Ramot at Tel-aviv University Ltd.

Ramot University Authority for Applied Research and Industrial Development Limited

Ramot University Authority for Applied Research and Industrial

Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Ltd.

Ramot University for Applied Research and Industrial Development, Ltd.

Jonathan M Gershoni

Natalia T Freund

David Enshel

Erez Moshe Bublil

Menachem Nathan

Dan Haronian

Herve Bercovier

Arieh Yaron

Ayelet Barenholz

Gal Dela

Dimitri Denisov

Galina Denisova

The present invention provides polypeptides derived from the coronaviruses (CoVs) Spike protein (S) characterized by high affinity and specificity the S receptor and its neutralizing antibodies. The invention further provides compositions and vaccines, and vaccine-based therapies targeting CoVs, and SARS and MERS viruses in particular.

Coronaviruses epitope-based vaccines

Provided are polypeptides derived from the coronaviruses (CoVs) Spike protein (S) characterized by high affinity and specificity the S receptor and its neutralizing antibodies. Further provided are compositions and vaccines, and vaccine-based therapies targeting CoVs, and SARS and MERS viruses in particular.

A novel peptides are complexed with HIV-I envelope protein gp120, and causes the protein to assume a CD4i conformation but without occluding the CD4 binding-site of gp120. This peptide-gp120 complex is immunogenic and, upon immunization of subjects, induces broadly-neutralizing antibodies directed to the CD4 binding site of gp120. The peptide preferably consists of a sequence of 8-20 amino acid residues which comprises (a) a core sequence Arg-Xaa-Asp-Leu-Pro-Xaa-Trp-Ala (SEQ ID NO: 1) in which Xaaand Xaais any amino acid, or (b) certain substitution variants of SEQ ID NO:1.

Peptides inducing a CD4i conformation in HIV gp120 while retaining vacant CD4 binding site

The structure of conformational, discontinuous binding surfaces that associate with a binding molecule, preferably the epitopes of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) may be discovered. The binding molecule is used to select specific peptides from a peptide library that, in turn, are used as a binding surface (epitope) defining database that is applied via a novel computer algorithm to analyze the crystalline-structure of the original binding surface (antigen). An antigenic epitope-mimetic that is recognized by its original mAb may be reconstituted based on the segments of the epitope identified in the prediction. The basic elements of the binding domain on gp120 that is recognized by broadly neutralizing antibody b12 are disclosed, as in their use in making vaccines for preventing or treating HIV.

Mapping and reconstitution of a conformational discontinuous binding surface

The present invention relates to the identification of antigenic and immunogenic peptide-based mimicry of mannose-containing cell-wall compounds characterizing mycobacterial infectious agents, such as Amino acid molecules which are mimotopes of mannosylated lipoglycans, such as lipoarabinomannan (ManLAM), including at least one of the following characteristics: (a) being capable of binding to ManLAM binding antibodies; (b) being capable of eliciting production of ManLAM binding antibodies, are provided. Also diagnostic methods for diagnosing mycobacterial infections and methods of vaccinating subjects against such infections. The diagnostic and vaccination methods employ the provided amino acid molecules. Accordingly, a diagnostic kit and a vaccine for executing the aforementioned methods are provided.

Peptide mimotopes of mycobacterial mannosylated lipoglycans and uses thereof

Methods of using overlapping peptides for the discovery of discontinuous epitopes, as vaccines, for drug design, for diagnostic purposes and for the elucidation of three-dimensional protein structure. Specifically, these methods can be used to map conformational epitopes using overlapping peptides. The methods are both complete, yet more specific than random phage libraries. They can also be used to develop DNA vaccines which exploit the concept of overlapping peptides in a variety of expression systems. Conformational epitopes prepared with these methods can be used for preparing antibodies, as components of diagnostic tools, and for elucidating three-dimensional protein structure.

Determination and control of bimolecular interactions

Binding of two members of a binding couple reveal epitopes which are revealed only after binding and the monoclonal antibody secreted from the hybridoma cell line CG- directed against these epitopes bind to the bound couple at a significantly higher affinity than their binding affinity to either of the two members themselves when not bound to one another.

Antibodies directed against binding-associated epitopes

A nucleic acid accumulation analyzing chip comprising an optical waveguide having a radiation input port and a radiation output port, the optical waveguide being formed with at least one optical microcavity along its optical path, at least one oligonucleotide being immobilized to the optical waveguide in the microcavity, such that when the at least one oligonucleotide is contacted with reaction reagents under conditions allowing a nucleic acid accumulation reaction to take place, accumulated nucleic acid is detectable by providing radiation at the radiation input port of the optical waveguide and monitoring radiation signal modulation at the radiation output port of the optical waveguide.

Method, chip, device and system for effecting and monitoring nucleic acid accumulation

Binding of two members of a binding couple reveals epitopes which are revealed only after binding and the monoclonal antibody secreted from the hybridoma cell line CG-10 directed against these epitopes bind to the bound couple at a significantly higher affinity than their binding affinity to either of the two members themselves when not bound to one another.

Growing community of inventors

Rehovot, Israel

Jonathan M Gershoni