Abstract: The present invention primarily relates to a DNA fragment which is obtainable from the gene cluster responsible for rifamycin biosynthesis within the genome of Amycolatopsis mediterranei, and comprises at least one gene or a part of a gene which codes for a polypeptide which is directly or indirectly involved in the biosynthesis of rifamycin, and to a method for preparing said DNA fragment. The present invention furthermore relates to recombinant DNA molecules which comprise one of the DNA fragments according to the invention, and to the plasmids and vectors derived therefrom. Host organisms transformed with said plasmid or vector DNA are likewise embraced.

Abstract: The invention provides Drosophila melanogaster p70S6K, as well as nucleic acids encoding this kinase. The sequence of Drosophila p70S6K and the gene encoding it are represented in SEQ ID No. 2 and 1 respectively. The invention moreover provides mutated forms of Drosophila p70S6K, including constitutively active and dominant negative forms thereof, which are useful in the study of p70S6K activity. Furthermore, the invention provides expression systems which produce Drosophila p70S6K in Drosophila and other organisms, and in particular systems in which expression of Drosophila p70S6K has been modulated so as to facilitate the study of its activity.

Abstract: A fluoroionophore for the fluorescent detection of potassium ions.

Abstract: The invention features immortalized retina-derived (retinal endothelial or retinal epithelial pigmentary) cell lines capable of being implanted in the retina and of carrying a therapeutic substance to the eye and to the central nervous system. Such lines can also be used as a model for studying blood central nervous system interfaces. These lines are derived from primary retinal cultures selected from the group consisting of primary retinal endothelial cells and primary retinal epithelial cells, comprise a nucleic acid fragment containing at least one immortalizing fragment of a heat-sensitive viral oncogene, which nucleic fragment is optionally associated with at least one selection gene, and have the morphological characteristics and at least the expression characteristics of the surface antigens of corresponding primary cultures.

Abstract: Implantable therapy systems are disclosed for the local and controlled delivery of a biologically active factor to the brain, spinal cord and other target regions of a subject suffering from a dibilatating condition. The method of the invention involves surgically exposing an insertion site, generally located above a predetermined treatment site (12), in a patient. A cannula (20), having an obturator (30) or dilator (104) positioned therein, is inserted at the insertion site, defining a pathway to the treatment site. In some instances, the cannula can be inserted along the path of a guidewire (102) previously positioned at the treatment site. The cannula (20) is preferably a low friction polymeric material such as polytetrafluoroethylene. The cannula (20) generally has an open proximal end for receiving the obturator (30) or dilator (104), and an open distal end, preferably a tapered end, for delivery of neurologically active factors to the treatment site (12).

Abstract: Method for producing a population of mammalian glial cells comprising contacting at least one mammalian neural stem cell with a culture medium containing a neuregulin and detecting the differentiation of stem cell to a population of glial cells.

Abstract: Isolation, characterization, proliferation, differentiation and transplantation of mammalian neural stem cells is disclosed.