Abstract: Transplanting human hepatocytes into a liver of an immunodeficient hepatopathy mouse, and then feeding the mouse transplanted with the human hepatocytes under such a condition as being protected from the attack by human complement produced by the human hepatocytes thereby proliferating the transplanted human hepatocytes in the mouse liver. Further, obtaining human hepatocytes in large scale by repeating the above steps using the proliferated human hepatocytes.

Abstract: A crustacean or rotifer is infected with a recombinant infectious virus that expresses a protein exogenous to the virus. The genome of the crustacean or rotifer itself remains unaltered. Crustacean, rotifer, insect, or viral promoters drive the transcription of a gene inserted into the recombinant virus genome, and the virus replicates in the crustacean or rotifer cell cytoplasm. The infected crustacean or rotifer can be provided directly to humans or non-human animals, or, following production and harvest of the crustaceans or rotifers, purified recombinant protein or polypeptide can be provided. Large quantities of biopharmaceuticals can be produced rapidly and inexpensively using this production system.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and an in-vivo assay system useful for the identification and testing of modulating agents as well as for the validation of therapies of neurodegenerative diseases associated with the formation of neurofibrillary tangles, in particular Alzheimer's disease. The present invention is based on the surprising finding that injection of ?-amyloid A?42 fibrils into brains of P301L mutant tau transgenic mice caused several-fold increases in the numbers and an accelerated production of neurofibrillary tangles in cell bodies predominantly within the amygdala. The induced neurofibrillary tangles occurred as early as 18 days after A?42 injections and displayed striking features of neurofibrillary tangles of several human neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a viable hybrid cell having a single functional mitochondrial population. The method comprises the step of introducing genomic DNA from a mitochondrially depleted donor cell into a recipient cell from which genomic DNA has been removed.

Abstract: The invention relates to the genetic manipulation of non-human animals. More particularly, the invention relates to genetic manipulation of non-human animals to be used for xenotransplantation. The invention provides viable gene knockout swine including swine in which the ?(1,3)-galactosyltransferase gene has been disrupted, methods for making such swine, and methods of using the tissues and organs of such swine for xenotransplantation.

Abstract: The invention relates to the genetic manipulation of non-human animals. More particularly, the invention relates to genetic manipulation of non-human animals to be used for xenotransplantation. The invention provides a method of selecting GGTA 1 null cells, a viable GGTA 1 null swine, methods for making such swine, and methods of using cells, tissues and organs of such swine for xenotransplantation.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of producing a clone non-human mammalian nuclear transfer (NT) embryo and methods for producing a cloned non-human mammal. Embodiments of the methods include introducing doner genetic material into a metaphase I oocyte; introducing donor genetic material into a non-enucleated oocyte; introducing donor genetic material obtained from a donor cell that is a metaphase into an oocyte; introducing donor genetic material into an oocyte, and naturally activating the oocyte or the NT embryo; and introducing donor genetic material obtained from a donor cell that is at late G1 phase into anoocyte.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for inducing marrow stromal cells to differentiate into neural cells by way of increasing intracellular levels of cyclic AMP. The invention also encompasses methods of producing a neural cell by causing a marrow stromal cell to differentiate into a neural cell by increasing intracellular levels of cyclic AMP. Methods for treating a human patient in need of neural cells are also disclosed, as well as methods for treating a human patient having a disease, condition, or disorder of the central nervous system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a C1 inhibitor (C1INH) with shorter half-life than plasma-derived C1INH for the preparation of a medicament for the transient treatment of an individual. It relates to both therapeutic and prophylactic treatment. The method of the invention allows for the administration of C1INH at certain therapeutic levels for a concise pre-determined time span. Pharmaceutical compositions based on C1INH with shorter half-lives may be used both in situations where transient treatment is merely and advantage. The advantage of the use according to the invention is that an individual is not exposed to C1INH for longer than required, since the levels of the C1INH more rapidly subsides after administration has stopped. In contrast, levels of plasma-derived C1INH would remain elevated for a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the production, breeding and use of transgenic non-human animals such as mice in which specific genes or portions of genes have been replaced by homologues from another animal to make the physiology of the animals so modified more like that of the other animal with respect to drug pharmacokinetics and metabolism. The invention also extends to the use of the genetically modified non-human animals of the invention for pharmacological and/or toxicological studies.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating proliferation and/or lineage commitment of stem cells by modulating the Wnt signalling pathways. Modulators of the Wnt signalling pathways and screening methods to identify modulators are also provided. The methods of the invention may be conducted in vitro or in vivo to induce or inhibit stem cell proliferation and/or lineage commitment, and are particularly useful for in vivo stimulation of proliferation and/or lineage commitment of resident stem cells in a tissue.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated nucleic acid characteristic of human amyloid precursor protein 770 including the nucleotides encoding codon 670 and 671, wherein the nucleic acid encodes an amino acid other than lysine at codon 670 and/or an amino acid other than methionine at codon 671. Also provided is a method of diagnosing or predicting a predisposition to Alzheimer's disease, comprising detecting in a sample from a subject the presence of a mutation at a nucleotide position corresponding to codons 670 and/or 671 of amyloid precursor protein or fragment thereof, the presence of the mutation indicating the presence of or a predisposition to Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for use in transferring nucleic acids into cells at a wound site associated with a fluid space. These gene transfer protocols are suitable for use in transferring various nucleic acids into cartilage, cardiac muscle, and other tissues, and have many uses including treating diseases such as arthritis and ischemic heart disease, and promoting wound healing. The invention further disclosed pharmaceutical compositions that may be used in the practice of the invention to transfer the nucleic acid of interest. Such compositions include any multi-partitioned biocompatible matrix in combination with multiple nucleic acids of interest.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for obtaining somatic cell derived embryonic stem cells (encoded by reprogrammed somatic cell nuclei), ES cell-like cells or other types of embryo-derived stem cells by nuclear transplantation, and a process for inducing said stem cells into various differentiated cell types.

Abstract: A method of reconstituting an animal embryo involves transferring a diploid nucleus into an oocyte which is arrested in the metaphase of the second meiotic division. The oocyte is not activated at the time of transfer, so that the donor nucleus is kept exposed to the recipient cytoplasm for a period of time. The diploid nucleus can be donated by a cell in either the G0 or G1 phase of the cell cycle at the time of transfer. Subsequently, the reconstituted embryo is activated. Correct ploidy is maintained during activation, for example, by incubating the reconstituted embryo in the presence of a microtubule inhibitor such as nocodazole. The reconstituted embryo may then give rise to one or more live animal births. The invention is useful in the production of transgenic animals as well as non-transgenics of high genetic merit.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for inhibiting, deterring or preventing apoptosis of cardiac myocytes, transplanted stem cells, vascular stem cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells by means of expressing or synthesizing clusterin. Also disclosed are methods and compositions for producing recombinant clusterin, or its biologically active peptides, and for induction of clusterin-associated lipoproteins or enzymes for deterring or preventing inflammatory injury and apoptosis induced by oxLDL, oxysterols, cytokines, and Fas Ligand. Also disclosed is an induction method and composition for enhancing expression of ALDH and ALDH-associated enzymes or co-factors to prevent cytotoxicity or detoxification. Therapeutic methods providing new expression or overexpression of clusterin in vascular or cardiac tissue are expected to inhibit the formation of atherosclerotic lesions, stabilize existing atherosclerotic plaques, and repair failing or damaged cardiac tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for screening therapeutic drugs of schizophrenia using an animal model of the disease. More specifically, this invention relates to a screening method based on the phospholipase C ?1 (PLC?1) knockout mouse as an animal model of schizophrenia with all the major symptoms of the human disease. This knockout mouse exhibits symptoms similar to human schizophrenia such as locomotor hyperactivity, impaired prepulse inhibition of the startle response, lack of barbering and nesting behaviors, socially subordinate status, impaired learning, and lack of type II theta rhythm which has been implicated in working memory. Thus, the knockout mouse of the present invention can be useful as an animal for screening therapeutic drugs against schizophrenia.

Abstract: An animal model of coronary heart disease has been developed where myocardial infarct can be induced by altering the animal's diet. In all embodiments, this animal model is a result of reduced activity of scavenger receptor class BI (SR-BI) and apolipoprotein E (ApoE). In a preferred embodiment, the model is a result of crossbreeding two transgenic mouse lines: a knockout of SR-BI (SR-BI?/?) and an impaired ApoE expressor (hypoE). The impaired ApoE gene results in only 2-5% expression of ApoE and a reduction in cholesterol homeostasis. Resulting animals are predisposed to hypercholesterolemia but can live longer than a year on a normal low fat diet. Serum plasma levels can be significantly elevated by changing the animal's diet to one containing high levels of fat and cholesterol. Within a month on a high fat, high cholesterol diet, animals develop atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction occurs.

Abstract: A method of reconstituting an animal embryo involves transferring the nucleus from a quiescent donor cell into a suitable recipient cell. The donor cell is quiescent, in that it is caused to exit from the growth and division cycle at G1 and to arrest in the G0 state. Nuclear transfer may take place by cell fusion. The reconstituted embryo may then give rise to one or more animals. The invention is useful in the production of transgenic animals as well as non-transgenics of high genetic merit.

Abstract: The invention provides modified recombinant nucleic acid sequences (preferably DNA) and methods for increasing the mRNA levels and protein expression of malarial surface protein MSP-1 which is known to be difficult to express in cell culture systems, mammalian cell culture systems, or in transgenic animals. The preferred protein candidates for expression using the recombinant techniques of the invention are MSP-1 proteins expressed from DNA coding sequences comprising reduced overall AT content or AT rich regions and/or mRNA instability motifs and/or rare codons relative to the native MSP-1 gene.