Abstract: Promoter activities were examined by comparing combinations of promoters and enhancers derived from various genes. A hybrid promoter comprising a combination of a CMV enhancer and a mammalian ?-actin promoter, or the post-transcriptional regulatory region of the genomic sequence Woodchuck Hepatitis Virus (WPRE) and a mammalian ?-actin promoter was found to be stronger than existing promoters. Furthermore, the activities of the ?-actin promoters could be enhanced by coexpressing the oncogene product Ras, which is a transactivator.

Abstract: Delivery systems and methods are provided for delivering a biologically active protein to a host animal. The systems and methods provided include obtaining an algal cell transformed by an expression vector, the expression vector comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for the biologically active protein, operably linked to a promoter. In one illustrated embodiment, the biologically active protein is an antigenic epitope and upon administration to the animal the algal cell induces an immune response in the host animal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for optical detection of the dynamics of Ca2+ in a biological system, said method comprising monitoring the photons emitted by a recombinant Ca2+-sensitive polypeptide, which comprises or consists of a chemiluminescent protein linked to a fluorescent protein, present in said biological system. In a particular embodiment, said recombinant polypeptide comprises or consists of the Aequorin and GFP linked by a linker allowing chemiluminescence resonance energy transfer (CRET), and optionally comprises a peptidic fragment capable of targeting said recombinant polypeptide into a specific cellular domain or compartment. The present invention also concerns a transgenic non-human animal expressing said recombinant polypeptide sensitive to calcium concentration, in conditions enabling the in vivo monitoring of Ca2+ dynamics.

Abstract: The invention constructs an activating KRASmutant but not p53-responsive promoter and generates an E1B-55kD-deleted (?E1B-55kD) adenovirus, harboring a transcriptionally activating transgene and holding lytic replication ability in the tumor cells with activating KRASmutant. The adenovirus of the invention can be used in the treatment of cancers.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are presented for the administration of transposon-based vectors to an animal or human to provide gene therapy to the animal or human.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transgenic animals, as well as compositions and methods relating to the characterization of gene function. Specifically, the present invention provides transgenic mice comprising disruptions in PRO227, PRO233, PRO238, PRO1328, PRO4342, PRO7423, PRO10096, PRO21384, PRO353 or PRO1885 genes. Such in vivo studies and characterizations may provide valuable identification and discovery of therapeutics and/or treatments useful in the prevention, amelioration or correction of diseases or dysfunctions associated with gene disruptions such as neurological disorders; cardiovascular, endothelial or angiogenic disorders; eye abnormalities; immunological disorders; oncological disorders; bone metabolic abnormalities or disorders; lipid metabolic disorders; or developmental abnormalities.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for treating, preventing or reducing the risk of developing occupational lung diseases, such as pneumoconiosis. In several embodiments, the methods include administering a therapeutically effective amount of the suppressive ODN to a subject having or at risk of developing a pneumoconiosis, thereby treating or inhibiting the pneumoconiosis. In several examples, thee subject can have or be at risk of developing silicosis, asbestosis or berryliosis. The method can include selecting a subject exposed to, or at risk of exposure to, inorganic particles, including, but not limited to silica, asbestos, berrylium, coal dust, or bauxite.

Abstract: The invention concerns a polypeptide having a uracil phosphoribosyl transferase (UPRTase) by mutation of one or several residues of the UPRTase. The invention also concerns a nucleotide sequence coding for the UPRTase mutant, a vector for expressing the latter, a viral particle, a host cell, and a composition containing them. The invention further concerns their therapeutic use and a treatment method using them. The invention is particularly useful in the context of therapy by suicide genes, in particular, for treating proliferative and infectious diseases.

Abstract: DNA plasmids containing sequences coding for different fragments of 185neu oncoprotein which are able to induce an immune response against p185neu-overexpressing tumors, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to nematodes as model organisms for the investigation of neurodegenerative diseases, in particular, Parkinsons disease, uses and methods for the discovery of substances and genes which can be used in the treatment of the above disease states and identification of a nematode gene, From C elegans, which is homologous to the human parkin gene associated with Parkinsons disease. The invention further relates to those nematodes which contain an aberrant or missing expression of at least one gene, preferably a parkin gene and/or a ?-synucleine gene, which is connected with Parkinsons disease. According to the invention, the above organisms can be used for the identification and characterization of medicaments for the treatment of said disease states.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to engineered enzymatically active bacteriophages that are both capable of killing the bacteria by lysis and dispersing the bacterial biofilm because they have been also engineered to express biofilm-degrading enzymes, particularly dispersin B (DspB), an enzyme that hydrolyzes ?-1,6-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, a crucial adhesion molecule needed for biofilm formation and integrity in Staphylococcus and E. coli, including E. coli K-12, as well as clinical isolates.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to viral vaccines and, more specifically, to filovirus vaccines and methods of eliciting an immune response against a filovirus or disease caused by infection with filovirus.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to viral vaccines and, more specifically, to filovirus vaccines and methods of eliciting an immune response against a filovirus or disease caused by infection with filovirus.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to viral vaccines and, more specifically, to filovirus vaccines and methods of eliciting an immune response against a filovirus or disease caused by infection with filovirus.

Abstract: Through screening of an expression library, a cDNA sequence has been identified that encodes a protein that interacts with human CD33, the DNA being highly homologous to a portion of the human dystrophin gene. A region of that cDNA has been identified as an important regulatory element in controlling expression, both transcription and translation, of the DNA with which it is associated. This DNA sequence element may be used as a regulatory cassette in conjunction with any suitable gene, to modify gene expression. The putative controlling DNA sequence element contains a minimum of 137 base pairs (FIG. 1) to 147 base pairs (FIG. 1A) and a maximum of 287 base pairs (FIG. 1B).

Abstract: Methods and compositions are presented for the administration of transposon based vectors to an animal or human to provide gene therapy to the animal or human.

Abstract: A model rodent animal with a phenotype in which hair growing after birth is black, with the animal spontaneously developing white hair after aging. By way of example, the model rodent animal may have a genotype in which an activated RET gene is genetically inserted in a heterozygous form and the endothelin receptor B gene is deficient in a heterozygous form.

Abstract: This invention is related to compositions and methods for decreasing cholesterol levels in a subject. The method utilizes a nucleic acid expression construct that encodes a growth-hormone-releasing-hormone (“GHRH”) that is delivered into a tissue of the subject, wherein, GHRH is expressed in vivo in the subject.

Abstract: Ubiquitin ligase wwp-1 and ubiquitin conjugating enzyme ubc-18 are identified in nematodes as mediators of dietary restriction induced longevity and therefore as targets for modulation of lifespan in animals. Methods of screening for compounds that modulate longevity by assaying wwp-1 ubiquitination pathway parameters are provided, as are related systems. In addition, methods of using wwp-1 and/or ubc-18 to modulate longevity or delay onset of age-related diseases are described.

Abstract: DNA plasmids containing sequences coding for different fragments of 185neu oncoprotein which are able to induce an immune response against p185neu-overexpressing tumors, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof are described.