Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of producing pancreatic hormone-expressing cells by first differentiating pluripotent cells in cell culture so as to produce endodermal cells, the endodermal cells being competent to further differentiate into hormone-expressing cells capable of secreting at least one pancreatic hormone in response to a physiological signal, and then, transplanting the cultured endodermal cells into an organism, such as an organism in need of an endocrine cell therapy.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for producing liver precursor cells as well as hepatocyte cells form pluripotent and/or multipotent cells. Also disclosed herein are methods of enriching isolating and/or purifying liver precursor cells and/or hepatocyte cells. Further disclosed are compositions comprising cell cultures and cell populations that are enriched for liver precursor cells or hepatocyte cells.

Abstract: A method of screening multiply transformed/transfected cells to identify those cells expressing at least two peptides or proteins of interest. The method comprising: 1. Simultaneously or sequentially transforming a cell with at least two different expression cassettes in which the gene of interest is linked via an IRES to a fluorescent marker gene. Each marker gene is different. 2. Providing conditions in which expression of the genes will occur. 3. Identifying cells expressing proteins by detecting the different fluorescent signals.

Abstract: This invention provides the sequence of 5,299 nucleotides from the E. canis genome. There are four proteins, ProA, ProB, MmpA, and a cytochrome oxidase homolog, as well as a partial lipoprotein signal peptidase homolog at the carboxy terminus, coded for in this cloned fragment. The antigenic properties of these proteins allow them to be used to create a vaccine. An embodiment of this invention includes the creation of a DNA vaccine, a recombinant vaccine, and a T cell epitope vaccine. Another embodiment of this invention includes the use of serological diagnosis techniques.

Abstract: A DNA sequence containing a gene encoding a protein, the gene being under the transcriptional control in the DNA sequence of a mammalian milk protein promoter which does not naturally control the transcription of the gene, such DNA sequence including DNA enabling secretion of the protein.

Abstract: A method for testing compound for a therapeutic effect utilizing a non-human animal or cell having disruption in the prostatic acid phosphatase gene resulting in a decrease or absence in the activity or the level of prostatic acid phosphatase. The compound may be used for treating disorders related to unbalanced phosphatidylinositol phosphate cascade or signaling pathway. Diagnostic methods and methods for treating the disorders with therapeutic compounds or by gene therapy are also disclosed.

Abstract: The use of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) in the treatment of tumour by extratumoural administration of HSV, and the use of HSV in treatment of tumour by combination therapy with a pharmaceutical wherein the HSV and/or pharmaceutical is administered at an extratumoural location, is disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions useful for inhibiting the growth of bacteria, including bacteria that can cause gastric ulcers, are provided. In addition, transgenic organism that can produce such compositions are provided. Methods of using the compositions to treat or prevent gastric ulcers in a subject, including a human subject, also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a double transgenic fly that expresses both Tau protein and the human A?42 peptide of human amyloid-? precursor protein (APP). The double transgenic flies of the present invention display a synergistic altered phenotype as compared to the altered phenotype displayed by transgenic flies expressing either Tau or human A?42 alone, and thus provide for an improved model for neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease. The invention further discloses methods for identifying for therapeutic compounds to treat neurodegenerative disorders using the double transgenic flies.

Abstract: A gene transfer vector is prepared by introducing an exogenous gene into an inactivated virus envelope, through a freezing and thawing treatment or mixing with a detergent. There are also provided a pharmaceutical composition for gene therapy containing this gene transfer vector, a kit containing this gene transfer vector, and a gene transfer method employing this gene transfer vector.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a system for minimizing the alloreactivity of tissue transplants. The patient is administered with undifferentiated embryonic stem cells or early progenitor cells. This induces a state of inflammatory quiescence or immune unresponsiveness, which in turn enhances engraftment of cells derived from the same stem cell line given for purposes of regenerative medicine.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of a nucleic acid/cationic polymer complex, preferably polyethyleneimine (PEI) for preparing a composition for intraventricular stereotactic screening of stem cells of the brain for preparing a medicine for treating neurodegenerative and/or demyelinating disease. The invention further concerns a method for obtaining an animal whereof the genome of stem cells of the brain are modified by using said complex. The invention also concerns a method for obtaining an animal for screening compounds designed to modify the disposition of stem cells of the brain.

Abstract: The methodologies of the present invention demonstrate that a critical balance between pro- and anti-amyloidogenic molecules exists that regulates amyloid formation and cell death in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. ?-Synuclein, the non-amyloidogenic homologue of ?-synuclein, is a negative modulator of ?-synuclein and A? aggregation, having neuroprotective properties against ?-synuclein and A? neurotoxicity and that ?-synuclein and therapeutic agents derived therefrom block amyloidogenesis and neurodegeneration in vivo. The method of the present invention establishes that ?-synuclein blocks A? aggregation either by direct inhibition of A? amyloidogenesis or indirectly via either ?-synuclein or its 35 a.a. NAC region, inferring neuroprotective characteristics within the effected cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for modulating fertility. In particular the present invention provides cell lines and transgenic animals for use in identifying modulators of SREBP2gc transcription factors. The present invention further provides therapeutic agents that modulate SREBP2gc signaling for use as fertility modulators.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for producing antibodies, wherein the methods comprise the step of administering an immunogen comprising both a target antigen and a background antigen to transgenic animals, into which a gene coding for the background antigen has been introduced. Since immunotolerance to the background antigens have thus been induced in the transgenic animals, the animals efficiently produce antibodies to target antigens.

Abstract: This inventive discloses a method for transdifferentiating mesenchymal stem cells into neuronal cells, which comprises increasing the level of a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor in the mesenchymal stem cells, said cells being useful in cell therapy or gene therapy for treating brain neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer disease, Hungtington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cerebral paralysis and brain ischemia; and spine disfunction caused by a traumatic injury.

Abstract: Nucleotide composition containing a vector and vaccine for immunization against hepatitis. Nucleotide vector comprising at least one gene or one complementary DNA coding for at least a portion of a virus, and a promoter providing for the expression of the gene in muscle cells. The gene may be the S gene of the hepatitis B virus. A nucleotide vector composition when administered to even chronic HBV carriers is capable of breaking T cell tolerance to the surface antigens of hepatitis B virus. A vaccine preparation containing bare DNA is injected into the host previously treated with a substance capable of inducing a coagulating necrosis of the muscle fibers.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods for treating cancer. More specifically this invention is directed to a targeted retroviral vector comprising a cytokine gene that can be administered either alone or in combination with a targeted retroviral vector comprising a cytocidal gene for treating cancer in a subject. Also provided are a kit or drug delivery system comprising the compositions for use in the methods described.

Abstract: A pro-inflammatory T cell response is specifically suppressed by the injection into a recipient of DNA encoding an autoantigen associated with autoimmune disease. The recipient may be further treating by co-vaccination with a DNA encoding a Th2 cytokine, particularly encoding IL4. In response to the vaccination, the proliferation of autoantigen-reactive T cells and the secretion of Th1 cytokines, including IL-2, IFN-? and IL-15, are reduced.

Abstract: A method and composition for improving one or more indicators of bowel health or metabolic health in a mammalian animal. This comprises the delivering to the gastrointestinal tract of the animal an effective amount of an altered wheat starch in the form of or derived from the grain of a wheat plant. The proportion of amylose in the starch of the grain is at least 30% and/or the grain comprises a reduced level of SBEIIa enzyme activity and/or protein relative to wild-type grain.