Abstract: The present invention provides a scaffold in which cells can be stably retained and grafted in a uniform distribution state in the culture, preferable proliferation ability and viability can be secured, and particularly in the case of cartilage, fixation treatment such as suture can be carried out in the transplantation into affected parts after the culture, and the mechanical strength is provided sustainable for (weighted) compression at the initial stage of transplantation. The present invention relates to a 3-dimensional porous scaffold for tissue regeneration which comprises a structure composed of vertically long-shaped pores having a pore diameter of not less than 10 ?m to not more than 500 ?m and pore length of not less than 20 ?m to not more than 1 cm being juxtaposedly arranged obtained by a production process comprising rapid freeze-drying as a key technology.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing polyesters resulting from homopolymerization or copolymerization of a 3-hydroxyalkanoic acid(s) and having biodegradability and good physical properties using yeasts as hosts. By constructing at least one enzyme gene involved in polyester synthesis by adding a DNA coding a peroxisome-targeting signal, introducing an enzyme gene expression cassette containing that gene into yeast, and cultivating the thus-obtained transformant, it becomes possible to cause accumulation of a polyester resulting from homopolymerization or copolymerization of a 3-hydroxyalkanoic acid(s) in yeast cells and recover the polyester from the culture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gene coding for a copolyester-synthesizing enzyme, a microorganism which utilizes the gene for the fermentative synthesis of a polyester, and a method of producing a polyester with the aid of the microorganism. More particularly, the present invention relates to a gene which functions in a host organism and, by an enzyme, synthesizes a plastic-like polymer degradable under the action of microorganisms in the natural environment (the soil, river or sea). The present invention also, more particularly, relates to a transformant derived from the host organism by transformation with the gene and having an improved ability to fermentatively synthesize a plastic-like polymer, and a method of producing a copolyester with the aid of the transformant.

Abstract: The invention provides a yeast in which a specific gene alone has been disrupted and to which auxotrophy is impared to construct a system for producing an industrially useful substance through gene recombination by utilizing characteristics of a yeast. In the practice of the invention, a yeast strain in which ADE1 gene has been disrupted is constructed by homologous recombination with a chromosomal DNA by using an ADE1 gene fragment encoding phosphoribosylaminoimidazole succinocarboxamide synthase (EC6.3.2.6) of Candida maltosa. In the practice of the invention, then, this disrupted strain is transformed by a gene expression cassette containing a biodegradable polyester synthase gene and the obtained transformant is cultured to thereby produce biodegradable polyester.

Abstract: The present invention provides a scaffold in which cells can be stably retained and grafted in a uniform distribution state in the culture, preferable proliferation ability and viability can be secured, and particularly in the case of cartilage, fixation treatment such as suture can be carried out in the transplantation into affected parts after the culture, and the mechanical strength is provided sustainable for (weighted) compression at the initial stage of transplantation. The present invention relates to a 3-dimensional porous scaffold for tissue regeneration which comprises a structure composed of vertically long-shaped pores having a pore diameter of not less than 10 ?m to not more than 500 ?m and pore length of not less than 20 ?m to not more than 1 cm being juxtaposedly arranged obtained by a production process comprising rapid freeze-drying as a key technology.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gene coding for a copolyester-synthesizing enzyme, a microorganism which utilizes said gene for the fermentative synthesis of a polyester, and a method of producing a polyester with the aid of said microorganism. More particularly, the present invention relates to a gene which functions in a host organism and is related to synthesize, by an enzyme, a plastic-like polymer degradable under the action of microorganisms in the natural environment (the soil, river or sea), a transformant derived from said host organism by transformation with said gene and having an improved ability to fermentatively synthesize a plastic-like polymer, and a method of producing a copolyester with the aid of said transformant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inducing immunosuppressive cells by cultivating human cells with the use of a culture device having an affinity for protein and the culture device to be used therefor. According to the present invention, immunosuppressive cells can be efficiently induced by using a solid culture and can provide an efficient therapeutic system for diseases caused by hypersensitivity of the immune system with less side effect.

Abstract: An organic EL device having a light emitting element including a first electrode (2), a second electrode (4) of transparent conductive film, and a light emitting organic material layer (9) formed between said first electrode (2) and said second electrode (4), wherein said transparent conductive film is made of a metal oxide deficient in oxygen as compared with stoichiometric composition. Since the transparent conductive film (4) directly in contact with the light emitting organic material layer (9) over a wide area is made of the metal oxide deficient in oxygen as compared with stoichiometric composition, the transparent conductive film can absorb moisture and oxygen which may possibly absorbed by the light emitting organic material layer so that the light emitting organic material layer is prevented from deteriorating, and the long emission lifetime of the element can be ensured.

Abstract: The present invention has for its object to provide a method of inducing an antigen-specific anticytotoxic cell which can be utilized in constructing effective and side effect-free therapeutic systems for diseases accompanied by an abnormal activation of the immune system with high expediency and high efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inducing immunosuppressive cells by cultivating human cells with the use of a culture device having an affinity for protein and the culture device to be used therefor. According to the present invention, immunosuppressive cells can be efficiently induced by using a solid culture and can provide an efficient therapeutic system for diseases caused by hypersensitivity of the immune system with less side effect.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inducing immunosuppressive cells by cultivating human cells with the use of a culture device having an affinity for protein and the culture device to be used therefor. According to the present invention, immunosuppressive cells can be efficiently induced by using a solid culture and can provide an efficient therapeutic system for diseases caused by hypersensitivity of the immune system with less side effect.

Abstract: A sheep LFA-3 protein and derivertires thereof, and derivertives of a human LFA-3 protein, gene coding for the proteins, and processes for preparing the proteins. Said proteins have high affinity for human T-cells.