Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel class of gene trap vector (enhanced gene trap vectors, eGTV) for efficiently identifying silent or weakly expressed target genes in mammalian genomes, methods of their production and methods for identifying and mutating target genes by using the enhanced gene trap vectors. The gene trap vectors of the present invention can also be used for inducing the expression of silent genes and enhancing the expression of weakly expressed genes. The use of the enhanced gene trap vectors for creating transgenic organisms to identify gene function and to validate pharmaceutical compounds prior to clinical applications is a further aspect of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modified lymphoid cell having gene conversion fully or partially replaced by hypermutation, wherein said cell has no deleterious mutations in genes encoding paralogues and analogues of the RAD51 protein, and wherein said cell is capable of directed and selective genetic diversification of a target nucleic acid by hypermutation or a combination of hypermutation and gene conversion. The invention also relates to a method for diversifying any transgenic target gene in said cell. Preferably, the target gene is integrated into the immunoglobulin light or heavy chain locus by targeted integration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant vaccinia viruses derived from the modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) and containing and capable of expressing foreign genes which are inserted at the site of a naturally occurring deletion in the MVA genome, and the use of such recombinant MVA viruses for the production of polypeptides, e.g. antigens or therapeutic agents, or viral vectors for gene therapy, and the use of such recombinant MVA viruses encoding antigens as vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant vaccinia viruses derived from the modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) and containing and capable of expressing foreign genes which are inserted at the site of a naturally occurring deletion in the MVA genome, and the use of such recombinant MVA viruses for the production of polypeptides, e.g. antigens or therapeutic agents, or viral vectors for gene therapy, and the use of such recombinant MVA viruses encoding antigens as vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant vaccinia viruses derived from the modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) and containing and capable of expressing foreign genes which are inserted at the site of a naturally occurring deletion in the MVA genome, and the use of such recombinant MVA viruses for the production of polypeptides, e.g. antigens or therapeutic agents, or viral vectors for gene therapy, and the use of such recombinant MVA viruses encoding antigens as vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel class of gene trap vector (enhanced gene trap vectors, eGTV) for efficiently identifying silent or weakly expressed target genes in mammalian genomes, methods of their production and methods for identifying and mutating target genes by using the enhanced gene trap vectors. The gene trap vectors of the present invention can also be used for inducing the expression of silent genes and enhancing the expression of weakly expressed genes. The use of the enhanced gene trap vectors for creating transgenic organisms to identify gene function and to validate pharmaceutical compounds prior to clinical applications is a further aspect of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant vaccinia viruses derived from the modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) and containing and capable of expressing foreign genes which are inserted at the site of a naturally occurring deletion in the MVA genome, and the use of such recombinant MVA viruses for the production of polypeptides, e.g. antigens or therapeutic agents, or viral vectors for gene therapy, and the use of such recombinant MVA viruses encoding antigens as vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant vaccinia viruses derived from the modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) and containing and capable of expressing foreign genes which are inserted at the site of a naturally occurring deletion in the MVA genome, and the use of such recombinant MVA viruses for the production of polypeptides, e.g. antigens or therapeutic agents, or viral vectors for gene therapy, and the use of such recombinant MVA viruses encoding antigens as vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant vaccinia viruses derived from the modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) and containing and capable of expressing foreign genes which are inserted at the site of a naturally occurring deletion in the MVA genome, and the use of such recombinant MVA viruses for the production of polypeptides, e.g. antigens or therapeutic agents, or viral vectors for gene therapy, and the use of such recombinant MVA viruses encoding antigens as vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reporter gene construct for the detection of the HIV Rev and HIV Tat proteins. Furthermore, the invention relates to a functionality test method for Rev and Rev fusion proteins prepared in a recombinant manner, a method of screening for sequences of different origin for their activity as an instability element, a method of screening for sequences which cause the transport out of the nucleus into the cytoplasm by binding to cellular or other viral shuttle proteins, as well as to a method for the detection of HIV-infected cells. The reporter gene construct according to the present invention, after it has been introduced into cells, in the presence of HIV Rev and HIV Tat proteins results in the formation of reporter proteins which may be used for quantitative/qualitative detection of the HIV Rev and HIV Tat proteins.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of culturing plant material comprising a layer of floatable granular substrate in a culturing vessel, plant material and culture medium. Also, the invention provides a culturing kit comprising various combinations of floatable granular substrate with plant material, culturing solution and a culturing vessel, adapted to the specific requirements of hobby, science or industrial uses.

Abstract: In a method and device for determining the moisture content and conductivity in the ground and in bulk materials, a capacitive sensor is disposed in the ground or the bulk material, the sensor is charged from a constant external voltage supply with a given initial current from a given first voltage threshold value to a given second voltage threshold value and either a voltage/time diagram is determined or a first charging time required for charging the sensor from the first to the second voltage threshold values by the constant external voltage supply is determined and a second charging time is determined wherein either the initial current and/or at least one of the two voltage threshold values are altered and the water content and the conductivity are determined by verification of the two charging times or of the voltage/time diagram.

Abstract: Multiple myeloma is treated by deletion mutants of the gp130 protein of the IL-3 receptor. These mutants inhibit the binding of Hck tyrosine kinase and the growth of tumor cells, particularly myeloma cells.

Abstract: A method for the identification and/or quantification of GBP-1 or fragments of this protein in the culture supernatant of a tissue sample, a body fluid sample or a sample from a cell culture supernatant is described.

Abstract: The invention describes a means for the treatment of diseases of the tracheo-bronchial tract, particularly of COPD.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mutant MVA vaccinia viruses, which are used for the generation of recombinant MVA viruses, as well as host cells, which have been infected with these mutant MVA viruses. The present invention further relates to DNA-vector constructs, and a method for the generation of recombinant MVA by using the mutant MVA viruses and the DNA-vector constructs. The mutant MVA vaccinia viruses of the present invention are characterized in that the MVA ORF 050L gene or a functional part thereof has been inactivated in the viral genome.

Abstract: According to the invention there is described a method for ex vivo immunization of humans and animals comprising the following steps: a) isolating autologous tumor cells; b) treating the tumor cells to prevent the survival thereof following reinfusion; c) incubating the thus treated tumor cells with intact heterologous bispecific and/or trispecific antibodies showing the following properties: ?—binding to a T cell; ?—binding to at least one antigen on a tumor cell; ?—binding, by their Fc portion (in the case of bispecific antibodies), or by a third specificity (in the case of trispecific antibodies) to Fc receptor-positive cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to capsules encapsulating cytochrome P450 producing cells and cytochrome P450 producing retroviral packaging cells. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the treatment of cancer or any other relevant disease with said capsules and to the use of said capsules for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for said treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new DNA sequences, a method for producing new plants which contain a new DNA sequence, the coding sequence thereof being expressed after ozone induction. The invention also relates to said new plants and the use of DNA sequences to produce ozone-responsive gene expression in plants and plant cells. Moreover, it relates to a new promoter, the specificity thereof being increased by removal of the ozone response capacity thereof.

Abstract: A new DNA vector is disclosed comprising a nucleic acid sequence useful for inserting heterologous sequences into the genome of poxviruses by homologous recombination. Also disclosed are recombinant poxviruses carrying heterologous coding sequences transferred by the DNA vector.