Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to Neisseria surface moieties. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to oligosaccharides corresponding to Neisseria lipooligosaccharides and to chimeric molecules comprising these moieties for eliciting an immune response to Neisseria organisms and/or for treating or inhibiting the development of Neisseria infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of reducing a level of a target mRNA in a well-differentiated airway epithelial cell by contacting the cell with a facilitating agent followed by contacting the cell with a therapeutic RNAi agent, wherein the facilitating agent comprises a Platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR) ligand.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of reducing a level of a target mRNA in a well-differentiated airway epithelial cell by contacting the cell with a facilitating agent followed by contacting the cell with a therapeutic RNAi agent, wherein the facilitating agent comprises a Platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR) ligand.

Abstract: The invention provides lipid A deficient mutant Neisseria meningitidis cells, pharmaceutical compositions incorporating such cells, and methods of using such cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds and methods for treating a mammal exposed to Francisella tularensis.

Abstract: The invention provides lipid A deficient mutant Neisseria meningitidis cells, pharmaceutical compositions incorporating such cells, and methods of using such cells.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying, isolating, and producing htrB mutants of gram-negative bacterial pathogens. The method comprises mutating the htrB gene of a gram-negative bacterial pathogen so that there is a lack of a functional htrB protein, resulting in a mutant that lacks one or more secondary acyl chains contained in the wild type gram-negative bacterial pathogen, and displays substantially reduced toxicity as compared to the wild type strain. Also, the present invention provides methods for using a vaccine formulation containing the htrB mutant, the endotoxin isolated therefrom, or the endotoxin isolated therefrom which is then conjugated to a carrier protein, to immunize an individual against infections caused by gram-negative bacterial pathogens by administering a prophylactically effective amount of the vaccine formulation.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying, isolating, and producing htrB mutants of gram-negative bacterial pathogens. The method comprises mutating the htrB gene of a gram-negative bacterial pathogen so that there is a lack of a functional htrB protein, resulting in a mutant that lacks one or more secondary acyl chains contained in the wild type gram-negative bacterial pathogen, and displays substantially reduced toxicity as compared to the wild type strain. Also, the present invention provides methods for using a vaccine formulation containing the htrB mutant, the endotoxin isolated therefrom, or the endotoxin isolated therefrom which is then conjugated to a carrier protein, to immunize an individual against infections caused by gram-negative bacterial pathogens by administering a prophylactically effective amount of the vaccine formulation.

Abstract: The invention provides lipid A deficient mutant Neisseria meningitidis cells, pharmaceutical compositions incorporating such cells, and methods of using such cells.

Abstract: This invention relates to purified sialic acid permease systems, and inhibitory agents of sialic acid permease systems.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to sialytransferases, such as SiaA sialytransferases isolated from Haemophilus influenzae. Further provided herein are methods for producing sialylated lipooligosaccharides, vaccines, and host cells and systems for the production of sialylated lipooligosaccharides.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds and methods for immunizing a patient against a biofilm-producing bacterial infection and a vaccine related thereto.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides, polynucleotides and vaccines for use against Neisseria gonorrhoeae colonization or infection and/or Neisseria meningitidis colonization or infection. The vaccines contain an immunogenic amount of a neisserial protein.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides, polynucleotides and vaccines for use against Neisseria gonorrhoeae colonization or infection. The vaccines contain an immunogenic amount of a neisserial protein.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying, isolating, and producing htrB mutants of gram-negative bacterial pathogens. The method comprises mutating the htrB gene of a gram-negative bacterial pathogen so that there is a lack of a functional HtrB protein, resulting in a mutant that lacks one or more secondary acyl chains and displays substantially reduced toxicity as compared to the wild type strain. Also, the present invention provides methods for using a vaccine formulation containing the htrB mutant, or the endotoxin isolated therefrom, to immunize an individual against infections caused by gram-negative bacterial pathogens by administering a prophylactically effective amount of the vaccine formulation.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying, isolating, and producing htrB mutants of gram-negative bacterial pathogens. The method comprises mutating the htrB gene of a gram-negative bacterial pathogen so that there is a lack of a functional HtrB protein, resulting in a mutant that lacks one or more secondary acyl chains and displays substantially reduced toxicity as compared to the wild type strain. Also, the present invention provides methods for using a vaccine formulation containing the htrB mutant, or the endotoxin isolated therefrom, to immunize an individual against infections caused by gram-negative bacterial pathogens by administering a prophylactically effective amount of the vaccine formulation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a mutant Neisseria having extensive membrane blebbing, both an indicium and a cause of virulence in the gonococcus and meningococcus. Methods are disclosed for making and characterizing the mutant, bmrRS. Methods are disclosed for isolating bmrRS membranes for use as a vaccine. Methods are also disclosed for the use of the mutant for determining the virulence of clinical samples of N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis. Methods are also disclosed for the screening of antibiotics targeted to virulent Neisseria.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying, isolating, and producing htrB mutants of gram-negative bacterial pathogens. The method comprises mutating the htrB gene of a gram-negative bacterial pathogen so that there is a lack of a functional htrB protein, resulting in a mutant that lacks one or more secondary acyl chains contained in the wild type gram-negative bacterial pathogen, and displays substantially reduced toxicity as compared to the wild type strain. Also, the present invention provides methods for using a vaccine formulation containing the htrB mutant, the endotoxin isolated therefrom, or the endotoxin isolated therefrom which is then conjugated to a carrier protein, to immunize an individual against infections caused by gram-negative bacterial pathogens by administering a prophylactically. effective amount of the vaccine formulation.

Abstract: This invention relates to purified sialic acid permease systems, and inhibitory agents of sialic acid permease systems.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for making complex carbohydrates in a bacterial production cell are disclosed. The complex carbohydrates that can be made include oligosaccharides and polysaccharides of bacterial or mammalian origin.