Abstract: A sensitive DNA probe for detecting infection by Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, is provided.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the hybridization signal of a nucleic acid hybridization assay for the DNA or RNA of a Salmonella in a sample by adding the sample to a RV growth medium under conditions sufficient to allow any Salmonella in the sample to propagate, propagating Salmonella, if any, in the medium for a time sufficient to allow the number of Salmonella to reach a predetermined titer, removing trace minerals from the medium, adding a nucleic acid probe to the medium under stringency conditions sufficient to allow the probe to preferentially hybridize with the Salmonella, if any, to form hybridization products that emit an enhanced signal, and assaying the medium to detect the enhanced signal. The method is especially suited for detecting Salmonella in food samples.

Abstract: A process of detecting a target nucleic acid using labeled oligonucleotides which uses the 5' to 3' nuclease activity of a nucleic acid polymerase to cleave annealed labeled oligonucleotide from hybridized duplexes and thus releasing labeled oligonucleotide fragments for detection. This process is easily incorporated into a PCR amplification assay.

Abstract: Disclosed is a series of nucleic acid probes for use in diagnosing and monitoring certain types of leukemia using, e.g., Southern and Northern blot analyses and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). These probes detect rearrangements, such as translocations involving chromosome band 11q23 with other chromosomes bands, including 4q21, 6q27, 9p22, 19p13.3, in both dividing leukemic cells and interphase nuclei. The breakpoints in all such translocations are clustered within an 8.3 kb BamHI genomic region of the MLL gene. A novel 0.7 kb BamHI cDNA fragment derived from this gene detects rearrangements on Southern blot analysis with a single BamHI restriction digest in all patients with the common 11q23 translocations and in patients with other 11q23 anomalies. Northern blot analyses are presented demonstrating that the MLL gene has multiple transcripts and that transcript size differentiates leukemic cells from normal cells. Also disclosed are MLL fusion proteins, MLL protein domains and anti-MLL antibodies.

Abstract: Methods for the use of a fibrin-specific antibody for in vivo inhibition of thrombus formation. Pharmaceutical compositions, as well as kits, for use in such methods are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are a monoclonal antibody having affinity for PACAP, a partial peptide thereof, a precursor thereof or VIP; a hybridoma cell which produces the above monoclonal antibody; and an immunoassay for assaying PACAP by a competitive method or a sandwich method using the above antibody, whereby PACAP can be specifically detected with high sensitivity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gene encoding stromylsin-3, which is a new member of the metalloproteinase family. Expression of the stromelysin-3 gene has been found to be specifically associated with invasive breast, head, neck and skin cancer. The invention also relates to antibodies which specifically bind to human stromylsin-3 and the use of these stromelysin-3 antibodies for detection of the stromylsin-3 protein in a sample.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences which preferentially bind to the rRNA or rDNA of microorganisms which cause the spoilage of beer are disclosed. The beer spoilage microorganisms are predominantly of the genera Lactobacillus and Pediococcus. The nucleic acids may be used as probes in assays to detect the presence of these microorganisms. Kits containing two or more probes are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel hybridoma cell lines which produce monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) that bind epitopes found on lipopolysaccharide most commonly associated with the endotoxin core of gram negative bacteria and exhibit broad cross-reactivity with gram negative bacteria of different genera and effectively neutralize endotoxin. At least one of the MoAbs disclosed (XMMEN-J5D) binds an epitope also found on gram positive bacteria. The hybridomas are produced by fusing an immortal cell, a cell having the ability to replicate indefinitely in myeloma cell culture, and an effector immune cell following immunization of the immune cell host with a preparation of a gram negative bacteria. While several individual hybridoma cell lines producing monoclonal antibodies to lipopolysaccharide are described, the present invention adds to the state of the art an entire family of hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies to lipopolysaccharide-associated epitopes.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a series of novel monoclonal antibodies directed against CD22, a B lineage-restricted member of the Ig-superfamily which serves as an adhesion receptor expressed by mature B lymphocytes and is believed to function in the regulation of B cell activation. The monoclonal antibodies (mAb) specifically block red blood cell and leukocyte adhesion (80-100%) to COS cells transfected with CD22 cDNA and also identify a region of CD22 distinct from those defined by previously described CD22 mAb. The invention also encompasses therapeutic compositions including therapeutically effective amounts of a polypeptide comprising the CD22 ligand or portion thereof or of a polypeptide comprising the first two amino terminal Ig-like domains of CD22, or the ligand binding portion thereof. The antibodies and polypeptides of the invention find use in therapeutic methods for treatment of humans to retard or block CD22 adhesive function, particularly in autoimmune disease.

Abstract: Products and methods particularly useful for activating and analyzing the nuclei and nucleic acids of human fetal red blood cells or cells found in amniotic fluid thereby facilitating prenatal screening are described. The featured products include activating egg extracts, cytostatic factor (CSF) extracts, kits containing these extracts, and a microchamber microscope slide useful in analyzing nucleus activation.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel monoclonal antibodies HE-22A, HE-35A, HE-39E, and HE-69B against human IgE, a mixture thereof, hybridomas producing the antibodies, and immunoassays of human IgE employing the antibodies, which are useful for clinical diagnosis of allergic diseases or parasitic infections.

Abstract: Soil bacteria can be isolated which produce an enzyme capable of catalyzing the degradation of mannan-containing hemicellulose under conditions combining high pH and high temperature. Such bacteria can be cultured or used as sources of genetic information with which to engineer other microorganisms to produce the enzyme. Commercially useful quantities of native or recombinant hemicellulase can thus be produced by cultures consisting essentially of microorganisms capable of producing the enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention relates to anti-idiotypic antibodies directed against Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This invention also relates to methods and compositions using such anti-idiotypic antibodies for the prophylaxis, treatment and diagnosis of gonorrheal infections.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules coding for toxins associated with Kawasaki Syndrome. Also described are various applications of the nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: This invention relates to monoclonal antibody 88BV59 produced by B-cell lines derived from B-cells of cancer patients actively immunized with autologous tumor antigen. These monoclonal antibodies can be used in both diagnostic procedures and therapy for human cancers.

Abstract: Process for the specific production of nucleic acids based on the principle of transcription in which a promoter oligonucleotide and a template-specific oligonucleotide which can hybridize with it are used as a promoter reagent and a process for nucleic acid detection which is based on this process.

Abstract: An isolated DNA encoding the enzyme I-SceI is provided. The DNA sequence can be incorporated in cloning and expression vectors, transformed cell lines and transgenic animals. The vectors are useful in gene mapping and site-directed insertion of genes.

Abstract: Compounds referred to herein as oligonucleotide clamps are provided that stably bind to target polynucleotides in a sequence-specific manner. The oligonucleotide clamps comprise one or more oligonucleotide moieties capable of specifically binding to a target polynucleotide and one or more pairs of binding moieties covalently linked to the oligonucleotide moieties. In accordance with the invention, upon annealing of the oligonucleotide moieties to the target polynucleotide, the binding moieties of a pair are brought into juxtaposition so that they form a stable covalent or non-covalent linkage or complex. The interaction of the binding moieties of the one or more pairs effectively clamps the specifically annealed oligonucleotide moieties to the target polynucleotide.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel chimeric monoclonal antibodies directed against human carcinoembryonic antigen, having antigen-specific variable regions. DNA constructs for the light and heavy chain variable regions comprising the novel antibodies of the invention are also disclosed. Eukaryotic host cells capable of expression of the chimeric antibodies and comprising the novel chimeric antibody-encoding DNA constructs are also described.