Abstract: This invention relates to vaccine formulations comprising the Yersinia pestis YopE peptide antigen or subparts thereof. The invention also relates to methods of vaccinating subjects at risk of Yersinia pestis infection as well as assays for measuring immune response to plague vaccines.

Abstract: The prevention and treatment of secondary bacterial pneumonia is described, by using passive immunization with antibodies (e.g. polyclonal, monoclonal, etc.) to one or more conserved influenza proteins. Both antibodies and fragments thereof are contemplated, raised against conserved proteins such as nucleoproteins.

Abstract: Soluble, single chain T cell receptors, nucleic acid sequences, particularly DNA sequences, encoding the soluble, single chain T cell receptor, expression vectors containing the DNA sequences, and host cells containing the expression vectors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of detecting a localized biochemical event in a cell, wherein said event results in a change in the membrane potential of that cell. The method includes treating the cell with a composition containing a lipophilic, cationic dye having a delocalized positive charge and the ability to undergo multiple changes in fluorescence spectra upon aggregation. The cell is treated with the dye for a time sufficient to enable the dye to associate with the cell. Dye which has not associated with the cell is then removed. Fluorescence is observed when the cell is exposed to light having a wavelength suitable for exciting the dye. The spectrum obtained is indicative of the relative membrane potential of said cell, and a change in that membrane potential being indicative of the occurrence of a biochemical event.