Abstract: In vitro biomimetic models of the neonatal immune system are provided along with methods of using the models in pre-clinical assessment of infant immune cell-mediated and humoral responses to immunogenic stimulation, such as vaccination. The models include one comprising cord blood-derived T follicular helper cells and B cells, and one comprising cord blood-derived dendritic cells and CD4+ T cells. The models can be used, for example, to assess candidate vaccines via analysis of cellular responses to antigen and vaccine exposure.

Abstract: A system and method provide for high through put determination of agglutination states. The system includes a rotating table and multiple plate tilting stations. The system also includes one or more optical paths positioned to image entire plate arrays in tilted and/or untilted configurations. The system preferably includes image analysis software to analyze an image of an array of test wells and determine an agglutination state of each well based on the image analysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of constructing an integrated artificial immune system that comprises appropriate in vitro cellular and tissue constructs or their equivalents to mimic the normal tissues that interact with vaccines in mammals. The artificial immune system can be used to test the efficacy of vaccine candidates in vitro and thus, is useful to accelerate vaccine development and testing drug and chemical interaction with the immune system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of constructing an integrated artificial immune system that comprises appropriate in vitro cellular and tissue constructs or their equivalents to mimic the tissues of the immune system in mammals. The artificial immune system can be used to test the efficacy of vaccine candidates and other materials in vitro and thus, is useful to accelerate vaccine development and testing drug and chemical interactions with the immune system, coupled with disease models to provide a more complete representation of an immune response.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of constructing an integrated artificial immune system that comprises appropriate in vitro cellular and tissue constructs or their equivalents to mimic the normal tissues that interact with vaccines in mammals. The artificial immune system can be used to test the efficacy of vaccine candidates in vitro and thus, is useful to accelerate vaccine development and testing drug and chemical interactions with the immune system.

Abstract: The present invention directs to compositions and methods for modulating immune system. One aspect of the present invention relates to a composition comprising FADD-dependent signaling pathway modulators. Another aspect of the 5 present invention relates to biodegradable microparticles, such as a chitosan microparticic, or PLGA/PEI microparticle, designed to deliver nucleic acids and/or proteins, such as FADD-dependent signaling pathway modulators, to boost different pathways of an immune response. Another aspect of the present invention relates to the method of making biodegradable microparticles. The further aspect of the present invention relates to the use of the chitosan and other polycationic microparticles to deliver FADD-dependent signaling pathway modulators to modulate immune system for the prevention and/or treatment infectious diseases and cancers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for preparing an artificial immune system. The artificial immune system comprises a cell culture comprising T cells, B cells and antigen-primed dendritic cells. The artificial immune system of the present invention can be used for in vitro testing of vaccines, adjuvants, immunotherapy candidates, cosmetics, drugs, biologics and other chemicals.