Abstract: Methods are disclosed for entrapping, proliferating, and/or preserving biological material such as tissues and cells wherein the biological material is entrapped in a permeable gel-like material. The entrapped material is nurtured and proliferated in the gel-like microenvironment. Metabolic and/or other products are thereafter harvested from the entrapped material.

Abstract: Certain hybridomas preparing monoclonal antibodies to human interleukin-2 (IL-2) which do not cross react with rator mouse IL-2 are disclosed. The secreted monoclonal antibody can be used in immunoassays for human IL-2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthesis of HBsAg in yeast. Yeast expression vectors comprising a yeast promoter, ADHl, have been constructed. The region of the HBV genome coding for the S-protein, excluding a possible 163 amino acid presequence, has been transferred to the yeast expression vector.Using the described yeast vector, the successful synthesis of HBsAg by yeast has been achieved. The product is antigenic (reactive with anti-HBsAg), and a substantial portion is found associated with particles identical in electron microscopic appearance to those found in the serum of HBV-infected patients and in Alexander cells but having a smaller particle size diameter. The HBsAg synthesized by yeast has identical sedimentation behavior to purified, naturally-occurring HBsAg particles purified from Alexander cells as measured by sucrose gradient sedimentation.

Abstract: Antibody-producing hybridoma cell lines made by fusion of NS/1 cells with spleen cells of mice after immunization with human teratocarcinoma cells are presented. Monoclonal antibodies from these cell lines recognize the K4, K2 and P12 antigenic systems and are thus useful in detecting and differentiating between normal and cancerous cells. These monoclonal antibodies are especially useful in pathologic analysis of human tumors, especially teratocarcinomas.

Abstract: Recombinant plasmids containing the gene encoding 2,5-diketogluconic acid reductase are prepared and used to transform microorganisms. 2,5,DKG reductase is expressed by the microorganisms.

Abstract: Murine monoclonal antibodies are prepared and characterized which bind selectively to human breast cancer cells, are IgGs or IgMs, and when conjugated to ricin A chain, exhibit a TCID 50% against at least one of MCF-7, CAMA-1, SKBR-3, or BT-20 cells of less than about 10 nM. Methods for diagnosing, monitoring, and treating human breast cancer with the antibodies or immunotoxins made therefrom are described.

Abstract: A technique for identifying an unknown microorganism, in which technique a specimen of the unknown microorganism is prepared to which a radioactive emissive agent has been added that is actively incorporated into the products of metabolism of the microorganism to produce a mix of radioactive peptide or protein emissive products in a manner that depends on the metabolic mechanism of the microorganism. The peptide or protein emissive products in the mix resulting from the preparation of the specimen are then separated. The separated emissive products are detected by sensing the emission from the products to provide an electrical signal whose wave pattern is indicative of the identity of the microorganism. This wave pattern is compared in a computer with patterns stored therein representing a collection of known microorganisms.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies that recognize a structure common to human interleukin-2 and to the light .lambda. chain of human immunoglobulin and lines of hybridoma cells that produce these monoclonal antibodies can be prepared by immunizing animals, especially mice, with human interleukin-2 (TCGF) and fusing the splenocytes obtained from the animals with animal, expecially mouse, myeloma cells to create a hybridoma. The hybridomas are raised as clones and the antibodies obtained from the individual clones tested for their specificity to human interleukin-2 (TCGF). Clones that produce antibodies with a specificity to human interleukin-2 (TCGF) are selected for further raising to prepare the antibody. The antibody is harvested from the culture medium or from the ascitic fluids of the animal, especially the mouse, with the hybridoma.

Abstract: A closed, cell culture device constructed using a first and second sheet of gas permeable, liquid-impermeable material. A third sheet of a material selectively permeable to a class of molecules sandwiched between the first and second sheets, all of the sheets being formed such that the first and third sheets define a first closed compartment and the second and third sheets define a second closed compartment, each compartment having an access port.

Abstract: Hybrid cell line for production of monoclonal antibody to an antigen found on essentially all normal human T cells and on approximately 95% of normal human thymocytes. The hybrid is formed by fusing splenocytes from immunized CAF.sub.1 mice with P3X63Ag8U1 myeloma cells. Diagnostic and therapeutic uses of the monoclonal antibody are also disclosed.

Abstract: A purified human CMV virion protein that has a molecular weight of approximately 86,000 daltons by SDS-PAGE and exhibits in vivo immunizing activity and a murine monoclonal antibody that binds specifically to the protein and exhibits complement-independent human CMV neutralizing activity are described. The antibody is useful for isolating the protein by affinity chromatography and the protein is, in turn, useful for detecting CMV neutralizing antibody in sera and as a vaccine.

Abstract: A method for the saccharification of a cellulosic material comprises the steps of culturing a microorganism of Acremonium cellulolyticus in a medium containing carbon sources and nitrogen sources, collecting a cellulolytic enzyme from the resultant culture broth, and causing the cellulolytic enzyme to act on the cellulosic material.

Abstract: L-tryptophan can be prepared in good yield by a fermentation process which comprises culturing a novel L-tryptophan-producing microorganism of the genus Corynebacterium, which is resistant to at least one member selected from glyphosate [N-phosphonomethyl glycine], paraquat [1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bispyridinium] and derivatives thereof, and recovering L-tryptophan from the culture broth.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing catabolite repression-resistant mutant strains of C. thermosulfurogenes and C. thermohydrosulfuricum. The method comprises challenging a wild strain of the organism with nitrosoguanidine, followed by enrichment on 2-deoxyglucose and culturing an iodine stained starch-glucose containing agar. The colonies which convert starch most efficiently are catabolite repression-resistant. Pure cultures of the mutants and methods employing the mutants to prepare enzymes are also described.

Abstract: A stable mutant human T cell line is disclosed which secretes a high titer suppressor inducer factor. This suppressor inducer factor in turn induces production of a T cell suppressor factor which suppressed mitogen-induced T cell proliferation at high dilution. Also disclosed is a general method for mutating lymphoblastoid cell lines to yield mutants secreting enhanced levels of lymphokines.

Abstract: A method is described for separating fused cells, resulting from fusion of human cells known to produce a specific antibody or a specific lymphokine with malignant human partner cells, from the said partner cells which comprises addition of specific antiserum capable of identifying antigenic specificities unique to the clone and non-reactive with the non-fused partner cells. After reaction of the fused cell with the antiserum, the reaction product is separated within 24 hours by indirect rosetting.One cell line, ATCC HB-8143, secreted both IgG and IgM monoclonal antibodies, both antibodies having specificity to human breast carcinoma and being highly selective therefor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing human hepatitis A virus in vitro employing tissue culture techniques. In particular, the present invention relates to an in vitro tissue culture procedure utilizing a persistently infected cell line that produces high titers of hepatitis A virus. The hepatitis A virus thus produced is a source of hepatitis A virus antigens.

Abstract: Human myeloma fusing lines and human/human hybridomas produced therefrom are disclosed. In one embodiment, the myeloma cell line is HAT sensitive, does not secrete detectable levels of Epstein-Barr virus EBNA-I protein, and does not secrete or elaborate detectable levels of myeloma immunoglobulin. The myeloma cell line and resulting hybridoma are stable over time, and thus permit production of commercial quantities of human monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: A bacterium of the genus Flavobacterium which utilizes pentachlorophenol (PCP) as its sole carbon and energy source, which tolerates media PCP concentrations over about 250 mg/l, and which may be used in methods of detoxifying PCP-contaminated material.

Abstract: A process for the production of L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester of L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine by contacting an appropriate microorganism or enzyme-containing fraction of said microorganism with L-aspartic acid and L-phenylalanine methyl ester or L-phenylalanine in an aqueous medium so that L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester or L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine is produced.