Abstract: In order to provide an effective vaccine against infection with Propionibacterium acnes, the present invention provides a peptide which is a peptide consisting of a specific amino acid sequence or a peptide consisting of an amino acid sequence derived from the specific amino acid sequence by deletion, substitution, insertion, or addition of one or more amino acids, the peptide suppressing, by immune response, inflammation caused by infection with Propionibacterium acnes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of eliciting a cytotoxic T lymphocyte response to an antigen in an animal, the method comprising pulsing mannose receptor-bearing antigen presenting cells in vitro or ex vivo with a conjugate comprising an antigen and a carbohydrate polymer comprising mannose, wherein said carbohydrate polymer is a fully oxidized carbohydrate polymer comprising free aldehydes; and administering the pulsed antigen presenting cells to an animal.

Abstract: The novel protein SA1789 from Staphylococcus aureus is provided as well as nucleic acid and nucleic acid sequence homologues encoding this protein. Also provided is a composition, particularly a S. aureus vaccine, comprising SA1789 protein or a fragment or derivative thereof capable of generating an immune response that leads to the killing and clearance of S. aureus.

Abstract: Mouse monoclonal antibodies specifically recognizing the Penicillin Binding Protein 2a (PBP2a) derived from a strain of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were produced and characterized. The immunogen used to generate an immune response in a mouse was a PBP2a recombinant protein derived from a strain of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The data showed that both monoclonal antibodies of the disclosure were able to distinguish MRSA from MSSA bacteria. The monoclonal antibodies have distinct recognition patterns for the regions of the PBP2a protein sequence. Epitope mapping has localized regions of the PBP2a protein specifically recognized by one or both of the monoclonal antibodies. The monoclonal antibodies of the present disclosure having the ability to distinguish between MRSA and MSSA strains can be useful as the basis for a diagnostic assay useful in the clinical setting for determining whether and which antibiotics to administer to a patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of nucleic acid sequences for regulating the transcription and expression of genes, the novel promoters and expression units themselves, methods for altering or causing the transcription rate and/or expression rate of genes, expression cassettes comprising the expression units, genetically modified microorganisms with altered or caused transcription rate and/or expression rate, and methods for preparing biosynthetic products by cultivating the genetically modified microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of targeted mutagenesis in Gram-positive bacteria. In particular, the present invention provides a method that effectively integrates a suicide integrative vector into a target gene in the chromosome of a Gram-positive bacterium, resulting in inactivation of the target gene.

Abstract: Two antigenic and immunogenic proteins of the cattle tick, Rhipicephalus microplus, and the genes encoding these proteins, are effective for eliciting a protective immune response that controls and prevents infestations of bovines and other livestock by the tick. The proteins isolated from the cattle tick include an aquaporin protein and a TC5777 gut membrane protein. Each of the proteins elicit an immunoprotective response in livestock to the cattle tick, and can be formulated and administered as vaccines. Alternatively, the isolated DNA sequences which encode these proteins can be incorporated into nucleic acid constructs which could be utilized as DNA vaccines. The nucleic acid constructs can also be used for the transformation of cells and the production of recombinant proteins. Induction of the protective immune response controls and prevents infestations of the treated animals with the tick, thereby protecting them against tick-borne pathogen transmission.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the identification and initial characterization of CctA, a novel, secreted toxin of Clostridium chauvoei that represents the major cytotoxic activity of C. chauvoei. This toxin confers C. chauvoei its characteristic strong hemolytic activity towards erythrocytes of various species, since anti-CctA antibodies fully neutralize hemolysis by C. chauvoei on standard blood-agar medium or in cell-free supernatants of liquid cultures.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antibody composition comprising ovine antibodies, for use in the prevention or treatment of C. difficile infection wherein the antibodies bind to a C. difficile toxin.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved methods of producing and recovering B. anthracis protective antigen (PA), especially modified PA which is protease resistant, and to methods of using of these PAs or nucleic acids encoding these PAs for eliciting an immunogenic response in humans, including responses which provide protection against, or reduce the severity of, B. anthracis bacterial infections and which are useful to prevent and/or treat illnesses caused by B. anthracis, such as inhalation anthrax, cutaneous anthrax and gastrointestinal anthrax.

Abstract: A Treponema pallidum triplet antigen construct is disclosed which includes three Treponema pallidum antigens (TP15, TP17, and TP47), as well as a ten amino acid leader sequence (tag 261) and human copper zinc superoxide dismutase (hSOD). This construct is optimized for in vitro diagnosis of syphilis infection. Plasmids containing DNA encoding the triplet antigen, host cells, production methods, detection methods, and kits are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that bind or neutralize anthrax protective antigen (PA) toxin. The invention provides such antibodies, fragments of such antibodies retaining anthrax PA toxin-binding ability, fully human or humanized antibodies retaining anthrax PA toxin-binding ability, and pharmaceutical compositions including such antibodies. The invention further provides for isolated nucleic acids encoding the antibodies of the invention and host cells transformed therewith. Additionally, the invention provides for prophylactic, therapeutic, and diagnostic methods employing the antibodies and nucleic acids of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a formulation that prevents virulent Mycoplasma galHsepticum infection in birds of the order GaIHf ormes. The formulation comprises live Mycoplasma galHsepticum strain K5831 or derivatives thereof in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A vaccine that prevents virulent Mycoplasma galHsepticum infection in birds of the order Galliformes is also presented. Methods for administering the formulation and vaccine are also presented.

Abstract: Methods of NAD-dependent of at least one lysine residue in an acetylated protein are disclosed. The methods include combining the acetylated protein with an isolated Sir2 protein or fragment that includes a core domain of the Sir2 protein. The Sir2 protein or fragment of the Sir2 protein can include a human Sir2 protein or a fragment of a human Sir2 protein.

Abstract: A method and a container for production of a biomembrane are disclosed in the present invention. The biomembrane produced in the method and in the container of the present invention can be processed into a mask, wherein processes for changing the shape of the biomembrane are unnecessary. The mask produced from the biomembrane can be efficient to maintain the skin, and to supply the moisture thereto.

Abstract: The present invention comprises artificial tissue constructs that serve as in vitro models of mammalian lung tissue. The artificial tissue constructs of the present invention comprise functionally equivalent in vitro tissue scaffolds that enable immunophysiological function of the lung. The constructs can serve as novel platforms for the study of lung diseases (e.g., interstitial lung diseases, fibrosis, influenza, RSV) as well as smoke- and smoking-related diseases. The artificial tissue constructs of the present invention comprise the two components of alveolar tissue, epithelial and endothelial cell layers.

Abstract: Methods of identifying agents which alter the NAD-dependent deacetylation activity of a Sir2 protein or a fragment of a Sir2 protein are disclosed. The acetylated protein can be a nuclear protein, such as a histone protein, or a cytoplasmic protein. The Sir2 protein employed in the methods can include at least a core domain of a Sir2 protein, such as a human Sir2 protein.

Abstract: The invention relates to probiotic micro-organisms isolated from faeces of children exclusively fed with breast milk. Said microorganisms are used in the food or pharmaceutical industry, especially for use in infant formula milk, due to their probiotic properties which have beneficial effects on the health of those ingesting them. Said microorganisms consist of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HERO 22A (CNCM I-4036), Lactobacillus paracasei HERO 7 (CNCM I-4034) and Bifidobacterium breve HERO 15B (CNCM I-4035).

Abstract: Safe and effective live vaccines against bacteria infecting aquatic animals were created through the induction of novobiocin-resistance in liquid culture and novobiocin- and rifampicin-resistance in liquid culture.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel isolates of Neorickettsia risticii, compositions comprising such isolates, vaccines and methods for using such vaccines against Potomac Horse Fever.