Abstract: The present invention provides a method of immunising a subject comprising the step of administering a composition comprising an antigen and a carbohydrate polymer comprising mannose to a mucosal site of the subject, methods of use of the composition for vaccination and sterilization and use of the composition in manufacturing a medicament.

Abstract: The invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising at least one antigen in association with micropar-tides, wherein the microparticles are in the same size range as viruses. In addition the invention also provides vaccine compositions and methods of eliciting immune responses in a subject.

Abstract: An isolated binding partner of a Cripto-1 protein, Pim-1 protein or an antigen present in a colon cancer cell lysate is described. The binding partner inhibits growth of one or more cancer cell types and may be used in an anti-cancer agent for treating cancer in a subject. The binding partner may also be used in a method of inducing apoptosis in a cancer cell, as well as in a method of sensitizing a cancer cell to a cytotoxic compound. In addition, a cancer vaccine is described wherein the vaccine comprises a Cripto-1 protein (or an antigenic fragment thereof), Pim-1 protein (or an antigenic fragment thereof) or an antigen present in a colon cancer cell lysate or, alternatively, comprises an expressible DNA molecule encoding a Cripto-1 protein (or an antigenic fragment thereof), Pim-1 protein (or an antigenic fragment thereof) or an antigen present in a colon cancer cell lysate.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acids which encode glycosyltransferase and are useful in producing cells and organs from one species which may be used for transplantation into a recipient of another species. It also relates to the production of nucleic acids which, when present in cells of a transplanted organ, result in reduced levels of antibody recognition of the transplanted organ.

Abstract: A cell-specific delivery method of genetic material for the purposes of providing polynucleotide- or oligonucleotide-based genetic vaccines or a means for gene therapy. The delivery method involves the use of a compound comprising a conjugate of a polynucleotide or oligonucleotide molecule, a carrier comprising at least one aldehyde group and, optionally, a suitable linker molecule.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acids which encode glycosyltransferase and are useful in producing cells and organs from one species which may be used for transplantation into a recipient of another species. It also relates to the production of nucleic acids which, when present in cells of a transplanted organ, result in reduced levels of antibody recognition of the transplanted organ.

Abstract: Conjugates between whole antigen or one or more repeated subunits of an antigen and a carbohydrate polymer are described. Also described are immunogenic vaccines against disease states which contain the conjugates and methods for inducing cell-mediated immune responses. The conjugates may especially contain polymers of the carbohydrate mannose and one or more repeated subunits of human mucin or non-repeated regions of human mucin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the reduction of xenotransplantation rejection. Specifically, the present invention relates, first, to transgenic cells, tissues, organs and animals containing transgenic nucleic acid molecules that direct the expression of gene products, including, but not limited to enzymes, capable of modifying, either directly or indirectly, cell surface carbohydrate epitopes such that the carbohydrate epitopes are no longer recognized by natural human antibodies or by the human cell-mediated immune response, thereby reducing the human immune system response elicited by the presence of such carbohydrate epitopes. In a preferred embodiment, the transgenic cells, tissues, organs and animals express nucleic acid molecules encoding functional recombinant &agr;-Galactosidase A (&agr;GalA) enzyme which modifies the carbohydrate epitope Gal&agr;(1,3)Gal.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acids that encode a first glycosyltransferase that competes with a second enzyme for a substrate, thereby reducing the formation of a product of the second enzyme. The nucleic acids are useful in producing cells and organs with reduced antigenicity and which may be used for transplantation.

Abstract: Peptide mimicks of MUC1 or other cancer peptides which can be included in cancer vaccines and used in therapeutic methods for the treatment of cancer patients.

Abstract: Conjugates between one or more repeated subunits of an antigen and a carbohydrate polymer are desired. Also described are immunogenic vaccines against disease states which contain the conjugates and methods for inducing cell-mediated immune responses. The conjugates may especially contain polymers of the carbohydrate mannose and one or more repeated subunits of human mucin.

Abstract: Method of increasing protein production in a host cell where the nucleic acid encoding the protein has an A and/or T rich region in an exon. The method comprising lowering the amount of A and/or T rich region and transfecting a host cell with the altered nucleic acid and obtaining expression of the nucleic acid. The invention also relates to the recombinant nucleic acid constructs, purified protein preparations and pharmaceutical compositions produced as well as methods of treatment utilizing the purified protein preparation.

Abstract: Conjugates between one or more repeated subunits of an antigen and a carbohydrate polymer are desired. Also described are immunogenic vaccines against disease states which contain the conjugates and methods for inducing cell-mediated immune responses. The conjugates may especially contain polymers of the carbohydrate mannose and one or more repeated subunits of human mucin.

Abstract: Nucleotide sequences encoding a protein with Fc receptor activity or a fragment thereof that is capable of binding the Fc region of immunoglobulin and polypeptides with Fc receptor activity are provided. Proteins which exhibit enhanced or reduced immunoglobulin binding ability relative to native Fc receptors and nucleotides encoding these proteins also are provided. The invention also provides methods of determining the presence of immunoglobulin, detecting an immune complex, removing immunoglobulin from a body fluid and treating disease using the proteins.

Abstract: CD46 (membrane cofactor protein) is a family of human cell surface glycoprotein with cofactor activity for factor I mediated cleavage of complement components C3b and C4b. Disclosed are novel nucleic acid sequences arising from splice variants or derivatives thereof of the structural gene encoding the family of proteins. From these sequences recombinant derived proteins and antibodies thereto can be produced. The proteins can resemble native CD46 isoforms or comprise new permutations of exons within the structural gene. The nucleic acids, proteins and antibodies have utility as probes, diagnostic reagents and therapeutic agents.

Abstract: DNA sequences encoding a porcine Gal.alpha.(1,3) galactosyl transferase and clones containing such sequences are provided. The porcine Gal.alpha.(1,3) galactosyl transferase produces the Gal.alpha.(1,3)Gal epitope on the surfaces of porcine cells. This epitope is recognized by human anti-Gal.alpha.(1,3)Gal antibodies which are responsible for hyperacute rejection of xenotransplanted pig cells, tissues and organs.