The invention relates to the design of rationally engineered Carrier Proteins (reCaPs) geared towards producing Multifunctional Chimeric recombinant Fusion Proteins (MCFPs) useful as vaccine candidates. The key components of the MCFPs are (i) genetically engineered carrier proteins; (ii) polypeptide antigens; (iii) linker peptides, optionally fused to heterologous T-cell epitopes; (iv) Dual Function Peptides (DFP) which can act as a purification aids as well having the non-covalent affinity to bind to an adjuvant. The present invention also relates to recombinantly expressed Self-Assembling Adjuvanted Nanoparticles (SAANPs), comprising reCaPs fused with various polypeptide and protein antigens, useful as vaccine candidates. The present invention also provides novel ‘integrated Multiple Conjugate Antigen displayed Adjuvanted Systems’ [iMCAAS], comprising rationally engineered Carrier Proteins, based on ‘Self Assembling Adjuvanted Nanoparticles’ [SAANPs]. These adjuvanted nanoparticles, eventually provide stronger antigen-antibody interactions compared to the low affinity interactions provided by the monovalent binding generated by single antigen immunogens.
