Abstract: There is provided a molecule comprising a chain of seven or more contiguous units of 4,6-dideoxy-4-acylamido-?-pyranose each pair of units joined by a C1-C2 or a C1-C3 link, the chain having a terminal end and a reducing end, wherein the pyranose ring in the unit of the chain most distal from the reducing end is linked to a cap structure. The cap structure is not a 4,6-dideoxy-4-acylamido-?-pyranose. There are also provided vaccine compositions comprising the molecule and methods of vaccinating an animal against infection by a Brucella organism, including methods of distinguishing between a vaccinated and an infected animal. There are further provided novel methods of detecting the presence in a sample of an anti-Brucella antibody.

Abstract: There is provided a molecule comprising a chain of seven or more contiguous units of 4,6-dideoxy-4-acylamido-?-pyranose, each pair of units joined by a C1-C2 or a C1-C3 link, the chain having a terminal end and a reducing end, wherein the pyranose ring in the unit of the chain most distal from the reducing end is linked to a cap structure. The cap structure is not a 4,6-dideoxy-4-acylamido-?-pyranose. There are also provided vaccine compositions comprising the molecule and methods of vaccinating an animal NI against infection by a Brucella organism, including methods of distinguishing between a vaccinated and an infected animal. There are further provided novel methods of detecting the presence in a sample of an anti-Brucella antibody.

Abstract: There is provided a method of detecting in a sample the presence of an anti-M and/or anti-A and/or anti-C/Y antibody, the method comprising contacting the sample with a diagnostic conjugate provided according to the invention, comprising an oligosaccharide which comprises at least two units of 4,6-dideoxy-4-acylamido-?-pyranose and comprising at least one -(1-3)- link between adjacent 4,6-dideoxy-4-acylamido-?-pyranose units, in which the carbon at position 5 in the pyranose is linked to an R group, where R is independently selected from —CH2OH, —H or an alkyl group having at least one C atom, the oligosaccharide being covalently linked to a non-saccharide molecule or to a surface.

Abstract: There is provided a method of detecting in a sample the presence of an anti-M and/or anti-A and/or anti-C/Y antibody, the method comprising contacting the sample with a diagnostic conjugate provided according to the invention, comprising an oligosaccharide which comprises at least two units of 4,6-dideoxy-4-acylamido-?-pyranose and comprising at least one -(1-3)-link between adjacent 4,6-dideoxy-4-acylamido-?-pyranose units, in which the carbon at position 5 in the pyranose is linked to an R group, where R is independently selected from —CH2OH, —H or an alkyl group having at least one C atom, the oligosaccharide being covalently linked to a non-saccharide molecule or to a surface.

Abstract: Novel glycerol cyclic pyruvate derivates were prepared and demonstrated to inhibit the binding of an immobilized D-proline derivative to serum amyloid P component (SAP) have been prepared. As such, the compounds of the invention are useful for treating amyloidosis and diseases associated with amyloidosis, for example Alzheimer&supl;s disease and maturity onset diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods and compositions for targeted immunotherapy. More specifically, the present invention relates to immuno-targeted therapies, using heteromultivalent compounds to mediate the binding of an endogenous effector molecule such as an antibody to target molecules including malignant cells and tissues, bacteria and viruses as well as their toxic agents.

Abstract: Novel glycerol cyclic pyruvate derivates were prepared and demonstrated to inhibit the binding of an immobilized D-proline derivative to serum amyloid P component (SAP) have been prepared. As such, the compounds of the invention are useful for treating amyloidosis and diseases associated with amyloidosis, for example Alzheimer&supl;s disease and maturity onset diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making and using immunogenic oligosaccharide compositions comprising native O-linked and S-linked oligosaccharides coupled to a protein carrier, wherein the resultant conjugate elicits a protectively immunogenic response. These compositions may be useful in vaccines against pathogenic Candida species.