Abstract: The present invention is directed toward nucleic-acid based methodologies for the detection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) nucleic acids in a sample. A novel HIV-1 isolate, designated MVP5180/91, was isolated from a West African Cameroonian patient with immunodeficiency. Nucleic acid and amino acid sequence comparisons of this isolate, with other HIV-1 strains of subtypes A-E and HIV-2 isolates, demonstrated that this virus shares only limited homology with other known HIV-1 and -2 isolates. However, this virus does display some genetic relatedness to another Cameroonian isolate designated ANT-70. These viruses form the basis for a new HIV-1 group which has been designated subtype O. An immunologically important epitope, corresponding to amino acids 601-623 of the MVP5180/91 transmembrane envelope glycoprotein, was identified. Labeled nucleic acids can be prepared from the nucleotide sequence encoding this region and employed in standard hybridization assays to detect HIV-1 nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of toxoplasma gondii antigens and the preparation thereof by genetic engineering. A cDNA expression gene bank of this parasite was prepared. Recombinant clones which are of diagnostic interest were identified using a high-titer rabbit anti-Toxoplasma gondii serum, and isolated.

Abstract: A novel immunodeficiency virus is disclosed which has the designation MVP-5180/91 and which has been deposited with the European Collection of Animal Cell Cultures (ECACC) under No. V 920 92 318. The characteristic antigens which can be obtained from it and which can be employed for detecting antibodies against retroviruses which are associated with immuno-deficiency diseases are also disclosed, as are the DNA and amino acid sequences of the virus.

Abstract: Immunologically active peptides which are derived from a novel immunodeficiency virus which has the designation MVP5180/91 are described. A diagnostic composition containing such a peptide and methods of detecting an antibody against a retrovirus that causes immune deficiency using such diagnostic composition are also described. A kit containing the immunologically active peptides is also described. An immunogen and method of immunizing a mammal against HIV infection using the immunologically active peptides is described. DNA encoding the peptides and methods of detecting nucleic acids encoding HIV viruses are also described.

Abstract: A novel immunodeficiency virus is disclosed which has the designation MVP-2901/94 and which has been deposited with the European Collection of Animal Cell Cultures (ECACC) under No. V 95012601. The characteristic antigens which can be obtained from the virus and which can be employed for detecting antibodies against retroviruses which are associated with immunodeficiency diseases are also disclosed, as are the partial DNA and amino acid sequences of the virus.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an immunochemical method for qualitatively or quantitatively detecting an analyte in which a first and a second binding component are contacted with the analyte, followed by detection of the binding of the binding components to the analyte. According to the invention, both of the binding components are prepared recombinantly in the same host using different vectors (V1 and V2) for expressing fusion proteins, with the first binding component being expressed as a fusion protein F1 in vector V1 and the second binding component being expressed as a fusion protein F2 in vector V2. The novel method, which can also be employed for simultaneously determining several analytes, is more sensitive and specific than prior known methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of Toxoplasma gondii antigens and the preparation thereof by genetic engineering. A cDNA expression gene bank of this parasite was prepared. Recombinant clones which are of diagnostic interest were identified using a high-titer rabbit anti-Toxoplasma gondii serum, and isolated.

Abstract: A novel immunodeficiency virus is disclosed which has the designation MVP-5180/91 (SEQ ID NO:56) and which has been deposited with the European Collection of Animal Cell Cultures (ECACC) under No. V 920 92 318. The characteristic antigens which can be obtained from it and which can be employed for detecting antibodies against retroviruses which are associated with immuno-deficiency diseases are also disclosed, as are the DNA and amino acid sequences of the virus.

Abstract: Immunologically active peptides which are derived from a novel immunodeficiency virus which has the designation MVP5180/91 are described. A diagnostic composition containing such a peptide and methods of detecting an antibody against a retrovirus that causes immune deficiency using such diagnostic composition are also described. A kit containing the immunologically active peptides is also described. An immunogen and method of immunizing a mammal against HIV infection using the immunologically active peptides is described. DNA encoding the peptides and methods of detecting nucleic acids encoding HIV viruses are also described.

Abstract: A novel HIV type O immunodeficiency virus is disclosed which has the designation MVP-2901/94 and which has been deposited with the European Collection of Animal Cell Cultures (ECACC) under No. V 95012601. The characteristic antigens which can be obtained from the virus and which can be employed for detecting antibodies against retroviruses which are associated with immunodeficiency diseases are also disclosed, as are the partial DNA and amino acid sequences of the virus.

Abstract: A novel immunodeficiency virus is disclosed which has the designation MVP-5180/91 (SEQ ID NO:56) and which has been deposited with the European Collection of Animal Cell Cultures (ECACC) under No. V 920 92 318. The characteristic antigens which can be obtained from it and which can be employed for detecting antibodies against retroviruses which are associated with immunodeficiency diseases are also disclosed, as are the DNA and amino acid sequences of the virus.

Abstract: A novel immunodeficiency virus is disclosed which has the designation MVP-5180/91 (SEQ ID NO:56) and which has been deposited with the European Collection of Animal Cell Cultures (ECACC) under No. V 920 92 318. The characteristic antigens which can be obtained from it and which can be employed for detecting antibodies against retroviruses which are associated with immunodeficiency diseases are also disclosed, as are the DNA and amino acid sequences of the virus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nucleic acid encoding a signal peptide from Bordetella pertussis, a recombinant molecule comprising the signal peptide, and processes for optimizing protein expression in Gram-negative bacteria employing the nucleic acid or signal peptide.

Abstract: An electromagnetically actuated valve comprising an annular-shaped solenoid coil arranged in a housing and surrounding an axially reciprocal magnet armature of metallic material is disclosed. The magnet armature is provided on a front end with an elastomeric sealing member facing a valve seat made of elastomeric material. The magnet armature and the sealing member are joined together via form locking.

Abstract: A device for feeding the vapors present in the free space of a fuel tank into the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine wherein the free space and the intake manifold are connected by a line in which an activated carbon container and a stop valve are connected in series, the activated carbon container being connected with the atmosphere by a vent line and the vent line can be closed by a vent line valve. The device further comprises an excess pressure valve and/or a vacuum valve which may be in the same housing as the vent line valve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new signal peptide from Bordetella pertussis with the amino acid sequence M K K W F V A A G I G A G L L M L S S A A and to particularly suitable expression vectors with whose aid such signal sequences can be found and/or evaluated.