Abstract: Methods are provided for producing protein products in host cells and for selecting transformed cells comprising the step of transforming the host cell with a DNA molecule comprising a gene which complements a deficiency in the host cell. The host cell is a strain having a deficiency in a function necessary for normal cell growth. The gene in the DNA molecule, such as a plasmid, which complements the deficiency serves as a selection marker whereby the growth conditions for selection may comprise a conventional complex medium.

Abstract: A composition for controlling a plant disease caused by a plant pathogenic bacterium is disclosed. The composition comprises an activity for inhibiting the growth of the plant pathogenic bacterium and is extracted in an aqueous solvent from particles of malted cereal grain. The composition is used either in dry or wet form by application to plant parts, such as potato seed pieces, that are to be protected from the pathogenic bacteria.

Abstract: An adherent, stable, continuous human breast carcinoma cell line (GI-101A) has been produced from an infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma xenograft (GI-101) which has been grown and maintained in athymic mice for the past nine years. The GI-101A cells grow with an average doubling time of about 48 to about 72 hours. The cells display antigenic determinants consistent with those of the human breast tumor xenograft (GI-101) from which it was derived. The cell line, GI-101A, when injected subcutaneously into the subaxial area of athymic animals, such as athymic mice, produces tumors that spontaneously metastasize to distant organ sites, such as the lungs and lymph nodes. The cell line and the tumors that it produces may be used as model systems for study mechanisms responsible for metastatic behavior and for testing for new as well as screening for effective new anti-cancer drug therapies.

Abstract: A chimeric RNA molecule comprising at least one pre-mRNA processing element is disclosed. A gene construct comprising a DNA sequence encoding at least one pre-mRNA processing enhancer is also disclosed. A method of enhancing cytoplasmic RNA accumulation is disclosed. This method comprises the step of inserting a DNA sequence encoding the RNA into the vector described and expressing the DNA sequence.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of prophylactically treating a host against infection by a microorganism, which method comprises administering to the host an attenuated Salmonella bacterium which contains a nirB promoter operably linked to a DNA sequence encoding a heterologous protein. The heterologous protein is expressed in the host and induces in the host an immune response against the microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genetic containment systems which express a biotin-binding component that can be used for selectively destroying recombinant cells such as genetically engineered microorganisms. These systems may comprise a streptavidin or an avidin gene whose expression is controlled by a regulatable promoter. The regulatory agent such as a transcriptional effector is expressed from another gene which may also be expressed and its expression controlled by the containment system. Expression of the agent can be designed to respond to physiological changes in the environment. The invention also relates to containment systems and methods for the selective detection or tracking of recombinant cells and to eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells which contain these genetic containment systems.

Abstract: The invention involves a method for the in vitro T cell production. A monolayer of non-human primate thymic stromal cells are cocultured in vitro with primate hematopoietic T cell progenitor cells. This results in the differentiation and growth of mature T cells. The T cells may be isolated at any sequential stage of differentiation and further expanded by coculture with a mitogenic agent. The T cells also may be genetically altered at any stage of the process. The effect of agents on the growth and differentiation of T cells may be measured by comparing a coculture containing the agent with a control coculture and comparing the differentiation or growth of the T cells progenitor cells in the test culture with the control culture. Kits and novel populations of T cells are provided.

Abstract: Methods are provided for detecting the presence of mutant sequences in a subpopulation of gene sequences in a biological sample. These methods are particularly useful for identifying individuals with gene mutations indicative of early colorectal cancer.

Abstract: This invention relates to lymphotoxin-.beta., a lymphocyte membrane type protein. This protein is found on the surface of a number of cells, including phorbol ester (PNA) stimulated T cell hybridoma II-23.D7 cells. This invention also relates to complexes formed between lymphotoxin-.beta. and other peptides such as lymphotoxin-.alpha. and to complexes comprising multiple subunits of lymphotoxin-.beta.. These proteins and complexes are useful in holding LT-.alpha. formed within the cell on the cell surface where the LT-.alpha./LT-.beta. complex may act as an inflammation regulating agent, a tumor growth inhibiting agent, a T cell inhibiting agent, a T cell activating agent, an autoimmune disease regulating agent, or an HIV inhibiting agent. Furthermore, the antitumor activity of the LT-.alpha./LT-.beta. complex may be delivered to tumor cells by tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) transfected with the gene for LT-.beta..

Abstract: This invention relates to a DNA fragment comprising a base sequence encoding a non-A non-B hepatitis-specific antigen polypeptide, said base sequence being obtained using genetic engineering techniques from non-A non-B hepatitis virus RNA which is isolated directly from blood plasma from non-A non-B hepatitis patients, to an expression vector and a transformant for use in the expression of the DNA fragment, to a single strand DNA sequence for PCR primer, and to use of said polypeptide and said single strand DNA sequence in the detection of the non-A non-B hepatitis virus. The recombinant polypeptide and the single strand DNA sequence for PCR primer make it possible to detect the non-A non-B hepatitis virus with extremely high accuracy.

Abstract: This invention provides methods, compositions and apparatus for increasing the transfection efficiency of target cells by particles, especially retroviral particles, compared with that achieved by current methods. The transfection method comprises depositing the particles on a cell growth support and contacting target cells with the particle-loaded cell growth support.

Abstract: Vectors are provided which stably transduce cells, rendering the cells resistant to a target virus. The vectors are amplified upon infection of the cell by a target virus, and spread throughout an infected host in response to infection by the target virus.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a rapid method of restriction mapping, sequencing or localizing genetic features in a segment of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) that is up to 42 kb in size. The method in part comprises cloning of the DNA segment in a specialized cloning vector and then isolating nested deletions in either direction in vivo by intramolecular transposition into the cloned DNA. A plasmid has been prepared and disclosed.