Abstract: There are provided hyperthermostable proteases having an amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID Nos. 1, 3 and 5 of the Sequence Listing or functional equivalents thereof and hyperthermostable protease genes encoding those hyperthermostable protease. There is also disclosed a process for preparation of a hyperthermostable protease by culturing a transformant containing the gene.

Abstract: A method of retrovirus storage, characterized in that a retrovirus is sustained in the presence of a substance with retrovirus binding activity immobilized on a solid phase. Further, there is provided a retrovirus composition characterized in that a retrovirus in the form of binding to a substance with retrovirus binding activity is sealed in a container holding a solid phase having the substance with retrovirus binding activity immobilized thereon.

Abstract: A promoter, an intron and a terminator by which a useful foreign gene can be efficiently expressed in algae and which are thus useful in breeding algae using genetic engineering techniques.

Abstract: A polypeptide represented by SEQ. ID No. 13, a polypeptide represented by SEQ. ID No. 30 or functional equivalents thereof and a polypeptide represented by SEQ. ID No. 17.

Abstract: Polypeptides having an RNase H activity highly useful in genetic engineering; genes encoding these polypeptides; and a process for genetic engineeringly producing these polypeptides.

Abstract: Improved methods for transferring a gene into target cells by using a retrovirus, wherein the gene transfer efficiency is improved and the target cells are efficiently transformed by binding the retrovirus to a functional substance which is immobilized on as carrier and having an activity of binding to retroviruses followed by washing; using an antibody capable of specifically recognizing cells, laminin or mannose-rich type sugar chain as a substance having an activity of binding to the target cells; pre-treating the target cells so as to inactivate transferring receptor, or introducing a new functional group into the functional substance.

Abstract: There are provided hyperthermostable proteases having an amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID Nos. 1, 3 and 5 of the Sequence Listing or functional equivalents thereof and hyperthermostable protease genes encoding those hyperthermostable protease. There is also disclosed a process for preparation of a hyperthermostable protease by culturing a transformant containing the gene.

Abstract: In the case where a template nucleic acid has sequences substantially the same as each other, a primer is designed in a region between these sequences so as to give a product in a ladder structure in which a target region is polymerized in a single sequence via the same sequences in the ICAN reaction. By using a chimeric oligonucleotide primer and a ladder-forming oligonucleotide primer containing a specific base sequence, an amplification product having a ladder structure can be positively formed and thus the sensitivity, amplification efficiency and reaction speed in the ICAN reaction can be elevated.

Abstract: A hyperthermostable protease having the amino acid sequence represented by the SEQ ID NO:1 of the Sequence Listing or a sequence derived therefrom by deletion, substitution, insertion or addition of one to several amino acid residues, a gene encoding the hyperthermostable protease, and a process for preparing the protease, aiming at providing by genetic engineering techniques a hyperthermophile protease which is advantageous for industrial use.

Abstract: Isolated DNAs which are DNAs having a base sequence represented by any of SEQ ID NOS:1 to 6 in Sequence Listing or fragments thereof and showing a stationary phase-specific promoter activity in gram positive bacteria.

Abstract: Isolated DNAs which are DNAs having a base sequence represented by any of SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 6 in Sequence Listing or fragments thereof and showing a stationary phase-specific promoter activity in Gram-positive bacteria.

Abstract: A promoter, an intron and a terminator by which a useful foreign gene can be efficiently expressed in algae and which are thus useful in breeding algae using genetic engineering techniques.

Abstract: Gene therapeutics to be used in treating diseases showing sensitivity to gene therapy, characterized by containing as the active ingredient an efficacious amount of a functional substance which has a function of having an affinity for a virus containing a gene usable in the gene therapy and another function of having an affinity specific for a target cell with a need for the gene transfer, or an efficacious amount of a functional substance which has an affinity for the above virus and an efficacious amount of another functional substance which has an affinity specific for the above cell.

Abstract: A polypeptide represented by SEQ. ID No. 13, a polypeptide represented by SEQ. ID No. 30 or functional equivalents thereof and a polypeptide represented by SEQ. ID No. 17.

Abstract: A method of transferring a foreign gene into cells, characterized by involving: the step of transferring into the cells with the use of an adenovirus vector, a first nucleic acid, which has a sequence provided with adeno-associated virus-origin ITRs in both sides of the target foreign gene to be transferred, and a second nucleic acid, which has an adeno-associated virus-origin rep gene and a promoter for expressing this gene and carries a stuffer sequence inserted thereinto sandwiched in two recombinase recognition sequences and located between the rep gene and the promoter; and the step of expressing the Rep protein under the action of recombinase in the cells obtained in the above step to thereby integrate the target foreign gene into the chromosomal DNA.

Abstract: A convenient and effective method for amplifying a nucleic acid sequence characterized by effecting a DNA synthesis reaction in the presence of chimeric oligonucleotide primers; a method for supplying a large amount of DNA amplification fragments; an effective method for amplifying a nucleic acid sequence by combining the above method with another nucleic acid sequence amplification method; a method for detecting a nucleic acid sequence for detecting or quantitating a microorganism such as a virus, a bacterium, a fungus or a yeast; and a method for detecting a DNA amplification fragment obtained by the above method in situ.

Abstract: A support for ligand immobilization coated with a polyanion which has been activated beforehand.

Abstract: A method for purifying a microbead having an immobilized nucleic acid, a kit for the method, a microbead array which is an array of microbeads each having an immobilized nucleic acid, and a kit for preparing the microbead array.

Abstract: A convenient and effective method for amplifying a nucleic acid sequence characterized by effecting a DNA synthesis reaction in the presence of chimeric oligonucleotide primers; a method for supplying a large amount of DNA amplification fragments; an effective method for amplifying a nucleic acid sequence by combining the above method with another nucleic acid sequence amplification method; a method for detecting a nucleic acid sequence for detecting or quantitating a microorganism such as a virus, a bacterium, a fungus or a yeast; and a method for detecting a DNA amplification fragment obtained by the above method in situ.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for increasing the efficiency of gene transfer into target cells with a retrovirus. The transduction is affected by infecting target cells with a retrovirus in the presence of a mixture of a functional material having a retrovirus binding domain, and a second functional material having target cell binding domain. The target cells may be selected from the group of unintentional hematopoietic progenitor cells and erythrocyte precursor, specifically pluripotent stem cells or embryopalstic stem cells.