Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the repopulation of organs and tissues, such as the liver, using modified cells that express a transcription coactivation factor-ligand binding domain fusion protein, such as a YAP-ERT2 fusion protein. Also provided are compositions, including nucleic acid molecules that encode a YAP-ERT2 fusion protein, YAP-ERT2 fusion polypeptides, and cells containing nucleic acid molecules that encode a YAP-ERT2 fusion protein.

Abstract: A purified form of a DNA virus which has the following characteristics: molecular weight greater than 2.times.10.sup.6 Daltons; substantial immunoreactivity towards an anti-HBsAg monoclonal antibody obtained from cell line ATCC HB 8058; substantially no immunoreactivity towards an anti-HBsAg monoclonal antibody obtained from cell line ATCC CRL 8018; concentration dependent immunoreactivity towards polyclonal IgG anti-HBsAg antibodies, which increases with increased concentration of said DNA virus; discrete particulate form when observed by immunoelectron microscopy in the presence of IgM antibodies from cell line ATCC HB 8058; the DNA of said virus showing hybridization with DNA from hepatitis B viral DNA; and said DNA virus showing, in chimpanzees, infectivity having the characteristics of non A, non B hepatitis.

Abstract: A selective method of suppressing the growth of cells which express a viral antigen on the surface thereof, which comprises administering to the cells a growth suppressing amount of a monoclonal antibody against said viral antigen, especially a method of suppressing the growth of hepatocytes or hepatoma cells persistently infected with HBsAg which comprises administering to the cells a growth suppressing or lethal amount of a complement fixing monoclonal IgM or IgG.sub.2a antibody against HBsAg.

Abstract: A method and test kit are disclosed for detecting the presence of hepatitis B virus in a test specimen containing at least a portion of the DNA of the virus. A test reagent comprises cloned hepatitis B virus-DNA that has been repurified by treatment with a restriction enzyme and labelled to high specific activity with a radioactive label. The sample to be tested is fixed to a solid matrix, incubated in the presence of the test reagent under hybridization conditions and detected by hybridization to the labelled DNA probe. The uncombined HBV-DNA (labelled) is removed from the substrate, and the hybridized HBV-DNA determined by scintillation counting or by autoradiography of the substrate.