Abstract: Disclosed are methods for screening subjects to determine their risk for developing cardiovascular disease, screening methods to determine potential longevity, therapeutic methods and compositions for treating patients at risk for developing cardiovascular disease, and screening methods for identifying materials useful in the therapeutic methods.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a risk of a subject to develop vascular complications is disclosed. The method is effected by determining a haptoglobin phenotype of the subject and thereby evaluating the risk of the subject to develop vascular complications. The risk is decreased in patients with haptoglobin 1-1 phenotype as compared to patients with haptoglobin 1-2 or haptoglobin 2-2 phenotypes.

Abstract: The invention addresses DNA-protein-complexes, proteins, DNA sequences and antibodies that are suitable for the detection of cells with an unlimited proliferation and tumor-formation potential. The invention further addresses methods for obtaining such proteins or DNA sequences and methods for identifying animal and human cells with with an unlimited proliferation and tumor-formation potential using such proteins, DNA sequences or antibodies.

Abstract: The invention concerns polymorphisms in the &bgr;1- and the &bgr;2-adrenergic receptors. The invention also pertains to methods and molecules for detecting such polymorphisms. The invention further pertains to the use of such molecules and methods in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment selection for cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and diabetes.

Abstract: A modified bioluminescent protein responds to different physical, chemical, biochemical or biological conditions to product light or radiation of altered characteristics when the bioluminescent reaction is initiated. The modified bioluminescent protein may respond to modification thereof, e.g. by covalent modification. The protein may include signal peptides to “target” it. DNA coding for the bioluminescent protein may be altered to include tissue specific promoter or enhancer genes so that the altered DNA acts as reporter gene.

Abstract: Genetic polymorphisms are identified in the human UGT1 gene that alter UGT1-dependent drug metabolism. Nucleic acids comprising the polymorphic sequences are used to screen patients for altered metabolism for UGT1 substrates, potential drug-drug interactions, and adverse/side effects, as well as diseases that result from environmental or occupational exposure to toxins. The nucleic acids are used to establish animal, cell and in vitro models for drug metabolism.

Abstract: The present invention provides new probes for the detection of chromosomal alterations associated with cancer, particularly ovarian cancer. The probes bind selectively with target nucleic acid sequences at 3q26.

Abstract: Nucleic acids can be amplified and detected using a very rapid polymerase chain reaction procedure. This procedure includes a series of steps which have critically defined temperature and time parameters. Each polymerase chain reaction cycle requires generally less than about two minutes, and in most cases less than 90 seconds. At least 5 units/100 &mgr;l of solution of thermostable DNA polymerase are used, and other preferred levels of primer concentrations facilitate the quick cycling in the amplification. In preferred embodiments, only two temperatures are used in the amplification.

Abstract: The genes for bradykinin B1 receptor from five mammalian species, vervet monkey, rhesus macaque, tree shrew, dog and pig have been cloned and characterized. In addition to the delineation of the nucleotide and amino acid sequences, methods for identifying modulators of bradykinin B1 receptor activity using these molecules is also described. Additionally, a method for identifying an animal model useful in the screening of potential therapeutic agents is provided.

Abstract: A method for determining the existence of duplexes of oligonucleotide complementary molecules is provided whereby a plurality of immobilized oligonucleotide molecules, each of a specific length and each having a specific base sequence, is contacted with complementary, single stranded oligonucleotide molecules to form a duplex so as to facilitate intercalation of a fluorescent dye between the base planes of the duplex. The invention also provides for a method for constructing oligonucleotide matrices comprising confining light sensitive fluid to a surface, exposing said light-sensitive fluid to a light pattern so as to cause the fluid exposed to the light to polymerize into discrete units and adhere to the surface; and contacting each of the units with a set of different oligonucleotide molecules so as to allow the molecules to disperse into the units.

Abstract: A modified bioluminescent protein responds to different physical, chemical, biochemical or biological conditions to product light or radiation of altered characteristics when the bioluminescent reaction is initiated. The modified bioluminescent protein may respond to modification thereof, e.g. by covalent modification. The protein may include signal peptides to “target” it. DNA coding for the bioluminescent protein may be altered to include tissue specific promoter or enhancer genes so that the altered DNA acts as reporter gene.

Abstract: Xylanase DNA is recovered from soil by PCR amplification using degenerate primers. Because of the complexity of the soil samples, it is likely that the recovered product will include more than one species of polynucleotide. These recovered copies may be cloned into a host organism to produce additional copies of each individual species prior to characterization by sequencing. Recovered DNA which is found to vary from known xylanases can be used in several ways to facilitate production of novel xylanases for industrial application. First, the recovered DNA, or probes corresponding to portions thereof, can be used as a probe to screen DNA libraries and recover intact xylanase genes including the unique regions of the recovered DNA. Second, the recovered DNA or polynucleotides corresponding to portions thereof, can be inserted into a known xylanase gene to produce a recombinant xylanase gene with the sequence variations of the recovered DNA.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a human patient is susceptible to hereditary pancreatitis. The method comprises the steps of obtaining nucleic acid from the human patient. Then there is the step of checking the nucleic acid for a mutation that indicates hereditary pancreatitis. A primer which reacts with a human trypsinogen gene to identify hereditary pancreatitis. A method for detecting in a human a mutation in a trypsinogen gene indicative of hereditary pancreatitis. The invention comprises the steps of obtaining a sample having DNA of the patient. Then there is the step of processing the sample so the DNA will be recognized by a desired restriction enzyme. Next there is the step of introducing the desired restriction enzyme to the DNA wherein the recognizing of the desired restriction enzyme to the DNA indicates the presence of the mutation.

Abstract: Samples are tested for mutations in the BRCA1 gene using a hierarchical approach. First, each sample is amplified in one or more multiplex PCR amplification reactions. Each multiplex PCR reaction produces a mixture of amplified fragments. The sizes and amounts of these fragments are evaluated and compared to standard values reflecting the sizes and amounts of fragments produced when the same multiplex amplification is performed on the wild-type BRCA1 gene. Differences between the observed fragment sizes and/or amounts and those for the wild-type gene are indicative of a mutation with the BRCA1 gene of the sample. Next, one or more of the exons of the BRCA1 gene are sequenced, preferably only for those samples where no mutation was detected by analysis of the multiplex PCR fragments. The sequencing procedure can be performed by amplification and sequencing of the multiplex amplification mixture.

Abstract: Novel polypeptides with binding affinity for the p185HER2 receptor, designated heregulin 2-&agr; and heregulin 2-&bgr;, have been identified and purified from human tissue. The cDNA encoding the novel heregulin 2-&agr; has been isolated from human tissue and sequenced. Provided herein is nucleic acid sequence of the heregulin 2-&agr; useful in the production of heregulin 2-&agr; by recombinant means. Further provided an amino acid sequence of heregulin 2-&agr; and heregulin 2-&bgr;. Heregulins and their antibodies are useful as therapeutic agents and in diagnostic methods.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for improving the therapeutic response of human patients with major depression by determining the apolipoprotein E genotype of a human patient and administering mirtazapine, in an amount effective to treat major depression, to those patients who are found to carry the gene for apolipoprotein E4. Also disclosed are methods for improving the therapeutic response of a human patient with major depression comprising administering mirtazapine, in an amount effective to treat major depression, to a human patient who is a carrier of the gene for apolipoprotein E4.

Abstract: The invention relates to members of the MAGE-B family of nucleic acid molecules. These molecules differ from the previously described MAGE nucleic acid molecules in that members of the MAGE-Xp family do not hybridize to the previously identified MAGE sequences. Further, the members of the MAGE-B family are found on the Xp arm of the X chromosome rather than on the Xq chromosome, as was the case with the previously identified MAGE genes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to haplotype-specific genomic elements (HGEs) present in multigene complexes of higher organisms. The present invention provides the genetic characterizations of the HGEs for the human Major Histocompatibility Complex. The present invention further relates to a method of determining the ancestral haplotypes of higher organisms by using approaches based on HGEs. The method of the present invention can be applied to distinguish haplotypic differences in genes of multigene complex, such as MHC genes, which is very useful in clinical applications.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and nucleic acid probes for assessing characteristics of lipid metabolism in animals, and in particular to methods of predicting fat levels in meat, milk, or other fat depots of animals. Thus the invention provides a method of assessing the fat metabolism characteristics of an animal, comprising the step of testing the animal for the presence or absence of one or more markers selected from the group consisting of: a) an allele of the 5′ untranslated region of thyroglobulin; b) an allele of the DNA polymorphism CSSM34, associated with the gene encoding retinoic acid receptor gamma (RARG); and c) an allele of the DNA polymorphism ETH10, associated with 11-cis, 9-cis retinol dehydrogenase (RDH5). The invention is particularly applicable to predicting disposition of fat in muscle tissue, which produces the characteristic “marbling” of meat, and to assessment of milk fat content.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the Grb3-3 protein, nucleotide sequence encoding this protein, and variants thereof, such as antisense sequences. The invention further relates to vectors comprising these sequences and to methods for inducing cell death.