Abstract: A polynucleotide sequence is provided comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding recombinant Protective Antigen (rPA). Also provided are expression vectors and host cells comprising the polynucleotide sequence of the invention, and methods for producing rPA.

Abstract: An assay is provided for detecting the activity of a reporter kinase comprising (i) adding said reporter kinase to an assay mixture wherein said reporter kinase is contacted with bioluminescent reagent no more than minutes after being contacted with ADP, and wherein, prior to contacting the reporter kinase with ADP, the assay mixture is substantially free from kinase other than reporter kinase; and (ii) detecting light output from the assay mixture. Methods for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample and methods for validating a treatment process using the above assay are also provided. Further provided are devices for conducting these assays and methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of immunizing a subject against a disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis, comprising administering to the subject a primer composition comprising a meningococcal outer membrane vesicle preparation, and a booster composition comprising a meningococcal protein antigen preparation. Vaccine combinations comprising primer and booster compositions and associated uses are also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a method and reagents for detecting S. enterica subsp. IIIa and/or IIIb in a sample, the method comprising: (a) contacting the sample with a pair of forward and reverse oligonucleotide primers, wherein said forward and reverse primers hybridise to target nucleic acid sequences located within the lacZ gene of S. enterica subsp. III, or the complement thereof; (b) extending said forward and reverse primers to generate an amplification product; and (c) detecting the amplification product. There is also provided a method a reagents for detecting S. enterica subsp. I in a sample, the method comprising: (a) contacting the sample with a pair of forward and reverse oligonucleotide primers, wherein said forward and reverse primers hybridise to target nucleic acid sequences located within the hilA gene of S. enterica subsp. I, or the complement thereof; (b) extending said forward and reverse primers to generate an amplification product; and (c) detecting the amplification product.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying mycobacterial genes that are induced or up-regulated under continuous culture conditions defined by a dissolved oxygen tension of up to 10% air saturation measured at 37° C. when compared with a dissolved oxygen tension of at least 40% air saturation measured at 37° C. Said induced or up-regulated genes form the basis of nucleic acid vaccines, or provide targets to allow preparation of attenuated mycobacteria for vaccines against mycobacterial infections. Similarly, peptides encoded by said induced or up-regulated genes are employed in vaccines. In a further embodiment, the identified genes/peptides provide the means for identifying the presence of a mycobacterial infection in a clinical sample by nucleic acid probe or antibody detection.

Abstract: A single polypeptide is provided which comprises first and second domains. The first domain enables the polypeptide to cleave one or more vesicle or plasma-membrane associated proteins essential to exocytosis, and the second domain enables the polypeptide to be translocated into a target cell or increases the solubility of the polypeptide, or both. The polypeptide thus combines useful properties of a clostridial toxin, such as a botulinum or tetanus toxin, without the toxicity associated with the natural molecule. The polypeptide can also contain a third domain that targets it to a specific cell, rendering the polypeptide useful in inhibition of exocytosis in target cells. Fusion proteins comprising the polypeptide, nucleic acids encoding the polypeptide and methods of making the polypeptide are also provided. Controlled activation of the polypeptide is possible and the polypeptide can be incorporated into vaccines and toxin assays.

Abstract: A single polypeptide is provided which comprises first and second domains. The first domain enables the polypeptide to cleave one or more vesicle or plasma-membrane associated proteins essential to exocytosis, and the second domain enables the polypeptide to be translocated into a target cell or increases the solubility of the polypeptide, or both. The polypeptide thus combines useful properties of a clostridial toxin, such as a botulinum or tetanus toxin, without the toxicity associated with the natural molecule. The polypeptide can also contain a third domain that targets it to a specific cell, rendering the polypeptide useful in inhibition of exocytosis in target cells. Fusion proteins comprising the polypeptide, nucleic acids encoding the polypeptide and methods of making the polypeptide are also provided. Controlled activation of the polypeptide is possible and the polypeptide can be incorporated into vaccines and toxin assays.

Abstract: Antigenic compositions are provided comprising a single chain polypeptide comprising first and second domains, wherein said first domain is a clostridial neurotoxin light chain or a fragment or a variant thereof and is capable of cleaving one or more vesicle or plasma membrane associated proteins essential to exocytosis; and said second domain is a clostridial neurotoxin heavy chain HN portion or a fragment or a variant thereof, wherein said second domain is capable of (i) translocating the polypeptide into a cell or (ii) increasing the solubility of the polypeptide compared to the solubility of the first domain on its own or (iii) both translocating the polypeptide into a cell and increasing the solubility of the polypeptide compared to the solubility of the first domain on its own; and wherein the second domain lacks a functional C-terminal part of a clostridial neurotoxin heavy chain designated HC thereby rendering the polypeptide incapable of binding to cell surface receptors that are the natural cell sur

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying mycobacterial genes that are induced or up-regulated under culture conditions that are nutrient-starving and which maintain mycobacterial latency, said conditions being obtainable by batch fermentation of a mycobacterium for at least 20 days post-inoculation, when compared with culture conditions that are not nutrient-starving and which support exponential growth of said mycobacterium. Said induced or up-regulated genes form the basis of nucleic acid vaccines, or provide targets to allow preparation of attenuated mycobacteria for vaccines against mycobacterial infections. Similarly, peptides encoded by said induced or up-regulated genes are employed in vaccines. In a further embodiment, the identified genes/peptides provide the means for identifying the presence of a mycobacterial infection in a clinical sample by nucleic acid probe or antibody detection.

Abstract: Methods for producing stimulated, positive and negative control reference standard for monitoring intracellular cytokine levels and cytokine release in test samples by stimulating cells to produce cytokines in the presence of a cytokine release inhibitor, fixing the stimulated cells with a fixative such as paraformaldehyde, washing to remove excess fixatives and freeze-drying the stimulated, fixed cells. Methods for producing labeled reference standards for cell proliferation assays are also disclosed, in which proliferation-competent mammalian cells, isolated from a human or animal body are labeled with a label, such as a dye, that is divided between daughter cells during cell proliferation (e.g., carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester), the cells are stimulated to proliferate, the proliferated cells are fixed by addition of a fixative and then preserved by freeze drying or cryopreservation.

Abstract: A biological process indicator is provided for validating a treatment process in which the amount or activity of a contaminant in a sample is reduced. The indicator comprises a thermostable kinase covalently linked to a biological component, with the proviso that the biological component is not an antibody. Methods of preparing the indicator, and methods of using the indicator, are also provided.

Abstract: A method for detecting a mutation in a target nucleic acid sequence in a sample, the target nucleic acid sequence comprising a first DNA strand and optionally the complementary strand thereof, said method comprising: (a) adding a detection primer to the nucleic acid, wherein the detection primer binds to the first DNA strand at a DNA sequence that comprises the mutation site; (b) extending the detection primer to form second DNA strands that are complementary to the first DNA strand; (c) adding an amplification primer to the nucleic acid, wherein the amplification primer binds to the second DNA strand and/or to the complementary strand, at a position away from the mutation site; (d) extending the amplification primer to form third DNA strands that are complementary to the second DNA strands, and/or additional copies of the first DNA strand; (e) annealing the DNA strands by complementary base pairing, to form nucleic acid duplexes, wherein if the two strands of the duplex have a mismatched residue at the mutat

Abstract: The invention provides a method for detecting a mycobacterium belonging to the MTB complex in a sample, the method comprising: (a) contacting the sample with a pair of forward and reverse oligonucleotide primers; wherein said forward primer hybridises to a target nucleic acid sequence located within a Mycobacterial Interspersed Repetitive Unit (MIRU) repeat element; and wherein said reverse primer hybridises to a target nucleic acid sequence located within a Mycobacterial Interspersed Repetitive Unit (MIRU) repeat element; (b) extending said forward and reverse primers to generate an amplification product; and (c) detecting the amplification product.

Abstract: A single polypeptide is provided which comprises first and second domains. The first domain enables the polypeptide to cleave one or more vesicle or plasma-membrane associated proteins essential to exocytosis, and the second domain enables the polypeptide to be translocated into a target cell or increases the solubility of the polypeptide, or both. The polypeptide thus combines useful properties of a clostridial toxin, such as a botulinum or tetanus toxin, without the toxicity associated with the natural molecule. The polypeptide can also contain a third domain that targets it to a specific cell, rendering the polypeptide useful in inhibition of exocytosis in target cells. Fusion proteins comprising the polypeptide, nucleic acids encoding the polypeptide and methods of making the polypeptide are also provided. Controlled activation of the polypeptide, is possible and the polypeptide can be incorporated into vaccines and toxin assays.

Abstract: An instrument for detecting radiation is provided, which comprises an inner core housing a neutron detector, and an outer core comprising a neutron-moderating material, the instrument further including at least one elongate thermal neutron guide located within the outer core and having an inner end that terminates proximal to the neutron detector. In use, the elongate thermal neutron guide channels thermal neutrons towards the neutron detector. Also provided is a method for using said instrument.

Abstract: An OMV preparation comprises OMVs having a sufficiently positive or negative surface charge to substantially prevent aggregation.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying mycobacterial genes the expression of which is down-regulated during a stationary phase culture of mycobacteria under nutrient-starving conditions when compared with an exponential phase culture of mycobacteria under culture conditions that are not nutrient-starving and that support exponential growth of said mycobacteria. The described method optionally provides for identifying mycobacterial genes that are simultaneously down-regulated under low dissolved oxygen tension conditions. The down-regulated genes of the present invention form the basis of nucleic acid vaccines, or provide targets to allow preparation of attenuated mycobacteria for vaccines against mycobacterial infections. Similarly, peptides encoded by said down-regulated genes are employed in vaccines. In a further embodiment, the identified genes/peptides provide the means for identifying the presence of a mycobacterial infection in a clinical sample by nucleic acid probe or antibody detection.

Abstract: There is provided a method for detecting M. genitalium nucleic acid in a sample, comprising: (i) amplifying a nucleic acid sequence comprising a fragment of SEQ ID NO: 1 (Mg219 gene); and (ii) detecting said amplified nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of combination therapies, including vaccine compositions, which comprise polysaccharide-protein conjugates and outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) from commensal bacteria, particularly commensal Neisseria.

Abstract: An electronic device (10) has a screen (12) protecting against radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, wherein the screen is formed by an at least partially conductive cap (12). In order to avoid the formation of a defined conductive connection between the cap (12) and a reference potential, conductive two-dimensional regions (30) of the cap (12) are arranged in electrically insulated fashion at a short distance parallel to at least one two-dimensional region (42) of a conductor (22) of a reference potential. The two-dimensional regions act as a capacitor and a capacitive coupling (12) to the reference potential is produced which eliminates or attenuates radiofrequency electromagnetic interference fields, which enter the electronic device or are emitted from it.