Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions that enable the experimental determination as to whether any gene in the genome of a diploid pathogenic organism is essential, and whether it is required for virulence or pathogenicity. The methods involve the construction of genetic mutants in which one allele of a specific gene is inactivated while the other allele of the gene is placed under conditional expression. The identification of essential genes and those genes critical to the development of virulent infections, provides a basis for the development of screens for new drugs against such pathogenic organisms. The present invention further provides Candida albicans genes that are demonstrated to be essential and are potential targets for drug screening. The nucleotide sequence of the target genes can be used for various drug discovery purposes, such as expression of the recombinant protein, hybridization assay and construction of nucleic acid arrays.

Abstract: The sequences of nucleic acids encoding proteins required for E. coli proliferation are disclosed. The nucleic acids can be used to express proteins or portions thereof, to obtain antibodies capable of specifically binding to the expressed proteins, and to use those expressed proteins as a screen to isolate candidate molecules for rational drug discovery programs. The nucleic acids can also be used to screen for homologous genes that are required for proliferation in microorganisms other than E. coli. The nucleic acids can also be used to design expression vectors and secretion vectors. The nucleic acids of the present invention can also be used in various assay systems to screen for proliferation required genes in other organisms as well as to screen for antimicrobial agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides the genomic sequences of a library of purified nucleic acid molecules, or their complements, comprising the genome of Moraxella catarrhalis. The invention also provides the identification of open reading frames contained within the nucleic acid molecules of the library. The present invention further provides for the use of the nucleic acid molecules, their complements or fragments, and proteins or portions thereof for identifying ligands and useful diagnostic and therapeutic compositions. In addition the invention provides for vectors, host cells and methods for producing M. catarrhalis proteins or portions thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions that enable the experimental determination as to whether any gene in the genome of a diploid pathogenic organism is essential, and whether it is required for virulence or pathogenicity. The methods involve the construction of genetic mutants in which one allele of a specific gene is inactivated while the other allele of the gene is placed under conditional expression. The identification of essential genes and those genes critical to the development of virulent infections, provides a basis for the development of screens for new drugs against such pathogenic organisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of measuring cellular proliferation using ectoenzymes such as membrane-bound chitobiase (N,N′-diacetylchitobiase) and nucleic acids for use in such methods.

Abstract: The sequences of nucleic acids encoding proteins required for E. Coli proliferation are disclosed. The nucleic acids can be used to express proteins or portions thereof, to obtain antibodies capable of specifically binding to the expressed proteins, and to use those expressed proteins as a screen to isolate candidate molecules for rational drug discovery programs. The nucleic acids can also be used to screen for homologous genes that are required for proliferation in microorganisms other than E. Coli. The nucleic acids can also be used to design expression vectors and secretion vectors. The nucleic acids of the present invention can also be used in various assay systems to screen for proliferation required genes in other organisms as well as to screen for antimicrobial agents.

Abstract: The sequences of nucleic acids encoding proteins required for E. coli proliferation are disclosed. The nucleic acids can be used to express proteins or portions thereof, to obtain antibodies capable of specifically binding to the expressed proteins, and to use those expressed proteins as a screen to isolate candidate molecules for rational drug discovery programs. The nucleic acids can also be used to screen for homologous genes that are required for proliferation in microorganisms other than E. coli. The nucleic acids can also be used to design expression vectors and secretion vectors. The nucleic acids of the present invention can also be used in various assay systems to screen for proliferation required genes in other organisms as well as to screen for antimicrobial agents.