Abstract: Methods are provided for detecting and quantitating gene sequences, such as mutated genes and oncogenes, in biological fluids. The fluid sample (e.g., plasma, serum, urine, etc.) is obtained, deproteinized and the DNA present in the sample is extracted. The DNA is then amplified using an amplification procedure, such as PCR or LCR, to amplify the mutated gene sequence. In one embodiment, the DNA is contacted with a peptide nucleic acid prior to or during the amplification procedure.

Abstract: Novel FMCP polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. In addition to isolated, full-length FMCP proteins, the invention further provides isolated FMCP fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-FMCP antibodies. The invention also provides FMCP nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced and non-human transgenic animals in which a FMCP gene has been introduced or disrupted. Diagnostic, screening and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: Isolated porcine pancreatic cells, isolated populations of such cells and methods for isolating and using the cells to treat subjects with diseases characterized by insufficient insulin activity are described. The porcine pancreatic cells are preferably non-insulin-secreting porcine pancreatic cell having the ability to differentiate into an insulin-secreting cell upon introduction into a xenogeneic subject, such as a human subject. Such cells include embryonic porcine pancreatic cells obtained from embryonic pigs between about day 31 and day 35 of gestation. The porcine pancreatic cells can be modified to be suitable for transplantation into a xenogeneic subject, for example, by altering an antigen (e.g., an MHC class I antigen) on the cell surface which is capable of stimulating an immune response against the cell in the subject (e.g., by contact with an anti-MHC class I antibody, or a fragment or derivative thereof).

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method of encapsidating a recombinant poliovirus nucleic acid to obtain a yield of encapsidated viruses which substantially comprises encapsidated recombinant poliovirus nucleic acid. The method of encapsidating a recombinant poliovirus nucleic acid includes contacting a host cell with a recombinant poliovirus nucleic acid which lacks the nucleotide sequence encoding at least a portion of a protein necessary for encapsidation and an expression vector comprising a nucleic acid which encodes at least a portion of one protein necessary for encapsidation under conditions appropriate for introduction of the recombinant poliovirus nucleic acid and the expression vector into the host cell and obtaining a yield of encapsidated viruses which substantially comprises an encapsidated recombinant poliovirus nucleic acid.

Abstract: Cells suitable for transplantation which have at least two different epitopes on a surface antigen altered prior to transplantation to inhibit rejection of the cells following transplantation into an allogeneic or xenogeneic recipient are disclosed. These cells are more successfully transplanted than cells which have only a single epitope on the surface antigen altered. Preferably, the antigen on the cell surface which is altered is an MHC class I antigen. Two different epitopes on an MHC class I antigen can be altered by contacting the cell with two molecules, such as antibodies or fragments thereof (e.g., F(ab').sub.2 fragments), which bind to two different epitopes on the antigen. Preferred epitopes on human MHC class I antigens to be altered are epitopes recognized by the monoclonal antibodies W6/32 and PT85. Improved methods for transplantation utilizing cells which have at least two different epitopes on a surface antigen altered prior to transplantation are also disclosed.

Abstract: Isolated porcine pancreatic cells, isolated populations of such cells and methods for isolating and using the cells to treat subjects with diseases characterized by insufficient insulin activity are described. The porcine pancreatic cells are preferably non-insulin-secreting porcine pancreatic cell having the ability to differentiate into an insulin-secreting cell upon introduction into a xenogeneic subject, such as a human subject. Such cells include embryonic porcine pancreatic cells obtained from embryonic pigs between about day 31 and day 35 of gestation. The porcine pancreatic cells can be modified to be suitable for transplantation into a xenogeneic subject, for example, by altering an antigen (e.g., an MHC class I antigen) on the cell surface which is capable of stimulating an immune response against the cell in the subject (e.g., by contact with an anti-MHC class I antibody, or a fragment or derivative thereof).