BIOPANNING AS AN APPROACH TO STUDY THE PATHOGENESIS OF AND PRODUCE NOVEL TREATMENT MODALITIES FOR INVASIVE ASPERGILLOSIS

摘要

The present invention concerns novel methods of identifying peptide sequences that selectively bind to fungal surface molecules. The general method, Biopanning and Rapid Analysis of Selective Interactive Ligands (BRASIL) provides for rapid and efficient separation of phage that bind to fungal surface molecules. BRASIL may be used in a pre-selection procedure to subtract phage that bind non-specifically to a first target, before exposing the subtracted library to a second target. Certain embodiments concern peptides identified by BRASIL against fungal surface components and methods of use of such peptides for delivery of therapeutic agents or imaging agents or diagnosis or treatment of fungal pathogenesis such as Invasive Aspergillus (IA). Novel compositions and treatments for IA as well as other fungal infection in immunocompromised patients are also disclosed.