Single step, direct fluorescence immunoassays based on metal enhanced fluorescence (MEF-FIA) applicable as micro plate-, array-, multiplexing- or point of care-format.

Although Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA) technology is approaching it's 45th year of existence since first described in 1971, it is still the main diagnostic tool in clinical research and routine diagnostics. However, despite its broad usage it suffers from some drawbacks, limiting its use especially in more advanced assay formats like multiplexing platforms, point of care devices or protein arrays. Those limitations result from the need for an enzyme label, a soluble enzyme substrate, washing steps (multiplexing, point care, arrays) and in some cases also insufficient sensitivity, because the majority of circulating proteins and thus potential biomarkers may be found in lower sub-picomolar concentrations.

Consumer preferences regarding the introduction of new organic products. The case of the Mediterranean sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) in Italy.

The introduction of new products on the market poses several challenges; in particular, whether the characteristics of the proposed product will be judged positively by potential consumers. This paper analyses the preferences of consumers regarding the introduction on the Italian market of a new product: organic Mediterranean sea bass. The aim of this study is to assess the importance given by consumers to four main characteristics of sea bass (country of origin, size, production method - organic or conventional - and price) so as to be able to formulate marketing strategies.

Assembly of rubella virus structural proteins into virus-like particles in transfected cells.

We have developed a stably transfected CHO cell line (CHO24S) that expresses the three structural proteins of rubella virus (RV). RV proteins C (capsid), E2, and E1 are secreted from CHO24S cells in the form of RV-like particles (RLPs) which form by budding into the cisterna of the Golgi complex. RLPs resemble RV virions in their size and morphology and have an identical buoyant density when purified on sucrose gradients.

Selective tolerance to the E1 protein of rubella virus in congenital rubella syndrome.

Rubella virus (RV) infection of the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy usually results in severe birth defects collectively termed Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) and is frequently associated with prolonged RV persistence in the infant. Immunological tolerance to RV is believed to contribute to viral persistence, but the mechanism for this is unknown. In this study, RV-specific antibody responses in CRS patients and healthy controls who had experienced Rubella infection postnatally were compared to determine if there were differences that might account for RV persistence in the former group.

Cellular and humoral immune responses to rubella virus structural proteins E1, E2, and C.

Better understanding of cell-mediated immune responses to rubella virus would provide the basis for the development of safe and effective vaccines against rubella and would aid in analysis of the pathophysiology of congenital rubella syndrome. We have expressed individual rubella virus structural proteins, E1, E2 and C, via vaccinia virus recombinants. Using the expressed recombinant proteins as antigens, we were able to demonstrate antigen-specific lymphocyte proliferative responses in control individuals and individuals with congenital rubella syndrome.