The present invention is directed to isolated microorganisms as well as strains and mutants thereof, biomasses, microbial oils, compositions, and cultures; methods of producing the microbial oils, biomasses, and mutants; and methods of using the isolated microorganisms, biomasses, and microbial oils.

The present disclosure provides mutant parasites, in particular protozoan parasites comprising a mutation of the trehalose-6-phosphate synthase/6-phosphate phosphatase (TPS/TPP)-like gene of Toxoplasma gondii (herein referred to as ‘Toxoplasma’) or a homologue thereof as well as vaccines comprising same.

The present invention relates to functional binding fragments comprising the minimal binding fragments of VAR2CSA, to antibodies against such binding fragments of VAR2CSA, nucleic acids encoding such fragments of VAR2CSA as well as methods for their production. The invention further relates to conjugates and fusion proteins of VAR2CSA polypeptides including the minimal binding fragments and their use, in particular in the treatment of conditions associated with expression of chondroitin sulfate A (CSA), such as an inappropriate expression of chondroitin sulfate A (CSA).

The present invention relates to functional binding fragments comprising the minimal binding fragments of VAR2CSA, to antibodies against such binding fragments of VAR2CSA, nucleic acids encoding such fragments of VAR2CSA as well as methods for their production. The invention further relates to conjugates and fusion proteins of VAR2CSA polypeptides including the minimal binding fragments and their use, in particular in the treatment of conditions associated with expression of chondroitin sulfate A (CSA), such as an inappropriate expression of chondroitin sulfate A (CSA).

The present invention provides a vaccine composition for use in neurodegenerative diseases and an infectious virus vaccine composition for inducing an antibody recognizing the conformation of antigens. The vaccine composition of the present invention induces the production of an antibody recognizing the conformation of antigens. The antibody recognizing the conformation of antigens has high specificity for an antigen, and thus can be useful for ameliorating, preventing or treating diseases.

The present invention provides a vaccine composition for use in neurodegenerative diseases and an infectious virus vaccine composition for inducing an antibody recognizing the conformation of antigens. The vaccine composition of the present invention induces the production of an antibody recognizing the conformation of antigens. The antibody recognizing the conformation of antigens has high specificity for an antigen, and thus can be useful for ameliorating, preventing or treating diseases.

The present application relates to beta-1,3-glucan and uses thereof to modulate immunity in the human body. Also provided are methods for treatment and/or prevention of high cholesterol, diabetes, and allergies. Also provided are methods for treatment and/or prevention of intestinal inflammation.

The present application relates to beta-1,3-glucan and uses thereof to modulate immunity in the human body. Also provided are methods for treatment and/or prevention of high cholesterol, diabetes, and allergies. Also provided are methods for treatment and/or prevention of intestinal inflammation.

The present invention relates to modified non-pathogenic microorganisms (e g bacteria, yeasts or fungi) comprising a cell and a heterologous lipid carrier, wherein said lipid carrier comprises a) a lipid portion, wherein said lipid portion is at least partially associated with an exterior surface of said cell of said modified microorganism and wherein said lipid portion comprises a ceramide-like glycolipid moiety and/or a fatty acid moiety, and wherein said lipid carrier further comprises b) a non-lipid portion, wherein said microorganism is capable of locating and/or displaying said non-lipid portion or fragment thereof onto the exterior surface of said cell, wherein said cell of said modified microorganism does not comprise a mycomembrane and wherein said heterologous lipid carrier is not alpha-galactosylceramide. A composition comprising one or more of the modified microorganism and a vaccine or adjuvant comprising the microorganism or said composition are also subject to the present invention and are among others, useful for the development of oral vaccines, oral drug delivery systems and anti-infectious agents as well as for various applications and/or treatments. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for producing or isolating said modified microorganism and a method for screening for a lipid carrier, growth medium, loading medium, loading conditions, or growth conditions.

The present invention relates to modified non-pathogenic microorganisms (e g bacteria, yeasts or fungi) comprising a cell and a heterologous lipid carrier, wherein said lipid carrier comprises a) a lipid portion, wherein said lipid portion is at least partially associated with an exterior surface of said cell of said modified microorganism and wherein said lipid portion comprises a ceramide-like glycolipid moiety and/or a fatty acid moiety, and wherein said lipid carrier further comprises b) a non-lipid portion, wherein said microorganism is capable of locating and/or displaying said non-lipid portion or fragment thereof onto the exterior surface of said cell, wherein said cell of said modified microorganism does not comprise a mycomembrane and wherein said heterologous lipid carrier is not alpha-galactosylceramide. A composition comprising one or more of the modified microorganism and a vaccine or adjuvant comprising the microorganism or said composition are also subject to the present invention and are among others, useful for the development of oral vaccines, oral drug delivery systems and anti-infectious agents as well as for various applications and/or treatments. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for producing or isolating said modified microorganism and a method for screening for a lipid carrier, growth medium, loading medium, loading conditions, or growth conditions.