Abstract: The object of the present invention is to develop a novel vector. Preferably, the object is to develop a novel vector which can be stably retained in bacteria of the genus Ralstonia, Cupriavidus or Wautersia without any antibiotic-due selective pressure and has no transferability by conjugation. Another object is to provide a strain which can stably produce polyhydroxyalkanoate using the vector, and a method for producing a polyhydroxyalkanoate using the strain. The present invention provides a novel recombinant vector which contains an origin of DNA replication functioning in bacteria of the genus Ralstonia, Cupriavidus or Wautersia. Particularly, the transformant, which is obtained by using a recombinant vector which contains the origin of DNA replication functioning in bacteria of the genus Ralstonia, Cupriavidus or Wautersia and contains a region for a recombinant vector stabilization (par region) can make the vector to be stably retained in bacteria, and can efficiently produce a polyhydroxyalkanoate.

Abstract: This invention provides isolated polynucleotides encoding DNA Type I methyltransferase and uses thereof for improving transformation efficiencies of exogenous and endogenous plasmid DNA into Clostridial hosts.

Abstract: A conjugate comprises: (a) a mitochondrial membrane-permeant peptide; (b) an active agent or compound of interest such as a detectable group or mitochondrial protein or peptide; and (c) a mitochondrial targeting sequence linking said mitochondrial membrane-permeant peptide and said active mitochondrial protein or peptide. The targeting sequence is one which is cleaved within the mitochondrial matrix, and not cleaved within the cellular cytoplasm, of a target cell into which said compound is delivered. Methods of use of such compounds are also described.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of biotechnology or genetic engineering. Specifically, this invention relates to the field of gene expression. More specifically, this invention relates to novel substitution mutant receptors and their use in a Group H nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system and methods of modulating the expression of a gene in a host cell for applications such as gene therapy, large scale production of proteins and antibodies, cell-based high throughput screening assays, functional genomics and regulation of traits in transgenic organisms.

Abstract: Disclosed are genetic expression cassettes, and vector comprising them useful for the delivery of nucleic acid segments encoding selected therapeutic constructs (including for example, peptides, polypeptides, ribozymes, and catalytic RN molecules), to selected cells and tissues of vertebrate animals. The disclosed genetic constructs are useful in the development of gene therapy vectors, including for example, viral vectors such as HSV, retroviral, lentiviral, AV, and rAAV vectors. The expression cassettes disclosed herein provide new tools in the field of gene therapy, and for the treatment of mammalian, and in particular, human diseases, disorders, and dysfunctions. The disclosed compositions may be utilized in a variety of investigative, diagnostic and therapeutic regimens, including the prevention and treatment of a variety of human diseases.

Abstract: The present invention describes the use of hybrid short 3? untranslated (3?UTR) regions which are composed of two regions, one region from an 3? untranslated region of a stable eukaryotic mRNA, and another region from the downstream end of an 3? untranslated region of another eukaryotic mRNA that contains a polyadenylation (polyA) signal. The use of such hybrid regions allows for an efficient protein expression when used in conjunction with circular or linear expression DNA molecules. The present invention provides a recombinant DNA that is composed of a promoter, a protein coding region, and the hybrid 3?UTR in a continuous and directional orientation. The efficient expression systems of the invention are suitable for the economical and efficient production of therapeutic proteins and for use with both transient and stable expression systems.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of determining the aggressiveness or indolence of a ductal carcinoma in situ lesion. Also provided are methods of developing treatment plans for subjects with a ductal carcinoma in situ lesion based on the aggressiveness of the lesion.

Abstract: The invention provides a promoter derived from a genome of an actinomycete, Streptomyces species, and can specifically induce expression of a transgene in an actinomycete, Streptomyces species, in and after a logarithmic growth phase, and an actinomycete host having a high secondary metabolite production ability and a high precursor supply ability in and after the logarithmic growth phase, and a method for producing useful substances in which the promoter and the actinomycete host are combined.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for genetically modifying the production levels of nicotine and other alkaloids in plants are provided. An expression vector which comprises a tripartite GAG motif is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for selectively recovering nucleic acid from a sperm cell in a sample containing cells of at least a sperm cell and an epithelial cell, and a cell suspension medium comprising extracellular impurities, is provided. The method entails introducing a sample into a vessel, sequestering the cells from the remaining sample components, washing the cells with a washing solution either before or after sequestration, removing the impurities-containing cell suspension medium from the vessel while retaining the cells; lysing selectively cells of the first cell type; and isolating the nucleic acid from the lysed cells. Methods for recovering nucleic acid from the second cell type are also provided.

Abstract: Sequences of a serotype 8 adeno-associated virus and vectors and host cells containing these sequences are provided. Also described are methods of using such host cells and vectors in production of rAAV particles.

Abstract: Sequences of a serotype 8 adeno-associated virus and vectors and host cells containing these sequences are provided. Also described are methods of using such host cells and vectors in production of rAAV particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides an alternative scaffold for peptides displayed on filamentous phages through novel fusion proteins primarily originating from pIX. Libraries of filamentous phages can be created from fusion proteins, and a phage display system comprising a phagemid and a helper phage is a part of the invention. An aspect of the invention is a kit containing a phage display system comprising a phagemid that contains a nucleic acid encoding the fusion protein of the invention and a helper phage.

Abstract: A method of using vaults as carrier molecules to deliver one or more than one substance to an organism, or to a specific tissue or to specific cells, or to an environmental medium. A vault-like particle. A method of preventing damage by one or more than one substance to an organism, to a specific tissue, to specific cells, or to an environmental medium, by sequestering the one or more than one substance within a vault-like particle. A method of delivering one or more than one substance or a sensor to an organism, to a specific tissue, to specific cells, or to an environmental medium. According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of making vault-like particles, and making vault-like particles comprising one or more than one substance, or one or more than one sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of typing colorectal cancer cells by determining the RNA levels of a set of signature genes. Said typing can be use for predicting a risk for recurrence of said colorectal cancer. The invention further relates to a set of genes that can be used for normalizing the RNA levels of said set of signature genes, and to micro-array comprising said set of signature genes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods to use non-steroidal ligands in nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system to modulate exogenous gene expression in which an ecdysone receptor complex comprising: a DNA binding domain; a ligand binding domain; a transactivation domain; and a ligand is contacted with a DNA construct comprising: the exogenous gene and a response element; wherein the exogenous gene is under the control of the response element and binding of the DNA binding domain to the response element in the presence of the ligand results in activation or suppression of the gene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for expressing nucleic acid sequences in prokaryotic host cells, where at least one DNA construct which is capable of episomal replication in a host cell and which comprises a nucleic acid sequence to be expressed under the transcriptional control of an L-rhamnose-inducible promoter, where the promoter is heterologous with regard to the nucleic acid sequence, is introduced into the host cell and the expression of he nucleic acid sequence is induced by addition of L-rhamnose, wherein the prokaryotic host cell is at least deficient with regard to an L-rhamnose isomerase.

Abstract: An isolated mammalian internal mammary artery-derived cell is disclosed. Furthermore, methods of isolating the mammalian internal mammary artery-derived cell are disclosed. The cell is useful in tissue engineering technologies, specifically in vascular tissue engineering.

Abstract: Materials and methods are provided for replacing one or more amino acids in a polypeptide with an amino acid of choice to form mutant proteins. Both naturally and non-naturally occurring amino acids can be inserted. A population of mutant proteins can be created in which an amino acid residue has replaced an existing residue at random locations along the primary sequence of the protein. The provided techniques allow for the study of proteins and development of proteins with improved functionalities.

Abstract: Disclosed are: transcription regulatory factors capable of regulating the transcription or expression of genes for mannanases or cellulases, as mentioned below; and others. Specifically disclosed is a protein selected from the following proteins (a), (b) and (c): (a) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:2; (b) a protein which comprises an amino acid sequence produced by deleting, substituting or adding one or several amino acid residues (e.g., 1 to 5 amino acid residues) in the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:2 and which is capable of regulating the transcription of genes for mannanases or cellulases; and (c) a protein which comprises an amino acid sequence having a 70% or higher sequence identity to the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:2 and which is capable of regulating the transcription of genes for mannanases or cellulases, or a partial fragment of the protein. Also specifically disclosed are a gene encoding the protein, and others.