Abstract: Methods, compositions and non-human animals and parts thereof are for improving germ line transmission of genetic modifications. The methods and compositions are for producing non-human embryos with a disrupted or disruptable fertility gene. The embryos can be used as hosts for the development of donor pluripotent cells, including genetically modified donor pluripotent cells, into germ cells and gametes. Additional methods and compositions are for producing from such embryos chimeric non-human animals with a disrupted fertility gene and for breeding the chimeric non-human animals with cognate non-human animals that comprise a fertility gene that lacks a disruption to produce non-human animals having substantially all gametes and/or germ cells derived from the donor pluripotent cells. Non-human gametes, germ cells, embryos and animals can be used in the subject methods.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and non-human animals and parts thereof are for improving germ line transmission of genetic modifications. The methods and compositions are for producing non-human embryos with a disrupted or disruptable fertility gene. The embryos can be used as hosts for the development of donor pluripotent cells, including genetically modified donor pluripotent cells, into germ cells and gametes. Additional methods and compositions are for producing from such embryos chimeric non-human animals with a disrupted fertility gene and for breeding the chimeric non-human animals with cognate non-human animals that comprise a fertility gene that lacks a disruption to produce non-human animals having substantially all gametes and/or germ cells derived from the donor pluripotent cells. Non-human gametes, germ cells, embryos and animals can be used in the subject methods.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and non-human animals and parts thereof are disclosed for improving germ line transmission of genetic modifications. More particular, the present invention discloses methods and compositions for producing non-human embryos with a disrupted or disruptable fertility gene, which can be used as hosts for the development of donor pluripotent cells, including genetically modified donor pluripotent cells, into germ cells and gametes. Also disclosed are methods and compositions for producing from such embryos chimeric non-human animals with a disrupted fertility gene and for breeding the chimeric non-human animals with cognate non-human animals that comprise a fertility gene that lacks a disruption to produce non-human animals having substantially all gametes and/or germ cells derived from the donor pluripotent cells. The present invention also discloses non-human gametes, germ cells, embryos and animals for use in the subject methods.

Abstract: This invention discloses a cloning system and more particularly a system for sequentially cloning a plurality of heterologous nucleic acid sequences to assemble a chimeric construct of interest. The cloning system employs a marker sequence, which confers an identifiable characteristic on host cells in which it is contained, to chaperone individual insert nucleic acid sequences into recipient constructs that do not comprise the marker sequence but comprise other nucleic acid sequences for inclusion in the chimeric construct. Recombinant constructs into which one or more insert nucleic acid sequences have been introduced with the chaperone marker sequence are isolated by introducing recombinant constructs into host cells and identifying hosts cells with the identifiable characteristic.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a growth factor precursor and its use to select production of antigen specific catalytic antibodies. Such catalytic antibodies are produced following B cell activation and proliferation induced by catalytic cleavage products of a target antigen portion of the growth factor precursor of the present invention. A particularly useful form of the growth factor precursor is as a nucleic acid vaccine. The nucleic acid vaccine of the present invention preferably further comprises a molecular adjuvant. Another aspect of the present invention comprises a growth factor precursor in multimeric form. The growth factor precursor of the present invention is useful for generating catalytic antibodies for both therapeutic, diagnostic and industrial purposes.

Abstract: This invention discloses a cloning system and more particularly a system for sequentially cloning a plurality of heterologous nucleic acid sequences to assemble a chimeric construct of interest. The cloning system employs a marker sequence, which confers an identifiable characteristic on host cells in which it is contained, to chaperone individual insert nucleic acid sequences into recipient constructs that do not comprise the marker sequence but comprise other nucleic acid sequences for inclusion in the chimeric construct. Recombinant constructs into which one or more insert nucleic acid sequences have been introduced with the chaperone marker sequence are isolated by introducing recombinant constructs into host cells and identifying hosts cells with the identifiable characteristic.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method of treatment and to an animal model for the identification of molecules and genetic sequences useful in method of treatment including inducing or reducing fertility of male animals. More particularly, the present invention contemplates a method for the treatment of infertility or a method of reducing fertility and even more particularly a method for modulating spermatogenesis in an animal or avian species. There is also provided an animal model comprising a mutation in at least one allele of bcl-w or in a gene associated with bcl-w. Such animals fail to undergo productive spermatogenesis and can be used to screen for therapeutic molecules including genetic sequences capable of inducing, enhancing or otherwise facilitating spermatogenesis in said animals as well as a model for molecules and genetic sequences which can induce infertility.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for enhancing the activity of a molecule, or for combining individual activities of different molecules, by linking, fusing or otherwise associating the molecule(s) with a self-coalescing element, whereby the chimeric molecule so formed self-assembles into a higher molecular weight aggregate. The present invention also discloses such chimeric molecules per se and to their use in therapeutic, prophylactic and chemical process applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the integration of a nucleotide sequence of interest into the genome. Specifically, the methods of the present invention comprise contacting a lentiviral vector with the plasma membrane of an oocyte, early stage embryo, or blastula under conditions that permit the entry of the viral vector and the subsequent integration of the nucleotide sequence of interest into the genome. The methods further comprise culturing the oocyte or embryo contacted with the lentiviral vector under conditions that allow for the formation of a pre-implantation embryo. Subsequently, the pre-implantation embryo can be transferred into a recipient vertebrate where it is allowed to develop into at least one genetically modified animal. The methods and compositions of the invention thereby allow for the production of genetically modified animals, particularly, vertebrates, and particularly mammals.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a growth factor precursor and its use to select production of antigen specific catalytic antibodies. Such catalytic antibodies are produced following B cell activation and proliferation induced by catalytic cleavage products of a target antigen portion of the growth factor precursor of the present invention. A particularly useful form of the growth factor precursor is as a nucleic acid vaccine. The nucleic acid vaccine of the present invention preferably further comprises a molecular adjuvant. Another aspect of the present invention comprises a growth factor precursor in multimeric form. The growth factor precursor of the present invention is useful for generating catalytic antibodies for both therapeutic, diagnostic and industrial purposes.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a growth factor precursor and its use to select production of antigen specific catalytic antibodies. Such catalytic antibodies are produced following B cell activation and proliferation induced by catalytic cleavage products of a target antigen portion of the growth factor precursor of the present invention. A particularly useful form of the growth factor precursor is as a nucleic acid vaccine. The nucleic acid vaccine of the present invention preferably further comprises a molecular adjuvant. Another aspect of the present invention comprises a growth factor precursor in multimeric form. The growth factor precursor of the present invention is useful for generating catalytic antibodies for both therapeutic, diagnostic and industrial purposes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to catalytic antibodies and, more particularly, to a novel method of producing same. The method of the present invention is predicated in part on the exploitation of the products of catalysis to induce B cell mitogenesis. In a preferred embodiment, a growth factor having an ability to induce B cell mitogenesis is linked to a target antigen to which catalytic antibodies are sought. B cell mitogenesis is then dependent on the catalytic cleavage of the antigen portion of the growth factor by catalytic antibodies on the surface of B cells. The method of the present invention is useful for generating catalytic antibodies for both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to catalytic antibodies and, more particularly, to a novel method of producing same. The method of the present invention is predicated in part on the exploitation of the products of catalysis to induce B cell mitogenesis. In a preferred embodiment, a growth factor having an ability to induce B cell mitogenesis is linked to a target antigen to which catalytic antibodies are sought. B cell mitogenesis is then dependent on the catalytic cleavage of the antigen portion of the growth factor by catalytic antibodies on the surface of B cells. The method of the present invention is useful for generating catalytic antibodies for both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to catalytic antibodies and, more particularly, to a novel method of producing same. The method of the present invention is predicated in part on the exploitation of the products of catalysis to induce B cell mitogenesis. In a preferred embodiment, a growth factor having an ability to induce B cell mitogenesis is linked to a target antigen to which catalytic antibodies are sought. B cell mitogenesis is then dependent on the catalytic cleavage of the antigen portion of the growth factor by catalytic antibodies on the surface of B cells. The method of the present invention is useful for generating catalytic antibodies for both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes.