Abstract: In one aspect, provided herein are mutated influenza virus neuraminidase polypeptides, wherein the mutated influenza virus neuraminidase polypeptides comprise a first cytoplasmic domain, a first transmembrane domain, a first stalk domain, and a first globular head domain of a first neuraminidase of a first influenza virus with an insertion of 15 to 45 or 1 to 50 amino acid residues in the first stalk domain of the first neuraminidase. In another aspect, provided herein is an influenza virus comprising such a mutated influenza virus neuraminidase polypeptide, a genome comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding such a mutated influenza virus neuraminidase polypeptide or both. In another aspect, provided herein is an immunogenic composition comprising such an influenza virus, and optionally an adjuvant.

Abstract: In one aspect, provided herein is a mosaic influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) polypeptide comprising an influenza A virus HA ectodomain of an influenza A virus strain HA, wherein the HA ectodomain comprises an HA stem domain of the influenza A virus strain HA and an HA globular head domain of the influenza A virus strain HA, wherein the HA globular head domain of the influenza A virus strain HA has been engineered to comprise one or more amino acid substitutions in one, two, three, four or all of the antigenic sites. In another aspect, provided herein are immunogenic compositions comprising such a mosaic influenza virus HA polypeptide or an influenza A virus comprising such a mosaic influenza virus HA polypeptide. In yet another aspect, provided herein are methods for immunizing a subject against an influenza A vims in a subject comprising administering such an immunogenic composition to the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protein- and peptide-free conjugate comprising a synthetic carbohydrate and a carrier molecule, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate is a Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 capsular polysaccharide related carbohydrate and the carrier molecule is a glycosphingolipid. Said conjugate and pharmaceutical composition thereof are useful for immunization against diseases associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae, and more specifically against diseases associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antibody having specificity for an immunogenic determinant consisting of the pentasaccharide repeating unit of the Clostridium difficile glycopolymer PS-I: ?-L-Rhap-(1?3)-?-D-Glcp-(1?4)-[?-L-Rhap-(1?3)]-?-D-Glcp-(1?2)-?-D-Glcp or a fragment thereof. Said antibody is able to prevent and treat diseases caused by C. difficile. The present invention further pertains to a method of treating or preventing a disease caused by the pathogen Clostridium difficile, which comprises administering to a subject said antibody or a vaccine composition comprising said antibody.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protein- and peptide-free conjugate comprising a synthetic carbohydrate and a carrier molecule, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate is a Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 capsular polysaccharide related carbohydrate and the carrier molecule is a glycosphingolipid. Said conjugate and pharmaceutical composition thereof are useful for immunization against diseases associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae, and more specifically against diseases associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antibody having specificity for an immunogenic determinant consisting of the pentasaccharide repeating unit of the Clostridium difficile glycopolymer PS-I: ?-L-Rhap-(1?3)-?-D-Glcp-(1?4)-[?-L-Rhap-(1?3)]-?-D-Glcp-(1?2)-?-D-Glcp or a fragment thereof. Said antibody is able to prevent and treat diseases caused by C. difficile. The present invention further pertains to a method of treating or preventing a disease caused by the pathogen Clostridium difficile, which comprises administering to a subject said antibody or a vaccine composition comprising said antibody.

Abstract: The invention relates to a synthetic oligosaccharide representing part of the repeating unit of the Clostridium difficile glycopolymer PS-I and having the sequence of the pentasaccharide a-L-Rhap-(1?3)-?-D-Glcp-(1?4)-[a-L-Rhap-(1?3]-a-D-Glcp-(1?2)-a-D-Glcp or a synthetic fragment or derivative thereof. Preferably, the claimed synthetic oligosaccharide bears at least one linker L for conjugation to a carrier protein or for immobilization on a surface. Further aspects of the invention relate to advantageous methods for synthesizing said synthetic oligosaccharide and oligosaccharide-protein conjugate as well as to uses thereof, in particular as vaccines and diagnostic tools.

Abstract: The invention relates to a synthetic oligosaccharide representing part of the repeating unit of the Clostridium difficile glycopolymer PS-I and having the sequence of the pentasaccharide a-L-Rhap-(1?3)-?-D-Glcp-(1?4)-[a-L-Rhap-(1?3]-a-D-Glcp-(1?2)-a-D-Glcp or a synthetic fragment or derivative thereof. Preferably, the claimed synthetic oligosaccharide bears at least one linker L for conjugation to a carrier protein or for immobilization on a surface. Further aspects of the invention relate to advantageous methods for synthesizing said synthetic oligosaccharide and oligosaccharide-protein conjugate as well as to uses thereof, in particular as vaccines and diagnostic tools.