Abstract: The invention relates to the induction of hematopoietic stem cells to differentiate into osteoclasts by culturing hematopoietic stem cells with human mesenchymal stem cells, and, in a preferred embodiment, using no exogenous cytokines. Differentiation of the mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts inhibited the differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells into osteoclasts. In addition, hematopoietic stem cells can be genetically engineered to carry genes of interest particularly for the expression of physiologically active proteins. In the presence of mesenchymal stem cells, the transduced cells carry the new genetic material and express gene products that can be used to modulate bone resorption.

Abstract: The present invention provides ortho ester lipids and their derivatives that, upon certain pH conditions, undergo hydrolysis with concomitant or subsequent headgroup cleavage. These ortho ester lipids can advantageously be formulated into liposomes. The liposome formulations are useful in nucleic acid transfection and entrapment/delivery of conventional small molecules and therapeutic agents. Moreover, the liposomes comprising compounds of the present invention are useful as drug delivery vehicles.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for increasing the efficiency of transfection of cells by incubating the transfected cells with an inhibitor of apoptosis. In one embodiment, the inhibitor of apoptosis is a caspase inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing a polypeptide, comprising: (a) cultivating a mutant of a parent filamentous fungal cell under conditions conducive for the production of the polypeptide, wherein (i) the mutant cell comprises a first nucleic acid sequence encoding the polypeptide and a second nucleic acid sequence comprising a modification of at least one of the genes involved in the production of a trichothecene and (ii) the mutant produces less of the trichothecene than the parent filamentous fungal cell when cultured under the same conditions; and (b) isolating the polypeptide from the cultivation medium. The present invention also relates to mutants of filamentous fungal cells and methods for obtaining the mutant cells. The present invention also relates to isolated trichodiene synthases and isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding the trichodiene synthases.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of screening for an inhibitor of cell death, comprising an assay comprising the steps of incubating a first protein comprising a caspase, a second protein comprising a polyglutamine stretch and a candidate inhibitor of cell death under conditions sufficient to permit the formation of a complex comprising the first protein and the second protein, and performing a detection step to detect the formation of a complex, wherein a reduction in the formation of a complex in comparison to that observed when the first and second proteins are incubated in the absence of the candidate inhibitor indicates that the candidate inhibitor is an inhibitor of cell death. A further aspect of the invention is a kit with which to perform this method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing an adenoviral vector stock by providing a culture of cells permissive for growth of adenoviral vectors, wherein the cells are in a medium, culturing the culture under conditions to permit growth of the cells, perfusing fresh medium through the culture for a period of about 1-6 hours, in an amount of at least about two times the volume of medium in the culture, while the density of the cells in the medium is about 40-70% of the density of cells obtained in the medium when the growth of the culture is in the stationary phase, contacting the culture with adenoviral vectors under conditions permissive for the infection of the cells after the perfusion of fresh medium is substantially completed, culturing the infected cells to replicate the adenoviral vectors, and harvesting the infected cells to obtain an adenoviral vector stock.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antifungal in vitro and in vivo screening assays for identifying compounds which inhibit mannosyltransferases involved in protein O- and N-glycosylation. The antifungal screening assay for identifying a compound which inhibit mannosyltransferases involved in protein O- and N-glycosylation, comprises the steps of: a) subjecting proteins to a specific mannosyltransferase protein encoded by a Saccharomyces cerevisiae mannosyltransferase encoding gene, wherein said gene is selected from the group consisting of KRE2/MNT1, YUR1, KTR1, KTR2, KTR3, KTR4, KTR5, KTR6 and KTR7; b) subjecting step a) to a screened compound and determining the absence or presence of protein O- and N-glycosylation, wherein the absence of protein O- and N-glycosylation is indicative of an antifungal compound. There is also disclosed an in vitro method for the diagnosis of diseases caused by fungal infection in a patient.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cultures of undifferentiated avian primordial germ cells/blastodermal cells. The cultures are capable of maintaining their undifferentiated characteristic and also their capability of expressing the EMA-1 epitope for extended periods when cultured in the presence of an isolate from avian navel (e.g. turkey navel extract). Methods of culturing such cultures using avian navel extracts, and culture media containing avian navel extract are also disclosed. Recombinant birds derived from these cultures are also disclosed. These cultures can be frozen for long-term preservation of germ line genomes.

Abstract: Method for screening for a non-hormone agent potentially useful to treat a hormone disorder The method involves contacting a potential agent with a system containing a cellular component and a translation factor. The component and factor interact with one another in an intact normal cell in a manner responsive to the hormone to cause a modulation of translation in the cell. The method involves determining whether the agent causes a modulation of translation by the component and the factor analogous to that which occurs in intact cells in response to the hormone.

Abstract: A method for reducing levels of JAK 1 and thereby blocking the signal transduction pathways that are employed by IFN-.alpha., IFN-.beta., and IFN-.gamma. is provided. In one embodiment the method comprises the steps of: providing a cytomegalovirus (CMV) gene product selected from the group consisting of the CMV immediate early gene (IE) products, the CMV early gene (E) products, and combinations thereof; and introducing the CMV gene product or products into cells at levels sufficient to decrease the levels of JAK 1 in the cell. In another embodiment the method comprises the steps of providing a DNA molecule that comprises a CMV IE gene, a CMV E gene, or combinations thereof; introducing the DNA molecule into the cell; and inducing the expression of CMV IE and E genes in the cell, wherein the expression of products encoded by the CMV IE and CMV E genes decreases the levels of JAK 1 in the cell.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a selection marker free system which can be used to introduce genetic modifications in bacteria, yeasts and fungi. The system can be employed to introduce or delete desired genes or DNA fragments in the genome of the indicated host species without leaving any undesired DNA i.e. the selection marker used for selection of transformants or other DNA used for cloning. In this way strains have been developed containing only desired genes introduced at desired chromosomal sites. Similarly, desired DNA fragments have been deleted or replaced at desired sites.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to human mesenchymal stem cells isolated from a tissue specimen, such as marrow cells, and to the method of co-culturing isolated mesenchymal stem cells and/or mesenchymal stem cell-derived adipocytes with hematopoietic progenitor cells such that the hematopoietic stem cells retain their phenotype.