Abstract: The present invention is related to a nucleic acid construct (1) to be incorporated in a double selection vector (2) able to transform a cell (3) of a specific organism, wherein—said construct (1) contains two different genes (10 and 11), each gene encoding a different toxic molecule (4 and 5) to a prokaryote cell, preferably to E. Coli, said genes (10 and 11) being disposed upstream and downstream a cassette sequence (8), or downstream and upstream site(s) for the insertion of a cassette sequence (8), and—said nucleic acid construct comprises specific sequence portions (12, 12′) allowing inactivation of said genes (10 and 11).

Abstract: An innovative detection system for detecting small numbers of target analytes is disclosed. This system provides a novel method for attaching multiple copies of reporter groups to a single site on an analyte of interest. This system preferably comprises a virus capsid enclosing multiple detectable reporter groups, and a linking molecule which is capable of linking the capsid to the analyte of interest.

Abstract: A novel recombinant Bacillus bacterial strain is constructed by genetic engineering which has high productivity of alpha-amylase. The Bacillus strain comprising an alpha-amylase gene inserted in the Bacillus chromosome under transcriptional control of a phage promoter. An efficient process for the rapid production of large amounts of alpha-amylase is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a isolated bacteriophage useful as a tool for studying biological, biochemical, physiological and genetic properties of actinomycetes and other organisms which comprises a novel strain of Saccharomonospora having certain specified characteristics. The invention also relates to a process for the isolation of the said bacteriophage and/or DNA phage and to a novel universal growth medium which is particularly useful in the said process. Another embodiment of the process relates to a cloning vector which comprises a plasmid or bacteriophage comprising the phage DNA of the invention.

Abstract: A modified filamentous phage that contains a gene for a wild type phage coat protein and a gene for a synthetic phage coat protein is provided. Uses of the modified phage and kits containing the phage are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transport proteins, in particular VP22 and homologues thereof, and to methods of delivering these proteins and any associated molecules to a target population of cells. This transport protein has applications in gene therapy and methods of targeting agents to cells where targeting oat high efficiency is required.

Abstract: A recombinant baculovirus, which produces a recombinant polyhedra made up of a baculovirus polyhedrin (PH), a Bacillus thuringiensis crystal protein (CP) and jellyfish Aequorea victoria green fluorescent protein (GFP), is constructed by introducing a transfer vector carrying a fusion gene encoding a fusion protein in which the PH, the CP and the GFP are directly linked from N-terminal to C-terminal, in sequence, and a wild-type baculovirus into an insect cell, simultaneously, and culturing the cell. This baculovirus transfer vector pColorBtrus is constructed by synthesizing the GFP-coding DNA fragment from plasmid pGFP, the PH gene from wild-type Autographa californica Nucleopolyhedrovirus, and a Cry1Ac gene from plasmid pPN6.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the generation of lambda (&lgr;) or P1 bacteriophage vectors useful in targeted mutagenesis of eukaryotic cells and the expression of genes and proteins, methods for the identification of a &lgr; or P1 bacteriophage vector having a desired nucleic acid from an assortment or library of bacteriophage each having a different nucleic acid insert and the use of such vectors in gene targeting and the expression of genes and protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides the complete nucleotide sequence of a bovine adenovirus. The invention further provides bovine adenovirus vectors and expression systems which can be used, among other things, for insertion of foreign sequences, for provision of DNA control sequences including transcriptional and translational regulatory sequences, for diagnostic purposes to detect the presence of viral nucleic acids or proteins encoded by these regions in a subject or biological sample, for provision of immunogenic polypeptides or fragments thereof, for vaccines and for gene therapy. Cell lines comprising the vectors of the invention, and methods for making bovine adenovirus vectors are also provided.

Abstract: DNA encoding a therapeutically suitable glutaminase has been molecularly cloned. This allows one to obtain a polypeptide which is a therapeutically suitable glutaminase free of contaminating endotoxin. It has been found that this polypeptide is a potent anti-viral agent and when coupled to an anti-tumor monoclonal antibody is a potent anti-cancer agent. The glutaminase of the present invention is particularly useful for treating lung, breast and colon cancer cells and in the treatment of HIV-infected cells.

Abstract: This invention is directed to Flavobacterium heparinum for use as a host cell organism for the expression of homologous and heterologous genes.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to compositions of and methods for obtaining and using a polypeptide other than BCL-2 that affects programmed vertebrate cell death. The invention relates as well to polynucleotides encoding those polypeptides, recombinant vectors carrying those sequences, the recombinant host cells including either the sequences or vectors, and recombinant polypeptides. The invention further provides methods for using the isolated, recombinant polypeptides in assays designed to select and improve substances capable of altering programmed cell death for use in diagnostic, drug design and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: E. coli strains derived form E. coli strain VNIIgenetika 472t23 and obtained by a process involving transduction by bacteriophage P1 which bears a transposon which inactivates threonine dehydrogenase activity and isolation of a transductant lacking threonine dehydrogenase activity are useful for producing L-threonine.

Abstract: A system for the generation of live, nonpathogenic infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV), a segmented double-stranded (ds)RNA virus of the Birnavirdae family, using synthetic transcripts derived from cloned DNA has been developed. Independent full-length cDNA clones were constructed which contained the coding and non-coding regions of RNA segments A and B of IPNV, respectively. Segment A was modified to prevent the expression of NS protein. Synthetic RNAs of both segments were produced by in vitro transcription of linearized plasmids with T7 RNA polymerase. Transfection of CHSE cells with combined plus-sense transcripts of both segments generated infectious virus. The development of a system for producing NS protein deficient IPNV will greatly facilitate studies of viral pathogenesis, and the development of live attenuated vaccines for IPNV.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for high frequency of allelic exchange in the slow-growing mycobacteria using in vitro generated specialized transducing mycobacteriophages, as well as the recombinant slow-growing mycobacteria generated using the disclosed method. A transducing mycobacteriophage of the present invention comprises a conditional mycobacteriophage containing an E. coli bacteriophage lambda cosmid inserted into a non-essential region of the mycobacteriophage, said cosmid containing a mutated DNA substrate which is homologous to a wildtype nucleic acid sequence of a slow-growing mycobacterium. When slow-growing mycobacteria infected with the conditional transducing phage are cultured under conditions wherein the conditional transducing phage does not replicate, the mutated DNA substrate is incorporated into the chromosomal DNA of the slow-growing mycobacteria by homologous recombination, thereby generating the recombinant slow-growing mycobacteria of the present invention.

Abstract: A system for generating recombinant, human parainfluenza virus, particularly infectious, recombinant, human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV-3) is provided. In one embodiment, the system comprises a clone comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes a full-length, positive sense, anti-genome of HPIV, and at least one support clone comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes the HPIV P protein and the HPIV L protein. In another embodiment, the system further comprises a support clone which comprises a nucleotide sequence that encodes the HPIV NP protein. The present invention also provides a MAH clone which comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length, positive sense, anti-genome of HPIV-3. The clone also comprises an RNA polymerase promoter operatively linked to the HPIV-3 antigenome-encoding sequence. In a preferred embodiment, the clone further comprises a nucleotide sequence which encodes a ribozyme immediately downstream from the sequence encoding the HPIV-3 anti-genome.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to isolated transducing phages, methods of isolating transducing phages, and methods of using transducing phages including, for instance, transferring at least one nucleic acid fragment from a donor microbe to a recipient microbe, and producing a secondary metabolite from a microbe. The transducing phages typically have a broad host range, and transduce microbes in the Order Actinomycetales, in particular in the Family Streptomycetaceae, including Streptomyces coelicolor, Streptomyces lividans, Streptomyces venezuelae, Streptomyces avermitilis, and Saccharopolyspora erythraea. The transducing phages can be specialized transducing phages or generalized transducing phages.

Abstract: A bacterial strain of Escherichia coli BKIIM B-3996, a producer of L-threonine, containing a recombinant plasmid pVIC40 and deposited on Nov. 19, 1987 in the collection of microorganism cultures at the USSR Antiobiotics Research Institute under Reg. No. 1867.

Abstract: A fermentation process for producing succinic acid is provided comprising selecting a bacterial strain that does not produce succinic acid in high yield, disrupting the normal regulation of sugar metabolism of said bacterial strain, and combining the mutant bacterial strain and selected sugar in anaerobic conditions to facilitate production of succinic acid. Also provided is a method for changing low yield succinic acid producing bacteria to high yield succinic acid producing bacteria comprising selecting a bacterial strain having a phosphotransferase system and altering the phosphotransferase system so as to allow the bacterial strain to simultaneously metabolize different sugars.

Abstract: A delivery system, especially for delivery to targeted sites in the human or animal body, comprises capsids of the coat protein amino acid sequence of phage MS-2 or related phage, or a modification thereof which retains capsid-forming capability, and at least some of the capsids enclosing a moiety foreign to the genome of MS-2 or related phage.

Abstract: A method for introducing and expressing genes in animal cells is disclosed comprising infecting said animal cells with live invasive bacteria, wherein said bacteria contain a eukaryotic expression cassette encoding said gene. The gene may encode, e.g., a vaccine antigen, an therapeutic agent, an immunoregulatory agent or a anti-sense RNA or a catalytic RNA.

Abstract: A method for producing gene targeting constructs in bacterial by way of homologous recombination between bacterial phage and plasmids.

Abstract: Repertoires of first specific binding pair (sbp) members wherein each first sbp member has a chemical moiety bound covalently at an amino acid residue within the binding site are made and may be displayed at the surface of an organism such as a bacteriophage. Methods of making such repertoires may involve the provision of a population of encoding nucleic acid molecules wherein a codon encoding a selectively or preferentially modifiable amino acid is introduced in the region encoding the binding site, for instance by mutation or gene construction. First sbp member (e.g. antibodies) wherein binding to second sbp member (e.g. antigen) is enhanced in or dependent on the presence of the chemical moiety in the binding site may be selected from the repertoires.

Abstract: The invention refers to a molecular presentation system in which viral proteins are foreseen as carriers for heterologous amino acid sequences. Hereby, the viral protein is derived from small insect viruses, primarily from Flock House Virus (FHV), with a known 3-dimensional structure and amino acid sequence, whereby heterologous amino acid sequences, for example epitopes, are inserted in the outwardly directed loops of the viral capsid protein. Moreover, the expression of the FHV capsid protein in insect cells can produce mature virus like particles (VLP) through a recombinant baculovirus.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to recombinant plant viral nucleic acids and to hosts infected thereby. The recombinant plant viral nucleic acids comprise a native plant viral subgenomic promoter, at least one non-native plant viral subgenomic promoter, a plant viral coat protein coding sequence, and optionally, at least one non-native nucleic acid sequence to be transcribed or expressed in the infected host plant. The recombinant plant viral nucleic acids are stable, capable of systemic infection and capable of stable transcription or expression in the plant host of the non-native nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: A novel method of over expressing genes in plants is provided. This method is based on the RNA amplification properties of plus strand RNA viruses of plants. A chimeric multicistronic gene is constructed containing a plant promoter, viral replication origins, a viral movement protein gene, and one or more foreign genes under control of viral subgenomic promoters. Plants containing one or more of these recombinant RNA transcripts are inoculated with helper virus. In the presence of helper virus recombinant transcripts are replicated producing high levels of foreign gene RNA.Sequences are provided for the high level expression of the enzyme chloramphenicol acetyltransferase in tobacco plants by replicon RNA amplification with helper viruses and movement protein genes derived from the tobamovirus group.

Abstract: A portable, hand-held reader reads a symbol associated with a product selected by a customer. A database of a host computer stores attribute data of many products. The database is accessed on a real-time basis to automatically retrieve the stored product attribute data. The retrieved data is displayed on a display associated with the reader. A card reading device is provided on the hand-held reader, for charging a customer's account, all at one location. A printer prints a written memorandum of the transaction.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated and purified DNA encoding an amino acid sequence which comprises SEQ. ID. NO:3.

Abstract: A method for introducing and expressing genes in animal cells is disclosed comprising infecting said animal cells with live invasive bacteria, wherein said bacteria contain a eukaryotic expression cassette encoding said gene. The gene may encode, e.g., a vaccine antigen, an therapeutic agent, an immunoregulatory agent or a anti-sense RNA or a catalytic RNA.