Abstract: The present invention relates to mutants cells comprising a marker-free modification of a gene, and methods for obtaining and using such mutant cells.

Abstract: A novel DNA whose expression level fluctuates in leukocytes of IgA nephropathy patients in comparison with leukocytes of healthy persons, a process for isolating the DNA, a novel protein encoded by the DNA, an antibody recognizing the protein, methods for detecting the protein and the DNA, and methods of diagnosis and treatment of IgA nephropathy.

Abstract: This invention provides a system for producing differentiated cells from a stem cell population for use wherever a relatively homogenous cell population is desirable. The cells contain an effector gene under control of a transcriptional control element (such as the TERT promoter) that causes the gene to be expressed in relatively undifferentiated cells in the population. Expression of the effector gene results in expression of a cell-surface antigen that can be used to deplete the undifferentiated cells. Model effector sequences encode glycosyl transferases that synthesize carbohydrate xenoantigen or alloantigen, which can be used for immunoseparation or as a target for complement-mediated lysis. The differentiated cell populations produced are suitable for use in tissue regeneration and non-therapeutic applications such as drug screening.

Abstract: A process for delivering a nucleic acid to a cardiac tissue cell in a mammal is described, comprising introducing a composition consisting of a nucleic acid to a blood vessel, which subsequently delivers the nucleic acid to the cardiac tissue cell. The nucleic acid can be DNA or RNA or plasmid DNA or viral. This process is for purposes of gene therapy, and research.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for increasing the efficiency of transformation of cycling cells, the methods comprising synchronizing cells at a first stage of the cell cycle, and transforming the cells at a second stage of the cell cycle within about one cell cycle of the first stage with a genetically engineered nucleic acid that encodes a desired gene product. The invention further relates to cancer therapy and, in particular, to methods of efficiently transforming cancer cells with nucleic acids that encode gene products that inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of producing an allelic series of modifications in genes of interest in a cell. In particular, the invention provides methods for using nucleic acid sequence-modifying agents (e.g., chemicals, electromagnetic radiation, etc.) to introduce modifications in any nucleic acid sequence in the genome of a cell. Also provided are sets of cells which contain at least one modification in any gene of interest. The methods and compositions of the invention are useful in determining the function of the gene of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel DNA related to IgA nephropathy obtained by a differential display method [FEBS Letters, 351, 231 (1994)] taking note of an mRNA whose expression level fluctuates in leukocytes of IgA nephropathy patients in comparison with leukocytes of healthy persons, a process for isolating the DNA, a method for detecting the DNA, a novel protein encoded by the DNA, an antibody recognizing the protein, a method for detecting the protein, and diagnosis and treatment of IgA nephropathy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a human PAB II gene containing transcribed polymorphic GCG repeat, which comprises a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:18, which includes introns and flanking genomic sequence. Allelic variants of GCG repeat of the human PAB II gene are associated with a disease related with protein accumulation in the nucleus, such as polyalanine accumulation, or with swallowing difficulties, such as oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy. The present invention also relates to a method for the diagnosis of a disease associated with protein accumulation in the nucleus, which comprises the steps of: a) obtaining a nucleic acid sample of a patient; and b) determining allelic variants of GCG repeat of the PAB II gene, and wherein long allelic variants are indicative of a disease related with protein accumulation in the nucleus.