Polyvalent vaccine

Abstract

The present invention relates, in general, to an immunogenic composition (e.g., a vaccine) and, in particular, to a polyvalent immunogenic composition, such as a polyvalent HIV vaccine, and to methods of using same. The invention further relates to methods that use a genetic algorithm to create sets of polyvalent antigens suitable for use, for example, in vaccination strategies.

1 . A polypeptide or protein comprising at least one sequence of amino acids set forth in  FIG. 21  or  FIG. 22 . 
     
     
         2 . A nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide or protein according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         3 . A nucleic acid comprising at least one sequence of nucleotides set forth in  FIG. 22 . 
     
     
         4 . A vector comprising the nucleic acid according to  claim 2 . 
     
     
         5 . The vector according to  claim 3  wherein said vector is a viral vector. 
     
     
         6 . A composition comprising at least one polypeptide or protein according to  claim 1  and a carrier. 
     
     
         7 . A composition comprising at least one nucleic acid according to  claim 2  and a carrier. 
     
     
         8 . A method of inducing an immune response in a mammal comprising administering to said mammal an amount of at least one polypeptide or protein according to  claim 1  sufficient to effect said induction. 
     
     
         9 . A method of inducing an immune response in a mammal comprising administering to said mammal an amount of at least one nucleic acid according to  claim 2  sufficient to effect said induction.