Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of selection of purified nucleotidic sequences or polynucleotides encoding proteins or part of proteins carrying at least an essential function for the survival or the virulence of mycobacterium species by a comparative genomic analysis of the sequence of the genome of M. tuberculosis aligned on the genome sequence of M. leprae and M. tuberculosis and M. leprae marker polypeptides of nucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods for using the nucleotides and the encoded polypeptides are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of lymphadenopathy virus, which has been designated Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) to detect the presence of DNA, RNA or antibodies of the lymphadenopathy retrovirus associated with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome or of the lymphadenopathy syndrome by the use of DNA fragments or the peptides encoded by said DNA fragments. The invention further relates tot he DNA fragments, vectors comprising them and the proteins expressed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pknB kinase and a pstP phosphatase as well as their use for identifying antibacterial substances.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of lymphadenopathy virus, which has been designated Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1). This invention relates to a diagnostic means and method to detect the presence of DNA, RNA or antibodies of the lymphadenopathy retrovirus associated with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome or of the lymphadenopathy syndrome by the use of DNA fragments or the peptides encoded by said DNA fragments. The invention further relates to the DNA fragments, vectors comprising them and the proteins expressed.

Abstract: A method for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis involves contacting a biological sample with the product of expression of at least one ORF contained in a polynucleotide present in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and absent in Mycabacterium bovis BCG; and detecting whether an immunological complex is formed between the product thereof and antibodies contained in the biological sample, wherein the presence of a complex indicates an infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Abstract: A genetically modified strain of M. tuberculosis or Mycobacterium bovis BCG is provided, wherein the genetically modified strain comprises at least one modified sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, or both, having at least one mutation at T2, Q4, F8, A14, L28, L29, W43, G45, Q55, Q56, N66, M83, V90, M93, or F94. In a preferred embodiment, the mutation is at least one of T2H, Q4L, F8I, A14R, L28A, L29S, W43R, G45T, Y51, Q55I, Q56A, N66I, N66A, M83I, V90R, M93T, or F94Q. Similarly, the genetically modified strain may also secrete ESAT-6 with a a histidine tag, tetra-cysteine tag or FLAG-tag, a GFP-fusion, or a short truncation at the C-terminal end of less than 20 amino acids.

Abstract: A method for isolating a polynucleotide of interest that is present in the genome of a first mycobacterium strain and/or is expressed by the first mycobacterium strain, where the polynucleotide of interest is also absent or altered in the genome of a second mycobacterium strain and/or is not expressed in the second mycobacterium. The method includes (a) contacting the genomic DNA of the first mycobacterium strain under hybridizing conditions with the DNA of a least one clone that belongs to a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) genomic DNA library of the second mycobacterium strain, and (b) isolating the polynucleotide of interest that does not form a hybrid with the DNA of the second mycobacterium strain. This invention further pertains to a Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain H37Rv genomic DNA library, as well as a Mycobacterium bovis BCG strain Pasteur genomic DNA library, and the recombinant BAC vectors that belong to those genomic DNA libraries.

Abstract: The invention concerns DNA fragments derived from the genomic DNA of HPV-33. These fragments are selected from the group of fragments extending between the nucleotide extremities defined hereafter in relation to the nucleotide-numbering in FIGS. 1a and 1b respectively: 76–556 543–864 867–2811 2728–3808 3326–3575 3842–4079 4198–5611 5516–8091. The invention also relates to the use of these fragments as probes for the detection of HPV in tissue cultures.

Abstract: The present invention is the identification of a nucleotide sequence which make it possible in particular to distinguish an infection resulting from the vast majority of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains from an infection resulting from Mycobacterium africanum, Mycobacterium canetti, Mycobacterium microti, Mycobacterium bovis, Mycobacterium bovis BCG. The subject of the present invention is also a method for detecting the sequences in question by the products of expression of these sequences and the kits for carrying out these methods. Finally, the subject of the present invention is novel vaccines.

Abstract: A method for isolating a polynucleotide of interest that is present in the genome of and/or expressed by a first mycobacterium strain that is also absent or altered in the genome of and/or not expressed by a second mycobacterium strain. The method includes contacting the genomic DNA of the first strain under hybridizing conditions with the DNA of at least one clone belonging to a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) genomic DNA library of the second strain and isolating the polynucleotide of interest that does not hybridize with the DNA of the second strain. This invention further pertains to a Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain H37Rv genomic DNA library, a Mycobacterium bovis BCG strain Pasteur genomic DNA library, and the recombinant BAC vectors belonging to those genomic DNA libraries. This invention also relates to mycobacterial nucleic acids, and methods and kits for using these nucleic acids to detect mycobacteria in a biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Mycobacterium ulcerans virulence plasmid, pMUM001 and particularly to a cluster of genes carried by this plasmid that encode polyketide synthases (PKSs) and polyketide-modifying enzymes necessary and sufficient for mycolactone biosynthesis. More particularly this invention is directed to novel purified or isolated polypeptides, the polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides, processes for production of such polypeptides, antibodies generated against these polypeptides, the use of such polynucleotides and polypeptides in Diagnostic methods, kits, vaccines, therapy and for the production of mycolactone derivatives or novel polyketides by combinatorial synthesis.

Abstract: A method for isolating a polynucleotide of interest that is present in the genome of a first mycobacterium strain and/or is expressed by the first mycobacterium strain, where the polynucleotide of interest is also absent or altered in the genome of a second mycobacterium strain and/or is not expressed in the second mycobacterium. The method includes (a) contacting the genomic DNA of the first mycobacterium strain under hybridizing conditions with the DNA of a least one clone that belongs to a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) genomic DNA library of the second mycobacterium strain, and (b) isolating the polynucleotide of interest that does not form a hybrid with the DNA of the second mycobacterium strain. This invention further pertains to a Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain H37Rv genomic DNA library, as well as a Mycobacterium bovis BCG strain Pasteur genomic DNA library, and the recombinant BAC vectors that belong to those genomic DNA libraries.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pknB kinase and a pstP phosphatase as well as their use for identifying antibacterial substances.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is the identification of nucleotide and peptide sequences which make it possible in particular to distinguish, in diagnostic terms, an immunization resulting from a BCG vaccination from an M. tuberculosis infection. The sequences in question are specific either to M. bovis BCG/M. bovis, or to M. tuberculosis. The subject of the present invention is also a method for detecting the sequences in question, a method for detecting antibodies generated by the products of expression of these sequences and the kits for carrying out these methods. Finally, the subject of the present invention is novel vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for isolating a polynucleotide of interest that is present or is expressed in a genome of a first mycobacterium strain and that is absent or altered in a genome of a second mycobacterium strain which is different from the first mycobacterium strain using a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) vector. The invention further relates to a polynucleotide isolated by this method and recombinant BAC vector used in this method. In addition the present invention comprises method and kit for detecting the presence of a mycobacteria in a biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a strain of M. bovis BCG or M. microti, wherein said strain has integrated part or all of the RD1 region responsible for enhanced immunogenicity of the tubercle bacilli, especially the ESAT-6 and CFP-10 genes. These strains will be referred as the M bovis BCG::RDI or M. microti::RD1 strains and are useful as a new improved vaccine for preventing tuberculosis and as a therapeutical product enhancing the stimulation of the immune system for the treatment of bladder cancer. These strains are also useful for the expression and presentation of heterologous antigens and molecule that are of therapeutic or prophylactic interest.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of selection of purified nucleotidic sequences or polynucleotides encoding proteins or part of proteins carrying at least an essential function for the survival or the virulence of mycobacterium species by a comparative genomic analysis of the sequence of the genome of M. tuberculosis aligned on the genome sequence of M. leprae and M. tuberculosis and M. leprae marker polypeptides of nucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods for using the nucleotides and the encoded polypeptides are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns DNA fragments derived from the genomic DNA of HPV-33. These fragments are selected from the group of fragments extending between the nucleotide extremities defined hereafter in relation to the nucleotide-numbering in FIGS.

Abstract: A method for isolating a polynucleotide of interest that is present in the genome of a first mycobacterium strain and/or is expressed by the first mycobacterium strain, where the polynucleotide of interest is also absent or altered in the genome of a second mycobacterium strain and/or is not expressed in the second mycobacterium. The method includes (a) contacting the genomic DNA of the first mycobacterium strain under hybridizing conditions with the DNA of a least one clone that belongs to a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) genomic DNA library of the second mycobacterium strain, and (b) isolating the polynucleotide of interest that does not form a hybrid with the DNA of the second mycobacterium strain. This invention further pertains to a Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain H37Rv genomic DNA library, as well as a Mycobacterium bovis BCG strain Pasteur genomic DNA library, and the recombinant BAC vectors that belong to those genomic DNA libraries.

Abstract: A method for isolating a polynucleotide of interest that is present in the genome of a first mycobacterium strain and/or is expressed by the first mycobacterium strain, where the polynucleotide of interest is also absent or altered in the genome of a second mycobacterium strain and/or is not expressed in the second mycobacterium. The method includes (a) contacting the genomic DNA of the first mycobacterium strain under hybridizing conditions with the DNA of a least one clone that belongs to a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) genomic DNA library of the second mycobacterium strain, and (b) isolating the polynucleotide of interest that does not form a hybrid with the DNA of the second mycobacterium strain. This invention further pertains to a Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain H37Rv genomic DNA library, as well as a Mycobactetium bovis BCG strain Pasteur genomic DNA library, and the recombinant BAC vectors that belong to those genomic DNA libraries.