Immunogenic compositions that include a bacterial capsular polysaccharide conjugated to a carrier protein are described. In some embodiments, the bacterial capsular polysaccharide is a Neisseria meningitidis capsular polysaccharide. The carrier protein includes an N. meningitidis factor H binding protein (fHbp) linked to cholera toxin subunit B (CTB). Administration of the immunogenic compositions elicits an immune response that includes production of meningococcal polysaccharide-specific and fHbp-specific antibodies. Use of the immunogenic compositions as meningococcal vaccines is also described.

The inventive technology may include a tripartite fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET) based fusion protein complex having a ligand binding domain capable of binding to a target ligand and coupled with a donor-acceptor pair of chromophores moieties. The ligand binding domain may be positioned between the donor and acceptor chromophore moieties and may further bind to another ligand binding domain forming a homodimer complex. Ligand binding may cause dissociation of the homodimer complex leading to enhanced donor fluorescence emission and simultaneous quenching of the acceptor fluorescence emission, yielding significant decreases in the acceptor-to-donor fluorescence emission ratio. The tripartite FRET based fusion protein may be used as a biosensor, preferably for molecules responsible for bacterial quorum sensing.

The inventive technology may include a tripartite fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET) based fusion protein complex having a ligand binding domain capable of binding to a target ligand and coupled with a donor-acceptor pair of chromophores moieties. The ligand binding domain may be positioned between the donor and acceptor chromophore moieties and may further bind to another ligand binding domain forming a homodimer complex. Ligand binding may cause dissociation of the homodimer complex leading to enhanced donor fluorescence emission and simultaneous quenching of the acceptor fluorescence emission, yielding significant decreases in the acceptor-to-donor fluorescence emission ratio. The tripartite FRET based fusion protein may be used as a biosensor, preferably for molecules responsible for bacterial quorum sensing.

Disclosed are methods and compositions related to polypeptides comprising a fusion of the needle tip protein and translocator protein of a type III secretion apparatus (T3SA) from a type III secretion system (T3SS) of a Gram negative bacteria. Disclosed herein are fusion polypeptides comprising a fusion of a needle tip protein, such as, Bsp22, LcrV, BipD, PcrV, CT053, or CT668, or anantigenic fragment thereof; and a translocator protein, such as, BopB, YopB, BipB, PopB, CopB, or CopB2, or anantigenic fragment thereof from a Type III secretion system (T3SS) of a Gram negative bacteria, such as, Bordetella, Burkholderia, Chlamydia, Pseudomonas, Vibrio, or Yersinia.

The present disclosure provides immunogenic compositions comprising: a) hepatitis C virus (HCV) E1E2 heterodimers, HCV E2, or HCV E1; and b) an adjuvant, where the adjuvant is a cyclic dinucleotide or an archaeosome. The present disclosure provides methods of inducing an immune response in an individual to HCV, the methods comprising administering to an individual an effective amount of an immunogenic composition of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure provides immunogenic compositions comprising: a) hepatitis C virus (HCV) E1E2 heterodimers, HCV E2, or HCV E1; and b) an adjuvant, where the adjuvant is a cyclic dinucleotide or an archaeosome. The present disclosure provides methods of inducing an immune response in an individual to HCV, the methods comprising administering to an individual an effective amount of an immunogenic composition of the present disclosure.

Disclosed are compositions, methods, and kits for performing cell-free RNA transcription and/or cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS). The disclosed compositions, methods, and kits include or utilize components prepared from Vibrio species such as cellular extracts from Vibrio natriegens.

Disclosed are compositions, methods, and kits for performing cell-free RNA transcription and/or cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS). The disclosed compositions, methods, and kits include or utilize components prepared from Vibrio species such as cellular extracts from Vibrio natriegens.

Described herein are cholix-IL-10 fusion proteins, and methods of use thereof, which can be characterized by a distinct response in an individual when administered. This distinct response can comprise changes in levels of one or more markers in the individual and/or co-localization of IL-10 in the Lamina propria of the individual. Further described herein, in some embodiments, are oral formulations of the cholix-IL-10 fusion proteins. Described herein are methods for the purification of an IL-10 delivery construct, including methods for refolding and enrichment, which can result in maintenance of a high percentage of the IL-10 delivery constructs in the biologically active dimer form. Described herein are oral formulations configured for site-specific release of a therapeutic protein in the small intestines or colon. In some cases, the therapeutic protein is in the form of a dimer, such as an IL-10 delivery construct capable of crossing the gut epithelium.

Described herein are cholix-IL-10 fusion proteins, and methods of use thereof, which can be characterized by a distinct response in an individual when administered. This distinct response can comprise changes in levels of one or more markers in the individual and/or co-localization of IL-10 in the Lamina propria of the individual. Further described herein, in some embodiments, are oral formulations of the cholix-IL-10 fusion proteins. Described herein are methods for the purification of an IL-10 delivery construct, including methods for refolding and enrichment, which can result in maintenance of a high percentage of the IL-10 delivery constructs in the biologically active dimer form. Described herein are oral formulations configured for site-specific release of a therapeutic protein in the small intestines or colon. In some cases, the therapeutic protein is in the form of a dimer, such as an IL-10 delivery construct capable of crossing the gut epithelium.