Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits for predicting recurrence of tumor or cancer in a mammal by calculating the ratio of the amount of Survivin and the amount of PAF in a physiological sample.

Abstract: Self-contained devices are described that integrate nucleic acid extraction, specific target amplification and detection into a single device. This integration permits rapid and accurate nucleic acid sequence detection. The invention may be used, for example, in the screening for nucleic acid sequences which may be indicative of genetic defects or contagious diseases, as well as for monitoring efficacy in the treatment of contagious diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment which encodes a polypeptide fragment which exhibits a substantial immunological reactivity with a rabbit polyclonal antibody raised against a polypeptide having an apparent molecular weight of 13 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE followed by visualization, said polypeptide being derived from Borrelia burgdorferi B313 and being encoded by the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18, said rabbit polyclonal antibody exhibiting substantially no immunological reactivity with proteins from at least 95% of spirochaetes randomly selected from the group consisting of Borrelia hermsii, Borrelia crocidurae, Borrelia anserina, and Borrelia hispanica, and/or hybridises readily under highly stringent hybridization conditions with a DNA fragment having a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 18, SEQ ID NO: 20, and SEQ ID NO: 22, or with a DNA fragment complementary thereto, but exhibits no substantial hybridization when the hybridization co

Abstract: A nucleic acid derived from Bacillus thuringiensis contains a nucleotide sequence that encodes a polypeptide demonstrated to be toxic to fire ants.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided novel receptor interacting factors, referred to herein as “SMRT”, i.e., a silencing mediator (co-repressor) for retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and thyroid hormone receptor (TR). SMRT is a novel protein whose association with RAR and TR both in solution and on DNA response elements is destabilized by ligand. The interaction of SMRT with mutant receptors correlates with the transcriptional silencing activities of receptors. In vivo, SMRT functions as a potent co-repressor. A GAL4 DNA binding domain (DBD) fusion of SMRT behaves as a frank repressor of a GAL4-dependent reporter. Together, these data identify a novel class of cofactor which is believed to represent an important mediator of hormone action.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and to a process for the automatic synthesis of macromolecules on a tape-like substrate material (11). The device has at least one synthesis module (12) which can be sealed from the outside and comprises reaction chambers (15) and fluid lines (18, 19) for filling and emptying the reaction chambers (15) with and of reaction media, it being possible to introduce the substrate material (11) into the synthesis module (12) and bring it into contact with the reaction chambers (15). Transport means (20-26) which are intended to move the substrate material (11) through a particular distance and can be actuated by a control device are furthermore provided. The invention also relates to the use of such a device for the synthesis of oligonucleotides bound on a functionalized substrate material, in particular the production of oligonucleotide libraries.

Abstract: A method for anchoring oligonucleotides containing multiple reaction sites to a substrate. The substrate can be glass, inorganic or organic polymer, and metal. The reactive group of the substrate can contain electophilic C═C double bonds for a nucleophilic addition, or disulfide for disulfide exchange. The multiple reactive groups contained on the oligonucleotide primer can be, for example, aminoalkyl, sulfhydryl, and thiophosphate groups. The oligonucleotide primer may take the configuration of a gairpin having a loop containing multiple reactive sites. In particular, a method for attaching an oligonucleotide primer to a glass substrate is disclosed that comprises preparing a bromoacetamide derivatized silane glass surface on a glass substrate, and reacting the bromoacetamide derivatized silane glass surface with an oligonucleotide primer containing multiple thiophosphate groups to bind the oligonucleotide primer to the glass substrate.

Abstract: The nucleotide sequence and deduced amino acid sequences of the complete genome of a simian immunodeficiency virus isolate from a red-capped mangabey are disclosed. The invention relates to the nucleic acids and peptides encoded by and/or derived from these sequences and their use in diagnostic methods and as immunogens.

Abstract: Methods and composition for inducing, detecting and modulating seizure in animal systems are provided. Methods for inducing seizure comprise (1) electrically stimulating an unanesthetized fly and detecting seizure induction in the fly (2) electrically stimulating a fly with less than 10V and detecting seizure induction in the fly; (3) electrically stimulating a population of wild-type flies and detecting seizure induction in most of the flies and (4) electrically stimulating a population of flies and quantitatively detecting seizure induction in the flies across genotypes or experience. Methods for modulating seizure induction comprise changing the activity of a novel seizure regulator in an animal system and confirming a resultant change in seizure inducibility of the system.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for constructing a high resolution physical map of a polynucleotide. In accordance with the invention, the polynucleotide is digested successively with at least two different restriction endonucleases and the ends of the restriction fragments are sequenced after each digestion. In this manner, restriction fragments having sequenced ends are produced that can be aligned by their sequences to give a physical map of the polynucleotide. Preferably, restriction fragment ends are sequenced by massively parallel signature sequencing (MPSS), or a like parallel sequencing technique.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the isolation and purification of nucleic acids. According to the invention, after decomposition of a sample the nucleic acids present in said sample are isolated and purified.

Abstract: The present invention describes new methods for the determination of the potential toxicity of test compounds, as well as the kits and tools for the implementation of these methods. The invention also describes methods for generating nucleic acid sequences that can be used as genetic markers of toxicity. The invention is based in particular on the creation of differential nucleic acid banks characteristic of situations in which cell viability and/or proliferation are deregulated, and on the demonstration that these banks can be used to evaluate the toxicity profile of compounds with reliability and high sensitivity. The invention is of special utility in the pharmaceutical industry for analysis of the toxicity profile of compounds involved in drug development and/or in pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of monitoring, via polymerase chain reaction, the clinical progression of human immunodeficiency virus infection and its response to antiretroviral therapy. According to the invention, polymerase chain reaction assays may be used to predict immunological decline and to identify, at an early stage, patients whose infection has become resistant to a particular antiretroviral drug regimen.

Abstract: The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is one of the most widely used techniques in molecular biology (U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,202 to Mullis). In general, most thermocyclers which automate the PCR nucleic acid amplification process rely upon programmable heat blocks with a large thermal mass. Consequently, most of the time in an automated PCR cycle is spent non-productively in transition between denaturation, annealing, and elongation temperatures. Recently, much faster hot-air thermocyclers have been constructed which shorten these transition times, allowing 30 cycles of PCR in 10 to 30 minutes. While elegant in principle, the design of these systems is not optimal. Air is a relatively poor heat transfer medium; and the operation of a single heat/reaction chamber at atmospheric pressure is inherently slow. Much faster thermocyclers can be constructed using pressurized gas delivered to a thermostated reaction chamber by computer-controlled electronic valves. A novel process, high-speed gas phase PCR, is described.

Abstract: Antigen and antibody vaccine composition effective in preventing hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection are disclosed. The antigen composition includes peptides corresponding to carboxyl terminal end regions of the second and third open reasing frames of the HEV genome. The composition is effective in preventing HEV infection after vaccination. The antibody composition contains an antibody effective to block HEV infection of human primary hepatocytes in culture.

Abstract: A method for preparing samples for detecting a nucleotide sequence by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) according to which a) an analysis solution is filled into at least one cavity (2) provided for in a support (1); b) a lid (3) configured complementary to the shape of the cavity (2) is placed onto the support (1) in such a way that the analysis solution is pushed at least partly into a gap (S) formed between the cavity (2) and the lid (3); and c) the gap (S) is sealed by means of at least one seal (5, 12) provided for near an opening in the cavity (2).

Abstract: Microscopic beads or other structures are attached to nucleic acids (DNA) using a terminal transferase. The transferase adds labeled dideoxy nucleotide bases to the ends of linear strands of DNA. The labels, such as the antigens digoxigenin and biotin, bind to the antibody compounds or other appropriate complementary ligands, which are bound to the microscopic beads or other support structures. The method does not require the synthesis of a synthetic oligonucleotide probe. The method can be used to tag or label DNA even when the DNA has an unknown sequence, has blunt ends, or is a very large fragment (e.g., >500 kilobase pairs).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing samples for detecting a nucleotide sequence by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), according to which a) an analysis solution is filled into at least one cavity (2) provided for in a support (1); b) a lid (3) configured complementary to the shape of the cavity (2) is placed onto the support (1) in such a way that the analysis solution is pushed at least partly into a gap (S) formed between the cavity (2) and the lid (3); and c) the gap (S) is sealed by means of at least one seal (5, 12) provided for near an opening in the cavity (2).