Abstract: Disclosed are nucleotide sequences encoding monomeric variants of DsRed fluorescent proteins and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genetically modified yeast strains autonomously producing, from a simple carbon source, steroids. The invention also relates to a method for producing steroids from such yeast strains.

Abstract: The hedgehog pathway in cerebellar cancer cells was modulated with siRNA specifically targeted to the shh and gli-I genes. Silencing of the two genes in a medullablastoma cell line transfected with the siRNAs caused significant reduction of mRNA specific for the targeted shh and gli-I genes and a loss of protein expression. The disclosed methods and compositions may be useful for treatment of a range of primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) by shutting down or modulating the expression of gene products associated with the hedgehog pathway.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules from nematodes encoding fatty acid desaturase polypeptides are described. Fatty acid desaturase-like polypeptide sequences are also provided, as are vectors, host cells, and recombinant methods for production of fatty acid desaturase-like nucleotides and polypeptides. Also described are screening methods for identifying inhibitors and/or activators of fatty acid desaturase-like polypeptides, as well as methods for antibody production.

Abstract: The present invention relates to canine COX-1 and COX-2 proteins; to canine COX-1 and COX-2 nucleic acid molecules, including those that encode such COX-1 and COX-2 proteins, respectively; to antibodies raised against such proteins; and to compounds that inhibit the activity of such proteins. The present invention also includes methods to obtain such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies, and inhibitory compounds. The present invention also includes therapeutic compositions comprising such inhibitory compounds, particularly those that specifically inhibit COX-2 activity, as well as the use of such therapeutic compositions to treat animals.

Abstract: Disrupting the expression of endogenous Escherichia host cell genes gcvA and spr provides mutant host cells having increased heterologous peptide production relative to control Escherichia host cells. Recombinant Escherichia host cells are provided as well as methods of using such host cells for heterologous peptide production.

Abstract: Novel cytosine-, thymine- and uracil-DNA glycosylases, subcellular localization peptides, nucleic acid molecules containing the same, methods of identifying such enzymes and their use in various methods including mutagenesis, cell killing and DNA sequencing and modification, are desired.

Abstract: This invention relates to bicistronic flavivirus vectors, methods of using such vectors in the prevention and treatment of disease, and methods of making such vectors.

Abstract: The present invention provides DNA molecules that constitute fragments of the genome of a plant, and polypeptides encoded thereby. The DNA molecules are useful for specifying a gene product in cells, either as a promoter or as a protein coding sequence or as an UTR or as a 3? termination sequence, and are also useful in controlling the behavior of a gene in the chromosome, in controlling the expression of a gene or as tools for genetic mapping, recognizing or isolating identical or related DNA fragments, or identification of a particular individual organism, or for clustering of a group of organisms with a common trait.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having acetylxylan esterase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having alpha-glucuronidase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention is compositions and methods for producing anti-bacterial polypeptides, and for using those compositions and methods for treating diseases and conditions caused by a bacterial infection. More specifically, the compositions and methods include treating a gram-negative bacterium with a gram-positive host that produces a polypeptide effective against the gram-negative bacterium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotide related to the zsig33 peptide, including agonists, antagonists, and antibodies. Methods of modulating gastric contractility, nutrient uptake, growth hormones, the secretion of digestive enzymes and hormones, and/or secretion of enzymes and/or hormones in the pancreas are also included.

Abstract: The invention provides a production process for a high-frequent random mutant of an object exogenous gene, wherein a recombinant expression vector in which a eukaryote promoter, an exogenous DNA sequence, an intron enhancer and 3?HS3/4 enhancer are linked is introduced and expressed in an animal cell.

Abstract: This invention relates to a live mutated strain of S. pneumoniae which is incapable of expressing polysaccharide capsule, while still capable of colonizing the nasopharynx of the subject.

Abstract: The invention relates to nitrilases and to nucleic acids encoding the nitrilases. In addition methods of designing new nitrilases and method of use thereof are also provided. The nitrilases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.

Abstract: A method for cloning and expressing a target gene by homologous recombination, and more particularly a method for cloning and expressing a target gene by homologous recombination, wherein a host cell transformed with a recombinant vector and a plasmid containing a recombinase system is introduced with a linear DNA fragment comprising a target gene and a sequence having homology to the recombinant vector. Because complicated genetic engineering steps, such as the restriction enzyme treatment and ligation of a vector and a target gene, are not required, the cloning of a gene can be performed without needing a high degree of skill, and enzyme cost can be reduced. The inventive method can be effectively used for the massive, high-speed cloning and protein expression of genes, and the disclosed pRMT-iTGR system can be used as an analytical means for improving high-efficiency recombinase.

Abstract: A method for producing optically active alcohols is provided. Optically active alcohols are useful intermediates in pharmaceutical production. The method of the present invention enables simple and efficient production of optically active alcohols with a high optical purity. According to the production method disclosed, optically active alcohols are produced via asymmetric reduction of 3-quinuclidinone using tropinone reductase-I. For example, the use of tropinone reductase-I derived from plants like Datura stramonium and Hyoscyamus niger allows the production of high optical purity (R)-3-quinuclidinol.

Abstract: This invention relates to molecular and cellular biology and biochemistry. In one aspect, the invention provides polypeptides having cellulase activity, e.g., endoglucanase, cellobiohydrolase, mannanase and/or ?-glucosidase activity, polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In one aspect, the invention is directed to polypeptides cellulase activity, e.g., endoglucanase, cellobiohydrolase, mannanase and/or ?-glucosidase activity, including thermostable and thermotolerant activity, and polynucleotides encoding these enzymes, and making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The polypeptides of the invention can be used in a variety of pharmaceutical, agricultural, food and feed processing and industrial contexts.

Abstract: Attenuated, neuraminidase deficient influenza virus, and compositions and methods to prepare that virus, are provided.

Abstract: Whole-cell vaccines and methods for enhancing the immunogenicity of cellular microorganisms for use in producing protective immune responses in vertebrate hosts subsequently exposed to pathogenic bacteria or for use as vectors to express exogenous antigens and induce responses against other infectious agents or cancer cells. The present invention involves an additional method of enhancing antigen presentation by intracellular bacteria in a manner that improves vaccine efficacy. After identifying an enzyme that has an anti-apoptotic effect upon host cells infected by an intracellular microbe, the activity of the enzyme produced by the intracellular microbe is reduced by expressing a mutant copy of the enzyme, thereby modifying the microbe so that it increases immunogenicity.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods for activating and expanding cells, and more particularly, to a novel method to activate and/or stimulate cells using an engineered multivalent signaling platform. Compositions of cells activated and expanded by the methods herein are further provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods for activating and expanding cells, and more particularly, to a novel method to activate and/or stimulate cells using an engineered multivalent signaling platform. Compositions of cells activated and expanded by the methods herein are further provided.

Abstract: A novel plant transposon that induces bud mutation, transposase thereof, and a method for efficiently inducing bud mutation by improvement in the transposition efficiency are provided. A novel transposon having terminal inverted repeat sequences (SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2) shown below has been isolated for the first time from carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) and the nucleotide sequence thereof has been determined. The transposon has contained a gene encoding the transposase in its sequence. The transposon induces bud mutation when it is inserted into a gene. The transposition frequency is elevated due to environmental stress. TAGAGCTGGCAAA---TTTGCCAGCTCTA (SEQ ID NOS 1 & 2, respectively in order of appearance).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and constructs for selectively expressing an Apoptosis-Inducing Gene (AIG) in a population of cells that overexpress cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) to induce apoptosis in the cell. To achieve this goal a chimeric gene construct is used that comprises a cyclooxygenase-2 promoter (COX-2 promoter) that is operably linked to at least one AIG such that the COX-2 promoter is activated in cells that overexpress COX-2, thereby resulting in transcription and translation of the AIG, which in turn activates apoptosis in the cell. Thus, apoptosis is selectively induced in only those cells capable of overexpressing COX-2.

Abstract: A recombinant BCG vaccine being transformed with an expression vector that has a polynucleotide encoding a foreign antigenic protein, wherein the polynucleotide is a modified one in which the third position of each codon is substituted with G or C without a change of an amino acid. This recombinant BCG vaccine has an excellent expression rate of antigenic protein and, as a result, capable of inducing a sufficient immune response against target infectious disease, cancer, or the like at the same dose as that of the typical BCG vaccine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to automated methods of introducing multiple nucleic acid sequences into one or more target cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polynucleotide encoding an enzyme having carboxylesterase [E.C. 3.1.1.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for using magnetosomes as cellular contrast agents and markers for magnetic resonance imaging are provided. Certain methods involve synthesizing magnetosomes in a cell as directed by a nucleotide construct comprising an exogenous polynucleotide sequence, wherein the magnetosome serves as a contrast agent or marker for magnetic resonance imaging. Methods of synthesizing and isolating magnetosomes for introduction into immune-matched cells within a tissue or subject for use as a contrast agent or marker for magnetic resonance imaging are also provided. Also provided are methods for stably transfecting cells to express a polypeptide that drives or modulates magnetosome production in the cell, cells produced by such methods and methods for their isolation, transgenic animals comprising at least one eukaryotic cell produced by such methods, and vectors and delivery systems for the transfection of such cells.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are engineered cleavage half-domains; fusion polypeptides comprising these engineered cleavage half-domains; polynucleotides encoding the engineered cleavage half-domains and fusion proteins; and cells comprising said polynucleotides and/or fusion proteins. Also described are methods of using these polypeptides and polynucleotides, for example for targeted cleavage of a genomic sequence.

Abstract: A human Vascular IBP-Like Growth Factor polypeptide (VIGF) and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptide and a procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polypeptide for wound healing or tissue regeneration, stimulating implant fixation and angiogenesis. Antagonist against such polypeptides and their use as a therapeutic to treat atherosclerosis, tumors and scarring are also disclosed. Diagnostic assays for identifying mutations in VIGF nucleic acid sequences and altered levels of the VIGF polypeptide are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA polymerases. In particular the invention relates to a method for the generation of DNA polymerases exhibiting a relaxed substrate specificity. Uses of mutant polymerases produced using the methods of the invention are also described.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of the protein RhoB and its variants to inhibit cancer cell growth, migration, invasion, metastasis, malignant cell transformation, and/or to modulate oncogenic signaling, wherein introducing RhoB directly, or indirectly via a nucleic acid sequence encoding RhoB, into a malignantly transformed cell or a cancerous cell decreases phosphorylation of Erk and Akt proteins inhibiting the PI3-kinase/Akt cell survival pathway and promoting apoptotic cell death. In one aspect, the compositions and methods of the present invention are used to inhibit the malignant transformation of cells by the oncogenes H-Ras, N-Ras, K-Ras, EGFR, or ErbB2, or to inhibit the growth of cancer cells transformed by such oncogenes. The compositions and methods of the present invention may be used to inhibit cancer cell growth, inhibit malignant cell transformation, and modulate oncogenic signaling in vivo or in vitro.

Abstract: The invention provides methods employing iterative cycles of recombination and selection/screening for evolution of whole cells and organisms toward acquisition of desired properties. Examples of such properties include enhanced recombinogenicity, genome copy number, and capacity for expression and/or secretion of proteins and secondary metabolites.

Abstract: A enhanced method for observing tumor progression, angiogenesis and/or metastasis in animal models in real time is described. The invention employs a skin flap over the area to be observed that can be opened and closed reversibly. The invention also permits simultaneous observation of more than one tumor by use of multiple colors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of designing laccase mutants with increased oxidation potential and/or changed pH optimum and/or altered mediator pathway and/or altered O2/OH?-pathway, which method is based on the hitherto unknown three dimensional structure of laccases, wherein the parent laccase is a Myceliophthora thermophila, Polyporus pinsitus, or Coprinus cinereus laccase.

Abstract: Ornithine ?-aminotransferase (OAT) facilitates microtubule assembly in addition to its aminotransferase activity in mitochondria. An N-terminal proteolysis of the first 17 amino acids of OAT block its transport to the mitochondria. The resultant truncated protein (OATC) forms specific complexes with mitotic spindle promoting proteins such as Eg5 and takes on a Ran-dependent spindle-assembly activity. Methods and compositions for inhibiting mitotic spindle assembly in a cell by specifically inhibiting OAT, and methods for screening for inhibitors of (1) the spindle-assembly function of OAT, (2) the protease that N-truncates OAT, (3) the OAT/RanGTP association and (4) the OAT/Eg5 association are disclosed.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibody reagents that recognize the SARS-coronavirus (SARS-HCoV) are needed urgently. In this report we describe the development and immunochemical characterization of mAbs against the SARS-HCoV based upon their specificity, binding requirements, and biological activity. Initial screening by ELISA, using highly purified virus as the coating antigen, resulted in the selection of seventeen mAbs. Five mAbs exhibited Western immunoblot reactivity with the denatured spike protein, of which two demonstrated the ability to neutralize SARS-HCoV in vitro. Another four Western immunoblot-negative mAbs also neutralize the virus. These antibodies will be useful for the development of diagnostic tests, pathogenicity and vaccine studies.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of purifying target proteins from a sample using the specific affinity between a peptide tag and a protease inhibitor. Also disclosed herein is an affinity chromatography medium for purifying proteins in which a support has immobilized thereon a protease inhibitor, and an affinity chromatography column containing the affinity chromatography medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the biosynthesis of polyketides and derives from the cloning of nucleic acids encoding a polyketide synthase and other associated proteins involved in the synthesis of the polyketide borrelidin. Materials and Methods including enzyme systems, nucleic acids, vectors and cells are provided for the preparation of polyketides including borrelidin and analogues and derivatives thereof. Novel polyketide molecules are also provided.

Abstract: The complete polynucleotide sequence of the human respiratory syncytial virus subgroup B strain 9320 genome is provided. Proteins encoded by this polynucleotide sequence are also provided. Isolated or recombinant RSV (e.g., attenuated recombinant RSV), nucleic acids, and polypeptides, e.g., comprising mutations in the attachment protein G, are also provided, as are immunogenic compositions comprising such isolated or recombinant RSV, nucleic acids, and polypeptides. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: RNA molecules, including siRNA molecules and related control, trackability and exaequo agents with specific stability modifications are provided. These molecules are particularly advantageous as transfection control reagents. The molecules include first and second 5? terminal sense nucleotides with 2?-O-alkyl groups and a label on the first 5? terminal sense nucleotide, in conjunction with at least one additional 2?-O-alkyl pyrimidine modified sense nucleotide, and either: (i) at least one 2? fluoro modified pyrimidine antisense nucleotide and a phosphorylated first 5? terminal antisense nucleotide; or (ii) a first and second 5? terminal antisense nucleotide with 2?-O-alkyl modifications and at least one additional 2?-O-alkyl pyrimidine modified antisense nucleotide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the transfection of filamentous fungal cells, comprising providing a multitude of containers, filling into each container an amount of polymer needed for the transfection, filling the cells to be transfected as well as an aqueous solution of transfection reagent into each of the containers, incubating the resulting mixture, removing the transfection reagent from the incubated mixture; and selecting the cells which have been transformed, characterized in that the total volume of the incubating mixture is less than 1 ml per container. Furthermore, the present invention provides the use of transformed filamentous fungal cells for the production of proteins or metabolites.

Abstract: The invention relates to nitrilases and to nucleic acids encoding the nitrilases. In addition methods of designing new nitrilases and method of use thereof are also provided. The nitrilases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.

Abstract: A method of producing coryneform bacteria having an improved amino acid or nucleic acid-productivity comprises the steps of introducing a mutation in a promoter sequence of amino acid- or nucleic acid-biosynthesizing genes on a chromosome of a coryneform bacterium so that it is close to a consensus sequence or introducing a change in the promoter sequence of amino acid- or nucleic acid-biosynthesizing genes on the chromosome of a coryneform bacterium by gene recombination so that it is close to a consensus sequence, obtaining mutants of the coryneform amino acid- or nucleic acid-producing microorganism, culturing the mutants and select a mutant capable of producing the intended amino acid or nucleic acid in a large amount. This method allows one of skill in the art to construct a mutant capable of enriching or controlling the expression of an intended gene without using a plasmid and to promote production of amino acids in a high yield, by the recombination or mutation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microorganism, obtained by treating Corynebacterium ammoniagenes KCCM 10488 producing 5?-Xanthylic acid as parent strain with UV radiation and mutation Derivatives such as N-methyl-N?nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (NTG), Having a resistance to 5-fluorotryptophan which enhances Biosynthesis of N5-N10-tetrahydrofolate used for transferring Two formyl group during the process of puring biosynthesis, making It possible to accumulate 5?xanthylic acid in culture medium at a high Yield and high concentration rate same period of fermentation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are linear donor molecules comprising homology arms of 50-750 base pairs (e.g., 50-100 base pairs) flanking one or more sequences of interest. The donor molecules and/or compositions comprising these molecules can be used in methods for targeted integration of an exogenous sequence into a specified region of interest in the genome of a cell.

Abstract: A mutant glucose dehydrogenase having an improved substrate specificity to glucose, which is a protein comprising the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:3 or an amino acid sequence having the substitution, deletion, insertion or addition of one or more amino acid residues excluding amino acid 365 in the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:3 and having a glucose dehydrogenase activity, the amino acid residue corresponding to amino acid 365 being substituted by other amino acid residue.

Abstract: Isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius are provided. Further provided are methods for transporting sugars across cell membranes using isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius.

Abstract: A novel cotton variety, designated as FM 9150F, is disclosed. The invention relates to seeds, plants, plant cells, plant tissue, harvested products and cotton lint as well as to hybrid cotton plants and seeds obtained by repeatedly crossing plants of variety FM 9150F with other plants. The invention also relates to plants and varieties produced by the method of essential derivation from plants of FM 9150F and to plants of FM 9150F reproduced by vegetative methods, including but not limited to tissue culture of regenerable cells or tissue from FM 9150F.