Abstract: Inducible gene expression systems and a method thereof. A first inducible gene expression system includes a first vector comprising at least one retroviral promoter and at least one factor to induce the retroviral promoter. At least one gene product is expressed in proportion to retroviral promoter induction. The method includes providing a first vector comprising at least one retroviral promoter and providing at least one factor corresponding to the retroviral promoter. The retroviral promoter is induced with the at least one factor. At least one protein is expressed based on the induction of the retroviral promoter. A second inducing expression system includes a first vector comprising at least one retroviral promoter, an inducer for the retroviral promoter, and at least one protein expressed in proportion to retroviral promoter induction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are fusion proteins, nucleotide sequences for creating them, and vectors containing the nucleotide sequences. The fusion proteins have a bovine herpesvirus protein linked to a biotherapeutic protein or reporter protein. They rapidly spread biotherapeutic or reporter protein throughout mammalian cells.

Abstract: A promoter/enhancer for a bovine MHC class I gene is incorporated in recombinant nucleotide sequences and vectors. In one form, the promoter/enhancer may be linked to a foreign gene for permitting expression of the foreign gene in a wide range of mammalian host cells.

Abstract: A test to diagnose the presence of Johne's disease is disclosed. In one aspect it involves using a DNA segment that will hybridize to M. paratuberculosis but not to other bacteria typically found in bovine feces. Another aspect of the invention is providing a process for breaking the cell wall of mycobacteria using dense beads in the presence of phenol.