Abstract: Isolated polynucleotide molecules and peptides encoded by these molecules are used in the analysis of human carbamyl phosphate synthetase I phenotypes, as well as in diagnostic and therapeutic applications, relating to a human carbamyl phosphate synthetase I polymorphism. By analyzing genomic DNA or amplified genomic DNA, or amplified cDNA derived from mRNA, it is possible to type a human carbamyl phosphate synthetase I with regard to the human carbamyl phosphate synthetase I polymorphism, for example, in the context of diagnosing and treating hepatic veno-occlusive disease (HVOD) associated with bone marrow transplants.

Abstract: A set of contiguous and partially overlapping cDNA sequences and polypeptides encoded thereby, designated as CS198 and transcribed from GI tract tissue, is described. These sequences are useful for detecting, diagnosing, staging, monitoring, prognosticating, preventing or treating, or determining the predisposition of an individual to diseases and conditions of the GI tract, such as GI tract cancer. Also provided are antibodies which specifically bind to CS198-encoded polypeptide or protein, and agonists or inhibitors which prevent action of the tissue-specific CS198 polypeptide, which molecules are useful for the therapeutic treatment of GI tract diseases, tumors or metastases.

Abstract: A set of contiguous and partially overlapping cDNA sequences and polypeptides encoded thereby, designated as CS 198 and transcribed from GI tract tissue, is described. These sequences are useful for detecting, diagnosing, staging, monitoring, prognosticating, preventing or treating, or determining the predisposition of an individual to diseases and conditions of the GI tract, such as GI tract cancer. Also provided are antibodies which specifically bind to CS 198-encoded polypeptide or protein, and agonists or inhibitors which prevent action of the tissue-specific CS 198 polypeptide, which molecules are useful for the therapeutic treatment of GI tract diseases, tumors or metastases.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a DNA construct that contains a first DNA molecule encoding a functional type III secretion system, a promoter, and a second DNA molecule encoding a protein or polypeptide capable of being secreted by the type III secretion system. The second DNA molecule is operably coupled to the promoter so that upon introduction of the DNA construct into a host cell, the encoded protein or polypeptide and the type III secretion system are expressed and the encoded protein or polypeptide is secreted. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a system that includes (i) a first DNA construct having a first DNA molecule encoding a functional type III secretion system and (ii) a second DNA construct having a promoter operably coupled to a second DNA molecule encoding a protein or polypeptide capable of being secreted by the type III secretion system.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences are provided that are useful as amplification primers, hybridization probes, and as a portion of molecular beacon probes for amplifying and detecting polymorphisms of the &bgr;2 adrenergic receptor gene, compositions and kits incorporating the same, and methods employing the same.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method for determining the phylogeny of sample Fritillaria genetic material.

Abstract: A method for anticipating sensitivity to a medicine for osteoporosis is provided which is characterized by analyzing respective genetic polymorphisms of a vitamin D receptor gene, an estrogen receptor gene, and an apolipoprotein E gene from a genome DNA contained in a sample obtained from a human, and anticipating, based on the analyzed combination of the genetic polymorphisms, that the sample is derived from an individual who shows a specific priority to sensitivities to a plurality of remedies for osteoporosis. A reagent for simultaneously detecting genetic polymorphisms is also provided which contains amplification primers and/or detection probes specific to respective genes of the vitamin D receptor gene, apolipoprotein E gene, and estrogen receptor gene. Further, a method for simultaneously detecting these genes, and a method for selecting remedies for bone disease based on the genetic polymorphisms are provided.

Abstract: In broad terms, the present invention includes materials and methods useful to distinguish between and among species of a genus. The present methods utilize the differences in PCR amplicon sizes to specifically identify a given species.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for determining the identity of an unknown live microorganism in a mixed culture. The microorganism can be a bacterium, fungus, virus, or protozoan. The invention further provides an assay for determining the ability of a selected microorganism in a mixed culture to replicate in the presence of a chemical agent. Kits for determining the identity of a live microorganism in a mixed culture and for determining the ability of a microorganism in a mixed culture to replicate are also provided.

Abstract: Recombinant nucleic acids comprising region(s) of Listeria monocytogenes genome that are unique to an individual serotype and genomic cluster are provided. Also provided are oligonucleotide probes and primers derived from the recombinant nucleic acid sequences and methods for their use in the detection and identification serovar 4 and genomic cluster IIB strains.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for obtaining molecular markers for use as a diagnostic and quality control tool to identify genomic polymorphisms that arise during the process of tissue culture of in vitro propagated plants. By using a representational difference analysis (RDA) adapted for plant genomes, a set of nucleic acid difference sequences between normal and off-type plant genomes are obtained. The invention further provides a method for isolating sets of variant sequences which are common to many naturally occurring or tissue culture-generated off-types of the same cultivar or species, in addition to variant sequences present in all off-types, regardless of the phenotypic mutation, and/or in all off-types that exhibit the same mutation. Detection of somaclonal variation by the method of the invention may present an opportunity to optimize tissue culture conditions and to optimize plant multiplication rates without producing a significant number of off-types.

Abstract: Hybridization assay probes and accessory oligonucleotides for detecting ribosomal nucleic acids from Candida albicans and/or Candida dubliniensis.

Abstract: Novel Shc-binding protein, oligonucleotides encoding the same, methods of producing and use thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel polymorphisms in the human cytochrome P450 2A6 gene and the use of those polymorphisms as predictive sequences for altered metabolism or occurrence of disease.

Abstract: Provided are polynucleotide sequences useful in detecting age related mutations in a subject as well as methods to identify mutations in mitochondrial sequences.

Abstract: The present invention provides Methyl- (or Mutant-) Differential Display (MDD) methods and nucleic acid probes for detecting mutations and the methylation patterns of nucleic acids. The methods of the present invention are particularly useful for detecting and isolating genomic DNA fragments which are near coding and regulatory regions of genes and which are differentially mutated or methylated relative to the corresponding DNA from normal cells. Genes are frequently not methylated in the cells where they are expressed but are methylated in cell types where they are not expressed. Moreover, tumor cell DNA is frequently methylated to a different extent and in different regions than is the DNA of normal cells. The present invention is used for identifying which regions of the genome are methylated or mutated in different cell types, including cancerous cell types.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the identification and sequence determination of a novel gene, ALK, which is fused to the gene encoding nucleophosmin (NPM) in translocations present in t(2;5) lymphoma cells. Based on homologies to other proteins, the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide encoded by the ALK (Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase) gene is a membrane-spanning protein tyrosine kinase (PTK)/receptor. Antibodies to the ALK PTK/receptor and methods utilizing such antibodies are described, as are methods of using the ALK gene to isolate ligands for the ALK PTK/receptor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to detect clinically relevant mutations of the DNA sequence of the KI-ras oncogene in stool DNA, its use and a testkit based thereon for early diagnosis of tumors, especially tumors of the pancreas and the colon. According to the invention, the method of detection is distinguished by extraction of genomic DNA from stool samples in a series of cleaning operations designed to eliminate inhibitor substances, and by base-complementary hybridization reaction by adding six different oligonucleotides with a defined complementarity to the clinically relevant mutated sequence fragments of the KI-ras gene.

Abstract: A dry solid medium for storage of a sample includes a solid matrix of sorbing genetic material thereon and a mechanism for preserving and protecting the genetic material applied to the matrix. A method for storing the sample genetic material includes the steps of sorbing genetic material on the solid matrix and protecting the genetic material.

Abstract: A method of assay for target polynucleotides includes steps of isolating target polynucleotides from extraneous non-target polynucleotides, debris, and impurities and amplifying the target polynucleotide.