Abstract: The invention relates to mutant strains of the genus Sphingomonas which have a mutation in at least one gene encoding a protein involved in polyhydroxybutyrate (“PHB”) synthesis that allows the mutant strains to produce PHB-deficient Sphingans. The invention is also directed to a process for preparing a clarified Sphingan solution comprising heating aqueous Sphingan solution, in particular PUB-deficient Sphingan solution, to a clarification temperature of about 30° C. to about 70° C., and treating the solution with a clarification agent and enzymes. In addition, the invention is directed to a food or industrial product comprising a PHB-deficient and/or clarified Sphingan. One particular embodiment of the invention is directed to a clarified, PHB-deficient high-acyl gellan and the processes of making thereof.

Abstract: Pneumococcal pilus subunit RrgB has at least three clades. Serum raised against a given clade is active against pneumococci which express that RrgB clade, but is not active against strains which express one of the other two clades i.e. there is intra-clade cross-protection, but not inter-clade cross-protection. Thus an immunogenic composition can include at least two different clades of RrgB to improve strain coverage against pilus-containing pneumococci. These multiple clades may be present in the immunogenic composition as separate polypeptides or may be fused as a single polypeptide chain.

Abstract: Oligonucleotides containing unthylated CpG dinucleotides and therapeutic utilities based on their ability to stimulate an immune response in a subject are disclosed. Also disclosed are therapies for treating diseases associated with immune system activation that are initiated by unthylated CpG dinucleotides in a subject comprising administering to the subject oligonucleotides that do not contain unmethylated CpG sequences (i.e. methylated CpG sequences or no CpG sequence) to outcompete unmethylated CpG nucleic acids for binding. Further disclosed are methylated CpG containing dinucleotides for use antisense therapies or as in vivo hybridization probes, and immunoinhibitory oligonucleotides for use as antiviral therapeutics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding a 30 kD Brachyspira hyodysenteriae lipoprotein and to parts of such nucleic acid sequences that encode an immunogenic fragment of such lipoproteins, and to DNA fragments, recombinant DNA molecules, live recombinant carriers and host cells comprising such nucleic acid sequences or such parts thereof. The invention also relates to a 30 kD Brachyspira hyodysenteriae lipoprotein and immunogenic parts thereof encoded by such sequences. Furthermore, the present invention relates to vaccines comprising such nucleic acid sequences and parts thereof, DNA fragments, recombinant DNA molecules, live recombinant carriers and host cells comprising such nucleic acid sequences or such parts thereof, lipoproteins or immunogenic parts thereof and antibodies against such lipoproteins or immunogenic parts thereof. Also, the invention relates to the use of said lipoproteins in vaccines and for the manufacture of vaccines.

Abstract: Nucleic acids containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides and therapeutic utilities based on their ability to stimulate an immune response and to redirect a Th2 response to a Th1 response in a subject are disclosed. Methods for treating atopic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides immunomodulatory compounds and methods for immunomodulation of individuals using the immunomodulatory compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides an immunostimulatory complex specifically adapted to act as adjuvant and as a peptide immunogen stabilizer. The immunostimulatory complex comprises a CpG oligonucleotide and a biologically active peptide immunogen. The immunostimulatory complex is particulate and can efficiently present peptide immunogens to the cells of the immune system to produce an immune response. The immunostimulatory complex may be formulated as a suspension for parenteral administration. The immunostimulatory complex may also be formulated in the form of w/o-emulsions or in-situ gelling polymers for the efficient delivery of immunogens to the cells of the immune system of a subject following parenteral administration, to produce an immune response.

Abstract: The present invention provides an immunostimulatory complex specifically adapted to act as adjuvant and as a peptide immunogen stabilizer. The immunostimulatory complex comprises a CpG oligonucleotide and a biologically active peptide immunogen. The immunostimulatory complex is particulate and can efficiently present peptide immunogens to the cells of the immune system to produce an immune response. The immunostimulatory complex may be formulated as a suspension for parenteral administration. The immunostimulatory complex may also be formulated in the form of w/o-emulsions, as a suspension in combination with a mineral salt suspension or with an in-situ gelling polymer for the efficient delivery of an immunogen to the cells of the immune system of a subject following parenteral administration, to produce an immune response which may also be a protective immune response.

Abstract: The invention features methods and compositions for treatment or prevention of infection by, or disease caused by infection with, certain species of bacteria, including in particular bacteria in which a RAP-type and/or TRAP-type molecule plays a role in pathogenesis. This includes Staphylococcus species.

Abstract: Nucleic acids containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides and therapeutic utilities based on their ability to stimulate an immune response and to redirect a Th2 response to a Th1 response in a subject are disclosed. Methods for treating atopic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, are disclosed.

Abstract: A probe, a set of probes, and a probe carrier on which the probe or the set of probes is immobilized, are provided for classification of fungus species. The probe or the set of probes is capable of collectively detecting fungus of the same species and distinguishingly detecting those fungus from fungus of other species. The probe is an oligonucleotide probe for detecting a pathogenic fungus DNA and includes at least one of base sequences of SEQ ID NOS. 1 to 3 and mutated sequences thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for identifying and treating subjects having hepatitis C infections. In some instances, the subjects are those that are non-responsive to non-CpG therapy. Preferably, the subjects are treated with C class CpG immunostimulatory nucleic acids having a semi-soft backbone.

Abstract: Francisella tularensis is the bacterial pathogen that causes tularemia in humans and a number of animals. To date, no approved vaccine exists for this widespread and life-threatening disease. The present disclosure provides attenuated Francisella mutants that include functional deletions in one or more of the dsbB, FTT0742, pdpB, fumA, and carB genes. Also provided are immunogenic compositions that include the attenuated bacteria. Methods are provided for treatment using the attenuated Francisella mutants.

Abstract: Described is a method for identification, isolation and production of hyperimmune serum-reactive antigens from a specific pathogen, a tumor, an allergen or a tissue or host prone to autoimmunity, said antigens being suited for use in a vaccine for a given type of animal or for humans, which is characterized by the following steps: —providing an antibody preparation from a plasma pool of said given type of animal or from a human plasma pool or individual sera with antibodies against said specific pathogen, tumor, allergen or tissue or host prone to auto-immunity, —providing at least one expression library of said specific pathogen, tumor, allergen or tissue or host prone to auto-immunity, —screening said at least one expression library with said antibody preparation, —identifying antigens which bind in said screening to antibodies in said antibody preparation, —screening the identified antigens with individual antibody preparations from individual sera from individuals with antibodies against said specific pat

Abstract: Strains of bacteria characterized by exhibiting: (a) a 7?-dehydroxylase activity of less than 50%, and (b) a bile acid deconjugation activity of less than 50%, and descendants, mutants and derivatives thereof preserving activities (a) and (b); and a pharmaceutical composition using one or more of such strains and use of same for preventing and treating diseases associated with or caused by an altered metabolism of bile acids.

Abstract: D type CpG oligodeoxynucleotides are provided herein that include a sequence represented by the following formula: 5? X1X2X3Pu1 Py2 CpG Pu3 Py4 X4X5X6(W)M (G)N-3? wherein the central CpG motif is unmethylated, Pu is a purine nucleotide, Py is a pyrimidine nucleotide, X and W are any nucleotide, M is any integer from 0 to 10, and N is any integer from 4 to 10. Methods of using these oligodeoxynucleotides to induce an immune response are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a class of CpG immunostimulatory oligonucleotides containing a 5?TCG motif or a CG at or near the 5? end that are useful for stimulating an immune response.

Abstract: A bacterial cell which expresses three or more coli surface (CS) antigens and methods of making such a cell. The cell is useful in making vaccines against diarrhea.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of selecting wide host range bacteriophage capable of growing in a plurality of bacteria including pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria and bacteriophage selected by the methods. Also disclosed are methods of treating a subject infected with a pathogenic bacterium using bacteriophage and methods of decontaminating objects using bacteriophage. Also disclosed are methods of producing vaccines. In another aspect, methods of determining bacterial viability and methods of improving the sensitivity of a biosensor using wide host range bacteriophages are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions including siderophore receptor polypeptides and porins from gram negative microbes, and preferably, lipopolysaccarhide at a concentration of no greater than about 10.0 endotoxin units per milliliter. The present invention also provides methods of making and methods of using such compositions, including inducing the production of antibody in an animal.