Abstract: The present invention provides a method of genotyping bovine for improved milk production traits by determining the GHR genotypic state of said bovine, wherein the GHR gene and polymorphisms within said gene have been found to be associated with such improved milk production traits.

Abstract: This invention relates to isolated nucleic acids comprising genes of human chromosome 12q23-qter and the proteins encoded by these genes. Expression vectors and host cells containing such genes or fragments thereof, as well as antibodies to the proteins encoded by these nucleic acids are also included herein.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides methods of determining susceptibility to bone fracture in a mammalian subject, wherein the methods comprise analyzing nucleic acid molecules obtained from the mammalian subject to determine which of the P, p X, and x alleles of the estrogen receptor ? gene are present, wherein the presence of a haplotype comprising the p and x alleles is indicative of an increased susceptibility to bone fracture. The present invention also provides kits for determining susceptibility to bone fracture in a mammalian subject.

Abstract: There is provided a method of designing a probe from a polynucleotide group comprising a plurality of polynucleotides, the method including: forming a polynucleotide group by selecting polynucleotides having a certain sequence; producing polynucleotide fragments having a certain length from each of the polynucleotides of the polynucleotide group and obtaining sequence and position information on the polynucleotide fragments; providing each polynucleotide fragment with a sequence specific identification number using the obtained sequence and position information of the polynucleotide fragments; and comparing the identification numbers of the fragments to select the probe.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a nucleic acid fragment-fixed electrode wherein a probe nucleic acid fragment is fixed on the electrode stably and in an amount-controlled manner. The present invention provides a nucleic acid fragment-fixed electrode wherein a nucleic acid fragment is fixed on the surface of a multi-component self-assembled monolayer of two or more different components which is formed on the electrode, by a covalent bond via a bifunctional linking molecule.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acid sequences which are complementary, in one embodiment, to a wide variety of Rat genes. The invention provides the sequences in such a way as to make them available for a variety of analyses. In one embodiment the nucleic acid sequences provided are present as an array of probes that may be used to measure gene expression of at least 20,000 rat genes. As such, the invention relates to diverse fields impacted by the nature of molecular interaction, including chemistry, biology, medicine, and medical diagnostics.

Abstract: Nucleic acid hybridization under steady-state conditions is described by a kinetic model in which the intermediate state is assumed to be locally single stranded. An expression was derived that relates nucleic acid secondary structure to the rate of oligonucleotide-RNA hybridization. The model allows the calculation of a rate factor that is proportional to the rate constant for hybridization between complementary nucleic acids and is generally applicable to any RNA molecule with potential utility for rapid identification of sites for antisense attack of mRNA.

Abstract: Fixed bond information is derived. A fixed bond representation of a chemical structure is derived from a delocalized representation. A path is conceptually traced through the represented structure and an examination is conducted, for each atom, of each possible electronic and bonding state that is consistent with what has come before along the path. A result is found by extensively or exhaustively examining all possible states and orders in a semi-recursive procedure that is directed early towards likely answers. If there is more than one possible solution, the best solution is chosen by use of a rating function.

Abstract: The instant invention involves the use of a combination of preparatory steps in conjunction with mass spectroscopy and time-of-flight detection procedures to maximize the diversity of biopolymers which are verifiable within a particular sample. The cohort of biopolymers verified within such a sample is then viewed with reference to their ability to evidence at least one particular disease state; thereby enabling a diagnostician to gain the ability to characterize either the presence or absence of at least one disease state relative to recognition of the presence and/or the absence of the biopolymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for extracting similar expression patterns and related biopolymers considering natures that are characteristic of expression data of, for example, genes. A segment of experiment cases which includes an expression of interest is selected as a search range among an expression pattern of a reference gene or the like. By comparing the selected segment of the expression pattern with expression patterns of a group of candidate genes or the like, genes having an expression pattern with at least a partial similarity are searched from the group of candidate genes. A partially taken out curve (a part of an, expression pattern) is transferred to overlap an expression pattern curve of a candidate gene to search expression patterns with a similar pattern shape.

Abstract: Bacteria that are capable of ammonia oxidation. Particular bacteria of the present invention are tolerant of freshwater environments, saltwater environments or both. Furthermore, in various embodiments, various bacteria of the present invention are capable of surviving a freeze-drying process, and may remain viable thereafter. Methods for detecting the bacteria of the present invention are also provided. Such methods may be effected by any conventional methology, such as with a DNA chip.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to polynucleotides derived from M. tuberculosis genes imparting resistance to antibiotics and chemically related compounds. This invention also relates to the use of the polynucleotides as oligonucleotide primers or probes for detecting M. tuberculosis strains that are resistant to antibiotics and related compounds in a biological sample. Kits containing the primers and probes are also provided.

Abstract: A novel hybridization device that improves the efficiency and consistency of microarray hybridization reactions by achieving a greater degree of internal mixing of target solution. The device provides a gasket-and-cover-type chamber wherein solution mixing is achieved by the creation of a multitude of microbubbles. One or more of the inner walls that define the chamber contain bubble-rupturing elements that extend into the chamber and terminate in sharp edges. They are typically located on opposite sides of a rectangular chamber and are pointed in a direction opposing bubble movement. Their interference with larger bubbles causes their breakup into microbubbles which travel separate and distinct paths as a result of external agitation and thereby provide improved solution mixing that results in a uniform distribution of target molecules to the probe molecules bound to the substrate. The sensitivity and consistency of the hybridization reaction is significantly increased.

Abstract: A thermal cycling method and device is disclosed. The device comprises a sample chamber whose temperature can be rapidly and accurately modulated over a range of temperatures needed to carry out a number of biological procedures, such a DNA polymerase chain reaction. Biological samples are placed in glass micro capillary tubes and then located inside the sample chamber. A programmable controller regulates the temperature of the sample inside the sample chamber. Once a heating cycle is completed, the controller opens a door to the chamber for venting hot air out and cool ambient air is moved in. Temperature versus time profiles corresponding to optimum denaturation, annealing and elongation temperatures for amplification of DNA are achieved by the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention describes Histoplasmosis capsulatum chitin synthase nucleic acid and protein sequences as reagents for the detection of H. capsulatum infection. Specifically, the invention describes intron sequences from the H. capsulatum chitin synthase gene which can be used for hybridization-based and PCR-based detection of H. capsulatum infection. In another embodiment, assays for H. capsulatum chitin synthase 2 polypeptide and/or mRNA used as a diagnostic test for H. capsulatum infection and/or histoplasmosis. Also described is the differentiation of H. capsulatum from Blastomyces dermititidis based on detection of intron 1 sequences specific to H. capsulatum chitin synthase 2. The present invention also comprises the production of H. capsulatum strains lacking functional chitin synthase 2 as a means to produce H. capsulatum having reduced pathogenicity.

Abstract: The present invention includes polymorphisms in nucleic acids encoding the alpha-2A adrenergic receptor and expressed alpha-2A adrenergic receptor molecule. The invention also pertains to methods and molecules for detecting such polymorphisms and transgenic animals expressing alpha-2A adrenergic receptor molecules. The invention further pertains to the use of such molecules and methods in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of diseases such as cardiovascular and central nervous system diseases.

Abstract: A method of assessing the viability of a cell comprises incubating the cell in a culture medium. The culture medium includes a plurality of amino acids and the change in concentration in the medium of at least one amino acid is determined.

Abstract: An animal selected for lacking heparan sulfate 3-O-sulfotransferase-1 activity is provided. This animal exhibits characteristics associated with myxomatous valvular disease and is useful for identifying agents which prevent, delay or treat myxomatous valvular disease. Methods of diagnosing myxomatous valvular disease are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that certain variants of ?-casein may induce Type-1 diabetes in susceptible individuals while other variants do not. The invention consists of the selection of non-diabetogenic milk producing cows and recovering and processing their milk and milk products. Another aspect of the invention is selectively breeding cows which produce the non-diabetogenic milk.

Abstract: Described herein are genes shown to be essential for programmed cell death in C. elegans, their encoded products (RNA and polypeptides), antibodies directed against the encoded polypeptides; probes for identifying structurally related genes and bioassays for identifying functionally related cell death genes from various organisms; methods and agents for altering (increasing or decreasing) the activity of the cell death-genes and, thus, of altering cell death; and uses therefor. Specifically, two genes shown to be essential for almost all of the cell deaths which occur in the development of C. elegans, referred to as ced-3 and ced-4, have been cloned, sequenced and characterized.