Abstract: A vaccine against the Chagas disease, capable of stimulating the immune response against the trans-sialidase virulence factor of the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, which is a multicomponent vaccine comprising: (a) an immunogenic portion formed by one or more recombinant or synthetic polypeptides or fractions of thereof and (b) one or more polynucleotides including the regions codifying one or more immunogenic polypeptides, or a monocomponent vaccine comprising at least one component selected among an immunogenic portion formed by one or more recombinant or synthetic polypeptides or fractions of them and a group of polynucleotides including the regions codifying one or more immunogenic polypeptides derived from Trypanosoma cruzi and pharmaceutical compositions containing said multicomponent and monocomponent vaccines, the procedures for obtaining the immunogen portion of said vaccines and the nucleic acid used in the procedure.

Abstract: The invention provides novel immunogenic proteins LigA and LigB from Leptospira for use in the development of effective vaccines and antibodies, as well as improved diagnostic methods and kits.

Abstract: Chimera proteins including: (i) at least one sequence of a VlsE protein of a Borrelia species selected from B. garinii, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto and B. afzelii, and (ii) at least one sequence including sequences of the IR6 domain of B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. afzelii and B. garinii. Also, a method and a kit for the in vitro diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis using said proteins.

Abstract: The method for detecting and identifying a variant C. difficile strain in a sample is characterized by the following steps: (a) obtaining a sample of excreta or tissue from a human or animal patient body; (b) bringing the sample into contact with at least one antibody from each of at least three of the antibody groups group I, group II, group III, group IV, group V and group VI; (c) detecting the antibody reaction and constructing the reaction pattern; (d) comparing the reaction pattern obtained in (c) with reference patterns from known C. difficile strains and C. difficile strains the presence of which is to be tested in the investigation test; (e) assessing the agreement between the reaction pattern obtained in (c) and the reference pattern as indicative of the presence of the C. difficile strain of the reference pattern concerned in the sample.

Abstract: The disclosure describes use of flagellin polypeptides to induce tolerance to gram negative bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in order to alleviate the effects of the inflammatory response to bacterial infection in a patient. Also described are methods and compositions for treating and preventing keratitis, cystic fibrosis, asthma, and other diseases and conditions in which inflammation contributes to the pathology and symptoms.

Abstract: The invention provides processes for improving the ability of a peptide to stimulate an immune response, comprising exposing the peptide to a chemical modifying agent. It further provides compositions comprising an antigenic peptide, wherein the peptide has been treated with a chemical modifying agent to improve its ability to stimulate an immune response. It also provides methods of stimulating an immune response in a mammal, comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a vaccine.

Abstract: Contemplated compositions, devices, and methods are drawn to various antigens from the pathogen M. tuberculosis and their use in vaccines, therapeutic agents, and various diagnostic tests. In particularly preferred aspects, the antigens are immunodominant and have quantified and known relative reactivities with respect to sera of a population infected with the pathogen, and/or have a known association with a disease parameter.

Abstract: A method of producing ?-santalene by contacting at least one polypeptide with farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP). This method may be carried out in vitro or in vivo to produce ?-santalene, a very useful compound in the fields of perfumery and flavoring. The present invention also provides the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide useful in the method of the invention. A nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide of the invention and an expression vector containing the nucleic acid are also disclosed, along with a non-human host organism or a cell transformed to be used in the method of producing ?-santalene.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a novel S. aureus bioconjugate vaccine. More generally, the invention is directed to Gram-positive and other bioconjugate vaccines containing a protein carrier, at least one polysaccharide such as a capsular Gram-positive polysaccharide, and, optionally, an adjuvant or pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The instant invention also includes methods of producing Gram-positive and other bioconjugate vaccines. An N-glycosylated protein is also provided that contains one or more polysaccharides such as Gram-positive polysaccharides. The invention is additionally directed to engineered prokaryotic organisms comprising nucleotide sequences encoding a glycosyltransferase of a first prokaryotic organism and a glycosyltransferase of a second prokaryotic organism. The invention further includes plasmids and prokaryotic cells transformed with plasmids encoding polysaccharides and enzymes which produce an N-glycosylated protein and/or bioconjugate vaccine.

Abstract: Disclosed are a highly efficient method for production of heterologous proteins performed by utilizing microorganisms, as well as fusion proteins, and an antiserum. The method includes a method for production of a protein (A) in the form of a fusion protein, comprising the steps of (a) preparing a DNA which codes for a fusion protein comprising the peptide chain forming the protein (A) and the C-terminal peptide or its fragment (B) of the Cry proteins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis, and (b) introducing the DNA into a host bacterium to transform the same, and (c) allowing the fusion protein to be expressed in the transformed host bacterium, as well as a method for production of the protein (A) itself comprising a further step of removing the peptide chain (B) from the fusion protein obtained.

Abstract: A chimeric Shiga toxoid according to the invention contains an enzymatically-inactivated StxA subunit and a native StxB subunit. This hybrid Shiga toxoid induces the production of broadly cross-reactive species of antibodies against Shiga toxin following immunization. The StxA subunit is modified so that it is enzymatically inactive. The invention thus encompasses the Shiga toxoid or fragments thereof and the nucleic acid sequence of the Shiga toxoid or fragments thereof. The invention further encompasses the production of a Shiga toxoid, the production of antibodies using the Shiga toxoid and methods of productions, and an immunogenic composition containing the Shiga toxoid.

Abstract: The application describes electrically conductive nanowires, as well as genetically and/or chemically modified nanowires with modified conductive, adhesive and/or coupling properties.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with tools for the quality control and safety during manufacture of neurotoxins. In particular, it relates to a method for the determination of the amount of partially processed and/or unprocessed Botulinum neurotoxin A polypeptide (BoNT/A) in a solution comprising processed and partially processed and/or unprocessed BoNT/A comprising the steps of contacting a sample of the solution with a capture antibody which specifically binds to the partially processed and unprocessed BoNT/A under conditions which allow for binding of the antibody to the partially processed and unprocessed BoNT/A, whereby a complex is formed, and determining the amount of the formed complex, whereby the amount of the complex is indicative for the amount of the partially processed and/or unprocessed BoNT/A in the solution. Moreover, the present invention contemplates a device and a kit for carrying out the method.

Abstract: An L-arabinose utilizing yeast strain is provided for the production of ethanol by introducing and expressing bacterial araA, araB and araD genes. L-arabinose transporters are also introduced into the yeast to enhance the uptake of arabinose. The yeast carries additional genomic mutations enabling it to consume L-arabinose, even as the only carbon source, and to produce ethanol. A yeast strain engineered to metabolize arabinose through a novel pathway is also disclosed. Methods of producing ethanol include utilizing these modified yeast strains.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided herein for immunizing a subject by administering to the subject an effective amount of an immunogenic peptide or an immunogenic fragment or variant thereof incorporated within a vault-like particle carrier. The methods and compositions advantageously exhibit enhanced ability to induce cell-mediated immunity and/or antibody-based immunity.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing a Th2-mediated disease or disorder includes live, killed or attentuated Franciscella tularensis or its components. The F. tularensis cells may be LVS cells. Administration of an effective amount may prevent or reduce bronchoconstriction or allergic airway inflammation through a T-helper cell (Th) 1-mediated suppression of an ongoing Th2 response mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for measuring ?G comprising the steps of bringing a sample into contact with a ?G-binding protein 1 and a ?G-binding protein 2, each comprising an amino acid sequence which is identical or substantially identical to an amino acid sequence shown in any one of SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:18, or SEQ ID NO:20, and having the ?-glucan binding activity, to form a complex of the ?G-binding protein 1, ?G in the sample and the ?G-binding protein 2, measuring quantity of the complex, and determining ?G concentration in the sample based on the quantity of the complex; a reagent and a kit for use in said method; a novel ?G-binding protein; a nucleic acid molecule encoding the ?G-binding protein; and a method for producing the aforementioned ?G-binding protein.

Abstract: Disclosed are substantially purified Plasmodium sporozoites and preparations of Plasmodium sporozoites substantially separated from attendant non-sporozoite material, where the preparations of Plasmodium sporozoites have increasing levels of purity. Vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions comprising purified Plasmodium sporozoites are likewise provided. Methods of purifying preparations of Plasmodium sporozoites are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to three isolated DNA molecules that encode for proteins, BigL1, BigL2 and BigL3, in the Leptospira sp bacterium which have repetitive Bacterial-Ig-like (Big) domains and their use in diagnostic, therapeutic and vaccine applications. According to the present invention, the isolated molecules encoding for BigL1, BigL2 and BigL3 proteins are used for the diagnosis and prevention of infection with Leptospira species that are capable of producing disease in humans and other mammals, including those of veterinary importance.

Abstract: The invention relates to certain methods for the determination of an antigen content of a first antigen in a mixture comprising two or more antigens. The invention also relates to a potency test for an antigen in a combination vaccine. The method allows the determination of the antigen content in a mixture additionally comprising antibodies that are capable of binding with the antigen.