Abstract: Disclosed herein are isolated nucleic acids, compositions of isolated nucleic acids, and compositions of polypeptides that are useful for the generation, enhancement, or improvement of an immune response to a target antigen. Some embodiments of the compositions include hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) protein and a heterologous protein antigen. In some embodiments, an isolated nucleic acid encoding hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) protein and a heterologous protein antigen is disclosed. Also disclosed herein are methods of administering the composition or isolated nucleic acid to generate an immune response, where HBcAg acts as adjuvant to improve the immune response to the heterologous protein. In certain embodiments, the HBcAg is as a stork or heron hepatitis antigen.

Abstract: A needle device for the delivery of therapeutic material into tissue comprising a connection to a pressure generation element, a lumen adapted for the passage of a therapeutic material, and a needle barrel, wherein each needle barrel comprises an opening adapted to control and deliver a pressure transmitted from the pressure generation element into a tissue to cause an increase in the permeability of a cell membrane to the therapeutic material.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to chimeric polypeptides including HCV NS3/4A sequences and T-cell epitopes. Embodiments include nucleic acids encoding the chimeric NS3/4A polypeptides, the encoded polypeptides, compositions containing said nucleic acids, compositions containing said chimeric polypeptides, as well as methods of making and using the aforementioned compositions including, but not limited to medicaments and vaccines.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are isolated nucleic acids, compositions of isolated nucleic acids, and compositions of polypeptides that are useful for the generation, enhancement, or improvement of an immune response to a target antigen. Some embodiments of the compositions include hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) protein and a heterologous protein antigen. In some embodiments, an isolated nucleic acid encoding hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) protein and a heterologous protein antigen is disclosed. Also disclosed herein are methods of administering the composition or isolated nucleic acid to generate an immune response, where HBcAg acts as adjuvant to improve the immune response to the heterologous protein. In certain embodiments, the HBcAg is as a stork or heron hepatitis antigen.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions relating to DNA launched suicidal flaviviruses and methods of administering the same are described herein.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to chimeric polypeptides including HCV NS3/4A sequences and T-cell epitopes. Embodiments include nucleic acids encoding the chimeric NS3/4A polypeptides, the encoded polypeptides, compositions containing said nucleic acids, compositions containing said chimeric polypeptides, as well as methods of making and using the aforementioned compositions including, but not limited to medicaments and vaccines.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to chimeric polypeptides including HCV NS3/4A sequences and T-cell epitopes. Embodiments include nucleic acids encoding the chimeric NS3/4A polypeptides, the encoded polypeptides, compositions containing said nucleic acids, compositions containing said chimeric polypeptides, as well as methods of making and using the aforementioned compositions including, but not limited to medicaments and vaccines.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to chimeric polypeptides including HCV NS3/4A sequences and T-cell epitopes. Embodiments include nucleic acids encoding the chimeric NS3/4A polypeptides, the encoded polypeptides, compositions containing said nucleic acids, compositions containing said chimeric polypeptides, as well as methods of making and using the aforementioned compositions including, but not limited to medicaments and vaccines.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to chimeric polypeptides including HCV NS3/4A sequences and T-cell epitopes. Embodiments include nucleic acids encoding the chimeric NS3/4A polypeptides, the encoded polypeptides, compositions containing said nucleic acids, compositions containing said chimeric polypeptides, as well as methods of making and using the aforementioned compositions including, but not limited to medicaments and vaccines.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is the discovery of novel NS3/4A compositions with enhanced expression abilities. Embodiments of the invention include codon optimized NS3/4A compositions and compositions with the Semliki forest virus replicon. Additional embodiments include transgenic organisms containing these NS3/4A compositions, methods or using these transgenic mice to screen and refine drugs, and the drugs refined by these methods. Additional embodiments include protease activity dependent molecules that can indicate the presence or absence of a protease inhibitor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is the discovery of novel NS3/4A compositions with enhanced expression abilities. Embodiments of the invention include codon optimized NS3/4A compositions and compositions with the Semliki forest virus replicon. Additional embodiments include transgenic organisms containing these NS3/4A compositions, methods or using these transgenic mice to screen and refine drugs, and the drugs refined by these methods. Additional embodiments include protease activity dependent molecules that can indicate the presence or absence of a protease inhibitor.