Abstract: The present invention describes a process of DNA typing performed on human specimens utilizing a specific multiplex reaction which amplifies GATA short tandem repeats in the loci D18S535, D22S683, and D9S302 for the purpose of producing STR genotypes which may be used for identification purposes. This multiplex is an improvement over existing multiplex amplifications for STR typing in that it possesses an extremely high individualization potential for forensic studies and power of exclusion for parentage testing.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel apparatus and methods for inserting and positioning a compressible material into a container and for using the container for detecting a specific environmental parameter or combination of parameters, or for determining the effectiveness of a sterilization procedure. Precise positioning of a plug of compressible material in a container has been discovered to provide flexibility necessary for production of indicator systems that vary in their response to sterilizing conditions to reflect the efficacy of sterilizers based on different modes of sterilization and reproduceability necessary for accurate monitoring of each mode. The invention also relates to test indicators containing controlled volumes of compressed, gas-permeable materials and to methods for using test indicators for determining the efficacy of different types of sterilization processes. The test indicator consists of a plurality of interactive enzymes in a container with at least one opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to the replication of probe arrays and methods for replicating arrays of probes which are useful for the large scale manufacture of diagnostic aids used to screen biological samples for specific target sequences. Arrays created using PCR technology may comprise probes with 5'- and/or 3'-overhangs.

Abstract: Methods are provided for transforming Musa plants. In particular, methods for wounding meristematic Musa plant tissue to facilitate access of Agrobacterium tumefaciens comprising genetically-engineered T-DNA is provided. The methods may be used to transform the plant to produce pharmaceutical products or to alter the phenotypic trait of the fruit of the plant.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for rapidly determining the sequence and/or length a target sequence. The target sequence may be a series of known or unknown repeat sequences which are hybridized to an array of probes. The hybridized array is digested with a single-strand nuclease and free 3'-hydroxyl groups extended with a nucleic acid polymerase. Nuclease cleaved heteroduplexes can be easily distinguish from nuclease uncleaved heteroduplexes by differential labeling. Probes and target can be differentially labeled with detectable labels. Matched target can be detected by cleaving resulting loops from the hybridized target and creating free 3-hydroxyl groups. These groups are recognized and extended by polymerases added into the reaction system which also adds or releases one label into solution. Analysis of the resulting products using either solid phase or solution.

Abstract: Lignocellulose-containing materials are treated with lime (calcium hydroxide) and water at a relatively high temperature and for a certain period of time under certain conditions. The process variables were: lime loading which ranged from about 2 to about g Ca(OH).sub.2 /100 g dry material; water loading which ranged from about 6 to about 19 g water/g dry material; treatment temperature which varied from about 50.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C.; and treatment time which varied from about 1 to about 36 hours. The effects of treatment time and temperature were interdependent.A process for lime recovery is developed. The soluble Ca(OH).sub.2 was washed out of the pretreated material with water and converted to insoluble CaCO.sub.3, by reacting with CO.sub.2, and was thus separated. The CaCO.sub.3 can be heated to produce CaO and CO.sub.2. The CaO is hydrated to Ca(OH).sub.2 which can be reused as the lignocellulose treatment agent. Carbon dioxide is reused for lime recovery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genetic containment systems which express a biotin-binding component that can be used for selectively destroying recombinant cells such as genetically engineered microorganisms. These systems may comprise a streptavidin or an avidin gene whose expression is controlled by a regulatable promoter. The regulatory agent such as a transcriptional effector is expressed from another gene which may also be expressed and its expression controlled by the containment system. Expression of the agent can be designed to respond to physiological changes in the environment. The invention also relates to containment systems and methods for the selective detection or tracking of recombinant cells and to eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells which contain these genetic containment systems.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions comprising an adenosine derivative and a deaminase inhibitor for the prevention and treatment of fungal and fungal-like infections. Infections which are treatable and preventable with these compositions are responsible for fungal diseases such as candidiasis, cryptococcosis, blastomycosis, aspergillosis, paracoccidiodomycosis and coccidioidomycosis, and the fungal-like diseases nocardiosis and actinomycosis. The invention also relates to methods for utilizing these compositions in treatment regiments. Treatments may be either in vivo or in vitro. In vivo treatments involve administration of compositions of the invention to mammals suspected or at risk of being infected with a fungal or fungal-like organism. In vitro treatments involve incubation of cells, tissues, food products, biological products derived from living materials or foods with compositions of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genetic containment systems which express a biotin-binding component that can be used for selectively destroying recombinant cells such as genetically engineered microorganisms. These systems may comprise a streptavidin or an avidin gene whose expression is controlled by a regulatable promoter. The regulatory agent such as a transcriptional effector is expressed from another gene which may also be expressed and its expression controlled by the containment system. Expression of the agent can be designed to respond to physiological changes in the environment. The invention also relates to containment systems and methods for the selective detection or tracking of recombinant cells and to eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells which contain these genetic containment systems.

Abstract: This invention relates to agents that regulate the proliferation of cells such as smooth muscle cells. Proliferation of smooth muscle cells may be increased or decreased by affecting the activity or concentration of a transcription factor. The factor comprises two domains of about 50 kD and about 70 kD which together have an approximate molecular weight of 120 kD and specifically binds to the nucleic acid sequence 5'-GGGTTTTCCCC-3' (SEQ ID NO 2). This factor represents a novel member of the family of rel-related factors. This invention also relates to methods for the treatment and prevention of diseases and disorders associated with proliferation of smooth muscle cells such as arteriosclerosis, fibrosis and wound healing, which involve regulation of the smooth muscle cell transcription factor.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions comprising an adenosine derivative and a deaminase inhibitor for the prevention and treatment of parasitic infections by eukaryotic organisms. Parasitic infections which are treatable and preventable with these compositions include malaria, trypanosomiasis, leishmania, toxoplasmosis, sarcocystis, pneumocystis, schistosomiasis, blood flukes and elephantiasis. The invention also relates to methods for utilizing these compositions in treatment regiments. Treatments may be either in vivo or in vitro. In vivo treatments involve administration of compositions of the invention to mammals suspected or at risk of being infected with a parasitic organism. In vitro treatments involve incubation of cells, tissues, biological products derived from living materials or foods with compositions of the invention to inhibit or prevent further infection.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the measurement of distances between adherent particles and the surface to which the particles are adhered. The particles may be artificial such as beads or natural such as cells and are labeled with a detectable label. The surface may be a biological surface such as a cell, a membrane or a biological structure, or an artificial surface such as plastic or glass. The factor by which a signal emitted from particles adherent to the surface differs from the detected signal is directly related to a factor specific for each medium which can be calculated. Knowing this factor and the value of the amount of label detectable from the particles, the distance between the particle and the surface can be determined. Such methods can be used to monitor the degree of spreading of cells along a surface such as an extracellular matrix, to determine the physical nature of the cell surface, or to determine the nature of cell-to-cell and cell-to-ligand receptor bridges.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for the non-radioactive labeling, detection, quantitation and isolation of nascent proteins translated in a cellular or cell-free translation system. tRNA molecules are misaminoacylated with non-radioactive markers which may be non-native amino acids, amino acid analogs or derivatives, or substances recognized by the protein synthesizing machinery. Markers may comprise cleavable moieties, detectable labels, reporter properties wherein markers incorporated into protein can be distinguished from unincorporated markers, or coupling agents which facilitate the detection and isolation of nascent protein from other components of the translation system. The invention also comprises proteins prepared using misaminoacylated tRNAs which can be utilized in pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of diseases and disorders in humans and other mammals, and kits which may be used for the detection of diseases and disorders.

Abstract: This invention is directed to methods for determining a nucleotide sequence of a nucleic acid using positional sequencing by hybridization, and to the creation of nucleic acids probes which may be used with these methods. This invention is also directed to diagnostic aids for analyzing the nucleic acid composition and content of biological samples, including samples derived from medical and agricultural sources.

Abstract: A composite nucleic acid primer for a reaction of an enzymatic extension of primer on a template strand; which composite primer comprises two or more covalently unconnected oligonucleotides. Each of the oligonucleotides comprises a binding segment complementary to a binding site in the template strand. The binding segment and the binding site are selected to bind the oligonucleotide to the template strand by means of annealing between the binding segment and the binding site. The binding sites for different oligonucleotides are selected close enough in the template strand to enhance the sequence specificity of priming by the composite primer, as compared to the sequence specificity of priming by one of the oligonucleotides alone. Each of the two oligonucleotides has a segment, preferably 5 to 6 bases long, binding to the template strand. The total primer-to-template annealing length being 10 to 12 bases, the priming site is sufficiently unique in a plasmid size template.