Abstract: The present invention relates to an analytical process for the assessment of the genotoxic potential, also termed mutagenic or transforming activity, of an agent in respect to hematopoietic cells. The agent can be selected from natural and synthetic chemical compounds, and preferably from heterologous expression cassettes, e.g. contained in non-natural viral particles or non-natural viral nucleic acid constructs, e.g. nucleic acid constructs containing a viral element.

Abstract: An assembly comprising a storage receptacle includes a front panel, a rear panel, a first side panel joining the front panel to the rear panel and a second side panel joining the front panel to the rear panel. The front panel, the rear panel and the first and second side panels define a storage space within the confines of the front panel, the rear panel and the first and second side panels. A divider is located within the storage space and extends between the front panel and the rear panel and divides the storage space into storage space sections. A spring operated mechanism engages the divider to selectively maintain the divider in place in the storage space and allows for the position of the divider to be adjusted between the first side panel and the second side panel, whereby the dimensions of the storage space sections can be adjusted.

Abstract: A rack-and-pinion mechanism includes a first rack and a second rack, a first pinion and a second pinion, and a timing bar. Each of the racks includes a first set of teeth provided longitudinally therealong. Each of the first pinion and the second pinion includes a second set of teeth provided circumferentially therearound. The first pinion and the second pinion are configured to rotate along the first rack and the second rack respectively through engagement of the second set of teeth with the first set of teeth. The timing bar includes a first end and a second end. The first end and the second end are configured to be coupled to the first pinion and the second pinion respectively so that the first and second pinions rotate as one. The first pinion is configured to be movable with respect to the timing bar along a longitudinal axis of the timing bar.

Abstract: An assembly comprising a storage receptacle includes a front panel, a rear panel, a first side panel joining the front panel to the rear panel and a second side panel joining the front panel to the rear panel. The front panel, the rear panel and the first and second side panels define a storage space within the confines of the front panel, the rear panel and the first and second side panels. A divider is located within the storage space and extends between the front panel and the rear panel and divides the storage space into storage space sections. A spring operated mechanism engages the divider to selectively maintain the divider in place in the storage space and allows for the position of the divider to be adjusted between the first side panel and the second side panel, whereby the dimensions of the storage space sections can be adjusted.

Abstract: A rack-and-pinion mechanism includes a first rack and a second rack, a first pinion and a second pinion, and a timing bar. Each of the racks includes a first set of teeth provided longitudinally therealong. Each of the first pinion and the second pinion includes a second set of teeth provided circumferentially therearound. The first pinion and the second pinion are configured to rotate along the first rack and the second rack respectively through engagement of the second set of teeth with the first set of teeth. The timing bar includes a first end and a second end. The first end and the second end are configured to be coupled to the first pinion and the second pinion respectively so that the first and second pinions rotate as one. The first pinion is configured to be movable with respect to the timing bar along a longitudinal axis of the timing bar.

Abstract: An assembly comprising a storage receptacle includes a front panel, a rear panel, a first side panel joining the front panel to the rear panel and a second side panel joining the front panel to the rear panel. The front panel, the rear panel and the first and second side panels define a storage space within the confines of the front panel, the rear panel and the first and second side panels. A divider is located within the storage space and extends between the front panel and the rear panel and divides the storage space into storage space sections. A spring operated mechanism engages the divider to selectively maintain the divider in place in the storage space and allows for the position of the divider to be adjusted between the first side panel and the second side panel, whereby the dimensions of the storage space sections can be adjusted.

Abstract: The invention provides a viral self-inactivating (SIN) vector on the basis of the avian sarcoma leukosis virus (ASLV) as well as a split-packaging system comprising in addition to the SIN vector a first helper plasmid serving for the expression of the viral fusion protein gag-pol and a second helper plasmid serving for the expression of the retroviral envelope protein (env). The first and second helper plasmid, for example contained in a packaging cell line or transiently transfected, serve for the generation of non-replicating (RCR-incompetent) viral particles containing RNA having a SIN LTR according to the invention at the 3? terminus, wherein the RNA can have a therapeutically effective section which e.g. is denoted a transgene. This 3? SIN LTR contains an extensive deletion of the U3 region which in the course of the reverse transcription is copied into the 5? LTR. In addition, in the SIN vector all coding regions of ASLV as well as the retroviral splice donor site are removed.

Abstract: The invention provides a viral self-inactivating (SIN) vector on the basis of the avian sarcoma leukosis virus (ASLV) as well as a split-packaging system comprising in addition to the SIN vector a first helper plasmid serving for the expression of the viral fusion protein gag-pol and a second helper plasmid serving for the expression of the retroviral envelope protein (env). The first and second helper plasmid, for example contained in a packaging cell line or transiently transfected, serve for the generation of non-replicating (RCR-incompetent) viral particles containing RNA having a SIN LTR according to the invention at the 3? terminus, wherein the RNA can have a therapeutically effective section which e.g. is denoted a transgene. This 3? SIN LTR contains an extensive deletion of the U3 region which in the course of the reverse transcription is copied into the 5? LTR. In addition, in the SIN vector all coding regions of ASLV as well as the retroviral splice donor site are removed.

Abstract: The invention relates to retroviral vectors, especially to self-inactivating (SIN) gammaretroviral or lentiviral vectors, suitable for producing viral particles at high titers, which can be used for efficient gene transfer into mammalian cells, organs or organisms, e.g. for gene therapy. More specifically, the present invention provides modified 5?-promoter elements in the U3-region of the 5?-LTR of the vector plasmid and 3?-SIN elements modified in the U3-region of the 3?-LTR of the vector plasmid suitable for being comprised in retroviral vectors. It is a specific advantage of both the modified 5?-promoter element and of the modified 3?-SIN element, which are preferably contained in retroviral vectors in combination with one another, to increase both the titer of viral particles as well as to increase the expression of a transgene in recipient cells, which transgene is arranged between the modified LTRs according to the invention.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is retroviral gene transfer vectors in which foreign sequences are introduced between the retroviral primer binding site (PBS) and the retroviral splice donor (SD). The efficiency of gene expression is improved by this modification, and the vectors are characterized by an increased reliability during use.

Abstract: A method for determining the anti-reflective coating (or bottom anti-reflective coating) over-etch time adjust with real-time process feedback is presented. The critical dimension CDresist of the patterned photoresist is measured and a first wafer with median values chosen (101) from a lot. A first time t* is found (102) and used to form the desired structure. Using the measured critical dimension of the formed structure on the first wafer a second time tlot is found (104). Finally, an over-etch time t(x) is found and used to etch the remaining wafers in the lot (106).

Abstract: The invention relates to novel retroviral gene transfer vectors, preferably expression vectors, which, because of a reduced content of viral genes, are distinguished by a higher safety standard and an expression of non-viral nucleotide sequences in higher amounts.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is retroviral gene transfer vectors in which foreign sequences are introduced between the retroviral primer binding site (PBS) and the retroviral splice donor (SD). The efficiency of gene expression is improved by this modification, and the vectors are characterized by an increased reliability during use.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel retroviral gene transfer vectors, preferably expression vectors, which, because of a reduced content of viral genes, are distinguished by a higher safety standard and an expression of non-viral nucleotide sequences in higher amounts.

Abstract: Replication-defective retroviral vector hybrids which are characterized in that they contain a) the U5 region and/or tRNA primer binding site of MESV as the U5 region and/or tRNA primer binding site in the leader region and b) the U3 and R regions from a Friend murine leukaemia virus (F-MuLV) as the U3 and R regions in the 3'-LTR and which are particularly suitable for an effective gene transfer in haematopoietic stem cells.