Abstract: The present invention is related to an adenovirus expressing a first protein which is selected from the group comprising an E1B protein and an E4 protein, prior to a second protein which is selected from the group comprising an E1A protein.

Abstract: Intramolecular biosensors are disclosed, including PBP-based biosensors, comprising a ligand binding domain fused to donor and fluorescent moieties that permit detection and measurement of Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer upon binding ligand. At least one of the donor and fluorescent moieties may be internally fused to the biosensor such that both ends of the internally fused fluorophore are fixed. In addition, methods of improving the sensitivity of terminally fused biosensors are provided. The biosensors of the invention are useful for the detection and quantification of ligands in vivo and in culture.

Abstract: A method for engineering and utilizing large DNA vectors to target, via homologous recombination, and modify, in any desirable fashion, endogenous genes and chromosomal loci in eukaryotic cells. These large DNA targeting vectors for eukaryotic cells, termed LTVECs, are derived from fragments of cloned genomic DNA larger than those typically used by other approaches intended to perform homologous targeting in eukaryotic cells. Also provided is a rapid and convenient method of detecting eukaryotic cells in which the LTVEC has correctly targeted and modified the desired endogenous gene(s) or chromosomal locus (loci) as well as the use of these cells to generate organisms bearing the genetic modification.

Abstract: To supply substantially isolated neural cells in a large amount, and to provide an application means for a neuroregenerative medicine or the like for a neurodegenerative disease, a nervous damage or the like. A method for producing a substantially isolated neural cell, comprising the step of carrying out the suspension culture of embryonic stem cells in the presence of an astrocyte conditioned medium or ingredients substantially equivalent to the conditioned medium; and a neural cell obtained thereby; a cell pharmaceutical composition comprising, as an active ingredient, the isolated neural stem cell; and a method for treating a neurodegenerative disease or nervous damage, comprising the step of introducing the neural cell into a neurodegenerative site or a nervous damage site.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include compositions and methods related to non-VSV rhabdoviruses and their use as anti-cancer therapeutics. Such rhabdoviruses possess tumor cell killing properties in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for generating pluripotent stem cells and to pluripotent stem cells generated from human testis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to immunogenic peptides derived from human prostate cancer antigen (PSA-derived peptides) and their use as vaccines to treat or prevent prostate cancer. The invention is also related to dendritic cells from a patient having prostate cancer, which dendritic cells have been exposed to one or more PSA-derived peptides, and their use to treat or prevent prostate cancer in the patient. The invention is also directed to T-cells from a patient which cells are specific for PSA-activated peptide(s), and their uses to treat or prevent prostate cancer.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acid segments, compositions and methods for the treatment of heart failure, vascular dysfunction, endothelial dysfunction, diabetes, [Ca2+]i regulation and NO synthase dysfunction. Adeno-associated and adenovirus are used as gene delivery vectors for the nucleic acid segments to product long term over-expression of S100A1, a small calcium sensing protein associated with the disclosed ailments and dysfunctions.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a mouse model for allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis, and a dermatitis mouse model with impaired skin-barrier function. The present inventors found out that a mouse that has been caused to completely lose the function of expressing profilaggrin protein and filaggrin protein by entirely or partially disrupting the endogenous gene encoding filaggrin by a genetic mutation such as deletion or replacement, can be used as a mouse model for allergic diseases or atopic dermatitis wherein the skin-barrier function has been impaired.

Abstract: Methods for obtaining osteoprogenitors, osteoblasts or osteoblast phenotype cells, as well as cell populations including such cells, from human bone marrow stem cells in vitro or ex vivo are disclosed. Bone marrow stem cells are contacted with human serum or plasma and a growth factor or a biologically active variant or derivative thereof. In addition, osteoprogenitor, osteoblast or osteoblast phenotype cell types and cell populations are provided. The cell populations may include additional cell types, such as endothelial cells or progenitors. The osteoprogenitors, osteoblasts or osteoblast phenotype cells may be used in therapy, particularly bone therapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved chimeric glycoproteins (GPs) and improved lentiviral vectors pseudotyped with those glycoproteins. Also provided are methods and compositions for making such glycoproteins and vectors, and improved methods of in vitro and in vivo transduction of cells with such vectors. Improved chimeric GPs encode the extracellular and transmembrane domains of GALV or RD114 GPs fused to the cytoplasmic tail of MLV-A GP. Vectors pseudotyped with these GAL V/TR and RD 114/TR GP chimeras have significantly higher titers than vectors coated with the parental GPs. Additionally, RD114/TR-pseudotyped vectors are efficiently concentrated and are resistant to inactivation induced by the complement of both human and macaque sera. RD114 GP-pseudotyped lentiviral vectors have particular utility for in vivo gene transfer applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of proteins and other substances of interest in saliva of transgenic animals, particularly in mammals that produce large quantities of saliva, particularly monogastric ruminants, and ovine, caprine and bovine mammals. Preferred embodiments of the invention relate in particular to the production of foreign and modified proteins in the transgenic saliva of these animals, including particularly human fibrinogen, human prothrombin and human thrombin, among others. The invention relates as well to methods, devices, genetic constructs and to transgenic constructs for making the proteins and other substances of interest, to novel saliva and saliva-derived compositions, novel products produced from the saliva, and to uses of the saliva, saliva-derived compositions and novel products.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to orthopedics and to a method for promoting repair of large bone defects, in particular non-union or delayed union fractures. Specifically the invention concerns the use of endothelial progenitor cell preparations for bone repair.

Abstract: A mammalian cell comprising a recombinant, functional L-threonine 3-dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.103; TDH) gene, methods of making, and methods of use.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for treating a mammal harboring a solid tumor which expresses higher levels of High Affinity Laminin Receptors (LAMR) than normal cells of the same lineage comprising systematically administering to a mammal in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a Replication Competent (RC) Sindbis virus vector, wherein said vector encodes a suicide gene.

Abstract: A method for inducing differentiation of an embryonic stem cell into an ectodermal cell and an ectoderm-derived cell, which comprises culturing the embryonic stem cell under non-aggregation conditions; a medium and a medium supernatant used in the method; an agent for inducing differentiation used in the method; a stroma cell or a stroma cell-derived factor having activity of inducing differentiation in the method; an antibody which specifically recognizes the stroma cell; an antigen which recognizes the antibody; a cell induced by the method; a method for evaluating or screening a substance relating to the regulation in a differentiation step from an embryonic stem cell into an ectodermal cell or an ectoderm-derived cell by carrying out the method; and a medicament comprising the stroma cell, the stroma cell-derived cell, the antibody, the antigen or the cell.

Abstract: The teachings are directed to an immunocompetent xenograft model. The model comprises an immunodeficient animal modified to have a reconstituted immune system, wherein a xenograft is transplanted in the animal and allowed to establish for an establishment period of at least about 10 days. The xenograft simulates a tissue in a subject in need of a treatment. In these embodiments, the reconstituted immune system is created after the establishment period, and is created by administering a total number of T-cells to the animal. The total number of T-cells consists of a preselected number of responsive T-cells, a preselected number of non-responsive T-cells, and a preselected ratio of responsive T-cells to total T-cells. The preselected number of responsive T-cells simulates a number of responsive T-cells in the subject, and the ratio of the number of responsive T-cells to total T-cells ranges from about 1:100,000 to about 30:100,000.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chimeric immune receptor molecules for reducing or eliminating tumors. The chimeric receptors are composed a C-type lectin-like natural killer cell receptor, or a protein associated therewith, fused to an immune signaling receptor containing an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif. Methods for using the chimeric receptors are further provided.

Abstract: Cells capable of at least, in part, complementing adenovirus an adenovirus defective in E2A function. Such cells include a nucleic acid-encoding adenovirus E2A or a functional part, derivative, temperature-sensitive mutation and/or analogue thereof, integrated into the cell's genome. Methods for producing an adenovirus particle/vector with a functional deletion of E2A are also disclosed. Such methods involve providing a cell with the functionally deleted adenovirus vector, culturing the cell, and harvesting viral particles. The functional deletion may comprise a deletion in E2A. The nucleic acid-encoding E2A in the cell's genome may lack sequence overlap with the vector, preventing formation of a replication-competent adenovirus or restoration of E2A function. The adenovirus vector may further include a functional deletion in the E1-region.

Abstract: A significantly increased amount of a monoclonal antibody is obtained from the culture medium of recombinant hybridoma prepared by introducing genes encoding a protein identical to the immunoglobulin heavy chain polypeptide of the specific monoclonal antibody into an immortalized B cell (hybridoma) producing the monoclonal antibody.