Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a peptide composition as an immunogen, with each peptide contained therein comprising a target antigenic site derived from the VP1 capsid protein of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV). The antigenic site is covalently linked to a helper T cell epitope and, preferably, to other immunostimulatory sequences, preferably by conventional peptide bond(s) through direct synthesis, for the prevention of FMDV infection and eradication of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD). More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of such peptide composition as an immunogen to elicit the production in animals including swine, cattle, sheep, goats and susceptible wild species, of high titer polyclonal antibodies that can effectively neutralize, in vitro, multiple strains or serotypes of FMDV, and to the use of such composition as a vaccine to prevent, and/or reduce the incidence of, FMDV infection regardless of serotype, and thus affect the eradication of FMDV.

Abstract: A diagnostic composition suitable for administration to a warm-blooded animal comprising hirudin or a molecule capable of interacting with the hirudin receptor labeled with a radionuclide by means of a chelate ligand capable of administration to an animal to produce reliable visual imaging of thrombus.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and means for quantitative determination of the isoaspartyl content of polypeptides via selective methylation of their fragments, catalyzed by a protein L-isoaspartyl methyltransferase enzyme. Since deamidation of asparagine side chains at specific sites of proteins and the resultant isoaspartate formation are emerging as a major contributor to protein degradation under mild conditions, the invention also concerns a method for quantitation of protein degradation associated with isoaspartate formation.