Abstract: Methods and compositions to control the stability of proteins with special emphasis on antibodies and proteins with antibody-like structures, e.g., having an “immunoglobulin-like” fold, are described. Controlling the stability facilitates different applications for a protein with the same function, but different stability.

Abstract: Methods and compositions to control the stability of proteins with special emphasis on antibodies and proteins with antibody-like structures, e.g., having an “immunoglobulin-like” fold, are described. Controlling the stability facilities different applications for a protein with the same function, but different stability.

Abstract: A construct is provided that is capable of binding a plurality of molecules, the construct comprising a first moiety with a first molecule binding region and a first molecule non-binding region; and a second moiety with a second molecule-binding region and a second molecule-non-binding region, whereby the first binding region and second binding region are at opposite ends of the construct. Also provided is a method for detecting protein having certain amino acid sequences, the method comprising supplying a collection of proteins each with unknown amino acid sequences, contacting the collection with a moiety having a plurality of binding sites capable of binding with the protein having certain amino acid sequences so as to form a moiety-protein complex, and mixing the complex with a marker specific for the moiety in an amount sufficient to indicate existence of the complex.

Abstract: A construct is provided that is capable of binding a plurality of molecules, the construct comprising a first moiety with a first molecule binding region and a first molecule non-binding region; and a second moiety with a second molecule-binding region and a second molecule-non-binding region, whereby the first binding region and second binding region are at opposite ends of the construct.

Abstract: A meta-specific vaccine particle is provided. Also provided is a method for inducing an immune response in a human (homo sapiens) or non-human previously exposed to the meta-specific vaccine, and subsequently infected with a pathogen.

Abstract: A method of minimizing the aggregation tendencies of an amyloid forming protein is provided comprising identifying a portion of the protein that is critical to amyloid formation; and inserting a peptide at the portion. The invention also provides a peptide for insertion in an intact human kappa-IV light chain variable domain, the peptide comprising the following amino acid sequence Phe71-Thr72-Leu73-Thr74-Ile75-Ser76-Ser77 (SEQ ID NO. 1) wherein the subscript numbers are the residue location points in the domain. A method for preventing amyloid formation in human kappa-IV light chain variable domain is also provided, the method comprising inserting the peptide Phe1-Thr72-Leu73-Thr74-Ile75-Ser76-Ser77 (SEQ ID NO. 1) into the domain, wherein the subscript numbers indicate the residue location on the domain.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting a target antigen using massively parallel immunoassay technology. In this system, high affinity antibodies of the antigen are covalently linked to small beads or particles. The beads are exposed to a solution containing DNA-oligomer-mimics of the antigen. The mimics which are reactive with the covalently attached antibody or antibodies will bind to the appropriate antibody molecule on the bead. The particles or beads are then washed to remove any unbound DNA-oligomer-mimics and are then immobilized or trapped. The bead-antibody complexes are then exposed to a test solution which may contain the targeted antigens. If the antigen is present it will replace the mimic since it has a greater affinity for the respective antibody. The particles are then removed from the solution leaving a residual solution. This residual solution is applied a DNA chip containing many samples of complimentary DNA.

Abstract: A method for recombinant antibody subunit dimerization including modifying at least one codon of a nucleic acid sequence to replace an amino acid occurring naturally in the antibody with a charged amino acid at a position in the interface segment of the light polypeptide variable region, the charged amino acid having a first polarity; and modifying at least one codon of the nucleic acid sequence to replace an amino acid occurring naturally in the antibody with a charged amino acid at a position in an interface segment of the heavy polypeptide variable region corresponding to a position in the light polypeptide variable region, the charged amino acid having a second polarity opposite the first polarity. Nucleic acid sequences which code for novel light chain proteins, the latter of which are used in conjunction with the inventive method, are also provided.

Abstract: A method for recombinant antibody subunit dimerization including modifying at least one codon of a nucleic acid sequence to replace an amino acid occurring naturally in the antibody with a charged amino acid at a position in the interface segment of the light polypeptide variable region, the charged amino acid having a first polarity; and modifying at least one codon of the nucleic acid sequence to replace an amino acid occurring naturally in the antibody with a charged amino acid at a position in an interface segment of the heavy polypeptide variable region corresponding to a position in the light polypeptide variable region, the charged amino acid having a second polarity opposite the first polarity. Nucleic acid sequences which code for novel light chain proteins, the latter of which are used in conjunction with the inventive method, are also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting pathological macromolecules in a patient, comprising obtaining body fluid from the patient, pretreating the body fluid, subjecting the pretreated body fluid to size-exclusion chromatography to create an excluded fluid, and analyzing the excluded fluid to detect macromolecules having a predetermined molecular weight. The method also allows for comparing elution spectra with reference spectra of suspect pathologic proteins.

Abstract: A novel method of electric field flow fractionation for separating solute molecules from a carrier solution is disclosed. The method of the invention utilizes an electric field that is periodically reversed in polarity, in a time-dependent, wave-like manner. The parameters of the waveform, including amplitude, frequency and wave shape may be varied to optimize separation of solute species. The waveform may further include discontinuities to enhance separation.

Abstract: A low pressure, microcomputer controlled system employing high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) allows for precise analysis of the interaction of two reversibly associating macromolecules such as proteins. Since a macromolecular complex migrates faster than its components during size-exclusion chromatography, the difference between the elution profile of a mixture of two macromolecules and the summation of the elution profiles of the two components provides a quantifiable indication of the degree of molecular interaction. This delta profile is used to qualitatively reveal the presence or absence of significant interaction or to rank the relative degree of interaction in comparing samples and, in combination with a computer simulation, is further used to quantify the magnitude of the interaction in an arrangement wherein a microcomputer is coupled to analytical instrumentation in a novel manner.