Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of bacteriology. In particular, the present invention provides compositions (e.g., comprising a lantibiotic and mupirocin or gentamicin) and methods of treating (e.g., killing or inhibiting growth of) bacteria. For example, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compounds (e.g., comprising a lantibiotic and mupirocin or gentamicin) and methods of using the same in research, therapeutic and drug screening applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the identification of antigenic polypeptides expressed by pathogenic microbes; vaccines comprising the polypeptides; recombinant methods to manufacture the polypeptides; and therapeutic antibodies directed to the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses monoclonal and chimeric antibodies that bind to lipoteichoic acid of Gram positive bacteria. The antibodies also bind to whole bacteria and enhance phagocytosis and killing of the bacteria in vitro and enhance protection from lethal infection in vivo. The mouse monoclonal antibody has been humanized and the resulting chimeric antibody provides a previously unknown means to diagnose, prevent and/or treat infections caused by gram positive bacteria bearing lipoteichoic acid. This invention also encompasses a peptide mimic of the lipoteichoic acid epitope binding site defined by the monoclonal antibody. This epitope or epitope peptide mimic identifies other antibodies that may bind to the lipoteichoic acid epitope. Moreover, the epitope or epitope peptide mimic provides a valuable substrate for the generation of vaccines or other therapeutics.

Abstract: This invention provides binding molecules with improved binding affinity to lipoteichoic acids exposed on the surface of the bacteria, useful in the prevention and treatment of infections caused by Gram positive bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses monoclonal antibodies that bind to lipoteichoic acid (LTA) of Gram positive bacteria. The antibodies also bind to whole bacteria and enhance phagocytosis and killing of the bacteria in vitro. The invention also provides antibodies having human sequences (chimeric, humanized and human antibodies). The invention also sets forth the variable regions of three antibodies within the invention and presents the striking homology between them.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the identification of antigenic polypeptides expressed by pathogenic microbes; vaccines comprising such polypeptides; recombinant methods to manufacture such polypeptides; and therapeutic antibodies directed to such polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of bacteriology. In particular, the present invention provides compositions (e.g., comprising a lantibiotic and mupirocin or gentamicin) and methods of treating (e.g., killing or inhibiting growth of) bacteria. For example, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions (e.g., comprising a lantibiotic and mupirocin or gentamicin) and methods of using the same in research, therapeutic and drug screening applications.

Abstract: Methods for treating patients in which damaged tissue or an indwelling prosthetic device or catheter has a bacterial biofilm growing thereon, to at least partially disrupt said biofilm, by administering at least one antibacterial enzyme that is lethal or damaging to the biofilm-forming bacteria in an amount that is effective to at least partially disrupt the biofilm upon contact therewith. Methods for prophylactically treating a patient, and methods for disinfecting or sterilizing a surface ex-vivo to remove a biofilm or prevent biofilm growth are also disclosed, as well as implantable articles susceptible to biofilm growth to which a prophylactic coating of an antibacterial enzyme has been applied.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of bacteriology. In particular, the present invention provides compositions (e.g., comprising a lantibiotic and mupirocin or gentamicin) and methods of treating (e.g., killing or inhibiting growth of) bacteria. For example, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compounds (e.g., comprising a lantibiotic and mupirocin or gentamicin) and methods of using the same in research, therapeutic and drug screening applications.

Abstract: Water-soluble polymer conjugates of antimicrobial agents retaining at least a portion of the antimicrobial activity of the agent, pharmaceutical compositions containing the polymer conjugates, and methods for treating microbial infections with the pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: A method for the identification of antigenic polypeptides, typically opsonic antigens, expressed by pathogenic microbes; vaccines comprising said antigens; and therapeutic antibodies directed to said antigenic polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising lysostaphin variants and methods of using the same. In particular, the present invention provides de-immunized lysostaphin variants and methods of using the same (e.g., to treat microbial infection in or on a subject).

Abstract: The present invention encompasses monoclonal antibodies that bind to lipoteichoic acid (LTA) of Gram positive bacteria. The antibodies also bind to whole bacteria and enhance phagocytosis and killing of the bacteria in vitro. The invention also provides antibodies having human sequences (chimeric, humanized and human antibodies). The invention also sets forth the variable regions of three antibodies within the invention and presents the striking homology between them.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses protective monoclonal antibodies that bind to peptidoglycan of Gram-positive bacteria. The antibodies also bind to whole bacteria and enhance phagocytosis and killing of the bacteria in vitro and block nasal colonization by Gram-positive bacteria in vivo. The invention also provides human, humanized and chimeric antibodies. The invention also sets forth the heavy chain and light chain variable regions of an antibody within the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the conjugation of antimicrobial agents to water-soluble polymers to improve their clinical properties in terms of their pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and reduced immunogenicity. More specifically, the present invention relates to the conjugation of antimicrobial agents such as lysostaphin to poly(alkylene oxides), such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of bacteriology. In particular, the present invention provides compositions (e.g., a lantibiotic-based spore decontaminant (e.g., comprising nisin)) and methods of neutralizing (e.g., killing or inhibiting growth or inhibiting germination of) bacteria (e.g., cells and spores). For example, the present invention provides nisin-based compounds (e.g., for bacterial spore decontamination) and methods of using the same in research, therapeutic and drug screening applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of bacteriology. In particular, the present invention provides compositions (e.g., comprising a lantibiotic and mupirocin or gentamicin) and methods of treating (e.g., killing or inhibiting growth of) bacteria. For example, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions (e.g., comprising a lantibiotic and mupirocin or gentamicin) and methods of using the same in research, therapeutic and drug screening applications.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses monoclonal antibodies that bind to lipoteichoic acid (LTA) of Gram positive bacteria. The antibodies also bind to whole bacteria and enhance phagocytosis and killing of the bacteria in vitro. The invention also provides antibodies having human sequences (chimeric, humanized and human antibodies). The invention also sets forth the variable regions of three antibodies within the invention and presents the striking homology between them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of bacteriology. In particular, the present invention provides compositions (e.g., comprising a lantibiotic and mupirocin or gentamicin) and methods of treating (e.g., killing or inhibiting growth of) bacteria. For example, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compounds (e.g., comprising a lantibiotic and mupirocin or gentamicin) and methods of using the same in research, therapeutic and drug screening applications.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses protective monoclonal antibodies that bind to peptidoglycan of Gram-positive bacteria. The antibodies also bind to whole bacteria and enhance phagocytosis and killing of the bacteria in vitro and block nasal colonization by Gram-positive bacteria in vivo. The invention also provides human, humanized and chimeric antibodies. The invention also sets forth the heavy chain and light chain variable regions of an antibody within the invention.