Abstract: The invention provides a method for inserting a single stranded replacement nucleic acid into a target nucleic acid, the method comprising the steps of: a) generating a single stranded replacement nucleic acid from a double stranded nucleic acid, wherein the double stranded nucleic acid is adapted at one or both of its 5? ends such that preferential degradation of one strand and/or strand separation generates the single stranded replacement nucleic acid, wherein the single stranded replacement nucleic acid comprises a 5? region that is identical to sequence on the target nucleic acid, a 3? region that is identical to sequence on the target nucleic acid and optionally a replacement region between the 5? and 3? regions that is not identical to sequence on the target nucleic acid, b) exposing the target nucleic acid to the single stranded replacement nucleic acid under conditions suitable for recombination to occur between the single stranded replacement nucleic acid and the target nucleic acid, and c) selecting

Abstract: A method of modifying a target region in a host DNA using a donor DNA: wherein the donor DNA having regions homologous to a 5?-side region outside of the target region in the host DNA, a 3?-side region outside of the target region in the host DNA and a first homologous recombination region inside of the target region in the host DNA, respectively, in this order, and further having a first selectable marker gene, an expression-inducing promoter and a second selectable marker gene expressed under the control of the expression-inducing promoter between the region homologous to the 3?-side region and the region homologous to the first homologous recombination region; which method has the steps of: a first step of performing homologous recombination between the donor DNA and the host DNA at the regions of the 5?-side region and the first homologous recombination region, to conduct selection of a host integrated with the donor DNA based on expression of the first selectable marker gene; and a second step of perform

Abstract: The MFE2 gene of a microorganism capable of producing glycolipids, such as, but not limited to C. bombicola is disrupted with the purpose of blocking the beta-oxidation pathway in the strain. Fermentation of a such strain having such disrupted genes on primary or secondary alcohols or diols, preferably on primary alcohols produces short chained glycolipids in high yield and purity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method of producing a recombinant bacterium for production of a non-natural protein, including: (1) expressing tRNA in a bacterium, which tRNA recognizes UAG codon; (2) expressing an aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase in the bacterium, which aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase acylates the tRNA with a non-natural amino acid or an ?-hydroxy acid; (3) (i) introducing a DNA construct into the bacterium, which DNA construct is for expressing, in the absence of a release factor for terminating translation at UAG codon, a function of at least one gene selected from the group consisting of genes each of which loses its function when a gene that codes for the release factor is defective and/or introducing an alteration into said at least one gene in a chromosome of the bacterium, which alteration is for expressing the function of said at least one gene in the absence of the release factor; and (4) causing the gene that codes for the release factor in the bacterium to be defective.

Abstract: Mycobacterium strains that have an enhanced ability to elicit a MHC-Class I-restricted CD8+ T cell immune response are provided. The Mycobacterium strains are genetically engineered to express: a endosomalytic protein that is active at neutral pH (e.g. Perfringolysin O), permitting escape of the Mycobacterium from endosomes into the cytoplasm of the cell; and antigens of interest, such as tuberculosis antigens. The invention also provides vaccine preparations containing such Mycobacterium strains.

Abstract: The MFE2 gene of a microorganism capable of producing glycolipids, such as, but not limited to C. bombicola is disrupted with the purpose of blocking the beta-oxidation pathway in the strain. Fermentation of a such strain having such disrupted genes on primary or secondary alcohols or diols, preferably on primary alcohols produces short chained glycolipids in high yield and purity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a regeneration promoter for regenerating tissue with the use of somatic stem cells. The invention also provides a cell fusion promoter comprising ATP or its metabolite which is safely usable in vivo, a method of producing fused cells in the presence of ATP or its metabolite and a related pharmaceutical composition for regenerating or improving the function of a tissue or an organ in a subject suffering from dysfunction or hypofunction due to injury or denaturation.

Abstract: A method of modifying a target region in a host DNA using a donor DNA: wherein the donor DNA having regions homologous to a 5?-side region outside of the target region in the host DNA, a 3?-side region outside of the target region in the host DNA and a first homologous recombination region inside of the target region in the host DNA, respectively, in this order, and further having a first selectable marker gene, an expression-inducing promoter and a second selectable marker gene expressed under the control of the expression-inducing promoter between the region homologous to the 3?-side region and the region homologous to the first homologous recombination region; which method has the steps of: a first step of performing homologous recombination between the donor DNA and the host DNA at the regions of the 5?-side region and the first homologous recombination region, to conduct selection of a host integrated with the donor DNA based on expression of the first selectable marker gene; and a second step of p

Abstract: Methods for producing membrane-spanning polypeptides in high yields, with native conformation, and/or in soluble form include solubilizing in non-ionic or zwitterionic detergents, as well as use of promoters and expression vectors for expressing high yields of membrane-spanning polypeptides in bacterial cells. Mutated promoters provide tight control of membrane-spanning polypeptides in bacterial cell hosts.

Abstract: Methods for producing membrane-spanning polypeptides in high yields, with native conformation, and/or in soluble form include solubilizing in non-ionic or zwitterionic detergents, as well as use of promoters and expression vectors for expressing high yields of membrane-spanning polypeptides in bacterial cells. Mutated promoters provide tight control of membrane-spanning polypeptides in bacterial cell hosts.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for producing and selecting new mutant strains of B. fragilis that constitutively express a particular capsular polysaccharide or only selected capsular polysaccharides; compositions directed to the new mutant strains of B. fragilis that constitutively express a particular capsular polysaccharide or only selected capsular polysaccharides; improved methods for purification of individual capsular polysaccharides; and compositions directed to new res02 and inv19 genes and their gene products. Significantly, the present invention provides methods and compositions for overexpressing and purifying immunomodulatory capsular polysaccharide A (PSA) in high yield.

Abstract: Methods for producing membrane-spanning polypeptides in high yields, with native conformation, and/or in soluble form include solubilizing in non-ionic or zwitterionic detergents, as well as use of promoters and expression vectors for expressing high yields of membrane-spanning polypeptides in bacterial cells. Mutated promoters provide tight control of membrane-spanning polypeptides in bacterial cell hosts.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for producing and selecting novel mutant strains of B. fragilis that constitutively express a particular capsular polysaccharide or only selected capsular polysaccharides; compositions directed to the novel mutant strains of B. fragilis that constitutively express a particular capsular polysaccharide or only selected capsular polysaccharides; improved methods for purification of individual capsular polysaccharides; and compositions directed to novel res02 and inv19 genes and their gene products. Significantly, the present invention provides methods and compositions for overexpressing and purifying immunomodulatory capsular polysaccharide A (PSA) in high yield.

Abstract: A method for the production of fungus resistant transgenic plants, plant cells or plant tissue comprising the introduction of an Ab, rAb, rAb fragment or fusion or vector of the invention or the vectors of the composition of the invention into the genome of a plant, plant cell or plant cell tissue and a transgenic plant cell comprising stably integrated into the genome a polynucleotide or vector of the invention or the vectors of the composition of the invention.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed herein for inducing homologous recombination in a host cell comprising a target nucleic acid, using a single-stranded nucleic acid molecule. The single-stranded nucleic acid molecule has a sufficient number of nucleotides homologous to the target nucleic acid to enable homologous recombination with the target nucleic acid. The host cell includes a de-repressible promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding a single-stranded binding protein and is deficient for mismatch repair. Isolated host cells of use in this method are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the nucleic acid sequences of plant centromeres. This will permit construction of stably inherited recombinant DNA constructs and minichromosomes which can serve as vectors for the construction of transgenic plant and animal cells.

Abstract: The gene encoding a 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA transferase has been isolated from bacteria and integrated into the genome of bacteria also expressing a polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase, to yield an improved production process for 4HB-containing polyhydroxyalkanoates using transgenic organisms, including both bacteria and plants. The new pathways provide means for producing 4HB containing PHAs from cheap carbon sources such as sugars and fatty acids, in high yields, which are stable. Useful strains are obtaining by screening strains having integrated into their genomes a gene encoding a 4HB-CoA transferase and/or PHA synthase, for polymer production. Processes for polymer production use recombinant systems that can utilize cheap substrates. Systems are provided which can utilize amino acid degradation pathways, ?-ketoglutarate, or succinate as substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the nucleic acid sequences of plant centromeres. This will permit construction of stably inherited recombinant DNA constructs and minichromosomes which can serve as vectors for the construction of transgenic plant and animal cells.

Abstract: Application of a functionalized porous membrane to purify nucleic acids, the binding properties of the membrane with respect to nucleic acids being adjustable by controlling the conditions of an ambient medium. The membrane is functionalized by deprotonated groups.

Abstract: A new DNA vector is disclosed comprising a nucleic acid sequence useful for inserting heterologous sequences into the genome of poxviruses by homologous recombination. Also disclosed are recombinant poxviruses carrying heterologous coding sequences transferred by the DNA vector.

Abstract: The invention concerns the introduction of predetermined genetic changes in target genes of a living cell by introducing an oligodeoxynucleotide encoding the predetermined change. The oligodeoxynucleotides are effective in animal, plant and bacterial cells. Specific end modifications that greatly increase the effectiveness of the oligodeoxynucleotides in bacteria are described. Surprisingly, unmodified oligodeoxynucleotides can be as effective in mammalian cells, including in vivo hepatocytes, as the modified nucleotides and can be as effective or more effective than chimeric oligonucleotides that consist of a mixture of deoxynucleotides and 2?-O-methyl ribonucleotides.

Abstract: The gene encoding a 4-hydroxybutyryl-Co A transferase has been isolated from bacteria and integrated into the genome of bacteria also expressing a polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase, to yield an improved production process for 4HB-containing polyhydroxyalkanoates using transgenic organisms, including both bacteria and plants. The new pathways provide means for producing 4HB containing PHAs from cheap carbon sources such as sugars and fatty acids, in high yields, which are stable. Useful strains are obtaining by screening strains having integrated into their genomes a gene encoding a 4HB-CoA transferase and/or PHA synthase, for polymer production. Processes for polymer production use recombinant systems that can utilize cheap substrates. Systems are provided which can utilize amino acid degradation pathways, &agr;-ketoglutarate, or succinate as substrate.

Abstract: The gene encoding a 4-hydroxybutyryl-Co A transferase has been isolated from bacteria and integrated into the genome of bacteria also expressing a polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase, to yield an improved production process for 4HB-containing polyhydroxyalkanoates using transgenic organisms, including both bacteria and plants. The new pathways provide means for producing 4HB containing PHAs from cheap carbon sources such as sugars and fatty acids, in high yields, which are stable. Useful strains are obtaining by screening strains having integrated into their genomes a gene encoding a 4HB-CoA transferase and/or PHA synthase, for polymer production. Processes for polymer production use recombinant systems that can utilize cheap substrates. Systems are provided which can utilize amino acid degradation pathways, &agr;-ketoglutarate, or succinate as substrate.

Abstract: New PB92 or Subtilisin 309 mutant serine proteases are provided having specific mutations, resulting in an surprisingly better wash performance or in an improved storage stability with at similar or even better wash performance. These PB92 or Subtilisin 309 mutants include mutations at positions 60, 87, 97, 99, 102, 116, 117, 126, 127, 128, 130, 133, 134, 154, 156, 158, 159, 160, 164, 169, 175, 180, 182, 193, 197, 198, 203, 211, and 216. The new proteases, therefore, are very suitable for use in various types of detergents, whether or not in conjunction with other enzymes, for example amylases, cellulases and lipases. Preferred embodiments are the PB92 and Subtilisin 309 mutants having a mutation at position 102 and in particular those having at least one further mutation.

Abstract: The invention concerns the introduction of predetermined genetic changes in target genes of a living cell by introducing an oligodeoxynucleotide encoding the predetermined change. The oligodeoxynucleotides are effective in mammalian, avian, plant and bacterial cells. Specific end modifications that greatly increase the effectiveness of the oligodeoxynucleotides in bacteria are described. Surprisingly, unmodified oligodeoxynucleotides can be as effective in mammaliancells, including in vivo hepatocytes, as the modified nucleotides and can be as effective or more effective than chimeric oligonucleotides that consist of a mixture of deoxynucleotides and 2′-O-methyl ribonucleotides.

Abstract: The invention relates to the stable transfection of neurons with DNA encoding proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and replication factor C (RFC). Also, co-transfection of a functional gene along with the DNA encoding PCNA and RFC causes stable integration of the functional gene.

Abstract: The hAFC1 polypeptides and polynucleotides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing hAFC1 polypeptides and polynucleotides in therapy, and diagnostic assays for such.

Abstract: An immunochemical method is provided for the detection and determination of an analyte. The zeta potential of a latex-particle loaded with an immunologically active substance is measured before and after bringing the loaded latex-particle into contact with an analyte. The difference in zeta potential is correlated with changes of zeta potential for known concentrations of the analyte in order to determine the presence and amount of the analyte.