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

Abstract: A network includes nodes that transmit information to each other. Some nodes operate intermittently; other nodes operate continuously. Information is transmitted to an intermittently operating node by a handshaking protocol in which the intermittently operating node indicates that it is ready to receive. Information is transmitted to a continuously operating node without such handshaking, thereby saving time and power. Each transmitting node has a memory storing information indicating which other nodes require handshaking.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of increasing the photosynthesis rate of a plant cell and/or the production of biomass in a plant, as well as to plant cells and plants with increased photosynthesis rate/production of biomass. The present invention also relates to a phosphatase of the light-harvesting complex of photosystem II, to nucleic acids coding for such phosphatase, and to mutants of such nucleic acids. Moreover, the present invention relates to plant cells and plants, wherein the activity of said phosphatase is inhibited; in particular the present invention relates to plant cells and plants comprising the mutant nucleic acids.

Abstract: Methods for obtaining pluripotent (embryonic stem) cells from parthenogenetic embryos, especially primates, are provided. These cells are useful for producing differentiated cells, tissues and organs, especially human and non-human primate cells, tissues and organs.

Abstract: A wound dressing composition comprising a human recombinant collagen and an oxidized cellulose. For example, the composition may be in the form of a sponge formed by freeze drying an aqueous dispersion of human recombinant collagen and oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC). The composition is especially suitable for the treatment of chronic wounds.

Abstract: A mutated xylanase gene with high reaction activity includes a fifty-eighth amino acid or a thirty-eighth amino acid generated from transforming asparagine to aspartic acid so as to form the mutated xylanase gene. A site-specific mutagenesis method includes the step of: mutating the forty-first amino acid or the thirty-eighth amino acid of the xylanase gene by transforming asparagine to aspartic acid so as to form the mutated xylanase gene.

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 at least one novel anti-dual integrin antibodies, including isolated nucleic acids that encode at least one anti-dual integrin antibody, dual integrin, vectors, host cells, transgenic animals or plants, and methods of making and using thereof, including therapeutic compositions, methods and devices.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of generating cells that stably replicate sub-genomic virus replicons. This invention also provides methods of generating cells that have disabled PKR activity and that stably replicate HCV sub-genomic replicons. The invention also provides methods of using the cells of the invention to screen for compounds that modulate viral RNA replication, including HCV RNA replication.

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: The invention provides modified proteins and DNAs of the TGF-&bgr; superfamily including modified morphogenic proteins. The proteins of the present invention display altered biological or biochemical attributes. Specifically, the modified proteins are designed through substitutions of amino acids in the finger 2 sub-domain or exchanges of all or part of the finger 2 sub-domain of one TGF-&bgr; superfamily member with the finger 2 sub-domain of another TGF-&bgr; superfamily member.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods which greatly facilitate the rapidity in which cells and transgenic animals with targeted genes may be generated. The invention hastens the investigation of cells and transgenic animals bearing lowered expression of the targeted gene product, a truncated targeted gene product, a fusion protein of the targeted gene and exogenous DNA, or the expression of a different gene from the locus of the targeted gene whose product has reduced expression levels. Also disclosed is a transgenic animal having Cushing's disease. Also disclosed are diagnostic methods for detecting patients with endocrine disorders, and methods for treating or alleviating the symptoms of endocrine disorders.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for introducing nucleic acid into the DNA of a cell. The system includes the use of a member of the SB family of transposases (SB) or nucleic acid encoding the transposase and a nucleic acid fragment that includes a nucleic acid sequence with flanking inverted repeats. The transposase recognizes at least a portion of an inverted repeats and incorporates the nucleic acid sequence into the DNA. Methods for use of this system are discussed.

Abstract: Disclosed is the surprising discovery that a single amino acid provides the demarcation between the immunosuppressive and immunostimulatory properties of the cytokine, IL-10. The present invention thus provides mammalian and human IL-10 genes and polypeptides that have immunosuppressive properties, without immunostimulatory side-effects. Also provided are various methods of using the new IL-10 constructs, both in vitro and in vivo, particularly in sole or combination therapies involving immunosuppression, such as in the treatment of inflammatory diseases and disorders, and in transplantation.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the prevention or lessening of disease in cats caused by Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). Prevention or lessening of disease is understood to mean the amelioration of any symptoms, including immune system disruptions, that result from FIV infection. The invention provides for a plasmid which encodes the FIV genome where said genome has had a portion of the gag gene, specifically the p10 (nucleocapsid) coding region, or a portion thereof, deleted. This deletion prevents the production of functional or whole p10 protein, which in turn, prevents the packaging of RNA into virions produced from transfection of this plasmid into an appropriate host cell, resulting in virions which do not contain RNA. Such virions will be described as “empty” virions. The invention also encompasses host cells transformed with the plasmid which produce the empty virions, and the empty virions themselves.

Abstract: Visitor location register and a method for handling an outgoing and an incoming call in a mobile communications system employing a multinumbering scheme. Signalling originating from a mobile services switching center (MSC) contains in case of a mobile-originating call the directory number of the calling subscriber and, in call forwarding, the redirecting number. This directory number is obtained from the visitor location register (VLR). All the directory numbers for different basic services of the mobile subscriber are transferred from the home location register (HLR) to the VLR. The VLR is thus capable of providing the MSC with the correct one of multiple directory numbers according to the basic service related to the call.

Abstract: A DNA fragment coding for a decarbamylase protein improved in thermostability as the result of replacement of at least one base of a DNA fragment coding for a decarbamylase protein derived from a microorganism with another base and the resultant replacement of at least one of the corresponding amino acids, and its production process; a vector containing the DNA fragment; a transformant obtained by transformation with the vector; as well as a decarbamylase improved in thermostability and its production process. Also disclosed is a process for producing a D-.alpha.-amino acid, which comprises converting an N-carbamoyl-D-.alpha.-amino acid into the corresponding D-.alpha.-amino acid in an aqueous medium by the action of a decarbamylase having a thermostable temperature of 65.degree. C. or higher; and collecting the D-.alpha.-amino acid produced.

Abstract: The invention features nucleic acid molecules and methods for use in site-specific methylation of ribonucleotides. The methods of the invention can be used to modulate RNA folding, RNA processing, RNA cleavage, and other processes involving sequence-specific recognition of RNA sequences, as well as for promoting RNA stability.