Abstract: A method for processing blood samples in order to produce DNA complex patterns for diagnostic applications.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the therapy and diagnosis of cancer, particularly prostate cancer, are disclosed. Illustrative compositions comprise one or more prostate-specific polypeptides, immunogenic portions thereof, polynucleotides that encode such polypeptides, antigen presenting cell that expresses such polypeptides, and T cells that are specific for cells expressing such polypeptides. The disclosed compositions are useful, for example, in the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of diseases, particularly prostate cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule or molecules and to a process for the detection of bacteria of the Pseudomonas genus, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The invention relates also to a test kit or kits for carrying out the said detection processes.

Abstract: Nucleic acid probes for detecting different strains of Citrus Tristeza Virus (CTV) were made and shown to be highly sensitive, specific, and selective. The invention also concerns a method of detection, a method of identifying novel strains of CTV, and a detection kit which employs the subject probes.

Abstract: An objective of this invention is to provide a method which can specifically enrich a desired DNA with a long insert size from a DNA library and can provide a clone of the DNA directly. This invention provides a method of constructing a DNA library having increased proportion of a first double-stranded DNA therein by removing, from an original library containing the first double-stranded DNA to be increased in proportion, a second double-stranded DNA different from the first double-stranded DNA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for amplifying DNA of an organism. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a process for amplifying DNA of an organism through Polymerase Chain Reaction(PCR) without any information regarding a primer needed for amplifying DNA of an organism.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of diagnosing a cell proliferative disorder of breast tissue by determining the methylation status of nucleic acids obtained from a subject. Aberrant methylation of several genes including TWIST, HOXA5, NES-1, retinoic acid receptor beta (RAR&bgr;), estrogen receptor (ER), cyclin D2, WT-1, 14.3.3 sigma, HIN-1, RASSF1A, and combinations of such genes serve as markers of breast malignancy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for typing of alleles of the Minor Histocompatibility Antigen HA-1 in a sample. The method comprises: a) contacting the genomic polynucleic acids in the sample with at least one pair of primers, whereby the 51- and/or the 31-primer of the at least one pair of primers specifically hybridize to target regions comprising polymorphic nucleotides in the alleles, and performing an amplification reaction; b) for each of the at least one pair of primers detecting whether or not in step a) an amplification product is formed; c) inferring from the result of step b) which HA-1 allele is present in the sample. The present invention also provides a method for genomic typing of alleles of the Minor Histocompatibility Antigen HA-1 in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention discloses pairs of oligonucleotide primers for use in detecting the presence or absence of an enterovirus in a sample. Also disclosed are synthetic nucleotide sequences capable of specifically hybridizing to a sense strand of an enterovirus nucleic acid or a nucleic acid corresponding to the sense strand. The present invention provides a method of detecting the presence or absence of an enterovirus nucleic acid in a sample as well as a kit for detecting an enterovirus in a sample. The present invention particularly provides a method and a kit for detecting and differentiating enterovirus type 71 and/or coxsackievirus A16 in a sample.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the therapy and diagnosis of cancer, such as prostate cancer, are disclosed. Compositions may comprise one or more prostate-specific proteins, immunogenic portions thereof, or polynucleotides that encode such portions. Alternatively, a therapeutic composition may comprise an antigen presenting cell that expresses a prostate-specific protein, or a T cell that is specific for cells expressing such a protein. Such compositions may be used, for example, for the prevention and treatment of diseases such as prostate cancer. Diagnostic methods based on detecting a prostate-specific protein, or mRNA encoding such a protein, in a sample are also provided.

Abstract: DNA sequences coding for the DR-&bgr;-chain locus of human lymphocyte antigen complex and diagnostic typing processes and products related thereto. DNA sequences that code for the &bgr;-chain DR locus are useful in simple and efficient typing processes and products and for expression of polypeptides displaying an immunological or biological activity of the antigens of the HLA-DR &bgr;-chains for use in diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery of novel polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes known in the art to contribute to human disease. Such polymorphisms can lead to a variety of disorders that are mediated/modulated by a variant human disease associated protein. The present invention provides reagents used for detecting and expressing the variant nucleic acid/protein sequence as well as methods of identifying and using these variants.

Abstract: This invention relates to means of qualitative and quantitative analysis of microbial populations potentially present in a sample. These means notably comprise the use of at least one RNA-targeted oligonucleotide probe for in situ hybridization in whole cells; followed by the extraction of those probes which have become hybridized by separation from their target and elution from the microbial cells; as well as the detection and measurement of said extracted probes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition which is used to enhance the elasticity and/or appearance of tissue. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a composition formulated from peptides having low molecular weights and which substantially correspond to sequences found in elastin. These peptides are used in conjunction with or in combination with retinoids, preferably tretinoin.

Abstract: The invention provides novel polypeptides useful for co-stimulating T cells, isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding them, vectors containing the nucleic acid molecules, and cells containing the vectors. Also included are methods of making and using these co-stimulatory polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule or nucleic acid molecules and also to a method for the rapid and sensitive detection of bacteria of the pathogenic species Listeria monocytogenes. The invention further relates to a test kit or test kits for carrying out the detection methods mentioned.

Abstract: Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) is a cardiovascular disorder characterized by prolongation of the QT interval on electrocardiogram and presence of syncope, seizures and sudden death. Five genes have been implicated in Romano-Ward syndrome, the autosomal dominant form of LQTS. These genes are KVLQT1, HERG, SCN5A, KCNE1 and KCNE2. Mutations in KVLQt1 and KCNE1 also cause the Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome, a form of LQTS associated with deafness, a phenotypic abnormality inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion. Mutational analyzes were used to screen 262 unrelated individuals with LQTS for mutations in the five defined genes. A total of 134 mutations were observed of which eighty were novel.

Abstract: The invention discloses five novel peptides which can be used as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor. The subject invention also discloses a process for the preparation of the products having angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activity, which comprises the following steps: (a) adding protein hydrolase to the solution of chicken residues for reaction; (b) separating the chicken residues and liquid after the reaction of step (a) and collecting the separated liquid; and (c) drying the liquid obtained from step (b) to obtain the products.

Abstract: A method of screening a subject for mitochondrial dysfunction comprises detecting the presence or absence of single nucleotide changes in a hypervariable region of the mitochondrial DNA of said subject, the presence of such changes indicating that said subject is afflicted with or at risk of developing mitochondrial dysfunction.