Abstract: Nucleic acid, including DNA, immunization is used to generate a protective immune response in a host, including humans, to a serine-threonine kinase (STK) of a strain of Chlamydia. A non-replicating vector, including a plasmid vector, contains a nucleotide sequence encoding a STK or a fragment of the STK that generates antibodies that specifically react with STK and a promoter sequence operatively coupled co the first nucleotide sequence for expression of the STK in the host. The non-replicating vector may be formulated with a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier for in vivo administration to the host.

Abstract: A method of making fine dry particles of substances is provided by forming a composition comprising a substance of interest and a supercritical or near critical fluid; rapidly reducing the pressure on said composition, whereby droplets are formed; and passing said droplets through a flow of heated gas. The process does not require any organic solvent.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to activating gene expression or causing over-expression of a gene by recombination methods in situ. The invention also is directed generally to methods for expressing an endogenous gene in a cell at levels higher than those normally found in the cell. In one embodiment of the invention, expression of an endogenous gene is activated or increased following integration into the cell, by non-homologous or illegitimate recombination, of a regulatory sequence that activates expression of the gene. In another embodiment, the expression of the endogenous gene may be further increased by co-integration of one or more amplifiable markers, and selecting for increased copies of the one or more amplifiable markers located on the integrated vector. In another embodiment, the invention is directed to activation of endogenous genes by non-targeted integration of specialized activation vectors, which are provided by the invention, into the genome of a host cell.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acid sequences which regulate expression of a nucleotide sequence of interest. In particular, the invention provides nucleic acid sequences which regulate expression of a nucleotide sequence of interest in an age-related manner and/or in a liver-specific manner. The invention further provides methods of using the regulatory nucleic acid sequences provided herein for age-related and/or liver-specific expression of nucleotides sequences of interest. The invention also provides host cells and transgenic non-human animals which harbor the regulatory nucleic acid sequences of the invention. The compositions and methods of the invention are useful in regulating expression of a nucleotide sequence of interest in an age-related and/or liver-specific manner.

Abstract: Provided are methods of targeted expression by the cartilage-derived retinoic acid-sensitive protein (CD-RAP) promoter. It is also directed to nucleic acid constructs and vectors useful for expression of nucleic acid sequences targeted to cartilage during development or in adult cartilage tissue, or for their expression in specific tumor cells such as chondrosarcomas and mammary tumor cells. The invention also relates to transgenic animals altered to contain the CD-RAP promoter transgene.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of down-regulating the expression of a gene in an animal, wherein a pharmacological formulation comprising a chimeric oligonucleotide complementary to the gene is orally administered to an animal. The oligonucleotide administered has at least one phosphorothioate internucleotide linkage and at least one alkylphosphonate, phosphorodithioate, alkylphosphonothioate, phosphoramidate, phosphoramidite, phosphate ester, carbamate, carbonate, phosphate triester, acetamidate, or carboxymethyl ester internucleotide linkage.

Abstract: Compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of PTP1B. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding PTP1B. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of PTP1B expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of PTP1B are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to viral mutants and methods of using these viral mutants for selectively killing neoplastic cells. The viral mutants of the invention are capable of selectively killing neoplastic cells by a combination of viral mediated oncolysis and anti-cancer (“suicide”) gene therapy.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to activating gene expression or causing over-expression of a gene by recombination methods in situ. The invention also is directed generally to methods for expressing an endogenous gene in a cell at levels higher than those normally found in the cell. In one embodiment of the invention, expression of an endogenous gene is activated or increased following integration into the cell, by non-homologous or illegitimate recombination, of a regulatory sequence that activates expression of the gene. The invention also provides methods for the identification, activation, isolation, and/or expression of genes undiscoverable by current methods since no target sequence is necessary for integration. The invention also provides methods for isolation of nucleic acid molecules (particularly cDNA molecules) encoding a variety of proteins.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for administering an adenoviral gene transfer vector comprising an exogenous gene to an animal. One method involves utilizing systemic neutralizing antibodies to neutralize the adenoviral gene transfer vector outside a targeted muscle. Another method involves the repeat administration of an adenoviral gene transfer vector to a skeletal muscle.

Abstract: Insect pests can be controlled by treating the pests or their loci with a combination of recombinant virus and organic insecticide. The recombinant virus preferably is a baculovirus. Combinations of recombinant baculovirus with chemical insecticides provide a dose-response in pests, such as insects, that is greater than additive. Preferred treatments of the invention are uses of recombinant baculoviruses that express a foreign protein or toxin, with pyrethroid insecticides. Treatments against pyrethroid resistant pests are especially useful.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vector which is suitable for gene prophylaxis/gene therapy, containing a nucleic acid fragment coding for a mutated prion protein. The invention further relates to a vaccination agent which contains the vector in addition to the usual auxiliary agents, and to the use of the vector or vaccination agent in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of prion diseases. The invention further relates to non-human mammals, e.g. working animals, which are resistant to prion infections.

Abstract: The invention relates to immunostimulatory oligonucleotide compositions. These oligonucleotides comprise an immunostimulatory octanucleotide sequence. These oligonucleotides can be administered in conjunction with an immunostimulatory peptide or antigen. Methods for modulating an immune response upon administration of the oligonucleotide are also disclosed. In addition, an in vitro screening method to identify oligonucleotides with immunostimulatory activity is provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems to modify fatty acid biosynthesis and oxidation in plants to make new polymers are provided. Two enzymes are essential: a hydratase such as D-specific enoyl-CoA hydratase, for example, the hydratase obtained from Aeromonas caviae, and a &bgr;-oxidation enzyme system. Some plants have a &bgr;-oxidation enzyme system which is sufficient to modify polymer synthesis when the plants are engineered to express the hydratase. Examples demonstrate production of polymer by expression of these enzymes in transgenic plants. Examples also demonstrate that modifications in fatty acid biosynthesis can be used to alter plant phenotypes, decreasing or eliminating seed production and increasing green plant biomass, as well as producing polyhydroxyalkanoates.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved helper-dependent vector system for production of high capacity adenoviral cloning vectors. The invention makes use of the DNA size packaging constraints imposed on a pIX-defective Ad virion that prevent such virions from packaging DNA larger than approximately 35 kb. This constraint can be used to develop helper viruses that do not package their DNA. In one embodiment, the invention combines this methodology with the Cre-loxP helper-dependent system to decrease the quantity of contaminating helper virus in vector preparations. In another embodiment the invention is used for vector growth.

Abstract: The present invention is related to polynucleotide molecules and to their use for production of desired products after introduction into human or animal cells. In addition, the present invention is concerned with pharmaceutical compositions comprising said polynucleotide molecules and their use in prophylactic or therapeutic treatment methods. The present invention is also related to use of such polynucleotide molecules in animals to achieve expression of desired products, which can be recovered from the animal but do not give rise to any beneficial, e.g. therapeutic, activity in the animal. More specifically, the present invention is directed to alphaviruus cDNA vectors comprised of recombinant cDNA consisting of cDNA derived from an alphavirus and heterologous, i.e. foreign, cDNA encoding a desired substance.

Abstract: The invention features p28 Bap31 polypeptides and nucleic acids. The invention also features methods for modulating apoptosis using these polypeptides and nucleic acids, and methods for identifying apoptosis-modulating compounds.

Abstract: Transgenically produced prolactin and methods of making and using transgenically produced prolactin.

Abstract: Disclosed is substantially pure DNA encoding mammalian IAP polypeptides; substantially pure polypeptides; and methods of using such DNA to express the IAP polypeptides in cells and animals to inhibit apoptosis. Also disclosed are conserved regions characteristic of the IAP-family and primers and probes for the identification and isolation of additional IAP genes. In addition, methods for treating diseases and disorders involving apoptosis are provided.

Abstract: Expression of an endogenous gene is activated or increased following integration into a cell, by non-homologous or illegitimate recombination, of (1) an enhancer sequence that activates expression of the gene and (2) a sequence that encodes an amplifiable marker. The invention also provides methods for the identification, activation, isolation, and/or expression of genes undiscoverable by current methods since no target sequence is necessary for integration. The invention also provides cells containing the enhancer and amplifiable marker sequence and expressing increased amounts of a desired gene. The invention also provides methods for the isolation of nucleic acid molecules (particularly cDNA molecules) encoding a variety of proteins, including transmembrane proteins, and for the isolation of cells expressing such proteins.