Abstract: A computer controlled microscope is provided with improved usability, which allows a user to quickly build, modify and reuse complex sample illumination and/or observation processes by introducing a recordings hierarchy in which a recording can be both a parent recording of one or more child recordings and a child recording to a single parent recording. A recordings hierarchy allows control parameter data to be inherited from a parent recording to a child recording. The group of child recordings linked to a parent recording is called a recordings collection. Viewed together, recordings and recordings collections form a tree-like hierarchy. Single load and store functions associated with a recording permit the entire recording and child recordings hierarchy to be stored on a storage device and reloaded into the computer of a computer controlled microscope.

Abstract: A computer controlled microscope is provided with improved usability, which allows a user to quickly build, modify and reuse complex sample illumination and/or observation processes by introducing a recordings hierarchy in which a recording can be both a parent recording of one or more child recordings and a child recording to a single parent recording. A recordings hierarchy allows control parameter data to be inherited from a parent recording to a child recording. The group of child recordings linked to a parent recording is called a recordings collection. Viewed together, recordings and recordings collections form a tree-like hierarchy. Single load and store functions associated with a recording permit the entire recording and child recordings hierarchy to be stored on a storage device and reloaded into the computer of a computer controlled microscope.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for screening for the effect of a test agent on a population of biological specimens, preferably insects, comprising the steps of providing a population of specimens, administering at least one test agent to the population, creating a digitized movie showing the movements of members of the population, measuring at least one trait of members of the population, and correlating the traits of the population with the effect of the test agent. The invention also provides a method for preparing a medicament useful for the treatment of a mammalian disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified fiber of an adenovirus, comprising at least one mutation at one or more residues within the region of said fiber stretching from pleated sheet A to pleated sheet B, and including loop AB.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for screening for the effect of a test agent on a population of biological specimens, preferably insects, comprising the steps of providing a population of specimens, administering at least one test agent to the population, creating a digitized movie showing the movements of members of the population, measuring at least one trait of members of the population, and correlating the traits of the population with the effect of the test agent. The invention also provides a method for preparing a medicament useful for the treatment of a mammalian disease.

Abstract: Tools are provided for obtaining and assessing data concerning the physical or behavioral traits of an biological specimen population for the purpose of identifying, treating, or gathering intelligence on the condition of the specimen population. In one aspect, a computer system is provided to assess a condition of a biological specimen by studying the physical traits of a sample that comprises a number of specimens. The condition may comprise a human central nervous system condition. A user interface is provided that comprises a computer screen, an input interface portion, and a processing mechanism. The user interface may further comprise a specimen information input mechanism. The specimen information input mechanism may comprise a specimen type input that allows the user to specify, through the computer screen input, the type of specimen to be studied.

Abstract: A method of system is provided for assaying specimens. In connection with such system or method, plural multi-pixel target images of a field of view are obtained at different corresponding points in time over a given sample period. A background image is obtained using a plural set of the plural target images. For a range of points in time, the background image is removed from the target images to produce corresponding background-removed target images. Analysis is performed using at least a portion of the corresponding background-removed target images to identify visible features of the specimens. A holding structure is provided to hold a set of discrete specimen containers. A positioning mechanism is provided to position a plural subset of the containers to place the moving specimens within the plural subset of the containers within a field of view of the camera.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of isolation of compounds that bind specifically to RNA or that alter the affinity of known compounds for RNA. The method utilizes changes in the levels of a fluorescent marker protein expressed in the same cell as a putative RNA-binding compound to detect those compounds of interest.

Abstract: A process for confocal microscopy is disclosed in which laser light is coupled into a microscope beam path, directed successively with respect to time onto different locations of a specimen, and an image of the scanned plane is generated from the light reflected and emitted by the irradiated locations. A change in the spectral composition and in the intensity of light is carried out during the deflection of the laser beam from location to location, while the deflection continues in an uninterrupted manner. In this way, at least two locations of the specimen located next to one another are acted upon by light with different spectral characteristics and by laser radiation of different intensity. By periodically interrupting the coupling in of the laser light during the deflection of the microscope beam path, it is made possible that only selected portions of the image field are acted upon by the laser radiation. A laser scanning microscope for carrying out this process is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for DNA subcloning using bacterial recombinase-mediated homologous recombination. The invention relates to methods for cloning, compositions comprising polynucleotides usefall as cloning vectors, cells comprising such polynucleotide compositions, and kits useful for cloning mediated by bacterial recombinases, such as RecE/T and Red&agr;/&bgr;.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for screening for fragments, derivatives and analogs of Hsp90 that are altered in their subcellular localization, and thus, altered in their activity as compared to wild type Hsp90. The present invention is also directed to screening for modulators of Hsp90 activity as determined by assaying for altered subcellular localization of Hsp90. The present invention is further directed to diagnostic, prognostic and screening uses of Hsp90/centrosome co-purification.

Abstract: An invention is described that permits the regulation of recombination in cells, organisms or appropriate cell-free systems. The invention involves creating fusion proteins between recombinase proteins, or components of recombinase systems, and ligand binding domains derived from nuclear receptors. The fusion proteins show little recombinase activity in the absence of the ligand that binds to the ligand binding domain. Upon binding of the ligand, recombinase activity is induced. The invention provides a practical means to regulate recombination in cells and organisms and, by linking ligand binding to recombination, provides a simple means whereby ligand binding can be measured as recombination achieved.

Abstract: Recombinant asparaginyl tRNA synthetase from human filarial parasite Brugia malayi. The enzyme is used in an assay for inhibitors of the synthetase and can be used as an antigen for producing antibody inhibitors of the disease, either monoclonal or polyclonal. The antibodies can be used to detect the synthetase and related enzymes. In particular, the synthetase can be used to produce an antibody to be used for detecting filarial nematodes. The synthetase can be used to produce adenylated nucleosides.

Abstract: Recombinant asparaginyl tRNA synthetase from human filarial parasite Brugia malayi. The enzyme is used in an assay for inhibitors of the synthetase and can be used as an antigen for producing antibody inhibitors of the disease, either monoclonal or polyclonal. The antibodies can be used to detect the synthetase and related enzymes. In particular, the synthetase can be used to produce an antibody to be used for detecting filarial nematodes. The synthetase can be used to produce adenylated nucleosides.

Abstract: Recombinant asparaginyl tRNA synthetase from human filarial parasite Brugia malayi. The enzyme is used in an assay for inhibitors of the synthetase and can be used as an antigen for producing antibody inhibitors of the disease, either monoclonal or polyclonal. The antibodies can be used to detect the synthetase and related enzymes. In particular, the synthetase can be used to produce an antibody to be used for detecting filarial nematodes. The synthetase can be used to produce adenylated nucleosides.