Abstract: Tn5 transposase (Tnp) mutants that have higher transposase activities than the wild-type Tnp are disclosed. The Tn5 Tnp mutants differ from the wild-type Tnp at amino acid positions 54, 242, and 372 and have greater avidity than the wild-type Tnp for at least one of a wild-type Tn5 outside end sequence as defined by SEQ ID NO:3 and a modified Tn5 outside end sequence as defined by SEQ ID NO:5. Also disclosed are various systems and methods of using the Tnp mutants for in vitro or in vivo transposition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gene coding for a copolyester-synthesizing enzyme, a microorganism which utilizes the gene for the fermentative synthesis of a polyester, and a method of producing a polyester with the aid of the microorganism. More particularly, the present invention relates to a gene which functions in a host organism and, by an enzyme, synthesizes a plastic-like polymer degradable under the action of microorganisms in the natural environment (the soil, river or sea). The present invention also, more particularly, relates to a transformant derived from the host organism by transformation with the gene and having an improved ability to fermentatively synthesize a plastic-like polymer, and a method of producing a copolyester with the aid of the transformant.

Abstract: A recombinational approach and system for the cloning, manipulation and delivery of large nucleic acids is disclosed. Vectors relying on homologous recombination to mediate the isolation, manipulation and delivery of large nucleic acid segments are disclosed.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence chosen from the group consisting of a) polynucleotide which is identical to the extent of at least 70% to a polynucleotide which codes for a polypeptide which comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 2, b) polynucleotide which codes for a polypeptide which comprises an amino acid sequence which is identical to the extent of at least 70% to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 2, c) polynucleotide which is complementary to the polynucleotides of a) or b), and d) polynucleotide comprising at least 15 successive nucleotides of the polynucleotide sequence of a), b) or c), and a process for the fermentative preparation of L-amino acids using coryneform bacteria in which at least the lysR2 gene is present in attenuated form, and the use of the polynucleotide sequences as hybridization probes.

Abstract: Autoinducer compounds which enhance gene expression in a wide variety of microorganisms, therapeutic compositions and therapeutic methods wherein gene expression within microorganisms is regulated are disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and reagents for the ligation of a peptide acceptor to an RNA, as well as the RNA-peptide acceptor products.

Abstract: A method of vaccinating a mammal against a disease state, comprising administrating to said mammal, within an appropriate vector, a nucleotide sequence encoding an antigenic peptide associated with the disease state; additionally administering to said mammal a compound which enhances both humoral and cellular immune responses initiated by the antigenic peptide, the compound being selected from the list contained herein, wherein the compound is preferably Tucaresol or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof, where appropriate.

Abstract: The method for testing of substances for hormonal effects, especially for androgenic or anti-androgenic effects, includes exposing cells transfected with two vectors to the substances, wherein one vector contains a DNA, which codes for a nuclear receptor protein, or a fragment thereof, especially a human nuclear receptor protein, or a fragment thereof, and the other vector contains a DNA, which codes for the HSRNAAM co-modulator, or a fragment thereof; and measuring transcription activity, which the nuclear receptor protein, or its fragment, activates or releases in the presence of the HSRNAAM co-modulator, or its fragment, and/or measuring the influence of the substance on the interaction between the nuclear receptor protein, or its fragment, and the HSRNAAM co-modulator, or its fragment, by protein-protein interaction or by protein-protein-DNA interaction. Also a method for determining interference in the co-modulation mechanism between androgen receptor protein and HSRNAAM co-modulator is described.

Abstract: A chimeric phage having a coat comprising a mixture of proteins. The mixture of proteins includes a fusion protein wherein a protein is fused to a functional form of a phage coat protein, and a mutant form of the phage coat protein characterized in that a phage having no wild type phage coat protein from which the mutant form is derived but having a coat comprising the mutant form and no copies of the functional form is less infectious than a phage comprising no wild type phage coat protein from which the mutant form is derived and having a coat comprising the mutant form and at least one copy of the functional form. Also, the associated phage collection comprising the chimaeric phage or an infectious phage containing at least one copy of a mutant form of a phage coat protein wherein the mutant form has lost the ability to mediate infection of a natural host by the infectious phage. Also a method for producing a phage particle.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method of making eukaryotic gene transfer vectors comprising homologous recombining lambdid vectors with a second DNA in a bacterium to generate novel recombinant eukaryotic viral gene transfer vectors as well as a novel lambdid vector used in the inventive method and an inventive system comprising the novel lambdid vector.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions comprising an engineered zinc finger protein and a nuclear hormone receptor transcriptional control domain, polynucleotides encoding one or more components of the compositions, methods of making the compositions and methods of using these compositions, for example to modulate gene expression and/or to generate transgenic plants or animals.

Abstract: System and method for enclosing cells and/or tissue, for purposes of growth, cell differentiation, suppression of cell differentiation, biological processing and/or transplantation of cells and tissues (biological inserts), and for secretion, sensing and monitoring of selected chemical substancesand activation of gene expression of biological inserts implanted into a human body. Selected cells and/or tissue are enveloped in a “cage” that is primarily carbon nanotube Bucky paper, with a selected thickness and porosity. Optionally, selected functional groups, proteins and/or peptides are attached to the carbon nanotube cage, or included within the cage, to enhance the growth and/or differentiation of the cells and/or tissue, to select for certain cellular sub-populations, to optimize certain functions of the cells and/or tissue and/or to optimize the passage of chemicals across the cage surface(s).

Abstract: An isolated and purified human nucleoprotein containing the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1; a polynucleotide encoding this protein; and an antibody against this protein. The above protein and antibody are useful in diagnosing and treating the pathogenic conditions of cancer, etc. The above polynucleotide is usable in acquiring the protein in a large amount. By screening a low-molecular weight compound binding to this protein, drugs of a novel type (antitumor agents, etc.) can be searched for.

Abstract: An isolated polynucleotide functional as a promoter in eukaryotic cells is disclosed. The isolated polynucleotide includes an endothelial specific enhancer element as detailed herein. Further disclosed is a method of expressing a nucleic acid sequence of interest in endothelial cells.

Abstract: The invention pertains to methods and devices for the long term, in vitroculture of hematopoietic progenitor cells in the absence of exogenously added hematopoietic growth factors, improved methods for the introduction of foreign genetic material into cells of hematopoietic origin, and to apparatus for performing these methods. The hematopoietic progenitor cells are cultured on a three-dimensional porous biomaterial. The three-dimensional porous biomaterial enhances hematopoietic progenitor cell survival and leads to an expansion of progenitor cell numbers and/or functionality, while maintaining progenitor cell pluripotency in the absence of exogenous growth factors. In addition, the three-dimensional porous biomaterial supports high level transduction on cells cultured upon such environment.

Abstract: The present application discloses a method for making and selecting a transcription enhancing combined promoter cassette, which includes constructing a library of randomly combined transcription regulatory elements, which comprise double stranded DNA sequence elements that are recognized by transcription regulators; inserting the combined transcription regulatory elements upstream of a minimum promoter followed by a reporter gene in a vector; inserting the vector into a host cell; and then screening for the cells showing enhanced expression of the reporter gene, and identifying the combined promoter cassette in the cell.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for introducing an expression cassette into a cell. In the subject methods, a population of at least two distinct adeno-associated viral particles is provided, where each distinct type of viral particle in the population comprises a different portion of the expression cassette to be introduced into the cell. The target cell is contacted with population of adeno-associated viral vectors under conditions sufficient to produce a hetero-concatemer in the cell, where the hetero-concatemer includes a functional expression cassette having an intron that includes an ITR sequence. Also provided by the subject invention are vector preparations for practicing the subject methods as well as kits for use in producing the vectors employed in the subject methods. The subject methods find use in a variety of different gene transfer applications, including both in vivo and in vitro gene transfer applications, and are particularly suited for use in the transfer of long genes.

Abstract: The invention discloses proteins having ? (1–3)glucanosyltransferase type activities. These proteins can be used for detecting the antifungal activity of molecules.

Abstract: Methods for the production of recombinant proteins containing repeating units are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for the production of degenerate polynucleotides encoding said recombinant proteins. In addition, polypeptides and polynucleotides produced by the methods of current invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of biotechnology. The invention provides a novel approach using tobacco mosaic virus omega leader sequence to enhance the solubility of the recombinant products in E. coli and the method of use therefore. The invention provides the utilization of tobacco mosaic virus omega leader sequence into E. coli expression vector, and the tobacco mosaic virus omega leader sequence containing expression vector can be used in combination with other available means to obtain higher expression or better solubility. The invention can be applied to biotechnological pharmaceutical industry, genetic engineering, biochemistry and molecular biology etc. The invention provides an expression vector pTORG, which is a highly efficient GST fusion expression vector, and can significantly enhance the yield of biologically active recombinant products.