Abstract: This invention relates to the production and use of immortalized cell lines from primary chicken embryonic fibroblasts. The cells are useful as substrates for virus propagation, recombinant protein expression and recombinant virus production.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a gene transfer system and, in particular, to an adenoviral vector system suitable for use in gene transfer and gene therapy.

Abstract: NIa protease genes of papaya ringspot virus strains FLA.83 W and USA P-type (HA attenuated) strain are provided.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the general analysis of gene expression as well as a method for the differential analysis of the expression of members of a gene family.

Abstract: Yeast cells are engineered to express both a surrogate of a pheromone system protein (e.g., enzymes involved in maturation of .alpha.-factor, transporters of a-factor, pheromone receptors, etc.) and a potential peptide modulator of the surrogate, in such a manner that the inhibition or activation of the surrogate affects a screenable or selectable trait of the yeast cells. Various additional features improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the screening/selection system.

Abstract: A system for obtaining large amounts of a genomic DNA fragment from a bacterial artificial chromosome includes a vector that has a site into which the genomic fragment can be cloned and, flanking the site are excision mediating sites. The vector also includes, between the excision mediating sites and near one of the sites, a controllable origin of replication.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for producing a mutant virus or viroid, or a mutant recombinant RNA molecule comprising a single stranded virus genome or a single stranded viroid genome, a circular virus genome or a circular viroid genome, or a segment of a virus genome or a segment of a viroid genome which comprises incubating a recombinant single-stranded RNA molecule comprising a recognition sequence for the binding of an RNA directed RNA polymerase, a sequence for the initiation of product strand synthesis by the polymerase and a heterologous sequence of interest derived from a different RNA molecule inserted at a specific site in the internal region of the recombinant molecule under appropriate selective conditions and for a sufficient period of time permitting the selection of a mutant population, the heterologous sequence of interest comprising the RNA of the single stranded virus genome or the single stranded viroid genome, the circular virus genome or the circular viroid genome or a segment of the v

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the isolation and purification of an L1-like molecule (i.e. L1CAM) from human brain. It has been found that the isolated L1CAM molecule supports neurite growth in vitro. Applicants have also cloned and sequenced the entire coding region of human L1CAM, and found that it shows a very high degree of homology to mouse L1cam with 92% identity at the amino acid level. This similarity suggest that L1CAM is an important molecule in normal human nervous system development and nerve regeneration. Overall, there is substantially less homology to chick Ng-CAM; they are 40% identical at the amino acid level but many regions are highly conserved. Comparison of the sequences from human, mouse, chick and Drosophila, indicates that the L1 immunoglobulin domain 2 and fibronectin type III domain 2 are strongly conserved and thus are likely functionally important.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel replication-deficient adenoviral vectors characterized in that they harbor at least two lethal early region gene deletions (E1 and E4) that normally transcribe adenoviral early proteins. These novel recombinant vectors find particular use in human gene therapy treatment whereby the vectors additionally carry a transgene or therapeutic gene that replaces the E1 or E4 regions. The present invention is further directed to novel packaging cell lines that are transformed at a minimum with the adenoviral E1 and E4 gene regions and function to propagate the above novel replication-deficient adenoviral vectors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to uses of mutant proto-oncogenes and oncoproteins expressed by the proto-oncogenes in inhibiting tumor growth and/or inhibiting the transformed phenotype. The preferred oncoprotein is a dominant, interfering mutant of a nuclear E2F transcription factor protein and is preferably a mutant E2F1 transcription factor protein. Methods of treating a target cell are described. Treatment is accomplished by administering to a target cell a dominant interfering mutant of a proto-oncogene in an effective amount. Treatment is also accomplished by administering to a target cell an oncoprotein in an effective amount. Compositions for such use are described as well.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing particles containing nucleic acid sequences is disclosed. This method comprises the steps of introducing a non-endogenous packageable nucleic acid sequence and a sequence encoding a suitable non-endogenous capsid protein into yeast cells and inducing particle assembly, wherein at least one nucleic acid is encapsidated. Preferably, the particle is an infectious virion and the method additionally comprises the step of inducing viral nucleic acid replication before particle assembly. A method of replicating an animal or Nodaviridae virus nucleic acid sequences in yeast is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for stably cloning large arrays of repetitive DNA is described. The method is especially useful for the stable cloning of alpha satellite DNA.

Abstract: Over the past decade, it has become clear that tumorigenesis is driven by alterations in genes that control cell growth or cell death. Theoretically, the proteins encoded by these genes provide excellent tools for achieving tumor cell-specific expression. An approach to achieving specific expression of a desired protein in tumor cells is based on the selective expression of such oncoproteins. In outline, an endogenous cellular oncoprotein binds to exogenously introduced gene products, resulting in transcriptional activation of a desired gene. This approach is generally applicable to other diseases in which a particular protein is selectively expressed in disease-affected cells as compared to non-affected cells.

Abstract: A recombinant vaccine comprises a vaccine vector which incorporates a first nucleotide sequence capable of being expressed as all or a part of an antigenic polypeptide, together with a second nucleotide sequence capable of being expressed as all or a part of a lymphokine effective in enhancing the immune response to the antigenic polypeptide. The vaccine vectors include poxvirus, herpes virus or adenovirus, and the lymphokine may be an interleukin, tumour necrosis factor or gamma-interferon. The vaccine vector may express an antigenic polypeptide which is foreign to the host vector.

Abstract: A sustainable cell line of a Marek's disease herpesvirus (MDV) infected chicken cell line derived from chick embryo cells which are chicken helper factor (Chf) negative and which have been treated with N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguansidine (MNNG) and then converted with the MDV which is able to infect avians in vivo. The cell line is useful for vaccine production and for determining the characteristics of the MDV under various conditions.

Abstract: The present invention describes a purified and isolated nucleic acid molecule which encodes for the biosynthetic pathway of tetracycline, chlortetracycline or an analogue thereof. The invention relates to the isolation and cloning of the nucleic acid molecule in an isolated fragment from Streptomyces aureofaciens and the expression of the biosynthetic gene in a heterologous host such as Streptomyces lividans.

Abstract: A plasmid for use in root nodule bacteria is described which is intended both to increase yield of inoculated legume plants inoculated with the bacteria as well as aiding in the competitiveness of the bacteria with native strains. The plasmid include a hydrogen uptake element which aids in energy efficient nitrogen fixation by the plant bacteria symbiotic pair as well as a toxin and resistance element intended to aid in the competitive fitness of the inoculant bacterial strain.

Abstract: There is provided a sensitive multiplex RT-PCR assay for the detection of circulating prostate antigen expressing cells. Multiplex PCR uses multiple sets of primers to concurrently amplify different DNA sequences that can be readily resolved by gel electrophoresis. When applied to blood samples from prostate cancer patients, the nested multiplex RT-PCR can simultaneously detect PSA-expressing cells, PSM-expressing cells, and a ubiquitously expressed internal PCR control gene, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH), all within a single reaction.

Abstract: Particularly effective B.t. insecticides are obtained by culturing to the sporulation stage novel transformant obtained on transforming B.t. kurstaki H.D. 562 with DNA expressing in the B.t. certain mutant endotoxin genes. Such transformants and other B.t. transformants generally may be obtained in high transformation frequencies by the electrotransformation of B.t. cells while in a hypertonic state followed by maintaining the cells in a hypertonic medium for a time sufficient to obtain intact cells. Transformation of B.t. tenebroinis and B.t. aizawai is also described.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions of controlling cell distribution within a bioartificial organ by exposing the cells to a treatment that inhibits cell proliferation, promotes cell differentiation, or affects cell attachment to a growth surface within the bioartificial organ. Such treatments include (1) genetically manipulating cells, (2) exposing the cells to a proliferation-inhibiting compound or a differentiation-inducing compound or removing the cells from exposure to a proliferation-stimulating compound or a differentiation-inhibiting compound; exposing the cells to irradiation, and (3) modifying a growth surface of the BAO with ECM molecules, molecules affecting cell proliferation or adhesion, or an inert scaffold, or a combination thereof. These treatments may be used in combination.