genus and species represented with several more currently going through the production pipeline. BEI Resources is actively encouraging depositors with medically relevant strains to deposit into the repository. If you are interested in depositing, please click here.
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Cloned lines of Toxoplasma gondii are now available from BEI Resources
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Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite of the phylum Apicomplexa that is the causal agent of toxoplasmosis. T. gondii is dominated by three widespread clonal lineages, referred to as types I, II, and III. The three major Toxoplasma lineages differ in a number of phenotypes, the best described of which is virulence in mice. Recent studies have examined the genetic basis for these differences by mapping virulence in F1 progeny derived from crosses between the different T. gondii lineages.
BEI Resources houses various cloned lines selected from progeny of two parallel genetic crosses between a Type II parental strain (ME49 clone B7; NR-10150) and a Type III parental strain (CEP; NR-10151). Authentication of individual clones is performed through phenotypic and genotypic testing. This includes drug susceptibility to adenine arabinoside (ara-A) and sinefungin ( Fig. 1) and PCR-based analysis of the SAG1 and KT-850 loci ( Fig. 2).
Additional cloned lines from a Type I and Type III genetic cross will be available soon. In addition, BEI Resources offers more than 50 types of polyclonal antibodies to various Toxoplasma proteins. For technical questions about these products, or to learn more, please contact us by clicking here.
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ATCC Adds ISO Guide 34:2000 and ISO 17025:2005 Accreditation to the ISO 9001:2000 Certification
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ATCC (American Type Culture Collection), the contract manager of BEI Resources, has announced its accreditation for ISO Guide 34:2000 and ISO 17025:2005, an international multi-industry standard specifically designed for producers of reference materials.
The ISO Guide 34 accreditation by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) builds upon the earlier certification for compliance with the ISO 9001:2000 standard for quality management systems received by ATCC in 2007. Biological reference materials produced under an ISO Guide 34-accredited process have confirmed identity, well-defined characteristics and an established chain of custody — qualities essential to their effectiveness as biological standards in research and development.
In gaining ISO recognition, ATCC joins a pioneering group of biological product organizations with ISO certification. Biological materials authenticated and preserved by ATCC, such as cell lines and microorganisms, are widely used as reference materials for research and product testing.
ATCC Senior Director for Quality, Compliance and Biosafety Barry Waters, PhD, remarked,“ISO 34 accreditation represents an objective measure of confidence in the consistency and quality of ATCC reference cultures. It expands ATCC’s ability to produce internationally recognized standards for biological research and development, including certified reference materials (CRMs).”
ISO 17025:2005 sets general requirements for the competence of laboratory testing and assures customers that the characterization and purity protocols used in the manufacture of products are precise, accurate and have repeatability. The scope of the accreditation includes specific tests or properties measured for microbial and cell cultures.
ISO 9001:2000 for quality management systems, ISO Guide 34 for reference material production and ISO 17025 for laboratory testing are among the standards promulgated by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), a network of national standards institutes from 157 countries. ISO operates a Central Secretariat located in Geneva,Switzerland to coordinate the system.
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Unusual Gram-Negative Bacteria
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The genus Flavobacterium has undergone several taxonomic shifts since it was created nearly 100 years ago, beginning with the separation of a number of pathogenic species into a new genus, Chryseobacterium.1 Further reclassification occurred with the naming of genus Elizabethkingia into which several Chryseobacterium were moved, including the pathogenic species E. meningoseptica (formerly Chryseobacterium meningosepticum; originally Flavobacterium meningosepticum) and E. miricola.2 Recent genomic analysis of unidentified isolates resembling the two genera, as well as a review of the four genomospecies of Elizabethkingia, have resulted in the naming of new, novel species of Chryseobacterium and Elizabethkingia.1,2 Chryseobacterium underwent an even more recent taxonomic reorganization following the comparison of amino acid identity among type strains, leading to the division of the Chryseobacterium genus into four different genera with Epilithonimonas, Kaistella and Halpernia gen. nov.3 Many of these reclassifications involved the renaming of historical isolates and type strains, many of which were recently deposited to BEI Resources.
Chryseobacterium spp. and Elizabethkingia spp. are Gram-negative environmental bacteria found in soil and water worldwide. Though infections in humans are rare, an average of 5-to-10 cases occur per state each year in the United States, often resulting in small healthcare-related outbreaks, such as the E. anopheles outbreak in Wisconsin in 2016.4
BEI Resources No. |
Product Description |
NR-51489 |
Chryseobacterium bernardetii, Strain G0229 |
NR-51492 |
Elizabethkingia bruuniana, Strain G0146 |
NR-51493 |
Elizabethkingia occulta, Strain G4070 |
NR-51494 |
Elizabethkingia ursingii, Strain G4122 |
NR-51490 |
Mycobacterium ulcerans, Strain Benin UB 343/08 - Coming Soon |
NR-51491 |
Chryseobacterium nakagawei, Strain G0041 – Coming Soon |
NR-51495 |
Epilithonimonas vandammei, Strain F5649 – Coming Soon |
NR-51496 |
Kaistella carnis, Strain G0081 |
NR-51497 |
Kaistella daneshvariae, Strain H3001 |
References:
- Holmes, B., A. G. Steigerwalt and A. C. Nicholson. “DNA-DNA Hybridization Study of Strains of Chryseobacterium, Elizabethkingia and Empedobacter and of Other Usually Indole-Producing Non-Fermenters of CDC Groups IIc, IIe, IIh and IIi, Mostly from Human Clinical Sources, and Proposals of Chryseobacterium bernardetii sp. nov., Chryseobacterium carnis sp. nov., Chryseobacterium lactis sp. nov., Chryseobacterium nakagawai sp. nov. and Chryseobacterium taklimakanense comb. nov.” Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 63 (2013): 4639-4662. PubMed: 23934253.
- Nicholson, A. C., et al. “Revisiting the Taxonomy of the Genus Elizabethkingia Using Whole-Genome Sequencing, Optical Mapping, and MALDI-TOF, Along with Proposal of Three Novel Elizabethkingia species: Elizabethkingia bruuniana sp. nov., Elizabethkingia ursingii sp. nov., and Elizabethkingia occulta sp. nov.” Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 111 (2018): 55-72. PubMed: 28856455.
- Nicholson, A. C., et al. “Division of the genus Chryseobacterium: Observation of Discontinuities in Amino Acid Identity Values, a Possible Consequence of Major Extinction Events, Guides Transfer of Nine Species to the Genus Epilithonimonas, Eleven Species to the Genus Kaistella, and Three Species to the Genus Halpernia gen. nov., with Description of Kaistella daneshvariae sp. nov. and Epilithonimonas vandammei sp. nov. Derived from Clinical Specimens.” Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 70 (2020): 4432-4450. PubMed: 32735208.
- “Elizabethkingia.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.cdc.gov/elizabethkingia/index.html.
Image: Transmission electron microscopic image of Elizabethkingia anophelis bacteria (CDC/Cynthia Goldsmith)
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Multidrug-Resistant Candida auris
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Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant pathogenic yeast, which causes invasive infections and outbreaks in nosocomial settings resulting in high mortality. Since it was first described in 2009, C. auris has been isolated in over 30 countries on 6 continents, with the earliest known isolate from 1996 discovered during a retrospective review of unidentified yeasts.1,2,3
C. auris has a strong phylogeographic structure comprising four distinct clades, South Asia, East Asia, South Africa and South America, separated by tens of thousands of SNPs, with smaller clusters identified in some clades.3 This high level of relatedness and low genetic diversity within clades suggests clades emerged independently and near-simultaneously in four distinct locations rather than a single spread.1,3
Clinical isolates from a hospital in Pakistan, the site of a 2014 C. auris outbreak5, have been deposited to BEI Resources and represent bloodstream infections with varied antifungal resistance profiles to azole and polyene drug classes. More information about the resistance profiles of these isolates is available in the BEI Resources Antimicrobial Database and on the individual product web pages and documentation
BEI Resources No. |
Product Description |
NR-52713 |
Candida auris, Strain AKU-2017-385 |
NR-52714 |
Candida auris, Strain AKU-2018-257 |
NR-52715 |
Candida auris, Strain AKU-2019-111 |
References:
- Forsberg, K., et al. “Candida auris: The Recent Emergence of a Multidrug-Resistant Fungal Pathogen.” Med. Mycol. 57 (2019): 1-12. PubMed: 30085270.
- Kean, R. and G. Ramage. “Combined Antifungal Resistance and Biofilm Tolerance: The Global Threat of Candida auris.” mSphere 4 (2019): e00458-19. PubMed: 31366705.
- Lockhart, S. R., et al. “Simultaneous Emergence of Multidrug-Resistant Candida auris on 3 Continents Confirmed by Whole-Genome Sequencing and Epidemiological Analyses.” Clin. Infect. Dis. 64 (2017): 134-140. PubMed: 27988485.
- Sayeed, M. A., et al. “Clinical Spectrum and Factors Impacting Outcome of Candida auris: A Single Center Study from Pakistan.” BMC Infect. Dis. 19 (2019): 384. PubMed: 31060514.
Image: Medical illustration of Candida auris fungal organisms (CDC/Medical Illustrator: Stephanie Rossow)
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Black Fly Life Stages Through A Partnership with the University of Georgia
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BEI Resources is pleased to announce the upcoming availability of black flies through a partnership with the University of Georgia Black Fly Rearing and Bioassay Laboratory, which has operated the only known colony of black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) for over 20 years. Since its establishment, the Simulium vittatum colony (Simulium vittatum cytospecies IS-7) has been used for a variety of research projects, including vector transmission studies, environmental monitoring, vector control and larval feeding studies. Rearing protocols have been designed to operate the black fly colony at maximum productivity to produce a standardized test subject and preserve colony vigor. An advantage of Simulium vittatum cytospecies IS-7 is that they can deposit their first batch of eggs without a blood meal. Consequently, no animal resources are required to maintain the colony.
The laboratory continues to conduct and collaborate in a wide range of research projects, providing all stages of the black fly life cycle to collaborating laboratories. Current research conducted in the laboratory involves larvicidal efficacy evaluations, topical repellent evaluations and growth studies related to climate change.
More information on the Simulium vittatum Black Fly Colony will be available in the BEI Resources Vector Resource Catalog and on individual product web pages and documentation.
BEI Resources No. |
Product Description |
NR-53890 |
Simulium vittatum, cytospecies IS-7, Live Eggs |
NR-53891 |
Simulium vittatum, cytospecies IS-7, Live Larvae |
NR-53892 |
Simulium vittatum, cytospecies IS-7, Live Pupae |
NR-53893 |
Simulium vittatum, cytospecies IS-7, Live Adult |
NR-53894 |
Simulium vittatum, cytospecies IS-7, Preserved Eggs |
NR-53895 |
Simulium vittatum, cytospecies IS-7, Preserved Larvae |
NR-53896 |
Simulium vittatum, cytospecies IS-7, Preserved Pupae |
NR-53897 |
Simulium vittatum, cytospecies IS-7, Preserved Adult |
NR-53898 |
Simulium vittatum, cytospecies IS-7, Genomic DNA |
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Image: Black Fly bite (UGA, Jena Johnson)
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Mycobacterium ulcerans - Now Available
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The extensive collection of Mycobacterium species available from BEI Resources continues to grow with the addition of M. ulcerans, the cause of a neglected tropical disease known as Buruli ulcer that causes cutaneous lesions and osteomyelitis.1,2,3 M. ulcerans has been identified in 33 countries worldwide, most commonly in Africa, and typically occurs in wetland and tropical regions and in areas with recent environmental change.2 M. ulcerans contains a virulence plasmid encoding for the production of mycolactone, a macrocyclic polyketide toxin with cytotoxic and immunosuppressive activity.
The available and upcoming isolates were collected from clinical cases of Buruli ulcer in Benin, where over 6,000 Buruli ulcer cases were reported between 2006 and 2015.4
BEI Resources No. |
Product Description |
NR-51701 |
Mycobacterium ulcerans, Strain S4018 |
NR-50137 |
Mycobacterium ulcerans, Strain Benin UB 502/08 - In Pre-Production |
NR-50138 |
Mycobacterium ulcerans, Strain Benin UB 343/08 - In Pre-Production |
NR-50139 |
Mycobacterium ulcerans, Strain Benin UB 609/08 - In Pre-Production |
References:
- Röltgen, K., T. P. Stinear and G. Pluschke. “The Genome, Evolution and Diversity of Mycobacterium ulcerans.” Infect. Genet. Evol. 12 (2012): 522-529. PubMed: 22306192.
- Merritt, R. W., et al. “Ecology and Transmission of Buruli Ulcer Disease: A Systematic Review.” PloS Negl.Trop. Dis. 4 (2010): e911. PubMed: 21179505.
- Pommelet, V., et al. “Findings in Patients from Benin with Osteomyelitis and Polymerase Chain Reaction-Confirmed Mycobacterium ulcerans Infection.” Clin. Infect. Dis. 59 (2014): 1256-1264. PubMed: 25048846.
- Degnonvi, H., et al. “Effect of Well Drilling on Buruli Ulcer Incidence in Benin: A Case-Control, Quantitative Survey.” Lancet Planet Health 3 (2019): e349-e356. PubMed: 31439316.
Image: Mycobacterium ulcerans, strain S4018 (NR-51701) on Lowenstein-Jensen agar (BEI Resources)
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EDIII Protein from Powassan Virus
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Powassan virus (POWV), first described after isolation in1958 from the brain of a fatal case of encephalitis in Powassan, Ontario, Canada, is a reemerging severe neuroinvasive tick-borne disease causing human encephalitis in the United States, Canada and Russia, and the only recognized tick-borne flavivirus endemic to North America.1,2 Though rare, infection by POWV in the United States has recently increased, with over 30 cases reported in 2017, and has a fatality rate of approximately 10%, with long-term neurological sequelae resulting in an estimated 50% of survivors.3,4
The POWV Envelope (E) structural protein is a highly conserved structure comprising the majority of the virus surface with multiple roles in infection, including host cell receptor recognition and binding, and is divided into three domains: Domain I (DI) consisting of a central beta-barrel domain; Domain II (DII) important for dimerization and virion assembly; and Domain III (DIII) characterized by an immunoglobulin-like segment.4 Studies demonstrated that the flavivirus E protein DIII (EDIII) is a primary antigenic target of specific neutralizing antibodies.5
The EDIII protein from the 1958 lineage 1 isolate, Powassan virus, strain LB (BEI Resources NR-51181) is currently in production and coming soon to the BEI Resources catalog as NR-52391, and represents the first commercially available standard for studying such emerging tick-borne infections. NR-52391 is a recombinant form of the truncated EDIII protein containing a C-terminal hexa-histidine tag, produced in a Pichia pastoris expression system and purified by immobilized-metal affinity chromatography. The mature native full-length POWV E protein is 497 residues (GenBank: NP_775516.1).
BEI Resources No. |
Product Description |
NR-52391 |
Envelope Domain III (EDIII) Protein from Powassan Virus with C-Termina lHistidine Tag, Strain LB, Recombinant in Yeast – Coming Soon |
References:
- Hermance, M. E. and S. Thangamani. “Powassan Virus: An Emerging Arbovirus of Public Health Concern in North America.” Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 17 (2017): 453-462. PubMed: 28498740.
- McLean, D. M. and W. L. Donohue. “Powassan Virus: Isolation of Virus from a Fatal Case of Encephalitis.” Can. Med. Assoc. J. 80 (1959): 708-711. PubMed: 13652010.
- Kemenesi, G. and K. Bányai. "Tick-Borne Flaviviruses, with a Focus on Powassan Virus." Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 32 (2018): e00106-17. PubMed: 30541872.
- “Powassan Virus Statistics & Maps.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.cdc.gov/powassan/statistics.html. Accessed 07 August 2020.
- Heinz, F. X. and K. Stiasny. “Flaviviruses and Their Antigenic Structure.” J. Clin. Virol. 55 (2012): 289-295. PubMed: 22999801.
Image: The dorsal view of a female I. pacificus hard tick (CDC/James Gathany)
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New Tools for Apicomplexan Parasite Research
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Apicomplexan parasites cause significant morbidity and mortality to humans and livestock animals, and share characteristic morphological features, cytoskeletal components, and mechanisms of replication, motility and invasion. Understanding these mechanisms of infection and pathogenesis requires novel tools that support and further research.
Recently described methods of conditional gene deletion in the apicomplexan parasites Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium falciparum, the agents of toxoplasmosis and malaria, respectively, enable reliable gene function and virulence research using the dimerizable Cre (DiCre) strategy.1,2,3 BEI Resources now houses Toxoplasma gondii, strain RHΔku80::DiCre:T2A:CAT (NR-51627) and Plasmodium falciparum, strain NF54::DiCre (MRA-1314; Coming Soon), stable cell lines that express rapamycin-inducible Cre recombinase, thus allowing the conditional deletion of essential and non-essential parasite genes at different life cycle stages.3 These strains offer new opportunities to study genes impacting growth or stage conversion with applications in drug development and vaccination strategies.
Additional tools available from the BEI Resources catalog to support apicomplexan research include molecular standards for the development of quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays against babesiosis, an emergent tickborne parasitic disease that can also be transmitted by blood transfusion. These standards harbor the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1, 5.8S ribosomal RNAgene, ITS 2 regions from Babesia microti, strain GI (NR-50741) and Babesia duncani, strain WA1 (NR-50742), the most prevalent agents of babesiosis in the United States. As qPCR assays have become more commonplace in the diagnosis of parasitic infections, these standards are useful in the execution of highly specific and sensitive blood tests using droplet digital or real time PCR technologies.4
BEI Resources No. |
Product Description |
NR-50741 |
Plasmid pUC19 Containing the ITS 1, 5.8S rRNA Gene, ITS 2 Region from Babesia microti, Strain GI |
NR-50742 |
Plasmid pUC19 Containing the ITS 1, 5.8S rRNA Gene, ITS 2 Region from Babesia duncani, Strain WA1 |
NR-51627 |
Toxoplasma gondii, strain RHΔku80::DiCre:T2A:CAT |
MRA-1314 |
Plasmodium falciparum, strain NF54::DiCre – Coming Soon |
References:
- Hunt, A., et al. “Differential Requirements for Cyclase-Associated Protein (CAP) in Actin-Dependent Processes of Toxoplasma gondii.” ELife 8 (2019): e50598. PubMed: 31577230.
- Tibúrcio, M., et al. “A Novel Tool for the Generation of Conditional Knockouts to Study Gene Function across the Plasmodium falciparim Life Cycle.” mBio 10 (2019): e01170-19. PubMed: 31530668.
- Jullien, N., et al. “Conditional Transgenesis Using Dimerizable Cre (DiCre).” PLoS One 2 (2007): e1355. PubMed: 18159238.
- Wilson, M. et al. “Development of Droplet Digital PCR for the Detection of Babesia microti and Babesia duncani.” Exp. Parasitol. 149 (2015): 24-31. PubMed: 25500215.
Image: Fluorescence microscopy of Toxoplasma gondii (PLoS Open-Access/Ke Hu and John M. Murray)
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Expanded Catalog of Borrelia Species
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Incidence of tick-borne disease in the United States doubled between 2004 and 2016, and continues to rise inthe United States and in many geographic regions around the world.1,2 Novel methods are needed to improve diagnostic assays and species-level identification, advance surveillance and epidemiological efforts and facilitate drug development of these neglected human pathogens.
The most common bacterial pathogens transmitted by ticks belong to the genus Borrelia and are the causative agents of Lyme borreliosis (Lyme disease) and relapsing fever. Borrelia spp. can be divided into two major groups affecting human health: Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex containing the agents of Lyme borreliosis and Borrelia species associated with human relapsing fever.
Tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) occurs worldwide, often in periodic outbreaks, with specific geographic distribution in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. While most TBRF is transmitted by soft ticks of the Argasidae family, certain species like Borrelia miyamotoi are found in hard Ixodes ticks.3 Louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF), caused by Borrelia recurrentis, is mainly limited to endemic areas within the Horn of Africa.4 Introduction of LBRF intoindustrialized countries via migration underscores the importance of having effective surveillance, diagnostic and treatment tools available.5
The availability of different Borrelia species to researchers supports development of necessary tools to minimize the effects of the increasing incidence of tick-borne diseases. Recent additions to the BEI Resources catalog include four species of Borrelia from Dr. Gabriele Margos and Dr. Volker Fingerle of the German National Reference Center for Borrelia (NRZ). This deposit includes four species new to the BEI Resources catalog: Borrelia afzelli, Borrelia hispanica, Borrelia miyamotoi and three Borrelia recurrentis (LBRF) strains.
In vitro adaption and growth of Borrelia spirochetes can be challenging. Optimized growth conditions are detailed on the BEI Resources product information sheet for each isolate and customers are encouraged to follow these growth recommendations to ensure success of the culture and recovery from the freezing process.
BEI Resources No. |
Product Description |
NR-51672 |
Borrelia recurrentis, Strain PBek5 |
NR-51673 |
Borrelia recurrentis, Strain PAbN5 |
NR-51674 |
Borrelia recurrentis, Strain PAbJ5 |
NR-51675 |
Borrelia miyamotoi, Strain HT316 |
NR-51676 |
Borrelia afzelii, Strain PKo7 |
NR-51677 |
Borrelia hispanica |
References:
- Rosenberg, R., et al. “Vital Signs: Trends in Reported Vectorborne Disease Cases – United States and Territories, 2004-2016.” MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. 67 (2018): 496-501. PubMed: 29723166.
- Chikeka, I. and J. S. Dumler. “Neglected Bacterial Zoonoses.” Clin. Microbiol. Infect. 21 (2015): 404-415. PubMed: 25964152.
- Talagrand-Reboul, E., et al. “Relapsing Fevers: Neglected Tick-Borne Diseases.” Front. Cell. Infect. Microbiol. 8 (2018): 98. PubMed: 29670860.
- Warrell, D. A. “Louse-Borne Relapsing Fever (Borrelia recurrentis Infection).” Epidemiol. Infect. 147 (2019): e106. PubMed: 30869050.
- Marosevic, D., et al. “First Insights in the Variability of Borrelia recurrentis Genomes.” PLoS Negl. Trop. Dis. 11 (2017): e0005865. PubMed: 28902847.
- Fukunaga, M., et al. “Genetic and Phenotypic Analysis of Borrelia miyamotoi sp. nov., Isolated from the Ixodid Tick Ixodes persulcatus, the Vector of Lyme Disease in Japan.” Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 45 (1995): 804-810. PubMed: 7547303.
- Glöckner, G., et al. “Comparative Genome Analysis: Selection Pressure on the Borrelia VLS Cassettes is Essential for Infectivity.” BMC Genomics 7 (2006): 211. PubMed: 16914037.
Image: Fluorescence microscopy of Borrelia hispanica, NR-51677 (BEI Resources)
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Azole-Resistant and Dual-Fluorescent Strains of Candida spp.
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C. albicans and C. glabrata are ubiquitous in the environment and commensal inhabitants of the normal flora of the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract and skin of most healthy humans.1,2 For the immunocompromised, however, C. albicans and C. glabrata are the two most commonly recovered pathogenic yeasts in the United States and together are responsible for approximately 70% of all cases of systemic candidiasis, with increasing occurrences of multidrug resistance.1-4
BEI Resources houses over 50 strains of Candida spp. to support candidiasis research. Recent additions to our catalog include an azole-susceptible strain of C. glabrata (NR-51685) and an azole-resistant C. glabrata strain isolated from the same patient after 50-day azole therapy (NR-51686).4 Also newly available is a transgenic strain of C. albicans (NR-51634) that constitutively expresses green fluorescent protein (GFP) and red fluorescent protein via mCherry, which has been used as an in vitro system for fluorescent sorting of C. albicans with macrophages.1
For more information about these and other Candida strains available from BEI Resources, or to contribute to our expanding catalog of biomaterials for fungal research, please contact us at Contact@BEIResources.org.
BEI Resources No. |
Product Description |
NR-51685 |
Candida glabrata, Strain DSY562 - Azole-Susceptible |
NR-51686 |
Candida glabrata, Strain DSY565 - Azole-Resistant |
NR-51634 |
Candida albicans, Strain CAI4-F2-Neut5L-NAT1-mCherry-GFP |
References:
- Muñoz, J. F., et al. “Coordinated Host-Pathogen Transcriptional Dynamics Revealed Using Sorted Subpopulations and Single Macrophages Infected with Candida albicans.” Nat. Commun. 10 (2019): 1607. PubMed: 30962448.
- Brunke, S. and B. Hube. “Two Unlike Cousins: Candida albicans and C. glabrata Infection Strategies.” Cell. Microbiol. 15 (2013): 701-708. PubMed: 23253282.
- Hendrickson, J. A., et al. “Antifungal Resistance: A Concerning Trend for the Present and Future.” Curr. Infect. Dis. Rep. 21 (2019): 47. PubMed: 31734730.
- Vale-Silva, L., et al. “Comparative Genomics of Two Sequential Candida glabrata Clinical Isolates.” G3 (Bethesda) 7 (2017): 2413-2426. PubMed: 28663342.
Image: Fluorescence microscopy of transgenic Candida albicans, NR-51634 (BEI Resources)
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Pseudomonas aeruginosa Panel for Antibiotic Resistance Research
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Infections with multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, one of the most common healthcare-associated infections among immunocompromised and post-surgery patients, affected an estimated 32,600 patients in the United States in 2017, resulting in nearly 3,000 deaths, and is the predominant pathogen causing lung infections in individuals with cystic fibrosis and other pulmonary disorders.1-3 Rising rates of multidrug-resistant isolates of P. aeruginosa limit treatment options, strengthening the need for new antimicrobials and alternative tools. A new collection of P. aeruginosa strains, selected from a respository of over 3,400 clinical isolates collected worldwide between 2003 and 2017, is now available to the research community focusing on multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa.
This unique panel of 100 highly diverse, multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa strains from the Multidrug Resistant Organism Repository and Surveillance Network (MRSN) within Walter Reed Army Institute of Research's Bacterial Diseases Branch represents isolates from each phylogenetic group with a wide-range of well-characterized antibiotic resistance patterns. Extensive data is available for each isolate, including isolation history, whole genome sequencing, characterization by mutilocus sequence typing, a comprehensive list of antibiotic resistance genes carried, and antibiotic susceptibilities to eleven clinically relevant antibiotics commonly used to treat P. aeruginosa infections: amikacin, aztreonam, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, cefepime, gentamicin, imipenem, levofloxacin, meropenem, tobramycin and piperacillin/tazobactam.
The P. aeruginosa MRSN Diversity Panel is available as both a complete kit containing all 100 strains as BEI Resources NR-51829, as well as individually.
References:
- “Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/pdf/threats-report/pseudomonas-aeruginosa-508.pdf.
- Cabot, G., et al. “Evolution of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Antimicrobial Resistance and Fitness under Low and High Mutation Rates.” Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 60 (2016): 1767-1778. PubMed: 26729493.
- Pang, Z., et al. “Antibiotic Resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Mechanisms and Alternative Therapeutic Strategies.” Biotechnol. Adv. 37 (2019): 177-192. PubMed: 30500353.
Image: Illustration of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CDC/Medical Illustrator: Jennifer Oosthuizen)
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The BEI Resources Website got a Make Over!
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BEI Resources is pleased to announce a new and improved website! We heard your feedback concerning difficult searches and long checkout times…and, we invite you to explore and discover our new dynamic search package, state-of-the-art shopping cart experience and enhanced product information pages for your items on interest.
Our new search engine provides the community with a user friendly interface in which to research, search, and order reagents. We will now be using the same search and navigation features of many of the world's largest internet sites. Some of the major search features include dynamic filter searching, Intuitive Auto-Complete Text Searches, Suggested Search Terms, Dynamic Clustering and multiple sorting parameters for result sets.
Your ordering experience is also vastly improved with our new Web Services E-Commerce software. No more waiting for your items to load to the shopping cart; with the new software, your checkout is fast and reliable. Look for all these updates today!
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Diarrheagenic E. coli organism panels
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Outbreaks of foodborne disease caused by E. coli bacteria have become a serious problem in this country. E. coli organism panels, genomic DNA, and technical information are now available to support research to detect, treat, and prevent foodborne diseases.
In February of 2008, BEI Resources released the organism panel (NR-9545) composed of representatives of the diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes ETEC, EHEC, EPEC, EIEC and EAEC available for ordering. Genomic DNA panels from these organisms are also now available (NR-9546).
Supporting documentation includes strain propagation information and growth and morphology on certain selective and differential microbiological media (see figure to the right).
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Extensively Drug-Resistant Salmonella typhi H58 Clone
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Multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates of S. enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhi (S. typhi), the causative agent of typhoid fever, prevalent in parts of Asia and Africa are often associated with the dominant H58 haplotype, which harbors an IncHI1 plasmid with multiple resistance genes to first-line drugs, including blaTEM-1 (ampicillin), catA1 (chloramphenicol), dfrA7, sul1, sul2 (sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim) and strAB (streptomycin) resistance genes.1
The recent emergence of a novel, extensively drug-resistant (XDR) S. typhi H58 clone with additional resistance to fluoroquinolones and third-generation cephalosporins has been reported in Sindh, Pakistan.1,2 This XDR clone encodes a chromosomally located resistance region and harbors the antibiotic resistance-associated IncY plasmid p60006, specific to XDR isolates in this phylogenetic branch.1 This plasmid encodes additional elements, including the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (blaCTX-M-15) and fluoroquinolone (qnrS) resistance genes, and exhibited high sequence identity to plasmids found in other enteric bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli, isolated from widely distributed geographic locations.1
Five strains of this XDR S. typhi clone from the Pakistan outbreak have been recently added to the BEI Resources catalog, expanding our collection of bacteria with unique resistance profiles to support antimicrobial resistance research:
BEI Resources No. |
Product Description |
NR-51629 |
Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica (Serovar Typhi), Strain BL6802 |
NR-51630 |
Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica (Serovar Typhi), Strain BL53977 |
NR-51631 |
Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica (Serovar Typhi), Strain BL55334 |
NR-51632 |
Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica (Serovar Typhi), Strain BL55719 |
NR-51633 |
Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica (Serovar Typhi), Strain BL0083 |
References:
- Klemm, E. J., et al. “Emergence of an Extensively Drug-Resistant Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhi Clone Harboring a Promiscuous Plasmid Encoding Resistance to Fluoroquinolones and Third-Generation Cephalosporins.” MBio 9 (2018): e00105-18. PubMed: 29463654.
- Chatham-Stephens, K., et al. “Emergence of Extensively Drug-Resistant Salmonella Typhi Infections Among Travelers to or from Pakistan - United States, 2016-2018.” MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. 68 (2019): 11- 13. PubMed: 30629573.
Image: Computer-generated image of Salmonella serotype Typhi bacteria (CDC/Medical Illustrator)
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Virus Highlight - Usutu Virus
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Usutu Virus (USUV) is an emerging mosquito-borne flavivirus belonging to the Japanese encephalitis virus serocomplex, with a similar transmission cycle as West Nile virus.2,3 USUV is maintained in the environment through an enzootic cycle between several bird and mosquito species, with humans and mammals as the incidental dead-end hosts.2,3
First isolated in 1959 from Culex neavei mosquitos in South Africa, and named after the nearby Usutu River, USUV has spread from southern Africa to Europe by way of migratory birds, thought to be the major amplifying host, where it has caused significant avian outbreaks and infections in humans and horses.1-3 Infections in humans, while low, range from mild and asymptomatic to serious neuroinvasive diseases like encephalitis and meningoencephalitis. Co-circulation with West Nile virus, confirmed in numerous European countries in mosquito, bird and horse species, and positive serology for both viruses reported in both birds and humans, raises epidemiological issues, furthering the need for research and diagnostic tools to address USUV as a potential human pathogen in the future.2-4
BEI Resources supports this continuing research by offering two Usutu virus isolates available in the BEI Resources catalog: ENT MP 1626 (NR-51185), isolated in 1962 from Mansonia aurites mosquitoes in Zika Forest, Uganda, and the prototype African strain SAAR 1776 (NR-51184), the first isolation of the virus in 1959 from Culex neavei mosquitos in South Africa.
References:
- McIntosh, B. M. “Usutu (SAAr 1776); Nouvel Arbovirus du Groupe B.” Int. Cat. Arboviruses 3 (1985): 367- 374.
- Clé, M., et al. “Usutu Virus: A New Threat?” Epidemiol. Infect. 147 (2019): e232. PubMed: 31364580.
- Roesch, F., et al. “Usutu Virus: An Arbovirus on the Rise.” Viruses 11 (2019): E640. PubMed: 31336826.
- Nikolay, B. “A Review of West Nile and Usutu Virus Co-Circulation in Europe: How Much Do Transmission Cycles Overlap?” Trans. R. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg. 109 (2015): 609-618. PubMed: 26286946.
Image: Larvae of Culex Mosquitoes (CDC/James Gathany)
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Pathogenic and Opportunistic Free-Living Amoebae
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Acanthamoeba spp., Balamuthia mandrillaris and Naegleria fowleri are free-living amoebae inhabiting a wide variety of environmental niches worldwide, with the potential to cause infections in both humans and animals.
Acanthamoeba spp. and B. mandrillaris are opportunistic pathogens of the central nervous system, lungs, sinuses and skin, primarily in immunocompromised patients and, in severe cases, lead to the fatal disease granulomatous amebic encephalitis.1-3 Among individuals wearing contact lenses, Acanthamoeba spp. is the causative agent of the sight-threatening infection Acanthamoeba keratitis.3 In contrast, N. fowleri, commonly known as the “brain-eating amoeba”, is pathogenic in healthy humans, causing acute and fulminant primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, a water-borne disease of the central nervous system resulting in extensive tissue damage, inflammation and hemorrhagic necrosis.4 Infection with N. fowleri is primarily associated with recreational activities in freshwater lakes and reservoirs naturally heated by the sun, as well as in geothermal sources and water thermally polluted by industry.3,4
The availability of clinical isolates is essential for the advancement of research into the biology, mechanisms of pathogenesis, immunology, antimicrobial susceptibility and molecular characteristics of these amoebae. BEI Resources maintains a collection of free-living amoeba, currently totaling 50 isolates, deposited by the Free-Living & Intestinal Amebas Laboratory, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Each isolate is cataloged with the geographical location, year and source of isolation and reported genotype. Please visit the BEI Resources website for a complete list of isolates in our free-living amoeba catalog.
References:
- Marciano-Cabral, F. and G. Cabral. ”Acanthamoeba spp. as Agents of Disease in Humans.” Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 16 (2003): 273-307. PubMed: 12692099.
- Cope, J. R., et al. “The Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Balamuthia mandrillaris Disease in the United States, 1974-2016.” Clin. Infect. Dis. 68 (2019): 1815-1822. PubMed: 30239654.
- Visvesvara, G. S. “Amebic Meningoencephalitides and Keratitis: Challenges in Diagnosis and Treatment.” Curr. Opin. Infect. Dis. 23 (2010): 590-594. PubMed: 20802332.
- Siddiqui, R., et al. “Biology and Pathogenesis of Naegleria fowleri.” Acta Trop. 164 (2016): 375-394. PubMed: 27616699.
Image: Acanthamoeba spp., Balamuthia mandrillaris, Naegleria fowleri (BEI Resources)
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Invasive Longhorned Ticks Now Available
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The “Asian Longhorned Tick”, Haemaphysalis longicornis, is invasive in the United States, first identified in New Jersey in 2017, and is rapidly spreading. While human pathogens have not yet been identified within H. longicornis found within the United States, the vector is known to be competent for transmission of a number of zoonotic tick-borne disease pathogens, including Borrelia, Rickettsia, Erlichia and Anaplasma species, Powassan virus and several Babesia parasites.1-4 In China, H. longicornis is a vector of the severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus, an emerging phlebovirus with high mortality rates.5
H. longicornis is especially of agricultural concern with cattle and sheep, transmitting tropical theileriosis, a potentially fatal parasitic infection in cattle in southern Europe, Africa and Asia. In sheep, H. longicornis infestation impacts both the quality and quantity of wool. This disease host is known to be difficult to control and is unique among ticks in the ability of the females to reproduce by parthenogenesis (full development of unfertilized eggs), as well as by sexual reproduction.
As of August 1, 2019, Asian longhorned ticks have spread to nearly one quarter of the United States, affecting Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.6
The newly available H. longicornis colony established from a wild-type, parthenogenic strain deposited by Dr. Michael Levin, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is confirmed specific-pathogen-free (SPF) by molecular screening and is available to qualified insectaries in the larval, nymph and adult life stages:
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BEI Resources No. |
Product Description |
NR-51846 |
Haemaphysalis longicornis Adult - live, wild-type adult tick |
NR-51847 |
Haemaphysalis longicornis Larvae - live, wild-type larval batch |
NR-51848 |
Haemaphysalis longicornis Nymph - live, wild-type nymph |
References:
- Lee, M.-J. and Joon-Seok Chae. “Molecular Detection of Erhlichia chaffeensis and Anaplasma bovis in the Salivary Glands from Haemaphysalis longicornis Ticks.” Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 10 (2010): 411-413. PubMed: 19874189.
- Meng, Z., et al. “[Detection of Co-Infection with Lyme Spirochetes and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae in a Group of Haemaphysalis longicornis].” Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi [Chinese Journal of Epidemiology] 29 (2008): 1217-1220. PubMed: 19173967.
- Hoogstraal, H. “Changing Patterns of Tickborne Diseases in Modern Society.” Annu. Rev. Entomol. 26 (1981): 75-99. PubMed: 7023373.
- Heath, A. C. G. “Vector Competence of Haemaphysalis longicornis with Particular Reference to Blood Parasites.” Surveillance 29 (2002): 12-14. http://www.sciquest.org.nz/node/47255.
- Yu, X. J., et al. “Fever with Thrombocytopenia Associated with a Novel Bunyavirus in China.” N. Engl. J. Med. 364 (2011): 1523-1532. PubMed: 21410387.
- “What You Need to Know About Asian Longhorned Ticks - A New Tick in the United States.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, //www.cdc.gov/ticks/longhorned-tick/index.html.
Image: Adult female Haemaphysalis longicornis tick (CDC/James Gathany)
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New reference reagents for Zika virus
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Now available are two well-characterized reference reagents for Zika virus (ZIKV) to facilitate evaluation of existing nucleic acid testing (NAT) assays and development of novel ZIKV assays. These reagents were produced by The Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research/U.S. Food and Drug Administration (CBER/FDA) from heat-inactivated (HI) ZIKV culture supernatant stock from two strains, PRVABC59 and FSS13025, which were diluted in dialyzed, defibrinated human plasma, and lyophilized. These reagents add to the expansive catalog of Zika virus materials now available from BEI Resources.
Image: Female Aedes aegypti mosquito (CDC/James Gathany)
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Reference strains of Coccidioides spp.
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Coccidioidomycosis, also known as Valley fever, is an invasive fungal infection caused by the dimorphic fungi Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii. These fungi are endemic to arid or semi-arid regions of the southwestern United Sates, Mexico, and Central and South America. Infection is acquired through inhalation of air-dispersed fungal spores termed arthroconidia. The initial or acute form of coccidioidomycosis is often mild with symptoms such as fever, cough, chest pain, and red, spotty rash. If infection is not controlled, it may progress to chronic pneumonia or even disseminate to other parts of the body including the brain, especially in immunocompromised patients. BEI Resources houses a well-characterized collection of Coccidioides strains from various origins, which have been used in studies of the ecology and distribution of different genotypes of the pathogen. Such studies are important for monitoring outbreaks, determining changes in virulence, and predicting disease progression. These strains were generously contributed by Dr. Bridget Barker, Northern Arizona University.
Image: Colonies of Coccidioides immitis, Strain RMSCC 3476 (NR-48939) growing at 37°C on Emmons' Modification of Sabouraud agar.
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New Luciferase-Expressing strains of Leishmania mexicana and Trypanosoma cruzi
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BEI Resources continues to expand the catalog of luciferase-expressing parasitic protists. Recent additions include Leishmania mexicana, strain MNYC/BZ/62/M379 transfected with the luciferase gene from the sea pansy Renilla reniformis (NR-51210) and Trypanosoma cruzi, strain CL Brener expressing the thermostable red-shifted luciferase gene mutant, PpyRE9 (NR-49161). These models allow the high-throughput screening of large numbers of candidate compounds during infection in vitro and the possibility of tracking parasite distribution in vivo in laboratory mice. The expression of red-shifted luciferase in T. cruzi, in particular, results in a reporter system that is more sensitive than other bioluminescence systems previously reported. The availability of these new transgenic strains provides the researcher rapid quantification of parasite growth and simplification of the methodology for scoring inhibitor assays.
Reference:
Lewis, M.D., et al. “A New Experimental Model for Assessing Drug Efficacy Against Trypanosoma cruzi Infection Based on Highly Sensitive in vivo Imaging.” J. Biomol. Screen. 20 (2015): 36-43. PubMed: 25296657.
Image: Trypanosoma cruzi CL Brener PpyRE9 (NR-49161) epimastigotes stained with GIEMSA (BEI Resources)
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Exempt Burkholderia pseudomallei strain Now Available
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Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent for melliodiosis, is an opportunistic pathogen found in soil in tropic and subtropic regions worldwide. B. pseudomallei is classified as a category B, Tier 1 Select Agent in the United States due to a high mortality rate when untreated, and the potential for its use as a biowarfare agent through aerosol transmission. Most strains of B. pseudomallei require handling under Biosafety level 3 (BSL 3). B. pseudomallei, strain Bp82 (deltapurM) has a 109 base pair deletion within the purM open reading frame, rendering the strain avirulent in mouse and hamster models. B. pseudomallei, strain Bp82 (deltapurM) is now an Excluded Strain from the HHS and USDA Select Agents and Toxins Exclusions list and can be handled under BSL 2 conditions. Strain Bp82 (deltapurM) has been proposed as a vaccine candidate and has been used in antibiotic resistance studies. This strain was graciously deposited into BEI Resources by Dr. Herbert Schweizer, and is available as item number NR-51280.
Reference:
Propst, K. L., et al. “A Burkholderia pseudomallei deltapurM Mutant is Avirulent in Immunocompetent and Immunodeficient Animals: Candidate Strain for Exclusion from Select-Agent Lists.” Infect. Immun. 78 (2010): 3136-3143. PubMed: 20404077.
Image: Burkholderia pseudomallei culture on sheep blood agar (CDC/ Larry Stauffer)
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Schistosoma spp. Life Cycle Training Course
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General Information about the Schistosoma spp. Life Cycle Training Course
Biomedical Research Institute
12111 Parklawn Drive Rockville, MD.
May 21-23, 2014
This course is designed to acquaint investigators working in the field of schistosomiasis with basic techniques and strategies for maintaining Schistosoma mansoni, S. haematobium, and S. japonicum in the laboratory, and it offers directions into making one’s research more productive. Among the topics covered will be procedures for setting up and maintaining the complete S. mansoni/Biomphalaria glabrata life cycle in the research laboratory, an overview of schistosomiasis, the pathology of the disease, collection of adult worms and eggs from tissues, exposure of snails to miracidia, shedding snails, exposure of mice and hamsters to cercariae, and an examination of all the intramolluscan life stages. Hands-on exercises relating to some of these topics will also be presented (ex. perfusion of mice, exposing mice/hamsters, identification of sporocysts in snails). Since we first began offering this basic course, over 120 scientists, technicians and students have benefited from completion of the course, and have expanded their own research agendas once back in their own laboratories.
The workshop incorporates aspects of all three Schistosoma spp. life cycles. Attendees will be exposed to aspects of maintaining S. japonicum and S. haematobium life cycles that include general snails maintenance, collection of cercariae from infected snails, and exposing mice/hamsters. It is our hope that incorporating the other two life cycles will encourage interest in maintaining these species in attendees’ laboratories. The three-day course will also include a lecture on NIH-NIAID parasitology and grant programs.
We anticipate that attendees will come away with a greater appreciation of the basic biology of Schistosoma spp. parasites, greater confidence in maintaining life cycles, and they will learn strategies for optimizing life cycles in their home laboratories. Time will be available to ask questions about life cycle maintenance and other aspects of schistosomiasis research. There is no fee for the course. Attendees are responsible for travel and lodging expenses, but travel assistance may be available. If you have any questions about the course, please contact me at mtucker@afbr-bri.com or (301) 881-3300 x31, or Mitzi Sereno at msereno@afbr-bri.com or (301) 881-3300 x39.
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M. tuberculosis knockout clone pools and companion DeADMAn microarray are now available
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Dr. William Bishai , Dr. Gyanu Lamichhane, and colleagues from the Tuberculosis Animal Research and Gene Evaluation Taskforce (TARGET), supported by NIH/NIAID contract N01-AI30036 awarded to the Johns Hopkins University, have generated twenty M. tuberculosis knockout clone pools to facilitate analyses of gene function under in vivo conditions of interest to researchers. In addition, they collaborated with Dr. Robert Fleischmann and Dr. Scott Peterson and colleagues from the Pathogen Functional Genomics Resource Center, supported by NIH/NIAID contract N01-AI15447 awarded to the J. Craig Venter Institute, to develop the DeADMAn Microarray Version 1.0 as a complimentary reagent for use with the knockout clone pools.
One or more M. tuberculosis knockout clone pools containing genetically defined transposon mutants of interest (input pool) are used to infect an animal that is subsequently subjected to a stress condition. Mutants from the input pool and those recovered from the stressed animals (output pool) are identified by amplification of unique transposon junction sequences of each mutant. The competitive hybridization of the input and output pools to the DeADMAn microarray allows for the easy detection of mutants in the input pool and missing from the output pool. The 20 M. tuberculosis knockout clone pools (NR-15773 to NR-15792) and the DeADMAn Microarray Version 1.0 (NR-18958) are now available from BEI.
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New Monkeypox Virus Real-Time PCR Assay Discriminates Monkeypox Viruses from other Orthopox Viruses
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Monkeypox virus is transmissible to people and it has become the most important Orthopoxvirus infection in human beings since the eradication of smallpox in 1970s.
A Monkeypox Virus quantitative PCR assay (Figure 1) which preferentially detects Monkeypox viruses is now available through BEI Resources (NR-9351). This assay detects Monkeypox viruses at least 1000 fold more efficiently over most other Orthopox viruses or non-Orthopox viruses (Figure 2). Since Monkeypox virus and Vaccinia share considerable homology it is a critical advantage that this assay can detect Monkeypox strains at a minimum of 100 fold more efficiently over the other Vaccinia strains.
The qPCR Monkeypox assay includes the following components: primers, FAM labeled probe, and plasmid for a standard curve. Each vial of reagent can be used for approximately 96 reactions. For technical questions about this assay or to learn more, please contact our Technical Services Department.
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Monoclonal antibodies to Trypanosoma cruzi
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Chagas’ disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) is widespread in Central and South America infecting an estimated 12 to 14 million people, with infection often leading to chronic myocarditis resulting in high morbidity and mortality. In addition to our catalog of T. cruzi parasites and triatomine vectors, BEI Resources now offers monoclonal antibodies raised against parasite stage-specific surface antigens, which play important roles during infection. These antigens include the trypomastigote-specific antigen Ssp-1 (BEI Resources NR-50891) and the amastigote-specific surface antigen Ssp-4 (BEI Resources NR-50892). Studies have shown the presence of Ssp-4 in tissue culture supernatants of T. cruzi-infected cells and the presence of anti-Ssp4 antibodies in sera from chagasic patients. These monoclonal antibodies were generously contributed by Dr. Norma Andrews, University of Maryland. Dr. Andrews generated these monoclonal antibodies while at the laboratory of Dr. Ruth Nussenzweig, New York University.
Image: Immunofluorescence staining of amastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi, strain TcVT-1 (BEI Resources NR-36630) with Monoclonal Anti-Trypanosoma cruzi, NR-50892. A, Light microscopy image of T. cruzi-infected kidney epithelial cells (ATCC® CCL-26™). B, Immunostaining of intracellular amastigotes with NR-50892 labeled with a FITC-conjugated rabbit anti-mouse antibody. Host cell and parasite nuclei are stained with DAPI.
References:
- Andrews, N. W., et al. “Stage-Specific Surface Antigens Expressed during the Morphogenesis of Vertebrate Forms of Trypanosoma cruzi.” Exp. Parasitol. 64 (1987): 474-484. PubMed: 3315736.
- Andrews, N. W., et al. “Developmentally Regulated, Phospholipase C-Mediated Release of the Major Surface Glycoprotein of Amastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi.” 167 (1988): 300-314. PubMed: 3279152.
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Recombinant B. anthracis spore proteins and polyclonal antibodies are now available
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Bacillus anthracis are gram positive, spore-forming bacteria. The B. anthracis spore is covered with a balloon-like exosporium that is made up of multiple proteins including the immunodominant glycoprotein Bcl-A (1, 2). Current vaccine strategies have targeted the protective antigen (PA) protein which is an essential component of both lethal toxin and edema toxin. However, vaccines based on immunization with PA alone can result in varied levels of protection in the host (3). More recent research has suggested that an improved protective effect can be achieved by immunizing animals with a combination of PA and other proteins present in the exosporium when compared to immunization with PA alone (1, 4).
BEI Resources has just released recombinant exosporium proteins along with their complementary rabbit polyclonal antibodies. Each protein has been shown experimentally to react with the anti-spore polyclonal antibody 31101-01 (1). In addition, immunization of mice with the hypothetical protein p5303 or the structural protein BxpB in combination with PA showed enhanced protection against spore challenge (1).
Localization of B. anthracis spore proteins within the spore by immunoelectron microscopy. Spores were labeled, following embedding in 4% formaldehyde, by incubation with A) NR-10436 anti-GerQ polyclonal IgG, or B) anti-p5303 polyclonal IgG followed by a gold-labeled secondary antibody (1).
For technical questions about these products, or to learn more, please contact us by clicking here.
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Polyclonal Antibody
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NR-9578 Polyclonal antibody to BclA
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NR-10505 BA4499 Superoxide dismutase SODA1
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NR-12128 BA1489 Superoxide dismutase SOD15
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NR-12130 BA5699 Hypothetical protein p5303
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NR-12132 BA1237 Hypothetical exosporium protein BxpB
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References:
1. Cybulski, R.J., Sanz, P., McDaniel, D., Darnell, S., Bull, R.L., and O’Brien, A.D. Recombinant Bacillus anthracis spore proteins enhance protection of mice primed with suboptimal amounts of protective antigen. Vaccine 2008;26:4927-4939.
2. Sylvestre, P., Couture-Tosi, E., and Mock, M. A collagen-like surface glycoprotein is a structural component of the Bacillus anthracis exosporium. Mol Microbiol 2002;45(July(1)):5240-7.
3. Fellows, P.F., Linscott, M.K., Ivins, B.E., Pitt, M.L., Rossi, C.A., Gibbs, P.H. et al. Efficacy of a human anthrax vaccine in guinea pigs, rabbits and rhesus macaques against challenge by Bacillus anthracis isolates of diverse geographical origin. Vaccine 2001:19(April(23-24)):3241-7.
4. Brahmbhatt, T.N., Darnell, S.C., Carvalho, H.M., Sanz, P., Kang T.J., Bull, R. L., et. al. Recombinant exosporium protein BclA of Bacillus anthracis is effective as a booster for mice primed with suboptimal amounts of protective antigen. Infect Immun 2007;75 (November (11)):5240-7.
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Ferret Reagents available through BEI Resources
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In recent years, the ferret has proven to be an excellent animal model for the study of pathogenicity and transmissibility of influenza viruses (Journal of Virology 81 (13): 6890-9898 (July 2007)). Even the attachment of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in the lower respiratory track of humans is mimicked in the ferret model (Science 312 (5772): 5772 (April 21, 2006)). In like manner, ferrets are also being shown to be a good model for SARS research because they are susceptible to infection by the SARS coronavirus and can transmit the virus to uninfected animals (Nature 425: 915 (October 30, 2003)).
To support the research on these emerging infections, BEI Resources (under the direction of NIAID) will soon offer a vast array of tools for the use of the ferret model. In February of 2008, BEI Resources made available approximately 100 ferret immune gene primers that were produced under contract by the laboratory of Dr. David Kelvin (Head, Division of Experimental Therapeutics, University Health Network). In Spring 2008, BEI Resources will also offer a number of monoclonal antibodies against ferret immune antigens, also from Dr. Kelvin’s laboratory.
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Enterobacter cloacae complex isolates for antibiotic resistance studies
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Enterobacter cloacae is part of the normal human flora and not considered a primary pathogen. Unfortunately, there is increasing incidence of nosocomial infections with E. cloacae, which frequently involve intravenous and other medical and hospital devices as well as medical solutions and disinfectants used routinely in hospitals and patient care facilities. The situation is further complicated by the ability of these bacteria to acquire resistance to antibiotics, notably carbapenems. BEI Resources has obtained a set of 15 isolates of the E. cloacae complex with defined susceptibility patterns against 16 antibiotics. This valuable set is now available to aid your studies on carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE).
BEI Resources No. |
Description |
NR-50391 |
Enterobacter cloacaecomplex strain BEI01 |
NR-50392 |
Enterobacter cloacaecomplex strain BEI02 |
NR-50393 |
Enterobacter cloacaecomplex strain BEI03 |
NR-50394 |
Enterobacter cloacaecomplex strain BEI04 |
NR-50395 |
Enterobacter cloacaecomplex strain BEI05 |
NR-50396 |
Enterobacter cloacaecomplex strain BEI06 |
NR-50397 |
Enterobacter cloacaecomplex strain BEI07 |
NR-50398 |
Enterobacter cloacaecomplex strain BEI08 |
NR-50399 |
Enterobacter cloacaecomplex strain BEI09 |
NR-50400 |
Enterobacter cloacaecomplex strain BEI10 |
NR-50401 |
Enterobacter cloacaecomplex strain BEI11 |
NR-50402 |
Enterobacter cloacaecomplex strain BEI12 |
NR-50403 |
Enterobacter cloacaecomplex strain BEI13 |
NR-50404 |
Enterobacter cloacaecomplex strain BEI14 |
NR-50405 |
Enterobacter cloacaecomplex strain BEI15 |
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Mayaro and Una Viruses Now Available
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Mayaro virus (MAYV) is a New World alphavirus and the etiologic agent of Mayaro fever, an acute febrile illness sometimes accompanied by severe and persistent arthritis similar to Chikungunya fever. Its transmission cycle occurs mainly through mosquito vectors, especially those of the genus Haemagogus, but Aedes spp. mosquitoes may also be competent vectors. The enzootic transmission cycle of MAYV is not fully understood, but the occurrence of relatively large outbreaks of Mayaro fever and the competence of Aedes mosquitoes for the transmission of MAYV suggest the potential for an urban human-mosquito-human transmission cycle to emerge. MAYV was first isolated in Trinidad in 1954, with sporadic outbreaks of Mayaro fever in Bolivia, Brazil, and other regions throughout Central and South America. Recently, MAYV was found in a DENV co-infected patient in Haiti1, the first report of MAYV in the Caribbean nation, underscoring the need for MAYV inclusion in surveillance activities in these regions in addition to Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika viruses.
Una virus (UNAV) is the closest genetic relative of MAYV that also causes a similar febrile illness. UNAV was first identified in northern Brazil in 1959. Serosurveys have identified antibodies against UNAV in birds, horses, and humans; however, the extent of viral distribution and human disease risk is unknown.
References:1. eid2211.161015
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Plasmid stability in Staphylococcus without antibiotic selection?
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Plasmid maintenance by bacteria can be unpredictable without selective pressure. This is of particular concern during in vivo studies. To circumvent this in Staphylococcus species, the Bose Lab at The University of Kansas Medical Center has provided plasmids to BEI Resources that remain stable inStaphylococcus cells without the requirement of antibiotics during both in vitro and in vivo experiments1. These E. coli-S. aureus shuttle vectors are based on the LAC-p01 plasmid.
Plasmid pKK22 (Accession KX085042) is designed to be used with S. aureus USA300 strains that contain LAC-p01 and will render the strains isogenic. Plasmid pKK30 (Accession KX085043) is a variant of pKK22, in which the predicted open reading frames (ORFs) that are not needed for plasmid maintenance have been deleted, and is intended for use inStaphylococcus cells that do not contain LAC-p01. Both plasmids contain a single trimethoprim resistance cassette that is functional in both E. coliand Staphylococcus. In addition, they contain the E. coli R6Kγ origin of replication and require pir+ cells for replication. DH5αλpir and the pir+dam- dcm- strain GM2163λpir are provided as a host strains, courtesy of Dr. Eric Stabb (University of Georgia)2. These plasmids and host strains are now supplied individually or as a kit through BEI Resources.
BEI Resources No. |
Description |
NR-50348 |
Escherichia coli DH5αλpir containing pKK22 |
NR-50349 |
Escherichia coli DH5αλpir containing pKK30 |
NR-50350 |
Escherichia coli DH5αλpir |
NR-50351 |
Escherichia coli GM2163λpir |
NR-50352 |
Kit: In vivo stable Staphylococcus plasmids and E. coli hosts |
References:
1. Krute, C. N., K. K. Krausz, M. A. Markiewicz, J. A. Joyner, S. Pokhrel, P. R. Hall, and J. L. Bose. 2016. "Generation of a Stable Plasmid for in vitro and in vivostudies of Staphylococcus." Applied and Environmental Microbiology 82:6859-6869. PMID 27637878
2. Dunn A. K., M. O. Martin, and E. V. Stabb. 2005. "Characterization of pES213, a Small Mobilizable Plasmid from Vibrio fischeri." Plasmid 54:114-134. PMID: 16122560
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Immortalized murine macrophages and microglial cell lines from TLR knockout mice available
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The Toll-like receptor (TLR) family is the essential recognition and signaling component of multicellular organisms against all the major classes of pathogens. The study of TLR signaling pathways has become a productive area of investigation for researchers interested in signal transduction during innate immunity and inflammation. Of interest to biodefense, the identification of TLRs, their ligands, and signaling events will provide insight into understanding the role of the innate immune response in infectious diseases such as anthrax, plague, tularemia, and smallpox. Knockout mice for many of these innate immune receptors and adaptor molecules are not always widely available. In addition, generation of such knockout animals requires significant human and economic resources.
BEI Resources houses a number of immortalized macrophage cell lines from knockout mice deficient in TLRs and their signaling molecules. Characterization of the immortalized cell lines has shown a deficiency in the production of cytokines upon stimulation with defined differential TLR ligands using ELISA (Fig. 1). Use of this resource will enable the investigation of immune mechanisms against pathogens and evaluation of pharmacological agents. For a list of available cell lines or technical questions about these products, please contact us by clicking here.
Fig. 1. Secretion profiles of TNF among immortalized cell lines derived from knockout mice lacking the TLR adaptor molecules MAL/TIRAP and MyD88. Cells were stimulated with increasing concentrations of ligands against TLR2/6 (Pam2), TLR3 (PolyIC), and TLR4 (LPS). A, cytokine secretion in wild type and MAL/TIRAP -/- macrophages. B, cytokine secretion in wild type and MyD88 -/- microglial cells.
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Epsilon Toxin Reagents are now Available from BEI Resources
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Clostridium perfringens are gram positive, obligate anaerobes that produce multiple toxins. Type B and D strains, responsible for necrotic enteritis or enterotoxemia in animals, express Epsilon toxin encoded by the etx gene. This protein exerts its cytotoxic activity on sensitive cells by forming pores in the cell membrane resulting in a loss of cellular homeostasis. Epsilon toxin is a USDA and HHS select agent toxin and is included on the NIAIDlist of Category B priority pathogens.
BEI Resources has reagents that can be used to study the molecular mechanisms of Epsilon toxin cytotoxicity. NR-856 is native Epsilon protoxin purified directly from C. perfringens culture supernatant. NR-4670, the native protoxin that has been activated using trypsin, is cytotoxic to ATCC® CCL-34™ MDCK cells (Figure B). In addition, we offer NR-865 polyclonal antibody to Epsilon toxin which can detect the protein in an ELISA or western blot format.
Fluorescence micrographs showing MDCK cells treated with NR-4670 activated Epsilon toxin (B) or without toxin (A) for 1.5 hours in the presence of propidium iodide. Pore formation by the toxin is demonstrated by the uptake and fluorescence of propidium iodide compared to the untreated control.
For technical questions about these products, or to learn more, please contact us by clicking here.
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Clostridium difficile research is easier with strains from BEI Resources
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Clostridium difficile research is easier with strains from BEI Resources
Clostridium difficile (also known as Peptoclostridium difficile) is an increasingly common opportunistic pathogen that causes diarrhea and more serious intestinal conditions such as colitis. It is commonly observed in patients that have an illness that requires prolonged use of antibiotics, or can be acquired in hospitals and long-term care facilities. C. difficile infections are normally treated with antibiotics; however, this is particularly problematic due to the high levels of antibiotic resistance displayed by these bacteria. Recent studies have shown that replenishment of the normal gut microbiota provides a successful tool to control the infection with C. difficile.
BEI Resources has a large number of C. difficile strains, as well as nucleic acids, toxins, and other reagents available for your research (please click here for a list).
Among the bacterial strains, several have well characterized tcdA, tcdB, and cdtB toxin
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Viral nucleic acids
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For the benefit of researchers requiring nucleic acids from pathogens, BEI Resources offer more than 1,000 nucleic acids derived from pathogens. These reagents can be used at lower containment levels for molecular studies; to ensure their biosafety, the preparations have been safety tested for the absence of residual live organisms. Please check our website to see the wide variety viral nucleic acids extracted from various BSL-2 through BSL-4 pathogens. Notable new additions to this category of reagents include Genomic RNA from Enterovirus D68 and human metapneumovirus.
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Give a whooping push to your research
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Whooping cough is a disease caused by bacteria from the genus Bordetella. Currently under widespread resurgence, whooping cough ranks globally among the 10 leading causes of childhood mortality. BEI Resources offers several isolates of Bordetella pertussis, B. bronchiseptica, and B. holmesii, along with toxins, nucleic acids, and proteins for Bordetella research. To see the full list of Bordetella reagents and strains currently available from BEI resources, please click here
Image: Bordetella holmesii NR-43499 grown on Bordet Gengou media
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Toxoplasma gondii
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Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite of the phylum Apicomplexa that is the causal agent of toxoplasmosis. BEI Resources houses a comprehensive assortment of T. gondii cultures that include GFP-expressing strains; reference genome strains; genetic crosses between type strains I, II, and III; and strains used as models for parasite transmission and cyst formation. For a complete list of our Toxoplasma catalog, please contact us at Contact@BEIResources.org.
BEI Resources Number
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Comment
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Strain
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NR-743
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Transgenic RH strain expressing GFP
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RH-GFP 5 S65T
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NR-744
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Transgenic PTG strain expressing GFP
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PTG-GFP 5 S65T
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NR-10150 - NR-10170
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Genetic crosses between strain types II and III
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Various
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NR-10238 - NR-10273
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Genetic crosses between strain types I and III
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Various
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NR-49173 - NR-491991
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Genetic crosses between strain types I and II
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Various
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NR-20728 - NR-20739
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Reference genome strains for haplogroups 1 through 15
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Various
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NR-15248
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Mutant RH strain deficient in the ku80 and hxgprt genes
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RH∆ku80∆hxg
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NR-43998
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Pig, Massachusetts, 2002; cat-to-cat transmission studies
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Dubey
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NR-44106
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Recombinant type I/III; forms cysts spontaneously in vitro
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EGS
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1 Available soon. Send inquiries to Contact@BEIResources.org for availability.
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Staphylococcus gene expression analysis shuttle vectors for pathogenesis studies
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BEI Resources offers 42 distinct Escherichia coli-Staphylococcus cassette-based shuttle vectors that provide all the tools you need to complete your research. These shuttle vectors are deposited as part of the Network on Antimicrobial Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus (NARSA) reagents. Choose from staphylococcal low-copy-number, high-copynumber, thermosensitive, and theta-replicating plasmids. Select from erythromycin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, kanamycin, or spectinomycin selectable markers in Staphylococcus, and ampicillin, erythromycin, kanamycin, and chloramphenicol resistance markers in E. coli. The modular design of the plasmid vector system offers flexibility and variety for expression analysis and provides the opportunity to address questions about gene dosage, complementation, and cis-trans effects. The shuttle vector system provides effective tools for studying gene regulation of staphylococci among ecosystems.
For further published details on these plasmids, please see Charpentier et al. Appl
Environ Microbiol 70(10): 6076-6085, 2004
Image: NR-46158. Staphylococcus aureus strain 4221 containing shuttle vector pCN57, grown on TSA + 10 μg/ml erythromycin
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Genome Sequenced Clinical and Contaminated Yogurt Isolates of Mucor circinelloides f. circinelloides
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Two genome sequenced isolates of Mucor circinelloides f. circinelloides (NR-49108 Strain designation 1006PhL, and NR-49117 Strain designation Mucho) are now available from BEI Resources. Mucor circinelloides f. circinelloides is surpassed only by Rhizopus species as the most common cause of mucormycosis, and is the most virulent of the Mucor circinelloides species. One isolate was obtained from the skin of a healthy individual, and the other from contaminated yogurt responsible for the 2013 Mucorales outbreak.
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Filoviral expression plasmids
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We have a number of expression plasmids for various Filoviral proteins for Zaire Ebolavirus and Marburgvirus. Many of the proteins have been tagged with HA or FLAG. Continue to check our catalog for new plasmid additions, such as those expressing GP, NP, VP24, VP30, VP35, and VP40 in the next few months for a complete list.
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Yersinia pestis Plasmid Profiling Assay is Now Available
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The agent of bubonic plague Yersinia pestisis a NIAID Category A Priority Pathogen and likely biothreat. In support of research and product development in this area BEI Resources released a Yersinia pestis Plasmid Detection Kit (NR-9562) in April 2008.
This assay allows the researcher to quickly identify the presence of plasmid-encoded virulence factors pPCP1, pMT1 and pCD1 and is designed to be used for characterization purposes in conjunction with standard microbiological techniques.
The assay consists of primer sets designed to specifically detect the pPCP1, pMT1 and pCD1 plasmids using standard polymerase chain reactions and includes a species-specific positive control primer set and internal positive control template.
PCR amplification of genomic DNA from Yersinia pestis displaying a pPCP1+, pMT1+, pCD1– profile (lanes 2-4 respectively). Lanes 5 and 6 are the Yersinia pestis and internal positive controls. Lane 7 is a non-template control."
Panel A. Growth of Yersinia pestis on Congo Red media showing red/orange colonies typical of pgm+ organisms. Organisms that are confirmed pgm+ and pCD1+ are considered Select Agents.
Panel B. Bacteria lacking pgm showing distinctive variations in colony morphology and reduced coloring on Congo Red media as compared to pgm+ organisms.
For technical questions about these products or to learn more, please contact our Technical Services Department.
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Pathogenic amoebae that affect human health
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Entamoeba histolytica
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Pathogenic amoebae that affect human health
Amoebae are a diverse group of protists that move primarily by extending and retracting pseudopodia. The most important pathogenic amoeba for humans is Entamoeba histolytica. Among the free-living amoebae that exist in nature, Acanthamoeba spp. and Naegleria fowleri belong to a handful of genera that have an association with human disease. BEI Resources houses a diversity of pathogenic amoeba strains for researchers working on mechanisms of pathogenesis, diagnostics, antimicrobial sensitivity, and the molecular biology of these organisms.
Entamoeba histolytica. Entamoeba histolytica is an enteric parasite that predominantly infects humans and other primates. Most infections are asymptomatic and tissue invasion is a rare occurrence. In some cases, diseases can range from chronic, mild diarrhea, to fulminant dysentery. For a list of E. histolytica strains available at BEI Resources click here.
Acanthamoeba spp. Acanthamoebae inhabit a wide variety of environmental niches. In healthy humans, Acanthamoeba can cause a sight-threatening eye disease known as Acanthamoeba keratitis. In immunocompromised individuals, Acanthamoeba can cause disseminated infections and the fatal disease granulomatous amebic encephalitis. For a list of Acanthamoeba spp. strains available at BEI Resources click here.
Naegleria fowleri. Naegleria fowleri is the causative agent of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) in humans. The disease is rare yet so fulminant that few people survive infection. Cases of PAM reported in North America usually occur after swimming in water naturally heated by the sun. For a list of Naegleria fowleri strains available at BEI Resources click here.
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New Updates to MR4 Methods Manuals
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Anopheles mosquito. Photo courtesy of James Gathany and CDC.
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New Updates to MR4’s “Methods in Anopheles Research” and “Methods in Malaria Research” Laboratory Manuals - Now Available for Free Download
Our friends at the CDC have updated the frequently-accessed and freely available MR4 Methods in Anopheles Research laboratory manual, which provides detailed insectary and benchtop protocols for rearing, genotyping, and phenotyping Anopheline and other mosquito vector colonies, as well as information on field techniques, insecticide resistance, screening for Wolbachia infection, and an introduction to Aedes and Culex colony methodology.
What’s more, a revised and expanded edition of EVIMalR and MR4’s extremely popular “Methods in Malaria Research” laboratory manual was also recently released. The updated manual provides a wide variety of protocols for in vitro, in vivo, antimalarial drug screening, and transmission research on Plasmodium spp., and the use of parasite genome databases to incorporate bioinformatics.
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Transposon library mutants available
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NR-46829. Staphylococcus aureus JE2 transposon mutant SAUSA300_0113 grown on TSB + 5 µg/mL erythromycin
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Transposon library mutants available to study non-essential genes of Staphylococcus aureus
As part of the Network on Antimicrobial Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus (NARSA), BEI Resources is supplying the scientific community with the Nebraska Transposon Mutant Library (NTML). The NTML is an assortment of sequence-defined transposon insertion mutants of S. aureus strain USA300 LAC. Each clone harbors a different non-essential gene disrupted by the insertion of the mariner-based transposon bursa aurealis. The exact location of each transposon insertion in each of the 1955 clones is available from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Most of these clones are grown when ordered (made to order), please allow time for production and testing by BEI Resources when ordering.
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Human Metapneumovirus
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Human Metapneumovirus
BEI Resources announces the addition of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) isolates, dating from 1983, to our vast assortment of viruses. hMPV was isolated from young children with acute respiratory tract disease in the Netherlands in 2001, and is now recognized as a major cause of respiratory illness in infants and children worldwide. hMPV is difficult to grow in cell culture, largely explaining the delay in recognizing this pathogen, which has been causing disease for half a century as evidenced by retrospective serological analyses. Please check our Knowledge Base query box using keyword “metapneumovirus” for tips on how to successfully propagate the virus in cell culture.
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Welcome NARSA Researchers!
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The NARSA Strain Repository is transitioning to BEI Resources, NIAID's centralized research reagent repository in May 2014. Due to this transition, Eurofins will no longer be registering users after March 14th, 2014. Eurofins will no longer be taking orders in May. All orders after May 23rd, 2014, should be made through BEI Resources.
Registration for the BEI Resources program can be found at this link below. NARSA Strain requestors will need to register for Level 2 for continued access to the NARSA Strains. ** Please note if you are an existing NARSA registrant, BEI Resources will contact you after the Annual Meeting with specific registration instructions and paperwork to facilitate your registration.
http://www.beiresources.org/Register.aspx
Once registered with BEI Resources, researchers will have access to the full BEI Resources catalog (within the respective Biosafety Level). The catalog has over 12,000 research reagents representing more than 400 Genus and Species focusing on NIAID's Category A, B and C priority pathogen list and Emerging Infections.
Once registered with BEI Resources, ALL investigators will receive FREE shipping and handling on orders placed through BEI Resources.
Please feel free to contact BEI Resources by email: contact@beiresources.org or by phone: Toll-free telephone number: (800) 359-7370 (8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Eastern Time) with any questions or concerns.
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H7N9 Influenza Virus
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The much awaited H7N9 Influenza virus is now available for your research needs. NR-44078 is a 6:2 reassortant virus produced using plasmid-based reverse genetics to contain the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes from A/Shanghai/1/2013 (H7N9) and internal genes from A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (H1N1).
Click here to see all H7N9 reagents.
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BEI Resources offers Overlapping Peptide Arrays for Pathogens
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Custom peptides have many uses in biotechnology including epitope mapping, analyzing protein-protein interactions, and as antigens for the generation of anti-peptide antibodies. For epitope mapping, arrays consisting of a small amount of a large number of overlapping peptides are required. For the individual researcher, the generation of such a custom array of overlapping peptides for specific proteins of interest could be cost-prohibitive. For that reason, NIAID has funded BEI Resources to generate a substantial number of peptide arrays related to applications in biodefense and emerging infections. These reagents are provided free of charge (except for shipping and handling fees) for use by BEI registrants.
Currently BEI Resources offers peptide arrays for proteins of influenza, SARS-CoV and human coronaviruses, dengue virus, hepatitis C virus, West Nile virus, hantavirus, vaccinia virus, Yersinia pestis, and Bacillus anthracis (complete list). For more information on these peptide arrays, please search our online catalog for your peptide array of interest. If you need more assistance or information about BEI Resources peptide arrays, please contact us by clicking here.
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New Website Redesign
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As of Wednesday, August 20th we have updated the BEI Resources and MR4 websites to further optimize your online experience; making it easier, more accessible, and hopefully a bit more pleasurable to access your desired BEI and MR4 reagents. We have rolled out a new redesigned website that we anticipate will provide a more user-friendly navigation and shopping cart experience, easier searching and reading throughout the site, and an optimal viewing experience from essentially any web accessible platform whether it is desktop, laptop, mobile phone, or tablet.
This Responsive Web Design approach suggests that design and development should respond to the user’s behavior and environment based on screen size, platform, and orientation. As more and more of our customers in the scientific community are switching to the duality of laptops and mobile devices to conduct and support their research efforts, we at BEI Resources, would like to let our customers know… We’ve heard you… and would like to thank you for your continued feedback.
This redesigned website has been engineered to automatically respond to user preferences; switching to accommodate for resolution, image size and the scripting capabilities as dictated by the device being used. We can now make images and layouts more flexible. With this design, we have essentially eliminated the need to make individual adjustments in design and development for each new mobile device produced and made available on the market.
While Responsive Design is not a complete solution, we believe this solution provides more options for our users and a more optimal online experience overall when accessing the BEI Resources and MR4 sites; from any website accessible device; mobile or otherwise.
So feel free to access the BEI Resources and MR4 sites while in the office, lab, or on-the-go with your mobile device. An option to provide feedback is available through our Online User Feedback form, provided at the completion of your online order. Tell us what you think; we look forward to hearing from you.
At MR4 and BEI Resources, “We take care of the details - so you can focus on your research.”
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MERS-CoV Now Available to Qualifed Labs
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BEI Resources has the MERS-CoV virus (strain EMC/2012) available for distribution to qualified laboratories. This virus will require a BEI Level 3 registration. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is viral respiratory illness first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012. It is caused by a coronavirus called MERS-CoV. Most people who have been confirmed to have MERS-CoV infection developed severe acute respiratory illness. They had fever, cough, and shortness of breath. About half of these people died.
The catalog number for the MERS-CoV virus is NR-44260. You must be logged in with a valid BEI Level 3 Account to place an order. Please email our customer service department if you have any questions about obtaining the MERS-CoV virus.
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SARS Virus Now Available for Researchers
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We have available for the first time in the BEI Resources catalog, two SARS Coronaviruses (SARS-CoV) derived from the Urbani strain. NR-18925 is produced from a recombinant infectious clone, icSARS-CoV. NR-15418 is the mouse-adapted strain, Urbani v2163, developed by Dr. Barnard as a lethal model for evaluating antiviral agents (PubMed:19853271). To view a complete listing of all coronaviruses in the catalog, click here.
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Chikungunya Viruses - Now Available for Order
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Chikungunya Viruses - Additional Strains Available
BEI Resources announces the addition of two novel BSL3 strains of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), R-91142 and 182/25, to the catalog of available items. CHIKV is a mosquito-borne alphavirus that is mainly associated with acute febrile illness. Strains R-91142 and 182/25 CHIKV are of Asian origin. Strain 182/25 is the recently developed vaccine candidate and the only CHIKV strain to be tested in humans. Coming soon to the BEI catalogue is the CHIKV African prototype strain, S-27.
NR-13221
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Chikungunya Virus, R-91142 (cell lysate)
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NR-13222
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Chikungunya Virus, 181/25 (cell lysate)
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NR-13220
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Chikungunya Virus, strain S-27 (cell lysate) Coming soon!
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Upcoming Meetings & Events
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Click Here to view our Upcoming Events Calendar.
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Sand Flies, Reduviids and Ticks are Here!
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BEI Resources announces the addition of Sand Flies, Reduviids and Ticks for the research community.
Catalog Number
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Vector
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Pathogen Competence
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NR-43999
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Phlebotomus papatasi, PPNS, Larval
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Leishmania major and Sand Fly Fever phleboviruses.
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NR-44000
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Phlebotomus papatasi, PPTK, Larval
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Leishmania major and Sand Fly Fever phleboviruses.
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NR-44001
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Lutzomyia longipalpis, LLJB, Adult
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Leishmania spp. including Leishmania infantum chagasi.
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NR-44013
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Phlebotomus papatasi, PPNS, Adult
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Leishmania major and Sand Fly Fever phleboviruses.
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NR-44014
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Phlebotomus papatasi, PPTK, Adult
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Leishmania major and Sand Fly Fever phleboviruses.
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NR-44015
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Lutzomyia longipalpis, LLJB, Adult
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Leishmania spp. including Leishmania infantum chagasi.
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NR-42510
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Ixodes scapularis
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Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia muris-like agent, Powassan virus, Babesia spp.
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NR-42511
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Ixodes ricinus
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Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Tick-borne encephalitis virus, Borrelia burgdorferi, Babesia spp.
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NR-42512
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Rhipicephalus sanguineus
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Rickettsia rickettsii, Rickettsia conorii, Ehrlichia canis
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NR-42513
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Dermacentor variabilis
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Rickettsia rickettsii, Francisella tularensis, Colorado tick fever virus
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NR-42514
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Amblyomma americanum
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Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Ehrlichia ewingii, Panola Mountain Ehrlichial agent
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NR-44076 and NR-44077 |
Rhodnius prolixus |
Trypanosoma cruzi |
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CDC recommends handling naïve ticks from these species at ABSL2 containment in appropriate barrier protected facilities; pathogen research may require elevated ABSL containment. Check the BEI Vector Resources page for a list of other vectors and related reagents available through BEI Resources.
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Luciferase-Expressing Plasmodium falciparum
The effort to eliminate malaria requires the discovery of novel drugs targeting Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes (sexual stage), which are solely responsible for transmission of the parasite by Anopheles mosquitoes to humans. Compared to the asexual stages of the parasite, gametocytes have different susceptibilities to drugs, with the mature stage being the least sensitive.1
Two transgenic P. falciparum cell lines, now available from BEI Resources, support the investigation of late-stage gametocyte physiology using cell-based methods and will help provide a more accurate comparison of different compound activities on the pathogenic asexual stages and the immature and mature gametocytes.
P. falciparum, strain NF54-cg6-ULG8-CBG99 (BEI Resources MRA-1324) is a transgenic line containing a luciferase reporter with enhanced sensitivity, CBG99, driven by ULG8, a promoter highly upregulated in mature gametocytes. MRA-1324 provides a method to quantitatively investigate how compounds targeting key pathways of the parasite redox metabolism affect gametocyte development.2
P.falciparum, strain NF54-cg6-hsp86-PpyRE13 (BEI Resources MRA-1325) is another transgenic line, where the expression of the PpyRE13 luciferase gene is driven by the constitutive hsp86 promoter, resulting in all parasite stages expressing the bioluminescent enzyme.1 MRA-1325 is suitable for the measurement of parasite viability in both gametocytes and asexual stages of the organism, as well as for use in drug screen assays.
Reference:
1. Siciliano, G., et al. “The Nitrobenzoxadiazole Derivative NBDHEX Behaves as Plasmodium falciparum Gametocyte Selective Inhibitor with Malaria Parasite Transmission Blocking Activity.” Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 15 (2022): 168. PubMed: 35215282.
2. Siciliano, G., et al. “A High Susceptibility to Redox Imbalance of the Transmissible Stages of Plasmodium falciparum Revealed with a Luciferase-Based Mature Gametocyte Assay.” Mol. Microbiol. 104 (2017): 306-318. PubMed: 28118506.
MRA-1324 Plasmodium falciparum, Strain NF54-cg6-ULG8-CBG99
MRA-1325 Plasmodium falciparum, Strain NF54-cg6-hsp86-PpyRE13
Image Alt Text: Giemsa-stained P. falciparum parasites (BEI Resources MRA-1324) visualized under a light microscope. (BEI Resources)
Image Credit: Giemsa-stained P. falciparum parasites (MRA-1324) visualized under a light microscope. (BEI Resources)
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Contemporary Influenza Virus Isolates
Influenza viruses pose a significant global public health challenge, often causing annual epidemics and occasional pandemics. Human infection with the influenza virus causes acute upper respiratory disease, potentially leading to hospitalization or death, particularly in older adults or those with certain chronic health conditions.1 Recognizing this impact, substantial efforts are directed toward preventing infection and limiting the virus's spread through population-wide vaccination, and other public health measures.
However, influenza viruses undergo frequent mutations, evolving both genetically and antigenically to escape host immune pressures, resulting in the emergence of new strains with the potential to evade immunity acquired from previous infections or vaccinations. Therefore, the availability of contemporary influenza strains is crucial for developing novel and effective diagnostics and therapies.
BEI Resources is now offering eleven recent influenza virus isolates originating from the United States. These include Influenza H3N2 and H1N1 subtype Influenza A viruses and Influenza B viruses of Victoria lineage. Derivative products including genomic RNA are in process and will be available soon.
Reference:
1. "Who Is at Higher Risk of Flu Complications?" Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/index.htm. Accessed 05 February 2024.
NR-59459 Influenza A virus, A/Baltimore/JH-286/2021 (H3N2)
NR-59460 Influenza A virus, A/Baltimore/JH-335/2022 (H3H2)
NR-59461 Influenza A virus, A/Macha/O1237/2021 (H3N2)
NR-59462 Influenza A virus, A/Baltimore/JH-0586/2022 (H3N2)
NR-59463 Influenza A virus, A/Baltimore/JH-0440/2022 (H3N2)
NR-59464 Influenza A virus, A/Macha/O1453/2021 (H1N1) – Coming Soon
NR-59465 Influenza A virus, A/Baltimore/JH-22377/2022 (H1N1)
NR-59466 Influenza A virus, A/Baltimore/JH-22400/2022 (H1N1)
NR-59467 Influenza B virus, B/Baltimore/JHH002/2021
NR-59468 Influenza B virus, B/Baltimore/JHH003/2021
NR-59469 Influenza B virus, B/Macha/I1080/2021
Image Alt Text: Colorized transmission electron micrograph of H1N1 influenza virus particles (purple). Image captured at NIAID's Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) in Hamilton, Montana.(NIAID/CC BY 2.0)
Image Credit: Colorized TEM of H1N1 influenza virus particles (purple). (NIAID/CC BY 2.0)
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This list of reagents are available only through Quality Biological. For further details on the virus reagents and their availability, please submit your request with the QBI number to HIVReagents@qualitybiological.com.
SIV/SHIV Virus Stocks
QBI Number
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Reagent Name
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Reagent Description |
305341b |
SIVmac251 Stock day 7 |
SIVmac251 primary stock (4-19-91) derived from RhPBMC, harvested 7 days post-infection |
305342b |
SIVmac251 Stock day 8 |
SIVmac251 primary stock (4-19-91) derived from RhPBMC, harvested 8 days post-infection |
306080 |
SHIV CHAVI C5 / 293T Supernatant |
SIV contains HIV-1 C5 Env, derived from 293T cells |
306083 |
SIVmac239 challenge stock |
SIVmac239 derived from RhPBMC, stock titer generated in CEMx174 cells |
306089 |
SHIV.C.CH848.375H.dCT challenge stock |
SIV contains HIV-1 CH848 (T/F), Env with mutation at 375 (S to H), derived from RhCD4+ T cells |
306090 |
SHIV.C.CH505.375H.dCT challenge stock |
SIV contains HIV-1 CH505 (T/F), Env with mutation at 375 (S to H), derived from RhCD4+ T cells |
306091 |
SHIV.C.1086.375W.dCT challenge stock |
SIV contains HIV-1 1086 (T/F), Env with mutation at 375 (S to W), derived from RhCD4+ T cells |
306099 |
SHIV.A.BG505.332N.375Y.dCT challenge stock |
SIV contains HIV-1 BG505 (T/F), Env with mutations at 332N and 376 (S to W), derived from RhCD4+ T cells |
306100 |
SHIV.C.1012.375Y.dCT challenge stock |
SIV contains HIV-1 CH1012 (T/F), Env from subject CH1012, derived from RhCD4+ T cells |
306101 |
SHIV.C.Ce1176.375HFW challenge stock |
SIV contains HIV-1 Ce1176 (subtype C, T/F), Env with mutation at 375 HFW mixture alleles, derived from RhCD4+ T cells |
306102 |
SHIV.B.B41.375H.dCT challenge stock |
SIV contains HIV-1 B41 (subtype B,T/F), Env from subject 9032-08.A1.4685, derived from RhCD4+ T cells |
306109 |
SHIV.AG.T250-4.375HWY.dCT challenge stock |
SIV contains HIV-1 T250-4 (subtype AG), Env with mutation at 375 HWY mixture alleles, derived from RhCD4+ T cells |
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Monoclonal Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 Full-Length S Protein
A panel of monoclonal antibodies against a purified, recombinant, full-length trimeric and stabilized version of recombinant S glycoprotein protein (190 kDa), expressed in Expi293F cells, is now available.1 These antibodies may play an important functional role on N-terminal domain (NTD) of S protein by binding to a distinct antigenic site on the NTD and disassociates S trimers by contacting critical residues in a cryptic hydrophobic pocket in the S protein. Of particular interest, neutralizing monoclonal antibody NR-56785 binds to a distinct antigenic site on S1.
Please choose the viral-specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike antibody best suited for your research needs by viewing the technical details of each product.
Reference: 1. Mohammad, S., et al. “Development and Validation of a Rapid and Easy-to-Perform Point-of-Care Lateral Flow Immunoassay (LFIA) for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein.” Front. Immunol. 14 (2023): 1111644. PubMed: 36911726.
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Global Priority Superbugs
Access to priority pathogens is critical to the research and development of novel diagnostics and antibiotics and optimization of current therapies to address increasing rates of antibacterial resistance. BEI Resources supports these efforts through the availability of top pathogens assembled into the Global Priority Superbugs collection.
The Global Priority Superbugs collection consists of clinically relevant, multi-drug resistant isolates with known genotypic and phenotypic activity against a variety of critical antibiotic classes, and represents critical and high priority drug-resistant pathogens identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as having the greatest potential impact on public health.
These Superbug strains are useful for discovery and development processes for novel antimicrobial drugs, molecular-based detection assays, updated sterility protocols and more. Data related to original source, isolation year, geography, collection site and antibiotic resistance for targeted drugs is available for each Superbug strain.
Reference: 1. "Prioritization of Pathogens to Guide Discovery, Research and Development of New Antibiotics for Drug-Resistant Bacterial Infections, including Tuberculosis." World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-EMP-IAU-2017.12. Accessed 22 August 2023.
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20 Years of BEI Resources
BEI Resources is celebrating its 20th year providing unique reagents supporting infectious disease research to the global scientific community!
Since its founding by NIAID in 2003, the BEI Resources program has served as a centralized resource providing high-quality microbial pathogens and reagents to the infectious disease research community free-of-charge. We have had the opportunity to work with and assist many researchers from all over the world by fulfilling our mission to acquire, authenticate, produce and preserve research and reference reagents. BEI Resources appreciates the generosity of the many researchers who shared their materials and acknowledge their vital role in the success of this program.
We would like to share several notable BEI Resources highlights accomplished in our first 20 years:
More than 15,000 items are currently available for order on the BEI Resources website. These include a broad selection of unique, quality-assured microorganisms ranging from NIAID Category A, B, and C priority pathogens and emerging infectious disease agents to non-pathogenic microbes and other microbiological materials of relevance to the research community.
Reagents from BEI Resources have been cited in over 9,000 scientific papers describing a variety of applications in a broad range of infectious disease research. Many of these uses include drug discovery screening, infection models, gene expression studies and generation of transgenic cell lines supporting the development and evaluation of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.
Did you know that research and diagnostic materials from BEI Resources have assisted in emergency research responses for a number of pandemics and outbreaks around the world?
If you would like more information on registration, making a deposit or if you need help finding the best materials for your research, our Customer Care team is here to help. Please give us a call at (800) 359-7370 or send an email to Contact@BEIResources.org.
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Access To The Vector Resources Webinar Presentation Is Now Available
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"The Role of BEI Resources in the Support of Arthropod Vector Research" as presented on
April 21, 2023
Vector-borne microbial pathogens have evolved a series of strategies to evade the immune system and establish infections in the mammalian host. In this setting, BEI Resources functions as a centralized bioresource for accessibility of reference strains of arthropod vectors to the global public health scientific community. The BEI Vector Resources program currently provides over 60 colonies of live mosquitoes as well as Ixodid and soft ticks, sandflies, black flies and triatomines. We recently presented a webinar entitled “The Role of BEI Resources in the Support of Arthropod Vector Research” on April 21, 2023. Attendees learned about the process to request vectors and reagents from BEI Resources, procedures for the care and maintenance of insect vector colonies and investigator-led research projects enabled by BEI Vector Resources. A copy of the presentation can be found below.
"The Role of BEI Resources in the Support of Arthropod Vector Research" Webinar Presentation:
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