Abstract: A process for detecting malignant transformation of cells involves detecting the overexpression of the products of the &bgr;3, &bgr;5, &bgr;8 and &bgr;9 genes, which encode the hCG&bgr; subunit, relative to their expression in nonmalignant cells. A kit for diagnosing an hCG- or an hCG fragment-secreting cancer includes an assembly of polypeptides covering at least a part of the primary sequence of hCG. The use of a polypeptide corresponding to at least one portion of the primary sequence of hCG for producing a composition useful in hCG- or hCG fragment-secreting cancer immunotherapy is also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the therapy and diagnosis of cancer, such as prostate cancer, are disclosed. Compositions may comprise one or more prostate-specific proteins, immunogenic portions thereof, or polynucleotides that encode such portions. Alternatively, a therapeutic composition may comprise an antigen presenting cell that expresses a prostate-specific protein, or a T cell that is specific for cells expressing such a protein. Such compositions may be used, for example, for the prevention and treatment of diseases such as prostate cancer. Diagnostic methods based on detecting a prostate-specific protein, or mRNA encoding such a protein, in a sample are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of baculovirus RNA polymerase for the production of capped and polyadenylated transcripts in vivo and especially in vitro. More particularly, the purified RNA polymerase of the present invention may be used to produce in vitro transcription and/or in vitro transcription/translation kits.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metal charged iminodiacetic acid (IDA) cellulose for detecting a test sample having a histidine tag. The present invention also provides methods for determining cloned protein expression and function. Additionally, the present invention includes a method for the handling of denatured proteins with subsequent renaturation in situ (parenthetically after binding to metal charged IDA cellulose). A wide range of applications are contemplated for the metal charged IDA cellulose including two-dimensional high throughput screening of proteins.

Abstract: A general method is described for screening cDNAs, genes or genome segments to directly isolate and characterize sequences associated with particular phenotypes. In the case of the human genome, a simplification of the starting material is needed, and a specific method to generate highly polymorphic genome subsets for this purpose is presented. The general screening method identifies DNA sequences containing allele frequency differences when groups with dissimilar phenotypes are compared. The approach is based on mathematical principles of inequality. A change in the abundance ratio of homoduplexes of perfectly matched sequences to heteroduplexes of perfectly matched sequences, or, conversely, of mismatched homoduplexes to mismatched heteroduplexes, serves as an indicator of allele frequency difference.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences for regulating gene expression in plants. In particular, the invention relates to 5′ regulatory sequences which are useful for regulating expression of heterologous DNAs in plants and methods for identifying multiple 5′ regulatory sequences which confer a particular expression profile when operably linked to DNA sequences. The invention also relates to expression vectors containing the 5′ regulatory sequences and to transgenic plants containing the expression vectors.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for determining the presence of an antibiotic resistant mecA gene in a biological sample, comprising the general steps of (a) treating cells contained within a biological sample to expose target single-stranded nucleic acid molecules; (b) reacting the target single-stranded nucleic acids with a scissile link-containing nucleic acid which is complementary to a portion of an antibiotic resistant mecA gene, and with an enzyme which cleaves double-stranded target-probe complexes, under conditions which allow the target and probe to hybridize to each other to form a double-stranded target-probe complex, the enzyme molecule being capable of cleaving the scissile link of the target-probe complex such that one or more fragments of the nucleic acid probe released from said complex; and (c) determining whether cleaved portions of the detecting probe fragments released from said nucleic acid probe are produced, and thereby detecting the presence of the antibiotic resistant mecA gene

Abstract: A Nucleic acid ligand “Biochip” is disclosed, consisting of a solid support to which one or more specific Nucleic acid ligands is attached in a spatially defined manner. Each Nucleic acid ligand binds specifically and avidly to a particular Target molecule contained within a Test mixture, such as a Bodily fluid. The Target molecules include, but are not limited to, proteins (cellular, viral, bacterial, etc.) hormones, sugars, metabolic byproducts, cofactor, and intermediates, drugs, and toxins. Contacting the Test mixture with the Biochip leads to the binding of a Target molecule to its cognate Nucleic acid ligand. Binding of Target to the Nucleic acid ligand results in a detectable change at each specific location on the Biochip. The detectable change can include, but is not limited to, a change in fluorescence, or a change in a physical parameter, such as electrical conductance or refractive index, at each location on the Biochip.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of determining the genotype of a human papilomavirus in a sample by amplifying a portion of the L1 open reading frame of human papilomavirus genome with the amplification primer having SEQ ID NO:2, the sequencing primer having SEQ ID NO:3 and an additional sequencing primer specific to HPV51 having SEQ ID NO:5.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting polynucleotide hybridization in luminescence-based assays. The methods may include (1) contacting a sample polynucleotide with a reference polynucleotide at an assay site, where at least one of the polynucleotides is capable of emitting luminescence, (2) illuminating the assay site with light capable of stimulating such luminescence, (3) detecting light transmitted from the assay site, and (4) deriving information relating to the extent of hybridization between the sample and reference polynucleotides based on the detected light. The methods may further include (1) illuminating with and/or detecting polarized light, (2) deriving information relating to the sequence of the sample polynucleotide from the extent of hybridization, and (3) converting the light to a signal and distinguishing between a portion of the signal attributable to luminescence and a portion attributable to background.

Abstract: Highly hydrophilic non-nucleosidic tags with multiple labels are provided for use in nucleic acid probes. The tags are branched structures having a phosphodiester backbone, which have the advantages of a small dimensional size and high hydrophilicity. After the tag is labeled, its high negative charge and minimal size help to keep the carriers away from DNA or RNA molecules, due to repulsion between negative charges. Non-specific intercalation and steric hindrance are therefore minimized, and the hydrophobicity, if any of reporter molecules is reduced. The probes are used in place of conventionally labeled oligonucleotides for a variety of hybridization reactions.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to Epstein Barr virus induced (EBI) genes. In particular, the present invention relates to DNA segments coding for EBI 1, EBI 2, or EBI 3 polypeptides; EBI 1, EBI 2, or EBI 3 polypeptides; recombinant DNA molecules; cells containing the recombinant DNA molecules; antisense EBI 1, EBI 2, or EBI 3 constructs; antibodies having binding affinity to an EBI 1, EBI 2, or EBI 3 polypeptide; hybridomas containing the antibodies; nucleic acid probes for the detection of the presence of Epstein Barr Virus; a method of detecting Epstein Barr virus in a sample; and kits containing nucleic acid probes or antibodies.

Abstract: The sinapine content of seeds of Brassica napus, and other crucifera plants, and the resulting seed meal made therefrom, is reduced by transforming cells of the plants to incorporate an expressible exogenous CYP84 monooxygenase enzyme, particularly ferulate 5-hyroxylase (F5H:) enzyme, or an antisense equivalent thereof. This allows for the production of a seed meal that is commercially more valuable. Three specific nucleic acid sequences encoding the F5H polypeptide are disclosed, designated BNF5H1, BNF5H2 and BNF5H3, and genetic constructs produced. The antisense suppression of sinapine is preferred, which can reduce the sinapine content of seed meal by up to 40% compared to wild type or vector-only transformed plants.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for obtaining molecular markers for use as a diagnostic and quality control tool to identify genomic polymorphisms that arise during the process of tissue culture of in vitro propagated plants. By using a representational difference analysis (RDA) adapted for plant genomes, a set of nucleic acid difference sequences between normal and off-type plant genomes are obtained. The invention further provides a method for isolating sets of variant sequences which are common to many naturally occurring or tissue culture-generated off-types of the same cultivar or species, in addition to variant sequences present in all off-types, regardless of the phenotypic mutation, and/or in all off-types that exhibit the same mutation. Detection of somaclonal variation by the method of the invention may present an opportunity to optimize tissue culture conditions and to optimize plant multiplication rates without producing a significant number of off-types.

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

Abstract: The invention relates to DNA sequences coding for sterol glucosyl transferases as well as the use thereof to modify the content and/or the structure of sterol glycosides and/or their synthetic secondary products in transgenic organism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a complex of specifically complex-forming proteins which are not naturally occurring, comprising the following components: a) at least one ligand specific for a target structure, b) at least one protein comprising a mutated dimerization domain, the mutated dimerization domain having been derived by mutation of a naturally occurring dimerization domain, it being possible for this mutated dimerization domain to interact specifically with component c) and the component b) being connected covalently to the component a), c) at least one protein comprising a mutated dimerization domain, the mutated dimerization domain having been derived by mutation of a naturally occurring dimerization domain, it being possible for this mutated dimerization domain to interact specifically with component b) and the component c) is linked covalently to the component d), and d) at least one effector.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acids covalently coupled to electrodes via conductive oligomers. More particularly, the invention is directed to the site-selective modification of nucleic acids with electron transfer moieties and electrodes to produce a new class of biomaterials, and to methods of making and using them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel molecule involved in the process of apoptosis. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human RAIDD protein and splice variants thereof—referred to as RAIDD-SV1 and RAIDD-SV2. RAIDD polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of RAIDD activity.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel polymorphisms in the human cytochrome P450 2A6 gene and the use of those polymorphisms as predictive sequences for altered metabolism or occurrence of disease.