Abstract: The invention provides methods for identifying a modulator of quorum sensing signaling in bacteria, and for identifying a quorum sensing controlled gene in bacteria. In addition, the invention provides quorum sensing controlled genetic loci in Pseudomas aeruginosa. Novel indicator strains and vectors for engineering the strains for use in the method of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the diagnosis and treatment of iron misregulation diseases, including HFE polypeptides, agonists, and antagonists, and transferrin receptor agonists and antagonists.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a diagnostic method by which Helicobacter pylori infection can be diagnosed at low cost without causing pain on subjects and without requiring particular equipment and which is free of cross reactivity and excellent in specificity without variation among lots as a result of the use of a single antibody facilitating the quality control and which shows good sensitivity even when a single monoclonal antibody is used. The present invention provides a monoclonal antibody which recognizes Helicobacter pylori catalase as an antigen.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to therapeutic compositions for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of intestinal disease conditions in animals and birds caused or exacerbated by Lawsonia intracellularis or similar or otherwise related microorganism. In particular, the present invention provides a novel gene derived from Lawsonia intracellularis, which encodes an immunogenic polypeptide that is particularly useful as an antigen in a vaccine preparation for conferring humoral immunity against Lawsonia intracellularis and related pathogens in animal hosts, wherein said polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of flhB, fliR, ntrC, glnH, motA, motB, tlyC, ytfM, and ytfN polypeptides, or a homologue, analogue or derivative of any one or more of said polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the identification of a series of virulence genes in E. coli K1, the products of which may be implicated in the pathogenicity of the organisms. The identification of the genes allows them, or their expressed products, to be used in a number of ways to treat infection.

Abstract: This invention relates to HDAg peptides, including mutants, derivatives fragments and fusion molecules, including fusion proteins, coiled-coil oligomers, nucleic acid molecules, vectors comprising HDAg nucleic acid molecules, cells comprising said molecules, methods of multivalent expression and association of binding moieties of HDAg fusion molecules, and methods of use involving the molecules. The molecules are particularly useful as a framework for multivalent display via formation of C-terminal and/or N-terminal fusion proteins or via chemical coupling to chemically reactive sidechains, e.g. cysteine residues.

Abstract: A system for the detection of bacteria based on bacteria-antibody complexes. Bacteria attached to antibody are detected with resonance Raman spectroscopy. The bacteria are detected directly in a great numerical excess, e.g. 100 to 10,000 of antibody molecules. A sample to be tested is placed in a medium, the medium containing antibodies attached to a surface for binding to a specific bacteria to form an antigen to antibody complex. The medium is contacted with a beam of light energy. The bacteria, as a lower resonance enhanced Raman backscattered energy, is analyzed for the presence or absence of the bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention concerns polymer particle vaccine delivery systems in which a water insoluble protein antigen, e.g. a lipidated HpaA protein, is incorporated with particles comprising a polymer matrix. The present invention also concerns a method for incorporating such a water insoluble protein antigen with a polymer matrix in order to produce a polymer particle vaccine delivery system. In addition, the invention also provides a vaccine composition comprising the polymer particle delivery system. The vaccine can be used to treat and/or reduce the risk of for example Helicobacter infection.

Abstract: This invention is directed to mutant SPE-C toxins or fragments thereof, vaccine and pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of using the vaccine and pharmaceutical compositions. The preferred SPE-C toxin has at least one amino acid change and is substantially non-lethal compared with the wild type SPE-C toxin. The mutant SPE-C toxins can form vaccine compositions useful to protect animals against the biological activities of wild type SPE-C toxin.

Abstract: The invention concerns nucleic acids coding for polypeptides specific of the Neisseria genus pathogenic strains, the corresponding polypeptides, and their diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: This invention provides novel methods, reagents, and kits that are useful for detecting B. anthracis. The methods are based on the discovery of binding agents, including recombinant polyclonal antibodies, which bind to the surface array protein of B. anthracis.

Abstract: A method for separating and purifying HA-positive progenitor toxin(s) (LL and/or L toxins) and HA-negative progenitor toxin (M toxin) from a Clostridium botulinum strain is provided. The method comprises applying a liquid containing both the HA-positive progenitor toxin(s) and the HA-negative progenitor toxin to a lactose column. Also provided is a method for separating and purifying neurotoxin (7S toxin) from HA-positive progenitor toxins, which comprises treating HA-positive progenitor toxins with an alkaline buffer and then applying the resulting liquid containing dissociated neurotoxin and non-toxic components to a lactose column. Activated pure HA-positive toxins (L and LL toxins) and neurotoxin are obtained by simple procedures.

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

Abstract: The present invention is directed to isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding Plasmodium sp. chitinases. Expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid molecules are also provided, as well as methods for increasing or decreasing the expression of the chitinase in host cells. The invention further provides methods of screening a substance for the ability of the substance to modify chitinase function, and a method for isolating other chitinase molecules. DNA oligomers capable of hybridizing to the nucleic acid molecule encoding the chitinase are provided, which can be used to detect chitinase in a sample. An isolated Plasmodium sp. chitinase is also provided. Antibodies specific for the chitinase, and fragments thereof, are provided, as are compositions comprising the chitinase and a compatible carrier. The subject invention further provides methods of preventing infection of mosquitoes by Plasmodium sp. and methods of preventing transmission of malaria.

Abstract: The invention relates to adjuvants that contain a lecithin, an oil and an amphiphilic surfactant and that are capable of forming a stable oil-in-water emulsion vaccine so as to minimize local reactions to the vaccine in the injected animal.

Abstract: Methods and compositions comprising immunoassays for the detection of functional antibodies and the analysis of vaccine efficacy are described. In particular, the present invention provides opsonophagocytic assays. The assays are useful for the rapid and simultaneous detection of multiple different functional antibodies. In preferred embodiments, the assays include fluorescent labels of multiple colors and/or intensities.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a series of genes are identified in Group B Streptococcus, the products of which may be associated with the outer surface of the organism. The genes, or functional fragments thereof, may be useful in the preparation of therapeutics, e.g. vacaccines to immunize a patient against microbial infection.

Abstract: A gene encoding a 29 kilodalton protein found on the surface of merozoite stage S. neurona has been cloned and sequenced. The protein encoded by this gene, termed SnSAG-1, is an immunodominant antigen recognized on protein blots. Methods for using nucleic acids and polypeptides relating to SnSAG-1 in diagnostic tests and vaccine development are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of immunizing a host against disease caused by infection by a strain of Chlamydia, specifically C. pneumoniae. The method involves nucleic acid immunization, including DNA immunization, and employs a vector containing a nucleotide sequence which encodes an ATP/ADP translocase of a strain of Chlamydia pneumoniae. The nucleotide sequence is operably linked to a promoter to effect expression of the ATP/ADP translocase in the host. The host may be a human host. Modifications are possible within the scope of this invention.

Abstract: Anthrax bio-terrorism is a poor man's nuclear bomb with devastating effects on the freedom and economy of any nation. No nation is immune. Urgently, there is a need for life saving technology that can be readily available and deployed in real time. Polystyrene sulfonate is the answer. It is life saving and will help in the development of next generation superior vaccines.