Abstract: Methods of eliciting an immune response in a subject by administering one or more large genomic DNA fragments are provided. Also provided are methods of identifying sequences encoding antigenic polypeptides. Also provided are vaccine compositions comprising one or more large genomic DNA fragments.

Abstract: A strategy for effecting virus resistance in plants causes the transcription in the plant cells of negative RNA strands which are substantially complementary to a target RNA strand. The target RNA strand can be an mRNA transcript created in gene expression, a viral RNA, or other RNA present in the plant cells. The negative RNA strand is complementary to at least a portion of the target RNA strand to inhibit its activity in vivo.

Abstract: A method of providing a patient with an enhanced immune response is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises the step of vaccinating the patient with a vaccine comprising a combination of DNA encoding interleukin-6 and DNA encoding an antigen capable of enlisting an enhanced immune response in a patient. In one embodiment, the enhanced immune response is a therapeutic response. In another embodiment, the enhanced immune response is a protective immune response.

Abstract: A DNA molecule encoding a secretable mature epidermal growth factor (EGF) polypeptide is delivered to a skin wound. The cells that take up the recombinant DNA construct express soluble EGF that is secreted into surrounding fluid. The presence of the EGF accelerates, by a statistically significant amount, the healing time of a wound treated in this manner.The DNA molecule can be a genetic construction that expresses an EGF encoding portion that differs from the naturally occurring EGF precursor gene in that the only coding region retained from the precursor gene is that of the mature EGF polypeptide. Amino-terminal EGF-like repeats and the carboxy-terminal hydrophobic sequence that anchors natural EGF to the cell membrane are not present in the genetic construction.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the genetic transformation of organisms by accelerated particle mediated transformation. Foreign genes are introduced into cells by coating on carrier particles which are physically accelerated into the cells by positioning the carrier particles on the external surface of a carrier ribbon which is wound on a cartridge, the carrier ribbon having an exposed portion. The carrier particles on the exposed portion of the ribbon are displaced and accelerated toward an exit port by a high pressure stream of helium gas. By rotating the ribbon, a continuous supply of carrier particles can be produced and hence large target areas can be transformed without the need to replace the particle carrier. Near the exit port, the gaseous stream is diverted through use of the Coanda effect to divert the gas stream away from a target area. The carrier particles, being much heavier than the gas, continue toward and into the target cells.

Abstract: A method of genetically transforming mammalian unattached cells is disclosed. The method begins by preparing copies of a nucleic acid construct and coating these copies onto biologically inert carrier particles. Mammalian unattached cells are isolated in a liquid suspension. The cell suspension is placed on a target surface, wherein the liquid is spread to a thin film on the target surface. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the liquid is spread onto a porous surface. The cells are bombarded with the construct-coated particles in such a fashion that some particles lodge in the interior of at least some of the cells. The existence and expression of the construct within the cell is verified.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for the genetic transformation of soybean plants and plant lines by particle mediated transformation. Foreign genes are introduced into regenerable soybean tissues by coating on carrier particles which are physically accelerated into plant tissues. The treated plant tissues are then recovered and regenerated into whole sexually mature plants. The progeny are recovered from seed set by these plants and a portion of these progeny will contain in their genome the foreign gene. The procedure may be used to create novel genetically engineered soybean plants and lines.