Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of isolation of related polynucleotides harboring nucleic acid difference within a polynucleotide sample. The method will be useful in detecting and identifying alternative splicing events and corresponding splicing isoforms and to detect genomic DNA differences between genomes. The method according to the present invention is based on the use of a single-stranded trap. The single-stranded trap preferably involves the use of single-strand binding protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genes for detecting the genus Pectinatus frisingensis or Pectinatus cerevisiiphilus of the genus Pectinatus, which is known as beer-spoilage bacteria, and a method for detecting the bacteria by using the genes. The present invention provides gene sequences of spacer regions between 16S rRNA genes and 23S rRNA genes specific for the genus Pectinatus relating to beer-spoilage and a method for quickly and sensitively detecting the bacteria by using the sequences.

Abstract: A method of detecting a target nucleotide sequence in a nucleic acid molecule, which comprises: (a) binding of an oligonucleotide probe to said nucleic acid molecule; (b) selective labelling of the bound oligonucleotide probe in the presence of said target nucleotide sequence; (c) hybridization of the labelled oligonucleotide to a complementary sequence; and (d) subsequent detection of the label; such methods being suitable for qualitative and quantitative assays of microbiological populations.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a method for characterizing cDNA, wherein said method produces a sequence signature having the following structure: Adaptor Sequence-Restriction Site-Known Length-Nw-Second Known Length-Nx-Poly-A tail (Known Length).

Abstract: A stable complex, we refer to as a PD-Loop, between double stranded nucleic acid and a nucleobase polymer is assembled with the aid of strand invading peptide nucleic acid (PNA). The PD-Loop can be used in the detection, analysis, quantitation and even in the affinity capture of the duplex nucleic acid. Alternatively, the PD-Loop can be used to initiate polymerase extension of a primer to thereby facilitate sequencing of the double stranded nucleic acid even in the presence of large excesses of unrelated double stranded nucleic acid. As an additional feature, the PD-Loop can also be used to generate a construct comprised of a double stranded nucleic acid through which is threaded a single stranded dosed circular nucleic acid wherein the closed circular nucleic acid can be used in a signal amplification methodology.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and diagnostic devices for monitoring graft integrity in xenotransplantation and for detecting infectious agents transmitted by the xenograft are described. In particular, the compositions, methods and devices are useful for determining porcine xenograft integrity and persistence and can detect the presence of PERV (porcine endogenous retrovirus) in a biological sample. The compositions, methods and devices are useful for determining or monitoring graft survival and rejection in recipients of xenografts and are useful for detecting the presence of pig cell and PERV infection in a xenotransplant recipient or donor. In addition, the compositions, methods and devices are useful for screening therapeutic products to be administered to humans to ensure that the products are free of pig cells, and thus free of PERV contamination, prior to administration.

Abstract: The invention includes modified dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR) nucleic acids encoding the modified DFR that has altered amino acid sequences at the substrate specificity determining region. The property of the modified DFR is characterized by its ability to reduce dihydrokaempferol (DHK) preferentially over dihydroquercetin (DHQ), and dihydromyricetin (DHM). The invention also includes plants having at least one cell expressing the modified DFR. Such plants are characterized by the increased content of pelargonidin-based pigments. The invention also includes vectors comprising at least a portion of the modified DFR nucleic acids. The invention also includes methods using such vectors for producing plants having the increased content of pelargonidin-based pigments.

Abstract: The invention concerns an oligonucleotide capable of being specifically hybridized with the ribosomal RNA (RNAr) or with the corresponding gene (ADNr) of the Escherichia coli genomic species (including all the Shigella genomic species except for serotype 13 S. boydii/Escherichia fergusonii genomic species. The invention also concerns a method for detecting and displaying the bacteria of said species.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for determining the presence of an antibiotic resistant mecA gene in a biological sample, comprising the general steps of (a) treating cells contained within a biological sample to expose target single-stranded nucleic acid molecules; (b) reacting the target single-stranded nucleic acids with a scissile link-containing nucleic acid which is complementary to a portion of an antibiotic resistant mecA gene, and with an enzyme which cleaves double-stranded target-probe complexes, under conditions which allow the target and probe to hybridize to each other to form a double-stranded target-probe complex, the enzyme molecule being capable of cleaving the scissile link of the target-probe complex such that one or more fragments of the nucleic acid probe released from said complex; and (c) determining whether cleaved portions of the detecting probe fragments released from said nucleic acid probe are produced, and thereby detecting the presence of the antibiotic resistant mecA gene

Abstract: The present invention relates to a genetic marker used to distinguish amongst animals a trait for milk producing capabilities or muscular beef producing capabilities, said genetic marker comprising a mutation in a fragment of a Pit-1 gene. After digestion with a restriction endonuclease, three allele patterns are observed, the fully digested pattern being indicative of a trait for muscularity in said animal, while the intermediate digested / nondigested pattern or the nondigested pattern being indicative of a milk producing trait in said animal. A process and kit using this genetic marker is also disclosed.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a transformed plant that produces woody raw materials having improved pulp cooking property and that has a growth characteristics equal to that of the wild type plant by changing the expression of 4-coumarate:coenzyme A ligase (4CL) gene. By transforming a plant using an antisense 4CL gene or a sense 4CL gene constructed using a portion of cDNA encoding 4CL, it is possible to suppress the expression of the intrinsic 4C1 gene.

Abstract: This invention describes pathogen-inducible promoters which normally drive expression of plant hexose oxidases, especially those which can be isolated from Helianthus annuus and Lactuca sativa, more specifically those promoters which naturally are the regulatory regions driving expression of the hexose oxidase MS59 and WL64, respectively. Also claimed are chimeric constructs where these pathogen-inducible promoters drive expression of antipathogenic proteins or of proteins which can elicit a hypersensitive response.

Abstract: The invention includes modified dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR) nucleic acids encoding the modified DFR that has altered amino acid sequences at the substrate specificity determining region. The property of the modified DFR is characterized by its ability to reduce dihydrokaempferol (DHK) preferentially over dihydroquercetin (DHQ), and dihydromyricetin (DHM). The invention also includes plants having at least one cell expressing the modified DFR. Such plants are characterized by the increased content of pelargonidin-based pigments. The invention also includes vectors comprising at least a portion of the modified DFR nucleic acids. The invention also includes methods using such vectors for producing plants having the increased content of pelargonidin-based pigments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Helicobacter pylori gene, fldA, a putative flavodoxin gene and whose expression is associated with mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the stomach (MALToma). A G insertion at position 481 of the fldA gene was more frequently observed in strains associated with MALToma than other strains. Therefore, the present invention provides a new method to identify H. pylori patient with higher risk of developing gastric MALToma.

Abstract: Providing an assay method capable of simultaneously determining the presence or absence of one or more species of biological substances or assaying the amounts thereof with a single assay device, a kit therefor and an assay device thereof.

Abstract: pET11d-rOnc(Q1, M23L) DNA is subjected to two different site-directed mutations, each using an overlapping PCR protocol. One of the site-directed mutations changes the amino acid residue at position 23 of the encoded protein from leucine to methionine, whereby the encoded protein can be made into ranpirnase by cleaving the N-terminal methionine residue and allowing the adjacent glutamine residue to autocyclize. The other site-directed mutation changes the amino acid residue at position 72 of the encoded protein from serine to cysteine, thereby producing an encoded protein that can be made into a cysteinized ranpirnase by cleaving the N-terminal methionine residue and allowing the adjacent glutamine residue to autocyclize.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the C-45T polymorphism in the Sp1 binding region of the CCK gene and the role of genetic variants in the CCK gene as a risk factor for smoking and/or unsuccessful smoking cessation in women. In particular, the invention is directed to a method for diagnosing a polymorphism which is a risk factor for smoking comprising hybridizing a nucleic acid probe, which hybridizes specifically to an isolated DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for human CCK containing a polymorphism described herein or its complement, to a patient's sample of DNA or RNA under stringent conditions which allows hybridization of said probe to nucleic acid comprising said polymorphism but prevents hybridization of said probe to a wild-type nucleic acid, wherein the presence of a hybridization signal indicates the presence of said polymorphism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions that provide a positive control to identify inhibition during a signal amplification reaction. The methods and compositions of the present invention are designed to run in the same tube or assay environment as the experimental or target sample and contain a copy of the target sequence in an inverted form.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to dystonia. In particular, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules coding for the torsin protein; purified torsin proteins and polypeptides; recombinant nucleic acid molecules; cells containing the recombinant nucleic acid molecules; antibodies having binding affinity specifically to torsin proteins and polypeptides; hybridomas containing the antibodies; nucleic acid probes for the detection of nucleic acids encoding torsin proteins; a method of detecting nucleic acids encoding torsin proteins and polypeptides in a sample; kits containing nucleic acid probes or antibodies; bioassays using the nucleic acid sequence, proteins or antibodies of this invention to diagnose the presence or absence of a dystonia; to assess, or prognose a human afflicted with torsion dystonia; therapeutic uses; and methods of preventing torsion dystonia in a human.

Abstract: Amplification primers and methods for specific amplification and detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae are disclosed. The primer-target binding sequences are useful for amplification and detection of Chlamydia pneumonia target in a variety of amplification and detection reactions.