Abstract: Provided herein are cytoplasts, compositions comprising cytoplasts, methods of using cytoplasts, and methods of treating a subject, such as providing benefits to a healthy or unhealthy subject, or treating or diagnosing a disease or condition in a subject. In some embodiments, methods of treating a subject include: administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a cytoplast. Also, provided herein are compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) that include a cytoplast. Also, provided herein are kits comprising instructions for using the compositions or methods.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to host cells with artificial endosymbionts, wherein the artificial endosymbiont and the host cell communicate with each other to alter a phenotype of the host cell. In some embodiments, the communication comprises the secretion of a polypeptide from the artificial endosymbiont into the host cell. The secreted polypeptide can be a selectable marker, a reporter protein, a transcription factor, a signal pathway protein, a receptor, a growth factor, a cytokine, an effector molecule or other factors that can produce a phenotype in the host cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel recombinant fungal strain of Trichoderma sp. MTCC 5659 useful for enhancing the nutritional value and growth of plants. The invention further relates to a formulation useful as bioinoculant, wherein the said formulation comprises MTCC 5659 optionally along with a carrier. The claimed strain has been developed via the protoplast fusion technique of two parent Trichoderma strains and is useful for stimulating the content of amino acids, trace elements, chlorophyll and plant growth and yield attributing characters.

Abstract: Methods for enhanced yeast fermentation of plant material through the genetic modification of non-respiring yeast are provided including the introduction of a dominant mitochondrial ATP synthase gene mutation into a non-respiring yeast that entirely lacks mitochondrial DNA and transgenic yeast for the enhanced yeast fermentation of plant material lacking mitochondrial DNA while having a dominant mitochondrial ATP synthase gene mutation in the nuclear genome. Methods further include the introduction of a mitochondrial genome into a non-respiring yeast lacking the COX1, COX2, COX3, or COB gene as well as transgenic yeast having a mitochondrial genome lacking the COX1, COX2, COX3, or COB gene. Additional methods include the creation of a disrupted copy of the CAT5 nuclear gene in a non-respiring yeast as well as transgenic yeast having a disrupted copy of the CAT5 nuclear gene are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing Saccharomyces strains that are capable of growth on xylose as a sole carbon source at a desired growth rate (such as at least one generation per 48 hours), strains made by such methods, and Saccharomyces strains that grow at a growth rate of at least one generation per 48 hours using xylose as a sole carbon source for growth made by non-recombinant methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of biofuels by utilizing efficient biomass digestion and fermentation by a new thermophilic microorganism generated after fusion of two different bacteria Clostridium thermocellum and C. acetobutylicum and properly mutating the fused bacteria to produce biofuels and other economically important chemicals in a single vessel from lignocellulosic derived renewable biomass. All the necessary biochemical digestions and fermentation are carried out by this single thermophilic microorganism in one single vessel eliminating the need for multiple step digestion and fermentation processes, requiring multiple chambers. It also significantly reduces the rate limiting steps where increasing accumulation of alcohol, butanol and other substances become toxic to the very bacteria that produce these biofuels. The single vessel is incubated at high temperatures (45° C. or above) to eliminate the need for periodic stoppage and restarting of the process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to eukaryotic host cells comprising artificial endosymbionts and methods of introducing artificial endosymbionts into eukaryotic host cells. The invention provides artificial endosymbionts that introduce a phenotype to host cells that is maintained in daughter cells. The invention additionally provides eukaryotic host cells containing magnetotactic bacteria.

Abstract: A fungus, for biological control, having Fusarium graminearum virus 1-DK21 transmitted thereto and a method for biological control using the same and discloses a fungus, for biological control, having an infectious Fusarium virus transmitted thereto, a composition for biological control comprising the same, and a method for biological control using the same. It also provides a method for biological control, which includes bringing a virulent wild-type species into contact with a fungus having a virus inserted therein. It also provides a method of transmitting an infectious Fusarium virus to a vegetatively incompatible strain by a protoplast fusion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing filamentous fungal strains having a sexual cycle, wherein an acceptor filamentous fungal strain, having no or one type MAT locus, is subjected to recombination in which one or more mating type locus genes and optionally sex related genes, from other species than the acceptor filamentous fungal strain, is introduced into the acceptor filamentous fungal strain to produce a filamentous fungal strain having a sexual cycle.

Abstract: A eukaryotic expression vector capable of displaying a multi-chain polypeptide on the surface of a host cell is provided, such that the biological activity of the multi-chain polypeptide is exhibited at the surface of the host cell. Such a vector allows for the display of complex biologically active polypeptides, e.g., biologically active multi-chain polypeptides such as immunoglobulin Fab fragments. The present invention describes and enables the successful display of a multi-chain polypeptide on the surface of a eukaryotic host cell. Preferred vectors are described for expressing the chains of a multi-chain polypeptide in a host cell separately and independently (e.g., under separate vector control elements, and/or on separate expression vectors, thus forming a matched vector set).

Abstract: A biologically pure culture of Saccharomyces cervisiae GP-01, and a method for producing Saccharomyces Cervisiae GP-01 which is ethanol-resistant and obtained by protoplast fusing Saccharomyces Cerevisiae (KCTC 7904) and Candida Ethanolica (KCTC 7181). Further, the present invention provides yeast containing the high content of organic bio-germanium (the yeast Ge-32K) and a method for producing the yeast Ge-32K, comprising adding the yeast GP-01 into a solution of sodium metagermanate (Na2GeO3) at the volume ratio of 1:0.5˜2; adding 0.1˜0.4 wt % of surfactant, instead of germanium dioxide as used in the prior arts; and cultivating an obtained broth. The obtained yeast Ge-32K contains the higher content of the organic bio-germanium than the conventional yeast as produced by using germanium dioxide.

Abstract: A scanner window and method of making a scanner window are provided. The window may include three layers. The layers may be a ceramic layer such as sapphire, a glass backing, and an adhesive layer comprising a polymer sheet. The window may be formed by stacking the components together and applying heat and pressure to result in adhesion of the ceramic layer to the glass layer. Additional features of the window may include improved strength, clarity and shatter resistance.

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: Methods for introducing and expressing genes in animal cells are provided comprising infecting the animal cells with live invasive reduced-genome bacteria comprising a eukaryotic expression cassette comprising said gene. Also provided are methods for producing a pluripotent stem (iPS) cell from a mammalian somatic cell comprising infecting the somatic cell with live invasive reduced-genome bacteria comprising one or more eukaryotic expression cassettes comprising at least a gene encoding the transcription factor Oct3/4 and a gene encoding a member of the SRY-related HMG-box (Sox) transcription factor family.

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: The present invention relates to the use of adenylate cyclase toxin (ACT), or a functionally equivalent variant thereof, as an inducing agent for the internalization of non-invasive bacteria in eukaryotic cells. Due to ACT, said non-invasive bacterium can move through the plasma membrane of a eukaryotic cell and transfer plasmid DNA to said cell, which is useful for releasing or introducing molecules of therapeutic interest, for example, antigens, in the interior of the eukaryotic cell, thereby triggering the immune response.

Abstract: The present invention covers a novel replication deficient influenza virus comprising a modified NS1 segment coding for a NS1 protein lacking a functional RNA binding domain and functional effector domain and a heterologous sequence inserted between the splice donor site and the splice acceptor site of the NS gene segment. Further the use of the virus as vector for expression of various proteins like chemokines, cytokines or antigenic structures is covered, methods for producing virus particles using said virus vector as well as its use for production of vaccines. Also a fusion peptide comprising part of the N-terminus of an NS1 protein and a signal sequence fused to the C-terminus of said NS1 peptide is covered.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing closed bacterial ghosts by way of specific interactions between partners of a bioaffinity binding pair, and to the bacterial ghosts which can be obtained in this way. Active compounds can be packed into the closed bacterial ghosts. The closed ghosts can be employed in medicine, in the agricultural sphere and in biotechnology.

Abstract: Two different strains of Cordyceps sinensis are placed at two different locations in a medium containing purified rattle snake venom and the two strains are allowed to grow until they meet in a boundary zone where a hybrid strain is formed due to exchange of genetic material. The hybrid strain is allowed to grow and is harvested and can be analyzed for the presence and quantity of desired medicinal substances. The amount of N6-(2-hydroxyethyl)-adenosine in a Cordyceps sinensis strain or product sample is a reliable indicator of the overall health benefiting qualities of the strain or sample. Strains of Cordyceps sinensis, are grown in a substrate at 20 to 22° C. at sea level atmospheric pressure for 28 to 30 days in diffuse light, and thereafter in an atmosphere containing approximately 50% of oxygen of the sea level atmosphere, at approximately 3° C.

Abstract: A use of an inoculum of a geldanamycin-producing strain able to survive in a plant rhizosphere as a biocontrol of common scab affecting the plant and a method for biocontrolling common scab comprising the use of such strain. A biologically pure culture of a Streptomyces strain deposited at the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) Accession number BAA-668, or a variant thereof.

Abstract: A cell lineage can be constructed in a less labor intensive manner and in less time by using a computer. Areas, which are misidentified as nuclei, are efficiently removed. The invention comprises the steps of: selecting one or more nuclei for making a forward link from extracted nucleus candidates, in a plurality of 4D microscopic images in which the nucleus candidates are extracted; obtaining forward linkage information by sequentially extracting a nucleus candidate that meets a predetermined link condition with regard to the selected one or more nuclei from said 4D images; selecting one or more nuclei for making a reverse link from the forward linkage information; and obtaining backward linkage information by sequentially extracting a nucleus candidate that meets a predetermined link condition with regard to the selected one or more nuclei for backward link from said 4D images, removing misidentified nucleus candidates from the forward link information based on the reverse link information.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: This patent describes a novel method of detecting genetic interactions in yeast. This method can also be used to screen for function of biological effectors on yeast. The method encompasses crossing yeast strains with genetic alterations to acquire double mutants. The phenotypes of these double mutants are then checked to detect genetic interactions between the double mutants. This method can be used to assign function to yeast genes and their viral, prokaryotic, and eukaryotic homologs, and aptamers. It can also be used to study yeast two hybrid interactions and to find genes that regulate certain yeast promoters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing closed bacterial ghosts by means of vesicle membrane fusion and to the bacterial ghosts which can be obtained in this way. Active compounds, e.g. genetic material, cell components, pharmaceutical and agricultural active compounds and also markers or dyes can be packaged in the closed bacterial ghosts. Metabolic functions and, where appropriate, the ability of the cells to proliferate can be restored on packaging genetic material in the bacterial ghosts. The closed ghosts can be used in medicine, in the agricultural sphere and in biotechnology.

Abstract: The present invention provides a purified and isolated nucleic acid encoding mycobacterial isocitrate lyase, as well as mutated forms of the nucleic acid. Further provided are purified and isolated isocitrate lyase proteins and mutated isocitrate lyase proteins. Additionally, the present invention provides vectors which comprises nucleic acid sequences encoding mycobacterial isocitrate lyase and mutated forms of this nucleic acid, as well as host cells containing these vectors. Also provided is a mycobacterium containing one or more mutations in its isocitrate lyase gene. Further provided by the present invention are agents that inhibit the activity or expression of a mycobacterial lyase protein, a method of identifying these, and a method of producing them. Finally, the present invention also provides a method of identifying genes required for persistence of mycobacteria.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of TL-&ggr;, antibodies to TL-&ggr;, methods of screening for TL-&ggr; modulators using biologically active TL-&ggr;, and kits for screening for TL-&ggr; modulators.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel recombinant nucleic acids for introducing yeast chromosomal elements into the genomes of bacteria. The invention provides methods to convert the modified bacterial genomes into artificial yeast chromosomes by fusing the bacteria with yeast that linearize the modified bacterial genomes, to produce artificial chromosomes.

Abstract: A method for the genetic modification and improvement of Porphyra species utilizing protoplast fusion is disclosed. The method of the invention features the use of conchoporangial branch conchocelis for at least one of the sources of protoplasts for protoplast fusion. Protoplasts produced from conchosporangial branch conchocelis of one species may be mixed with protoplasts produced from either blade material or conchocelis of a second species and fused using either a chemical fusing agent like polyethylene glycol (PEG) or electrofusion. Alternatively, an algal species other than a Porphyra species may be the second source of protoplasts. After fusion has occurred, fusion products are isolated and regenerated to whole plants or used as multicellular material.

Abstract: This invention pertains in part to a method for delivering functional DNA or antigens. The desired DNA is introduced into attenuated bacteria able to enter cells. Once the bacteria is in the cell, antimicrobial agents are introduced such that they enter the mammalian cell and lyse the bacteria thereby allowing the delivery of carried functional DNA or antigens. The advantages of this method and its uses are described.

Abstract: The present invention also provides a method for screening and isolating transcriptional coregulatory proteins of transcription factors. Using this method, a new class of proteins, androgen receptor transcriptional coregulatory proteins, that interact with the androgen receptor N-terminus to regulate transcriptional activation, which are targets for identifying and isolating inhibitors that disrupt such an interaction, were identified.

Abstract: The invention relates to a DNA sequence capable of being transferred by conjugation, which comprises the sequence SEQ ID No: 2. The invention further relates to the use of this DNA sequence and to a method of carrying it out.

Abstract: A method for engineering and utilizing large DNA vectors to target, via homologous recombination, and modify, in any desirable fashion, endogenous genes and chromosomal loci in eukaryotic cells. These large DNA targeting vectors for eukaryotic cells, termed LTVECs, are derived from fragments of cloned genomic DNA larger than those typically used by other approaches intended to perform homologous targeting in eukaryotic cells. Also provided is a rapid and convenient method of detecting eukaryotic cells in which the LTVEC has correctly targeted and modified the desired endogenous gene(s) or chromosomal locus (loci) as well as the use of these cells to generate organisms bearing the genetic modification.

Abstract: A method for engineering and utilizing large DNA vectors to target, via homologous recombination, and modify, in any desirable fashion, endogenous genes and chromosomal loci in eukaryotic cells. These large DNA targeting vectors for eukaryotic cells, termed LTVECs, are derived from fragments of cloned genomic DNA larger than those typically used by other approaches intended to perform homologous targeting in eukaryotic cells. Also provided is a rapid and convenient method of detecting eukaryotic cells in which the LTVEC has correctly targeted and modified the desired endogenous gene(s) or chromosomal locus (loci) as well as the use of these cells to generate organisms bearing the genetic modification.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bacterium belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium, by which DNA coding for a protein having an antitumor activity or DNA coding for a protein having the activity of converting a precursor of an antitumor substance into the antitumor substance is delivered to tumor tissues specifically under anaerobic conditions thereby expressing the protein encoded by the DNA, as well as a pharmaceutical composition comprising said anaerobic bacterium.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for identifying an RNA fragment that mimics the structure of a defined or undefined target RNA molecule to which a compound binds inside of a cell resulting in retardation of cell growth or cell death. Methods using these RNA fragments for identifying unknown compounds of pharmaceutical interest, and for identifying unknown RNA targets for use in treating disease are disclosed. These methods and compositions are used in screening for novel antibiotics, bacteriostatics, or modifications thereof or for identifying compounds useful to alter expression levels of proteins encoded by mRNA. The methods involve providing random DNA fragments from DNA which encodes RNA target molecules, cloning such fragments to create a plasmid library of same; transfecting cells which contain the native RNA target molecule with the plasmid library and exposing the cells to one or more of test compounds.

Abstract: A new and useful apparatus for producing cell electrofusion is provided. The apparatus comprises: a. a chamber with a substrate disposed therein, b. means for directing the cells to be fused toward one side of the substrate; and c. a device for inducing fusion of the portion of the cells.

Abstract: Bacteria containing eukaryotic and/or viral genes, and often having highly pleiomorphic morphology, are obtained by culturing virally-infected eukaryotic cells under aseptic, low oxygen conditions. The bacteria so produced express products encoded by the eukaryotic genes. Analyses indicate that several isolates obtained from culturing retrovirally-infected human brain capillary endothelial cells express human-specific genes previously mapped to widely separated human chromosomes.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions relating to intracellular delivering of agents to eukaryotic cells. The compositions include microbial delivery vehicles such as nonvirulent bacteria comprising a first gene encoding a nonsecreted foreign cytolysin operably linked to a heterologous promoter and a second gene encoding a different foreign agent. The foreign agent may be a nucleic acid or protein, and is frequently bioactive in and therapeutic to the target eukaryote. In addition, the invention provides eukaryotic cells comprising the subject nonvirulent bacteria and nonhuman eukaryotic host organisms comprising such cells.