Abstract: Reprogramming allows the “conversion” of any mature or somatic cell of the human or animal body into a pluripotent stem cell. Reprogramming can be performed through the introduction of exogenous factors, usually transcription factors, into the mature cell. This process allows the production of induced pluripotent stem cells without the use of embryos, with the advantage that they can be produced from an individual to return/re-implant to the same individual. The inventors have developed a method of transient expression of exogenous reprogramming factors using a transient vector, wherein the vector is a closed linear DNA. Surprisingly, pluripotent stem cells developed in this manner are stable and closer in phenotype to natural stem cells such as ESCs.

Abstract: A primer for the amplification of a DNA template comprising a protelomerase target sequence, particularly for production of closed linear DNA, which primer is capable of specifically binding to a palindromic sequence within a protelomerase target sequence and priming amplification in both directions.

Abstract: Attenuated microorganisms expressing Clostridium difficile antigen(s), and methods of using the same for vaccination of patients are disclosed The invention provides an attenuated microorganism expressing an immunogenic portion of a C difficile Toxin A C-terminal repeat region and/or a C difficile Toxin B C-terminal repeat region The microorganism is an attenuated Salmonella comprising an integrated gene expression cassette that directs the expression of the immunogenic peptide from an in vivo inducible promoter.

Abstract: A primer for the amplification of a DNA template comprising a protelomerase target sequence, particularly for production of closed linear DNA, which primer is capable of specifically binding to a palindromic sequence within a protelomerase target sequence and priming amplification in both directions.

Abstract: Attenuated microorganisms expressing Clostridium difficile antigen(s), and methods of using the same for vaccination of patients are disclosed The invention provides an attenuated microorganism expressing an immunogenic portion of a C difficile Toxin A C-terminal repeat region and/or a C difficile Toxin B C-terminal repeat region The microorganism is an attenuated Salmonella comprising an integrated gene expression cassette that directs the expression of the immunogenic peptide from an in vivo inducible promoter.