Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a vaccine antigen, which includes a step of fragmenting a biological membrane associated with said vaccine antigen by treating said biological membrane with at least one calixarene of formula (II): wherein: X is a —(CH2)-CO2Y group and Y is an alkaline metal or one of the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein said resulting vaccine antigen also includes a fragment of the biological membrane associated with said antigen. The present invention also relates to a vaccine that can be produced by implementing the method, including a calixarene of formula (II) in carrier format, with a quantity of 0.1 to 1,000 ?g in the total weight of the vaccine. The present invention further relates to the use of a calixarene as defined above for the preparation of a vaccine or a vaccine antigen, and to the vaccine for use as a drug in the treatment or prevention of an infectious disease.

Abstract: Amphiphilic calixarene glycoside compounds, the preparation of such compounds, and the use of such compounds for selectively extracting, solubilizing and stabilizing membrane proteins.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for eliciting heterologous protective immunity in animals against Leptospira spp. The Leptospira spp. immunoprotective peptides disclosed herein elicit protective immunity against subsequent challenge or exposure to at least two Leptospira spp. serovars.