Abstract: An isolated polypeptide includes the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ. ID No. 13 and an isolated nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide, such as an isolated nucleic acid including the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ. ID No. 17. The isolated polypeptide includes two heparin binding polypeptides connected in tandem and the isolated nucleic acid encodes these. The polypeptide and nucleic acid sequences can improve retroviral vector mediated gene transfer efficiency into target cells.

Abstract: A polypeptide represented by SEQ. ID No. 13 and a gene encoding the polypeptide. A gene is also represented by SEQ. ID No. 17, or a gene hybridizable thereto under stringent conditions and encoding a polypeptide which improves the efficiency of gene transfer into target cells with a retrovirus.

Abstract: A polypeptide represented by SEQ. ID No. 13, a polypeptide represented by SEQ. ID No. 30 or functional equivalents thereof and a polypeptide represented by SEQ. ID No. 17.

Abstract: A relatively simple and easy method of laveling in which a sample used in electrophoresis technology is labeled with the use of rare earth fluorescent complex DTBTA-Eu3+ as a labeling agent so as to exhibit a fluorescence intensity being stable without dependence on the intensity of electric field. Further, there can be realized an analysis of biosubstance with high sensitivity utilizing the complex.

Abstract: Improved methods for transferring a gene into target cells by using a retrovirus, wherein the gene transfer efficiency is improved and the target cells are efficiently transformed by binding the retrovirus to a functional substance which is immobilized on as carrier and having an activity of binding to retroviruses followed by washing; using an antibody capable of specifically recognizing cells, laminin or mannose-rich type sugar chain as a substance having an activity of binding to the target cells; pre-treating the target cells so as to inactivate transferring receptor, or introducing a new functional group into the functional substance.

Abstract: Gene therapeutics to be used in treating diseases showing sensitivity to gene therapy, characterized by containing as the active ingredient an efficacious amount of a functional substance which has a function of having an affinity for a virus containing a gene usable in the gene therapy and another function of having an affinity specific for a target cell with a need for the gene transfer, or an efficacious amount of a functional substance which has an affinity for the above virus and an efficacious amount of another functional substance which has an affinity specific for the above cell.

Abstract: A polypeptide represented by SEQ. ID No. 13, a polypeptide represented by SEQ. ID No. 30 or functional equivalents thereof and a polypeptide represented by SEQ. ID No. 17.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for increasing the efficiency of gene transfer into target cells with a retrovirus. The transduction is affected by infecting target cells with a retrovirus in the presence of a mixture of a functional material having a retrovirus binding domain, and a second functional material having target cell binding domain. The target cells may be selected from the group of unintentional hematopoietic progenitor cells and erythrocyte precursor, specifically pluripotent stem cells or embryopalstic stem cells.

Abstract: Improved methods for transferring a gene into target cells by using a retrovirus, wherein the gene transfer efficiency is improved and the target cells are efficiently transformed by binding the retrovirus to a functional substance which is immobilized on as carrier and having an activity of binding to retroviruses followed by washing; using an antibody capable of specifically recognizing cells, laminin or mannose-rich type sugar chain as a substance having an activity of binding to the target cells; pre-treating the target cells so as to inactivate transferrin receptor, or introducing a new functional group into the functional substance.

Abstract: Improved methods for transferring a gene into target cells by using a retrovirus, wherein the gene transfer efficiency is improved and the target cells are efficiently transformed by binding the retrovirus to a functional substance which is immobilized on as carrier and having an activity of binding to retroviruses followed by washing; using an antibody capable of specifically recognizing cells, laminin or mannose-rich type sugar chain as a substance having an activity of binding to the target cells; pre-treating the target cells so as to inactivate transferrin receptor, or introducing a new functional group into the functional substance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for increasing the efficiency of gene transfer into target cells with a retrovirus. The transduction is effected by infecting target cells with a retrovirus in the presence of a mixture of a functional material having a retrovirus binding domain, and a second functional material having target cell binding domain. The target cells may be selected from the group of unipotential hematopoietic progenitor cells and erythrocyte precursor, specifically pluripotent stem cells or embryopalstic stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a kit to carry out retrovirus-mediated gene transfer into target cells. The kit contains a functional material bearing a retrovirus binding domain, another functional material bearing a target cell binding domain, an artificial substrate for incubating the retrovirus contacted with the target cells, and a target cell growth factor for pre-stimulating target cells to spur them along the cell cycle. The kit of the invention may further comprise a recombinant retroviral vector, necessary buffers, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention offers a method for the purification or removal of virus characterized in containing a step where the virus in the virus-containing sample is adsorbed with sulfated-fucose-containing polysaccharide(s) and/or degradation product(s) thereof.

Abstract: An isolated SDS-resistant hyperthermostable .beta.-galactosidase gene derived from Pyrococcus furiosus. Examples thereof include genes respectively shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2 and genes each hybridizable with the above gene shown in SEQ ID NO: 1. A method of cloning the hyperthermostable .beta.-galactosidase gene in which each of the above genes or pacts thereof is used as a probe or primer. A process for producing a hyperthermostable .beta.-galactosidase by culturing a transformant into which a plasmid containing each of the above gene has been introduced.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the efficient production of a transfected cell which comprises a step of culturing transfected cells in the presence of a cell-adhesive substance, after injection of a foreign gene into target cells, upon production of the transfected cells by transfer of a foreign gene into the target cells through cell perforation. Also provided are transfected cells produced by the method, and a kit for the production of transfected cells that includes a cell-adhesive substance as an essential component, which kit is suitable for use with the method for the efficient production of transfected cells by cell perforation.

Abstract: An isolated hyperthermostable .beta.-galactosidase gene derived from Pyrococcus furiosus is described. Examples include DNA sequences shown in SEQ ID NO. 2 and SEQ ID NO. 4 and DNAs hybridizable with these DNAs. A method of cloning the hyperthermostable .beta.-galactosidase gene in which each of the above sequences or portions thereof is used as a probe or primer is described. A process for producing a hyperthermostable .beta.-galactosidase by culturing a transformant into which a plasmid containing each of the above genes has been introduced is described. A particularly preferred gene encodes an SDS-resistant hyperthermostable .beta.-galactosidase.

Abstract: This invention provides an antibody having antigen binding activity and which has a heavy chain constant region into which has been introduced an RGDS amino acid sequence giving the antibody affinity for cells, including macrophages. The antibody exhibits artificial cell adhesive activity which is the newly expressed activity that results from insertion of the RGDS amino acid sequence. This antibody having artificial cell adhesive activity can accelerate the phagocytosis of macrophages, and can activate other effector cells. Therefore, this antibody contributes to the self-defense mechanism.

Abstract: A polypeptide having the cell-spreading activity of human fibronectin. Methods of preparing the polypeptide are described.