with which it is homologous binding agents are also provided that bind to at least a portion of an amino acid sequence of at least one of seq id no s 1 8 binding agents may specifically or preferentially bind to the target protein protein fragment polypeptide or peptide binding agents may specifically or preferentially bind to a homologue of at least one of seq id no s 1 8 binding agents may likewise specifically or preferentially bind to a peptide sequence consisting of any one of seq id no s 1 8 binding agents may also specifically or preferentially bind to a portion of a peptide consisting of any one of seq id no s 1 8 including a single amino acid within a homologue of seq id no s 1 8 two amino acids three amino acids four amino acids five amino acids or any number of amino acids spread within or outside a homologue in a non limiting embodiment the isolated replikin peptide sequences may be used to generate antibodies which may be used for example for diagnostic purposes to identify protein or protein fragments of interest for development of vaccines and other therapies or for example to provide passive immunity in an subject various procedures known in the art may be used for the production of antibodies to replikin sequences such antibodies include but are not limited to polyclonal monoclonal chimeric humanized single chain fab fragments and fragments produced by a fab.