Abstract: The first method to cause a culture of human and other primate stem cells to directly and uniformly differentiate into a committed cell lineage is disclosed. Treatment of primate stem cells with a single protein trophoblast induction factor causes the cells to transform into human trophoblast cells, the precursor cells of the placenta. Several protein factors including bone morphogenic protein 4 (BMP4), BMP2, BMP7, and growth and differentiation factor 5 can serve as trophoblast-inducting factors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel plant expression constructs. More specifically the present invention provides DNA constructs comprising 5? regulatory sequences for modulating the expression of operably linked genes in plants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biocatalysts that are cells, optimally of the Crabtree-negative phenotype, comprising expression vectors encoding genes heterologous to the cell that enable increased production of organic products. More specifically, the invention relates to genetically modified Candida cells, methods for making the Candida cells, and their use in production of organic products, particularly lactic acid.

Abstract: The invention provides a swine which is homozygous for a major histocompatibility complex haplotype and at least 60% homozygous at all other genetic loci and such animal is propagatable, and a cell or an organ derived therefrom. The invention also provides a method for providing a swine which is homozygous at swine leukocyte antigens (SLA) A, B, C, DR, and DQ, and in which at least 60% of all other genetic loci are homozygous, as well as a method of inducing tolerance in a recipient mammal of a first species to a graft from a donor mammal of a second species.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of the protein RhoB and its variants to inhibit cancer cell growth, migration, invasion, metastasis, malignant cell transformation, and/or to modulate oncogenic signaling, wherein introducing RhoB directly, or indirectly via a nucleic acid sequence encoding RhoB, into a malignantly transformed cell or a cancerous cell decreases phosphorylation of Erk and Akt proteins inhibiting the PI3-kinase/Akt cell survival pathway and promoting apoptotic cell death. In one aspect, the compositions and methods of the present invention are used to inhibit the malignant transformation of cells by the oncogenes H-Ras, N-Ras, K-Ras, EGFR, or ErbB2, or to inhibit the growth of cancer cells transformed by such oncogenes. The compositions and methods of the present invention may be used to inhibit cancer cell growth, inhibit malignant cell transformation, and modulate oncogenic signaling in vivo or in vitro.

Abstract: A transgenic mouse transformed with a DNA encoding a mutant human tau protein, wherein the mouse exhibits neurofibrillary tangles in its brain. The transgenic mouse is useful for the development of the agent for treating neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: A method for isolating plasmids DNA from a DNA containing material which comprises plasmid DNA and genomic DNA, comprising extracting the plasmid DNA into a water-immiscible organic solvent, a chaotrope and water under conditions to denature the genomic DNA and recovering the plasmid DNA from the organic phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for transfecting eukaryotic cells with nucleic acid vectors. In particular, the invention relates to the uses of Matrix Attachment Region (MAR) elements to increase stable and transient transfection efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for directing the evolution of microorganisms comprising the use of mutator genes and growth under conditions of selective pressure. The method discloses mutator genes which can be used in the methods of the present invention and provides ATCC deposits which exemplify the evolved microorganisms produced by the methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the targeted insertion of a nucleotide of interest into a specific chromosomal site within a plant cell. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a plant cell, the plant cell optionally but preferably having a heterologous target site on a chromosome thereof, wherein said target site is flanked by at least one recombination site; and then (b) transforming said plant cell with a transformation vector (e.g., with an Agrobacterium transformation vector) carrying a nucleotide sequence of interest, wherein said nucleotide sequence of interest is flanked by at least one recombination site that corresponds to the recombination sites of said target site, so that said nucleotide of interest is inserted into said chromosome at said target site (when a target site is employed).

Abstract: A method for introducing and expressing genes in animal cells, in which the animal cells are transfected with bacterial blebs containing a eukaryotic expression cassette encoding the gene. Bacterial blebs comprising a eukaryotic expression cassette, wherein the bacterial blebs are derived from gram negative bacteria.

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence at least 70% identical to SEQ ID NO:1, or a complementary sequence thereof. Presence of the nucleic acid in a subject predisposes the subject to an abnormal liver condition, an adenocarcinoma, or a combination thereof. Also disclosed are a method of diagnosing such diseases, a method of identifying a compound for treating such diseases, and a method of treating such diseases.

Abstract: A mouse model for mammalian aging is disclosed. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a mouse having a genomic mutation in the exonuclease domain II (ExoII) of a mitochondrial DNA polymerase gamma (PolG) gene, wherein the mutation leads to high levels of mutations in polymerase mtDNA.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to mutated, non-infectious HIV viral particles, vectors for production of such particles and vaccines employing such vectors. The non-infectious particles are obtained by introducing a number of inactivating mutations into a native viral genome. These mutations are designed so as to minimize the probability of genetic reversion to an infectious virus, while retaining the basic protein content and immunogenic properties of a wild-type virion. The altered viral genome expresses proteins that can assemble into non-infectious particles which contain immunogenic components of the virus, but which are unable to infect cells. The preferred mutations are introduced in at least one amino acid position of the nucleocapsid (NC) protein in combination with at least one other mutation in an amino acid position of the reverse transcriptase (RT) protein or the In protein.

Abstract: The invention describes compositions and methods for recombinant protein expression in a wide range of cell types. The compositions comprise an IRES sequence from the Drosophila labial (lab) gene, or a variant or fragment thereof, or alternatively, a homolog of a lab IRES, or a variant or fragment thereof. Methods of using the compositions are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of nucleic acid molecule delivery into a fertilized egg. This method involves providing a fertilized egg prior to its formation of a protective layer, providing a nucleic acid molecule, and combining the nucleic acid molecule and the fertilized egg under conditions effective to allow the nucleic acid molecule to be delivered into the egg.

Abstract: The DNA and amino acid sequences are disclosed for a ligand (EDA1-II) and receptor (dl in mice and DL in humans) involved in ectodermal dysplasia. Also disclosed are variant DNA and amino acid sequences, and therapeutic applications of the ligands and receptors.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel adenoviruses useful in the production of high titers of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) comprising a foreign DNA insert and methods of making these adenoviruses. The adenovirus comprises the AAV rep gene in which the p5 promoter is replaced by a minimal promoter or by no promoter. The invention also provides methods of producing high levels of rAAV as a substantially homogenous preparation and composition of rAAV.

Abstract: Mice homozygous for the lack of inward-rectifying potassium channel Kir6.1 gene are disclosed. The mice causes a high incidence of sudden death associated with arrhythmia (atrioventricular block) caused by spontaneous cardiac ischemia, a condition similar to Prinzmetal angina (variant angina) in human, representing an animal model of Prinzmetal angina. Mice heterozygous for the lack of inward-rectifying potassium channel Kir6.1 gene are also disclosed, which are used as parent mice for reproduction of the homozygous mice.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel plant expression constructs. More specifically the present invention provides DNA constructs comprising 5? regulatory sequences for modulating the expression of operably linked genes in plants.