Abstract: A method for increasing the rate of chemical reactions involving the conversion of at least one reactant to at least one product involves contacting the reactant with an appropriate monoclonal antibody under conditions permitting the formation of a complex between the antibody and the reactant. The complexed reactant is converted to the product which is then released from the complex. The monoclonal antibody may employ a cofactor and may be directed to a known substrate of an enzyme. Methods for preparing such monoclonal antibodies are also disclosed.

Abstract: Human serum albumin is made by culturing a bacterium (e.g. E. coli) capable of providing for the stable maintenance of a plasmid containing an inducible promoter (e.g. P.sub.trp), a ribosome binding site (e.g. that of the CII gene of bacteriophage lambda not containing the t.sub.R1 sequence), and the human serum albumin gene possessing an ATG initiation codon at the 5' end.

Abstract: Enantiomerically pure (2R)-hydroxy-substituted benzopyran-2-carboxylic acid esters and (2S)-hydroxy-substituted benzopyran-2-carboxylic acids, are prepared by the Pseudomonas lipase-catalyzed selective hydrolysis of racemic (2RS)-hydroxy-substituted benzopyran-2-carboxylic acid esters in solution or suspension in an aqueous or aqueous/organic medium, at a pH of from about 5 to about 10.

Abstract: The production of 1,2-dihydroxy-cyclohexadienes from aromatic compounds by a biochemical process by using strains of Pseudomonas putida, and novel 1,2-disubstituted-cyclo-hexadienes are described. Certain of the novel compounds are useful as intermediates in the production of polymers.

Abstract: A method of producing antibodies against vascular permeability factor (VPF) is disclosed which comprises immunizing a host animal with a peptide having an amino acid sequence as follows: ##STR1## or a fragment of said peptide containing an antigenic determinant of VPF.

Abstract: This invention relates to a 5'-phosphodiesterase enzyme preparation which exhibits excellent storage stability. It is obtained by a special extraction process from rapidly proliferating parts of the germinating seeds. The enzyme is useful for the hydrolysis of RNA to form 5'-nucleotides.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing plants exhibiting one or more desired phenotypic traits. In particular, transgenotes are selected that comprise a DNA segment operably linked to a promoter, wherein transcription products of the segment are substantially homologous to corresponding transcripts of endogenous flavonoid biosynthetic pathway genes.

Abstract: Metal hydrosulfites are found to be advantageous reducing agents for removing oxygen from contained atmospheres. When dissolved in alkaline aqueous gels, the hydrosulfites are effective to initiate and maintain anaerobiosis for culturing oxygen-sensitive microorganisms and animal tissues.

Abstract: The reaction of 3',4'-anhydrovinblastine with a Catharanthus roseus-derived protein fraction to form vinblastine is improved by conducting the reaction in the presence of a reducing agent such as the enzyme cofactor NADH. A cationic species such as manganous ion may also be added to the reaction. Vinblastine yields are enhanced.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for the preparation of carrier cells capable of delivering exogenous genetic material to a particular tissue of the body by means of embryonic cells competent to develop into that tissue, and essentially only that tissue, said cells bearing the exogenous genetic material. The preferred carrier cells are mesodermal cells of the yolk sac or embryonic forebrain or midbrain cells, and the desired genetic material is preferably introduced into the cells by in vitro transformation with an amphotrophic retroviral vector.

Abstract: Hybridomas are provided which secrete an IgG1 or IgG2 monoclonal antibody which binds to an epitope on an antigen, which occurs in the plasma membrane of MCF-7 cells and has a molecular weight of 22 kD. The epitope of the antibodies is exposed on the extracellular side of the plasma membrane of the MCF-7 cells. The monoclonal antibodies, which react generally with human mammary carcinoma cells, but with few non-mammary cancer cells, are useful diagnostically and therapeutically.

Abstract: A method for regeneration of sunflower plants via shoot induction from cotyledon explants prepared from non-germinated sunflower embryos is described. Several methods for preparing explants by dissection of mature and immature fully-formed embryos are provided. Explants are prepared to insure that substantially all of the induced shoots derive from single cotyledon cells. Appropriately prepared explants are cultured on a shoot induction medium containing a combination of BA and NAA. Induced shoots are rooted and the resulting plantlets are grown into mature sunflower plants. This regeneration method is efficient, rapid and employs a convenient explant source, sunflower seed. This regeneration method is particularly useful in combination with methods for introduction of foreign DNA into sunflower cells and tissue.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the long term surviving culture of hepatocytes maintaining their morphological and functional characteristics for long-term-periods, suitable to assest the acute and chronic hepatotoxicity of drugs, chemicals and environmental pollutants. The long term surviving culture of hepatocytes is carried out in a culture media containing fibroblast cells or fibroblast cell products treated to prevent cell multiplication and inoculated under controlled density.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for cloning and producing the Afl II restriction endonuclease by 1) introducing the restriction endonuclease gene from Anabaena flos-aquae into a host whereby the restriction gene is expressed; 2) fermenting the host which contains the plasmid encoding and expressing the Afl II restriction endonuclease activity, and 3) purifying the Afl II restriction endonuclease from the fermented host which contains the plasmid encoding and expressing the Afl II restriction endonuclease activity.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein X is a chlorine atom or a bromine atom, which is useful as a herbicide.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method for preparing antibody-producing chicken cell clones. This method comprises a series of steps including initially immunizing a first chicken with a desired antigen. A population of antibody-producing lymphocytes from bursa or spleen of the first chicken is separated.The antibody-producing lymphocyte population is then infected with helper-free reticuloendotheliosis virus REV-T or helper-free reticuloendotheliosis virus REV-T and CSV (preferably REV-T(CSV) and transplanted into a second chicken, the second chicken having been pretreated to remove normal B cells. The transplanted lymphocytes to proliferate in the second chicken, preferably for a period of at least about two weeks.The lymphocytes from spleen, bursa or peripheral blood of the second chicken are isolated and plated out, for example in microtiter plates. Cell clones producing antibody such as IgG or IgM directed against the desired antigen are then selected.

Abstract: An antitumor antibiotic designated BMY-41339 is produced by fermentation of certain strains of Actinomadura verrucosospora. BMY-41339 exhibits antimicrobial activity and also inhibits the growth of tumors in experimental animals.

Abstract: A thymidine kinase deficient live deletion mutant of pseudorabies virus is provided. The mutant, designated PRV783 was derived from the live deletion mutant strain 2.4N3A by deleting a 19 bp sequence from the BamHI fragment 11 of strain 2.4N3A into which had been inserted an EcoRI restriction site at a unique cleavage site in fragment 11 for the restriction endonuclease XhoI. The 19 bp deletion encompasses the inserted EcoRI site in fragment 11 of strain 2.4N3A. PRV783 is useful for preparing vaccine compositions to immunize susceptible animals against infection by pseudorabies virus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the conversion of corrinoids produced by microorganisms into cyanocorrinoids by reaction with cyanides. According to the invention a fermentation broth obtained by disruption of microorganism cells in a known manner, preferably by heat treatment in the presence or absence of sulfite ions, optionally after purification steps known per se, is contacted with a suitable adsorbent or ion exchange resin, the corrinoids adsorbed on the surface of the adsorbent or ion exchange resin are treated with an aqueous solution containing cyanide ions or a compound capable of supplying cyanide ions, in an amount providing cyanide ions in a 1.1 to 2.0-fold molar excess related to the corrinoids, the adsorbent or ion exchange resin is washed with water, and the cyanocorrinoids obtained is eluted in a known manner, preferably with aqueous ethanol.

Abstract: A biochemical process and apparatus for use in the process are described. The process comprises reacting (a) a hydrophobic substrate with (b) a solution or dispersion comprising a hydrophilic substrate and an enzyme catalyst, by contacting through a porous thin membrane, wherein the hydrophobic and hydrophilic substrates are incompatible with each other. The apparatus comprises a main body and a porous thin membrane provided inside the main body so as to define therein at least two channels, wherein a hydrophobic substrate and a solution or dispersion comprising hydrophilic substrate and an enzyme catalyst are contacted through the thin membrane by passing them through the respective channels.