Abstract: An adenoviral vector including at least one DNA sequence encoding a clotting factor, such as, for example, Factor VIII, or Factor IX. Such vectors may be administered to a host in an amount effective to treat hemophilia in the host. The vectors infect hepatocytes very efficiently, whereby the hepatocytes express the DNA sequence encoding the clotting factor.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to cell-specific expression vectors. It particularly relates to targeted gene therapy using recombinant expression vectors and particularly adenovirus vectors. The invention specifically relates to replication-conditional expression vectors and methods for using them. Such vectors are able to selectively replicate in a target cell or tissue to provide a therapeutic benefit in a tissue from the presence of the vector per se or from one or more heterologous gene products expressed from the vector and distributed throughout the tissue. In such vectors, a gene essential for replication is placed under the control of a heterologous tissue-specific transcriptional regulatory sequence. Thus, replication is conditioned on the presence of a factor(s) that induces transcription or the absence of a factor(s) that inhibits transcription of the gene by means of the transcriptional regulatory sequence with this vector; therefore, a target tissue can be selectively treated.

Abstract: The present invention provides chemically regulatable DNA sequences capable of regulating transcription of an associated DNA sequence in plants or plant tissues, chimeric constructions containing such sequences, vectors containing such sequences and chimeric constructions, and transgenic plants and plant tissues containing these chimeric constructions. In one aspect, the chemically regulatable DNA sequences of the invention are derived from the 5′ region of genes encoding pathogenisis-related (PR) proteins. The present invention also provides anti-pathogenic sequences derived from novel cDNAs coding for PR proteins which can be genetically engineered and transformed into plants to confer enhanced resistance to disease.

Abstract: The invention provides novel retroviral vectors that have enhanced transcription termination structures. The termination structures comprise one or several heterologous upstream transcription termination enhancer (UE) sequences, or one or more additional copies of endogenous UE sequences operably associated with the 3′ LTR polyadenylation signal. The retroviral vectors of the invention have various improved properties over conventional vectors, including stronger gene expression, enhanced vector titer and reduced interference with host cell gene expression resulting from read-through of vector initiated transcriptional events.

Abstract: A method of inducing blood vessel formation in an animal by administering to the animal a polynucleotide encoding a sphingosine kinase, or an analogue, fragment, or derivative thereof. The polynucleotide may be contained in an appropriate expression vector, such as a viral vector. The delivery of sphingosine kinase through administration of an expression vector which expresses sphingosine kinase provides for the formation of larger blood vessels containing a well defined structure that is supported by mural cells such as pericytes and smooth muscle cells.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to targeted gene therapy using recombinant vectors and particularly adenovirus vectors. The invention specifically relates to replication-conditional vectors and methods for using them. Such vectors are able to selectively replicate in a target tissue to provide a therapeutic benefit from the presence of the vector per se or from heterologous gene products expressed from the vector and distributed throughout the tissue. In such vectors, a gene essential for replication is placed under the control of a heterologous tissue-specific transcriptional regulatory sequence. Thus, replication is conditioned on the presence of a factor(s) that induces transcription or the absence of a factor(s) that inhibits transcription of the gene by means of the transcriptional regulatory sequence with this vector, therefore, a target tissue can be selectively treated.

Abstract: Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) DNA sequences from the ribosomal RNA gene region are described for different strains of the wheat fungal pathogen, Rhizoctonia cerealis. Specific primers from within these sequences are identified as being useful for the identification of Rhizoctonia cerealis using PCR-based techniques.

Abstract: The genes encoding a novel class of insecticidal proteins have been isolated and characterized from a strain of Bacillus thuringiensis. Both the nucleic and amino acid sequences for the proteins are disclosed. The nucleic acid molecules are utilized in the transformation of host microorganisms and production of transgenic plants which are resistant to insects. Also, the gene encoding for the insect's receptor of the insecticidal protein has been isolated and characterized. Novel processes and methods for controlling plants pests are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for hybrid seed production comprising producing a conditional female sterile plant comprising a female-preferential promoter operably linked to a coding sequence which encodes an enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of a protoxin to a toxin, interplanting the conditional female sterile plant with a male sterile plant, applying the protoxin to the conditional female sterile plant, and producing hybrid seed. Viable seed formation is prevented on the conditional female sterile plant as a result of the conversion of the protoxin to the toxin in the female reproductive structures, and pollen production is prevented on the male sterile plant, thus allowing interplanting of the two parents of the hybrid cross in order to provide more efficient pollen transfer. Also provided are expression cassettes useful in the invention, plants transformed with the expression cassette, and novel female-preferential promoters.

Abstract: The invention relates to genes isolated from Arabidopsis that code for proteins essential for seedling growth. The invention also includes the methods of using these proteins to discover new herbicides, based on the essentiality of the genes for normal growth and development. The invention can also be used in a screening assay to identify inhibitors that are potential herbicides. The invention is also applied to the development of herbicide tolerant plants, plant tissues, plant seeds, and plant cells.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules are isolated from Sorangium cellulosum that encode polypeptides necessary for the biosynthesis of epothilone. Disclosed are methods for the production of epothilone in recombinant hosts transformed with the genes of the invention. In this manner, epothilone can be produced in quantities large enough to enable their purification and use in pharmaceutical formulations such as those for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: A novel promoter isolated from the 5′ flanking region upstream of the coding sequence of the Arabidopsis plastid clpP gene is described. Also described are a novel method for utilizing protein-coding regions of plastid genes to isolate intervening regulatory sequences and a novel method for improving plastid transformation efficiency using exogenous plastid promoters that differ in nucleotide sequence from native plastid promoters.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a method of controlling gene expression in plants. Specifically, the method comprises transforming a plant with a USP receptor expression cassette which encodes a USP receptor and at least one target expression cassette which encodes a target polypeptide. Contacting said transformed plant with juvenile hormone or one of its agonists activates expression of the target polypeptide in the presence of said USP receptor polypeptide. Optionally, additional “secondary” receptor expression cassettes may be used, wherein the secondary receptor expression cassette encodes a receptor polypeptide distinct from USP. The method is useful for controlling various traits of agronomic importance, such as plant fertility. Also disclosed is a method of identifying previously unknown ligands for USP. Substances to be tested are identified by placing them in contact with plant cells transformed with a USP receptor expression cassette and a target expression cassette.

Abstract: Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) DNA sequences from the ribosomal RNA gene region are described for species and strains of wheat fungal pathogens, including Pyrenophora tritici-repentis and Pyrenophora teres. Specific primers from within these sequences are identified as being useful for the identification of the fungal isolates using PCR-based techniques.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules are isolated from Sorangium cellulosum that encode polypeptides necessary for the biosynthesis of epothilone. Disclosed are methods for the production of epothilone in recombinant hosts transformed with the genes of the invention. In this manner, epothilone can be produced in quantities large enough to enable their purification and use in pharmaceutical formulations such as those for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules are isolated from Sorangium cellulosum that encode polypeptides necessary for the biosynthesis of epothilone. Disclosed are methods for the production of epothilone in recombinant hosts transformed with the genes of the invention. In this manner, epothilone can be produced in quantities large enough to enable their purification and use in pharmaceutical formulations such as those for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules are isolated from Sorangium cellulosum that encode polypeptides necessary for the biosynthesis of epothilone. Disclosed are methods for the production of epothilone in recombinant hosts transformed with the genes of the invention. In this manner, epothilone can be produced in quantities large enough to enable their purification and use in pharmaceutical formulations such as those for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules are isolated from Sorangium cellulosum that encode polypeptides necessary for the biosynthesis of epothilone. Disclosed are methods for the production of epothilone in recombinant hosts transformed with the genes of the invention. In this manner, epothilone can be produced in quantities large enough to enable their purification and use in pharmaceutical formulations such as those for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: An inbred maize line, designated NP2213, the plants and seeds of inbred maize line NP2213, methods for producing a maize plant produced by crossing the inbred line NP2213 with itself or with another maize plant, and hybrid maize seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line NP2213 with another maize line or plant.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules are isolated from Sorangium cellulosum that encode polypeptides necessary for the biosynthesis of epothilone. Disclosed are methods for the production of epothilone in recombinant hosts transformed with the genes of the invention. In this manner, epothilone can be produced in quantities large enough to enable their purification and use in pharmaceutical formulations such as those for the treatment of cancer.