Abstract: The invention provides methods and reagents for detecting a chromosomal aberration in an animal chromosome or karyotype. One or more detectably-labeled chromosome-specific probes from a first animal species are hybridized to chromosomes of a second animal species. This results in a banding pattern that can be compared to the pattern found in a normal chromosome or karyotype.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions which modulate the immune response. In one aspect, a composition is described which comprises an antigen covalently linked to a ligand for CD21(CR2) or CD19. This antigen is not associated with a complement C3 fragment through an ester bond derived from the internal thioester of the complement C3 fragment.

Abstract: Constructs for the delivery of sequences of interest to cells include a herpes virus latency active promoter (LAP) of the latency associated transcript (LAT) region. An internal ribosome entry site (IRES) is located downstream of the LAP, with a nucleotide sequence of interest downstream of the IRES. Stable, long-term expression including export of mRNA to the cytoplasm and translation of the encoded polypeptide, is found in neuronal and non-neuronal cells.

Abstract: Interleukin-12 (IL-12) or a functional analogue thereof, or a polynucleotide encoding IL-12 or encoding a functional analogue thereof, is used as a therapeutic material or adjuvant in treating papillomavirus-associated lesions e.g. warts due to HPV 6 and/or 11, e.g. condyloma acuminata. IL-12 or a vector encoding it for endogenous production can be used together with a vaccine such as a papillomavirus antigen, or a vector encoding a papillomavirus antigen.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of retroviral RNA or DNA in a sample comprises using one or more detectable oligonucleotides that each hybridise with the primer binding site of a retroviral genome or its complement.

Abstract: There is disclosed an accelerometer comprising a substrate, a proof mass mounted to the substrate for movement in a first direction perpendicular to the plane of the substrate, the proof mass carrying a first sensing electrode, a second sensing electrode mounted relative to the substrate, wherein the first and second sensing electrodes comprise surfaces extending at an angle relative to the substrate and defining between them a sensing gap the width of which varies with movement of the proof mass in the first direction.

Abstract: A polarisation independent optical switch is constituted by a light input (6), a diffractive and re-configurable liquid crystal device (8), a collimating lens (7) for distributing the input light over the liquid crystal device (8), a transform lens (9) receiving light from the liquid crystal device (8) and light output (6), wherein no polarisers are present between the light input and output. The diffractive and re-configurable liquid crystal device (8) may be formed as a liquid crystal spatial light modulator configured as a binary phase computer generated hologram with the holograms required to form broadcast, individual or multicast switching being re-generated using an iterative algorithm and then being recalled on demand. In one embodiment the switch has a folded configuration and includes a reflector (10) so that the light input and output are both on the same side of the liquid crystal device (8).

Abstract: Method for assessing the activity of a test substance as a K.sup.+ channel agonist or for mitogenic activity. Fibroblasts are cultured in a test medium which is free of aminoglycoside antibiotics, the medium is supplemented with serum or serum substitute and the test substance, and the response of the supplemented cells to the test substance is assessed.