Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for isolating nucleic acids from a sample comprising nucleic acids, such as physiologically relevant samples or environmental samples. The sample can be incubated with a population of polymers that bind the nucleic acids to form a coacervate in a liquid-liquid phase separated solution. Incubation can be performed at a temperature above a concentration dependent phase separation transition temperature of the polymers. The resulting coacervate can be decanted from the liquid-liquid phase separated solution. The nucleic acids can be separated from the polymers by adding a salt solution, adjusting the pH, or both to disrupt an electrostatic interaction between the nucleic acids and the polymers.

Abstract: An immunogen useful for treating malaria generally includes an immunogenic carrier and an antigenic malaria circumsporozoite protein (CSP) peptide that includes the peptide NANPNVDPNANPNVD (SEQ ID NO:2) linked to the immunogenic carrier. The immunogen may be administered to a subject having or at risk of having malaria. Alternatively, the immunogen may be administered to an individual having or at risk of having Plasmodium falciparum blood stage parasitemia. In some cases, the immunogen can be administered in combination with another therapeutic agent for treating malaria of Plasmodium falciparum blood stage parasitemia.

Abstract: An immunogen useful for treating malaria generally includes an immunogenic carrier and an antigenic malaria circumsporozoite protein (CSP) peptide that includes the peptide NPDPNANPNVDPNAN (amino acids 5-19 of SEQ ID NO:1) linked to the immunogenic carrier. The immunogen may be administered to a subject having or at risk of having malaria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for controlling peptide display valency on virus-like particles (VLPs), especially including MS2 VLPs. In this method, large amounts of wild-type and low quantities of single-chain dimer coat proteins may be produced from a single RNA. Valency is controlled in immunogen (vaccine) production by providing a system that allows the production of large amounts of wild-type and low quantities of single-chain dimer coating proteins from a single RNA, allowing facile adjustment of display valency levels on VLPs, especially MS2 VLPS over a wide range, from few than one-on average- to as many as ninety per particle. This facilitates the production of immunogens and vaccines, including VLPs exhibiting low valency.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to virus-like particles (VLPs) which are engineered to present epitopes from Staphylococcus aureus (SA), preferably autoinducing peptides (AIPs) which regulate quorum-sensing dependent virulence in this pathogen, or epitopes from SA toxins and leukocidins. These VLPs may be used to provide immunogenic compositions and efficacious vaccines. In a mouse model of SA dermonecrosis, vaccination with AIP-containing VLPs or SA toxin-containing VLPs induces protective immunity to limit the pathogenesis of SA infection and promote bacterial clearance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to virus-like particles (VLPs) which are engineered to present epitopes from Staphylococcus aureus (SA), preferably autoinducing peptides (AIPs) which regulate quorum-sensing dependent virulence in this pathogen, or epitopes from SA toxins and leukocidins. These VLPs may be used to provide immunogenic compositions and efficacious vaccines. In a mouse model of SA dermonecrosis, vaccination with AIP-containing VLPs or SA toxin-containing VLPs induces protective immunity to limit the pathogenesis of SA infection and promote bacterial clearance.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to malaria vaccines comprising a bacteriophage VLP displaying a heterologous peptide identified by affinity selection as an anti-malaria mimotope.

Abstract: This disclosure describes, in one aspect, immunogens effective for treating and/or diagnosing tauopathy, and immunotherapeutic compositions and methods involving those immunogens. Generally, the immunogen includes an antigen presentation component and a microtubule-associated tau protein (MAPT) component linked to at least a portion of the antigen presentation component. This disclosure describes, in another aspect, a transgenic mouse. Generally, the transgenic mouse possesses brain cells that have a polynucleotide that encodes human microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT). The polynucleotide further exhibits a deletion of at least a portion of endogenous mouse MAPT. The transgenic mouse also includes a forebrain neuron-specific deletion of a polynucleotide that encodes Myeloid Differentiation Primary Response Gene 88 (MyD88). In a further aspect, this disclosure describes a method of producing the transgenic mouse.

Abstract: The invention provides immunotherapeutic and prophylactic bacteriophage viral-like particle (VLPs) which are useful in the treatment and prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections and related disorders, including bronchiolitis and viral pneumonia. Related compositions (e.g. vaccines), nucleic acid constructs, and therapeutic methods are also provided. VLPs and related compositions of the invention induce high titer antibody responses against RSV. VLPs, VLP-containing compositions, and therapeutic methods of the invention induce an immunogenic response against RSV infection, confer immunity against RSV infection, protect against RSV infection, and reduce the likelihood of infection by RSV infection.

Abstract: The invention is directed to virus-like particles (VLPs) of an RNA bacteriophage that (a) comprises a coat polypeptide of said phage modified by insertion of a heterologous peptide that is displayed on said VLP and (b) encapsidates said bacteriophage mRNA as well as populations of these VLPs, and their uses. The invention is further directed to VLPs that encapsidate heterologous substances, as well as populations of these VLPs and their uses.

Abstract: The invention provides immunotherapeutic and prophylactic bacteriophage viral-like particle (VLPs) which are useful in the treatment and prevention of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and related disorders, including cervical cancer and persistent infections associated with HPV. Related compositions (e.g. vaccines), nucleic acid constructs, and therapeutic methods are also provided. VLPs and related compositions of the invention induce high titer antibody responses against HPV L2 and protect against HPV challenge in vivo. VLPs, VLP-containing compositions, and therapeutic methods of the invention induce an immunogenic response against HPV infection, confer immunity against HPV infection, protect against HPV infection, and reduce the likelihood of infection by HPV infection.

Abstract: The invention provides immunotherapeutic and prophylactic bacteriophage viral-like particle (VLPs) which are useful in the treatment and prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections and related disorders, including bronchiolitis and viral pneumonia. Related compositions (e.g. vaccines), nucleic acid constructs, and therapeutic methods are also provided. VLPs and related compositions of the invention induce high titer antibody responses against RSV. VLPs, VLP-containing compositions, and therapeutic methods of the invention induce an immunogenic response against RSV infection, confer immunity against RSV infection, protect against RSV infection, and reduce the likelihood of infection by RSV infection.

Abstract: The invention provides immunotherapeutic and prophylactic bacteriophage viral-like particle (VLPs) which are useful in the treatment and prevention of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and related disorders, including cervical cancer and persistent infections associated with HPV. Related compositions (e.g. vaccines), nucleic acid constructs, and therapeutic methods are also provided. VLPs and related compositions of the invention induce high titer antibody responses against HPV L2 and protect against HPV challenge in vivo. VLPs, VLP-containing compositions, and therapeutic methods of the invention induce an immunogenic response against HPV infection, confer immunity against HPV infection, protect against HPV infection, and reduce the likelihood of infection by HPV infection.

Abstract: The invention relates to virus-like particles of bacteriophage MS2 (MS2 VLPs) displaying peptide epitopes or peptide mimics of epitopes of Nipah Virus envelope glycoprotein that elicit an immune response against Nipah Virus upon vaccination of humans or animals. Affinity selection on Nipah Virus-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies using random sequence peptide libraries on MS2 VLPs selected peptides with sequence similarity to peptide sequences found within the envelope glycoprotein of Nipah itself, thus identifying the epitopes the antibodies recognize. The selected peptide sequences themselves are not necessarily identical in all respects to a sequence within Nipah Virus glycoprotein, and therefore may be referred to as epitope mimics VLPs displaying these epitope mimics can serve as vaccine. On the other hand, display of the corresponding wild-type sequence derived from Nipah Virus and corresponding to the epitope mapped by affinity selection, may also be used as a vaccine.

Abstract: The invention provides immunotherapeutic and prophylactic bacteriophage viral-like particle (VLPs) which are useful in the treatment and prevention of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and related disorders, including cervical cancer and persistent infections associated with HPV. Related compositions (e.g. vaccines), nucleic acid constructs, and therapeutic methods are also provided. VLPs and related compositions of the invention induce high titer antibody responses against HPV L2 and protect against HPV challenge in vivo. VLPs, VLP-containing compositions, and therapeutic methods of the invention induce an immunogenic response against HPV infection, confer immunity against HPV infection, protect against HPV infection, and reduce the likelihood of infection by HPV infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for controlling peptide display valency on virus-like particles (VLPs), especially including MS2 VLPs. In this method, large amounts of wild-type and low quantities of single-chain dimer coat proteins may be produced from a single RNA. Valency is controlled in immunogen (vaccine) production by providing a system that allows the production of large amounts of wild-type and low quantities of single-chain dimer coating proteins from a single RNA, allowing facile adjustment of display valency levels on VLPs, especially MS2 VLPS over a wide range, from few than one—on average—to as many as ninety per particle. This facilitates the production of immunogens and vaccines, including VLPs exhibiting low valency.

Abstract: The invention provides immunotherapeutic and prophylactic bacteriophage viral-like particle (VLPs) which are useful in the treatment and prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections and related disorders, including bronchiolitis and viral pneumonia. Related compositions (e.g. vaccines), nucleic acid constructs, and therapeutic methods are also provided. VLPs and related compositions of the invention induce high titer antibody responses against RSV. VLPs, VLP-containing compositions, and therapeutic methods of the invention induce an immunogenic response against RSV infection, confer immunity against RSV infection, protect against RSV infection, and reduce the likelihood of infection by RSV infection.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide materials and methods for synthesizing protocells for use in targeted delivery of cargo components to cancer cells. In one embodiment, the lipid bilayer can be fused to the porous particle core to form a protocell. The lipid bilayer can be modified with targeting ligands or other ligands to achieve targeted delivery of cargo components that are loaded within the protocell to a target cell, e.g., a type of cancer. Shielding materials can be conjugated to the surface of the lipid bilayer to reduce undesired non-specific binding.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to malaria vaccines comprising a bacteriophage VLP displaying a heterologous peptide identified by affinity selection as an anti-malaria mimotope.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for controlling peptide display valency on virus-like particles (VLPs), especially including MS2 VLPs. In this method, large amounts of wild-type and low quantities of single-chain dimer coat proteins may be produced from a single RNA. Valency is controlled in immunogen (vaccine) production by providing a system that allows the production of large amounts of wild-type and low quantities of single-chain dimer coating proteins from a single RNA, allowing facile adjustment of display valency levels on VLPs, especially MS2 VLPS over a wide range, from few than one—on average—to as many as ninety per particle. This facilitates the production of immunogens and vaccines, including VLPs exhibiting low valency.