Abstract: The invention provides novel genetic constructions for the expression of inhibitory RNA in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. The inhibitory RNA may be an anti-sense RNA or a co-suppressor RNA, and functions to reduce the expression of a gene of interest in the target cell. The genetic constructions of the invention are capable of replicating in the cytoplasm of a eukaryotic cell and comprise a promoter region in functional combination with an encoding polynucleotide. The genetic constructions may be designed so as to replicate in the cytoplasm of plant cells, yeast cells, and mammalian cells. When the eukaryotic cell of interest is a plant cell, the genetic construction is preferably derived from a plant RNA virus. Plant RNA virus derived genetic constructions may employ a plant virus subgenomic promoter, including subgenomic promoters from tobamoviruses in functional combination with the RNA encoding region.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for rapidly determining the function of nucleic acid sequences by transfecting the same into a host organism to effect expression. Phenotypic and biochemical changes produced thereby are then analyzed to ascertain the function of the nucleic acids which have been transfected into the host organism. The invention also provides methods for silencing endogenous genes by transfecting hosts with nucleic acid sequences to effect expression of the same. The present invention also provides methods for selecting desired functions of RNAs and proteins by the use of virus vectors to express libraries of nucleic acid sequence variants. Moreover, the present invention provides methods for inhibiting an endogenous protease of a plant host.

Abstract: The isolation and characterization of multiple viruses from a sample is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for rapidly determining the function of nucleic acid sequences by transfecting the same into a host organism to effect expression. Phenotypic and biochemical changes produced thereby are then analyzed to ascertain the function of the nucleic acids which have been transfected into the host organism. The invention also provides methods for silencing endogenous genes by transfecting hosts with nucleic acid sequences to effect expression of the same. The present invention also provides methods for selecting desired functions of RNAs and proteins by the use of virus vectors to express libraries of nucleic acid sequence variants. Moreover, the present invention provides methods for inhibiting an endogenous protease of a plant host.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for producing melanins, their precursors and their analoges, hereinafter referred to generically as melanins. According to the invention, melanins are produced in amounts greater than about 3.3 grams wet weight per liter of growth medium. The enhanced production of melanin can be achieved by manipulating the constituents of the growth medium, and/or attenuating fermentations conditions, and/or by genetically engineering microorganisms to produce melanins, and/or mutating the microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for producing melanins, their precursors and their analoges, hereinafter referred to generically as melanins. According to the invention, melanins are produced in amounts greater than about 3.3 grams wet weight per liter of growth medium. The enhanced production of melanin can be achieved by manipulating the constituents of the growth medium, and/or attenuating fermentations conditions, and/or by genetically engineering microorganisms to produce melanins, and/or mutating the microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for producing melanins, their precursors and their analogues, hereinafter referred to generically as melanins. According to the invention, melanins are produced in amounts greater than about 3.3 grams wet weight per liter of growth medium. The enhanced production of melanin can be achieved by manipulating the constituents of the growth medium, and/or attenuating fermentations conditions, and/or by genetically engineering microorganisms to produce melanins, and/or mutating the microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a fusion enzyme of tyrosinase and a tyrosinase activator protein. Further, the present invention also relates to the amino acid sequence which is encoded by the nucleic acid sequence of the fusion enzyme. The fusion enzyme may also include a linker positioned between the amino acid sequences of the tyrosinase and the tyrosinase activator protein. Still further, the present invention also relates to a vector useful for introducing the nucleic acid sequence encoding the fusion enzyme into an organism. Still further, the present invention relates to melanins made by the fusion enzyme and a method for making melanins using the fusion enzyme.