A chimeric, carboxy-terminal truncated hepatitis B virus nucleocapsid protein
(HBc)
is disclosed that contains an immunogen for inducing the production of antibodies
to malarial proteins. An immunogenic malarial epitope is expressed between residues
78 and 79 of the HBc immunogenic loop sequence. The chimer preferably contains
a malaria-specific T cell epitope and is preferably engineered for both enhanced
stability of self-assembled particles and enhanced yield of those chimeric particles.
Methods of making and using the chimers are also disclosed.