Abstract: Described herein are methods and reagents for the selection of protein molecules that make use of RNA-protein fusions.

Abstract: The malignant or otherwise diseased state of a cell can be determined in tissues fixed by techniques such as the formalin and parafin methods. This determination is made by (1) studying the precise conformation (i.e. position and structure) of at least one gene within a chromosome of a targeted cell and (2) measuring the deviation of gene conformation in comparison to a non-diseased cell. Accordingly, methods for evaluating the malignancy index of cells, as well as monitoring the effectiveness of therapeutic treatment, are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the selective covalent modification of nucleic acids with redox active moieties such as transition metal complexes. Electron donor and electron acceptor moieties are covalently bound to the ribose-phosphate backbone of a nucleic acid at predetermined positions. The resulting complexes represent a series of new derivatives that are bimolecular templates capable of transferring electrons over very large distances at extremely fast rates. These complexes possess unique structural features which enable the use of an entirely new class of bioconductors and photoactive probes.

Abstract: This invention provides plasmids that are useful in detecting and determining the DNA-binding activity of sequence-specific DNA-binding molecules. The invention further provides plasmids that are useful in detecting and determining the activity of RNA polymerases in initiating transcription. In particular, the invention relates to plasmids that contain unique restriction sites and cognate nucleotide recognition sequences for sequence-specific DNA-binding molecules. Also provided are methods for using the plasmids disclosed herein.

Abstract: Preparation of 13C/15N-labeled DNA oligomers using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A PCR based method for uniform (13C/15N)-labeling of DNA duplexes is described. Multiple copies of a blunt-ended duplex are cloned into a plasmid, each copy containing the sequence of interest and restriction Hinc II sequences at both the 5′ and 3′ ends. PCR using bi-directional primers and uniformly 13C/15N-labeled dNTP precursors generates labeled DNA duplexes containing multiple copies of the sequence of interest. Twenty-four cycles of PCR, followed by restriction and purification, gave the uniformly 13C/15N-labeled duplex sequence with a 30% yield. Such labeled duplexes find significant applications in multinuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the selective covalent modification of nucleic acids with redox active moieties such as transition metal complexes. Electron donor and electron acceptor moieties are covalently bound to the ribose-phosphate backbone of a nucleic acid at predetermined positions. The resulting complexes represent a series of new derivatives that are bimolecular templates capable of transferring electrons over very large distances at extremely fast rates. These complexes possess unique structural features which enable the use of an entirely new class of bioconductors and photoactive probes.

Abstract: The invention relates to the isolation of a nucleic acid molecule which encodes an esophageal cancer associated antigen. Also a part of the invention is the antigen itself, and the uses of the nucleic acid molecule and the antigen.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for rapid, reliable and simple isolation of RNA from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples. RNA purified in this manner can be used to monitor gene expression levels. The tissue sample can be a tumor or other pathological tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed are the dbp gene and dbp-derived nucleic acid segments from Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiological agent of Lyme disease, and DNA segments encoding dbp from related borrelias. Also disclosed are decorin binding protein compositions and methods of use. The DBP protein and antigenic epitopes derived therefrom are contemplated for use in the treatment of pathological Borrelia infections, and in particular, for use in the prevention of bacterial adhesion to decorin. DNA segments encoding these proteins and anti-(decorin binding protein) antibodies will also be of use in various screening, diagnostic and therapeutic applications including active and passive immunization and methods for the prevention of Borrelia colonization in an animal. These DNA segments and the peptides derived therefrom are contemplated for use in the preparation of vaccines and, also, for use as carrier proteins in vaccine formulations, and in the formulation of compositions for use in the prevention of Lyme disease.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for selectively isolating total bacterial mRNA. The general method comprises contacting a bacterial lysate comprising total bacterial mRNA and nonisolated bacterial polysomes with an exogenous enzyme under conditions wherein the enzyme selectively modifies the mRNA to form modified mRNA, and isolating the modified mRNA. In particular embodiments, the enzyme is selected from a poly(A) polymerase, a RNA ligase and a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase. Depending on the enzyme, the modified mRNA may have any of a variety of modifications, such as a 3′ tail, particularly a poly(A) tail, a specific sequence tag, a detectably labeled nucleotide, etc.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the selective covalent modification of nucleic acids with redox active moieties such as transition metal complexes. Electron donor and electron acceptor moieties are covalently bound to the ribose-phosphate backbone of a nucleic acid at predetermined positions. The resulting complexes represent a series of new derivatives that are bimolecular templates capable of transferring electrons over very large distances at extremely fast rates. These complexes possess unique structural features which enable the use of an entirely new class of bioconductors and photoactive probes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rapid method for identifying species of Candida. Identification is through the use of a non-conserved regions of the ITS2 region flanked by highly conserved functional domains. Detection of members of the Candida and Aspergillus genera is enhanced by the detection of genus-specific regions of the 5.8S rRNA gene. The present invention provides isolated nucleic acids that selectively hybridize to the fungal genus-specific 5.8S rRNA region, and to the species-specific ITS2 region. The invention provides for nucleic acid sequences for use as selective probes for fungal genus-specific probes and as Candida species-specific probes. The present invention provides methods for the use of the Candida species-specific probes that allow the detection and identification of the individual species in biological samples.

Abstract: Methods for detection of a cell proliferative disorder, such as cancer, are provided utilizing analysis of target mutant nucleic acids in saliva specimens are described. The presence of target mutant nucleic acids is indicative of a neoplastic disorder of the lung or the head and neck.

Abstract: Disclosed are the dbp gene and dbp-derived nucleic acid segments from Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiological agent of Lyme disease, and DNA segments encoding dbp from related borrelias. Also disclosed are decorin binding protein compositions and methods of use. The DBP protein and antigenic epitopes derived therefrom are contemplated for use in the treatment of pathological Borrelia infections, and in particular, for use in the prevention of bacterial adhesion to decorin. DNA segments encoding these proteins and anti-(decorin binding protein) antibodies will also be of use in various screening, diagnostic and therapeutic applications including active and passive immunization and methods for the prevention of Borrelia colonization in an animal. These DNA segments and the peptides derived therefrom are contemplated for use in the preparation of vaccines and, also, for use as carrier proteins in vaccine formulations, and in the formulation of compositions for use in the prevention of Lyme disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides diagnostic methods and compositions for determining a patient's predisposition towards developing cardiovascular diseases, which comprises identifying the allelic pattern of genes encoding microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) and comparing the MTP alleic pattern of said patient with the corresponding allelic patterns of humans with no clinical indicators of cardiovascular disease. The invention also provides isolated nucleic acids encoding MTP promoter varients, including probes and methods for using the isolated nucleic acids for detecting these polymorphisms in individuals.

Abstract: Disclosed are the dbp gene and dbp-derived nucleic acid segments from Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiological agent of Lyme disease, and DNA segments encoding dbp from related borrelias. Also disclosed are decorin binding protein compositions and methods of use. The DBP protein and antigenic epitopes derived therefrom are contemplated for use in the treatment of pathological Borrelia infections, and in particular, for use in the prevention of bacterial adhesion to decorin. DNA segments encoding these proteins and anti-(decorin binding protein) antibodies will also be of use in various screening, diagnostic and therapeutic applications including active and passive immunization and methods for the prevention of Borrelia colonization in an animal. These DNA segments and the peptides derived therefrom are contemplated for use in the preparation of vaccines and, also, for use as carrier proteins in vaccine formulations, and in the formulation of compositions for use in the prevention of Lyme disease.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for treating lung cancer are provided. The inventive compounds include polypeptides containing at least a portion of a lung tumor protein. Vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions for immunotherapy of lung cancer comprising such polypeptides, or DNA molecules encoding such polypeptides, are also provided, together with DNA molecules for preparing the inventive polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the selective covalent modification of nucleic acids with redox active moieties such as transition metal complexes. Electron donor and electron acceptor moieties are covalently bound to the ribose-phosphate backbone of a nucleic acid at predetermined positions. The resulting complexes represent a series of new derivatives that are bimolecular templates capable of transferring electrons over very large distances at extremely fast rates. These complexes possess unique structural features which enable the use of an entirely new class of bioconductors and photoactive probes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery in eukaryotic cells, particularly mammalian cells, of novel a transcriptional regulatory factor, referred to hereinafter as “Insulin Promoter Factor 1” or “Ipf1”.

Abstract: Disclosed are DNA segments encoding hyaluronic acid synthase which are employed to construct recombinant cells useful in the production of hyaluronate synthase or hyaluronic acid (HA) the recombinant DNA segment identified in FIG. 5. In preferred aspects, chromosomal DNA from Streptococcus equisimilis is partially digested with EcoRI and the resultant fragments are ligated to form recombinant vectors. These vectors are useful in the transformation of host cells such as E. coli and or Streptococcal hosts. Resultant transformants are screened by the novel screening assays to identify colonies which have incorporated HA synthase DNA in a form that is being actively transcribed into the corresponding HA synthase enzyme. These colonies may be selected and employed in the production of the enzyme itself or its product, HA. The recombinant DNA segment identified in FIG. 5 is then inserted into a recombinant Streptococcal host for the production of hyaluronic acid (HA).