Abstract: The subject disclosure concerns Bacillus thuringiensis strains which can be used to control lepidopteran pests. The strains were previously known to control coleopteran pests. The discovery of lepidopteran activity was totally unexpected.These B.t. strains can be formulated using standard lepidopteran formulation procedures. Means of administration are also standard.The genes encoding lepidopteran-active toxins can be isolated from the B.t. isolates and used to transform other microbes for use to control lepidopteran pests.

Abstract: The invention relates to a signal peptide of the formula:MXKSTLLLLFLLLCLPSWNAGAand X represents a direct bond between M and K, an amino acid selected from the group comprising the 20 amino acids of the genetic code, or a peptide containing 2, 3 or 4 amino acids selected, each independently of the other, from the group comprising the 20 amino acids of the genetic code.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the transfer of nucleic acids into cells comprising preparing a mixed lipid dispersion of a cationic lipid with a co-lipid in a suitable carrier solvent. The lipid has a structure which includes a lipophilic group derived from cholesterol, a linker bond, a spacer arm including from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms in a branched or unbranched linear alkyl chain, and a cationic amino group selected from the group consisting of primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary amino groups. The method further comprises adding the nucleic acids to the dispersion to form a complex. The cells are then treated with the complex. There is also disclosed a novel cationic amphiphile useful for this purpose.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) a method of producing D-ribose which comprises cultivating a microorganism belonging to the genus Bacillus having D-ribose producing ability in a medium, the microorganism belonging to the genus Bacillus containing a DNA sequence participating in expression of a gluconate operon which is partly or wholly modified so as to highly express the gluconate operon in the microorganism belonging to the genus Bacillus, accumulating D-ribose, and collecting D-ribose thus obtained; (2) a novel microorganism belonging to the genus Bacillus having D-ribose producing ability transformed with DNA which contains a DNA sequence participating in expression of a gluconate operon which is partly or wholly modified so as to highly express the gluconate operon in the microorganism belonging to the genus Bacillus; (3) novel DNA in which a promoter of a gluconate operon of a microorganism belonging to the genus Bacillus is modified so as to highly express said gluconate operon in the microorganism belonging to the

Abstract: Novel biological pesticides are prepared by introducing into a microorganism the genetic capability to produce a heterologous pesticide, wherein the microorganism is capable of proliferating in the rhizosphere or phylloplane in competition with wild-type microorganisms. A gene capable of expressing a polypeptide is introduced into the microorganism under conditions which allow for stable maintenance and expression of the gene, without significantly diminishing the ability of the microorganism to compete in the environment. Preferred microorganisms provide for the maintenance and protection from degradation of the polypeptide pesticide.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with the preparation of an Infectious Laryngotracheitis Virus (ILTV) mutant which does not produce a functional thymidine kinase enzyme as a result of a mutation in the TK gene, and its preparation.The invention also relates to an ILTV mutant containing a heterologous gene encoding an antigen of an avian pathogen incorporated into the TK gene. Such an ILTV mutant can be applied as a vector vaccine to induce an immune response after infection of an appropriate host animal.

Abstract: A method of increasing xanthan gum production, comprising culturing a Xanthomonas campestris strain having a xanthan-increasing modification in a culture medium, wherein the modification is selected from the group consisting of (1) a mutation causing rifampicin-resistance; (2) a mutation causing bacitracin-resistance; or (3) exogenous genetic information controlling the synthesis of xanthan; and separating xanthan from the culture medium, is provided along with specific DNA sequences and Xanthomonas campestris strains showing increased xanthan gum production.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel human polypeptide having phospholipase A.sub.2 activity, referred to as PLA.sub.2 (Ca.sup.-). The invention also provides nucleic acid sequences coding for the novel polypeptide, expression vectors comprising the nucleic acid sequences coding for the novel polypeptide, host cells and cell cultures capable of expressing the novel polypeptide. The present invention further provides antisense oligonucleotides for modulation of expression of the gene coding for the novel polypeptide. Assays for screening test compounds for their ability to inhibit phospholipase A.sub.2 activity are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for the use of the polymerase chain reaction to amplify a segment of a cloned gene of interest in such a way as to allow a simplified introduction of alterations such as deletions, insertions, repetitions (both direct and inverted) and substitutions into the cloned gene in a specific and precise manner. The unique, amplified segment of the cloned gene so amplified is a common substrate for each of the different approaches to introducing the various alterations into the gene. Choice of the primer sites within the amplified segment coupled with choice of the orientation of the molecule once ligated to itself results in the various resulting embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: Novel microbial host strains are provided which are transformed by a vector molecule comprising a DNA fragment encoding a lipolytic enzyme and a marker for selection, capable of producing active lipase. Said DNA fragment is preferably derived from a Pseudomonas species.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a novel microbe and gene encoding a novel toxin protein with activity against insect pests of the order Coleoptera. Pests in the order Coleoptera do heavy damage to crops, e.g., corn. The novel Bacillus thuringiensis microbe of the invention is referred to as B.t. PS50C. The spores or crystals of this microbe, or mutants thereof, are useful to control coleopteran pests in various environments. The novel gene of the invention can be used to transform various hosts wherein the novel toxic protein can be expressed.

Abstract: One, two and three dimensional structures may be synthesized or modified from polynucleotides. A core structure is expanded by cleavage of a loop with a restriction endonuclease and ligating another polynucleotide to the sticky ends so that the recognition site of the restriction enzyme is not reformed. This process is repeated as many times as necessary to synthesize any desired structure. The structures formed have a wide range of uses.

Abstract: Provided are methods for determining whether a vaccinated animal is uninfected or infected with a virulent wild-type virus. Methods, vaccines and viruses are disclosed that are useful to seratologically distinguish infected from uninfected animals in populations of animals vaccinated with a properly incapacitated virus lacking an antigen of the wild-type virus.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for screening an agent to determine whether it increases the frequency of genome rearrangement in living matter.In the first step of this process, there is provided viable mammalian cells which comprise repeated genetic elements in their haploid genome. These repeated genetic elements are selected from the group consisting of functional and non-functional genetic elements; and these elements are sufficiently homologous so that, under ambient conditions, they recombine with each other and give rise to an identifiable genome rearrangement.In the second step of this process, the viable mammalian cells are exposed to the agent to be tested. Thereafter, they are incubated in growth medium which, after the exposed cells grow in it, facilitates the identification of those cells which have undergone said genome rearrangement.In the last step of the process, the extent to which the exposed mammalian cells have undergone genome rearrangement is determined.

Abstract: The present invention provides a virus comprising a DNA sequence essential for replication of a human cytomegalovirus and at least one foreign DNA sequence adapted for expression in a host. The foreign DNA sequence may encode a human immunodeficiency virus anti-sense mRNA sequence or an antigenic polypeptide, e.g., a malarial surface antigen.Also provided are therapeutic compositions and vaccines which comprise the novel viruses of the present invention.

Abstract: A high frequency of transformation strain of estuarine Vibrio species is derived from a parent strain naturally transformable with broad-host-range plasmids. The strain has a unique morphology and is generated from the parental strain by transformation by broad-host-range plasmid multimers, a cured of the plasmid by growth of plasmid transformants and nonselective medium resulting in the cured high frequency of transformation strain that transfer significantly more frequently than the parental strain.

Abstract: A gene, sod2, which is capable of conferring sodium and lithium tolerance in Schizosaccharomyces pombe has been identified and characterized. A plasmid, psod2, consisting of about 5.8 kb of S. pombe wild type genomic DNA inserted in a plasmid vector pFL20 has been isolated and used to transfer sodium and lithium tolerance to wild type S. pombe. A mutant strain of S. pombe, sod2-1, having sodium and lithium tolerance has been selected and shown to have an amplified locus. The amplified locus corresponds to the genomic insert of psod2. The gene or homologues thereof may be inserted into higher life forms, such as plants.

Abstract: Disclosed is the preparation of eukaryotic cells which are capable of producing smaller and less heterogenic N-linked glycans, particularly glycans having the structure Man.sub.3 GlcNAc.sub.2. In particular embodiments, CHO cells are produced having two particular defects in enzymes involved in N-linked glycosylation. The first defect, PIR, leads to an accumulation of Man.sub.5 GlcNAc.sub.2 -P-P-dolichol and thus lends resistance to glycosylation processing inhibitors such as castanospermine and swainsonine. The second defect involves a defect in the enzyme N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I activity, and thus prevents the attachment of N-acetylglucosamine residues to oligosaccharide structures. About 70 to 75% of the N-linked glycans produced by cells of the present invention are thus in the form of Man.sub.3 GlcNAc.sub.2, making these lines particularly well suited to the production of proteins, e.g.

Abstract: A method for the construction of recombinant DNA molecules capable of producing biologically active human nerve growth factor (hNGF) in insect cells is disclosed. Expression of the mature protein is achieved using the baculovirus expression system. The biologically active hNGF so produced is potentially of value in the treatment of patients suffering from Alzheimer's Disease and other neurological disorders.

Abstract: Asymmetrically tailed plasmid primers are provided, each of which comprises a cut, double-stranded DNA plasmid containing a functional origin of replication, at least one functional selection marker gene, a 3' oligo (dT) tail and a 3' oligo (dC) or oligo (dG) tail which is terminated by a phosphate group. Methods for making and using the primers for the highly efficient production of complex cloning libraries and a kit for carrying out the cloning method of the invention are also provided.