Abstract: A diagnostic test for detection of antinuclear antibody anti-La in a serum sample, comprises contacting the serum sample with a support having immobilised thereon a synthetic polypeptide displaying the antigenicity of all or a portion of the human autoantigen La, or an antigenically active fragment thereof, and detecting the presence of anti-La antibody bound to the synthetic polypeptide or fragment.

Abstract: A DNA molecule is provided which comprises a nucleotide sequence substantially corresponding to all or a portion of the base sequence coding for the mitochondrial autoantigen of primary biliary cirrhosis. This DNA molecule may be linked to an expression control sequence. A synthetic peptide or polypeptide is provided which includes at least an amino acid sequence substantially as shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 8. This synthetic peptide or polypeptide may be prepared by expression of a host cell which has been transformed with a recombinant DNA molecule as described above, or by chemical synthesis.

Abstract: DNA molecules comprising artificially constructed polynucleotide sequences substantially coresponding to all or a portion of the base sequence coding for an antigen of Plasmodium faliciparum selected from the group consisting of the Acidic Basic Repeat Antigen Rhoptry (ABRA), the antigen of any of clones Ag 169, Ag303, Ag358, Ag361, Ag372, Ag394 or Ag501, defined herein, and other antigens of P. falciparum cross-reactive therewith. Such DNA molecules are capable of being expressed as polypeptide(s). Synthetic peptides or polypeptides displaying the antigenicity of all or a portion of the above antigens of P. falciparum. Compositions for stimulating immune responses against P. falciparum antigens in a mammal, comprising at least one polyupeptide displaying the antigenicity of the above antigens of P. falciparum, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.