Abstract: Process for preparing D-2-amino-2,3-dimethylbutyramide and/or L-2-amino-2,3-dimethylbutyric acid, wherein an aqueous solution of DL-2-amino-2,3-dimethylbutyramide is contacted with a preparation containing an aminoacyl amidase which has been obtained from a culture of Mycobacterium neoaurum and in that subsequently D-2-amino-2,3-dimethylbutyramide and/or L-2-amino-2,3-dimethyl-butyric acid is (are) recovered from the resulting hydrolysis mixture. The compound D-2-amino-2,3-dimethylbutyramide is novel.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for high frequency plant regeneration from somatic stem donor tissue of field grown Zea diploperennis, a diploid, perennial corn ancestor with high tillering capacity. This species is used as a parent in a maize improvement strategy to transfer the unique traits of high tillering and plantlet regeneration capacity into cultivated corn. After 3-4 subcultures of cultured somatic tissues on a primary medium, small callus fragments are transferred to a secondary medium devoid of the auxin, 2,4-D. After a few days, numerous shoots regenerate and develop into normal plantlets which are then separated and transferred to a tertiary medium for root development. The selection of somaclonal variants form cultured somatic cells of interspecific hybrids between corn and teosinte are used for the synthesis of unique breeding lines suited for development of improved corn varieties. A protocol for gene transfer employing recombinant DNA techniques is also described.

Abstract: A method is provided of making an oligonucleotide which comprises hybridizing (a) a shorter fragment of the desired oligonucleotide with (b) a nucleic acid fragment longer than (a) and complementary to the desired oligonucleotide, one of (a) and (b) is linked to an organic radical which differentiates its physical properties relative to the other of (a) and (b), contacting the hybridized material with an enzyme and nucleoside triphosphates whereby the shorter fragment is extended in one direction until it is substantially coterminal with the complementary nucleic acid fragment, denaturing the hybridized material and separating lengthened (a) from (b).

Abstract: A continuous process for the production of ethanol by fermentation with strains of Zymomonas is provided. Metabolic processes are limited by the nutrients nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. When growth is limited by one of these nutrients, the biomass expresses its maximum value for both q.sub.s and q.sub.p at any given value of D and S.sub.r. The process is conducted at a lower biomass concentration and a higher specific rate of ethanol formation than a similar process conducted with a nutrient medium that is not limited in nitrogen, potassium or phosphorus. A method of improving performance of Zymomonas in continuous ethanol fermentation at increased temperatures is also provided.

Abstract: Dyes of the formula ##STR1## wherein D is the radical of an organic dye, R.sub.1 is hydrogen or methyl, R.sub.2 is alkyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and X is hydrogen or methyl.

Abstract: A process for detecting specific nucleotide sequences, called targets, in which a special DNA probe molecule, called a probe-vector, is capable of transforming bacteria if and only if it is held in a circular configuration by base pairing to a target nucleic acid, said transformation resulting in the detection of a phenotype specified by the probe-vector, said detection establishing the presence, absence, or quantity of the target; and a probe-vector molecule for performing the process.

Abstract: A continuous process for the production of ethanol by fermentation with strains of Zymomonas is provided. Metabolic processes are limited by the nutrients nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. When growth is limited by one of these nutrients, the biomass expresses its maximum value for both q.sub.s and q.sub.p at any given value of D and S.sub.r. The process is conducted at a lower biomass concentration and a higher specific rate of ethanol formation than a similar process conducted with a nutrient medium that is not limited in nitrogen, potassium or phosphorus. A method of improving performance of Zymomonas in continuous ethanol fermentation at increased temperatures is also provided.

Abstract: Immobilization of nucleic acids, e.g., DNA and RNA, by contact with a solid support comprising nylon whose amide groups have been partially solvolyzed. Solvolysis of the nylon support can be accomplished by treatment with an alkylating agent such as a trialkyloxonium salt under anhydrous conditions followed by addition of water. The immobilized nucleic acid is particularly useful as an immobilized probe in hybridization assays to detect specific polynucleotide sequences in a test sample.

Abstract: Immobilization of nucleic acids, e.g., DNA and RNA, by contact with a solid support comprising nylon having amide groups that have been derivatized to amidine residues. Derivatization of the nylon support can be accomplished by treatment with an alkylating agent such as a trialkyloxonium salt under anhydrous conditions followed by reaction with an amine. The immobilized nucleic acid is particularly useful as an immobilized probe in hybridization assays to detect specific polynucleotide sequences in a test sample.

Abstract: A stable formulation of a non-cellulosic fabric having D-amino acid oxidase coated and dried thereon is shown. The fabric may be woven, nonwoven, or knit and may be made from polyolefin, nylon, polyester, or polyurethane fabrics. Polyolefin fabrics may be pretreated with a surfactant. Also shown are formulations containing some or all of the reagents used to detect beta lactam antibiotics. Kits having webs coated with analytically effective amounts of D-amino acid oxidase, peroxidase, flavin adenine, dinucleotide, a peroxide sensitive dye and a D,D-carboxypeptidase substrate containing a carboxyterminal D-alanine are shown. D,D-carboxypeptidase R39 enzyme may be provided separately in either aqueous form or dried on a separate piece of fabric. Under appropriate conditions the D,D-carboxypeptidase may also be dried on the fabric.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for regenerating plants from mature corn embryos. The process comprises the steps of culturing the mature embryo on a callus induction medium to induce callus, subculturing the callus on a maintenance medium to maintain the callus, and subculturing the maintained callus on a regeneration medium to produce plants.

Abstract: A process for preparing thioether amide diol comprising reacting a bicyclic amide acetal with hydrogen sulfide at a temperature in the range of from 20.degree. to 200.degree. C. wherein a mole ratio of bicyclic amide acetal to hydrogen sulfide is in the range of from about 1:1 to about 2:1 is described.

Abstract: The promoter of the nifH gene of the fast-growing Rhizobium japonicum strain USDA 191, has been cloned. Over 4.2 kilobase pairs (kbp) of DNA were sequences (FIG. 1). Sequences encoding nifH and the 5'-end of nifD were identified, as were sequences involved in promoting operon transcription and a nifH ribosome binding site. Use of the nifH promoter to drive transcription in Rhizobium of heterologous structural genes is taught. Useful sequences and plasmids are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the growth of cultured plant cells which include the addition of maltose as a carbohydrate source. Additional improvements in the plant cell growth medium can be obtained by adding a source of ammonium ion to the medium to obtain a synergistic effect with the maltose.

Abstract: Polygalacturonase DNA sequence and its use in modulating polygalacturonase expression in plant cells. DNA constructions are provided. The transit peptide finds use with heterologous peptides.

Abstract: The invention provides a microbiological method for preparing diol and furan compounds from a variety of substrates using the microorganism Hyphozyma roseoniger, CBS 214.83 and ATCC 20624.

Abstract: The conversion of sucrose to fructose and ethanol by fermentation using the microorganism "Zymomonas mobilis" and/or the enzyme immobilized levansucrase can be effected at sucrose concentrations greater than 30% where the fermentation is effected at microorganism and/or concentrations 0.01% to 0.5% (by weight) in a fermentation medium with a pH in the range of 4.0 to 7.0 and a temperature range of 35.degree. C. to 40.degree. C.

Abstract: A process to recover proteins, such as enzymes, from yeast cells, which comprises forming an admixture of yeast cells, water, and a minor effective amount of a polychloro aliphatic hydrocarbon, at a suitable pH, and incubating for a suitable time and temperature, such as at room temperature, of about 16 to 90 hours. The resulting supernatant is separated as an aqueous liquid containing a high enzyme activity. Enzymes can be recovered, if desired. Typical applications include Kluyveromyces fragilis for lactase, Pichia pastoris for alcohol oxidase. Typical solvents include methylene dichloride, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and chloroform.

Abstract: A method of introducing cytoplasmically inherited traits from a donor plant into a receptor plant of the Solanaceae family has been invented. Protoplasts from the donor and receptor plants are prepared. The donor protoplasts are treated under suitable conditions to prevent extensive nuclear divisions. The treated donor protoplasts and receptor protoplasts are then contacted under suitable conditions permitting the fusion of the protoplasts. Plantlets are regenerated from the fused protoplasts, and plantlets which contain the donor cytoplasmic traits are selected and rooted. Plantlets which contain receptor cytoplasmic traits are discarded.

Abstract: This invention relates to T7-type DNA polymerases and method for using them.