Abstract: Genes encoding microbial &bgr;-glucuronidase and protein that is secreted and its uses are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing S-hydroxynitrile lyase, comprising the steps of culturing in a medium yeast cells transformed with recombinant DNA comprising an expression vector into which a S-hydroxynitrile lyase (EC 4.1.2.37) coding gene derived from cassava (Manihot esculenta) has been incorporated, and collecting S-hydroxynitrile lyase from the yeast cells. According to the present invention, a large amount of S-hydroxynitrile lyase can be efficiently produced by genetic engineering techniques.

Abstract: Disclosed is a complex for providing nucleic acid expression in a cell. A polynucleotide and a polymer are mixed together to form the complex wherein the zeta potential of the complex is not positive. Then the complex is delivered to the cell wherein the nucleic acid is expressed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to means for cleaving a nucleic acid cleavage structure in a site-specific manner. Enzymes, including 5′ nucleases and 3′ exonucleases, are used to detect and identify nucleic acids derived from microorganisms. Methods are provided which allow for the detection and identification of bacterial and viral pathogens in a sample.

Abstract: Novel polypeptides comprising repetitive units of amino acids, as well as synthetic genes encoding the subject polypeptides are provided. The subject polypeptides are characterized by comprising repetitive units of amino acids, where the repetitive units are present in naturally occurring proteins, particularly naturally occurring structural proteins. The subject polypeptides find use in a variety of applications, such as structural components of prosthetic devices, synthetic fibers, and the like.

Abstract: Patched-2 polypeptides and polynucleotides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing Patched-2 polypeptides and polynucleotides in therapy, and diagnostic assays for such.

Abstract: In the present system an adequate expression system for the production and secretion of biologically active human growth hormone (HGH) in its natural form in which a methylotrophic yeast such as Pichia pastoris is used as host organism has been developed. This invention includes a methylotrophic yeast transformed with at least one copy of a functional cDNA sequence encoding HGH, which is functionally associated with a second DNA sequence encoding the S. cerevisae alpha factor pre-pro sequence (including the proteolytic processing site: lys-arg), and in which both DNA sequences are under the regulation of a methylotrophic yeast gene promoter which is inducible with methanol. Methylotrophic yeasts containing in their genome at least one copy of the DNA sequence efficiently produce and secrete mature, correctly processes and biologically active HGH, into the culture medium.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described that affect the GTPase activity of members of the Ras superfamily, preferably Rac, such compositions include guanine nucleotide exchange factors that modulate the GTPase activity, preferably in the presence of GEF enhancers, exemplary guanine nucleotide exchange factors being Rac-GEF and Tiam-1, which are encoded by certain nucleic acid sequences that are herein described, along with uses for the guanine nucleotide exchange factors and the nucleic acid sequences including screening for ligands which recognize Rac-GEF, regulators of Rac-GEF activity, and methods of treating pathological conditions associated or related to a Ras superfamily GTPase, including Rac.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, Bcl-2 expression is a molecular marker for muscle stem cells. Thus, the invention provides methods for identifying and isolating muscle stem cells. In addition, the invention provides methods for determining whether a test compound modulates muscle stem cell differentiation and/or proliferation. Finally, the invention provides methods for expressing an exogenous coding sequence in a muscle stem cell.

Abstract: The expression of ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase is aberrent in cells that are resistant to treatment with chemical agents. Accordingly, the invention features methods for diagnosing and treating drug resistant cells (e.g.

Abstract: Synthetic polymer-based carrier vehicles for delivery of nucleic acid material to target cells in biological systems are made by self-assembly of the nucleic acid with cationic polymer material so as to condense the nucleic acid and form a polyelectrolyte complex and reacting the complex with hydrophilic polymer material which bonds to the complex forming a hydrophilic coating that stabilizes the complex and provides an outer protective steric shield. The carrier vehicles are useful for gene therapy.

Abstract: Methods of screening for antimicrobial agents or other compounds active on a particular strain are described. These methods use pools of strains of cells or microbes in order to screen for activity on many cellular targets in a single screen. The strain or strains in the pool for which growth is inhibited or stimulated are determined; such identification can also provide a means of identifying the cellular target on which a compound is active.

Abstract: Water soluble polymers or polymeric hydrogels are used to encapsulate antigen to form vaccines. The antigen is mixed with a polymer solution, microparticles are formed of the polymer and antigen, and, optionally, the polymer is crosslinked to form a stable microparticle. Preferred polymers are alginate and polyphospazenes, and mixtures thereof. Microparticles can be administered parenterally or mucosally. For oral delivery, the microparticles are preferably fifteen microns or less in diameter, and adhere to the mucosal lining of the gastointestinal tract, increasing uptake by the reticuloendothelium.

Abstract: The subject disclosure concerns Bacillus thuringiensis strains which can be used to control lepidopteran pests. The strains were previously known to control coleopteran pests. The discovery of lepidopteran activity was totally unexpected. These B.t. strains can be formulated using standard lepidopteran formulation procedures. Means of administration are also standard. The genes encoding lepidopteran-active toxins can be isolated from the B.t. isolates and used to transform other microbes or plants for use to control lepidopteran pests.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of promoters for ribonucleic acid amplification and other genetic manipulations. Processes are provided wherein complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) is synthesized from a ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequence using a complementary primer linked to an RNA polymerase promoter region complement and then anti-sense RNA (aRNA) is transcribed from the cDNA by introducing an RNA polymerase capable of binding to the promoter region. Additional processes using the resulting aRNA are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genomic DNA sequences obtained from terminal sequencing of random genomic fragments of the filamentous fungus Ashbya gossypii, to the sequences obtained therewith and the use of the sequences for forensic identification, to characterize genes and gene organization or this ascomycete by inter-genomic comparison, to identify biosynthetic genes that can be used as selection markers, to isolate promoters and terminators for application in a homologous as well as heterologous context, to find putative centromere containing clones, chromosome mapping, chromosome identifying, general information about chromosome organization and in addition to identify ORF containing SRS sequences with no homology to S. cervisiae or any other organism which allows the identification of A. gossypii specific genes.

Abstract: Increased expression of the p16 gene occurs early in the development of ovarian carcinomas. This invention detects change ovarian epithelium by measuring increases in p16 gene expression by a quantitative method that compares the levels of p16 mRNA and a control mRNA (&bgr;-tubulin) in a subject to be tested against the levels of these substrates in normal subjects. A biological sample such as peritoneal fluid containing mRNA derived from a subject's ovarian epithelium is taken from the subject to be tested. The mRNA is isolated from the sample, and complementary cDNA is prepared from the isolated mRNA. Using primers to p16 target sequences and to &bgr;-tubulin control sequences, the cDNA is amplified. The resultant amplification products are quantitated as to p16 and &bgr;-tubulin gene sequences. The level p16 gene expression is assessed relative to expression levels in normal subjects.

Abstract: This invention describes a nucleic acid delivery vehicle construct for transfecting and/or infecting a target cell. The construct is made of a delivery vehicle and a bifunctional complex for linking the delivery vehicle to a target cell. The bifunctional complex has a delivery vehicle-binding molecule or fragment (“delivery vehicle-binding portion”), a molecule or fragment thereof that binds to a cell surface molecule on the target cell (“cell surface molecule-binding portion”) and a linker which connects the molecules or fragments.

Abstract: Recombinational cloning is provided by the use of nucleic acids, vectors and methods, in vitro and in vivo, for moving or exchanging segments of DNA molecules using engineered recombination sites and recombination proteins to provide chimeric DNA molecules that have the desired characteristic(s) and/or DNA segment(s).

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to an isolated nucleic acid molecule encompassing a neocentromere or a functional derivative thereof or a latent, synthetic or hybrid form thereof and its use inter alia in developing a range of eukaryotic artificial chromosomes including mammalian (e.g. human) and non-mammalian artificial chromosomes. Such artificial chromosomes are useful in a range of genetic therapies.