Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel class of gene trap vector (enhanced gene trap vectors, eGTV) for efficiently identifying silent or weakly expressed target genes in mammalian genomes, methods of their production and methods for identifying and mutating target genes by using the enhanced gene trap vectors. The gene trap vectors of the present invention can also be used for inducing the expression of silent genes and enhancing the expression of weakly expressed genes. The use of the enhanced gene trap vectors for creating transgenic organisms to identify gene function and to validate pharmaceutical compounds prior to clinical applications is a further aspect of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel class of gene trap vector (enhanced gene trap vectors, eGTV) for efficiently identifying silent or weakly expressed target genes in mammalian genomes, methods of their production and methods for identifying and mutating target genes by using the enhanced gene trap vectors. The gene trap vectors of the present invention can also be used for inducing the expression of silent genes and enhancing the expression of weakly expressed genes. The use of the enhanced gene trap vectors for creating transgenic organisms to identify gene function and to validate pharmaceutical compounds prior to clinical applications is a further aspect of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-human animal model, cell and tissue cultures derived therefrom, which do not produce or produce only suboptimal levels of one or more functional sestrins and in addition do not produce or do only produce suboptimal levels of latent transforming growth factor ? binding protein 4 (ltbp4). Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for selecting agents for treating the pulmonary emphysema and/or the colorectal cancer exhibited by utilizing the animal model, cell or tissue culture of the invention. The animal model, cell or tissue culture is suitable for preclinical testing of efficacy, toxicity and bioavailability of potential agents.

Abstract: A new type of gene trap cassette, which can induce conditional mutations, relies on directional site-specific recombination systems, which can repair and re-induce gene trap mutations when activated in succession. After the gene trap cassettes are inserted into the genome of the target organism, mutations can be activated at a particular time and place in somatic cells. The gene trap cassettes also create multipurpose alleles amendable to a wide range of post-insertional modifications. Such gene trap cassettes can be used to mutationally inactivate all cellular genes temporally and/or spatially. Cells which contain the inventive gene trap cassette can be used for identification and/or isolation of genes and for the creation of transgenic organisms to study gene function at various developmental stages, including the adult, as well as for the creation of animal models of human disease useful for in vivo drug target validation.

Abstract: Novel optical members formed of a polymer comprising a repeating unit derived from a polymerizable monomer (A) which is a methacrylate derivative having a branched C3-8 alkyl group or a repeating unit derived from a polymerizable monomer (3) which is a (meth)acrylate derivative having a C7-20 alicyclic hydrocarbon group are disclosed. Novel processes for preparing an optical member comprising polymerization of a composition comprising the monomer (A) or the monomer (3) are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for identifying the presence of BBB-specific protein/fragment in endothelial cells of brain capillaries, characterized in that a) endothelial cells of brain capillaries freshly isolated from brain are conventionally pre-purified by enzymatic digestion, b) the digest obtained in step a) is treated with a lysis buffer that essentially destroys present erythrocytes and apoptotic cells and maintains at least 70% of the endothelial cells of brain capillaries in vital form, c) the product obtained in step b) is optionally purified further, d) a subtractive cDNA library is prepared from the endothelial cells of brain capillaries and a subtractive tissue, e) a cDNA subtraction is performed using one ore more differential hybridization(s), f) clones from the subtractive cDNA library are verified by differential hybridization with respect to their respective expression, g) a complete cDNA sequence is prepared for the BBB-specific clones from the subtractive cDNA library, and h) the exp

Abstract: The present invention relates to plasmids or retroviral vectors comprising a human CD2 cell surface antigen fused in frame with a reporter gene and to methods of screening for a nucleic acid sequence encoding a protein comprising a signal sequence. In particular, methods are provided for screening for a nucleic acid sequence encoding a signal sequence protein that is regulated during a biological process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to plasmids or retroviral vectors comprising a human CD2 cell surface antigen fused in frame with a reporter gene and to methods of screening for a nucleic acid sequence encoding a protein comprising a signal sequence. In particular, methods are provided for screening for a nucleic acid sequence encoding a signal sequence protein that is regulated during a biological process.