Immport Therapeutics, Inc.

Other

Vical Incorporated

Gene Therapy Systems, Inc.

The University of Texas System

Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey

Pasteur Merieux Serums Et Vaccins

Immport Theerapeutics, Inc.

Xiaowu Liang

Philip L Felgner

Maria Laura Gennaro

Alan G Barbour

Robert C Huebner

Catherine J Luke

David Huw Davies

Kristin R Carner

Jon A Norman

Shizhong Chen

Peter M Hobart

Dongyuan Xia

Andy Teng

Contemplated compositions, devices, and methods comprise immunodominant antigens from selected human pathogens (, human Herpes virus 1 and 2,, and) can be used as a vaccine, as diagnostic markers, and as therapeutic agents. In particularly preferred aspects, the antigens have quantified and known relative reactivities with respect to sera of a population infected with the pathogen, and have a known association with a disease parameter.

Compositions and methods for immunodominant antigens

Contemplated compositions, devices, and methods are drawn to various antigens from the pathogenand their use in vaccines, therapeutic agents, and various diagnostic tests. In particularly preferred aspects, the antigens are immunodominant and have quantified and known relative reactivities with respect to sera of a population infected with the pathogen, and/or have a known association with a disease parameter.

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Contemplated compositions, devices, and methods comprise immunodominant antigens from selected human pathogens (, human Herpes virus 1 and 2,, and Vaccinia virus) can be used as a vaccine, as diagnostic markers, and as therapeutic agents. In particularly preferred aspects, the antigens have quantified and known relative reactivities with respect to sera of a population infected with the pathogen, and have a known association with a disease parameter.

A method for cloning a nucleic acid fragment into a vector by flanking the fragment with first and second adapter sequences, and contacting the fragment with the vector having sequences homologous to the first and second adapter sequences under conditions such that the nucleic acid fragment is incorporated into the vector by homologous recombination in vivo in a host cell. Additionally, a method for selecting for a successful transformation of a vector by a nucleic acid insert. Also, systems for cloning a nucleic acid fragment into a vector without at least one of a restriction enzyme, a ligase, a gyrase, a single stranded DNA binding protein, or other DNA modifying enzymes. Further, a kit for cloning a nucleic acid fragment into a vector.

Rapid and enzymeless cloning of nucleic acid fragments

Disclosed is a vaccine against Lyme Disease or its causative agent (sensu stricto or sensu lato) containing a plasmid a DNA encoding a promoter for driving expression in a mammalian cell, DNA encoding a leader peptide for facilitating secretion/release of a prokaryotic protein sequence from a mammalian cell, a DNA encoding Borrelia OspA or OspB, and a DNA encoding a terminator. Disclosed too is an immunogenic composition against Lyme Disease or its causative agent (sensu stricto or sensu lato) containing a plasmid comprising a DNA encoding a promoter for driving expression in a mammalian cell, DNA encoding a leader peptide for facilitating secretion/release of a prokaryotic protein sequence from a mammalian cell, a DNA encoding a Borrelia OspC, and a DNA encoding a terminator. And, methods for making and using such vaccines and the immunogenic composition are also disclosed.

Compositions and methods for administering Borrelia DNA

A method for producing transcriptionally active DNA molecules, comprising (PCR) amplification of said DNA molecule in the presence of a first DNA fragment (F1), second DNA fragment (F2), first primer (P1), a second primer (P2), a third primer (P3), and a fourth primer (P4) wherein: F1 comprises a promoter sequence; F2 comprises a terminator sequence; P1 is complementary to the 5&prime; end of F1; P2 is complementary to the 5&prime; end of F2; P3 comprises a first region complementary to the 3&prime; end of F1 and a second region complementary to the 5&prime; end of said DNA molecule; P4 comprises a first region complementary to the 3&prime; end of F2 and a second region complementary to the 3&prime; end of said DNA molecule.

Method for generating transcriptionally active DNA fragments

This application relates to effector controlled eukaryotic expression vectors adapted for use in gene therapy or gene immunization having positive feedback regulation.

Tetracycline inducible/repressible systems

Plasmid DNA encoding at least one Borrelia genospecies antigen and methods for making and using such a plasmid are disclosed and claimed. The genospecies can be burgdorferi, garinii and/or afzelli. The antigen can be OspA and/or OspB and/or OspC. Compositions containing the plasmid DNA are useful for administration to a host susceptible to Lyme Disease for an in vivo response, such as a protective response, or for generating useful antibodies. The inventive plasmid can also be transfected into cells for generating antigens in vitro. And, the inventive plasmid can be prepared by isolating DNA (such as DNA coding for: promoter, leader sequence, antigen, and terminator) and performing a ligation or ligations, such as a three-way ligation. More particularly, administration of DNA encoding Borrelia genospecies antigen, e.g., OspA and/or OspB and/or OspC and compositions therefor for eliciting an immunological response against Borrelia, such as a protective response preventive of Lyme Disease, are disclosed and claimed. Thus, Lyme Disease vaccines or immunological compositions, and methods of making and using them, are disclosed and claimed.

Growing community of inventors

La Jolla, CA, United States of America

Xiaowu Liang