Abstract: DNA sequences of hCMV are obtained by restriction of the hCMV genome, the resulting fragments free of fragments cross-hybridizing with human DNA and other viruses may be used for hybridization with clinical samples suspected of containing hCMV to provide a sensitive method for detection of hCMV at low particle number.

Abstract: Novel transcription initiation regions that provide for enhanced transcription of a DNA sequence, particularly a plant sequence, are provided.

Abstract: Encapsulated agents are employed for introduction into the suprachoroid of an eye for therapeutic purposes. The administration of drugs is controlled and maintained for long periods of time, while ensuring the substantial absence of significant levels outside the site of administration.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for coating a substrate with a strongly adherent hydroxyapatite coating, which allows for ingrowth of natural bone and strong bonding between the coating and the substrate. The procedure provides for repetitive coatings at varying concentrations of coating forming reagents, where the highest concentration is used initially. The coating has particular application for prostheses, where porous areas of the prostheses are completely coated with a thin sturdy coating of hydroxyapatite.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for the production of pairs of visual signals indicative of the concentration of an analyte in a sample for analysis. The apparatus comprises pairs of analyte detection regions, each pair of detection regions comprising a region for performing sandwich-type immunoassays and a region for performing competition-type immunoassays. The intensity of the visual signal in the sandwich-type imunoassay analyte detection region increases with increasing analyte concentration, whereas the intensity of the visual signal in the competition-type immunoassay analyte detection region decreases with increasing analyte concentration.

Abstract: Biosensors are provided employing a thin crystalline diyne surfactant polymeric electrically conducting layer to which may be bound members of specific binding pairs. Binding of an analyte or a reagent to the specific binding pair member layer may change the electrical, optical or structural properties of the layer for measurement of analyte. The change in the polymeric layer provides for a sensitive measurement.

Abstract: Hydrogen peroxide stabilized in the presence of blood components by the addition of a metal oxide oxidant, an anionic chelating agent, particularly hydroxylic carboxylate and nitroprusside, and a catalase inhibitor. The composition finds particular application for stabilizing hydrogen peroxide in a diagnostic assay on a bibulous support.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the detection and semi-quantitative measurement of analytes. The assay results are visualized by the formation on a filter of a colored annular or circular spot, the diameter of the spot being related to the concentration of the analyte of interest. The filter on which the assay results are visualized is divided into multiple regions by strips of non-porous tape crossing the filter surface. The invention also includes a component for diluting sample to a suitable concentration for analysis, and dispensing the diluted sample onto the test filter.

Abstract: Methodology is provided for identifying the presence of human T-lymphocyte progenitor cells. Human thymus tissue is depleted of endogenous lymphold cells, repopulated with a human cellular composition which is HLA mismatched with the thymus tissue and implanted into a vascularizable site in an immunocompromised host. After at least about 2 weeks, the tissue may be assayed for the presence of the HLA mismatched T-lymphocytes as indicative of human T-lymphocyte progenitors in this cellular composition.

Abstract: An assay for determining the cholesterol level in a sample involving a bibulous strip comprising a transfer region for transporting a transport medium from a transport medium source, a sample receiving region in fluid communication with said transfer region, and a measurement region in fluid communication with said sample receiving region, and a detectable signal reagent system comprising unbound conversion reagent and bound reagent wherein said conversion reagent reacts with cholesterol to form an intermediate product and wherein said bound reagent reacts with said intermediate product to produce a detectable border, in which the conversion reagent is placed in the transfer region of the strip or in a region of the strip between the sample receiving and measurement regions and the signal reagent is non-diffusively bound to the strip in the measurement region, and which upon contact with the sample and the transport medium results in the production of a detectable border in the measurement region which is rel

Abstract: Calcium phosphate minerals are formed by using phosphoric acid source substantially free of uncombined water in conjunction with a calcium source, normally as any combination of carbonate, phosphate and hydroxide, and, as required, any additional base to neutralize the phosphoric acid. Protein may be optionally added. The resulting product is readily formed and then sets to a hard, stable, workable shaped object.

Abstract: Regulation of expression of genes encoded for in plant cell genomes is achieved by integration of a gene under the transcriptional control of a promoter which is functional in the host and in which the transcribed strand of DNA is complementary to the strand of DNA that is transcribed from the endogenous gene(s) one wishes to regulate. The integrated gene, referred to as anti-sense, provides an RNA sequence capable of binding to naturally existing RNAs, exemplified by polygalacturonase, and inhibiting their expression, where the anti-sense sequence may bind to the coding, non-coding, or both, portions of the RNA. The antisense construction may be introduced into the plant cells in a variety of ways and be integrated into the plant genome for inducible or constitutive transcription of the anti-sense sequence. A wide variety of plant cell properties may be modifed by employing this technique.The pCGN978xK12 was deposited at the A.T.C.C. on Mar. 25, 1986, and given Accession No.

Abstract: An electrophoretic system is provided which allows for carrying out electrophoresis while monitoring and regulating the temperature and the electrical field gradient in the gel. In addition, photometric monitoring is provided so as to monitor the progress of the electrophoretic separation and vary conditions to change the progress as desired. A computer is employed which receives the signals from the electrophoretic and photometric apparatuses and regulates temperature and voltage to either maintain conditions, or change the conditions to vary the progress of the electrophoresis. Gel molds are provided for forming the lanes in a gel plate, as well as a light module, for reading the bands present in the gel lanes with the photometer.

Abstract: Enhanced resistance to glyphosate, an inhibitor of the aromatic amino acid biosynthesis pathway, is imparted to a glyphosate sensitive host. A mutated aroA gene is employed which expresses 5-enolpyruvyl-3-phosphoshikimate synthase (EC: 2.5.1.19) (ES-3-P synthase). Methods are provided for obtaining the aroA mutation which provides the enzyme resistant to inhibition by glyphosate, means for introducing the structural gene into a sensitive host, as well as providing a method of producing the enzyme.The E. coli strain C600 (pPMG1) has been deposited at the A.T.C.C. on December 14, 1982 and given A.T.C.C. Accession No. 39256.

Abstract: Syringe needle protective devices are provided, comprising a mounting, a protective collar, and flexible ribs joining the collar to the mounting. When the needle is injected, the collar retracts, with the flexible ribs extending outwardly. An outer collar may be provided to restore and lock the collar to its original position, when the needle is withdrawn from an injection.

Abstract: Live vaccines are provided and methods for preparing the live vaccines for protection of a host from a pathogenic microorganism. The vaccines are prepared by introducing at least one modification in a gene involved in at least one, normally at least two, biosynthetic pathways involving the production of products which are unlikely to be found in the disease susceptible host. The modification results in a gene change which cannot be repaired by a single step, e.g. polynucleotide deletions and inversions. Where the aro gene suffers such a change, the resultant auxotrophic mutants require aromatic amino acids, p-aminobenzoic acid and 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid or a highly concentrated source of absorbable iron. The auxotrophic mutations have substantially reduced or nonexistent virulence while retaining the desired immunogenicity to initiate the immunogenic response. Various techniques can be employed for providing the desired change.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for regulating surface membrane receptor response by providing novel proteinaceous compositions to bind to two separate sites of a surface membrane receptor, the binding site of the receptor and an allosteric site, which binds to a sequence of a Class I MHC antigen. The resulting products may act as agonist or antagonist to the normal function of the receptor and find use in the control of physiological processes.

Abstract: A method of controlling expression of a DNA segment under the control of a nod gene promoter which comprises administering to a host containing a nod gene promoter an amount sufficient to control expression of the DNA segment of a compound of the formula: ##STR1## in which each R is independently H or OH, is described.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for analyzing in viable cells gene expression regulatory elements and systems. The method can be used to evaluate a transcriptional initiation regulatory system or the presence of a trans acting component. The method finds use in evaluating various transcriptional initiation functional sequences for use in expression of products, for the detection of trans acting agents associated with viruses and for quantitating the presence of infectious viruses. The method comprises introducing an expression cassette encoding an enzyme which has a fluorescent substrate, substantially irreversibly introducing the substrate into the cell host and detecting the formation of fluorescence during a predetermined time interval.

Abstract: Method and compositions are provided for introducing alien DNA into a nucleic acid in vivo by providing a plasmid capable of replication in a first host, which is capable of conjugation with a second host into which the alien DNA is to be introduced. The plasmid is characterized by being capable of maintenance in said first host, being incapable of maintenance in said second host, having a region of homology with DNA present in said second host, not self-transmissable but capable of mobilization by a helper plasmid and having a marker, which may be the alien DNA, for selection in said second host. The invention finds particular application for introducing alien DNA into the Ti plasmid of Agrobacterium tumefaciens for introduction into plant cells.