Abstract: Methods and compositions for the screening and isolation of ligand-binding polypeptides, such as antibodies. In some aspects, methods of the invention enable the isolation of intact soluble antibodies comprising a constant domain. Screening methods that employ genetic packages such as bacteria and bacteriophages enable high through-put identification of ligand binding molecules.

Abstract: This invention provides novel targeted antimicrobial compositions. In various embodiments chimeric moieties are provided comprising an antimicrobial peptide attached to a peptide targeting moiety that binds a bacterial strain or species.

Abstract: The invention relates to Staphylococcus epidermidis peptides, antibodies and nucleic acids that can inhibit Staphylococcus epidermidis infection of a mammalian subject and colonization of a medical device in the mammal.

Abstract: Environmentally stable biosensors are disclosed, which comprise a ligand binding domain from a thermophilic organism conjugated to donor and fluorescent moieties that permit detection and measurement of Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer upon ligand binding. Such biosensors demonstrate enhanced acid-, thermal- and chemical stability as compared to sensors constructed using protein domains from mesophilic organisms.

Abstract: The DNA of the invention are characterized in that they concern the whole or part of genes, with their reading frame, to be found in Neisseria meningitidis, but not in Neisseria gonorrhoeae, or in Neisseria lactamica except the genes involved in the biosynthesis of the polysaccharide capsule, frp A, frp C, opc, por A, rotamase the sequence IC1106, IgA protease, pilline, pilC, transferrin binding proteins and opacity proteins. The invention also concerns the polypeptides corresponding to these DNA and the antibodies directed against these polypeptides. It is applicable in the prevention and the detection of meningococcus induced infections and meningitis.

Abstract: A polycistronic expression cassette encoding proteins necessary for constructing a multi-enzyme complex was developed. Also disclosed herein is a host cell containing this polycistronic expression cassette and uses thereof in degrading biomass.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for treating a subject infected with Bacillus anthracis or at risk for infection with B. anthracis. The compositions include and the methods utilize isolated or purified equine antisera against B. anthracis.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods for enhancing the immunogenicity of a bacterial vaccine vector and an antigen by passaging the bacterial vaccine vector through an animal.

Abstract: In this application is described the characterization Borrelia burgdorferi lipoprotein BBK07, an in vivo expressed and surface-exposed immunogen. BBK07 expression in the infected hose can be detected at the RNA and protein level as early as the first week of infection. Therefore, described is the use of BBK07 antigen and immunogenic epitopes as well as bbk07 nucleotides in methods and kits for the diagnosis of Lyme disease.

Abstract: Low molecular weight serum components (less than 10,000 m.w.), in vaccinated animals and a human subject who has been exposed to a threat agent inadvertently, bound to purified O-polysaccharide (OPS, a polymer of formamido-mannose) and a candidate of a threat agent, such as Brucella suis 145 vaccine is disclosed. These components formed a loose reversible precipitin with OPS in a high-salt borate-buffered agarose gel and bound to the candidate vaccine as observed by capillary electrophoresis. By using modified capillary electrophoresis, the invention also discloses the presence of two larger serum components, one similar in size to that of serum albumin and one resembles that of mannan-binding lectin, that bound to the vaccine. An indirect method for identifying vaccination is the presence of antibodies against Brucella-OPS-antibodies. ELISA, capillary electrophoresis and animal challenge studies showed that as high as 30% of the control animals did not require vaccination.

Abstract: A method using a pharmaceutical composition comprising botulinum toxin and a pharmacologically acceptable carrier to treat pain in the knee joint caused by saphenous nerve entrapment. The composition of the present invention is for subcutaneous injection above the medial side of the knee.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for eliciting an immune response against Streptococcus pneumoniae. More particularly, the compositions and methods relate to immunogenic polypeptides, including fragments of PhtD and variants thereof, and nucleic acids, vectors and transfected cells that encode or express the polypeptides. Methods of making and using the immunogenic polypeptides are also described.

Abstract: A high potency botulinum toxin pharmaceutical composition comprising two excipients (such as albumin and sodium chloride) in a weight to weight ratio of between about 1 and about 100.

Abstract: Modified neurotoxins that contain protease cleavage sites susceptible uniquely to proteases present in certain tissues are described. The toxins can be selectively activated by proteases in muscle or selectively inactivated by proteases in blood.

Abstract: The present invention relates to reagents and methods for purifying pertussis toxin (PT).

Abstract: The present invention refers to uses of crotamine and compositions containing it, based on its characteristic of interaction with genetic material. Under submicromolar quantities, the polypeptide is no longer toxic, presenting the characteristics properties of cell penetration, transport of molecules to the surface, cytoplasm or cell nucleus and particularly, selective cell penetration. The invention also refers to compositions comprising a pharmaceutically effective concentration of crotamine and its use for the treatment of diseases and dysfunctions, based on its characteristics of interaction with genetic material, such as DNA and RNA, and cell selectivity.

Abstract: Disclosed is the cloning, expression and purification of a hemolysin protein and its protein fragments in Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The recombinant hemolysin and its protein fragments are useful in the ELISA detection of anaplasma pathogen. The use of same as a kit for ELISA is also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and compositions useful for treating claudin-4 associated disorders including cell proliferative disorders. The disclosure also provide claudin-family binding peptides useful in the methods of the disclosure.

Abstract: The present application relates to compositions of modified toxins exhibiting reduced immunogenicity and reduced binding to vascular endothelium or vascular endothelial cells, thereby reducing the incidence of Vascular Leak Syndrome. Also provided are polypeptide toxophores from a modified diphtheria toxin, where modifications are in at least one amino acid residue of at least one T-cell epitope. Another aspect relates to a polypeptide toxophore from a modified diphtheria toxin, where modifications are in at least one amino acid residue of at least one T-cell epitope and at least one amino acid residue of at least one VLS motif of an unmodified native diphtheria toxin. Another aspect relates to a fusion protein which comprises a modified diphtheria toxin and a non-diphtheria toxin fragment that is a cell binding portion. Another aspect relates to the use of a modified diphtheria toxin for the treatment of a malignant disease or a non-malignant disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods for detecting and identifying microorganisms and, more particularly, to methods for detecting microorganisms in a sample by incubating the sample at two temperatures to facilitate increased detection of the organism.