IDENTIFICATION OF LIGANDS AND THEIR USE
A method to identify a peptide and/or its encoding DNA, wherein the peptide binds to a T-cell receptor and/or an NK-cell receptor and/or an NKT-cell receptor, the method comprising: providing a carrier to which is attached a peptide and its encoding DNA; providing an MHC and/or an MHC-like molecule; and exposing the peptide to a T-cell receptor and/or an NK-cell receptor and/or an NKT-cell receptor in the presence of the MHC or MHC-like molecule.
1 .- 20 . (canceled)
21 . A carrier to which is attached a peptide, DNA encoding the peptide, and β2 microglobulin.
22 . The carrier of claim 21 to which an MHC or MHC-like molecule is attached.
23 . The carrier of claim 21 wherein the β2 microglobulin is attached to the carrier as part of a larger construct which includes the peptide.
24 . The carrier of claim 21 wherein the peptide and β2 microglobulin are provided connected by a flexible linker.
25 . The carrier of claim 21 wherein the peptide is between about 4 and about 20 amino acids.
26 . The carrier of claim 21 wherein the carrier is a solid support.
27 . The carrier of claim 21 wherein the carrier is a bead.
28 . The carrier of claim 21 wherein the carrier is multivalent.
29 . A carrier to which is attached a peptide, DNA encoding the peptide, and β2 microglobulin and/or an MHC or MHC-like molecule.
30 . The use of a carrier according to claim 21 to identify an epitope recognised by a T-cell receptor and/or an NK-cell receptor and/or an NKT-cell receptor.
31 . A kit for screening for a T-cell epitope and/or an NK-cell epitope and/or an NKT-cell epitope, wherein the kit comprises a carrier to which is attached a peptide, DNA encoding the peptide and β2 microglobulin.
32 . The kit of claim 31 further including instructions to fold the peptide and β2 microglobulin.