Abstract: Provided are methods and mRNA expression chips for identifying genes that are defined by certain nitrogen and water content relationships in soil. The genes can be up or down regulated under low nitrogen or arid conditions to increase the yield or biomass of crops.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) which comprises an antigen-binding domain which selectively binds TCR beta constant region 1 (TRBC1) or TRBC2; cells; such a T cells comprising such a CAR; and the use of such cells for the treatment of a T-cell lymphoma or leukaemia in a subject.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for enriching cfDNA fragments from a biological fluid sample. A biological fluid sample, such as a urine sample, is collected and, in certain examples, pretreated before enrichment of the cfDNA. For the pretreatment, the sample is centrifuged to remove large cells and large cellular debris. As part of the pretreatment, the sample is also cleared of additional large cellular debris and excess volume by subjecting the sample to anion exchange chromatography and eluting bound DNA. Following any pretreatment of the sample, different concentrations an alcoholic solution are used—along with a mixture of DNA-binding particles and a chaotropic agent—to enrich the sample with cfDNA fragments having different sizes. For example, a biological sample can be enriched with small cfDNA fragments less than about 100 base pairs in length or large cfDNA fragments greater than about 100 base pairs in length.

Abstract: This application is drawn to novel nucleic acid sequences encoding mammalian polypeptides that have sequence similarity to human angiopoietin-related proteins. The nucleic acid sequence is 1855 nucleotides long and contains an open reading frame from nucleotides 154-6 to 1369-71. The encoded polypeptides are about 405 amino acid residues in length.

Abstract: The present invention provides for improved methods of gene transfer, both in vitro and in vivo. By treating neoplastic cells with a DNA-damaging agent prior to transduction with a transgene, the expression of the transgene is improved up to about 3-fold over the expression seen in the absence of the DNA-damaging agent treatment. This effect is not dependent on the tumor cell type, the method of DNA transduction or type of DNA-damaging agent. The effect is most dramatic when the transduction is performed about 1-3 days following treatment with the DNA-damaging agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides amino acid sequences of peptides that are encoded by genes within the human genome, the drug-metabolizing enzyme peptides of the present invention. The present invention specifically provides isolated peptide and nucleic acid molecules, methods of identifying orthologs and paralogs of the drug-metabolizing enzyme peptides, and methods of identifying modulators of the drug-metabolizing enzyme peptides.

Abstract: Methods are provided for identifying agents that decrease hedgehog signal transduction for ameliorating an effect of loss of function of a patched gene in a mammalian cell.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of the apobec-1 protein or associated proteins for treating atherosclerosis and obesity, type II diabetes (non-insulin-dependent), or other diseases, characterised in particular by hyperlipidemia and/or hyperglycemia, caused for example by a level of chylomicrons and/or VLDL in the plasma above normal. The invention also concerns the cloning of the gene(s) of Anderson disease as target for treating atheroscelerosis, obesity and type II diabetes (non-insulin-dependent), or other diseases characterised in particular by hyperlipidemia and/or hyperglycermia.

Abstract: Presented are methods and compositions for targeted chromosomal genomic alterations using modified single-stranded oligonucleotides. The oligonucleotides of the invention have at least one modified nuclease-resistant terminal region comprising phosphorothioate linkages, LNA analogs or 2?-O-Me base analogs.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of using compositions with a nuclear targeting peptide containing a nonclassical nuclear localization signal to deliver selected molecules to the nucleus of eukaryotic cells are provided. The compositions are useful for gene transfer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to neurogenesis inducing genes. In particular, the present invention provides neurogenesis inducing genes coding for Zic proteins, vectors containing such genes, host cells containing such vectors, proteins produced by such host cells, antibodies raised to such proteins, and therapeutic agents or agents for gene therapy for nervous diseases.

Abstract: Enhancers which preferentially increase the transcription of cis-linked coding sequences in prostate cells are provided. Methods of using DNA constructs comprising the enhancers to control transcription of heterologous polynucleotides are also provided. Delivery vehicles comprising the enhancers and methods of using the vehicles are also provided. Adenovirus vectors in which one or more genes are under transcriptional control of the enhancers of the invention are also provided. Further provided are methods of using the adenovirus vectors of the invention to confer selective cytotoxicity in mammalian cells.

Abstract: Modification of internal sites of the adenovirus fiber protein and hexon protein permit effective targeting of adenovirus vectors. Accessible sites to redirect adenovirus targeting were identified. The HVR5 loop of the hexon protein and the HI loop of the fiber protein (knob) were highly permissive for the insertion of foreign protein sequences, which apparently did not impact on the viability and productivity of corresponding viruses. Accessibility and functionality of the epitope strongly depend on the size of the neighboring spacers. Other results suggest that short targeting peptides can be effectively fused to the C-terminus of the fiber protein. In a specific embodiment, a series of adenovirus vectors modified at the HVR5 site, the fiber protein HI loop, or the fiber protein C-terminus to target urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor bearing cells were prepared. Such vectors are particularly useful for targeting the vasculature, e.g., for gene therapy of cancers or cardiovascular conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to products and methods for delivering nucleic acids of various sizes and preferably greater than 50 kilobases into cells. The nucleic acids are delivered as part of a nucleic acid delivery complex which is composed of at least a nucleic acid binding and condensation domain.

Abstract: A medical device and method for transportation and release of a therapeutic agent into a mammalian body are disclosed. The medical device is coated with alternating layers of a negatively charged therapeutic agent and a cationic polyelectrolyte, following a controlled adsorption technique. The method is simple, with minimal perturbation to the therapeutic agent and uses clinically acceptable biopolymers such as human serum albumin. The amount of the therapeutic agent that can be delivered by this technique is optimized by the number of the layers of the therapeutic agent adsorbed on the surface of medical device. There is a washing step between alternate layers of the therapeutic agent and cationic polyelectrolyte carrier, so that the amount of the therapeutic agent on the insertable medical device represents the portion that is stably entrapped and adsorbed on to the medical device.

Abstract: The invention comprises lipid derivatives that rapidly degrade in the pH range from 4.0 to 7.0 and lipidic delivery systems that contain them. These lipid derivatives can be used to modify the delivery properties of the lipidic delivery systems to enable prolonged circulation times or more rapid drug unloading in the target tissue. The lipid derivatives are amphipathic compounds comprising a hydrophilic head group joined to a hydrophobic group by an acid-labile ortho ester linkage. The delivery systems of the invention exhibit degradation of less than 10% within 3 hours at a pH of 7.4 and degradation greater than 50% within 60 min at a pH of 5.0.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for expression of heterologous mammalian proteins and their secretion in the biologically active mature form using a yeast host cell as the expression system are provided. Compositions of the invention are nucleotide sequences encoding a signal peptide sequence for a yeast secreted protein, an optional leader peptide sequence for a yeast secreted protein, a native propeptide leader sequence for a mature protein of interest, and a sequence for the mature protein of interest, all operably linked to a yeast promoter. Each of these elements is associated with a processing site recognized in vivo by a yeast proteolytic enzyme. Any or all of these processing sites may be a preferred processing site that has been modified or synthetically derived for more efficient cleavage in vivo. The compositions are useful in methods for expression of heterologous mammalian proteins and their secretion in the biologically active mature form.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mycobacterial deoxyribonucleic acid (B-DNA) preserved and complexed on the mycobacterial cell wall (BCC) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the BCC is effective in treating an inflammation in an animal having an inflammation. More particularly, the present invention relates to a Mycobacterium phlei deoxyribonucleic acid (M-DNA) preserved and complexed on Mycobacterium phlei cell wall (MCC) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the MCC is effective in treating an inflammation in an animal having an inflammation.

Abstract: A method for immunization using genetic material is disclosed. Compositions for genetic immunization comprising cationic lipids and polynucleotides are also disclosed. Methods for using genetic immunization to produce polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies are also disclosed. A method for epitope mapping is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns recombinant viruses comprising a heterologous DNA sequence under the control of expression signals specifically active in tumor cells, and their preparation and use in the treatment and prevention of cancers.