Genetically modified HBc polypeptides are provided.

The present invention relates to a superparamagnetic gold nanoparticle cluster-protein nanoparticle fusion body for magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic thermotherapy. According to the present invention, a superparamagnetic gold nanoparticle cluster-protein nanoparticle fusion body which has target directionality and a high density of ultrafine gold nanoparticles uniformly coupled to the surface of protein nanoparticles can be fabricated with neither a separate surface stabilization process nor a separate target directionality conferring process. Hence, the superparamagnetic gold nanoparticle cluster-protein nanoparticle fusion body according to the present invention is superior to conventional gold nanoparticles in terms of biocompatibility and has excellent target directionality as well as being identified to have a temperature elevation potential in an alternating magnetic field and a functionality as a T2-MRI contrast medium thanks to the superparamagnetism property of the ultrafine gold nanoparticles.

Disclosed are immunization antigens that have been glyco-engineered to include non-native glycosylation patterns with a view to enhance their properties as antigens for use in such areas as vaccination and antibody production. Also disclosed are to means and methods for producing the glycomodified antigens as well of methods and uses of the glycomodified antigens.

The disclosure relates to vaccination compositions, for example, against human papillomavirus, Zika virus, and flu virus. The disclosure also relates to vectors for producing the virus-like particles and immune complex platforms of the vaccination compositions.

The present disclosure provides vaccine compositions and methods for inducing a systemic immune response and a mucosal immune response, wherein the vaccine compositions comprise an antigen and a hepatitis B core virus-like particle (HBc VLP) as adjuvant. The vaccine compositions are suitable for administration to the mucosa surface of subject, and are effective in eliciting a protective immune response against infection.

The present disclosure provides vaccine compositions and methods for inducing a systemic immune response and a mucosal immune response, wherein the vaccine compositions include an antigen and a hepatitis B core virus-like particle (HBc VLP) as an adjuvant. The vaccine compositions are suitable for administration to the mucosal surface of a subject, and are effective in eliciting a protective immune response against infection.

The disclosure provides methods and compositions utilizing recombinant nucleic acid constructs or a replication incompetent virus-like particle encoding a chemokine, cytokine, or apoptosis inducing protein (e.g. Caspase 9 (Casp9)), or other toxins in a form which can only be transcribed in the presence of a viral polymerase. These methods can be adapted to target many viral infections and reduce or eliminate viral load, and provide a fundamentally different treatment for viral infections.

The invention is directed to vaccines comprising capsular polysaccharides conjugated to one or more components of virus like particles (VLP), and methods for the administration of and methods for the manufacture of vaccines of the invention. Preferably vaccines of the invention generate a therapeutically effective response in an individual in need thereof to multiple strains and/or serotypes of the same or of different infectious agents. Preferably such vaccines generate a therapeutically effective immune response to all pathogenic strains and/or serotypes of the same infectious agent. In particular, the invention is directed to methods and compositions for the cost efficient administration of a vaccine to a patient in need thereof exposing the patient's immune system to only the immunogenic components that are likely to be beneficial for the generation of a protective immunological response, both efficacy and safety are increased and cost effectively.

The invention is directed to compositions and methods for the stabilization of viral and bacterial vaccines. Vaccines of the invention are contained in VLPs with stabilizing agents such as, for example, sugar alcohols (e.g., sorbitol) and degraded gelatins. Preferably the gelatin has an average molecular weight of 10,000 kilodaltons or less. These vaccines have a substantially improved thermostability as well as long term stability. The invention is also directed to the manufacture of a vaccine or the invention and methods for the administration of a vaccine of the invention to patients.

Methods and compositions are provided for the analysis of rare cells or other biological entities in a population, by contacting the population with a labeling nanoparticle comprising a VLP conjugated to a light emitting moiety and a specific binding moiety, then detecting the presence of bound nanoparticle by light emission.