Abstract: The present invention provides methods of enhancing the immune response to an immunogen and to compositions for use in these methods. In particular the present invention provides a DNA molecule for use in raising an immune response to an antigen. The DNA molecule includes a first sequence encoding a targeting molecule, a second sequence encoding the antigen or an epitope thereof, and optionally a third sequence encoding a polypeptide which promotes dimerization or multimerization of the product encoded by the DNA molecule.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of enhancing the immune response to an immunogen and to compositions for use in these methods. In particular the present invention provides a DNA molecule for use in raising an immune response to an antigen. The DNA molecule includes a first sequence encoding a targeting molecule, a second sequence encoding the antigen or an epitope thereof, and optionally a third sequence encoding a polypeptide which promotes dimerisation or multimerisation of the product encoded by the DNA molecule.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymers incorporating peptides. The polymers comprise polymarised units of (1) CH2═CR4—CO—X—R1 and (2) CH2═CR3—CO—R2 and optionally one or more other monomers, in which R1 is a peptide. Each R1 may be the same, or is preferably different. In another embodiment the present invention provides polymers formed from CH2═CR4—CO—X—R1 and optionally one or more other monomers, in which X is a spacer having a length equivalent to 1 to 30 single C—C bonds and R1 is a peptide, each R1 being the same or different. The invention further relates to methods producing the polymers and methods of inducing an immune response using the polmers.

Abstract: The present invention provides cytotoxic Epstein-Barr virus T-cell epitopes. These epitopes are QVKWRMTTL, VFSDGRVAC, VPAPAGPIV, TYSAGIVQI, LLDFVRFMGV, QNGALAINTF, VSSDGRVAC, VSSEGRVAC, VSSDGRVPC, VSSDGLVAC, VSSDGQ-VAC, VSSDGRVVC, VPAPPVGPIV, VEITPYEPIG, VEITPYEPTW, VELTPYKPTW, RRIYDLIKL, RKIYDLIEL and PYLFWLAGI. The present invention further provides vaccines including one or more of these epitopes, optionally with additional epitopes.

Abstract: A method of detecting a gene and quantifying its copy number using a PCR based assay is described. A set (i.e. three primers) of PCR primers is used in a single reaction wherein the first primer is specific for a first gene and the second primer is specific for a second gene which second gene is closely related to the first gene, while the third primer is common to both the first and second genes. From the results obtained the presence or absence of the second gene can be determined, as well as, its copy number.

Abstract: The present invention provides cytotoxic Epstein-Barr virus T-cell epitopes. The epitopes are selected from the group consisting of QAKWRLQTL, RYSIFFDY, HLAAQGMAY, YPLHEQHGM, SVRDRLARL, AVLLHEESM, VSFIEFVGW, FRKAQIQGL, PYLFWLAAI, TVFYNIPPMPL, PGDQLPGFSDGRACPV, VEITPYKPTW, and variants thereof. In addition, the present invention provides compositions including these epitopes for use in inducing CTL's in a subject.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the diagnosis and treatment of herpes virus related diseases. By noting within the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) open reading frames (ORFs) transcribed late in the viral cycle for which a translation product may or may not have been established, and synthesizing one or more polypeptides each of which includes at least one segment, each segment comprising at least part of the amino acid sequence identified in that ORF, a specific and reliable diagnostic test for, and treatment of, infectious mononucleosis and related diseases is possible. The preferred amino acid sequences for these segments include NSPKNG (SEQ ID NO: 12), KNGSNQ (SEQ ID NO: 13), SNQLVI (SEQ ID NO: 14), AHARDK (SEQ ID NO: 15), RDKAGA (SEQ ID NO: 16), VMAMIL (SEQ ID NO: 17), SEPRPR (SEQ ID NO: 18), and PSRTPS (SEQ ID NO: 19).