Abstract: The invention concerns an endogenic nucleic fragment, such as an isolated retrovirus, integrated in the human DNA genome, the fragment being characterized in that it comprises, or consists of, at least part of the gag gene of an endogenetic retrovirus associated with an autoimmune disease or pregnancy failure or pregnancy pathologies, said part at least coding, directly and indirectly, for an expression product, or the complement of the fragment.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and device for performing automated SELEX. The steps of the SELEX process are performed at one or more work stations on a work surface by a robotic manipulator controlled by a computer. The invention also includes methods and reagents to obviate the need for size-fractionation of amplified candidate nucleic acids before beginning the next round of the SELEX process.

Abstract: Mutations located within the gene encoding the homeobox transcription factor, ENGRAILED 2 (EN2), have now been identified as molecular markers associated with susceptibility for autism and related disorders. Thus, the present invention relates to compositions in the form of diagnostic kits, primers and target sequences, for use in methods for determining the predisposition, the onset or the presence of autism spectrum disorder in a mammal. Moreover, therapeutic methods for treating a person inflicted with, or predisposed to, an autism spectrum disorder based upon modulating the level or activity of EN2 are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the diagnosis of Cornelia de Lange Syndrome are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel alleles characterized by polymorphisms in the CAST gene. The alleles may be used to genetically type animals. In a preferred embodiment, the alleles may be used as markers for animal meat quality and/or growth. Methods for identifying such markers, and methods of screening animals to determine those more likely to produce desired meat quality and/or growth and preferably selecting those animals for future breeding purposes are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to the detection of the binding of analyte molecules, for example biopolymer molecules, to immobilized capture substance molecules. The invention consists in using semiconductor wafers (chips) with electrical circuits in spatial proximity to a surface area coated with capture substance molecules and loading the binding of the analyte molecules to the capture substance molecules with co-bound electrically conductive nanoparticles so that the nanoparticles can act upon the electrical circuits either through changes in the electrical stray capacitance or by generating electric currents, thus making the binding of the analyte molecules electronically detectable.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits for identifying an increased risk of developing cancer in a subject. The methods include analyzing a first biological sample, such as a blood sample, from the subject for loss of imprinting of the IGF2 gene. According to the methods a loss of imprinting is indicative of an increased risk of developing cancer. The method can include analyzing genomic DNA from the sample for altered methylation of the IGF2 gene. The altered methylation for example includes hypomethylation of a differentially methylated region of IGF2, corresponding to SEQ ID NO:1 or a polymorphism thereof. The method can be performed on a subject having no apparent or suspected hyperproliferative disorder such as cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multiplex real-time RT-PCR assay with a heterologous internal control system (i.e., EGFP-RNA) for the simple and fast diagnosis of classical swine fever virus (CSFV). Primers and FAM-labeled TaqMan probes, specific for CSFV were selected by analyzing the consensus sequence of the 5?-non translated region of various CSFV strains. For determining the analytical sensitivity an in vitro transcript (T7-PC3Alf) of the 5? NTR was constructed and tested. Furthermore, a primer-probe system for the detection of the internal control sequence was established, and a multiplex assay using CSF-System 1 and the IC real-time PCR could be performed as a one-tube assay without loss of sensitivity or specificity.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and oligonucleotide primers for assaying Brassica napus plants for the presence or absence of mutations that confer resistance to imidazolinone herbicides. Specifically, the methods and primers of the invention are useful for detecting the PM1 mutation of the B. napus AHAS1 gene and the PM2 mutation of the B. napus AHAS3 gene.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying a subject having a reduced risk of developing sepsis, comprising detecting at least one APOE3 allele in nucleic acid from the subject.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the use of genetic traits in livestock for determining breeding characteristics of livestock progeny, and for optimizing the management and marketing of livestock for improving feedlot performance and meat quality. The disclosure specifically relates to genetic markers and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the bovine somatostatin locus, as well as haplotypes that include the somatostatin locus, which are associated with certain quantitative trait loci (QTLs), such as marbling, meat quality grade, and yield grade. In a preferred embodiment, the SNPs and haplotypes are predictive of the increased or decreased amount of tissue marbling in the animal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of genotyping bovine for improved milk production traits by determining the DGAT1 genotypic state of said bovine, wherein the DGAT1 gene and polymorphisms within said gene have been found to be associated with such improved milk production traits.

Abstract: Methods of using probes and probe sets for the detection of high grade dysplasia and carcinoma in cervical cells are described. Methods of the invention include hybridizing one or more chromosomal probes to a biological sample obtained from a subject and detecting the hybridization pattern of the chromosomal probes to the sample to determine whether the subject has high grade dysplasia or carcinoma. Methods of the invention also include preliminary screening the cells for a marker associated with a risk for cancer, and preferably involves screening for HPV infected cells by in situ hybridization using an HPV probe mixture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gene mapping method which involves analysis of a DNA sample from a test subject and from a control subject for the presence of an allelic form of a plurality of microsatellite genetic polymorphism marker, which markers are located at intervals of about 50 Kb to 150 Kb on the human genome, in order to identify regions of the genome associated with a characteristic of the test subjects relative to the control subjects, e.g., a region containing a pathogenic gene or a gene relating to human phenotypes with genetic factors. The invention also features genomic regions so identified that are associated with susceptibility or the presence of psoriasis vulgaris and with rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of predicting the risk of a patient for developing adverse drug reactions, particularly SJS or TEN. It was discovered that an HLA-B allele, HLA-B* 1502, is associated with SJS/TEN that is induced by a variety of drugs. The correlation with HLA-B* 1502 is most significant for carbamazepine-induced SJS/TEN, wherein all the patients tested have the HLA-B* 1502 allele. In addition, another HLA-B allele, HLA-B*5801, is particularly associated with SJS/TEN induced by allopurinol. Milder cutaneous reactions, such as maculopapular rash, erythema multiforme (EM), urticaria, and fixed drug eruption, are particularly associated with a third allele, HLA-B *4601. For any of the alleles, genetic markers (e.g., HLA markers, microsatellite, or single nucleotide polymorphism markers) located between DRB1 and HLA-A region of the specific HLA-B haplotype can also be used for the test.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for analyzing plant acetohydroxy acid synthase large subunit (AHASL) genes. In particular, the invention relates to methods for the detection of wild-type AHASL alleles and mutant AHASL alleles that encode imidazolinone-tolerant AHASL proteins. The methods involve the use of PCR amplification and novel compositions comprising allele-specific and gene-specific primers to detect the presence of mutant and/or wild-type alleles present at the individual AHASL genes of a plant. Specifically, the methods and compositions are useful for analyzing the three AHASL genes of Triticum aestivum and the two AHASL genes of Triticum turgidum ssp. durum.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for separating and purifying a nucleic acid by adsorbing the nucleic acid in a test sample to a surface of a solid phase and desorbing the nucleic acid by washing and the like. The present invention provides a method for separating and purifying a nucleic acid having a predetermined length from a nucleic acid mixture, comprising a step of: adsorbing and desorbing a nucleic acid in the nucleic acid mixture containing nucleic acids having different lengths to and from a solid phase of an organic macromolecule having a hydroxyl group on surface thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for detecting West Nile Virus (WNV) in a sample by detecting nucleic acids having been amplified and comprising the coding region of the membrane protein of WNV. Further, a method and a kit for the detection of amplified nucleic acids comprising the coding region of the membrane protein of WNV are disclosed.

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: The invention has disclosed a method for diagnosis of dentinogenesis imperfecta type II (DGI-II) and/or dentinogenesis imperfecta type II with deafness (DGI-II with deafness). Said method comprises the steps of detecting the DSPP gene, transcript and/or protein in said subject and comparing it with the normal DSPP gene, transcript and/or protein to determine whether there is any variation, wherein said variation indicates that the possibility of suffering DGI-II and/or DGI-II with deafness in said subject is higher than the normal population. The present invention also discloses the method and pharmaceutical composition for treating DGI-II and/or DGI-II with deafness.