SARS-CoV-2 conjugate vaccine elicits robust immune responses that can protect against evolving variants.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic necessitated effective vaccines that can endure antigenic mutations. Here we demonstrate highly immunogenic conjugate vaccines that elicit broad cross-neutralization to variants of concern (VOC) in animal studies. By utilizing protein-protein conjugation and Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) agonist adjuvants we achieve enhanced immunogenicity compared to unconjugated equivalents.

Structural and functional analysis of botulinum neurotoxin subunits for pH-dependent membrane channel formation and translocation.

The structure-function relationship of Botulinum Neurotoxin (BoNT) proteins is greatly influenced by pH. While the low pH of endosome favors membrane interaction of the heavy chain (HC) for the formation of a membrane channel and translocation of the light chain (LC), the catalytic activity of the LC requires a neutral pH for cleavage of the soluble NSF attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complex in the cytosol. In this study, we monitored secondary structural characteristics of LC, HC and holotoxin at individual pHs 4.

Role of neurotoxin associated proteins in the low pH induced structural changes in the botulinum neurotoxin complex.

Botulinum Neurotoxin (BoNT) produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum as a complex with NAPs causes botulism. It has been known that the NAPs protect the toxin from both extremes of pHs and proteases of the GI tract. In an attempt to emulate the physiological conditions encountered by the toxin, we examined BoNT/A, BoNT/A complex, and NAPs under different pH conditions and monitored their structural characteristics by far-UV CD and thermal denaturation analysis.

Probiotic potential of lactic acid bacteria present in home made curd in southern India.

Background & Objectives: The human gut microbiota play a significant role in nutritional processes. The concept of probiotics has led to widespread consumption of food preparations containing probiotic microbes such as curd and yogurt. Curd prepared at home is consumed every day in most homes in southern India.

Magnetically immobilized nanoporous giant proteoliposomes as a platform for biosensing.

We report a biosensing method that is based on magnetically immobilized functional liposomes. The vesicles encapsulate magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) and enzymatic sensing reagents. Magnetic attraction between MNP and external magnets first immobilizes liposomes onto the surface of a coverglass.