Abstract: Disclosed are novel isolated strains of bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus which are useful in a vaginal medicant. Also disclosed are medicants containing such Lactobacilli, a novel preservation matrix for microorganisms, a method for preserving microbial cells within a medicant, and methods for preventing and treating vaginal and gastrointestinal infections.
Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated feline calicivirus and mutants thereof, which were isolated from the urine of a cat with lower urinary tract disorder. The present invention further provides nucleic acid clones of the virus, in particular, a clone which encodes the capsid antigen of the virus. The present invention is useful for providing a live or killed virus vaccine comprising the virus or mutants thereof, a subunit vaccine comprising the capsid antigen of the virus, a nucleic acid vaccine encoding the capsid antigen of the virus, and a recombinant virus vector vaccine encoding the capsid antigen of the virus. The present invention also provides a method for isolating feline calicivirus from urine and an assay for diagnosing cats infected with feline calicivirus.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 8, 2000
Date of Patent:
March 12, 2002
Assignee:
Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
Inventors:
John M. Kruger, Roger K. Maes, Aivars Vilnis
Abstract: The present invention relates to: Dirofilaria and Brugia thioredoxin peroxidase type-2 (TPx-2) proteins; Dirofilaria and Brugia TPx-2 nucleic acid molecules, including those that encode such TPx-2 proteins; antibodies raised against such TPx-2 proteins; and compounds that inhibit Dirofilaria and Brugia TPx-2 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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 4, 2000
Date of Patent:
March 5, 2002
Assignee:
Heska Corporation and Colorado State University Research
Foundation
Abstract: The invention involves an isolated anti-prion-protein binding protein that has a molecular weight of about 55 kD to about 72 kD as determined by SDS-PAGE. Also described is a peptide derived from this isolated anti-prion-protein binding protein. Diagnostic uses for each of these molecules are discussed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 17, 2000
Date of Patent:
February 26, 2002
Assignees:
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Fundacao Antonio Prudente
Inventors:
Ricardo R. Brentani, Vilma J. Martins, Sandro J. de Souza
Abstract: The present invention relates to stress proteins and methods of modulating an individual's immune response. In particular, it relates to the use of such stress proteins in immune therapy and prophylaxis, which results in an induction or enhancement of an individual's immune response and as an immunotherapeutic agent which results in a decrease of an individual's immune response to his or her own cells. The present invention also relates to compositions comprising a stress protein joined to another component, such as a fusion protein in which a stress protein is fused to an antigen. Further, the present invention relates to a method of generating antibodies to a substance using a conjugate comprised of a stress protein joined to the substance.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 3, 1994
Date of Patent:
January 15, 2002
Assignee:
Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
Abstract: The present invention relates to stress proteins and methods of modulating an individual's immune response. In particular, it relates to the use of such stress proteins in immune therapy and prophylaxis, which results in an induction or enhancement of an individual's immune response and as an immunotherapeutic agent which results in a decrease of an individual's immune response to his or her own cells. The present invention also relates to compositions comprising a stress protein joined to another component, such as a fusion protein in which a stress protein is fused to an antigen. Further, the present invention relates to a method of generating antibodies to a substance using a conjugate comprised of a stress protein joined to the substance.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 5, 1995
Date of Patent:
January 1, 2002
Assignee:
Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
Abstract: Netrin proteins, nucleic acids which encode netrin proteins and hybridization reagents, probes and primers capable of hybridizing with netrin genes and methods for screening chemical libraries for lead compounds for pharmacological agents are provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 25, 2000
Date of Patent:
October 30, 2001
Assignees:
The Regents of the University of California, Columbia University
Inventors:
Marc Tessier-Lavigne, Tito Serafini, Timothy Kennedy, Marysia Placzek, Thomas Jessell, Jane Dodd
Abstract: Compositions are provided which include biodegradable microparticles with entrapped or adsorbed antigens, in combination with submicron oil-in-water emulsions. Also provided are methods of immunization which comprise administering to a vertebrate subject (a) a submicron oil-in-water emulsion, and (b) a therapeutically effective amount of a selected antigen entrapped in a microparticle.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 2, 2000
Date of Patent:
October 23, 2001
Assignee:
Chiron Corporation
Inventors:
Derek O'Hagan, Gary Van Nest, Gary S. Ott, Manmohan Singh
Abstract: Small RNA viruses and virus-like particles (VLPs) have altered or substituted Ig-like domains so as to modify host cell tropism. The invention also relates to the use of such small RNA viruses and VLPs in insecticidal and medicinal applications.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 2, 1999
Date of Patent:
June 26, 2001
Assignee:
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research
Organization
Inventors:
Karl Heinrich Gordon, Terry Nelson Hanzlik