Abstract: The present invention describes an assay method comprising: (A) generating (1) at least a first fragment of a reporter molecule linked to a first interacting domain and at least a second fragment of a reporter molecule linked to a second interacting domain, or (2) nucleic acid molecules that code for (A)(1) and subsequently allowing said nucleic acid molecules to produce their coded products; then, (B) allowing interaction of said domains; and (C) detecting reconstituted reporter molecule activity, where said reporter molecule can react with a penicillin- or a cephalosporin-class substrate.

Abstract: Blood or other body fluid is screened for infection of an individual with HTLV-I and/or HTLV-II by subjecting each sample from the individual to a test for the presence of the Tax protein, DNA which encodes the Tax protein, or antibodies specific to the Tax protein, and correlating the presence of HTLV-I and/or HTLV-II infection with the result of the test. This test can also be used to screen pregnant women and nursing mothers for HTLV-I/II infection, or to screen seronegative patients who otherwise present symptoms of HTLV-I/II infection for HTLV-I/II infection. Because this test, which relies on testing for the presence of the tax protein is so specific for HTLV-I and/or HTLV-II infection, there is no requirement for input from any other test result to test positively for HTLV-I and/or HTLV-II.

Abstract: Lafora's disease in humans is characterized by the mutation or deletion of an EPM2A gene, which encodes a protein, Laforin, having a tyrosine phosphatase domain. Many different sequence mutations, including microdeletions, in EPM2A co-segregate with, Lafora's disease. Accordingly, detection of mutations in EPM2 are useful in diagnosing Lafora's disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to mammalian cell lines and transgenic mammals. More particularly, it relates to a method for producing a rat cell line, a method for producing a transgenic rat, a transgenic rat, a rat cell line, cells and tissue obtained therefrom and uses therefore. The cell line derived from a transgenic mammal comprises: (i) a conditional oncogene, transforming gene or immortalising gene or a cell cycle affecting gene; and (ii) a cell type specific promoter. They include a neuronal cell line in which the cell type specific promoter is an NF-L gene promoter, and a mammary cell line in which the cell type specific promoter is a MMTV gene promoter. The conditional oncogene, transforming gene or immortalising gene is preferably a SV40tsA58 gene.

Abstract: This invention provides novel sensors that facilitate the detection of essentially any analyte. In general, the biosensors of this invention utilize a binding agent (e.g. biomolecule) to specifically bind to one or more target analytes. In preferred embodiments, the biomolecules spans a gap between two electrodes. Binding of the target analyte changes conductivity of the sensor thereby facilitating ready detection of the binding event and thus detection and/or quantitation of the bound analyte. A molecular sensing apparatus comprising.

Abstract: A method for examining nucleotide sequences of a sample includes adding a group of primers of multiple species to a solution containing the sample and simultaneously synthesizing complementary strands at each of the multiple regions containing the nucleotide sequences; designing the DNA probes with specific sequences elongate the complementary strands by the presence or absence of mutations in the nucleotide sequences, wherein the same number of such DNA probes and the nucleotide sequences are used for complementary strand synthesis; using the nucleotide sequences or their complementary sequences as a template to convert pyrophosphate produced during the elongation reaction to ATP which then reacts with chemiluminescent substrates to develop luminescence to be detected. According to the method, sensitivity is greatly increased by amplification of the amount of pyrophosphate produced in synthesis of the complementary strands without amplifying the copies of nucleotide sequences.

Abstract: An isolated DNA encoding the enzyme I-SceI is provided. The DNA sequence can be incorporated in cloning and expression vectors, transformed cell lines and transgenic animals. The vectors are useful in gene mapping and site-directed insertion of genes.

Abstract: Method of identifying microbial organisms wherein a biological sample containing nucleic acids is hybridized with a collection of polynucleotide probes, each probe having binding specificity for the ribosomal nucleic acids of at least one microbe. The collection of probes is organized into a series of “addresses” that provide information about the presence or absence of one or more polynucleotide sequences in the biological sample. Probes in the matrix are selected to distinguish between organisms that differ from each other by a known phylogenetic relationship. Advantageously, the invented method can detect and resolve the identities of microorganisms that are present in a mixed culture. The system is particularly suited to automated analysis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for quantitatively analyzing tumor cells in a body fluid. According to the inventive method, the test sample to be examined is first subjected to a method for accumulating or depleting tumor cells, and a reaction is carried out on the accumulated or depleted tumor cells. During the reaction, the mRNA which codes for the catalytic subunit of the telomerase is specifically amplified, and afterwards, the quantity of amplified nucleic acid is quantitatively analyzed. The invention also relates to test kits suited for the invented method.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel nucleic acid reference standards comprising a nucleic acid comprising a known target sequence bound with a microparticulate binding agent where the binding agent includes liposomes, polyamines (e.g., nylon), siliceous compounds (e.g., silica gel, fumed silica, diatomaceous earth, glass particles, amine-modified silica, and the like), zeolites (e.g., low alumina zeolyte), polystyrene (e.g., amine-modified polystyrene, carboxy-polystyrene particles, and the like), chitin, chitosan, and combinations of these compounds. The reference standard is useful for use as a standard in any nucleic acid assay where the presence or absence of a nucleic acid of interest is being assessed. The reference standard is stable and provides a control for assessing whether the nucleic acid assay was performed properly. The invention further relates to methods of producing such reference standards and kits for using and producing the same pursuant to the teachings of the invention.

Abstract: A compound having the formula: wherein, R1 represents 2′-O-alkylthioalkyl or 2′-C-alkylthioalkyl; X represents a base or H; Y represents a phosphorus-containing group; and R2 represents H, DMT or a phosphorus-containing group.

Abstract: A method for manipulating genetic material, the method comprising disrupting cells so as to liberate genetic material contained in the cells; contacting the genetic material to a silica column in a manner to cause the genetic material to become immobilized to the column; labeling the immobilized genetic material; and eluting the labeled material from the column. Also provided is a two-buffer process for manipulating genetic material, the process comprising: contacting cells containing the genetic material to a silica column; creating a first fraction of cell detritus and a second fraction containing the genetic material; confining the genetic material to the column; removing the cell detritus; contacting the genetic material with radicals so as to produce reactive aldehyde groups on the genetic material, and attaching chromophore to the genetic material.

Abstract: Methods for high speed, high throughput analysis of polynucleotide sequences, and apparatuses with which to carry out the methods are provided in the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plasmid carrying simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-derived genes. Particularly, the present invention relates to the plasmid pSIV/GE which carrys gag, protease, env and rev gene, all derived from SIV, but not tat and nef gene and the plasmid pSIV/pol which carrys SIV-derived pol gene; the plasmid pHIV/GE and pHIV/pol that are substituted the SIV-derived genes in the plasmid pSIV/GE and pSIV/pol by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-derived corresponding genes; DNA vaccine containing the plasmid pSIV/GE and pSIV/pol; and DNA vaccine containing the plasmid pHIV/GE and pHIV/pol. The present invention offers AIDS DNA vaccines which successfully exert perfect medicinal efficacy on primates, giving a measure of success in developing effective AIDS DNA vaccines applicable to humans. The plasmid of the present invention can be effectively used for not only AIDS prevention by AIDS infection but also therapeutic agent for AIDS.

Abstract: The present invention discloses nucleic acid detector probes for specific detection and/or quantification of target nucleic acid sequences and detection and/or quantification methods using these probes. In the absence of target nucleic acid sequence, a first oligonucleotide and a third oligonucleotide are bound to each other in a conformation which brings two member of an interacting moiety pair (labels) into close spatial proximity. Cooperative binding of the first oligonucleotide and a second oligonucleotide to a target nucleic acid sequence causes displacement of the third oligonucleotide from the first oligonucleotide probe resulting in separation of the two members of the interacting moiety pair (labels). The spatial separation of the moieties (labels) is detectable, and indicates the presence and/or amount of the target nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: A method for determining an increased likelihood of the presence of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia (FMS), or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in an individual, comprising isolating blood cells from the individual and determining the presence of one or more Mycoplasma species present in the blood cells, wherein the presence of one or more Mycoplasma species indicates an increased likelihood of the presence of CFS, FMS, RA or GWS.

Abstract: The invention relates to primer-specific and mispair extension assays for identifying gene variations, such as in different genotypes or subtypes of a given genotype. The assay includes extending a nucleic acid sequence from a patient sample with extension products of the primer, characterizing the extension products, and comparing the extension products with known nucleic acid sequences of various genotypes for determining the genotype of the nucleic acid sequence extended. In the assay, at least one primer or the dNTPs is labeled.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of identifying one or more nucleic acids in a sample. The nucleic acids, for example, expressed genes in a cell, can be identified by contacting the nucleic acids with oligonucleotides having detector tags, and selector tags to form tagged oligonucleotides. Each nucleic acid can be uniquely identified by mass-spectrophotometric analysis of the detector tag.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for treating hepatitis virus infections in mammals, especially humans. The methods comprise (1) administering N-substituted-1,5-dideoxy-1,5-imino-D-glucitol compounds alone or in combination with nucleoside antiviral agents, nucleotide antiviral agents, mixtures thereof, or immunomodulating/immunostimulating agents, or (2) administering N-substituted-1,5-dideoxy-1,5-imino-D-glucitol compounds alone or in combination with nucleoside antiviral agents, nucleotide antiviral agents, or mixtures thereof, and immunomodulating/immuno-stimulating agents.

Abstract: Methods are provided for preparing nucleic acid arrays on a support. In these methods a plurality of nucleic acids are synthesized on the support and the synthesis steps are followed by drying steps in which the array is exposed to a dry atmosphere following the synthesis steps.