Abstract: The in vivo circulating life and/or absorption of cationic therapeutic proteins, including but not limited to basic proteins such as NT-3 and BDNF, can be increased by generating analogs that have a lower isoelectric point and, preferably, also a lower protein charge relative to the protein of native sequence.

Abstract: A naked nucleic acid construct comprising a coding sequence which encodes a mycobacterial stress protein or proline-rich antigen or an antigenically effective fragment thereof operably linked to a promoter capable of expressing the said coding sequence in a mammalian host cell is useful as a vaccine against a mycobacterial infection such as tuberculosis and leprosy.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of HsKip3d, antibodies to HsKip3d, methods of screening for HsKip3d modulators using biologically active HsKip3d, and kits for screening for HsKip3d modulators.

Abstract: Staphylococcus aureus virulence genes are identified, thereby allowing the identification of novel anti-bacterial agents that target these virulence genes and their products, and the provision of novel S. aureus mutants useful in vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to parasitic helminth macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) proteins; to parasitic helminth MIF nucleic acid molecules, including those that encode such MIF proteins; to antibodies raised against such MIF proteins; and to compounds that inhibit parasitic helminth MIF activity. The present invention also includes methods to obtain such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies, and inhibitory compounds. Also included in the present invention are therapeutic compositions comprising such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies and/or inhibitory compounds as well as the use of such therapeutic compositions to protect animals from diseases caused by parasitic helminths.

Abstract: A ringworm vaccine is disclosed comprising antigen isolated from at least one dermatophyte and a suitable carrier. The “antigen” can include a single antigen from a dermatophyte or a plurality of antigens as long as at least one antigen is included which will produce a sufficient immune response to confer resistance to ringworm infection upon the recipient of the vaccine. The antigen can also be isolated from more than one dermatophyte. If a preparation from more than one dermatophyte is made the antigen can include antigens which are common to all species of dermatophytes employed and/or antigens which are only specific to certain species. A method of producing such a ringworm vaccine is also disclosed. The method comprises making an antigen preparation comprising the dermatophyte antigen described above and combining the antigen preparation with a suitable carrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions of matter comprising a polypeptide expressed from insect cells harboring a baculovirus vector the encodes the polypeptide, wherein the polypeptide comprises amino acid sequences derived from the p42 fragment of the Plasmodium falciparum gp 195 protein or derivatives thereof. Such compositions of matter find use for example for inducing the production of anti-p42 antibodies both in vivo and in vitro.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of HsKip3d, antibodies to HsKip3d, methods of screening for HsKip3d modulators using biologically active HsKip3d, and kits for screening for HsKip3d modulators.

Abstract: The invention provides kdtB polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding kdtB polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing kdtB polypeptides to screen for antibacterial compounds.