MARK L. JAMES, M.D.
Marriage and Family Therapists at Highway 25, Uneedus, LA

5456911, Oct 10, 1995

Jan 15, 1993

8/003966

Mark A. James - New Orleans LA
Sonia Montenegro-James - New Orleans LA

The Administrators of the Tulane Educational Fund - New Orleans LA

A61K 39015, A61K 3808, A61K 3816

4241911

The present invention includes novel peptides GQDEGEENEG, SEQ. ID NO:1 GRNGLGANTDQDDQLEDE, SEQ. ID NO:2 DQFFDANPNLFQLLEPVEFDED, SEQ. ID NO:3 and LVFLVQQPFLFVLWDQNEKFPVFMGVYDP SEQ. ID NO:3. Such peptides are useful for detecting antibodies against circulating malarial antigens. In one aspect, these peptides may be copolymerized or crosslinked to form immunogens presenting epitopes of the malarial Plasmodium falciparum antigen Pf70. Preferably at least two of the above peptides are so crosslinked. Most preferably, all four peptides are copolymerized. The crosslinking agent preferred is glutaraldehyde although, of course, other crosslinking agents such as dialdehydes of various lengths, for example, or even possibly the carbodiimides may be used. Compositions of matter comprising such peptides in crosslinked or copolymerized forms are an important part of the present invention, particularly when used as immunogens. Rabbits have been immunized with a composition of the four crosslinked peptides at a dose of 2.