Abstract: Disclosed is an Aspergillus fumigatus N-myristoyltransferase gene and its use in identifying antifungal agents, for example.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel STR markers for DNA fingerprinting. More specifically, the invention relates to seven different STR markers for DNA fingerprinting of a DNA sample, whereby each marker comprises a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS:1 to 7 as set forth in FIGS. 1A-1B.

Abstract: A method for predicting the development of type 2 diabetes before the manifestation of its symptoms in a subject, which comprises measuring the mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) content in peripheral blood of the subject, comparing the measured mtDNA content with that of a normal control, and predicting the increased risk of development of diabetes when the subjects mtDNA content is lower than that of the normal control.

Abstract: The invention provides dexB polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding dexb polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing dexB polypeptides to screen for antibacterial compounds.

Abstract: A method for improving the amplification of microdissected DNA fragments includes treating the fragments with pepsin prior to amplification.

Abstract: A method is provided for screening subjects for genetic markers associated with autism. The method involves isolating a biological sample from a mammal and then testing for the presence of a mutated gene or a product thereof which is associated with autism. Also disclosed are isolated nucleic acids encoding HoxA1 and HoxB1, both of which have a polymorphism that is associated with autism spectrum disorders.

Abstract: A method for identifying a person at risk for developing an anxiety disorder, said anxiety disorder selected from the group consisting of agoraphobia, social phobia, panic attacks, panic disorders, simple phobia, mood disorders, major depression, schizophrenia, and hypermobility syndrome associated with duplication of a region of the genomic sequence of human chromosome 15q24-25 defined by boundaries D15S925 (proximal end) and DS15S736 (distal end). The method comprises identifying the presence of duplication in the region of the genomic sequence of human chromosome 15q24-25 defined by the boundaries D15S925 (proximal end) and DS15S736 (distal end) in said person.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of primers in polymerase chain reaction assays for the detection of fungal pathogens, particularly Monilinia laxa and Monilinia fructicola. Specific primers are identified as being useful for the indentification of fungal isolates, particularly Monilinia laxa and Monilinia fructicola, using PCR based techniques.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the isolation of gene sequences encoding mammalian cell cycle checkpoints, as well as the expression of the encoded proteins using recombinant DNA technology. The expressed proteins are used to generate specific antibodies and to inhibit the growth of cells. The human checkpoint gene sequences are used as a probe for a portion of the chromosome associated with tumors and other malignancies, as well as growth and/or development deficiencies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for analyzing nucleic acids. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions for the detection and characterization of nucleic acid sequences and sequence changes. The methods of the present invention permit the detection and/or identification of genetic polymorphism such as those associated with human disease and permit the identification of pathogens (e.g., viral and bacterial strain identification).

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences that are useful for detecting Chlamydia pneumoniae are herein provided. These sequences can be used in hybridization assays or amplification based assays designed to detect the presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae in a test sample. Additionally, the sequences can be provided as part of a kit.

Abstract: The invention relates to the determination of the genomic structure of HERG which is a gene associated with long QT syndrome. The sequences of the 15 intron/exon junctions has been determined and this information is useful in devising primers for amplifying and sequencing across all of the exons of the gene. This is useful for determining the presence or absence of mutations which are known to cause long QT syndrome. Also disclosed are many new mutations in HERG which have been found to be associated with long QT syndrome.

Abstract: The invention relates to a determination of a polymorphism or less of heterozygosity, by assaying a sample with one or both of SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2. These oligonucleotides facilitate identification of polymorphisms and lack of heterozygosity at chromosomal location 5p15-q21. This region contains a tumor suppressor gene.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for detecting target nucleic acid sequences with diagnostic primers including priming regions and probe regions which are complementary to target and reference regions respectively on a sample nucleic acid strand wherein the probe region is located 5′ to the priming region which is complementary to a reference nucleic acid sequence which is 3′ to the target nucleic acid sequence on the sample nucleic acid strand wherein when said reference nucleic acid sequence is contiguous with said target nucleic acid sequence on the sample nucleic acid strand then the priming region and probe region on the diagnostic probe are separated by a spacer region of nucleic acid.

Abstract: A process for detecting malignant transformation of cells involves detecting the overexpression of the products of the &bgr;3, &bgr;5, &bgr;8 and &bgr;9 genes, which encode the hCG&bgr; subunit, relative to their expression in nonmalignant cells. A kit for diagnosing an hCG- or an hCG fragment-secreting cancer includes an assembly of polypeptides covering at least a part of the primary sequence of hCG. The use of a polypeptide corresponding to at least one portion of the primary sequence of hCG for producing a composition useful in hCG- or hCG fragment-secreting cancer immunotherapy is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for HLA typing by amplification of a sample followed by sequence-specific oligonucleotide hybridization with a labelled oligonucleotide probe provides for both positive and negative controls. Control sequences representing known allelic polymorphisms at the locus in question are subjected to the labelled probe along with the sample. This method reduces errors and improves the chance of obtaining a successful tissue match, as is vital in the case of tissue transplants, particularly bone marrow transplants. Probes and PCR primers useful in HLA-DR typing are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polynucleotides and the polypeptides encoded by them, each of which are specific to human prostate tumor cells. The present invention further provides chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, and antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention. Also provided herein are methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention, as are detection assays that detect the presence of tumor cells in tissue or bodily fluid samples and methods for identifying novel compositions which modulate the activity of prostate tumor antigens and the use of such compositions in diagnosis and treatment of disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the fields diabetes. More particularly, it concerns the identification of genes responsible for NIDDM for use in diagnostics and therapeutics. The present invention demonstrates that the MODY3 locus is, in fact, the HNF1&agr; gene, MODY4 locus is the HNF1&bgr; and the MODY1 locus is the HNF4&agr; gene. The invention further relates to the discovery that analysis of mutations in the HNF1&agr;, HNF1&bgr; and HNF4&agr; genes can be diagnostic for diabetes. The invention also contemplates methods of treating diabetes in view of the fact that HNF1&agr;, HNF1&bgr; and HNF4&agr; mutations can cause diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arbitrarily primed PCR-based method to identify genetic marker associated with a pathology, which comprises the steps of: a) collecting heterogeneous nucleic acid samples from diseased and healthy tissues; b) determining quantities of the nucleic acid pools by specific amplification of a fragment of glyceraldehyde-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) mRNA; c) amplifying nucleic acid pools of step b) using non-specific sense and antisense primers to obtain clear patterns of nucleic acid sequences; and d) subjecting amplified nucleic acid sequences to gel electrophoresis to obtain fingerprints of both diseased and healthy, wherein bands predominantly associated with diseased tissues are markers for the pathology. The present invention also relates to a RNA expression marker for the diagnosis of Crohn's disease, which comprises a 3.1 kb RNA sequence, and uses thereof.

Abstract: Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome (JLN) is an autosomal recessive form of long QT syndrome. In addition to QT interval prolongation, this disorder is associated with congenital deafness. JLN is rare, but affected individuals are susceptible to cardiac arrhythmias with a high incidence of sudden death and short life expectancy. A homozygous mutation in KVLQT1, the potassium channel gene responsible for chromosome 11-linked long QT syndrome, is shown to be a cause of JLN.