Abstract: Methods are provided for the synthesis and secretion of recombinant hetero-multimeric proteins in mating competent yeast. A first expression vector is transformed into a first haploid cell; and a second expression vector is transformed into a second haploid cell. The transformed haploid cells, each individually synthesizing a non-identical polypeptide, are identified and then genetically crossed or fused. The resulting diploid strains are utilized to produce and secrete fully assembled and biologically functional hetero-multimeric protein.

Abstract: In this application is described the expression and purification of a recombinant Plasmodium falciparum (3D7) LSA-NRC polypeptide. The method of the present invention produces a highly purified polypeptide which is useful as a vaccine and as a diagnostic reagent.

Abstract: Described are means and methods for providing a cell with a protein expression unit, the method comprising providing a nucleic acid sequence comprising the unit with a nucleic acid sequence encoding a binding site for a member of a chromatin modification system for rendering chromatin more accessible for transcription (opener), wherein the opener is present in the cell. Preferred openers comprise histone modification proteins, chromatin remodeling proteins and trithorax group proteins or equivalents. The cells thus generated and nucleic acid sequences encoding such openers are provided. Openers are preferred in the context of STAR and TRAP sequences.

Abstract: The invention provides a fed-batch or continuous process for producing heterologous peptides, polypeptides or proteins in lactic acid bacteria, comprising the steps of (i) constructing a recombinant lactic acid bacterium comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for the heterologous peptide, polypeptide or protein, and appropriate regulatory nucleotide sequences such as regulatable promoters and signal peptides to control the expression of the coding sequence and the secretion of gene product, (ii) cultivating the recombinant bacterium under or continuous cultivation conditions to express the gene, and (iii) harvesting the recombinant bacterium or the gene product. Preferably, the cultivation medium is a chemically defined or synthetic medium optionally supplemented with yeast extract.

Abstract: The present invention discloses that a bacterium having a genome that is genetically engineered to be at least 10% smaller than the genome of its native parent strain has better transformation competence. Specific E. coli strains, having significantly reduced genome sizes, are disclosed which are highly transformation competent. A medium and methodology is taught which enables transformation efficiencies to be increased further.

Abstract: Untranslated regions associated with the heat shock response can be used to obtain increased efficiency of translation of polypeptides that are not necessarily normally associated with the heat shock response. This allows the development of greatly improved expression systems. The invention is also useful, for example, in the treatment of a patient suffering from a deficiency in the expression of a polypeptide and in the provision of vaccines.

Abstract: The invention claims a class of adenovirus vectors for delivering recombinases to a large number of cells of different origins, and methods for regulating the expression of a gene in transfected mammalian cells in culture and in cells of transgenic animals, comprising infecting said cells with an Ad vector encoding a recombinase whose target site is present at or adjacent to the gene, wherein the action of the recombinase regulates the expression of said gene.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and reagents for selecting a desired protein or nucleic acid molecule by linking mRNA, with known or unknown sequences, to its translated protein to form a cognate pair. The cognate pair is selected based upon desired properties of the protein or the nucleic acid. This method also includes the evolution of a desired protein or nucleic acid molecule by amplifying the nucleic acid portion of the selected cognate pair, introducing variation into the nucleic acid, translating the nucleic acid, attaching the nucleic acid to its protein to form a second cognate pair, and re-selecting this cognate pair based upon desired properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to: recombinant DNA encoding the SbfI restriction endonuclease as well as the SbfI methylase, and expression of the SbfI restriction endonuclease and SbfI methylase in E. coli cells containing the recombinant DNA; and methods for cloning the SbfI restriction gene (sbfIR) from Streptomyces species Bf-61 into E. coli by PCR. The method relied on primers based on DNA sequences predicted from amino acid sequences of the purified SbfI restriction endonuclease.

Abstract: The invention features a method of introducing nucleic acid molecules into eukaryotic cells by (a) depositing a nucleic acid molecule-containing mixture onto a surface, (b) affixing the nucleic acid molecule-containing mixture to the surface, and (c) plating eukaryotic cells onto the surface under appropriate conditions for entry of the nucleic acid molecules into the cells.

Abstract: This application provides a method for mutagenesis of a gene, which comprises introducing much more point mutations into one strand of double-stranded genomic DNA of cell or organism individual than into another strand. In accordance with such a method, it is now possible to efficiently and effectively construct various useful mutants of microorganisms, cells or organism individuals. It is also now possible by analyzing the mutating conditions of the gene to clarify the mechanism of drug resistance, to estimate the occurrence of a novel insensible microorganism or to develop a drug therefor, to analyze the mutation of an oncogene and the mechanisms of cancer metastasis and increase in malignancy, to develop a therapeutic method using these mechanisms, etc.

Abstract: DNA constructs and other compositions and methods for controlling gene expression in eukaryotic cells and organisms are derived from bacterial quorum sensing systems. One or more cis elements from the luxI promoter (“lux box”) or a functionally similar sequence are incorporated in a eukaryotic promoter. A receptor protein from the LuxR family of transcriptional regulators, upon binding an acylated homoserine lactone (AHL) compound, interacts with the lux box, modulating the activity of the promoter.

Abstract: Cultured mouse tracheal epithelial are grown in an air/liquid interface culture that allows them to develop differentiated characteristics (i.e., to develop into mucus cells or ciliated cells). This invention may be used for the growth of cells isolated from knockout and transgenic mice. The primary culture cells of the culture may be ciliated or non-ciliated differentiated cells.

Abstract: The present invention primarily relates to a DNA fragment which is obtainable from the gene cluster responsible for rifamycin biosynthesis within the genome of Amycolatopsis mediterranei, and comprises at least one gene or a part of a gene which codes for a polypeptide which is directly or indirectly involved in the biosynthesis of rifamycin, and to a method for preparing said DNA fragment. The present invention furthermore relates to recombinant DNA molecules which comprise one of the DNA fragments according to the invention, and to the plasmids and vectors derived therefrom. Host organisms transformed with said plasmid or vector DNA are likewise embraced.

Abstract: The present invention provides bacterial strains for secretion of soluble biologically active recombinant heterologous proteins into periplasm or on a surface/into a cultivation medium of bacteria. The invention exploits the secretion system of Gram-negative bacteria including periplasmic chaperones and usher/secretin proteins. For accomplishing the aim, the bacterial strains simultaneously express the fusion protein (signal peptide)-(mature hecterologous protein)-(subunit of a bacterial surface structure, Caf1), periplasmic chaperone specific for the subunit, and outer membrane usher/secretin protein specific for the subunit. Secretion of fusion proteins: (signal peptide of Caf1)-(mature human IL-1?)-(mature Caf1), (signal peptide of Caf1)-(mature human GM-CSF)-(mature Caf1), and (signal peptide of Caf1)-(mature human IL-1ra)-(mature Caf1) that were expressed in Escherichia coli simultaneously with the periplasmic chaperone Caf1M and the usher/secretin protein Caf1A are examples of the use of the invention.

Abstract: A unique 16S rRNA profile derived from Dehalococcoides ethenogenes has been identified and isolated. The profile contains several nucleic acid fragments that are linked to dechlorinating activity. These sequences are set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:30, and SEQ ID NO:34.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new plasmid originated from (Bifidobacterium) a recombinant expression vector and transformation method using the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a plasmid pMG1 having nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ.ID.NO.1; (Bifidobacterium longum) MG1 including the plasmid pMG1; and a shuttle vector which can be replicated in both (Bifidobacterium) and (E. coli), and comprises (Mob) gene having nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ.ID.NO.2. (Rep) gene having nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ.ID.NO.3 and a selection marker. The shuttle vector and the promoter of the present invention can be used for expressing target gene without additional purification process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for reconstituting nucleic acid molecules that have been degraded but still contain useful genetic information. The present invention uses, as a template for reconstituting degraded nucleic acids in a biological sample, nucleic acids from a genetically related or identical organism having a sequence homologous to the degraded nucleic acids. After hybridization of the degraded nucleic acids to the template, regions of the degraded nucleic acids that are missing in the duplex containing template nucleic acid molecules hybridized to degraded nucleic acids are filled in with nucleotides using the intact nucleic acid molecule as a template. The newly formed strand of nucleic acid is used as the template for a subsequent step of hybridization to degraded nucleic acid molecules. Regions of degraded nucleic acids that are missing in the duplex are again filled in with nucleotides using the newly formed nucleic acid as the new template.

Abstract: A fast method of transforming competent cells is described. The competent cells are thawed at room temperature or in a water bath. Plasmid DNAs and competent cells are mixed together, then the mixture is subject to heat shock treatment. After plating the mixture on a low-temperature selective medium by a low-temperature plating tool, the competent cells are cultured on the selective medium.

Abstract: A single-copy BAC vector (containing or lacking an insert) is converted in a host cell into a conditional high-copy BAC vector by introducing a conditional origin of replication into the single-copy BAC vector. The conditional ori is introduced by site-specific recombination between the SC BAC vector and a vector that contains the conditional ori. The host cell comprises a recombinase that recognizes a site-specific recombination site on both the BAC vector and the conditional ori vector. In the presence of the recombinase, the conditional ori-containing vector recombines into the BAC vector to produce a high-copy BAC vector that can be conditionally amplified by activating the conditional origin of replication on command.