Abstract: Disclosed is an oral delivery system that overcomes major barriers encountered in the gastrointestinal tract, particularly rapid proteolytic degradation and low intestinal permeability. Provided is a method for oral delivery of an engineered microorganism to a mammal where the microorganism produces a macromolecule having a desired bioavailability outcome.

Abstract: In this application is described a method for rapidly and accurately identifying B. anthracis in a sample by simultaneously detecting the presence of cell wall antigen and capsule antigen in the same sample culture grown under capsule inducing conditions. Other uses and advantages of the method of the invention are described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a derivative bacterial strain of an avirulent, non-pathogenic Clostridium ghonii that is capable of arresting the growth of, regressing or destroying one or more solid tumors. The present invention further relates to a composition comprising the derivative bacterial strain for targeted lysis of solid tumors. The present invention further relates to methods of producing derivative strains of C. ghonii by serial culturing in tumor bearing animals.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a composition comprising a recombinant protein in soluble form wherein said recombinant protein comprises a portion of the Clostridium difficile toxin B sequence that comprises an epitope for anti-toxin B antibody. Other embodiments of the invention are directed to the generation of antibodies using peptide fragments of C. difficile toxin B.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel nucleotide sequence and other constructs used for expression of novel recombinant P. falciparum circumsporozoite proteins in bacterial cells such as E. coli. Processes are provided for producing a soluble recombinant P. falciparum CSP from E. coli. Methods to produce a human-grade, highly immunogenic anti-malaria vaccine based on CSP are shown. The novel recombinant P. falciparum circumsporozoite protein by itself or in combination with other malaria antigens or adjuvants can form the basis of an effective malaria vaccine.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antigenically restricted subset of the highly variant PfEMP1 rosetting antigen which possess epitopes which may be exploited to raise immune responses effective against many diverse strains and isolates of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. In this regard, the invention provides one or more P. falciparum Erythrocyte Membrane Protein-1 (PfEMP1) antigen(s) or a fragment or fragments thereof, for use in raising immune responses in humans.

Abstract: Virion-associated peptidoglycan hydrolases have a potential as antimicrobial agents due to their ability to lyse Gram positive bacteria on contact. Fusion proteins HydH5SH3b and HydH5Lyso comprising full-length peptidoglycan hydrolase HydH5 from the Staphylococcus aureus bacteriophage vB_SauS-phi-IPLA88 in combination with the SH3b cell wall-binding domain from lysostaphin or full length lysostaphin, respectively, exhibited high lytic activity against live S. aureus cells. CHAPSH3b, a HydH5 CHAP (cysteine, histidine-dependent amidohydrolase/peptidase) domain from truncated HydH5 in combination with the SH3b domain of lysostaphin, exhibited the highest lytic activity against live S. aureus cells. HydH5 and its derivative fusions lysed bovine and human S. aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) N315 strain, and human S. epidermidis strains in zymogram, plate lysis and turbidity reduction assays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to combinations of polypeptides or of polynucleotides corresponding to a specific region of the N-terminal portion of the VAR2CSA protein of different parasitic families or lines of Plasmodium falciparum, and to their use in the prevention of pregnancy-associated malaria. The invention also relates to immunogenic compositions and to vaccines useful for preventing malaria in pregnant women.

Abstract: Methods of detecting very low levels of targets, such as cells, are provided. In some embodiments, for example, the methods can detect bacteria present in a sample at concentrations less than 25 cells/mL. The method involves detecting nanoparticle aggregation in the absence of the target.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for purifying high-quality recombinant Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein at high yields.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to an isolated polypeptide including the amino acid sequence of a carrier polypeptide and the amino acid sequence of an ORF2086 polypeptide. In another aspect, the invention relates to an immunogenic conjugate including ORF2086 polypeptide and a carrier polypeptide. The invention further includes immunogenic compositions and methods for inducing an immune response against Neisseria meningitidis in a mammal.

Abstract: Antimicrobial compositions including a cell penetrating peptide (CPP) having the amino acid sequence Tyr-Ala-Arg-Val-Arg-Arg-Arg-Gly-Pro-Arg-Gly-Tyr-Ala-Arg-Val-Arg-Arg-Arg-Gly-Pro-Arg-Arg (SEQ ID NO:1) or variant thereof are disclosed. The CPP, which itself has antimicrobial properties, can be advantageously combined with or conjugated to a cargo to increase the delivery, efficacy, or combinations thereof, of the cargo into cells. In preferred embodiments, the CPP is combined with or conjugated to a functional nucleic acid, such as an external guide sequence (EGS) which can target and reduce expression of essential microbial genes or genes than impart resistance to antimicrobial drugs. Methods of using the compositions alone or in combination with traditional antimicrobial drugs to treat infections are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions using a polypeptide comprising at least one CXXC motif, such as Giardia parasite's variable surface proteins (VSP) or a fragment thereof to raise by oral or mucosal vaccination an immune response against a heterologous selected antigen, such as tumor antigen, microbial antigen or other antigen.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new and emerging serotype of Streptococcus pneumoniae designated serotype 6C, and assays and monoclonal antibodies useful in identifying same. Also disclosed is a novel pneumococcal polysaccharide with the repeating unit {2) glucose 1 (1?3) glucose 2 (1?3) rhamnose (1?3) ribitol (5?phosphate}. This new serotype may be included in pneumococcal vaccines.

Abstract: Described is a method to transfer chromosomal DNA between two microbial species without genetic engineering or vectors. The strains resulting from this method are chimeric microbial hybrids that can express a combination of genotypes from both parents.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are mutant Plasmodium-species parasites that are genetically attenuated (GAP). They retain the ability to infect a host and invade host hepatocytes but subsequently their development is completely arrested within the liver stage of Plasmodium development and the parasites do not reach the blood stage of development. Vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions comprising genetically attenuated Plasmodium sporozoites as well as methods of using the same are likewise provided.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions (e.g., peptide compositions) useful for the detection of antibodies that bind to Borrelia antigens. The peptide compositions comprise polypeptide sequences comprising variants in the IR6 domain of the Borrelia VlsE protein. The invention also provides devices, methods, and kits comprising such peptide compositions and useful for the detection of antibodies that bind to Borrelia antigens and the diagnosis of Lyme disease.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules which encode an MRSA PBP2a protein or a fragment thereof which comprises at least 245 amino acid are disclosed. Compositions comprising the nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. Novel proteins which comprise a MRSA PBP2a protein or a fragment thereof which comprises at least 245 amino acid are disclosed are disclosed. Methods of inducing an immune response against MRSA PBP2a are disclosed, as are methods of treating an individual who has been diagnosed with MRSA and methods of preventing MRSA infection in an individual.

Abstract: The instant invention provides an economical flow-through method for determining amount of target proteins in a sample. An antibody preparation (whether polyclonal or monoclonal, or any equivalent specific binding agent) is used to capture and thus enrich a specific monitor peptide (a specific peptide fragment of a protein to be quantitated in a proteolytic digest of a complex protein sample) and an internal standard peptide (the same chemical structure but including stable isotope labels). Upon elution into a suitable mass spectrometer, the natural (sample derived) and internal standard (isotope labeled) peptides are quantitated, and their measured abundance ratio used to calculate the abundance of the monitor peptide, and its parent protein, in the initial sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to helminthic parasite preparations and their use for treatment or prevention of GVHD in a subject that has undergone a transplant. The invention also related to helminthic parasite preparations and their use for prevention of GVHD in a subject prior to a transplant.