METHODS FOR SCREENING VIRAL LIKE PARTICLES AND IDENTIFYING NEUTRALIZING EPITOPES AND RELATED VACCINES, CONSTRUCTS, AND LIBRARIES

摘要

The invention is directed to methods of screening immunogenic viral like particles and related immunogenic compositions and diagnostic techniques. In one embodiment, the invention provides methods of screening immunogenic viral like particles containing peptides corresponding to epitope regions of a wide variety of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, parasites, and microbes. Non-infectious antigens and allergens of interest can also be screened as described herein. Immunization, therapeutic and diagnostic applications are also described for the compositions and methods according to the invention. In another embodiment, the invention provides novel methods of identifying a cryptic neutralizing epitope and related vaccines, constructs, and libraries. In some embodiments, these methods use high-throughput formats that are facilitated by in silica or in vitro steps.