Abstract: Methods for introducing and expressing genes in animal cells are provided comprising infecting the animal cells with live invasive reduced-genome bacteria comprising a eukaryotic expression cassette comprising said gene. Also provided are methods for producing a pluripotent stem (iPS) cell from a mammalian somatic cell comprising infecting the somatic cell with live invasive reduced-genome bacteria comprising one or more eukaryotic expression cassettes comprising at least a gene encoding the transcription factor Oct3/4 and a gene encoding a member of the SRY-related HMG-box (Sox) transcription factor family.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention relate generally to plasmid DNA preparations and to methods for producing and using such preparations.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods useful for, inter alia, production of commercial biologic products such as amino acids. More specifically, the present invention relates to genetically modified strains of microorganisms and the use thereof for the production of commercial products. The present invention also provides, inter alia, novel isolated DNA, nucleic acid, vectors and reduced genome bacteria.

Abstract: The synthesis of arrays of DNA probes sequences, polypeptides, and the like is carried out using a patterning process on an active surface of a substrate. An image is projected onto the active surface of the substrate utilizing reflective projection optics. The projection optics project a light image onto the active surface of the substrate to deprotect linker molecules thereon. A first level of bases may then be applied to the substrate, followed by development steps, and subsequent exposure of the substrate utilizing a different light image, with further repeats until the elements of a two dimensional array on the substrate surface have an appropriate base bound thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of molecular biology and genomics. More specifically, the present invention concerns the cloning of nucleic acid molecules and the production of nucleic acid libraries, as well as the expression of recombinant proteins and bactofection.

Abstract: Reduced genome strains of E. coli MGl 655 are described. In various embodiments, the strains have one or more of equal or improved growth rate, transformation efficiency, protein expression, DNA production, DNA yield and/or DNA quality compared to the parental strain and commercially available strains.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention relate generally to plasmid DNA preparations and to methods for producing and using such preparations.

Abstract: The invention relates to host cells with improved protein expressed properties. The host cells comprise rare tRNA genes within the one or more rRNA operons.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel strains of microorganisms with oxygen-regulated metabolism. The microorganisms have higher growth rates and are more efficient than parental strains. The microorganisms may be used to produce a variety of products of interests, such as recombinant proteins, nucleic acids, such as DNA, amino acids, and chemicals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of the digestive tract of an animal as a bioreactor for the production of a product of interest.

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: The present invention provides a bacterium having a genome that is genetically engineered to be at least 2 to 14% smaller than the genome of its native parent strain. A bacterium with a smaller genome can produce a commercial product more efficiently. The present invention also provides methods for deleting genes and other DNA sequences from a bacterial genome. The methods provide precise deletions and seldom introduces mutations to the genomic DNA sequences around the deletion sites. Thus, the methods can be used to generate a series of deletions in a bacterium without increasing the possibility of undesired homologous recombination within the genome. In addition, some of the methods provided by the present invention can also be used for replacing a region of a bacterial genome with a desired DNA sequence.

Abstract: The entire genome of pathogenic E. coli strain 0157:H7 has been sequenced. All of the genomic DNA sequences present in 0157 and absent in the previously sequenced laboratory strain K12 are presented here.

Abstract: The complete DNA sequence of three plasmids from the bacterium Yersinia pestis, the causative agent for bubonic plague, have been determined and are set forth. The open reading frames, or protein coding regions, of the plasmids have been determined. The DNA sequence and ORF information is useful for the creation of diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic tools for combating the disease caused by this agent.

Abstract: Microbial growth assays are carried out utilizing assay apparatus having a base plate with a plurality of microbial growth assay wells, each well having a liquid content of 30 &mgr;l or less. Electrodes are coupled together through the wells and electrical connectors are connected to the electrodes to allow the effect of the content of the wells to be measured by measuring the capacitance or resistance or both between the electrodes at each well, with the change in the capacitance or resistance in each well over time being correlated with the extent of growth of a bacterium introduced into the well with a growth medium. The small size of the microwells causes the growth of bacteria in the well to quickly show a change in the electrical properties of the well, particularly in the capacitance or resistance between the electrodes at each well, with growth to saturation occurring for common bacteria such as E. coli in a few hours or less.

Abstract: The entire genome of pathogenic E. coli strain CFT073 has been sequenced. Nearly all of the genomic DNA sequences present in CFT073 and absent in the previously sequenced laboratory strain K-12 are presented here.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bacterium having a genome that is genetically engineered to be at least 2 to 14% smaller than the genome of its native parent strain. A bacterium with a smaller genome can produce a commercial product more efficiently. The present invention also provides methods for deleting genes and other DNA sequences from a bacterial genome. The methods provide precise deletions and seldom introduces mutations to the genomic DNA sequences around the deletion sites. Thus, the methods can be used to generate a series of deletions in a bacterium without increasing the possibility of undesired homologous recombination within the genome. In addition, some of the methods provided by the present invention can also be used for replacing a region of a bacterial genome with a desired DNA sequence.

Abstract: The entire genome of pathogenic E. coli strain 0157:H7 has been sequenced. All of the genomic DNA sequences present in 0157 and absent in the previously sequenced laboratory strain K12 are presented here.

Abstract: Microbial growth assays are carried out utilizing assay apparatus having a base plate with a plurality of microbial growth assay wells, each well having a liquid content of 30 &mgr;l or less. Electrodes are coupled together through the wells and electrical connectors are connected to the electrodes to allow the effect of the content of the wells to be measured by measuring the capacitance or resistance or both between the electrodes at each well, with the change in the capacitance or resistance in each well over time being correlated with the extent of growth of a bacterium introduced into the well with a growth medium. The small size of the microwells causes the growth of bacteria in the well to quickly show a change in the electrical properties of the well, particularly in the capacitance or resistance between the electrodes at each well, with growth to saturation occurring for common bacteria such as E. coli in a few hours or less.

Abstract: The synthesis of arrays of DNA probes sequences, polypeptides, and the like is carried out using a patterning process on an active surface of a substrate. An image is projected onto the active surface of the substrate utilizing an image former that includes a light source that provides light to a micromirror device comprising an array of electronically addressable micromirrors, each of which can be selectively tilted between one of at least two positions. Projection optics receives the light reflected from the micromirrors along an optical axis and precisely images the micromirrors onto the active surface of the substrate, which may be used to activate the surface of the substrate. The first level of bases may then be applied to the substrate, followed by development steps, and subsequent exposure of the substrate utilizing a different pattern of micromirrors, with further repeats until the elements of a two dimensional array on the substrate surface have an appropriate base bound thereto.