Abstract: The present invention concerns a bioactive implant material having a cartilage-inducing and/or bone-inducing activity composed of two components A and B, of which A is a bone-inducing and/or cartilage-inducing protein or protein mixture and preferably one or several proteins from the TGF-? superfamily, preferably MP52 or a DNA sequence coding therefor and B is a carrier matrix composed of calcium phosphate ceramics with an interconnecting microporosity which already alone has bone-inducing properties. The invention additionally concerns the production of these compounds and their use for the treatment of diseases which affect cartilage and/or bones as well as to treat damage to cartilage and/or bone tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of site-specifically integrating a polynucleotide sequence of interest in a genome of a eucaryotic cell, as well as, enzymes, polypeptides, and a variety of vector constructs useful therefore. In the method, a targeting construct comprises, for example, (i) a first recombination site and a polynucleotide sequence of interest, and (ii) a site-specific recombinase, which are introduced into the cell. The genome of the cell comprises a second recombination site. Recombination between the first and second recombination sites is facilitated by the site-specific recombinase. The invention describes compositions, vectors, and methods of use thereof, for the generation of transgenic cells, tissues, plants, and animals. The compositions, vectors, and methods of the present invention are also useful in gene therapy techniques.

Abstract: Novel food-grade cloning vectors comprising a nonsense mutation suppressor-encoding gene, which vector, when it is present in a lactic acid bacterial strain, permits such a strain to have an industrially appropriate growth rate and metabolic activity. The cloning vectors are useful when present in lactic acid bacteria used as starter cultures in the preparation of food or feed products, or a dairy flavor.

Abstract: The invention provides a protein which is a stress-responsive activator of the p300 protein, and nucleic acid sequences encoding the protein. The protein performs a key role in facilitating stress-responsive protein-protein interactions within the p300 co-activator complex. The STRAP protein facilitates the interaction of other proteins in the p300 complex, and is thus a target for assays for modulators of the complex.

Abstract: Methods for collecting cells in M phase or G1 phase, by which the percentage of M phase or G1 phase cells is higher than that attained by the conventional methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Hybrid compounds comprising a first domain and a second domain are provided. The first domain and the second domain are preferably covalently linked, and the first domain comprises a domain which is capable of specific binding to Gb3; and the second domain comprising a moiety selected from the group consisting of drug moiety, a nucleic acid, a probe, a polypeptide, and a hook, with the proviso that the second domain is not a verotoxin or a fragment thereof. Methods of preparing and using the hybrid compounds are also provided.

Abstract: Transgenes encoding exogenous proteins are stably integrated into embryonic stem cells and are present in the somatic tissue of transgenic or chimeric birds. The transgenes encode exogenous proteins and are expressed in any of endodermal, ectodermal, mesodermal, or extra embryonic tissue. Tissue specificity is provided by selecting the content of the transgene accordingly. Transgenic birds whose genome is comprised of trangene derived exogenous DNA express exogenous proteins with tissue specificity, and specifically express exogenous proteins in the tubular gland cells of the oviduct to concentrate exogenous proteins in egg white.

Abstract: Materials and methods for incorporating adenosine derivatives into the 5? end of transcribed RNA are disclosed. Adenosine derivatives include naturally occurring compounds such as Coenzyme A, NAD, and FAD, as well as various non-naturally occurring compounds. The derivatives can be used to impart desirable properties to the RNA such as fluorescence, the ability to bind to receptors or ligands, and improved catalytic activity. The transcribed RNAs can be used in a variety of applications including nucleic acid detection, designed or random generation of catalytic RNAs, antisense applications, and in the study of RNA structure and function.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of apoptosis. The invention provides novel therapeutic possibilities, for example novel combinatorial therapies or novel therapeutic compounds that can work alone, sequentially to, or jointly with apoptin, especially in those cases wherein p53 is (partly) non-functional.

Abstract: The invention provides a transgenic non-human animal expressing a perlecan encoding transgene. Also provided is a double-transgenic non-human animal expressing a perlecan and an amyloid encoding transgene. A method of screening for a compound which alters the rate or extent of amyloid deposition is additionally provided. The method consists of: (a) constructing a perlecan transgenic animal; (b) administering an effective amount of a test compound to said perlecan transgenic animal; and (c) determining whether said test compound alters the extent or rate of amyloid deposition. Finally, the invention provides a method of screening for a compound which alters the rate or extent of amyloid deposition. The method consists of: (a) constructing a perlecan/amyloid double-transgenic animal; (b) administering an effective amount of a test compound to said perlecan/amyloid double-transgenic animal; and (c) determining whether said test compound alters the extent o rate of amyloid deposition.

Abstract: An isolated DNA encoding the enzyme I-SceI is provided. The DNA sequence can be incorporated in cloning and expression vectors, transformed cell lines and transgenic animals. The vectors are useful in gene mapping and site-directed insertion of genes.

Abstract: A method for isolating an inner cell mass comprising the steps of immobilizing a blastocyst stage embryo having a zona pellucida, trophectoderm, and inner cell mass, creating an aperture in the blastocyst stage embryo by laser ablation, and removing the inner cell mass from the blastocyst stage embryo through the aperture. The aperture is through the zona pellucida and the trophectoderm. The laser ablation is acheived using a non-contact diode laser. The inner cell mass removed from the blastocyst stage embryo is used to establish human Embryonic Stem Cell lines.

Abstract: This invention relates to new immortalized human pre-adipose cell lines capable of differentiating into adipose cells and methods of obtaing the immortalized cells. In particular, the present invention pertains to immortalized pre-adipocyte cell lines derived from white adipose tissue and methods of producing the cell lines. The immortalized pre-adipocyte cells are capable of maturing into immortalized white adipose cells useful in developing drugs, food ingredients and supplements against obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medicament comprising a HGF gene. The medicament of the present invention may be topically applied to the target organs so that the effects can be selectively exhibited, resulting in minimizing the side effects of HGF.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for reducing the amount of osteopontin in an osteopontin-expressing cell comprising introducing into the cell a nucleic acid which specifically inhibits osteopontin expression in the cell. This invention also provides methods for inhibiting the onset of, and treating, osteopontin-related disorders, as well as compositions for practicing the same. This invention further provides methods for determining the amount of osteopontin in a sample, and a kit for practicing the same. This invention also provides methods for determining whether an agent reduces the amount of osteopontin in an osteopontin-expressing cell. Finally, this invention provides methods for treating a subject afflicted with a disorder mediated by an endogenous protein.

Abstract: The methodologies of the present invention demonstrate that a critical balance between pro- and anti-amyloidogenic molecules exists that regulates amyloid formation and cell death in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. ?-Synuclein, the non-amyloidogenic homologue of ?-synuclein, is a negative modulator of ?-synuclein and A? aggregation, having neuroprotective properties against ?-synuclein and A? neurotoxicity and that ?-synuclein and therapeutic agents derived therefrom block amyloidogenesis and neurodegeneration in vivo. The method of the present invention establishes that ?-synuclein blocks A? aggregation either by direct inhibition of A? amyloidogenesis or indirectly via either ?-synuclein or its 35 a.a. NAC region, inferring neuroprotective characteristics within the effected cells.

Abstract: The present invention features a non-human animal model of malaria, e.g., Plasmodium, particularly Plasmodium falciparum. The model is based on a non-human, immunocompromised transgenic animal having a human-mouse chimeric liver, where the transgene provides for expression of a urokinase-type plasminogen activator in the liver. The invention also features methods for identifying candidate therapeutic agents, e.g., agents having anti-pathogenic activity against malaria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fowlpox virus genome which has modifications in one or more wild-type FPV genes. The present invention also relates to a viral particle comprising such a genome and its use to deliver a nucleotide of interest (NOI) to a target cell. The present invention also relates to vaccination methods, particularly a method which comprises administering a priming composition (which comprises a first non-replicating viral vector) and a boosting composition (which comprises a second non-replicating viral vector) to a subject to treat and/or prevent a disease.

Abstract: It has now been found that the introduction of single stranded oligonucleotides of DNA or RNA, particularly RNA transcribed from portions of wild type prohibitin 3?UTR, into tumors leads to arrested cell proliferation. Significant reduction in the size of primary tumors has been observed following direct administration of prohibitin 3?UTR RNA. Induction of systemic immunity, as evidenced by the disappearance of metastases as well as the lack of tumor growth in rechallenged animals following prohibitin RNA therapy, has been observed. Thus, wild type RNAs transcribed from portions of a prohibitin 3?UTR, or single stranded DNAs comprised of portions of a prohibitin 3?UTR, or synthetically-made oligonucleotides of the same sequences, can be directly administered as therapeutic agents against tumors.

Abstract: An isolated DNA encoding the enzyme I-SceI is provided. The DNA sequence can be incorporated in cloning and expression vectors, transformed cell lines and transgenic animals. The vectors are useful in gene mapping and site-directed insertion of genes.