Abstract: One of the major peanut allergens, Ara h I, was selected from cDNA expression library clones using Ara h I specific oligo-nucleotides and polymerase chain reaction technology. The Ara h I clone identified a 2.3 kb mRNA species on a Northern blot containing peanut poly A+RNA. DNA sequence analysis of the cloned inserts revealed that the Ara h I allergen has significant homology with the vicilin seed storage protein family found in most higher plants. The isolation of the Ara h I clones allowed the synthesis of this protein in E. coli cells and subsequent recognition of this. recombinant protein in immunoblot analysis using serum IgE from patients with peanut hypersensitivity.

Abstract: This invention relates to the screening of nucleic acids. More particularly, the present invention provides a dysfunctional viral genome capable of both expressing libraries of exogenous nucleic acids and selecting the sequences having a predefined characteristic or function within the cell, such as nucleic acids encoding signal peptides, secreted proteins, membrane bound proteins, proteases and drug-resistance proteins. The invention further provides a method and a kit for selecting nucleic acids having a desired feature, wherein production of a viral particle is dependent on insertion of an exogenous nucleic acid having the desired feature into a dysfunctional viral genome or into a viral genome exposed to a substance inhibiting viral packaging function(s).

Abstract: The use of a compound comprising formula (I): or a salt, ester, amide or prodrug therof in the inhibition of an enzyme whose preferred mode of action is to catalyse the hydrolysis of an ester functionality, e.g. in the control and inhibition of unwanted enzymes in products and processes. The compounds are also useful in medicine e.g. in the treatment of obesity and related conditions. The invention also relates to novel compounds within formula (I), to processes for preparing them and pharmaceutical compositions containing them. In formula (I) A is a 6-membered aromatic or heteroaromatic ring; and R1 is a branched or unbranched alkyl (optionally interrupted by one or more oxygen atoms), alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, reduced arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, reduced aryl, reduced heteroaryl, reduced heteroarylalkyl or a substituted derivative of any of the foregoing groups.

Abstract: An instrument for analyzing and dispensing objects larger than about 70 &mgr;m in diameter is based on a flow cytometer with a novel fluidic switch arrangement for diverting a portion of a sample stream in response to detector signals in a flow cell. The instrument is particularly adapted for dispensing multicellular test organisms like nematodes or large microspheres for use in screening large libraries of potential pharmaceutical agents. Hydrodynamic focussing is used to center and align the objects in the flow cell. The objects pass through a sensing zone where optical or other characteristics of the objects are detected. The detector signals are processed and used to operate a fluidic switch that is located downstream from the sensing zone. The fluid stream containing the detected objects emerges from the flow cell into air where a fluid stream controlled by the fluidic switch diverts portions of the stream containing no sample objects or sample objects not meeting predetermined characteristics.