Abstract: Human heat-shock protein-binding proteins (HspBP-1 and HspBP-2) are disclosed with the polynucleotides which identify and encode them. Genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences encoding heat-shock protein-binding proteins (HspBP) are also disclosed and a method for producing HspBP polypeptides. Also provided is a process of using HspBP for abrogating heat shock-protein activity in the prevention or treatment of diseases associated with such activity.

Abstract: Recombinant expression vectors and methods are provided for detecting HIV and monitoring HIV drug resistance.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting a presence of HIV virus in a sample comprising: taking a culture of recombinant cells which (a) are capable of cell division, (b) express CD4 receptor and one or more additional cell surface receptors necessary to allow the HIV virus to infect, (c) enable the HIV virus to replicate and infect the noninfected cells in the cell culture, and (d) comprise a reporter sequence introduced into the recombinant cells comprising a reporter gene whose expression is regulated by a protein specific to HIV viruses which is expressed from a genome of an HIV virus upon infection of the recombinant cell by the HIV virus; contacting the cell culture with a sample to be analyzed for the presence of HIV virus in the sample; and detecting a change in a level of expression of the reporter gene in cells in the recombinant cell culture.

Abstract: A C-reactive protein concentration level test and kit for on-site determination of C-reactive protein levels in biological samples is disclosed.

Abstract: A preparation of U binding protein (Ubp) and a gene sequence encoding Ubp and an anti-Ubp antibody are disclosed. An assay to identify modulators of Ubp/Vpu interaction and Gag/Ubp interaction is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing recombinant virus. This method is based on the use of baculovirus for providing the complementary functions. It also concerns constructs used for implementing this method, the producing cells, and the resulting virus.

Abstract: Compositions, formulae, devices and methods for the detection of target microorganisms, such as by visual immunoprecipitate assay, enzyme linked immunoassay, chemiluminescence, immunoblotting, or similar detection technology, wherein detection requires the discrimination among closely related genera, species and strains of antigenically related microorganisms based on immunological reactivity of a highly conserved antigen epitopes with a reagent system comprised of an antibody linked to a detecting reagent. The invention permits a detectable event to occur by exposing inaccessible but highly conserved and specific antigen epitopes to the detecting reagent. Exposure of such antigen epitopes without inactivating microbial metabolism allows for specific detection.

Abstract: Tie2 receptor agonist antibodies, their use in enhancing angiogenesis and other uses are disclosed.

Abstract: Novel packaging cell lines which produce recombinant retrovirus, free of detectable helper-virus are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of making the cell lines and methods of producing recombinant retroviruses from the cell lines. Retroviruses produced by the cell lines include lentiviruses, such as HIV, capable of transfering heterologous DNA to a wide range of non-dividing cells. The packaging cells contain at least three vectors which collectively encode retroviral gag, pol, and env proteins, wherein the gag and pol genes are separated, in part, onto two or more different vectors. This is made possible by fusing Vpr or Vpx to pol proteins separated from gag so that the proteins are targeted to assembling virions. Among other advantages, the packaging cells provide the benefit of increased safety when used in human gene therapy by virtually eliminating the possibility of molecular recombination leading to production of replication-competant helper virus.

Abstract: Isolated and purified proteins and nucleic acids including a novel member of the immunoglobulin super-family characterized as having SHP-2 binding activity and cell signaling activity and called protein zero related or PZR, and cDNA encoding the same. Recombinant host cells, recombinant nucleic acids and recombinant proteins are also disclosed, along with methods of producing each. Isolated and purified antibodies to PZR, and methods of producing the same, are also disclosed. PZR is characterized as having SHP-2 binding activity and cell signaling activity and thus, therapeutic methods involving these activities are also disclosed.

Abstract: Use for novel chemokine-binding protein designated A41L, and chemokine-binding fragments thereof, for the treatment of conditions such as inflammation. The A41L protein beinds to chemokines in the CXC group.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of IL-15 or active variants thereof and/or IL-15 activity enhancing compounds for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for manipulating memory cells of the immune system, such as manipulating viability ad/or responsiveness of said memory cells. The IL-15 activity enhancing compound is for example lipopolysaccharidc (LPS). The invention further relates to the use of IL-15 inhibiting or eliminating compounds for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for manipulating memory cells of the immune system. Such inhibiting or eliminating compounds are for example anti-IL-15 antibodies, anti-IL-15R&agr; antibodies, fragments of these antibodies, e.g. the Fab or F(ab′)2 fragment, soluble IL-15R&agr;, fusion proteins consisting of soluble IL-15R&agr;, and Fc fragment, compounds, e.g. peptides, binding and/or inhibiting functional IL-15 receptor, IL-15 antisense oligonucleotides.

Abstract: The exposure of cells, tissues and organs to “stress,” such as elevated temperature, stimulates production of active heat stress transcription factors (HSF), which in turn, induce expression of genes regulated by stress promoters. Normally, the activity of stress promoters declines after cells, tissues and organs are returned to a normal condition. Mutant forms of HSF, however, can constitutively transactivate stress genes, in the absence of stress. By taking advantage of such mutant HSF, molecular circuits can be devised to provide a sustained expression of a gene of interest using a single application of stress.

Abstract: The invention provides phoH homolog polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding phoH homolog polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing phoH homolog polypeptides to screen for antibacterial compounds.

Abstract: The present invention features gram-positive bacteria resistant to 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (FUdR). Such bacteria will preferably be commensal, and will not be resistant to antibiotics. Bacteria according to the present invention may also be transformed with DNA encoding an antigenic protein. Such transformed bacteria may be used to formulate a vaccine, in order to stimulate an immune response to the antigenic protein in a patient. The present invention further provides a method for isolating gram-positive bacteria resistant to FUdR.

Abstract: Provided are methods for reducing the HIV viral load in HIV-infected patients by administering human GM-CSF. The GM-CSF is administered in conjunction with at least two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for identifying activators of a transition metal-dependent repressor of virulence gene expression in infectious prokaryotic pathogens. The method utilizes genetic circuitry that represents the response of a given prokaryote to nutritional stress and the expression of genes that contribute to the establishment of the infectious process. The exposure of recombinant cells or a cell-free system containing the genetic circuitry to a non-metal ion test substance that activates the repressor produces a detectable response. The method is applicable for any prokaryote employing metal ion-dependent repressors to regulate specific gene expression, specifically as it pertains to virulence determinant expression.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel compounds comprising a ubiquitination recognition element and a protein binding element. The invention also relates to the use of said compounds for modulating the level and/or activity of a target protein. The compounds are useful for the treatment of disease such as infections, inflammatory conditions, cancer and genetic diseases. The compounds are also useful as insecticides and herbicides.

Abstract: In vitro methods for making a recombinant adenoviral genome, as well as kits for practicing the same and the recombinant adenovirus vectors produced thereby, are provided. In the subject methods, the subject genomes are prepared from first and second vectors. The first vector includes an adenoviral genome having an E region deletion and three different, non-adenoviral restriction endonuclease sites located in the E region. The second vector is a shuttle vector and includes an insertion nucleic acid flanked by two of the three different non-adenoviral restriction endonucleases sites present in the first vector. Cleavage products are prepared from the first and second vectors using the appropriate restriction endonucleases. The resultant cleavage products are then ligated to produce the subject recombinant adenovirus genome. The subject adenoviral genomes find use in a variety of application, including as vectors for use in a variety of applications, including gene therapy.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to vaccines comprising homogenised inactivated yeast blastospores and homogenised inactivated dermatophyte microconidia or antigenic material of said spores, methods for their production and their use for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of mycoses in mammals, preferably humans. The vaccines according to the present invention are especially useful for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of skin mycosis, preferably Dermatomycosis and/or Candidosis and/or Onychomycosis.