Abstract: The present invention relates to a strain of M. bovis BCG or M. microti, wherein said strain has integrated part or all of the RD1 region responsible for enhanced immunogenicity of the tubercle bacilli, especially the ESAT-6 and CFP-10 genes. These strains will be referred as the M. bovis BCG::RD1 or M. microti::RD1 strains and are useful as a new improved vaccine for preventing tuberculosis and as a therapeutical product enhancing the stimulation of the immune system for the treatment of bladder cancer.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods and compositions for gene expression and enhancement of protein production and/or accumulation. The invention provides gene-cassettes and methods of introducing the same into host cells for enhanced expression of target genes and production and/or accumulation of encoded proteins or peptides, or the like.

Abstract: It can be difficult to achieve efficient transformation of many strains of bacterial cells due in part to the presence of one or more restriction and modification (R-M) systems in the cells that restricts unmodified transforming DNA. Phage T7 OCR protein is a potent inhibitor of Type I R-M systems. Methods are disclosed for improving transformation efficiency of Eubacterial and Archaebacterial cells having an R-M system by introducing into the cells an inhibitor of the restriction activity. For example, addition of 1–5 micrograms of T7 OCR protein to 50 microliters of electrocompetent cells having a Type I R-M system prior to electroporation significantly increased transformation efficiency by unmodified plasmids, fosmid clones, and artificial transposons comprising synaptic complexes.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the rapid identification of essential or conditionally essential DNA segments in any species of haploid cell (one copy chromosome per cell) that is capable of being transformed by artificial means and is capable of undergoing DNA recombination. This system offers an enhanced means of identifying essential function genes in diploid pathogens, such as gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention provides CNS sequences that regulate the cytokine gene expression, expression cassettes and vectors comprising or lacking the CNS sequences, host cells and non-human transgenic animals comprising the CNS sequences or lacking the CNS sequences. The present invention also provides methods for identifying compounds that modulate the functions of CNS sequences as well as methods for diagnosing defects in the CNS sequences of patients.

Abstract: An in vivo or in vitro cell-free method for genetic repair of mutation in plastid genes has been found which consists of (1) reacting a plasmid which contains a specific mutation (point mutation or frameshift mutation) of interest, a chimeric RNA/DNA oligonucleotide or a modified single stranded oligonucleotide which is believed to contain the genetic code for correcting the plastid gene mutation, and a chloroplast extract taken from the plant of interest, and (2) determining the success of gene conversion using a genetic readout system. A cell-free assay is disclosed by which the enzymatic capacity of chloroplast extracts to direct gene repair such as corrections to both point mutations and frameshift mutations can be determined. This assay method also enables the mechanistic study of plastid gene repair and facilitates the direct comparison between plant nuclear and organelle DNA repair pathways.

Abstract: A method for obtaining “perfect probes” for type I modular polyketide synthase (PKS) or non-ribosomal peptide synthase (NRPS) gene clusters enables the identification of all such gene clusters in a genome. By sequencing small fragments of a random genomic DNA library containing one or more modular PKS or NRPS gene clusters, and identifying which fragments emanate from PKS or NRPS genes and knowing the approximate sizes of the genome and the target gene cluster, one can predict the frequency that a PKS or NRPS gene fragment will be present in the library sequenced.

Abstract: A phagemid has been constructed that expresses an antibody fused to coliphage pIII protein. The phagemid is suitable for selecting specific antibodies from large gene libraries with small quantities of antigen. The antibody-pIII gene can be strongly repressed, so that it allows antibody libraries to be amplified without the danger of deletion mutants predominating. After induction, large quantities of the fusion protein may be expressed.

Abstract: A method for transferring a long-chain DNA into protoplasts, comprising the steps of: (a) mixing a suspension of protoplasts, polyethylene glycol, and a long-chain DNA to give a final concentration of the DNA of at least 50 .mu.g/ml; (b) collecting, washing, and culturing the protoplasts in a medium; and (c) selecting transformed cells, is provided. By this gene transfer method, long-chain DNA can be conveniently transferred into a wide variety of plant cells.

Abstract: The invention provides genes from the I2 Fusarium resistance locus of tomato belonging to a multigene family herein designated I2C. The DNA molecules of the invention are useful as a tomato resistance gene to plant vascular diseases caused by Fusarium pathogens, particularly Fusarium oxysporium f.sp. lycopersici race 2, or as probes for breeding Fusarium-resistant tomato lines or for screening of news diseases in plants of the Solanaceae family. Further provided are Fusarium-resistant tomato lines transformed by an I2C resistance gene of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is substantially pure DNA encoding a C. elegans Egl-10 polypeptide; substantially pure Egl-10 polypeptide; methods of obtaining RGS encoding DNA and RGS polypeptides; and methods of using the RGS DNA and RGS polypeptides to regulate G-protein signalling.

Abstract: This invention is directed to L5 shuttle phasmids capable of delivering foreign DNA into mycobacteria and to methods of producing L5 shuttle phasmids. In addition, this invention is directed to a method of generating mycobacterial mutations and to a method of producing mycobacterial vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conditional shuttle phasmid constructed by inserting a cosmid into a non-essential region of the TM4 mycobacteriophage that introduces DNA of interest into mycobacteria, especially M. tuberculosis complex organisms and other slow growing mycobacteria. The present invention provides a recombinant mycobacterium which expresses a DNA of interest incorporated into its chromosome by a TM4 conditional shuttle phasmid containing the DNA of interest. The present invention further provides a mycobacterial auxotrophic mutant and a method of generating auxotrophic mutants.

Abstract: A process for reacting(1) a component selected from the group consisting of sterols and branched aliphatic primary or secondary alcohols having 14 to 32 carbon atoms, and(2) a component selected from the group consisting of fatty acids and fatty acid estersin contact with an enzyme selected from the group consisting of lipase and cholesterol esterase or with the selected enzyme in an immobilized form, in a system selected from the group consisting of an aqueous medium and water-containing organic solvent to prepare a fatty acid ester of the component (1).