Abstract: The invention includes a GAS antigen, GAS 40, which is particularly suitable for use either alone or in combinations with additional GAS antigens, such as GAS 117, GAS 130, GAS 277, GAS 236, GAS 40, GAS 389, GAS 504, GAS 509, GAS 366, GAS 159, GAS 217, GAS 309, GAS 372, GAS 039, GAS 042, GAS 058, GAS 290, GAS 511, GAS 533, GAS 527, GAS 294, GAS 253, GAS 529, GAS 045, GAS 095, GAS 193, GAS 137, GAS 084, GAS 384, GAS 202, and GAS 057.

Abstract: This invention provides, among other things, proteins, polypeptides, and fragments thereof, derived from the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis B. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding for such proteins, polypeptides, and/or fragments, as well as nucleic acids complementary thereto e.g., antisense nucleic acids). Additionally, this invention provides antibodies which bind to the proteins, polypeptides, and/or fragments. This invention further provides expression vectors useful for making the proteins, polypeptides, and/or fragments, as well as host cells transformed with such vectors. This invention also provides compositions of the proteins, polypeptides, fragments, and/or nucleic acids, for use as vaccines, diagnostic reagents, immunogenic compositions, and the like. Methods of making the compositions and methods of treatment with the compositions are also provided. This invention also provides methods of detecting the proteins, polypeptides, fragments, and/or nucleic acids.

Abstract: This invention provides, among other things, proteins, polypeptides, and fragments thereof, derived from the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis B. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding for such proteins, polypeptides, and/or fragments, as well as nucleic acids complementary thereto e.g., antisense nucleic acids). Additionally, this invention provides antibodies which bind to the proteins, polypeptides, and/or fragments. This invention further provides expression vectors useful for making the proteins, polypeptides, and/or fragments, as well as host cells transformed with such vectors. This invention also provides compositions of the proteins, polypeptides, fragments, and/or nucleic acids, for use as vaccines, diagnostic reagents, immunogenic compositions, and the like. Methods of making the compositions and methods of treatment with the compositions are also provided. This invention also provides methods of detecting the proteins, polypeptides, fragments, and/or nucleic acids.

Abstract: Two or more Neisserial proteins are joined such that they are translated as a single polypeptide chain. Hybrid proteins are represented by the formula NH2-A-[-X-L-]n-B—COOH where X is an amino acid sequence, L is an optional linker amino acid sequence, A is an optional N-terminal amino acid sequence, B is an optional C-terminal amino acid sequence, and n is an integer greater than 1. Proteins where each of the n -X- moieties shares sequence identity to each other -X- moiety, the protein is a ‘tandem protein’.

Abstract: Meningococcal protein NMB 1870 has been described in the prior art. The inventors have found that NMB 1870 is an effective antigen for eliciting anti-meningococcal antibody responses, and that it is expressed across all meningococcal serogroups. Forty-two different NMB 1870 sequences have been identified, and these group into three variants. Serum raised against a given variant is bactericidal within the same variant group, but is not active against strains which express one of the other two variants i.e. there is intra-variant cross-protection, but not inter-variant cross-protection. For maximum cross-strain efficacy, therefore, the invention uses mixture comprising different variants of NMB 1870.

Abstract: Meningococcal protein NMB 1870 has been described in the prior art. The inventors have found that NMB 1870 is an effective antigen for eliciting anti-meningococcal antibody responses, and that it is expressed across all meningococcal serogroups. Forty-two different NMB 1870 sequences have been identified, and these group into three variants. Serum raised against a given variant is bactericidal within the same variant group, but is not active against strains which express one of the other two variants i.e. there is intra-variant cross-protection, but not inter-variant cross-protection. For maximum cross-strain efficacy, therefore, the invention uses mixture comprising different variants of NMB 1870.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a first biological molecule from a Neisseria bacterium and a second biological molecule from a Neisseria bacterium. The term “biological molecule” includes proteins and nucleic acids. Preferred Neisseria species are N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae.

Abstract: The invention provides proteins and nucleic acid sequences from Streptococcus Pneumoniae, together with a genome sequence. These are useful for the development of vaccines, diagnostics, and antibiotics.

Abstract: Polypeptides comprising various amino acid sequences derived from Haemophilus influenzae type b, including a number of lipoproteins. These can be used in the development of vaccines for preventing and/or treating bacterial meningitis. They may also be useful for diagnostic purposes, and as targets for antibiotics. Antibodies against the polypeptides are also disclosed, as are the coding nucleic acids.

Abstract: The invention is based on methods that allow analysis of mixed meningococcal saccharides from multiple serogroups even though they share monosaccharide units. With a combination of saccharides from serogroups C, W135 and Y, the invention analyses sialic acid, glucose and galactose content. The glucose and galactose results are used to directly quantify saccharides from serogroups Y and W135, respectively, and the combined glucose and galactose content is subtracted from the sialic acid content to quantify saccharides from serogroup C. The three serogroups can thus be resolved even though their monosaccharide contents overlap. The three different monosaccharide analyses can be performed on the same material, without interference between the monosaccharides and without interference from any other saccharide materials in the composition (e.g. lyophilisation stabilisers).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various genes that can be included in immunogenic compositions specific for pathogenic E. coli strains. The genes are from uropathogenic strains but are absent from non-pathogenic strains, and their encoded proteins have cellular locations which render them accessible to the immune system.

Abstract: The invention provides proteins from Staphylococcus aureus including amino acid sequences and the corresponding nucleotide sequences. The proteins are useful for vaccines, immunogenic compositions, diagnostics, enzymatic studies and also as targets for antibiotics.

Abstract: The invention provides proteins from Staphylococcus aureus including amino acid sequences and the corresponding nucleotide sequences. The proteins are useful for vaccines, immunogenic compositions, diagnostics, enzymatic studies and also as targets for antibiotics.

Abstract: Polypeptides comprising non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) amino acid sequences. Over 2500 specific NTHi proteins are disclosed. The invention also provides related polypeptides, nucleic acids, antibodies and methods. These can all be used in medicine for treating or preventing disease and/or infection caused by H. influenzae, such as otitis media.

Abstract: An influenza vaccine adjuvanted with a sub-micron oil-in-water emulsion elicits significantly higher immune responses in human pediatric populations. Compared to an existing unadjuvanted pediatric influenza vaccine, the adjuvanted vaccines provided herein can induce in children a longer persistence of high serum antibody titers and also longer seroconversion and seroprotection. The improvement in immune responses is seen for both influenza A virus and influenza B virus strains, but it is particularly marked for influenza B virus. Moreover, while the existing vaccine provides poor immunity in children after a single dose, the adjuvanted vaccine provides high seroprotection rates against the influenza A virus H3N2 subtype even after a single dose. Furthermore, the adjuvanted vaccine offers significantly better seroprotection against mismatched strains of influenza A virus.

Abstract: The invention provides proteins from Staphylococcus aureus including amino acid sequences and the corresponding nucleotide sequences. The proteins are useful for vaccines, immunogenic compositions, diagnostics, enzymatic studies and also as targets for antibiotics.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various genes that can be included in immunogenic compositions specific for pathogenic E. coli strains. The genes are from uropathogenic strains but are absent from non-pathogenic strains, and their encoded proteins have cellular locations which render them accessible to the immune system.

Abstract: A method for TCR-independent T cell activation which comprises the co-ligation of CD28 and CD81.

Abstract: The difference Lancefield T-serotypes correlate with the sequence of the pilus backbone protein (Pbp) in Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS). We have sequenced Pbp for over 50 GAS strains, representing the major disease-associated serotypes, and have identified 15 Pbp variants. These 15 variants have been shown to determine the specificity of the T-serotyping, such that sequencing of the Pbp from a given GAS strain reliably predicts that strain's T-serotype. thus the invention permits the t-serotype of a GAS strain to be determined based on genotype.

Abstract: A dimeric protein comprising a first fusion protein and a second fusion protein, wherein the first fusion protein comprises a targeting domain, a leucine zipper domain, and an antigen; and wherein the second fusion protein comprises a targeting domain, a leucine zipper domain, and optionally an antigen. Nucleic acid vectors encoding proteins of the invention are provided, particularly for use in nucleic acid vaccination.