Abstract: Single vector constructs for expression of a functional antibody molecule are described. The vectors have a self-processing cleavage site between two heterologous DNA coding sequences allowing for expression of two coding sequences using a single promoter. Exemplary vector constructs comprise a foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) 2A sequence. The vector constructs can be used in methods relating to antibody delivery and therapy and in the production of a biologically active antibody or fragment thereof.

Abstract: A system is provided an enzyme donor (“ED”) fused a surrogate of a mammalian protein of interest, where the fusion protein has the function of the natural protein. A vector is provided comprising a regulatory region functional in a mammalian host cell, a sequence encoding the ED joined to a multiple cloning site, an enzyme acceptor (“EA”) protein or enzyme acceptor sequence encoding such protein, and substrate for the enzyme formed by ED and EA.

Abstract: Described is a method for method for transferring material through the membrane of at least one cell, wherein the transfer is carried out in the presence of trehalose. This method is applicable in particular in the field of genetic engineering and biotechnology.

Abstract: The application relates for method for cloning the gene comprising the steps of: 1. Providing a replication-deficient baculovirus vector, 2. Providing a rescue vector comprising (a) nucleic acid sequence which is capable of restoring replication in the replication-deficient baculovirus vector and (b) at least one gene to be cloned; 3. Causing the replication-deficient baculovirus vector and rescue vector to recombine to produce a replication-enabled baculovirus vector comprising the at least one gene to be cloned; and 4. Growing the replication-enabled baculovirus vector within a suitable invertebrate cell, such as an insect cell. Preferably the baculovirus vector is based upon AcMNPV. Also disclosed are replication-deficient baculovirus vectors, rescue vectors, cells containing such vectors and kits comprising such vectors.

Abstract: The invention discloses the sequences of variant forms of alpha-fetoprotein transcripts that have been identified in human hemopoietic progenitors but not in differentiated mature cells. The variant forms of AFP (vAFP) cDNA sequences isolated from a multipotent hemopoietic cell line, K562, differ from the authentic AFP transcript, consisting of 15 exons, by lacking only exon 1. Instead of exon 1, vAFP transcripts use an additional one or two exons located in the 5?-untranslated region of the AFP gene. K562 expressed selectively vAFP, whereas a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, HepG2, showed no detectable expression of vAFP. In normal adult tissues, vAFP transcripts is detected in the bone marrow, thymus and brain, but not the spleen, suggesting the expression occurs in normal hemopoietic progenitors. Moreover, CD34+Lin? hemopoietic stem/progenitor cells purified by flow cytometric sorting also express the variant transcripts.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and means to increase the stability and/or the packaging capacity of recombinant adenoviruses, by overexpression of pIX in an adenoviral packaging cell, by retaining at least a part of the E1B 55K region in the recombinant adenoviral vector or by regulating pIX with a heterologous promoter. The invention further relates to methods and means for the production of such adenoviruses on complementing cell lines, wherein the early region 4 open reading frame 6 (E4-orf6) encoding nucleic acid is present in the adenovirus and wherein the E4-orf6 gene product is compatible with one or more products of the E1 gene products in the complementing cell, such that the adenoviral vector can be efficiently produced by the complementing cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides, in particular to antisense oligonucleotides to receptor genes, and the use of such oligonucleotides to regulate reproductive function and as chemopreventive or as a chemotherapeutic for various cancers, especially ovarian cancers. The invention also provides a method for preventing estrogen synthesis, a function of developing ovarian follicles, a therapeutic consideration for the prevention and treatment of some cancers of the breast, endometrium, ovary and cervix and of some endometriosis. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing antisense oligonucleotides (ODNs, having 8 to 60 nucleotides) that act by binding to intracellular molecular targets. Optionally, for efficient delivery to a target DNA, RNA or protein, the ODNs may be covalently linked to a carrier moiety, which facilitates delivery of the ODN to the cytosol.

Abstract: The present invention provides polypeptides comprising an immunogenic epitope of a M. vaccae protein, polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides, and fusion proteins comprising at least one such polypeptide, together with genetic constructs comprising at least one inventive polynucleotide. Compositions comprising such polypeptides, polynucleotides, fusion proteins and/or genetic constructs may be employed in the treatment of infectious diseases and immune disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to constructs and their use in gene expression or gene regulation assays. More particularly, the present invention provides expression vectors and/or reporter vectors providing kinetics of protein expression with improved temporal correlation to promoter activity. Even more particularly, the invention provides expression vectors comprising a transcribable polynucleotide which comprises a sequence of nucleotides encoding a RNA element that modulates the stability of a transcript corresponding to the transcribable polynucleotide. The present invention provides, inter alia, novel vectors, useful for identifying and analysing cis- and trans-acting regulatory sequences/factors as well as vectors and genetically modified cell lines or organisms that are particularly useful for drug screening and drug discovery.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided various methods for modulating the expression of an exogenous gene in an isolated cell and in a mammalian subject employing modified ecdysone receptors. Also provided are modified ecdysone receptors, as well as homomeric and heterodimeric receptors containing same, nucleic acids encoding invention modified ecdysone receptors, modified hormone response elements, gene transfer vectors, recombinant cells, and transgenic animals containing nucleic acids encoding invention modified ecdysone receptor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing a polypeptide, comprising: (a) cultivating a mutant of a parent filamentous fungal cell under conditions conducive for the production of the polypeptide, wherein (i) the mutant cell comprises a first nucleic acid sequence encoding the polypeptide and a second nucleic acid sequence comprising a modification of at least one of the genes involved in the production of a trichothecene and (ii) the mutant produces less trichothecene than the parent filamentous fungal cell when cultured under the same conditions; and (b) isolating the polypeptide from the cultivation medium. The present invention also relates to mutants of filamentous fungal cells and methods for obtaining the mutant cells, isolated trichodiene synthases and nucleic acid sequences encoding the trichodiene synthases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel plant expression construct. More specifically the present invention provides a DNA construct comprising 5′ regulatory sequences for modulating the expression of operably linked genes in plants.