Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process of production of purified recombinant cholera toxin B (rCTB) which provides protection against diarrhea caused by various bacteria such as Vibrio cholerae and Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). More particularly, the present invention relates to a process of production of rCTB with significantly higher yield and higher purity. The present invention also relates to a vaccine formulation having synergistic protection against Vibrio cholerae and cross protection against ETEC.

Abstract: The instant invention provides for methods for detecting the internalization of a transmembrane protein of interest expressed at the surface of a cell. More specifically, the methods involve (a) labelling the protein of interest with a fluorescent metal complex, the lifetime of which is greater than 0.1 ms, (b) adding to the reaction medium a composition capable of causing the internalization of the protein of interest, (c) adding to the reaction medium (1) a modulating agent which is a fluorescent FRET acceptor compound compatible with the fluorescent metal complex, the final concentration of which in the reaction medium is greater than 10?7M; or (2) a reducing agent, the redox potential of which is less than +0.1 V and preferably between 0.25 and 0.

Abstract: A novel transformation system in the field of filamentous fungal hosts for expressing and secreting heterologous proteins or polypeptides is described. The invention also covers a process for producing large amounts of polypeptide or protein in an economical manner. The system comprises a transformed or transfected fungal strain of the genus Chrysosporium, more particularly of Chrysosporium lucknowense and mutants or derivatives thereof. It also covers transformants containing Chrysosporium coding sequences, as well expression-regulating sequences of Chrysosporium genes. Also provided are novel fungal enzymes and their encoding sequences and expression-regulating sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bi-directional cytosine deaminase-encoding selection marker as well as methods for using said marker.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the fields of microbiology and microbial genetics. More specifically, the invention relates to novel bacteria strains and processes employing these strains for the fermentative production of amino acids such as threonine.

Abstract: There are provided microorganisms, for example, Mortierella alpina, having a property of producing a lipid containing unsaturated fatty acids as constituent fatty acids and extracellularly secreting the produced lipid encapsulated in lipid vesicles, methods of screening said microorganisms, as well as methods of efficiently producing a fatty acid-containing lipid using said microorganisms. Furthermore, there are provided lipid vesicles encapsulating a lipid containing unsaturated fatty acids, and foods, cosmetics, and animal feeds comprising said lipid vesicles added thereto. Artificially treated microorganisms or microorganisms collected from nature are grown on a solid medium, and microbial strains that form lipid vesicles at the periphery of the colonies and/or microbial strains that, when cultured in a transparent liquid medium, make the culture liquid cloudy are selected.

Abstract: Compounds can be used to act as inhibitors of enzymes having histone deacetylase activity for the medical therapy of conditions which predispose a person for the development of a disease, such as but not limited to cancer, inflammatory or metabolic diseases. Such conditions are linked to genetically inherited mutations of crucial genes which predispose a person with this condition to develop the disease phenotype. Thus, such compounds can be used for a suppressive therapeutic approach—the SUPPRESSION THERAPY—in order to inhibit or delay the onset or progression of the genetically predisposed disorder. Furthermore, a clinically used medicament can be manufactured for the SUPPRESSION THERAPY of such inherited predisposing conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an obligately anaerobic lactic acid bacterium having no risk of causing side effects in normal tissue and promising as a safe therapeutic agent and a gene transporter for a disease that is in an anaerobic environment such as a solid tumor, a preparation method therefor, and an expression vector useful in the preparation method. The obligately anaerobic lactic acid bacterium of the present invention has been artificially mutated from being facultatively anaerobic to being obligately anaerobic and, furthermore, is capable of being transformed by an expression vector having introduced thereinto a gene for expressing an active protein useful for the treatment of a disease that is in an anaerobic environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the fields of microbiology and microbial genetics. More specifically, the invention relates to novel bacteria strains and processes employing these strains for the fermentative production of amino acids such as threonine.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for the determination of virulence determinants in bacteria and in particular bacteria of the genus Mycobacterium. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for stimulating an immune response in an animal using bacteria and virulence determinants identified by the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the fields of microbiology and microbial genetics. More specifically, the invention relates to novel bacteria strains and processes employing these strains for the fermentative production of amino acids such as threonine.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to an isolated hydrogen gas producing microorganism, termed Enterobacter sp. SGT 06-1™.

Abstract: Isolated strains of supercapsulated streptococci band at a density of no greater than 1.03 g/cm3 in a Percoll gradient and are capable of producing hyaluronic acid with molecular weight exceeding 6 million Da. Methods of producing high molecular weight hyaluronic acid employ a supercapsulated strain of streptococcus which bands at a density of no greater than 1.03 g/cm3 in a Percoll gradient. Methods of selecting streptococcus strains capable of producing hyaluronic acid with a molecular weight exceeding 6 million Da comprise, inter alia, cultivating supercapsulated strains of streptococci which band at a density of no greater than 1.03 g/cm3 in a Percoll gradient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fragmentation process that depends on mismatches between two strands of parental polynucleotides. One embodiment, comprises a method for preparing polynucleotide fragments of DNA comprising formation of heteroduplex molecules by hybridizing polynucleotides. The invention also provides a method and process of forming fragments which can be used with any shuffling process or combination of shuffling processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the fields of microbiology and microbial genetics. More specifically, the invention relates to novel bacterial strains and processes employing these strains for the fermentative production of amino acids such as threonine.

Abstract: Cellular libraries useful for in vitro phenotyping and gene mapping. In a representative approach, a method for preparing a homozygous cellular library includes the steps of providing a heterozygous cellular library comprising a plurality of isolated parent cells; inducing site-specific mitotic recombination in the plurality of isolated parent cells; culturing the plurality of isolated parent cells, whereby a population of daughter cells is produced; and selecting daughter cells comprising a homozygous genetic modification, whereby a homozygous cellular library is prepared.

Abstract: A mutagenic, triplex-forming oligonucleotide and methods for use thereof wherein the oligonucleotide is chemically modified to incorporate a mutagen and forms a triple-stranded nucleic acid molecule with a specific DNA segment of a target DNA molecule. Upon formation of the triplex, the mutagen is brought into proximity with the target molecule and causes a mutation at a specific site therein. The mutation activates, inactivates or alters the activity and function of the target molecule.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of producing an allelic series of modifications in genes of interest in a cell. In particular, the invention provides methods for using nucleic acid sequence-modifying agents (e.g., chemicals, electromagnetic radiation, etc.) to introduce modifications in any nucleic acid sequence in the genome of a cell. Also provided are sets of cells which contain at least one modification in any gene of interest. The methods and compositions of the invention are useful in determining the function of the gene of interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for generating and identifying mutations in any target gene of a polyploid plant species. In a preferred aspect of the present invention, a plant is constructed and/or selected that has at least one copy of a functional, target gene located exclusively in only one of its homoeologous, or homologous, genomes. Seed derived from the selected plant are then contacted with an effective amount of at least one mutagenic agent, the treated seed are germinated and the seeds or plants derived therefrom, are screened for mutations in the target gene. Thus, the inventive concepts set forth herein can be used to create, select and identify mutations in any target gene of any suitable polyploid plant, thereby providing a source of numerous, readily-identifiable mutations that can, if so desired, be used in crosses to develop unique new crop cultivars.

Abstract: A method for selecting streptococcus strains capable of producing hyaluronic acid with molecular weight exceeding six million includes the steps of cultivating strains of streptococci individually in culture medium which is free of metal ions which promote degradation of hyaluronic acid and which does not release from the reactor metal ions which promote the degradation of hyaluronic acid; and selecting a supercapsulated strain of a streptococcus, supercapsulated members thereof having a mucoid morphology and being capable of forming capsules having a diameter of greater than 4 &mgr;m.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the fields of microbiology and microbial genetics. More specifically, the invention relates to novel bacterial strains and processes employing these strains for the fermentative production of amino acids such as threonine.

Abstract: A high affinity, triplex-forming oligonucleotide and methods for use thereof wherein an oligonucleotide is used to form a triple-stranded nucleic acid molecule with a specific DNA segment of a target DNA molecule. Upon formation of the triplex, the binding of the oligonucleotide stimulates mutagenesis within or adjacent to the target sequence using cellular DNA synthesis or repair mechanisms. The mutation activates, inactivates or alters the activity and function of the target molecule.

Abstract: Microbial strains capable of producing enhanced levels of sphingosine, dihydrosphingosine, phytosphingosine and/or derivatives thereof are disclosed. Additionally, there are disclosed methods based on mutagenesis, or other selection techniques, whereby such strains can be produced. As a preferred example thereof, mutant strains of Pichia are provided that are capable of producing about 50% or more of such compounds than wild type strains.

Abstract: The invention encompasses methods of identifying a mutation in a gene of interest in an organism which include identifying in a test DNA sample from a mutated organism a mutation in a gene of interest without the prior observation of a phenotypic alteration in the mutated organism.

Abstract: A commercially viable, runner-type peanut cultivar, as well as seeds and plants of the cultivar, agronomically similar to Florunner but having an improved fatty acid profile in the seed oil.