Abstract: The subject invention relates to the identification of genes involved in the desaturation of polyunsaturated fatty acids at carbon 4 (i.e., “&Dgr;4-desaturase”). In particular, &Dgr;4-desaturase may be utilized, for example, in the conversion of adrenic acid to &ohgr;6-docosapentaenoic acid and in the conversion of &ohgr;3-docosapentaenoic acid to docosahexaenoic acid. The polyunsaturated fatty acids produced by use of the enzyme may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fatty acid &Dgr;5-desaturase able to catalyze the conversion of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid to arachidonic acid. Nucleic acid sequences encoding a &Dgr;5-desaturase, nucleic acid sequences which hybridize thereto, DNA constructs comprising a &Dgr;5-desaturase gene, and recombinant host microorganism or animal expressing increased levels of a &Dgr;5-desaturase are described. Methods for desaturating a fatty acid at the &Dgr;5 position and for producing arachidonic acid by expressing increased levels of a &Dgr;5 desaturase are disclosed. Fatty acids, and oils containing them, which have been desaturated by a &Dgr;5-desaturase produced by recombinant host microorganisms or animals are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions, infant formulas or dietary supplements containing fatty acids which have been desaturated by a &Dgr;5-desaturase produced by a recombinant host microorganism or animal also are described.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the identification of a gene involved in the desaturation of polyunsaturated fatty acids at carbon 5 (i.e., “human &Dgr;5-desaturase”) and to uses thereof. In particular, human &Dgr;5-desaturase may be utilized, for example, in the conversion of dihomo-&ggr;-linolenic acid (DGLA) to arachidonic acid (AA) and in the conversion of 20:4n−3 to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). AA or polyunsaturated fatty acids produced therefrom may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.

Abstract: A tool for placing an identifying mark on a semiconductor wafer has a bundle of optical fibers that can be illuminated in a pattern representing an identifying character. Light from the fibers is focused on a photoresist layer during wafer manufacture and a pattern of dots is etched into the wafer to represent the character. The dots are too small to be seen with the human eye but the character can be read by a human or by a machine. The character is etched as part of a conventional etch step in manufacturing the wafer and it is easily repeated as a series of manufacturing steps obscure the original mark.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the identification of genes involved in the desaturation of polyunsaturated fatty acids at carbon 4 (i.e., “&Dgr;4-desaturase”). In particular, &Dgr;4-desaturase may be utilized, for example, in the conversion of adrenic acid to &ohgr;6-docosapentaenoic acid and in the conversion of &ohgr;3-docosapentaenoic acid to docosahexaenoic acid. The polyunsaturated fatty acids produced by use of the enzyme may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the identification of several genes involved in the elongation of polyunsaturated acids (i.e., “elongases”) and to uses thereof. At least two of these genes are also involved in the elongation of monounsaturated fatty acids. In particular, elongase is utilized in the conversion of gamma linolenic acid (GLA) to dihomogamma linolenic acid (DGLA) and in the conversion of AA to adrenic acid (ADA), or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) to &ohgr;3-docosapentaenoic acid (DPA). DGLA may be utilized in the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as arachidonic acid (AA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), EPA, adrenic acid, &ohgr;6-docosapentaenoic acid or &ohgr;3-docosapentaenoic acid which may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.

Abstract: It has been discovered that certain phosphoinositides demonstrate antibacterial activity. Particularly, these phosphoinositides have been discovered to prevent the adhesion of H. influenzae onto the nasopharyngeal cells of mammals, and, in particular, humans. Phosphoinositides useful with the present invention have the following formula: wherein R1 and R2 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids having a carbon chain length of C6 to C20 and R1 and R2 can be the same or different; and R3 to R7 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen or a phosphate moiety with at least two of R3 to R7 being a phosphate moiety; and hydrates and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the identification of a gene involved in the desaturation of polyunsaturated fatty acids at carbon 5 (i.e., “human &Dgr;5-desaturase”) and to uses thereof. In particular, human &Dgr;5-desaturase may be utilized, for example, in the conversion of dihomo-&ggr;-linolenic acid (DGLA) to arachidonic acid (AA) and in the conversion of 20:4n-3 to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). AA or polyunsaturated fatty acids produced therefrom may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the identification of a gene involved in the desaturation of polyunsaturated fatty acids at carbon 5 (i.e., “human &Dgr;5-desaturase”) and to uses thereof. In particular, human &Dgr;5-desaturase may be utilized, for example, in the conversion of dihomo-&ggr;-linolenic acid (DGLA) to arachidonic acid (AA) and in the conversion of 20:4n-3 to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). AA or polyunsaturated fatty acids produced therefrom may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fatty acid desaturases able to catalyze the conversion of oleic acid to linoleic acid, linoleic acid to gamma-linolenic acid, or of alpha-linolenic acid to stearidonic acid. Nucleic acid sequences encoding desaturases, nucleic acid sequences which hybridize thereto, DNA constructs comprising a desaturase gene, and recombinant host microorganism or animal expressing increased levels of a desaturase are described. Methods for desaturating a fatty acid and for producing a desaturated fatty acid by expressing increased levels of a desaturase are disclosed. Fatty acids, and oils containing them, which have been desaturated by a desaturase produced by recombinant host microorganisms or animals are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions, infant formulas or dietary supplements containing fatty acids which have been desaturated by a desaturase produced by a recombinant host microorganism or animal also are described.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the identification of a gene involved in the elongation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (i.e., “elongase”) and to uses thereof. In particular, elongase is utilized in the conversion of gamma linolenic acid (GLA) to dihomogamma linolenic acid (DGLA) and in the conversion of 20:4n-3 to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). DGLA may be utilized in the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as arachidonic acid (AA) which may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.

Abstract: A tool for placing an identifying mark on a semiconductor wafer has a bundle of optical fibers that can be illuminated in a pattern representing an identifying character. Light from the fibers is focused on a photoresist layer during wafer manufacture and a pattern of dots is etched into the wafer to represent the character. The dots are too small to be seen with the human eye but the character can be read by a human or by a machine. The character is etched as part of a conventional etch step in manufacturing the wafer and it is easily repeated as a series of manufacturing steps obscure the original mark.

Abstract: A tool and method for placing an identifying mark on a semiconductor wafer has a bundle of optical fibers that can be illuminated in a pattern representing an identifying character. Light from the fibers is focused on a photoresist layer during wafer manufacture and a pattern of dots is etched into the wafer to represent the character. The dots are too small to be seen with the human eye but the character can be read by a human or by a machine. The character is etched as part of a conventional etch step in manufacturing the wafer and it is easily repeated as a series of manufacturing steps obscure the original mark.

Abstract: A process of forming a bond pad structure, with a roughened top surface topography, used to improve the bondability of a gold wire bond, to the underlying bond pad structure, has been developed. The process features the use of a tungsten mesh pattern, formed in an IMD layer, and located underlying the bond pad structure, while overlying, and contacting, an underlying upper level, metal interconnect structure. The use of a tungsten mesh pattern, in place of individual tungsten studs, results in the creation of isolated islands, of IMED, reducing the bonding force, experienced by the IMD shapes, during the subsequent gold wire bond procedure. In addition the tungsten mesh pattern is formed via partial filling of a mesh pattern opening, in the IMD layer, resulting in an indented, or notched top surface. This in turn allows a roughened top surface, for the overlying bond pad structure, to be created, resulting in improved bondability of the gold wire, to the roughened top surface of the bond pad structure.

Abstract: It has been discovered that certain phosphoinositides demonstrate antibacterial activity. Particularly, these phosphoinositides have been discovered to prevent the adhesion of H. influenzae onto the nasopharyngeal cells of mammals, and, in particular, humans.

Abstract: It has been discovered that certain phosphoinositides demonstrate antibacterial activity. Particularly, these phosphoinositides have been discovered to prevent the adhesion of H. influenzae onto the nasopharyngeal cells of mammals, and, in particular, humans. Phosphoinositides useful with the present invention have the following formula: wherein R1 and R2 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids having a carbon chain length of C6 to C20 and R1 and R2 can be the same or different; and R3 to R7 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen or a phosphate moiety with at least two of R3 to R7 being a phosphate moiety; and hydrates and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rice flour extract (RFE) which can be used in the prophylaxis and treatment of bacterial infections, particularly bacterial infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae and to a method of preparing and using such an antibacterial rice flour extract. The anti-Haemophilus influenzae rice flour extract of the present invention can be prepared from commercial food grade rice flours or non-commercial food grade rice flours.

Abstract: A method is adapted to form wire interconnect pads on integrated circuit devices and includes the steps of providing a semiconductor substrate having an aluminum-copper top metal layer, and a titanium nitride layer covering the aluminum-copper top metal layer, and a photoresist coating applied to the titanium nitride layer. The photoresist coating is partially exposed and partially developed to form openings for etching an array of submicron size holes. Etching through the titanium nitride layer to the aluminum-copper layer, by way of the partially developed photoresist, forms a rough textured surface profile in the array of cavities, with diameters of less than 0.3 um, etched in the aluminum copper layer. After stripping of the photoresist and depositing a passivation film, windows are formed delineating improved bond pads for wire bonding. The textured cavities increase the surface area of the bond pads and provide improved bondability for the 0.35 and 0.3 um IC devices.

Abstract: A micro-cleavage method for preparing a semiconductor specimen for examination by an optical or electron microscopic is disclosed. The method can be carried out by hand and thus no expensive equipment such as a polishing machine is necessary. In the method, at least two bird's beak marks are cut in a top surface of a silicon wafer that contains a target, i.e., a defect or a circuit to be examined. The bird's beak marks are formed by a wide scribe line and a narrow scribe line overlapped together. The wide scribe line of the bird's beak mark is used for visual alignment with the edge of a rigid substrate, while the fine scribe line is utilized for initiating a crack when a bending stress is applied on the bird's beak mark. The bird's beak mark can be made by using a laser cutter after a wafer slice which contains the target area is first cleaved by mechanical means such as a diamond knife.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fatty acid desaturases able to catalyze the conversion of oleic acid to linoleic acid, linoleic acid to gamma-linolenic acid, or of alpha-linolenic acid to stearidonic acid. Nucleic acid sequences encoding desaturases, nucleic acid sequences which hybridize thereto, DNA constructs comprising a desaturase gene, and recombinant host microorganism or animal expressing increased levels of a desaturase are described. Methods for desaturating a fatty acid and for producing a desaturated fatty acid by expressing increased levels of a desaturase are disclosed. Fatty acids, and oils containing them, which have been desaturated by a desaturase produced by recombinant host microorganisms or animals are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions, infant formulas or dietary supplements containing fatty acids which have been desaturated by a desaturase produced by a recombinant host microorganism or animal also are described.