Abstract: Recombinant Factor IX characterized by a high percentage of active protein can be obtained in the milk of transgenic animals that incorporate chimeric DNA molecules according to the present invention. Transgenic animals of the present invention are produced by introducing into developing embryos DNA that encodes Factor IX, such that the foreign DNA is stably incorporated in the DNA of germ line cells of the mature animal. Particularly efficient expression was accomplished using a chimeric construct comprising a mammary gland specific promoter, Factor IX cDNA that lacked the complete or any portion of the 5′-untranslated and 3′-untranslated region, which is substituted with a 5′- and 3′-end of the mouse whey acidic protein gene. In vitro cell cultures of cells explanted from the transgenic mammal of the invention and methods of producing Factor IX from such said culture and methods of treating hemophilia B are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to the whole-body external optical imaging of gene expression. Specifically, methods for whole-body external optical imaging of gene expression and methods for evaluating a candidate protocol or drug for treating diseases or disorders using a fluorophore operatively linked to the promoter of a gene and external optical imaging are provided herein. Methods to screen for substances or genes that regulate target promoters are also provided.

Abstract: A vector is provided which contains a promoter construct linked to a heterologous gene encoding a selected biologically active molecule or oncogene wherein the promoter construct is capable of directing urothelial expression of the heterologous gene. Methods of isolating biologically active molecules from urine of animals transfected with this vector and transgenic animals containing this vector are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the recombinant production of biofilaments, such as spider silk or insect fibroins, using transgenic animals which secrete the biofilaments in their milk and/or urine, and transgenic cells which secrete the biofilaments into culture media. Such a method is useful for producing large quantities of biofilament material. Also disclosed is a nucleic acid molecule for generating such transgenic animals.

Abstract: A method of producing a substance comprising a peptide, involves incorporating a DNA sequence coding for the peptide into a gene of a mammal (such as a sheep) coding for a milk whey protein in such a way that the DNA sequence is expressed in the mammary gland of the adult female mammal. The substance may be an (optionally modified) protein such as a blood coagulation factor. The DNA sequence is preferably inserted into the first exon of a gene coding for a whey protein such as beta-lactoglobulin. The substance will generally be recovered from milk of the female mammal, but may (for example if it is an enzyme) be used in situ.

Abstract: The present invention describes a non-human transgenic mammal that produces in its leukocytes, a recombinant human leukotriene B4 receptor (BLTR), having physiological activity of human BLTR. The transgenic mammal has stably integrated into its genome an exogenous gene construct which includes (A) 5′ expression regulating sequences, including a BLTR specific promoter, (B) DNA encoding the BLTR and a signal sequence effective in directing overexpression of the BLTR into leukocytes of the transgenic mammal and (C) 3′ regulatory sequences that result in the overexpression of the DNA in the leukocytes. In one embodiment, (A), (B), and (C) are operably linked in the gene construct to obtain production of the BLTR in the leukocytes and overexpression thereof in the transgenic mammal.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for the isolation of primordial germ cells, culturing these cells to produce primordial germ cell-derived cell lines, methods for transforming both the primordial germ cells and the cultured cell lines, and using these transformed cells and cell lines to generate transgenic animals. The efficiency at which transgenic animals are generated by the present invention is greatly increased, thereby allowing the use of homologous recombination in producing transgenic non-rodent animal species.

Abstract: An isolated DNA sequence which regulates the expression of a heterologous gene composed of a mouse whey acidic protein promoter having a length of greater than about 2.4 kb extending upstream from the unique KpnI site in the mouse whey acidic protein gene is disclosed. Specifically a mouse whey acidic protein promoter of about 4.1-4.2 kb in length extending upstream from the unique KpnI site is preferred. This mouse whey acid protein promoter is operably linked to a DNA sequence encoding a heterologous polypeptide and used to prepare transgenic non-human mammals expressing the heterologous polypeptide in their milk. Particularly efficient expression of both cDNAs and genomic DNAs encoding heterologous polypeptides was obtained in transgenic non-human mammals using this promoter, known as the long whey acidic protein promoter.

Abstract: A non-human transgenic mammalian animal, as described above, contains an exogenous double stranded DNA sequence stably integrated into the genome of the animal, which comprises cis-acting regulatory units operably linked to a DNA sequence encoding human Factor VIII protein and a signal peptide, where the cis-acting regulatory units are active in mammary gland cells and the signal peptide is active in directing newly expressed Factor VIII into the milk of the animal. The promoter may be a milk protein promoter such as for whey acidic protein, casein, lactalbumin, or beta-lactoglobulin promoter. The transgenic mammals are preferably farm animals, for example, cows, goats, sheep, rabbits and pigs. Concurrent expression of a gene for human von Willebrand's Factor into milk may be used to stabilize newly-secreted Factor VIII.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an expression system comprising a DNA sequence encoding a polypeptide which ha a biological activity of human &kgr;-casein, the system comprising a 5′-flanking sequence capable of mediating expression of said DNA sequence. In preferred embodiments the 5′-flanking sequence is from a milk protein gene of a mammal such as a casein gene or whey acidic protein (WAP) gene and the DNA sequence contains at least one intron sequence. The invention further relates to DNA sequences, replicable expression vectors and cells harboring said vectors, recombinant polypeptide e.g. in glycosylated form, and milk, infant formula or nutrient supplement comprising recombinant polypeptide.

Abstract: Methods and cell lines for cloning bovine embryos and offspring are provided. The resultant embryos or offspring are especially useful for the expression of desired heterologous DNAs.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to methods of producing non-human transgenic mammals which produce various oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates in their milk. Additionally, the subject invention relates to the mammals themselves, the milk which they produce, compositions comprising the milk, fractions of the milk, and the purified oligosaccharides, as well as glyconjugates, present in the milk.

Abstract: A method for purifying human or other alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (&agr;1-PI) from a solution (which may be derived from the milk of a transgenic animal expressing the &agr;1-PI) which comprises contacting the solution with a cation exchange substrate under conditions sufficient to bind non-tg-&agr;1-PI contaminants to the substrate while not substantially binding tg &agr;1-PI to the substrate. Using the preferred embodiment, the purified tg &agr;1-PI contains as little as 40 pg non-&agr;1-PI-whey protein per mg total protein.

Abstract: Production of human procollagen or collagen in cells which ordinarily do not produce these molecules is effected by constructing expression systems compatible with mammary glands of non-human mammals. For example, expression systems can be microinjected into fertilized oocytes and reimplanted in foster mothers and carried to term in order to obtain transgenic non-human mammals capable of producing milk containing recombinant human procollagen or collagen. Human procollagen or collagen produced in this manner can be made of a single collagen type uncontaminated by other human or non-human collagens.

Abstract: An improved method of nuclear transfer involving the transplantation of donor differentiated cell nuclei into enucleated oocytes of the same species as the donor cell is provided. The resultant nuclear transfer units are useful for multiplication of genotypes and transgenic genotypes by the production of fetuses and offspring, and for production of isogenic CICM cells, including human isogenic embryonic or stem cells. Production of genetically engineered or transgenic mammalian embryos, fetuses and offspring is facilitated by the present method since the differentiated cell source of the donor nuclei can be genetically modified and clonally propagated.

Abstract: A non-human transgenic mammalian animal, as described above, contains an exogenous double stranded DNA sequence stably integrated into the genome of the animal, which comprises cis-acting regulatory units operably linked to a DNA sequence encoding human Factor VIII protein and a signal peptide, where the cis-acting regulatory units are active in mammary gland cells and the signal peptide is active in directing newly expressed Factor VIII into the milk of the animal. The promoter may be a milk protein promoter such as for whey acidic protein, casein, lactalbumin, or beta-lactoglobulin promoter. The transgenic mammals are preferably farm animals, for example, cows, goats, sheep, rabbits and pigs. Concurrent expression of a gene for human von Willebrand's Factor into milk may be used to stabilize newly-secreted Factor VIII.