Abstract: Primers and methods for adapter-mediated multiplex amplification of the IS6110 insertion element of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) and the 16S ribosomal gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, useful for simultaneously detecting and/or identifying species of the M. tuberculosis complex and other clinically relevant Mycobacterium species. Multiplex Strand Displacement Amplification (SDA) is used in a single amplification reaction which is capable of simultaneously identifying M. tuberculosis and providing a screen for substantially all of the clinically relevant species of Mycobacteria. Also disclosed are methods for adapter-mediated multiplex amplification of multiple target sequences and a single internal control sequence for determination of sample efficacy or quantitation of the targets.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns Bacillus thuringiensis isolates designated B.t. PS157C1, B.t. PS86A1, and B.t. PS75J1, which are active against aphid pests. Thus, these isolates, or variants thereof, can be used to control such pests. Further, genes encoding novel .delta.-endotoxins can be removed from these isolates and transferred to other host microbes, or plants. Expression of the .delta.-endotoxins in microbe hosts results in the control of aphid pests, whereas transformed plants become resistant to aphid pests.

Abstract: Single or multiple nucleotide variations in nucleic acid sequence can be detected in nucleic acids by a process whereby the sample suspected of containing the relevant nucleic acid is repeatedly treated with primers, nucleotide triphosphates, and an agent for polymerization of the triphosphates and then denatured, in a process which amplifies the sequence containing the nucleotide variation if it is present. In one embodiment, the sample is spotted on a membrane and treated with a labeled sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe. Hybridization of the probe to the sample is detected by the label on the probe.

Abstract: A method for HLA typing by amplification of a sample followed by sequence-specific oligonucleotide hybridization with a labelled oligonucleotide probe provides for both positive and negative controls. Control sequences representing known allelic polymorphisms at the locus in question are subjected to the labelled probe along with the sample. This method reduces errors and improves the chance of obtaining a successful tissue match, as is vital in the case of tissue transplants, particularly bone marrow transplants. Probes and PCR primers useful in HLA-DR typing are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a recombinant organism capable of oxidizing organic chemicals by constitutive production of proteins capable of performing oxidation. A recombinant organism and a method of oxidizing organic chemicals are also provided. The present invention is useful in bioremediation to remove waste chemicals from the environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a DNA segment. In particular, the present invention relates to a DNA segment comprising a selectable marker gene, a DNA segment comprising a selectable marker gene inserted into a retrotransposon, cells containing these DNA segments, and methods of using these DNA segments and cells.

Abstract: Described is a biologically pure culture of an immortal human parotid based epithelial cell. The present invention is concerned with the establishment in serum-free medium of normal diploid epithelial cell lines from the human parotid gland. The terms "diploid chromosome complement" mean that, as determined by karyotype analysis, the cells have neither gained or lost any chromosomes and do not appear to show any structural alterations.

Abstract: Novel compositions and methods that result in the inactivation of IFN.gamma. inducible transcription factors by binding to the transcription factor in the cell and inhibiting the transcriptional activity of the factors are disclosed. The composition comprises an isolated peptide that contains the amino acid sequence Xaa.sub.1 -Asp-Xaa.sub.2 -Xaa.sub.3 -His where Xaa.sub.1 is phosphorylated tyrosine and Xaa.sub.2 and Xaa.sub.3 are any amino acid, or derivatives and functional equivalents thereof, that is capable of specifically binding to the p91 family of IFN.gamma. inducible transcription factors in a cell. A method for inhibiting the intracellular activation of a transcription factor by introducing into a cell an effective amount of a peptide that contains the 5 amino acid sequence described or a derivative thereof, which specifically binds to a transcription factor in the cell is also provided.

Abstract: A method for the estimation of a salicylate in a sample is characterized by enzymatically converting the salicylate to a catechol by the action of a salicylate mono-oxygenase enzyme on the salicylate in the presence of a reduced pyridine nucleotide, reacting the catechol with a compound selected from compounds of formula I or amine or phenolic compounds of formulae II, III or IV ##STR1##

Abstract: A method for making crystals of interferon alpha-2 and the use thereof in depot formulations are disclosed.

Abstract: A novel protease derived from Bacillus licheniformis is provided. The protease cleaves the peptide bonds at the carboxyl termini of glutamic acid residues in polypeptides. The protease contains an amino acid sequence from serine in the +1 position to glutamine in the +222 position of SEQ ID NO: 1.

Abstract: For the determination of the rate of nucleic acid synthesis in eukaryotic cells a nucleotide which is non-radioactively labelled or derivatized with a hapten is introduced into the cells with the addition of liposomes and the rate of synthesis of the nucleic acids is determined by means of the incorporation of the nucleotide via its label or derivatization.

Abstract: A polypeptide has the antibody binding activity of the 46K dalton HMFG differentiation antigen and/or homology to at least one of the light chains of clotting factors V and VIII and is also provided as a fusion protein with a second antigenic polypeptide. An antibody has affinity for the polypeptide of the invention or a functional fragment thereof. in vivo and in vitro methods for therapy vaccination and detecting the presence of the polypeptide, the antibody, the DNA and RNA of the invention are provided. DNA and RNA sequences encode the polypeptide of the invention or fragments thereof and immunoassay kits comprise the antibodies and/or polypeptides of the invention.

Abstract: Enzymes stabilized against the destabilizing effect of ionic surfactants and a method of producing such stabilized enzymes in which DNA sequences which code for the enzymes are modified by directed mutation in defined positions which correlate with defined surface regions of the enzyme, in such a way that the codon in which the mutation is located now codes for an amino acid differing from the original amino acid.

Abstract: The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of domesticated fowl, the B system, is known to contain three subregions which are identified as B-F, B-G and B-L. This invention includes a cDNA clone encoding a B-G antigen of the B system. MHC haplotyping is accomplished by use of novel probes provided by clones to detect restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns typical for various B-G subregion alleles.Additional information concerning this invention is set forth in the attached manuscript entitled "Hypervariable sequence diversity in Ig V-like and leucine heptad domains in chicken histocompatibility B-G antigens".

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and compositions are presented for ligating ligands together which bind to a common target. One embodiment includes polynucleotide probes having photoreactive functional groups. The probes are capable of assuming substantially contiguous reactive positions on a target polynucleotide placing the photoreactive groups in juxtaposition. Activation of the photoreactive functional groups with radiant energy form a probe reaction product in which the probes are bound to each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for hybridizing polynucleotides with complementary nucleic acid sequences. Specifically, it relates to a method of increasing the specificity of a polynucleotide hybridization reaction in the presence of single-stranded nucleic acid binding protein.

Abstract: Procedures such as oligonucleotide, peptide or protein syntheses or sequencing, or immunological or other biospecific assays involving long sequential series of chemical reactions are performed on a solid phase support retained in a pipette tip. The manipulations involved in bringing the solid support into contact with the various reagents or reactants involved in the procedure are performed and controlled by automated instrumentation.

Abstract: Transcription based assays that identify extracellular signals that modulate the activity of cell surface proteins are provided. Extracellular signals are identified by measuring the amount of transcription of a reporter gene in a recombinant cell that expresses the cell surface protein and contains DNA encoding the reporter gene under the transcriptional control of a promoter that is regulated, directly or indirectly, by the cell surface protein. The assays, provide a means for identifying potential pharmaceutical compounds that can be used to treat disease by virtue of their agonistic or antagonistic effects on the cell surface protein. Recombinant cells that express cell surface receptors and that contain reporter gene constructs that include transcriptional regulatory elements that are responsive to the activity of the cell surface receptors are also provided.

Abstract: A new NM23 gene and its relationship with metastatic potential of tumor cells is described.