Abstract: The horseshoe crab, Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda Factor C cDNA (CrFC21) has been cloned into a shuttle baculoviral vector and another vector suitable for expression in insect cells. The recombinant baculoviral DNA was then transfected into the insect cells for expression of recombinant Factor C. Recombinant Factor C was found to be immunoreactive and is capable of binding both free and bound/immobilized lipid A. It is enzymatically active when triggered by LPS. The rFC is probably of the two-chain form, being cleaved into the heavy and light chains after activation by Gram negative bacterial endotoxin. As low as 0.01 pg (0.001 ng/ml) of LPS was detectable by the rFC, thus, indicating its potentials as a novel generation of “limulus amoebocyte lysate.

Abstract: The invention features apoptosis-resistant, non-transformant immortalised avian cells, in particular, avian tissues, i.e., other than blood or haematopoietic cells, particularly fibroblasts and epithelial cells, for instance embryos.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for identifying a substance capable of disrupting an interaction between (i) a herpes simplex virus (HSV) ICP34.5 polypeptide or a homologue thereof, or a derivative thereof, and (ii) proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) or a homologue thereof, or a derivative thereof, which method comprises: (a) providing an HSV ICP34.5 polypeptide or a homologue thereof, or a derivative thereof, as a first component; (b) providing PCNA, or a homologue thereof, or a derivative thereof, as a second component; (c) contacting the two components with a substance to be tested under conditions that would permit the two components to interact in the absence of the said substance; and (d) determining whether the said substance disrupts the interaction between the first and second components.

Abstract: Disclosed is are gene sequences encoding &ggr;-tocopherol methyltransferases from photosynthetic organisms. The enzyme &ggr;-tocopherol methyltransferase catalyzes the methylation of &ggr;-tocopherol to yield &agr;-tocopherol, the most bioactive species of tocopherol. &ggr;-tocopherol methyltransferase is believed to be involved in regulating the relative amounts of the various tocopherols present in photosynthetic organisms. By introducing a genetic construct having a &ggr;-tocopherol methyltransferase coding sequence placed under the control of a plant promoter into a plant, transgenic plants can be made having altered &ggr;-tocopherol methyltransferase expression, to effect dramatic changes in the tocopherol profile of the plant. Transgenic plants can be made that have &agr;-tocopherol as the predominant tocopherol in their seeds and oils.

Abstract: Described is a plasmid prepared by recombinant techniques which is used to prepare a vaccine against Y. pestis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biodetectors for detecting and quantifying molecules in liquid, gas, or matrices. More specifically, the present invention relates to biodetectors comprising a molecular switching mechanism to express a reporter gene upon interaction with target substances. The invention further relates to methods using such biodetectors for detecting and quantifying selected substances with high specificity and high sensitivity.

Abstract: Several EHEC proteins which are secreted into the culture supernatant have been discovered. These proteins are not produced by non-pathogenic E. coli, and produce a strong serum antibody response in patients with HUS and bloody diarrhea.

Abstract: The present invention provides a genomic DNA of Buchnera. That is, this invention provides genes derived from Buchnera sp., comprising DNA of the following (a) or (b); (a) a DNA selected from a group consisting of a DNA having a nucleotide sequence ranging from a start point to an end point as shown in Table 1 in a nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:1, or a DNA complementary thereto, and (b) a DNA hybridizing to the DNA of (a) under stringent conditions and encoding a protein having a function same as that of the product expressed by the DNA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a vaccine for the prevention of F. necrophorum bacterial infections, comprising isolating the F. necrophorum bacteria from a bovine species, growing the bacteria in a suitable growth medium for a period equal to between about 10 hours and about 18 hours so as to achieve a bacterial population equal to at least 1×105 CFU/ml, terminating the growth, and using a whole cell culture to form the vaccine. Additionally, the present invention relates to the vaccine comprised of a killed whole cell population of the F. necrophorum bacteria taken from a bovine. The present invention further relates to a method for preventing footrot and liver abscesses caused by F. necrophorum bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anti-idiotypic antibody or antigen-binding fragment against FimH adhesin of uropathogenic Type I-fimbriated Escherichia coli and an immunizing composition containing such an anti-idiotypic antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof as an active immunizing component. The present invention also relates to a method for stimulating and enhancing the production of antibodies which recognize and bind to FimH of uropathogenic Type-I-fimbriated Escherichia coli, but not to FimH of non-uropathogenic Type I-fimbriated Escherichia coli.

Abstract: An antigenic preparation for use in the treatment or prevention of Helicobacter infection in a mammalian host, comprises the catalase enzyme of Helicobacter bacteria, particularly the catalase enzyme of H. pylori or H. felis, or an immunogenic fragment thereof.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel antibiotic peptides, including naturally occurring peptides. The present invention also includes the nucleic acid sequences encoding such peptides and the corresponding amino acid sequences. Methods of identifying, making, and using the antibiotic peptides are also disclosed. The present invention further provides novel proteins involved in the regulation of bacterial autolysis.

Abstract: The invention provides BASB010 polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding BASB010 polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic uses.

Abstract: Provided are BASB011 polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding BASB011 polypeptide from Moraxella catarrhalis. Also provided are immunogenic uses.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for preventing, treating and detecting leishmaniasis and stimulating immune responses in patients are disclosed. The compounds provided include polypeptides that contain at least an immunogenic portion of one or more Leishmania antigens, or a variant thereof. Vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such polypeptides, or polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides, are also provided and may be used, for example, for the prevention and therapy of leishmaniasis, as well as for the detection of Leishmania infection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for replicating virus to high titer in cultured mammalian cells by infecting the mammalian cells with the high titer virus strain to obtain infected cells, specifically, attenuated dengue virus strains of serotype 1, 2, 3, and 4. The resulting replicated virus is suitable for use in vaccines and vaccination methods which are also provided by the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is an Environmentally Limited Viability System (ELVS) for microorganisms based on differences between permissive and non-permissive environments. Viability of the microorganisms are limited to a permissive environment by specifically expressing one or more essential genes only in the permissive environment, and/or expressing one or more lethal genes only in the non-permissive environment. Temporary viability in a non-permissive environment can be achieved by temporarily expressing one or more essential genes in a non-permissive environment, and/or temporarily delaying expression of one or more lethal genes in the non-permissive environment. Environmentally Limited Viability Systems are also disclosed involving coordinate expression of a combination of essential genes and lethal genes. Microorganisms containing an Environmentally Limited Viability System are useful for release into permissive and non-permissive environments.

Abstract: A method of detecting via a solid-phase assay the amount of biological activity, identity and/or the quantity of a biologically active substance is disclosed. The method utilizes the biological activity of the substance itself to provide the method of detection. The method provides competitive and noncompetitive assays.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for preventing, treating and detecting leishmaniasis and stimulating immune responses in patients are disclosed. The compounds provided include polypeptides that contain at least an immunogenic portion of one or more Leishmania antigens, or a variant thereof. Vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such polypeptides, or polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides, are also provided and may be used, for example, for the prevention and therapy of leishmaniasis, as well as for the detection of Leishmania infection.

Abstract: A conjugate vaccine for Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae comprising lipooligosaccharide from which esterified fatty acids have been removed conjugated to an immunogenic carrier. The vaccine is useful for prevention of otitis media and respiratory infections in mammals.