Abstract: Provided are a method of producing a culturable cell with no nucleus, showing mitochondrial activity, comprising: performing cell fusion between a nucleus-less cell having mitochondrial DNA and a mitochondrial DNA-less cultured cell derived from a cancer cell; culturing resulting cybrid cells; and recovering floating cells from obtained cultured cells, and a cell obtained by the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to regulatory sequences of the mouse villin gene that efficiently drive transgenic expression in immature and differentiated epithelial cells of the intestine and uro-genital tracts. The invention also relates to recombinant constructs comprising said regulatory sequences, for the control of the targeted expression of determined nucleic acid sequences so-called (heterologous sequences or also transgenes), in cells or tissues originating from the intestinal mucosa. A further object of the invention is to provide cells, tissues or organisms including animals, expressing said determined nucleic acid sequences in a targeted manner.

Abstract: Five fluorogenic probe hydrolysis reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (TaqMan™) assays are described for serotype-specific detection of dengue 1–4 and group-specific detection of dengue viruses. Type- and group-specific oligonucleotide primers and fluorogenic probes were designed against conserved regions of the dengue genome. The invention provides TaqMan PCR assays, which are rapid, sensitive, and specific screening and serotyping tools for the epidemiological study of dengue infections.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules that encode plant proteins involved in photoperiodism and circadian rhythms are disclosed. These molecules may be introduced into plants in order to alter the photoperiodic and/or circadian clock-based gene expression of the plants.

Abstract: The invention relates to a strain of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae which, owing to deletion of the genomic sequences, no longer synthesizes hexose transporters and, as a consequence, can no longer grow on substrates with hexoses as the only carbon source, and whose ability of growing on a substrate with a hexose as the only carbon source is restored when it expresses a GLUT4 gene.

Abstract: Restenosis is inhibited through local delivery of anti-restenotic agents including angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors; nicotine receptor agonists, agents that increase concentrations of nitric oxide, anti-angiogenic agents, agonists of the TGF-beta receptor; death domain receptor ligands; and thrombin inhibitors. In one embodiment of the invention, the localized delivery is effected through the use of a stent modified for delivery of the agent at the site of injury from balloon angioplasty.

Abstract: Novel human polyadenylation binding Protein 20.13 and polynucleotide encoding it. The invention also concerns the process of producing the polypeptide by recombinant DNA technique, and methods for treating many diseases e.g. disorder of embryo development, growth developmental disturbant diseases etc. The invention also discloses antagonists against the polypeptide.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for transient co-administration of rapamycin together with a gene therapy vector encoding a transgene. The present invention is directed to inhibiting the immune response of a host to the administered gene therapy vector and encoded transgene product, thus allowing persistent transgene expression and repeated administration of the gene therapy product to the host. The present invention is also of relevance in genetic disease patients that mount immune responses to protein replacement therapies in which case the present invention provides for transient co-administration of rapamycin together with protein replacement therapy. In a further aspect of the invention, co-administration of rapamycin could inhibit a secondary immune response in a host that has been pre-immunized with the gene therapy vector or pre-immunized with the protein product encoded by the transgene.

Abstract: A nucleotide sequence encoding for a protein characterized in that it has a silencing activity and comprises a RNA-dependent RNA polymerase domain is disclosed; furthermore expression vectors suitable for the expression of said sequence in bacteria, plants, animals and fungi are disclosed; the invention refers also to organisms transformed by such vectors.