Abstract: The invention provides a method for isolating and purifying nucleic acids from liquid samples. The method comprises using a solid carrier which is essentially made of oxide inorganic materials containing hydroxyl groups (e.g., silica gel or hydroxylapatite). The nucleic acids are bound to the carrier material in the acidic pH range while they are eluted in the alkaline pH range.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a regulatory region obtained from a wheat aleurone gene LtpW1. This regulatory region, or truncated derivatives of this regulatory region, can be used to express heterologous genes of interest within aleurone cells of a plant. Furthermore, this invention is directed to a truncated LtpW1 regulatory region that exhibits constructive activity within both monocot and dicot plants. This invention is also directed to vectors comprising these regulatory regions operatively linked with a heterologous gene of interest, as well as plant cell cultures and transgenic plants comprising these vectors. A method for the preparation of a plant using the regulatory regions of this invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: In the present invention we describe a new method for the formation of a mucin-biomolecules complex, such as a mucin-DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) complex and the application of such a complex for the transport of DNA, RNA (ribonucleic acid) and other biomolecules into cells. Transfection is the introduction of a DNA molecule into a eukaryotic cell, usually followed by the expression of one or more genes in the newly introduced DNA. The mucin-DNA complex described in the present invention can be used to perform transfection of DNA, as well as, the introduction of RNA and other larger biomolecules into cells. Since effective transfection, especially in in vivo systems is still limited by the methods currently available, the mucin-DNA complex, as described in the present invention, presents a novel and significantly improved method for performing transfection and ensuring the effective transmission of DNA into cells and the expression of genes in transfected DNA.

Abstract: Novel P element derived vectors and methods for their use to insert an exogenous nucleic acid into the genome of a target cell are provided. The subject vectors have a pair of P element transposase recognized insertion sites, e.g. 31 base pair inverted repeats, flanking at least two transcriptionally active genes. In practicing the subject methods, a vector of the subject invention is introduced into the target cell under conditions sufficient for transposition to occur. The subject methods find use in a variety of applications in which the insertion of an exogenous nucleic acid into the genome of a target cell is desired, e.g. include research, synthesis and therapeutic applications.