Abstract: The present invention is directed to a polysaccharide conjugate comprising or consisting of a one or more polysaccharide conjugated to a carrier polypeptide, wherein the carrier polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of (a) a Streptococcus pyogenes SpyAD (Spy0269, GAS40), a Streptococcus pyogenes SpyCEP (Spy0416, GAS57), or Streptococcus pyogenes SLO (Spy0167, GAS25); (b) CRM197; or (c) a variant, fragment and/or fusion of (a) or (b), improved conjugation methods, and uses of said conjugates for preventing or treating disease.

Abstract: Hyperblebbing Shigella strains are generated by disrupting one or more components of the Tol-Pal system. The blebs from these strains are useful immunogens for vaccination. The individual proteins found in these blebs can also be used as immunogens.

Abstract: Hyperblebbing Shigella strains are generated by disrupting one or more components of the Tol-Pal system. The blebs from these strains are useful immunogens for vaccination. The individual proteins found in these blebs can also be used as immunogens.

Abstract: A two stage filtration process is used to purify immunogenic bacterial vesicles. A first step separates the vesicles from intact bacteria based on their different sizes, with the smaller vesicles passing into the filtrate (permeate). A second step then uses a finer filter to remove smaller contaminants, with the vesicles remaining in the retentate. This two stage process is extremely simple to operate but has been shown to give vesicles of high purity.

Abstract: Hyperblebbing Shigella strains are generated by disrupting one or more components of the Tol-Pal system. The blebs from these strains are useful immunogens for vaccination. The individual proteins found in these blebs can also be used as immunogens.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Malaria antigen-carrier conjugate, which comprises a carrier protein and a plurality of Plasmodium antigen polypeptides. Each of the antigen polypeptides is a wild-type antigen protein of Plasmodium or a derivative of the wild-type antigen protein, and each of the antigen polypeptides may be the same, or different. The plurality of Plasmodium antigen polypeptides are covalently linked to the carrier protein. The present invention further provides a vaccine against malaria, which comprises the conjugate absorbed on an aluminum adjuvant.

Abstract: A method of detecting a gene and quantifying its copy number using a PCR based assay is described. A set (i.e. three primers) of PCR primers is used in a single reaction wherein the first primer is specific for a first gene and the second primer is specific for a second gene which second gene is closely related to the first gene, while the third primer is common to both the first and second genes. From the results obtained the presence or absence of the second gene can be determined, as well as, its copy number.