Classified Patent Abstracts

Biotechnology Advances 19 (2001) 139 ± 172

Classified Patent Abstracts Mutation/Genetic Engineering 6132419 Electrophoretic gene and drug therapy A method and apparatus are provided for introducing molecules such as genes and pharmaceutical compounds into living blood cells of a patient for therapeutic purposes. A device is placed into contact with the body of the patient for generating an electric field at a preselected location within a selected blood vessel. Preselected molecules are infused into the selected blood vessel. Simultaneously, an electric signal is applied to the applied device to repeatedly subject a quantity of blood flowing within the selected blood vessel past the preselected location to electric fields of a predetermined amplitude and duration. The parameters of the electric fields are precisely controlled in order to make the walls of preselected cells in the blood transiently permeable to permit the molecules to enter said preselected cells without killing said cells. The device can include either an induction coil that is placed into contact with the body over a blood vessel, or alternatively, an induction coil that surrounds the blood vessel. The electric signal is supplied by a power pack and the preselected molecules are infused with a supply pump.

Hofmann; Gunter A. tronics Inc.

USA assigned to Gene-

6132713 Arginine deiminase derived from Mycoplasma arthritidis and polymer conjugates containing the same A purified arginine deiminase (ADI) obtained from Mycoplasma arthritidis having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, as well as an isolated nucleic acid molecule containing a nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, are disclosed. Other aspects of the invention include an expression vector, a cloned gene for expressing the M. arthritidis-derived ADI, (recombinant) host cells useful in

expressing the ADI of the present invention and substantially nonantigenic polymer conjugates containing the ADI of the present invention as well as methods of treating ADI susceptible conditions in mammals. The ADI ± polymer conjugates have high levels of retained enzyme activity and relatively long circulating lives.

Fiipula; David Ray, Wang; Maoliang signed to Enzon Inc.

USA as-

6132731 Murine leukemia virus vectors A proteinaceous particle comprises a capsid enveloped by ecotropic murine leukemia virus envelope proteins characterized in that a heterologous peptide that binds to a nonmurine cell is inserted in, entirely replaces, or replaces a portion of the native Ser-Gly-Gly-Ser-Ser-Pro-Gly of the VRA region of said envelope proteins. A method for preparing a plurality of such proteinaceous particles comprises expressing within a host cell (i) self-assembling capsid proteins, (ii) murine leukemia virus envelope proteins, said ENV proteins modified as defined, and optionally, (iii) packageable RNA, and then culturing the host cells and harvesting the resultant budded particles.

Kingsman; Alan John GREAT BRITAIN assigned to Oxford Biomedica (UK) Limited

6132732 Parvovirus capsids The present invention relates to a method of producing noninfectious parvovirus capsids and to diagnostic assays and vaccines utilizing same. The invention further relates to recombinant baculoviruses encoding parvovirus structural proteins and host cells infected therewith. The invention also relates to a method of packaging and delivering genetic information utilizing the noninfectious capsids.

0734-9750/01/$ ± see front matter D 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved. PII: S 0 7 3 4 - 9 7 5 0 ( 0 1 ) 0 0 0 5 8 - 1

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Young; Neal S., Kajigaya; Sachiko, Takashi; Shimada USA assigned to The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services

6132734 Cloning of mite allergens Isolated peptides comprising at least one epitope, such as a T or B cell epitope, of the group II protein allergen from Dermatophagoides, Der p II, are disclosed. Also disclosed are therapeutic compositions containing one or more such peptides and therapeutic methods of using such peptides. Also disclosed are diagnostic compositions containing one or more such peptides and diagnostic methods of using such peptides.

Thomas; Wayne Robert, Stewart; Geoffrey Alexander, Turner; Keven, Simpson; Richard John AUSTRALIA assigned to ImmuLogic Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

Method for detecting nucleic acids through a triple-stranded DNA intermediate without denaturing A nucleic acid detecting method using a probe is provided that makes it possible to obtain correct information on a target double-stranded DNA dsDNA without damaging the target double-stranded DNA dsDNA. In the nucleic acid detecting method of the present invention, a nucleic acid is detected by subjecting the target double-stranded DNA dsDNA bound with a first single-stranded DNA dsDNA probe via recA protein to a treatment with a single-stranded DNA dsDNA specific nuclease, to thereby allow a second single-stranded DNA dsDNA probe consisting of a base sequence complementary to that of the first probe or a part thereof and labeled with a detectable marker to bind to the target DNA dsDNA.

Shigemori; Yasushi, Fujiwara; Jun JAPAN assigned to Aisin Cosmos R and D Company Ltd.

6132988

6132960

DNA encoding a neuronal cell-specific receptor protein

Hop latent virus coat protein DNA, a gene derived from the genome of the hop latent virus, encoding the coat protein of the virus. The DNA is useful of a development of an efficient gene diagnostic method for detecting the hop latent virus-infected plant.

Suda; Narushi, Itoga; Yutaka, Hataya; Tatsuzi PAN assigned to Sapporo Breweries Ltd.

6132972

JA-

6132963 Interaction trap systems for analysis of protein networks Disclosed are sets of DNA molecules, and cell containing such molecules, each molecule encoding a candidate interacting protein fused to either a DNAbinding domain or a gene activating domain to which it is not naturally bonded.

Brent; Roger, Finley; Russell L., Jr. USA assigned to The General Hospital Corporation

To provide a method of isolating and detecting a new receptor gene, as a means of elucidating the function of neuronal cell-specific receptors, especially of elucidating the detailed mechanism of the neuronal cell differentiation inhibitory and nerve nutrition factor-like actions of activin receptors, DNA containing said new receptor gene, a method of producing a protein encoded by this new receptor gene, and use for this DNA and protein. The receptor protein of the present invention and DNA encoding this protein can be used for various purposes, including (1) ligand determination, (2) obtainment of antibodies and antisera, (3) construction of recombinant receptor protein expression systems, (4) development of receptor-binding assay systems and screening for pharmaceutical candidate compounds using expression systems, (5) drug designing based on comparison with structurally similar ligand receptors, (6) reagent for preparation of probes and PCR primers for gene diagnosis, and (7) drug for gene therapy.

Sugino; Hiromu, Nakamura; Takanori, Shouji; Hiroki JAPAN assigned to Takeda Chemical Industries Ltd.

6132966 Method and reagent for inhibiting hepatitis C virus replication

6132990

An enzymatic RNA molecule that specifically cleaves RNA of a hepatitis C virus.

Recombinant methods for production of serine protease inhibitors and DNA sequences useful for same

Draper; Kenneth G. USA assigned to Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals Inc.

A synthetic DNA sequence and its genetic equivalents and which sequences are capable, when used in a recombinant

Patent Abstracts / Biotechnology Advances 19 (2001) 139±172 DNA method, of directing production of a serine protease inhibitor protein are disclosed. Recombinant DNA methods for the production of serine protease inhibitor proteins are also disclosed. These methods incorporate either the synthetic DNA sequence of the present invention or natural DNA sequences isolated from human cDNA or genomic libraries. In addition, a single polypeptide chain protein is disclosed, which is capable of inhibiting chymotrypsin and elastase but not trypsin. In one embodiment, this protein is a shortened from (single domain) of the protein produced by the method described herein.

Bandyopadhyay; Pradip K., Eisenberg; Stephen P., Stetler; Gary L., Thompson; Robert C. USA assigned to Amgen Boulder Inc.

6132995 Method for determining activity of reverse transcriptase A method for determining the activity of a nucleotide polymerizing enzyme in a sample, and use of the method for determining HIV 1 RT- and herpes simplex DNApolymerase activity. The enzyme is captured by means of a monoclonal antibody that is immobilized to a solid carrier and is capable of binding the enzyme without detrimentally effecting the enzyme activity. Contaminants and disturbing factors are removed and the nucleotide polymerization starts by the addition of a reaction solution containing a primer/template construct and nucleotides substrate, the reaction conditions being chosen such that they promote permanent association between antibody enzyme and primer/template constructs. When necessary, a nucleotide substrate, primer/template, and reaction solution are washed away from the newly synthesized polymer and the amount of nucleotide that has been incorporated into the polymer is determined, and the activity of the enzyme is determined with the guidance of this determination.

Gronowitz; Jan-Simon, Kallander; Clas, Lennerstrand; Johan SWEDEN assigned to Cavidi Tech AB

6132997 Method for linear mRNA amplification Methods for linearly amplifying mRNA to produce antisense RNA are provided. In the subject methods, mRNA is converted to double-stranded cDNA using a promoter-primer having a poly-dT primer site linked to a promoter sequence so that the resulting double-stranded cDNA is recognized by an RNA polymerase. The resultant double-stranded cDNA is then transcribed into antisense RNA in the presence of a reverse transcriptase that is rendered incapable of RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity during this transcription step. The subject methods find use a variety of different applications in which the

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preparation of linearly amplified amounts of antisense RNA is desired. Also provided are kits for practicing the subject methods.

Shannon; Karen W. Technologies

USA assigned to Agilent

6133005 Transketolase-related protein The present invention relates to a transketolase-related protein, a DNA encoding the same and a process for the preparation thereof. In addition, the invention concerns the use of the DNA and the protein as well as antibodies directed against the protein.

Poustka; Annemarie, Coy; Johannes

GERMANY

6133012 Thermostable acyl peptide hydrolase and gene encoding the same An acyl peptide hydrolase having an optimum temperature range of 90 ± 95°C and a gene encoding the same are disclosed. With the above enzyme, it becomes possible to conduct amino terminal analysis of acylated proteins and peptides at high temperatures.

Ishikawa; Kazuhiko, Matsui; Ikuo, Ishida; Hiroyasu, Kosugi; Yoshitsugu, Higuchi; Katsuhiko JAPAN assigned to Director General of Agency of Industrial Science and Technology

6133013 Truncated aspartase enzyme derivatives and uses thereof Truncated derivatives of aspartase having enhanced catalytic activity and/or enhanced clot dissolution properties relative to native aspartase from Escherichia coli are disclosed. The enzymes are isolated by site-directed mutagenesis of DNA encoding aspartase. L-Aspartic acid is manufactured by contacting fumarate and ammonium ion in the presence of an aspartase derivative.

Viola; Ronald E., Jayasekera; Maithri M.K., Saribas; Abdullah S. USA assigned to The University of Akron

6133014 Maleate isomerase gene The present invention provides a gene coding for maleate isomerase excellent in stability, a recombinant vector having the gene, and a transformant transformed with the

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recombinant vector. According to the present invention, maleate isomerase excellent in stability can be produced efficiently in a large amount.

Mukouyama; Masaharu, Yasuda; Shinzo, Komatsuzaki; Satomi JAPAN assigned to Nippon Shokubai Company Ltd.

synthase (trehalose synthase) and trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase (trehalose phosphatase).

Strom; Arne Reidar, Kaasen; Inga, Styrvold; Olaf Bay, McDougall; John NORWAY assigned to Calgene Inc.

6133035

6133024

Method of genetically transforming banana plants

Gene expression control

The present invention provides a method of producing a transformed banana plant (genus, Musa), in particular by tranforming embryogenic material, or the somatic embryos derived from a banana plant, through incubation with Agrobacterium cells carrying exogenous DNA sequence(s), and obtaining regenerated plants.

The present invention relates to new vectors, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their therapeutical uses. More particularly, it relates to new molecules capable of acting, in a very selective and efficacious way, on the expression of genes.

Helene; Claude, Giovannangeli; Carine assigned to Aventis Pharma S.A.

FRANCE

Engler; Dean, Gutterson; Neal, Nisbet; Garry S. GREAT BRITAIN assigned to DNA Plant Technology Corporation Zeneca Ltd.

6133028 Defective adenoviruses and corresponding complementation lines Novel defective adenoviruses for the transfer and expression of an exogenous nucleotide sequence in a host cell or organism. The invention also relates to novel complementation lines and to the process for the preparation of these novel defective adenoviruses and their use in therapy and to a pharmaceutical composition containing the same.

Imler; Jean-Luc, Mehtali; Majid, Pavirani; Andrea FRANCE assigned to Transgene S.A.

6133033 Method for in vitro selection of potato clones resistant to blackspot bruising and the potatoes produced therefrom A first method is provided for in vitro selection of Lemhi and Russet Burbank potatoes for blackspot resistance using plant tissue culturing techniques. A second method is provided using at least one melanin precursor added to the tissue culturing media. The blackspot-resistant potatoes produced from such methods are also provided.

Secor; Gary Allen, Taylor; Raymond J., Bidney; Dennis Lee, Ruby; Cheryl Louise USA assigned to J.R. Simplot Company

6133034 Methods and compositions related to the production of trehalose This invention relates to genes involved in the biosynthesis of trehalose. The genes encode trehalose-6-phosphate

6133243 Liposomal ± viral DNA complexes for treating disease Methods and compositions for treating cancer consisting of viral DNA in association with liposomal material, the viral DNA substantially incapable of encoding a functional viral oncoprotein capable of binding to a functional tumor suppressor gene product in a neoplastic cell, and the viral DNA capable of replicating and forming infectious virus in neoplastic cells thereby killing the neoplastic cells and substantially incapable of replicating and forming infectious virus in nonneoplastic cells that have the tumor suppressor protein.

Kirn; David ticals Inc.

USA assigned to Onyx Pharmaceu-

6133417 Cytochrome P-450 monooxygenases New cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenases and DNA molecules encoding these monooxygenases are provided, which are able to catalyze the biosynthetic pathway from amino acids to their corresponding cyanohydrins, the precursors of the cyanogenic glycosides, or to glucosinolates. Moreover, the invention provides methods for obtaining DNA molecules according to the invention and methods for obtaining transgenic plants resistant to insects, acarids, or nematodes or plants with improved nutritive value.

Koch; Birgit Maria, Sibbesen; Ole, Halkier; Barbara Ann, Moller; Birger Lindberg DENMARK assigned to Novartis Finance Corporation, Royal Veterinary Agricultural University

Patent Abstracts / Biotechnology Advances 19 (2001) 139±172

Pande; Hema, Riggs; Arthur D., Zaia; John A., Clark; Brian R. USA assigned to City of Hope

6133419 Nucleotide sequences that encode phosphatidylinositol-30 kinase-associated proteins and uses thereof Identification, characterization, and expression of nucleotides that encode phosphatidylinositol-30 kinase-associated protein(s) that bind to the intermediate SH2 domain on the regulatory subunit of PI3K, p85, by the associated protein(s) C-terminal amino acids, and that exhibit a bromodomain are described, as well as methods of using such proteins for medical applications, including diagnosis and treatment cell growth disorders.

Braselmann; Sylvia maceuticals Inc.

USA assigned to Onyx Phar-

6133435 AGL15 sequences in transgenic plants A transgenic flowering plant exhibiting a novel phenotype contains in its genome a genetic construct in which an AGL15 sequence is placed under the control of a promoter that is expressed in the plant, the promoter not being natively associated with the AGL15 sequence. A genetic construct that is useful for obtaining transgenic plants includes an AGL15 sequence under the control of a promoter, not natively associated with the AGL15 sequence, which is functional in plants.

Fernandez; Donna E., Heck; Gregory R. USA

6133428 Gab1, a Grb2-binding protein, and compositions for making and methods of using the same A substantially pure protein, Gab1, that binds to Grb2 is disclosed. Isolated nucleic acid molecules that encode Gab1 is disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in combination with nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. Fragments of nucleic acid molecules that encode Gab1 having at least 10 nucleotides and oligonucleotide molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence complimentary to a nucleotide sequence of at least 10 nucleotides are disclosed. Recombinant expression vectors that comprise the nucleic acid molecule that encode Gab1, and host cells that comprise such recombinant vectors are disclosed. Antibodies that bind to an epitope on Gab1 are disclosed. Methods of identifying inhibitors, activators, and substrates of Gab1 are disclosed. Antisense compounds and methods of using the same are disclosed.

Wong; Albert J., Holgado-Madruga; Marina assigned to Thomas Jefferson University

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USA

6133433 Method for detection and prevention of human cytomegalovirus infection DNA probe has been isolated that is capable of hybridizing to an oligonucleotide sequence coding for a polypeptide from a major 64-kDa protein of human cytomegalovirus (HCMVgp64). The probe has a sequence of at least 17 to as many as 721 nucleotides. The DNA fragments coding for the HCMVgp64 may be hybridized to DNA fragments of HCMV DNA from an individual having HCMV infection. The HCMVgp64 also reacts with T-lymphocytes of an individual after natural infection of that individual with HCMV. Thus, the HCMVgp64 protein may be used as a vaccine to prevent HCMV infection.

6133503 Mammalian artificial chromosomes and methods of using same The present invention provides a mammalian artificial chromosome (MAC), comprising a centromere and a unique cloning site, with the said MAC containing less than 0.1% of the DNA present in a normal haploid genome of the mammalian cell from which the centromere was obtained. The invention further provides an MAC, wherein the unique cloning site is a nucleic acid sequence encoding a selectable marker. The invention also provides methods of preparing an MAC. In addition, the invention provides methods of stably expressing a selectable marker in a cell, comprising introducing an MAC containing the selectable marker into the cell. The invention also provides a cell containing an MAC expressing an exogenous nucleic acid sequence and a transgenic mammal expressing a selectable marker.

Scheffler; Immo E. USA assigned to The Regents of the University of California

6133504 DNA encoding mannose 6-phosphate reductase and recombinants produced therefrom DNA encoding mannose 6-phosphate reductase (M6PR) and the use of the DNA in vectors and bacteria and in plants. The enzyme enables the production of mannitol in plants, which increases stress tolerance, particularly to salt.

Loescher; Wayne H., Everard; John D., Grumet; Rebecca USA assigned to Board of Trustees operating Michigan State University

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6133505 Phytopathogenic geminivirus-resistant transgenic plants and seeds and methods for obtaining same by introduction of mutated C1 gene Nucleotide sequences produced by mutation (also known as mutant nucleotide sequences) of C1 nucleotide sequences present in a pathogenic geminivirus genome in plants with one or more mutations capable of producing a dominant negative phenotype for the replication of the pathogenic virus, its diffusion in a plant, or its spread from one plant to another, especially through vectors such as insects, the mutant nucleotide sequences being capable of fully or partially inhibiting the replication and/or diffusion and/or spread of the pathogenic virus for producing phytopathogenic geminivirus-resistant or -tolerant transgenic plants.

Fehr; Walter R., Hammond; Earl G. USA assigned to Iowa State University Research Foundation Inc.

6133512 Inbred corn plant 17DHD5 and seeds thereof

Gronenborn; Bruno FRANCE assigned to Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

According to the invention, there is provided an inbred corn plant designated 17DHD5. This invention thus relates to the plants, seeds, and tissue cultures of the inbred corn plant 17DHD5 and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing the inbred plant 17DHD5 with itself or with another corn plant, such as another inbred. This invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred plant 17DHD5 with another corn plant, such as another inbred, and to crosses with related species. This invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of the inbred corn plant 17DHD5, and also to the RFLP and genetic isozyme typing profiles of inbred corn plant 17DHD5.

6133507

Johnson; Steve K. USA assigned to DeKalb Genetics Corporation

Nettle lectin cDNA A cDNA encoding a chitin-binding protein of nettle lectin (Urtica dioica) and subunits thereof is described. The cDNA is incorporated into a vector so as to be transformed into a plant. A synthetic gene encoding a chitin-binding protein is also described.

Raikhel; Natasha V. USA assigned to Board of Trustees operating Michigan State University

6133509 Reduced linolenic acid production in soybeans Soybeans (i.e., Glycine max L. Merr.) possessing a novel genetic determinant for the reduced production of linolenic acid in the endogenously formed vegetable oil of the seeds are provided. Such genetic determinant is the homozygous recessive fan3fan3 gene pair that has been found to be capable of formation through mutagenesis. Once formed, such genetic determinant can be readily transferred to other soybean lines and cultivars where it is similarly expressed on a reliable basis under conventional field growing conditions. In a preferred embodiment a soybean plant possesses the combined presence of the homozygous recessive gene pairs (1) fan1fan1 or fan1(A5)fan1(A5), (2) fan2fan2, as well as (3) fan3fan3 for reduced linolenic acid formation in the seeds and has been found that an unusually low expression for linolenic acid production in the resulting vegetable oil of the seeds is provided that is less than 1.3 wt.% and most preferably is no more than 1.1 wt.% based on the total fatty acid content. A vegetable oil is made possible in this instance that is particularly well suited for frying applications in the absence of the need for hydrogenation.

6133513 Inbred maize line PH0WD An inbred maize line, designated PH0WD, the plants and seeds of inbred maize line PH0WD, methods for producing a maize plant, either inbred or hybrid, which is produced by crossing the inbred maize line PH0WD with itself or with another maize plant, and hybrid maize seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line PH0WD with another maize line or plant, and methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and the transgenic maize plants produced by that method are disclosed. This invention also relates to methods for producing other inbred maize lines derived from inbred maize line PH0WD and to the inbred maize lines derived by the use of those methods.

Cunnyngham; Charles Thomas USA assigned to Pioneer Hi-Bred International. Inc.

6133514 Inbred maize line PH3GK An inbred maize line, designated PH3GK, the plants and seeds of inbred maize line PH3GK, methods for producing a maize plant, either inbred or hybrid, which is produced by crossing the inbred maize line PH3GK with itself or with another maize plant, and hybrid maize seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line PH3GK with another maize line or plant, and methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and the transgenic maize plants produced by that method are disclosed. This invention also relates to methods for

Patent Abstracts / Biotechnology Advances 19 (2001) 139±172 producing other inbred maize lines derived from inbred maize line PH3GK and to the inbred maize lines derived by the use of those methods.

Colbert; Terry Ray, Gorman; Daniel Preston USA assigned to Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc.

6142681 Method and apparatus for interpreting hybridized bioelectronic DNA microarray patterns using selfscaling convergent reverberant dynamics A technique is described for identifying mutations, if any, present in a biological sample from a preselected set of known mutations. The method can be applied to DNA, RNA, and peptide nucleic acid (PNA) microarrays. The method analyzes a dot spectrogram representative of quantized hybridization activity of oligonucleotides in the sample to identify the mutations. In accordance with the method, a resonance pattern is generated that is representative of nonlinear resonances between a stimulus pattern associated with the set of known mutations and the dot spectrogram. The resonance pattern is interpreted to yield a set of confirmed mutations by comparing resonances found therein with predetermined resonances expected for the selected set of mutations. In a particular example, the resonance pattern is generated by iteratively processing the dot spectrogram by performing a convergent reverberation to yield a resonance pattern representative of resonances between a predetermined set of selected quantum expressor functions and the dot spectrogram until a predetermined degree of convergence is achieved between the resonances found in the resonance pattern and resonances expected for the set of mutations. The resonance pattern is analyzed to yield a set of confirmed mutations by mapping the confirmed mutations to known diseases associated with the preselected set of known mutations to identify diseases, if any, indicated by the biological sample. By exploiting a resonant interaction, mutation signatures may be robustly identified even in circumstances involving low signal-to-noise ratios or, in some cases, negative signal-to-noise ratios.

Gulati; Sandeep poration

USA assigned to ViaLogy Cor-

6143151 DNA sequencing To sequence long strands of DNA, clone strands having lengths longer than 100 bases are, in one embodiment, marked on one end with biotin. These strands are divided into four aliquots and each aliquot: (1) is uniquely chemically treated to randomly terminate the strands at the nonbiotinylated end at a selected type of base and (2) is moved continuously by electrophoresis through a different one of four identical channels. In the one embodiment, the strands

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are randomly terminated at a selected base type and they are moved into avidin, which due to its high affinity, combines with the biotin-marked ends of shorter strands before the longer strands are fully resolved in the gel. The avidin is marked with fluorescein, the strands are scanned, and the signals are decoded. In another embodiment, the strands are synthesized, with termination at a selected base type and marked either by the above method or by ethidium bromide.

Middendorf; Lyle Richard, Brumbaugh; John assigned to Li-Cor Inc.

USA

6143494 Poliovirus specific primers and methods of detection utilizing the same The ability to rapidly detect wild polioviruses in clinical specimens is a major concern for the worldwide eradication of polioviruses. Provided is a method of detecting polioviruses of all three serotypes from viral isolates of clinical specimens using a pair of degenerate PCR primers. This primer set, which uses deoxyinosine residues to compensate for third position mismatches at specific positions, recognizes nucleotide sequences near the receptor-binding site of polioviruses. These sequences are unique to polioviruses and are absolutely conserved at the amino acid level. As a result, these PCR primers do not recognize nonpoliovirus enteroviruses. All poliovirus serotypes (40 poliovaccine-related genotypes and 120 wild poliovirus genotypes from around the world) tested positive. All 14 prototype strains of nonpoliovirus enteroviruses tested negative. Also provided is a series of degenerate PCR primers that differentiates between the three wild poliovirus serotypes and a method of detecting the presence of the three serotypes utilizing a nucleic acid amplification technique.

Kilpatrick; David R. USA assigned to The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services

6143499 Miniaturized reaction vessel system, method for performing site-specific biochemical reactions, and affinity fractionation for use in DNA sequencing A method for fractionating and sequencing DNA via affinity interaction is provided, which is comprised of contacting cleaved DNA to a first array of oligonucleotide molecules to facilitate hybridization between said cleaved DNA and the molecules; extracting the hybridized DNA from the molecules; contacting said extracted hybridized DNA with a second array of oligonucleotide molecules, wherein the oligonucleotide molecules in the second array have specified base sequences that are complementary to

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said extracted hybridized DNA; and attaching labeled DNA to the second array of oligonucleotide molecules, wherein the labeled rehybridized DNA have sequences that are complementary to the oligomers. The invention further provides a method for performing multistep conversions of the chemical structure of compounds, which is comprised of supplying an array of polyacrylamide vessels separated by hydrophobic surfaces; immobilizing a plurality of reactants, such as enzymes, in the vessels so that each vessel contains one reactant; contacting the compounds to each of the vessels in a predetermined sequence and for a sufficient time to convert the compounds to a desired state; and isolating the converted compounds from the said array.

Mirzabekov; Andrei Darievich, Lysov; Yuri Petrovich, Dubley; Svetlana A. RUSSIAN FEDERATION assigned to University of Chicago

6143504 Methods and compositions for the diagnosis of fragile X syndrome The present invention relates generally to the field of diagnostics. More particularly, it concerns the use of methylation-specific PCR in order to identify those males having fragile X syndrome. The present invention provides a method in which amplification specific for the methylated FMR1 sequence is observed in all individuals with a full mutation, while all normal and premutation individuals show only amplification specific for the unmethylated sequence, thus allowing affected and unaffected males to be distinguished. A full mutation in the presence of mosaicism also may detectable by this method. Thus, methylation-specific PCR is demonstrated as a rapid and reliable tool for the diagnosis of fragile X.

Das; Soma, Ledbetter; David H. Arch Development Corporation

USA assigned to

6143519 Human endothelin ± bombesin receptor A human endothelin ± bombesin receptor polypeptide and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptide and the procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polypeptide for identifying agonists and antagonists to such polypeptide. Agonists to the endothelin ± bombesin receptor polypeptide of the present invention may be used to treat asthma, Parkinson's disease, acute heart failure, hypotension, and osteoporosis. Antagonists against such polypeptides may be used therapeutically to treat hypertension, ulcerigenesis, subarachnoid hemorrhage, asthma, tumors, cyclosporin toxicity, cancer, and septic shock. Also disclosed are diagnostic methods for detecting mutations in the polynucleotides of the

present invention and for detecting levels of the soluble polypeptides in samples derived from a host.

Li; Yi, Rosen; Craig A., Kumar; Chandrika assigned to Human Genome Sciences Inc.

USA

6143525 Complex inducible promoter system derivable from a phage of a lactic acid bacterium (LAB), and its use in a LAB for production of a desired protein The invention provides a complex inducible promoter system from a phage of a lactic acid bacterium (LAB), especially one having the DNA sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 given in Fig. 2, or a DNA sequence essentially corresponding to those sequences, and a modification of (an essential part of) such promoter system in which the mitomycin C induction system is replaced by a goodgrade system, e.g., a temperature-initiated induction system or a salt-initiated induction system. Also provided is a recombinant vector and a transformed LAB comprising (an essential part of) such promoter system. Further, a process for producing a desired protein by such transformed bacterium is provided, comprising expressing a gene encoding said desired protein or a precursor thereof under control of such promoter system or an essential part thereof. Preferably, the transformed LAB is made foodgrade due to using food-grade DNA sequences and/or removing non-food-grade DNA sequences. When required, the desired protein can be secreted by the LAB if a DNA sequence fused to the gene encoding the desired protein is present, which effects secretion of the desired protein or its precursor. The process can be used in a fermentation process, in which the desired protein causes lysis of the bacterial cells so that the contents of the cells can be released, or in which the desired protein is an enzyme involved in flavour formation, or in which the desired protein has a function in a cheese production process, such as chymosin or a precursor thereof, or an enzyme involved in flavour formation.

Nauta; Arjan, Venema; Gerard, Kok; Jan, Ledeboer; Adrianus Marinus NETHERLANDS assigned to Quest International B.V.

6143527 Chain reaction cloning using a bridging oligonucleotide and DNA ligase Chain reaction cloning methods and reagents and kits for performing such methods are provided. Chain reaction cloning allows ligation of double-stranded DNA molecules by DNA ligases and bridging oligonucleotides. Doublestranded nucleic acid molecules are denatured into singlestranded molecules. The ends of the molecules are brought

Patent Abstracts / Biotechnology Advances 19 (2001) 139±172 together by hybridization to a template. The template ensures that the two single-stranded nucleic acid molecules are aligned correctly. DNA ligase joins the two nucleic acid molecules into a single, larger, composite nucleic acid molecule. The nucleic acid molecules are subsequently denatured so that the composite molecule formed by the ligated nucleic acid molecules and the template cease to hybridize to each. Each composite molecule then serves as a template for orienting unligated, single-stranded nucleic acid molecules. After several cycles, composite nucleic acid molecules are generated from smaller nucleic acid molecules. A number of applications are disclosed for chain reaction cloning including site-specific ligation of DNA fragments generated by restriction enzyme digestion, DNAse digestion, chemical cleavage, enzymatic or chemical synthesis, and PCR amplification.

Pachuk; Catherine J., Samuel; Manoj, Satishchandran; C. USA assigned to American Home Products Corporation

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6143531 Method of double-stranded DNA synthesis The present invention provides an improved method for the synthesis of double-stranded DNA, particularly complementary DNA, for the construction of directional complementary DNA libraries. The method comprises synthesizing a first strand of DNA complementary to a selected RNA or DNA template by contacting with the template a linker/primer comprising a selected restriction site, a suitable RNA- or DNA-dependent DNA polymerase, and substrates comprising a deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate analog. The linker/primer and deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate analog are selected such that incorporation of the nucleotide analog in the first strand substantially protects the double-stranded DNA from cleavage, under conditions sufficient to cleave, or substantially cleave the linker/primer, at the selected restriction site.

Huse; William David, Hansen; Connie Jo assigned to Stratagene

USA

6143528 Method for forming full-length cDNA libraries Disclosed is a method for making full-length cDNA libraries, which is for making libraries of cDNAs having lengths corresponding to full lengths of mRNAs and comprises the following steps of: forming RNA ± DNA hybrids by reverse transcription starting from primers using mRNAs as templates; chemically binding a tag molecule to a diol structure present in the 50 Cap (7MeGpppN) site of a mRNA that is forming an RNA ± DNA hybrid; and separating RNA ± DNA hybrids carrying a DNA corresponding to a full-length mRNA from the RNA ± DNA hybrids formed above by using a function of the tag molecule. The present method is a method for preparing fulllength cDNA libraries utilizing a method for labeling the 50 Cap site more efficiently than protein enzyme reactions, which avoids a decrease of a full-length cDNA synthesis efficiency caused by cleavage of mRNA, and can synthesize a full-length cDNA more efficiently.

Hayashizaki; Yoshihide JAPAN assigned to The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research

6143530 Circular DNA expression cassettes for in vivo gene transfer Double-stranded DNA molecules are characterised as circular and that they essentially include one or more genes of interest.

Crouzet; Joel, Scherman; Daniel, Cameron; Beatrice, Wils; Pierre, Darquet; Anne-Marie FRANCE assigned to Rhone-Poulenc Rorer S.A.

6143538 Fatty acyl-CoA reductase A bacterial gene encodes an enzyme that is an acyl-CoA reductase. The acyl-CoA reductase is able to chemically reduce acyl-CoAs to their corresponding alcohols via aldehyde intermediates.

Somerville; Chris R., Reiser; Steven E. USA assigned to The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy

6143540 Molecules of the HKID-1-related protein family and uses thereof Novel HKID-1 polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. In addition to isolated, fulllength HKID-1 proteins, the invention further provides isolated HKID-1 fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-HKID-1 antibodies. The invention also provides HKID-1 nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which an HKID-1 gene has been introduced or disrupted. Diagnostic, screening, and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Kapeller; Rosana USA assigned to Millennium Pharmaceuticals Inc.

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Instrumentation, Assays and Equipment Design 6143247 Affinity binding-based system for detecting particulates in a fluid This invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting and quantifying particulate matter suspended in a fluid. Specifically, the invention provides an integrated, affinitybinding based, analytical system comprising a platform for performing an affinity-binding based assay for specifically binding particulates including microbial cells, and a detection means for detecting the particulates specifically bound to a defined surface or chamber comprising the platform. Methods for using the analytical systems of the invention are also provided.

Sheppard; Norman F., Jr., Mian; Alec, Kellogg; Gregory, Kieffer-Higgins; Stephen G., Carvalho; Bruce L. USA assigned to Gamera Bioscience Inc.

6143293 Assembled scaffolds for three-dimensional cell culturing and tissue generation A three-dimensional scaffold for tissue generation. Mechanical fasteners allow layered and volumetric scaffold sections, which may be preseeded with cells and/or growth factors, to be assembled into a heterogeneous generated tissue for implantation.

Weiss; Lee E., Calvert; Jay Wynn USA assigned to Carnegie Mellon, University of Pittsburgh

6143491 Therapeutic compositions and methods and diagnostic assays for type II diabetes involving HNF-1 Method and compositions for treating type II diabetes and type II diabetes diagnostics are disclosed.

Glucksmann; M. Alexandra USA assigned to Millennium Pharmaceuticals Inc.

6143502 Dual-luciferase reporter system Plasmids and methods of use for assaying translational recoding are disclosed. The plasmids contain a constitutively expressed renilla (Renilla reniformis; sea pansy) luciferase gene, a polylinker for insertion of a selected DNA segment, and an out-of-frame firefly luciferase gene. Recoding is determined by monitoring luminescence of

the firefly luciferase normalized to the luminescence of the renilla luciferase.

Grentzmann; Guido, Gesteland; Raymond F., Atkins; John F. FRANCE assigned to University of Utah Research Foundation

6143507 High-throughput compatible assay for receptor ± TRAF interactions Disclosed is a high-throughput compatible assay that is useful for the identification of specific antagonists of TRAF ± receptor interactions. The modular flexibility of the assay makes it possible to introduce simple modifications in order to measure the interaction of any TNF receptor cytoplasmic domain (or TRAF-binding protein) with any of the six TRAF proteins, TRAF1, TRAF2, TRAF3, TRAF4, TRAF5, and TRAF6.

Kehry; Marilyn R., Pullen; Steven S., Crute; James J. USA assigned to Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc.

6143511 Sandwich immunoassays for collagen type II degradation products Sandwich immunoassays for detecting analyte indicative of type II collagen resorption in vivo, by contacting a body fluid sample with a first antibody and a second antibody such that analyte present in the sample forms a first antibody ± analyte ± second antibody complex, and detecting the presence or amount of the first antibody ± analyte ± second antibody complex, wherein the first and second antibodies are capable of binding to a telopeptide having a sequence identical to that of a carboxy-terminal telopeptide produced in vivo upon degradation of type II collagen.

Eyre; David R. USA assigned to Washington Research Foundation

6143521 Human bombesin receptor subtype-3sb Bombesin receptor subtype-3sb polypeptides and polynucleotides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing bombesin receptor subtype-3sb polypeptides and polynucleotides in therapy, and diagnostic assays for such.

Lane; Pamela, Elshourbagy; Nabil, Tsui; Ping USA assigned to SmithKline Beecham Corporation

Patent Abstracts / Biotechnology Advances 19 (2001) 139±172

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6143529

6143576

Methods for improving sensitivity and specificity of screening assays

Nonporous diagnostic devices for the controlled movement of reagents

Methods of the invention comprise assays for markers indicative of cancer or precancer. Assays of the invention are performed on samples obtained from a patient by noninvasive or minimally invasive methods. The invention provides nucleic acid indicia of cancer or precancer with high sensitivities and high specificities for detection.

The assay devices, assay systems, and device components of this invention comprise at least two opposing surfaces disposed a capillary distance apart, at least one of which is capable of immobilizing at least one target ligand or a conjugate in an amount related to the presence or amount of target ligand in the sample from a fluid sample in a zone for controlled fluid movement to, through, or away the zone. The inventive device components may be incorporated into conventional assay devices with membranes or may be used in the inventive membrane-less devices herein described and claimed. These components include, flow control elements, measurement elements, time gates, elements for the elimination of pipetting steps, and generally, elements for the controlled flow, timing, delivery, incubation, separation, washing, and other steps of the assay process.

Lapidus; Stanley N., Shuber; Anthony P. assigned to Exact Laboratories Inc.

USA

6143562 Carbon-based process for selection of transgenic plant cells A carbon-based process for the selection of heterotrophically cultured plant cells is contemplated as are plants transformed using that process and a kit useful for effecting such a transformation. Plant cells are transformed with a heterologous DNA segment that contains two expression cassettes. The first cassette contains a gene that encodes a heterologous enzyme that on expression converts a growth-limiting (encrypted) carbon source that does not support growth and proliferation of nontransformed plant cells into a carbon source that supports growth and proliferation of transformed plant cells. The second cassette contains a second gene to be expressed in the transformed plant cells. A mixture of transformed and nontransformed plant cells is cultured under heterotrophic culture conditions with the growthlimiting carbon source as the only carbon source. Inasmuch as only the transformed cells express the heterologous enzyme that converts the carbon source present into a carbon source that is useful to support growth and proliferation, only transformed cells grow and proliferate, and those cells are selected.

Trulson; Anna Julia, Green; Charles Edward, Braun; Carl Joseph, III USA assigned to Seminis Vegetable Seeds

6143575 Heterogeneous immunoassay using a precipitable solid phase The invention relates to a method for carrying out heterogeneous immunoassays, in particular to a method for separating a coated solid phase from a liquid phase by means of precipitation and subsequent centrifugation, with a detectable activity remaining in the liquid phase.

Kraus; Michael GERMANY assigned to Dade Behring Marburg GmbH

Buechler; Kenneth F. Diagnostics Inc.

USA assigned to Biosite

6143578 Method and apparatus for wash, resuspension, recollection, and localization of magnetizable particles in assays using magnetic separation technology Method and apparatus for enabling resuspension wash and magnetic localization of sample components bound to particles with magnetic properties in reaction vessels during separation and wash for enhanced chemiluminescent signal generation in biomedical assays. The assays involve moving reaction vessels past magnets that partially localize the particles prior to passing a reduced strength magnet where washing occurs, with or without resuspension, after separating out the unbound particles and liquid. The band of particles is subsequently resuspended in acid for chemiluminescent purposes. A variety of magnet configurations are employed to realize the reduced strength magnet. Reduced strength magnets adjacent the full width magnets prevent the band of magnetic particles from becoming split. The localized particles enable more efficient resuspension by reagent.

Bendele; Teresa M., Harrison; Linda A., Howard; David J., Knotts; Lori K., Malek; Michael L., Veverka; Todd A. USA assigned to Bayer Corporation

6143864 Peptides Oligopeptides that comprise amino acid sequences that are recognized and proteolytically cleaved by free

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prostate specific antigen (PSA) are described. Also described are assays that comprise such oligopeptides useful for determining free PSA protease activity in vitro and in vivo. Therapeutic agents that comprise conjugates of such oligopeptides and known cytotoxic agents are also described.

DeFeo-Jones; Deborah, Feng; Dong-Mei, Garsky; Victor M., Jones; Raymond E., Oliff; Allen I. USA assigned to Merck and Company Inc.

6143867 Human eosinophil-derived basic protein The present invention provides a human eosinophilderived basic protein (EBPH) and polynucleotides that identify and encode EBPH. The invention also provides genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences encoding EBPH and a method for producing EBPH. The invention also provides for use of EBPH and agonists, antibodies, or antagonists specifically binding EBPH, in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with expression of EBPH. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of antisense molecules to polynucleotides encoding EBPH for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of EBPH. The invention also provides diagnostic assays that utilize the polynucleotide, or fragments or the complement thereof, and antibodies specifically binding EBPH.

Akerblom; Ingrid E. Pharmaceuticals Inc.

USA assigned to Incyte

6143952 Modified Pseudomonas oleovorans phaC1 nucleic acids encoding bispecific polyhydroxyalkanoate polymerase A genetically engineered Pseudomonas oleovorans phaC1 polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polymerase having tailored substrate specificity is provided. The modified PHA polymerase is preferably a ``bispecific'' PHA polymerase capable of copolymerizing a short-chain-length monomer and a medium-chain-length monomer is provided. Methods for making the modified PHA polymerase and for making nucleic acids encoding the modified PHA polymerase are also disclosed, as are methods of producing PHA using the modified PHA polymerase. The invention further includes methods to assay for altered substrate specificity.

Srienc; Friedrich, Jackson; John K., Somers; David A. USA assigned to Regents of the University of Minnesota

6146589 Assay device for detecting the presence of an analyte involving sequential delivery of reagents through a liquid circuit An assay device for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample, wherein a visible signal indicative of the presence or absence of said analyte is produced at a detection site on a support, characterised in that said signal is generated or enhanced by means of a signal enhancement reaction between a labelled first binding reagent which is labelled and a label developing means, which are arranged to be delivered to the detection site in a single assay step but in a sequential manner such that the first binding reagent arrives at the detection site ahead of the label developing means. The sequential delivery of the reagents to the detection site is provided by techniques such as liquidic circuits, slow release agents, and others. Methods of carrying out assays and kits for use in the assays form a further aspect of the invention.

Chandler; John Anthony GREAT BRITAIN assigned to British Biocell International Limited

6146593 High-density array fabrication and readout method for a fiber optic biosensor The invention relates to the fabrication and use of biosensors comprising a plurality of optical fibers each fiber having attached to its ``sensor end'' biological ``binding partners'' (molecules that specifically bind other molecules to form a binding complex such as antibody ± antigen, lectin ± carbohydrate, nucleic acid ± nucleic acid, biotin ± avidin, etc.). The biosensor preferably bears two or more different species of biological binding partner. The sensor is fabricated by providing a plurality of groups of optical fibers. Each group is treated as a batch to attach a different species of biological binding partner to the sensor ends of the fibers comprising that bundle. Each fiber, or group of fibers within a bundle, may be uniquely identified so that the fibers, or group of fibers, when later combined in an array of different fibers, can be discretely addressed. Fibers or groups of fibers are then selected and discretely separated from different bundles. The discretely separated fibers are then combined at their sensor ends to produce a high-density sensor array of fibers capable of assaying simultaneously the binding of components of a test sample to the various binding partners on the different fibers of the sensor array. The transmission ends of the optical fibers are then discretely addressed to detectors Ð such as a multiplicity of optical sensors. An optical signal, produced by the binding of the binding partner to its substrate to form a binding complex, is conducted through the optical fiber or group of fibers to a detector for each discrete test.

Patent Abstracts / Biotechnology Advances 19 (2001) 139±172 By examining the addressed transmission ends of fibers, or groups of fibers, the addressed transmission ends can transmit unique patterns assisting in rapid sample identification by the sensor.

Pinkel; Daniel, Gray; Joe, Albertson; Donna G. USA assigned to The Regents of the University of California, Medical Research Council

6146826 Green fluorescent protein This invention provides a cell comprising a DNA molecule having a regulatory element from a gene, other than a gene encoding a green fluorescent protein operatively linked to a DNA sequence encoding the green fluorescent protein. This invention also provides living organisms that comprise the abovedescribed cell. This invention also provides a method for selecting cells expressing a protein of interest that comprises: (a) introducing into the cells a DNAI molecule having DNA sequence encoding the protein of interest and DNAII molecule having DNA sequence encoding a green fluorescent protein; (b) culturing the introduced cells under conditions permitting expression of the green fluorescent protein and the protein of interest; and (c) selecting the cultured cells that express green fluorescent protein, thereby selecting cells expressing the protein of interest. Finally, this invention provides various uses of a green fluorescent protein.

Chalfie; Martin, Prasher; Douglas USA assigned to The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

6146836 Immunoassays using antiallotypic monoclonal antibodies The invention provides improved immunoassay techniques for detecting the presence of analytes in a liquid sample. The present immunoassay methods utilize antiallotypic monoclonal antibodies as capture reagents for primary binding proteins specific for the analytes of interest. The monoclonal antibodies are highly specific for the allotypic determinants present on the primary binding protein. The use of antiallotypic monoclonal antibodies as capture reagents provides improved levels of specificity and accuracy of the immunoassay, in part because interference from endogenous immunoglobulins in the sample is significantly reduced. The invention further provides antiallotypic monoclonal antibodies.

Barlow; Eve H.

USA assigned to Bayer Corporation

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6146838 Detecting water-borne parasites using electrochemiluminescence A method for the detection or quantitation of a water-borne parasite, such as Cryptosporidia. The detection or quantitation is accomplished by an electrochemiluminescence assay comprising the steps of filtering water to obtain a sludge thought to contain the parasite or a fragment thereof; extracting a sample of said sludge in a extraction medium to form antigenic derivatives of said parasite; forming an assay mixture comprising a sample of said extracted sludge and an antibody specific to said antigenic derivative; incubating said assay mixture to permit binding of said antibody and said antigenic derivative; and conducting an electrochemiluminescence assay for the bound complex of antibody and antigenic derivative, thereby detecting or quantitating the Cryptosporidia in said water.

Williams; Richard O., Kenten; John H. assigned to IGEN International Inc.

USA

6146842 High-throughput screening assays utilizing metal-chelate capture A high-throughput enzyme screen has been developed that relies on metal-chelate interaction for capture of the product of the enzymatic reaction. In the present assay system, a detectable moiety is attached to a substrate having a chelating capturable moiety, which can be captured by an immobilized metal. Detection is effected due to the presence of a detectable label on the reaction product immobilized on the solid phase. Only signal associated with tagged protein bound to the solid phase is detected. The present assay can reliably measure enzyme activity, and has high reproducibility, which benefits high-throughput screening.

Josiah; Serene, Boisclair; Michael to Mitotix Inc.

USA assigned

6146845 Polynucleotides encoding a sialoadhesin family member-2 (SAF-2) Sialoadhesin family member-2 (SAF-2) polypeptides and polynucleotides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing SAF-2 polypeptides and polynucleotides in therapy, and diagnostic assays for such.

Kikly; Kristine Kay, Erickson-Miller; Connie Lynn, Bochner; Bruce, Schleimer; Robert USA assigned to SmithKline Beecham Corporation, Johns Hopkins University

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6146847 Stabilized transient gene expression This invention provides methods and chemical agents for enhancing transient expression in eukaryotic cells. Also provided are a model system for achieving prolonged transient expression in solid tumors, a means for culturing hepatocytes without feeder cells or an extracellular matrix bonded to the substratum, a method for manipulating cellular metabolism to reduce the consumption of glucose and a means for inducing the secretion of an endogenous phosphatase activity.

Goffe; Randal A., Goffe; Adeelia S. to Genespan Corporation

USA assigned

air from the fluid-filled interior. The device optionally includes a disposable or recyclable environmental control system for regulating chemical and/or physical conditions during transport. Cell monolayers of the device are protected from mechanical injury so that assays or other experiments requiring even growth and dense cell populations can be performed upon delivery. The device of the invention also can be utilized for packaging and transporting multiple different types of cell monolayers on a variety of solid and microporous substrata, the cells normalized to any desired stage of cell cycle and/or growth, without the need to recalibrate cell cycle or synchronize growth upon receipt.

Grass; George M.

USA assigned to Navicyte Inc.

6146857

6146889

Method for producing glycogens for use in cosmetics by culturing yeast cells in two phases

Proliferation of hepatocyte precursors

A process is provided for the production of glycogens or an extract rich in glycogens from yeast cells, and a cosmetic composition containing them. A given quantity of yeast cells, from a specific culture or recovered as residues of a fermentation process, is subjected to an operation of enrichment in intracellular glycogens by culturing in two phases in the presence of a carbon source. The metabolism of the yeast cells is then stopped. The membranes of the yeast cells are then at least partially disintegrated to free intracellular substances, and the freed intracellular substances are subjected to at least one precipation to precipitate glycogens. A cosmetic composition comprising the glycogens is formulated in admixture with a dermatologically acceptable excipient.

Pauly; Gilles, Pauly; Marc, Engasser; Jean-Marc, Ghoul; Mohamed FRANCE assigned to Laboratoires Serobiologiques, Societe Anonyme

A composition that comprises an animal cell population, which contains immature animal cells, is disclosed. The immature animal cells are characterized by expression of alpha-fetoprotein or lack of essential expression of alphafetoprotein and albumin, and at least a portion of said immature animal cells or at least a portion of the progeny of said immature animal cells is capable of differentiating into cells that express albumin. The cell population is cultured under conditions that result in expansion of the cells. Expansion of the cells may be achieved by culturing the cells in the presence of an extracellular matrix and liver stromal cells and preferably in the presence of growth factors. Such cells may be used for liver transplantation, artificial livers, and for toxicology and pharmacology studies. Such cells may also be genetically engineered to express proteins or polypeptides of interest.

Reid; Lola M., Agelli; Maria USA assigned to Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, a division of Yeshiva University

6146883 Packing device for transporting confluent cell monolayers A disposable or recyclable device is provided for packaging and transporting ready-to-use viable cell monolayers, particularly confluent cell monolayers. The device includes a liquid impervious housing having a housing base defining an interior filled with fluid medium, a plurality of detachable and spatially separated permeable membrane inserts each having a confluent cell monolayer attached thereon, and a removable lid. The permeable membrane inserts are disposed in an interior of the housing in a spatially addressable array and the housing base is sealed by the lid so as to separate the membrane inserts from an external environment and to exclude excess

6146903 Method for determination of water treatment polymers A method for determining the presence and/or concentration of a water treatment polymer in an aqueous sample, comprising of producing a polyclonal or monoclonal antibody to the water treatment polymer and using the antibody so produced as a reagent in an immunoassay conducted on the aqueous sample.

We a t h e r b u r y ; P a u l i n e , S t e m s o n ; Wi l l i a m H. GREAT BRITAIN assigned to Strategic Diagnostics Inc.

Patent Abstracts / Biotechnology Advances 19 (2001) 139±172

6147050 5-Lipoxygenase-activating protein II Disclosed is a human FLAP II polypeptide and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptide. Also provided is a procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques. Further, antagonists against such polypeptide are disclosed. Such antagonists may be used for therapeutic proposes, for example, for treating inflammation and bronchial asthma, and may also be used as gastric cytoprotective agents and to treat human glomerulonephritis. Diagnostic assays for identifying mutations in nucleic acid sequences encoding a polypeptide of the present invention and for detecting altered levels of the polypeptide of the present invention are also disclosed.

Gentz; Reiner L., Fleischmann; Robert D. assigned to Human Genome Sciences Inc.

USA

6149866 Stopper having a cavity for reagents and an assay method using said stopper The invention relates to a closure device and a method for performing an assay of a sample using the closure device. The closure device, mountable on the mouth of a test vessel, comprises a body part with an axially passing cylindrical bore. The bore is covered at one end with an openable lid. The closure device further includes a plunger, slidably mounted in the bore for the formation of a sealed reagent storage chamber in the space remaining between the closed lid and the plunger. The inner wall of the bore is provided with at least one groove, whose depth is so deep as not to be within the reach of the outer diameter of the plunger. The groove extends from exterior end of the bore, over such a length as to maintain a gas flow communication between said reagent storage chamber and the exterior end of the cylindrical bore when the plunger is in a partially inserted position. In the assay method according to the invention, the reagent is added from the closure into the test vessel containing the sample.

Luotola; Juhani, Backman; Henry, Hellman; Tapani, Kahma; Kauko, Kaplas; Antti FINLAND assigned to Orion-yhtyma Oyj

6149917 Industrial production process for a vaccine against Japanese encephalitis virus and vaccine produced A method is disclosed for industrially producing a Japanese encephalitis vaccine, wherein (a) cells from a cell line are cultured, (b) the resulting cell culture is inoculated with a Japanese encephalitis virus in the presence of a viral growth medium, (c) the virus is propagated and multiplied on the cells, (d) the viral growth

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medium is recovered in the form of a suspension of viruses produced by the cells, (e) the virus suspension is purified in at least one ion exchange chromatography step and a gel permeation step, and (f) the virus suspension is formulated and converted into a pharmaceutical form to preserve it until the moment of use. A Japanese encephalitis vaccine characterised in that it comprises a Japanese encephalitis virus produced by culturing cells from a cell line, and in that the cellular DNA content is less than 100 pg/dose, is also disclosed.

Fanget; Bernard, Francon; Alain, Heimendinger; Pierre FRANCE assigned to Pasteur Merieux Serums et Vaccins

6150087 NANBV diagnostics and vaccines We have discovered epitopes of the HCV viral proteins that are immunoreactive with immune serum. The epitopes are useful in immunodiagnostic assays and as immunogens.

Chien; David Y.

USA assigned to Chiron Corporation

6150090 Nuclear factors associated with transcriptional regulation Constitutive and tissue-specific protein factors that bind to transcriptional regulatory elements of Ig genes (promoter and enhancer) are described. The factors were identified and isolated by an improved assay for protein ± DNA binding. Genes encoding factors that positively regulate transcription can be isolated and employed to enhance transcription of Ig genes, in particular, NF-kB, the gene encoding NF-kB, IkB, and the gene encoding IkB and uses therefor.

Baltimore; David, Sen; Ranjan, Sharp; Phillip A., Singh; Harinder, Staudt; Louis, LeBowitz; Jonathan H., Baldin; Albert S., Jr., Clerc; Roger G., Corcoran; Lynn M., Baeuerle; Patrick A., Lenardo; Michael J., Fan; Chen-Ming, Maniatis; Thomas P. GERMANY assigned to Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Whitehead Institute, President and Fellows of Harvard College

6150097 Nucleic acid detection probes having non-FRET fluorescence quenching and kits and assays including such probes Nucleic acid hybridization probes having a first conformation when not interacting with a target and a second conformation when interacting with a target, and having the ability to bring a label pair into touching contact in one conformation but not the other, are labeled with a non-FRET

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pair of chromophores and generate a fluorescent or absorbance signal. Kits may include such probes, and assays, including multiplex assays, may utilize such probes.

Tyagi; Sanjay, Kramer; Fred Russell USA assigned to The Public Health Research Institute of the City of New York Inc.

6150101 Methods of identifying a composition that alters connective tissue growth factor expression The present invention provides a novel polypeptide, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), polynucleotides encoding CTGF, and including 50 and 30 untranslated nucleotides, antibodies reactive with CTGF, and means for producing CTGF. Also provided are diagnostic and therapeutic methods for using CTGF, as well as an assay for identifying compositions that affect the expression of CTGF polynucleotide. The invention provides a novel TGF-beta responsive element upstream of the polynucleotide encoding CTGF structural gene.

Grotendorst; Gary R., Bradham; Douglass M., Jr. USA assigned to University of South Florida

6150102 Method of generating nucleic acid oligomers of known composition The present invention is directed to a method for providing oligonucleotides or oligonucleotide analogues having known subunit sequences in which the desired oligomers are released from selected storage sites in one, two, or three dimensions, on a substrate by locally denaturing doublestranded complexes at the storage sites containing the desired oligomers. The released oligomers are useful in schemes for determining solutions to mathematical problems, in methods wherein hybridizing oligomers are used to encrypt and transmit data, in diagnostic and screening assay methodologies, and as primers or building blocks for synthesizing larger polynucleotides.

Mills; Allen P., Jr., Yurke; BernardUSA assigned to Lucent Technologies Inc.

Enzymes and Enzyme Systems 6143539 UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase enzymes from nonparasitic protozoa The present invention relates to nucleotide-sugar-synthesizing enzymes (enzymes with nucleotidyltransferase or pyrophosphorylase activity) from nonparasitic protists, to a process for the preparation thereof, and to the use thereof for preparing nucleotide-sugars. The enzymes according to the invention make possible or greatly simplify the enzymatic preparation of various nucleotide-sugars on the industrial scale from low-cost precursors. It is possible with the aid of the discovered enzymes to prepare, for example, GDP-fucose, GDP-mannose, UDP-glucose, UDP-glucosamine, UDP-galactose, UDP-galactosamine, UDP-N-acetylglucosamine, and UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine in economic quantities.

Kiy; Thomas, Elling; Lothar, Kula; Maria Regina GERMANY assigned to Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft

6143543 Enzyme system comprising ferulic acid esterase from Aspergillus An enzyme system that is useful for preparing food and feed is described. One enzyme of this system is obtainable

from Aspergillus. This enzyme has the following characteristics: an MW from 29 to 36 kDa as measured on an SDSPhastgel (10 ± 15%) or about 30 kDa; a pI value of about 3 ± 4; ferulic acid esterase activity; a pH optimum of about 5; and a temperature optimum of from about 50°C to about 60°C.

Michelsen; Birgit, De Vries; Ronald Peter, Visser; Jacob, Soe; Jorn Borch, Poulsen; Charlotte Horsmans, Zargahi; Masoud R. DENMARK assigned to Danisco A/S

6143556 Enzyme systems for gas processing The invention provides a process for gas separation wherein a selected gas in a mixed gas stream is contacted by an enzyme having an active site directly contacted by the mixed gas stream, and the selected gas is at least partially removed from the mixed gas stream. In one embodiment, a selected gas in a gas phase is contacted by a solvated enzyme wherein the enzyme active site is in direct contact with the gas phase, and the selected gas is converted to a first product in a condensed phase by contact with the solvated enzyme. The invention also provides a bioreactor that comprises a vessel having at least one first wall enclosing an inlet zone, and at least one second wall enclosing a second phase zone,

Patent Abstracts / Biotechnology Advances 19 (2001) 139±172 a portion of the second wall is permeable to at least one selected gas in the inlet zone, and retains the second phase in the second phase zone; a portion of the second wall also comprises a support surface with at least one enzyme fixed thereon, such that a mixed gas stream entering the inlet zone contacts enzyme that removes a selected gas from the mixed gas stream and passes the selected gas to the second phase zone. The invention also provides an alternative bioreactor that comprises buoyant beads coated with enzyme, floating on the surface of a condensed fluid phase, in contact with a gas phase such that the active site of the enzyme is in direct contact with the gas phase, and the beads are free to rotate in response to motion in either phase, and means for producing motion in at least one phase such that portions of the beads alternately contact the gas phase and the fluid phase, bringing a selected gas into the condensed fluid phase.

Trachtenberg; Michael C.

USA

6146428 Enzymatic treatment of denim A method of introducing into the surface of dyed denim fabric or garment localized areas of variations in colour density is disclosed. The method is comprised of contacting the fabric or garment with an aqueous composition comprising an effective amount of a pectolytic enzyme preferably selected from the group consisting of pectin lyases (EC 4.2.2.10), galactanases (EC 3.2.1.89), arabinanases (EC 3.2.1.99), pectin esterases (EC 3.1.1.11), mannanases (EC 3.2.1.78), polygalacturonases (EC 3.2.1.15), and pectate lyases (EC 4.2.2.2) with the pH of the aqueous composition between 3 and 11 and a temperature of 90°C or below.

Kalum; Lisbeth, Andersen; Bente Konggaard DENMARK assigned to Novo Nordisk A/S

6146624

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lyticum for obtaining, in a reproducible, standardized manner, cells or tissue fragments from human or animal tissues, and to these enzymes and mixtures thereof; in addition, it relates to the direct or indirect medical use of these enzymes, alone or as ingredient of mixtures, e.g., in wound treatment.

Markert; Claus Otto, Thom; Hans, Weymann; Jurgen, Zahn; Wolfgang GERMANY assigned to Knoll Aktiengesellschaft

6146665 Entrapmentormicroencapsulationofdrugsina polyhydroxyalkanoateformedbyenzymesynthesis A hydrophilic or lipophilic drug is entrapped or microencapsulated in a polyhydroxyalkanoate homopolymer or copolymer. The homopolymer or copolymer is synthesized in an aqueous medium containing a dissolved hydrophilic drug by in vitro enzyme polymerization of a hydroxyalkanoate coenzyme A monomer to form microporous granules entrapping the drug. The enzyme may be a polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase and the monomer may be 3-hydroxybutyryl coenzyme A or 3-hydroxyvalerate coenzyme A. The monomer is produced by reaction of a carboxylic acid group of a hydroxyalkanoic acid with a thiol group of coenzyme A. To microencapsulate a lipophilic drug, droplets of oil containing a lipophilic drug are formed dispersed in an aqueous medium such as in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion. The polyhydroxyalkanoate homopolymer or copolymer is formed in the aqueous medium by the enzyme polymerization to form microcapsules having a core of oil containing the drug. The granules or microcapsules containing the drug may be dried.

Marchessault; Robert H., Maysinger; Dusica, Nobes; Geoffrey Alan Ralph CANADA assigned to McGill University

Human ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes The invention provides a human ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (HUBI) and polynucleotides that identify and encode HUBI. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies, and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for diagnosing, treating, or preventing disorders associated with expression of HUBI.

Lal; Preeti, Hillman; Jennifer L., Corley; Neil C. USA assigned to Incyte Pharmaceuticals Inc.

6146626 Defined enzyme mixtures for obtaining cells and treating wounds The invention relates to the use of mixtures of defined composition of purified enzymes from Clostridium histo-

6150153 Thermostable trehalose-releasing enzyme Disclosed are novel thermostable trehalose-releasing enzyme and its preparations and uses. The enzyme is obtainable from the culture of microorganisms such as Sulfolobus acidocaldarius (ATCC 33909 and ATCC 49426) and Sulfolobus solfataricus (ATCC 35091 and ATCC 35092) and is capable of hydrolyzing at a temperature of over 55°C the linkage between a trehalose moiety and the remaining glycosyl moiety in a nonreducing saccharide having a trehalose structure as an end unit and having a degree of glucose polymerization of three or higher. Trehalose and compositions containing the same are extensively useful in food products, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.

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Ikegami; Shouji, Kubota; Michio, Sugimoto; Toshiyuki, Miyake; Toshio JAPAN assigned to Kabushiki Kaisha Hayashibara Seibutsu Kagaku Kenkyujo

6150316 Solid cast composition comprising a bacterial spore source capable of generating enzymes A solid cast composition containing a bacterial spore source capable of generating an enzyme and/or an enzyme for use in treating a grease trap is disclosed. Methods of manufacture and of use are also disclosed pertaining to the solid cast composition containing a bacterial spore source capable of generating an enzyme and/or an enzyme.

Scepanski; William H. Chemicals Inc.

USA assigned to Sunburst

6150511 Chimeric enzyme for promoting targeted integration of foreign DNA into a host genome The present invention provides novel chimeric and fusion proteins useful for facilitating site-specific integration of foreign DNA into a host genome. The chimeric enzymes of the invention comprise a DNA-binding moiety fused to a retroviral integrase moiety, preferably at the precise Nor C-terminus. Nucleic acids encoding these fusion proteins can be incorporated into standard retroviral vectors or can be provided as purified proteins. They are capable of exerting the activities of a wildtype retroviral integrase, including processing retroviral DNA termini, nicking double-stranded DNA, and integrating a DNA molecule with processed retroviral termini into another DNA strand.

Katz; Richard A., Skalka; Anna Marie assigned to Fox Chase Cancer Center

USA

6152966 Treatment of cork with a phenol-oxidizing enzyme Disclosed is a process for preparing cork articles, in particular, cork stoppers for wine bottles, which involves treating cork with a phenol-oxidizing enzyme. Preferred phenol-oxidizing enzymes are laccase, peroxidase, catechol oxidase, and oaminophenol oxidase. The treatment with a phenol-oxidizing enzyme reduces the characteristic cork taint/astringency, which is frequently imparted to the bottled wine.

Conrad; Lars Sparre, Sponholz; Wolf Rudiger, Berker; Otto DENMARK assigned to Novo Nordisk A/S

6153187 Use of glycosaminoglycans-degrading enzymes for management of airway-associated diseases A method of managing a patient having an accumulation of mucoid, mucopurulent, or purulent material containing glycosaminoglycans, the method comprising the step of administering at least one glycosaminoglycans-degrading enzyme to the patient in an amount therapeutically effective to reduce at least one of the following: the viscoelasticity of the material, pathogens infectivity, and inflammation. An article of manufacture is comprised of an inhaler including, as an active ingredient, at least one glycosaminoglycans-degrading enzyme for generating aerosols and the enzyme for the management of a patient having an accumulation of mucoid, mucopurulent, or purulent material containing glycosaminoglycans.

Yacoby-Zeevi; Oron ISRAEL assigned to Insight Strategy and Marketing Ltd.

6153416 Immobilization of microbial cells and enzymes in calcium alginate ± polyethylene glycol ± polyethylene imide beads

Host cells comprising recombinant vectors encoding the FK-520 polyketide synthase and FK-520 modification enzymes can be used to produce the neuroimmunophilin FK-520 polyketide. Recombinant DNA constructs comprising one or more FK-520 polyketide synthase domains, modules, open reading frames, and variants thereof can be used to produce recombinant polyketide synthases and a variety of different polyketides with application in agriculture, medicine, and animal health.

Microorganisms or enzymes immobilized in beads are prepared using a combination of calcium alginate, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyethylene imide (PEI). An aqueous solution containing 1 ± 14 wt.% each of calcium alginate, PEG, and PEI is combined with a concentrated solution of a microorganism or an enzyme to form a mixture. The mixture is combined with an aqueous solution of 4 ± 8% w/v CaCl2 to form spherical beads that are allowed to remain in the solution for 3 ± 4 h. Thereafter, the beads are rinsed with water for 2 ± 3 min, transferred to water in a mixer, and stirred with a magnet for 6 ± 9 h. The resultant beads containing the microorganism or enzyme can be used for removing inorganic nitrogen and organic carbon in waste water or in processes for making biochemical products.

Wu; Kai

Yuan; Yu-Kang

6150513 Polyketide synthase enzymes and recombinant DNA constructs therefor

USA assigned to Kosan Biosciences Inc.

TAIWAN

Patent Abstracts / Biotechnology Advances 19 (2001) 139±172

6156173 Enzyme electrode structure A biosensor comprises a space part for sucking and housing a sample formed of two upper and lower plates. The two plates being stuck together by an adhesive layer, the space part for sucking and housing the sample being constituted so as to be partially opened in the peripheral part and partially closed by the adhesive layer, and has a working electrode having at least glucose oxidase immobilized thereon and a counter electrode on the same plane of the plate.

Gotoh; Masao, Mure; Hiroki, Shirakawa; Hiroshi JAPAN assigned to NOK Corporation

6156548 Immobilization of enzymes with a fluidized bed for use in an organic medium An immobilized enzyme preparation for use in an organic medium essentially devoid of free water is prepared using a fluidized bed. An enzyme-containing liquid medium is

157

contacted with a particulate porous carrier that preferably has a particle size of 200 ± 1000 mm and a surface area of 20 ± 1000 m2/g, and volatile components of the liquid medium are removed to fix or adsorb the enzyme on the carrier. The carrier may have a hydrophilic surface and an amount of liquid medium is used to prevent agglomeration of the carrier. The enzyme can be adsorbed on a carrier having a hydrophobic surface, and the addition of a hygroscopic substance suppresses agglomeration of the carrier by absorbing excess liquid. The hygroscopic substance may be removed during the removal of volatile components. Contacting of the enzyme-containing liquid and carrier is in a fluidized bed where immobilization and removing volatile components are conducted simultaneously or contacting in a mixer followed by removing volatile components in a fluidized bed. The enzymecontaining liquid may be atomized onto the carrier in the fluidized bed or in the mixer. The enzymes immobilized include lipase and the immobilized lipase is used in a transesterification reaction.

Christensen; Morten Wurtz, Kirk; Ole, Pedersen; Christian DENMARK assigned to Novo Nordisk A/S

Healthcare Products and Medicine 6153183

6153191

Coadministration of interleukin-3 mutant polypeptides with CSFs or cytokines for multilineage hematopoietic cell production

Giardia treatment and antibody

The present invention relates to human interleukin-3 (hIL-3) variant or mutant proteins (muteins) functionally coadministered with a other colony-stimulating factors (CSF), cytokines, lymphokines, interleukins, hematopoietic growth factors, or IL-3 variants.

Bauer; S. Christopher, Abrams; Mark Allen, Braford-Goldberg; Sarah Ruth, Caparon; Maire Helena, Easton; Alan M., Klein; Barbara Kure, McKearn; John P., Olins; Peter O., Paik; Kumnan, Thomas; John W. USA assigned to G.D. Searle and Company

6153190 Erythropoietin receptor antibodies Monoclonal antibodies to the erythropoietin receptor are disclosed.

Young; Peter Ronald, Erickson-Miller; Connie L. USA

The invention provides vaccines and methods for preventing or treating intestinal protozoal infections in an animal. In particular, vaccines and methods for prevention or treatment of giardiasis are provided. The invention also encompasses methods of preparing and methods of use of novel toxins, antibodies, vaccine strains, and compositions that result from or are used in these methods.

Olson; Merle E., Ceri; Howard, Morck; Douglas W. CANADA assigned to University Technologies International Inc.

6153200 Vaccine compositions and methods useful in inducing immune protection against arthritogenic peptides involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis Vaccine compositions useful in inducing immune protection in a host against arthritogenic peptides involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis are disclosed. Each vaccine composition provides antigenic dnaJp1 peptide (by including the peptide or a polynucleotide that encodes the peptide) and, optionally, other peptide fragments of the

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microbial dnaJ protein and/or human homologs thereof. Methods for identifying persons who are predisposed to develop rheumatoid arthritis and methods for use of the inventive vaccines are also disclosed.

Carson; Dennis A., Albani; Salvatore USA assigned to The Regents of the University of California

6153203 Immunological tolerance-inducing agent An agent comprising a mucosa-binding molecule linked to a specific microbial antigen is disclosed. Further, a method of inducing immunological tolerance in an individual against a specific microbial antigen, including hapten, which causes an unwanted immune response in said individual, comprising administration by a mucosal route of an immunologically effective amount of an immunological tolerance-inducing agent of the invention to said individual, is described.

Holmgren; Jan, Czerkinsky; Cecil signed to Duotol AB

FRANCE as-

6153397

Escherichia coli wherein the Hib-P2 protein or fusion protein comprises more than 2% of the total protein expressed in E. coli. The invention also relates to a method of purification and refolding of Hib-P2 protein and fusion protein thereof.

Tai; Joseph Y., Pullen; Jeffrey K., Soper; Thomas, Liang; Shu-Mei, Blake; Milan S. TAIWAN assigned to North American Vaccine Inc.

6153434 Methods for the intracellular delivery of substances The subject invention concerns novel materials and methods for the delivery of substances, such as DNA or polypeptides, into cells. In a specific embodiment, substances are delivered into cells using a novel class of lipid compounds. These compounds, cationic lipid compounds having a disulfide bond, can be complexed with DNA to be inserted into a cell in gene therapy. Once inside the cell, enzymes present within the cell cleave the disulfide bond and the DNA is released.

Hughes; Jeffrey Allen, Tang; Fuxng to University of Florida

USA assigned

Flea epoxide hydrolase proteins and uses thereof The present invention relates to arthropod epoxide hydrolase proteins; to arthropod epoxide hydrolase nucleic acid molecules, including those that encode such epoxide hydrolase proteins; to antibodies raised against such epoxide hydrolase proteins; and to other compounds that inhibit arthropod epoxide hydrolase activity. The present invention also includes methods to obtain such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies, and inhibitory compounds. Also included in the present invention are the therapeutic compositions comprising such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies, and/or inhibitory compounds as well as the use of such therapeutic compositions to protect animals from hematophagous arthropod infestation.

Wisnewski; Nancy, Silver; Gary M., Lo; Katherine Callies, Brandt; Kevin S. USA assigned to Heska Corporation

6153406 Method for the high-level expression, purification, and refolding of the outer membrane protein P2 from Haemophilus influenzae type B The present invention relates, in general, to a method of expressing the outer membrane protein P2 from Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib-P2) and fusion proteins thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of expressing the Hib-P2 protein or fusion protein thereof in

6153579 Crystallizable compositions comprising a hepatitis C virus NS3 protease domain/NS4A complex The present invention relates to compositions and crystals of a hepatitis C virus protease in complex with its viral cofactor. This invention also relates to methods of using the structure coordinates of hepatitis C virus protease in complex with a synthetic NS4A to solve the structure of similar or homologous proteins or protein complexes.

Kim; Joseph L., Morgenstern; Kurt A., Lin; Chao, Fox; Ted, Thomson; John A. USA assigned to Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

6153595 Composition and method for treatment of CMV infections This invention concerns compositions and methods for the treatment of CMV infections. Antisense oligonucleotides are provided, which are effective antiviral agents. In preferred embodiments, the oligonucleotides contain at least one 20-methoxyethoxy modification and may be chimeric oligonucleotides.

Draper; Kenneth G., Kisner; Daniel L., Anderson; Kevin P., Chapman; Sharon USA assigned to Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Patent Abstracts / Biotechnology Advances 19 (2001) 139±172

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6153598

6156303

Synthetic transfection vectors

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) isolates and AAV vectors derived therefrom

An inorganic particle, bonded to which is a cell-binding component and a nucleic acid, is provided for the delivery of a nucleic acid to a cell. The disclosed particle acts as a synthetic vector for achieving efficient transfection of associated nucleic acid into a cell.

Filler; Aaron Gershon, Lever; Andrew Michael Lindsay GREAT BRITAIN assigned to Syngenix Limited

6156300 Point mutants of Nr2 CSF-1 and carboxy truncated fragments thereof A colony-stimulating factor, CSF-1, is a lymphokine useful in regulating the immune system. CSF-1 is a lymphokine useful in overcoming the immunosuppression induced by chemotherapy or resulting from other causes. CSF-1 is obtained in usable amounts by recombinant methods, including cloning and expression of the murine and human DNA sequences encoding this protein. Both ``long'' and ``short'' forms of this protein and muteins corresponding to the cDNA-encoded forms are disclosed.

Ladner; Martha B., Noble; Janelle A., Martin; George A., Kawasaki; Ernest S., Coyne; Mazie Yee, Halenbeck; Robert F., Koths; Kirston E. USA assigned to Chiron Corporation

6156302 Adoptive immunotherapy using macrophages sensitized with heat shock protein ± epitope complexes The present invention relates to methods and compositions for enhancing immunological responses and for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases or primary and metastatic neoplastic diseases based on the administration of macrophages and/or other antigen presenting cells (APC) sensitized with heat shock proteins noncovalently bound to peptide complexes and/or antigenic components. APC are incubated in the presence of hsp ± peptide complexes and/or antigenic components in vitro. The sensitized cells are reinfused into the patient with or without treatment with cytokines including but not limited to interferon-alpha, interferonalpha, interleukin-2, interleukin-4, interleukin-6, and tumor neurosis factor.

Srivastava; Pramod K. University

USA assigned to Fordham

The present invention provides isolated adenovirus-associated viruses (AAV), including AAV isolates designated AAV3B and AAV6. The invention also provides nucleic acid molecules of AAV3B (SEQ ID NO: 1) or AAV6 (SEQ ID NO: 2), including DNA or RNA, and provides substantially purified polypeptides encoded by AAV3B or AAV6, as well as antibodies specific for such polypeptides. The invention also provides infectious AAV3B and AAV6 clones; AAV viral vectors, which can be hybrid AAV viral vectors; AAV vector plasmids; and AAV helper plasmids; each comprising at least a portion of an AAV3B (SEQ ID NO: 1) or AAV6 (SEQ ID NO: 2) nucleic acid molecule. The invention further provides host cells containing at least a portion of an AAV3B or AAV6 nucleic acid molecule and progeny cells derived therefrom, and provides nonhuman transgenic mammals having an AAV vector genome stably integrated in a chromosome. The invention also provides methods of producing a polypeptide or an RNA by expressing the polypeptide or the RNA from an AAV viral vector in a cell, and methods of treating a pathologic condition in a mammal, comprising transducing cells of the mammal with an AAV viral vector containing a heterologous nucleic acid sequence. The invention also provides AAV3B or AAV6 nucleotide sequences, which can be useful, for example, as probes for identifying the presence of AAV3B or AAV6 nucleic acids in a sample. The present invention further provides a method of identifying an AAV viral vector suitable for administration to an individual.

Russell; David W., Rutledge; Elizabeth A. assigned to University of Washington

USA

6156305 Implanted tumor cells for the prevention and treatment of cancer A method to prevent or treat cancer in a patient comprising: administering a first set of tumor cells; where at least some of the first tumor cells have at least one tumor antigen corresponding to antigen of the patient's tumor cells; where the tumor cells are contained in an implantable chamber; the chamber defined by a wall including a porous boundary between the patient's immune cells and the contained cells and pervious to subcellular antigenic material; where the boundary prevents contact between patient immune cells and the contained tumor cells, and where the boundary permits subcellular antigenic materials to exit the chamber; and rendering a second set of tumor cells nontumorigenic; where at least some of the second tumor cells have at least one tumor antigen corresponding to antigen of the patient's tumor cells; administering the second tumor cells to the patient without containing them in a chamber.

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Brauker; James H., Geller; Robin Lee, Johnston; William D., Levon; Steven A., Maryanov; David A. USA assigned to Baxter International Inc.

6156313

Cohen; Gary H., Eisenberg; Roselyn J., Peng; Tao, Dubin; Gary USA assigned to The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania

6156321

Human monoclonal antibodies to herpes simplex virus and methods therefor

Tissue factor methods and compositions for coagulation and tumor treatment

The present invention describes human monoclonal antibodies that immunoreact with herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2. Also disclosed are immunotherapeutic and diagnostic methods of using the monoclonal antibodies, as well as nucleic acids and cell lines for producing the monoclonal antibodies.

6156314

The invention embodies the surprising discovery that tissue factor (TF) compositions and variants thereof specifically localize to the blood vessels within a vascularized tumor following systemic administration. The invention therefore provides methods and compositions comprising coagulantdeficient TF for use in effecting specific coagulation and for use in tumor treatment. The TF compositions and methods of present invention may be used alone, as TF conjugates with improved half-life, or in combination with other agents, such as conventional chemotherapeutic drugs, targeted immunotoxins, targeted coaguligands, and/or in combination with Factor VIIa (FVIIa) or FVIIa activators.

Chimeric infectious bursal disease virus cDNA clones, expression products, and vaccines based thereon

Thorpe; Philip E., King; Steven W., Gao; Boning USA assigned to Board of Regents, The University of Texas System

Burton; Dennis R., Williamson; Robert A., Burioni; Roberto, Sanna; Pietro Paolo ITALY assigned to The Scripps Research Institute

Chimeric cDNA for the expression of immunogenic polypeptides include the genetic epitopic determinants for a base infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) strain and at least one other IBDV strain. The genetic epitopic determinants encode amino acids or amino acid sequences that define epitopes bound to by previously established monoclonal antibodies. The immunogens expressed by the cDNA may be employed to provide a vaccine against a plurality of IBDV strains. The epitopic determinant of IBDV lethal strains has been detected, and an immunogen for conferring immunity with respect thereto is disclosed. Similarly, a monoclonal antibody specific for IBDV lethal strains is identified, and a vaccine for passive immunization therewith is also disclosed. Immunogens exhibiting conformational epitopes, in the form of virus-like particles, are effective in the preparation of vaccines.

Vakharia; Vikram, Snyder; David B., Mengel-Whersat; Stephanie A. USA assigned to The University of Maryland College Park

6156319 Soluble herpes virus glycoprotein complex vaccine The invention is directed to a herpes simplex virus vaccine comprising a herpes simplex virus glycoprotein H ± glycoprotein L complex. The invention is also directed to a vaccine comprising a DNA encoding a herpes simplex virus glycoprotein H ± glycoprotein L complex. Also included is an antibody that specifically binds to a herpes simplex virus glycoprotein H ± glycoprotein L complex and DNA encoding the same.

6156495 Hepatitis GB virus recombinant proteins and uses thereof Recombinantly produced hepatitis GB virus (HGBV) amino acid sequences useful for a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications, kits for using the HGBV amino acid sequences, and antibodies that specifically bind to HGBV are disclosed. Also provided are methods for producing antibodies, polyclonal or monoclonal, from the HGBV recombinantly produced amino acid sequences.

Pilot-Martias; Tami J., Leary; Thomas P., Simons; John N., Carrick; Robert J., Surowy; Teresa K., Desai; Suresh M., Dawson; George J., Muerhoff; Anthony Scott, Mushahwar; Isa K. USA assigned to Abbott Laboratories

6156498 Establishment of HHV-8 + lymphoma cell line, virus produced, antibody, diagnostic method and kit for detecting HHV-8 infection A method establishes for the first time an HHV-8producing immortalized lymphoma cell line, which is free of EBV, CMV, and HIV. Large quantities of uncontaminated HHV-8 are produced by the cells, and the virus or immunogenic fragments thereof are used to obtain specific polyclonal and monoclonal antibody. Assays and kits are useful for detecting viral infection in mammalian samples.

Patent Abstracts / Biotechnology Advances 19 (2001) 139±172 Koeffler; H. Phillip, Said; Jonathan W. assigned to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

USA

6156499 Methods for detecting antibodies to HAV 3C proteinase The present invention discloses methods for detecting antibodies to HAV 3C proteinase. These methods can distinguish an individual with a natural infection from one who has been vaccinated with an inactivated vaccine and are thus of utility in the diagnosis of hepatitis A in situations in which vaccination is widespread.

Stewart; Deneen, Morris; Tina S., Purcell; Robert H., Emerson; Suzanne U. USA assigned to The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services

6156507 Method of identifying methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci Disclosed is a specific identification method of a methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillinresistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRC-NS), which is speedy, simple, and reliable. Specifically, the present invention provides a diagnostic method of an MRSA or MRC-NS, which comprises performing a reaction with a sample by making combined use of a part of a mecDNA, which is an integrated adventitious DNA existing on a chromosome of the MRSA or MRC-NS and carrying an mecA gene thereon, and a part of a nucleotide sequence of a chromosomal DNA surrounding the integrated DNA; and also a diagnostic method of an MRSA or MRC-NS by PCR, LCR, or hybridization, which comprises performing a reaction with a sample by using a nucleotide sequence of a chromosomal DNA surrounding an integrated site of a mecDNA in a chromosome of an MSSA or MSC-NS, wherein said method makes use of an occurrence of a negative reaction when said sample contains a mecDNA integrated therein.

Hiramatsu; Keiichi, Ito; Teruyo, Awaya; Akira, Ohno; Hiroie, Hayashi; Tsukasa JAPAN assigned to Kainos Laboratories Inc.

6156508 Detection of M. tuberculosis complex via reverse transcriptase SDA The present invention provides primers that can be used for Mycobacterium. tuberculosis complex-specific detection of alpha-antigen DNA in a diagnostic assay performed on clinical specimens or in a culture-confirmation assay

161

following growth of the organism in vitro. These primers and probes can also be employed in a reverse transcriptase-mediated amplification system for M. tuberculosis complex alpha-antigen mRNA. Such an assay provides a means by which to determine the viability of M. tuberculosis complex organisms either in clinical specimens or when grown in culture. The specific DNA or mRNA target region can be amplified using SDA, PCR, LCR, nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA), self-sustained sequence replication (3SR), or Qbeta replicase-mediated systems. Also described are methods for the detection of the products of amplification with a radiolabeled probe by chemiluminescent assay or fluorescence polarization analysis.

Spears; Patricia Anne, Hellyer; Tobin James, DesJardin; Lucy Ellen, Cave; Mac Donald, Eisenach; Kathleen Davis USA

6156523 Serine/threonine protein kinases The invention provides human serine/threonine protein kinases (HSTK) and polynucleotides that identify and encode HSTK. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, antibodies, agonists, and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for diagnosing, treating, or preventing disorders associated with expression of HSTK.

Bandman; Olga, Tang; Y. Tom, Goli; Surya K., Corley; Neil C., Guegler; Karl J., Gorgone; Gina A., Hillman; Jennifer L. USA assigned to Incyte Pharmaceuticals Inc.

6156723 Compositions comprising inhibitors of estrogen response The present invention provides novel assay methods for identifying compounds that may have both estrogen agonist and antagonist properties. In particular, the assay use cells comprising promoters having an AP1 site linked to a reporter gene. Compounds capable of inducing or blocking expression of the reporter gene can thus be identified. The compounds may be further tested for the ability to modulate the standard estrogen response, as well.

Kushner; Peter, Webb; Paul, Williard; Renee, Hunt; C. Anthony, Lopez; Gabriella USA assigned to The Regents of the University of California

6156727 Antiatherosclerotic peptides and a transgenic mouse model of atherosclerosis The present invention provides an antiatherosclerotic peptide, the said peptide being an amphipathic helical

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peptide compared with human apoA-I, characterized by having at least four of the following eight properties: a tandem-repeating class A amphipathic helix linked by a proline that forms an optimal arrangement for lipid association, has bilayer membrane stabilizing properties, stimulates HIV-I Gp41-induced cell fusion, stimulates neutrophil activation, stimulates BSA-induced lysis of fatty acid-containing vesicles, stimulates human placental lactogen synthesis, effluxes phospholipid and cellular cholesterol from cholesterol-loaded cells, and competes with HDL for binding to cells. The present invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions, transgenic animals expressing a protein disclosed herein, vectors expressing such proteins.

Garber; David W., Anantharamaiah; Gattadahalli M. USA assigned to UAB Research Foundation

6156737 Use of dideoxy nucleoside analogues in the treatment of viral infections The present invention is directed to a method of treating hepatitis B viral infections in mammals comprising the administration of beta-L-5-fluoro-20,30-dideoxycytidine and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof.

Mansour; Tarek, Tse; Allan H.L. signed to BioChem Pharma Inc.

was shown by hybridization assays. The cDNA reacted with post- (but not pre-) infection stool samples from Norwalk volunteers and with highly purified Norwalk virus, but not with other common enteric viruses such as hepatitis A virus and rotavirus. Finally, the probe detected the virus in the same fractions of CsCl gradients in which viral antigen was detected using a specific Norwalk virus radioimmunoassay, and particles were detected by immune electron microscopy. Single-stranded RNA probes derived from the DNA clone after subcloning into an in vitro transcription vector were also used to show that the Norwalk virus contains an ssRNA genome of about 8 kb in size. The original clone was also used to detect additional cDNAs that represent at least 7 kb of nucleic acid of the Norwalk genome. The availability of a Norwalk-specific cDNA and the first partial genome sequence information allow rapid cloning of the entire genome and of establishment of sensitive diagnostic assays. Such assays can be based on detection of Norwalk virus nucleic acid or Norwalk viral antigen using polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies to proteins expressed from the cDNA or to synthetic peptides made based on the knowledge of the genome sequence. Vaccines made by recombinant DNA technology are now feasible.

Estes; Mary K., Jiang; Xi, Graham; David Y. assigned to Baylor College of Medicine

USA

CANADA as-

6156882 Antibody 4G8B4B12 The invention relates to a monoclonal antibody specifically binding to the human FLT3/FLK2 receptor protein. The invention further relates to hybridoma cells producing such an antibody, as well as to a method for generation of such hybridoma cells. The monoclonal antibody is the antibody produced and released by hybridoma cells deposited under No. DSM 2249 at the German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (DSMZ) and designated 4G8B4B12.

Buhring; Hans-Jorg, Rappold; Irene GERMANY assigned to Eberhard-Karls-Universitat Tubingen

6156883

6159467 In vivo suppression of osteosarcoma pulmonary metastasis with intravenous osteocalcin promoter-based toxic gene therapy A therapeutic agent based on a recombinant adenovirus that employs an osteocalcin promoter for the expression of thymidine kinase can be administered intravascularly to treat metastatic cancer, including osteosarcoma, breast cancer, prostate cancer, ocular melanoma, or brain cancer. Systemic administration of this agent provides a preferred route over previous disclosure of local direct administration. The same therapeutic agent can be effectively employed in the treatment of benign conditions, including benign prostatic hypertrophy and arteriosclerosis.

Chung; Leland W.K., Kao; Chinghai, Sikes; Robert A., Ko; Song-Chu, Cheon; Jun SOUTH KOREA assigned to The University of Virginia Patent Foundation

Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to Norwalk virus and methods for making them

Streptococcus pneumoniae antigens and vaccines

Double-stranded cDNA was synthesized from nucleic acid extracted from Norwalk virus purified from stool specimens of volunteers. One clone was isolated from a cDNA library constructed in a pUC-13 vector after amplification of the cDNA. The specificity of this cDNA (pUCNV-953)

The present invention relates to novel vaccines for the prevention or attenuation of infection by Streptococcus pneumoniae. The invention further relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding antigenic polypeptides of S. pneumoniae. Antigenic polypeptides are also provided, as

6159469

Patent Abstracts / Biotechnology Advances 19 (2001) 139±172 are vectors, host cells, and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention additionally relates to diagnostic methods for detecting Streptococcus nucleic acids, polypeptides, and antibodies in a biological sample.

Choi; Gil H., Kunsch; Charles A., Barash; Steven C., Dillon; Patrick J., Dougherty; Brian, Fannon; Michael R., Rosen; Craig A. USA assigned to Human Genome Sciences Inc.

6159702 In vitro diagnostic method for determining whether a primary breast tumor is clinically metastatic A system of diagnostic test methods are provided for diagnosing whether a primary breast tumor from an individual human subject is a clinically metastatic tumor. These in vitro diagnostic methods detect and utilize the presence or absence of a 55-kDa protein for the DNA or the RNA coding for an expressing this protein as a marker and indicator of tumor metastasis. The test methods thus can detect either the presence of the protein itself, or its unique DNA, or its singular RNA individually or collectively. Each method of detection provides a reliable indicator and marker by which to clinically diagnose and determine if a primary tumor within the breast of a living human subject is now or will soon likely be a metastatic tumor.

Traish; Abdulmaged M. University

USA assigned to Boston

6159709 XIAP IRES and uses thereof The invention features purified nucleic acid encoding a novel internal ribosome entry site (IRES) sequence from the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) gene. The invention also features methods for using the XIAP IRES to increase cap-independent translation of polypeptide coding sequences linked to the XIAP IRES, and methods for isolating compounds that modulate cap-independent translation.

Korneluk; Robert G., Holcik; Martin, Liston; Peter CANADA assigned to Apoptogen Inc.

6159711 DNA encoding RANTES peptide fragments and methods of treatment with the fragments Modifications to RANTES can result in the modified polypeptide acting as a RANTES or MIP-1alpha antagonist. Such antagonists can be used in therapy to reduce inflammation. They are also useful in studying the properties of RANTES or of MIP-1alpha.

163

Proudfoot; Amanda E.I., Wells; Timothy N.C. SWITZERLAND assigned to Glaxo Group Limited

6159734 Antisense modulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma expression Antisense compounds, compositions, and methods are provided for modulating the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma are provided.

McKay; Robert, Borchers; Alexander H., Baker; Brenda F. USA assigned to Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc.

6159751 Development of DNA probes and immunological reagents of human tumor-associated antigens This invention provides a method for preparing a hybridoma cell line that produces a monoclonal antibody that specifically recognizes and binds to a tumor-associated antigen that comprises: (a) cotransfecting a CREF-Trans 6 cell line with DNA isolated from a neoplastic human cell and a plasmid that encodes a selectable or identifiable trait; (b) selecting transfected cells that express the selectable or identifiable trait; (c) recovering the cells so selected in Step (b); (d) injecting the cells so recovered in Step (c) into a suitable marine host; (e) maintaining the resulting first murine host for a period of time effective to induce the cells injected in Step (d) to form a tumor in the murine host; (f) isolating the tumor formed in Step (e); (g) obtaining tumor cells from the isolated tumor in Step (f); (h) coating the tumor cells obtained in Step (g) with an antiserum generated against the CREF Trans-6 cell line (i) injecting the antiserum-coated cells from Step (h) into a plurality of suitable second murine hosts; (j) screening the resulting second hosts from Step (i) to identify hosts that produce serum reactive with the neoplastic human cell; (k) removing spleens from the second hosts so identified in Step (j); (l) preparing from the spleens so removed in Step (k) hybridomas; and (m) recovering therefrom a hybridoma cell line that produces a monoclonal antibody that specifically recognizes and binds to the tumorassociated antigen.

Fisher; Paul B. USA assigned to The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York

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6159946 Antisense inhibition of c-myc to modulate the proliferation of smooth muscle cells The present invention provides antisense therapies useful for modulating smooth muscle cell proliferation. Methods of treating and preventing restenosis are also provided.

Zalewski; Andrew, Shi; Yi Thomas Jefferson University

USA assigned to

6159947 Anti-RAS intracellular-binding proteins and use thereof The present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding intracellular-binding proteins. More particularly, the nucleic acid comprises a gene coding for an intracellular single-chain antibody specific for a ras oncogene under the

control of a promoter, the antibody is functional in mammalian cells, and inhibits the transformation of cells that express a ras oncogene.

Schweighoffer; Fabien, Tocque; Bruno assigned to Aventis Pharma S.A.

FRANCE

6160099 Antihuman alphavbeta3 and alphavbeta5 antibodies This invention relates to novel humanized and other recombinant or engineered antibodies or monoclonal antibodies to a human alphav subunit-containing heterodimeric integrin receptors and to the genes encoding same. Such antibodies are useful for the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of disorders mediated by such receptors, such as cancer, in human patients.

Jonak; Zdenka Ludmila, Taylor; Alexander, Trulli; Stephen H., Johanson; Kyung O. USA

Food, Feed and Beverage Products 6142861 Meat decontamination The invention relates to decontaminating meat by locating a body of meat within a chamber, providing a volume of decontaminating water sufficient to fill the chamber and immerse the body of meat; supplying the decontaminating water at, e.g., 80°C to the chamber at multiple inlet point accompanied by substantial turbulence as it fills the chamber and discharging the decontaminating water from the chamber after the body of meat has been decontaminated (e.g., after 10 s). The volume of decontaminating water is provided in an elevated vessel connected to the chamber through a supply passage of relatively large flow area. The body of meat is suspended from an overhead conveyor and is conveyed into the chamber through an entry opening and out of the chamber through an exit opening, the body of meat being paused in its movement by the conveyor when it has entered the chamber to enable the decontaminating operation to take place.

Buhot; John, Stapleton; Paul, Green; Paul, Anderson; Paul AUSTRALIA assigned to Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

6143334 Pasta filata method for manufacturing Swiss-type cheeses A pasta filata method of making cheeses that is capable of producing traditional hard and semihard cheeses of the Swiss and Baby Swiss varieties is described. Pursuant to the method, cheese milk at between 84°F and 96°F and 0% and

4% milk fat is inoculated with a bacterial culture appropriate to the variety of cheese being made. A milk coagulant is added to the cheese milk to form curd, which is cut. The temperature of the curd and whey mixture is raised between 0°F and 18°F over a period of time ranging from 20 to 60 min. A portion of whey is removed from the curd. When the pH of the curd and whey mixture drops to between 5.80 and 6.20, the remaining whey is removed and the pH of the curd is allowed to drop to between 5.10 and 5.30. The curd is washed with fresh water at 45 ± 75°F and dry-salted. The curd is fed into a pasta filata cheeses mixer/molder and cooked under hot water, thereby raising the temperature of the curd to between 120°F and 140°F, thereafter the cheese is formed into blocks in a plurality of cheese molds. The cheese molds are cooled in water of between 45°F and 55°F and then vacuumed sealed in plastic bags, which are placed in boxes with lids. The boxed cheeses are immediately placed in a first storage area held at between 35°F and 45°F for at least 1 week. The boxed cheeses are then placed in a second storage area at between 65°F and 80°F for 1 ± 5 weeks. The cheese is thereafter cooled for at least 1 week at between 35°F and 45°F.

Reinbold; Robert S., Willits; Richard R., DeSmidt; Kim M. USA assigned to Sargento Foods Inc.

6145276 Method and device for sterilizing food packaging containers A sterilizing device for thoroughly removing hydrogen peroxide from the interior of the container in a short period of time includes a sterilizing agent depositing device 19,

Patent Abstracts / Biotechnology Advances 19 (2001) 139±172 which deposits a hydrogen peroxide-containing solution having a sterilizing affect into the interior of the container before the container is filled with a food product, and a sterilizing agent removing device 23, which removes the hydrogen peroxide from the interior of the container by blowing compressed hot air into the container. The sterilizing method involves depositing a hydrogen peroxide-containing solution having a concentration in the range of 0.05 ± 0.20 wt.% into the interior of the container before the container is filled with food product, irradiating the interior of the container with ultraviolet light after the hydrogen peroxide-containing solution is deposited in the interior of the container, and removing hydrogen peroxide from the interior of the container by blowing compressed hot air into the interior of the container.

Palm; Magnus, Goto; Michio, Yoshiyasu; Shunsuke, Sugiura; Masayoshi JAPAN assigned to Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance S.A.

6146674 Method and device for manufacturing hot dogs using high-power ultrasound A semisolid mixture, such as a particulate meat mixture, is brought into contact with a vibrating surface, whereby energy is transported across the surface into the mixture. The vibration is generally contemplated to be in the ultrasonic frequency range, and the energy injection is contemplated to be sufficient to cause local physical and chemical changes in mixtures susceptible to such changes, and generally to cause changes in the direction of increased tensile strength and resistance to flow. In general, a skin is formed on the mixture and with greater processing efficiency then if such skin were formed by purely thermal means.

Manna; Ronald R., Russell; Alvin W., Voic; Dan, Novak; Theodore A.D., Ng; David, Pantano; Salvatore USA assigned to Misonix Incorporated

6146684 Process for production of ground fish meat products or their analogues Disclosed herein are processes for the production of ground fish meat products or their analogues, using as the main raw material non-salt-ground fish meat with a gel of glucomannan hydrate or a gel of glucomannan hydrate only and another using non-salt, well-ground fish meat only or nonsalt, well-ground fish meat with a gel of glucomannan; saltgrinding not being involved in both processes. These fish meat products or their analogues are new and different in taste or texture from prior part-ground fish meat products like Japanese kamaboko, and also are optionally lowered in calories with the use of an increased proportion of such gel of glucomannan hydrate.

Kawano; Nobuhisa

JAPAN

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6147277 Potato alpha-amylase Alpha-amylase, an enzyme that hydrolyses starch, can be found in all plants. The modification of potato starch production, in particular, is important in the preparation of various food products. The present invention discloses nucleotide sequences of potato alpha-amylase genes and the corresponding amino acid sequences. The present invention also describes DNA probes comprising alpha-amylase nucleotide sequences, as well as expression vectors that produce active alpha-amylase enzymes. These expression vectors can be used to produce transgenic potato plants.

Gausing; Kirsten, Kreiberg; Jette D. DENMARK assigned to A/S De Danske Spritfabrikker (Danisco A/S)

6149949 Pasteurization and fermentation of a fermentable extract This invention relates to a method for pasteurization and fermentation in the production of an alcoholic beverage. The method involves taking a fermentable soluble extract from a processed brewer's mash, mixing it in a mixing zone with a fermented fermentable extract containing an alcohol content of at least 4% alcohol by volume together with other products formed during fermentation, processing this mixture by heating the mixture to a temperature of at least 51°C (124°F) holding the mixture at that temperature for 10 ± 20 min and then cooling the mixture to a minimum of 10°C (50°F) before fermenting the mixture according to known fermentation processes. In order to produce a continuous flow process and better control the specific gravity of the unfermented fermentable extract, the liquid extract from the brewer's mash may be converted to a soluble powder product that can then be provided in a continuous flow of powder product for dissolving with a continuous flow of water to produce a continuous flow of fermentable soluble extract for mixing with a continuous flow of fermented fermentable extract taken from an outlet of a continuous fermenting plant, the mixture being processed as above before entering the continuous fermenting plant for fermentation to produce an alcoholic beverage.

Coutts; Morton William NEW ZEALAND assigned to Morton Coutts Limited

6149950 Meat tenderization The present invention provides methods for meat tenderization that comprise a thermolabile protease derived from a Rhizomucor species. Preferably, the protease has limited substrate specificity and may be treated with peroxy acids. The invention also provides meat-tenderizing compositions,

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which comprise the protease in combination with nitrite and/ or flavoring agents.

a wide range of fat-containing prepared food products including cookies, brownies, popcorn, and ice cream.

Ashie; Isaac, Sorenson; Thomas USA assigned to Novo Norolisk A/S, Novo Nordisk Biochem of North America Inc.

Kepplinger; John, Guthrie; Brian W.K. Kellogg Institute

USA assigned to

6153234 6149952

Brine-coated sausage strand

Method for determining deleterious bacterial growth in packaged food utilizing hydrophilic polymers

A method and means for coagulating a coextruded collagen gel on a food product is described wherein a highly dissoluble salt having a dissolubility of at least 8 mol/l water at 20°C is applied to the collagen gel whereby the collagen gel is coagulated in less than 60 s. The collagen gel is acidified with an inorganic acid such as hydrochloric or sulfuric acid and has a dry matter of between 3% and 25%.

The present invention relates to a method for determining the presence or absence of contaminating bacteria in a packaged food sample comprising storing food in a package having as a lining a hydrophilic polymeric composition, said composition preferably being permeable to water and at least one gas dissolved in water or water vapor and being selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen, and ammonia gas and containing an indicator for detecting the presence or absence of the said gas; said indicator being polymerized or dispersed throughout said polymeric composition or coated onto a hydrophobic polymeric composition.

Horan; Thomas J. USA assigned to Herbert W. Stoltenberg, Ruben Stoltenberg, Edwin Laird, Thomas J. Horan Family Trust

6149961 Fat substitute formulation and methods for utilizing same A fat substitute is disclosed comprising a shea nut extract blended with a diluent fat to produce a plasticized shea nut extract. The plasticized shea nut extract can be readily substitute for a part or all of the fat content of a prepared food product. The plasticized shea nut extract maintains the taste and manufacturability of the full fat prepared food product. In addition, the plasticized shea nut extract reduces the fat content of the prepared food product because the components of shea nut extract are not fats. In a preferred embodiment, the shea nut extract is blended with sunflower oil to produce the plasticized shea nut extract. The plasticized shea nut extract can be utilized in

Kobussen; Jaap, Kobussen; Mart, Kobussen; Jos, Alexander; David NETHERLANDS assigned to Townsend Engineering Company

6153240 Apparatus and method for food surface microbial intervention and pasteurization An apparatus and a method for microbial intervention and pasteurization of food product surfaces, especially produce, are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a chamber, a steam generator, a controller, a timer, a power source, and a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor, along with the timer, is used to control the exposure of food products to steam. After a controlled period of steam application, a chilled water source is used to bathe the food products. The method includes the steps of placing food in the chamber, adding steam to the chamber, continuing to add steam until the surface of the food is greater than a first preselected temperature, maintaining the surface temperature by the continued application of steam for a period of about 60 s or until it is greater than a second preselected temperature, and then bathing the outer surface of the food with chilled water for about 60 s. The use of this method results in a 5-log reduction in the population of microorganisms and bacteria on the surface of the food.

Tottenham; Dennis E., Purser; David E. assigned to Dennis E. Tottenham

USA

Agriculture and Forestry Biotechnology 6137033 Class of proteins for the control of plant pests The genes encoding a novel class of insecticidal proteins have been isolated and characterized from a strain of

Bacillus thuringiensis. Both the nucleic and amino acid sequences for the proteins are disclosed. The nucleic acid molecules are utilized in the transformation of host microorganisms and production of transgenic plants that are resistant to insects. Also, the gene encoding for the insect's

Patent Abstracts / Biotechnology Advances 19 (2001) 139±172 receptor of the insecticide protein has been isolated and characterized. Novel processes and methods for controlling plants pests are provided.

Estruch; Juan J., Warren; Gregory W., Desai; Nalini M., Koziel; Michael G., Nye; Gordon J. USA assigned to Novartis Finance Corporation

6137038 Inbred corn line SM4603 Inbred corn seed designated SM4603 and corn plants produced from that seed are disclosed. The invention includes plant parts from SM4603 corn plants. The invention includes a corn plant displaying all the physiological and morphological characteristics of an SM4603 corn plant, SM4603 pollen grains, plant parts, and tissue cultures. The invention also provides hybrid corn seed produced by crossing an SM4603 inbred corn plant with a second inbred corn plant.

Vattikonda; Mohan Incorporated

CANADA assigned to Cargill

6143559 Methods for the production of chicken monoclonal antibodies The present invention provides methods for producing antibodies against a variety of antigens, including mammalian antigens with highly conserved epitopes. In addition, the present invention provides improved methods and compositions for the cloning and manipulation of immunoglobulin genes as well as antibodies derived therefrom.

Michael; Nancy M., Accavitti; Mary Ann, Thompson; Craig B. USA assigned to Arch Development Corporation

6146641 Avian leukosis virus subgroup J envelope gene product for diagnosis and immunogenic composition The envelope (env) gene from avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) strain Hc1 has been isolated, sequenced, and cloned into an expression vector. The ALV-J Hc1 env gene and expressed protein are useful for development of diagnostic assays to detect Hc1-specific nucleic acid and proteins and for eliciting an immune response in chickens.

Lee; Lucy F., Fadly; Aly M., Hunt; Henry D. USA assigned to The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture

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6147202 Production of human hemoglobin in transgenic pigs The present invention relates to the use of transgenic pigs for the production of human hemoglobin. The transgenic pigs of the invention may be used as an efficient and economical source of cell-free human hemoglobin that may be used for transfusions and other medical applications in humans.

Kumar; Ramesh, Sharma; Ajay, Paulhiac; Clara, Khoury-Christianson; Anastasia M., Midha; Sunita USA

6147280 Production of oligosaccharides in transgenic plants The invention relates to a method for producing oligosaccharides, comprising selecting a gene that codes for an enzyme that is capable of converting sucrose into an oligosaccharide; linking the gene to suitable transcription-initiation and transcription-termination signals in order to provide an expression construct; transforming a suitable plant cell with the expression construct; transforming a suitable plant cell with the expression construct; regenerating a transgenic plant from the transformed plant cell; culturing the transgenic plant under conditions enabling the expression and activity of the enzyme; and isolating the oligosaccharides from the transgenic plant. The invention further relates to the product obtained by means of the method and to the use thereof, in addition to transgenic plants and parts thereof that are capable of producing oligosaccharides. Smeekens; Josephus Christianus Maria, Ebskamp; Michael Johannes Marcus, Geerts; Hendrikus Andrianus Maria, Weisbeek; Petrus Jacobus NETHERLANDS assigned to Stichting Scheikundig Onderzoek in Nederland

6150156 Bacillus thuringiensis isolates active against sucking insects The subject invention concerns novel Bacillus thuringiensis strains containing parasporal proteins with pesticidal properties against whitefly, aphid, jassid, and possibly other sucking insects of agronomic importance, and peptide sequences to these proteins that can be used to obtain structural genes. The spores or crystals of these microbes, or mutants thereof, are useful to control hymenopteran pests in various environments. The genes of the invention can be

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used to transform various hosts wherein the novel toxic proteins can be expressed.

Riazuddin; Sheikh gene Inc.

PAKISTAN assigned to Cal-

6150166 System for propagating in vitro tissue cultures of a plant species A system for stimulating rooting of an in vitro tissue culture of a plant species includes a container supporting a composite comprising a first and second medium. The first medium is conducive to promoting rooting of the tissue culture. The second medium is formed of an opaque material that blocks the passage of light to first medium.

Miller; Virginia I. USA assigned to Board of Regents of University of Nebraska

6153199 Avian recombinant live vaccine using, as vector, the avian infectious laryngotracheitis virus The living recombinant avian vaccine comprises, as a vector, an ILTV virus comprising and expressing at least one heterologous nucleotide sequence, this nucleotide sequence being inserted in the insertion locus defined between nucleotides 1624 and 3606 at the SEQ ID NO: 5. The vaccine may, in particular, comprise a sequence coding for an antigen of an avian pathogenic agent selected among the group consisting of the Newcastle disease virus (NDV), the infections bursal virus (IBDV), the Marek disease virus (MDV), the infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), the chicken anaemia virus (CAV), and the chicken pneumovirosis virus, preferably under the control of a strong eukaryotic promoter. A multivalent vaccine formula is also disclosed.

Jean-Christophe Audonnet, Michel Bublot, Michel Riviere, FRANCE assigned to Merial

6153202 In ovo methods for utilizing live Edwardsiella ictaluri against enteric septicemia in channel catfish Methods for the safe and effective live in ovo vaccination of eyed eggs of catfish against enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC) were created through the use of rifampicin-resistant native Edwardsiella ictaluri isolates; these including rifampicin-resistant strain ATCC 202058 of E. ictaluri originally isolated from the walking catfish Clarius batrachus from Thailand. Single-immersion exposure of eyed eggs of catfish stimulated strong acquired immunity against many isolates of E. ictaluri without the need for booster immunization.

Klesius; Phillip H., Shoemaker; Craig A., Evans; Joyce J. USA assigned to The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture

6153428 Alpha(1,3) galactosyltransferase-negative porcine cells Transgenic swine in which the normal expression of alpha(1,3) galactosyltransferase is prevented in at least one organ of tissue type. The absence or inactivation of this enzyme prevents the production of carbohydrate moieties having the distinctive terminal Galalpha1 ± 3Galbeta1 ± 4GlcNAc epitope that is a significant factor in xenogenic, particularly human, transplant rejection of swine grafts.

Gustafsson; Kenth T., Sachs; David H. BRITAIN assigned to BioTransplant Inc.

GREAT

6153814 Polypeptide compositions toxic to lepidopteran insects and methods for making same Disclosed are novel synthetically modified Bacillus thuringiensis nucleic acid segments encoding d-endotoxins having insecticidal activity against lepidopteran insects. Also disclosed are synthetic crystal proteins encoded by these novel nucleic acid sequences. Methods of making and using these genes and proteins are disclosed, as well as methods for the recombinant expression and transformation of suitable host cells. Transformed host cells and transgenic plants expressing the modified endotoxin are also aspects of the invention. Also disclosed are methods for modifying, altering, and mutagenizing specific loop regions between the alpha helices in domain 1 of these crystal proteins, including Cry1C, to produce genetically engineered recombinant cry* genes and the proteins they encode, which have improved insecticidal activity. In preferred embodiments, novel Cry1C* amino acid segments and the modified cry1C* nucleic acid sequences that encode them are disclosed.

Baum; James A., Gilmer; Amy Jelen, Mettus; AnneMarie Light USA assigned to Monsanto Company

6156308 Bacillus thuringiensis strains active against lepidopteran and coleopteran pests The invention is related to a novel biologically pure Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) strains active against lepidopteran and coleopteran pests that produces a bipyramidal crystal consisting essentially of at least two delta-

Patent Abstracts / Biotechnology Advances 19 (2001) 139±172 endotoxins having a molecular weight of about 130,000 Da and a rhomboidal crystal consisting essentially of two delta-endotoxins, each having a molecular weight of about 33,000 Da, as well as spores, crystals, deltaendotoxins, and/or mutants thereof. The invention also relates to insecticidal compositions obtainable therefrom. The invention further relates to methods of using the insecticidal compositions to control an insect pest(s) from the order Lepidoptera and/or Coleoptera. The invention also relates to isolated DNA sequences encoding the delta-endotoxins.

Liu; Chi-Li, Adams; Lee Fremont, Lufburrow; Patricia A., Thomas; Michael David USA assigned to Valent BioSciences Inc.

6156309 Insecticidal compositions and methods Insect viruses capable of killing at least one target insect pest quicker than previously described viruses and methods for conferring that phenotype of faster killing are provided. Further improvement in the speed of killing is obtained when the virus of this invention also contains a nonfunctional egt gene to reduce feeding by the infected larvae, inhibit growth, and further mediate the earlier death of the infected insect and/or it also contains and expresses a DNA sequence encoding an insect-specific toxin. The faster killing phenotype is achieved by inactivating an ORF 603 of AcMNPV or an ORF 603 homolog of a different species of baculovirus. Improved insecticidal compositions and improved methods of

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controlling insects are also included within the scope of this invention.

Miller; Lois K., Black; Bruce C., Dierks; Peter M., Fleming; Nancy C. USA assigned to University of Georgia Research Foundation, American Cyanamid Corporation

6156505 Specific DNA probes for the identification of the Taenia solium and Taenia saginata species The invention features compositions and methods for the detection of and differentiation between Taenia solium and/ or Taenia saginata. Specifically, the invention features nucleic acid probes comprising specific repetitive sequences of T. solium and T. saginata. These sequences make it possible to distinguish, with a high level of sensitivity and specificity, the eggs of these species of Taenia, thus enabling the diagnosis of taeniasis and the identification of carriers of T. solium. The invention is of great importance in controlling spread of T. solium due to ingestion of infected pork and/or exposure to human carriers of T. solium, thus facilitating the eradication of human and swine cysticercosis. The invention is thus of great importance in supporting eradication of human and swine cysticercosis.

Steinbruch; Ana Flisser, Chapman; Alger B., Agabian; Nina M., Garcia; Diana Maria Ortiz, Ruiz; Veronica Vallejo, Mossie; Kevin G. MEXICO assigned to Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, The Regents of the University of California

Fuel, Chemicals and Metals from Bioprocesses 6143534 Microbial process for producing methane from coal Lignite is treated with ligninase source to enhance its reactivity. In one embodiment, lignite is gasified in a subterranean reactor by simultaneous digestion by anaerobic ligninase producers, such as termite microflora, and acid formers and methanogens. In another embodiment, the lignite is treated with ligninase prior to digestion by the acid formers and methanogens. If desired, the lignite may be pretreated by alkaline hydrolysis.

Menger; William M., Kern; Ernest E., Karkakits; O.C., Wise; Donald L., Leuschner; Alfred P., Odelson; David, Grethlein; Hans E. USA assigned to Reliant Energy Incorporated

6143950 Plant steroid 5alpha reductase, DET2 A novel plant steroid 5alpha reductase, DET2, is provided, as well as polynucleotides encoding DET2. DET2 is useful in promoting increased plant yield and/or increased plant biomass. Genetically modified plants characterized as having increased yield and methods for producing such plants are also provided.

Chory; Joanne, Li; Jianming USA assigned to The Salk Institute for Biological Studies

6150143 Natamycin recovery A process for the recovery of natamycin from a fermentation broth containing biomass and natamycin,

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which comprises: (a) disintegrating the biomass and (b) separating the natamycin from the thus treated fermentation broth.

Raghoenath; Dilipkoemar, Webbers; Josephus J.P. NETHERLANDS assigned to Gist-Brocades B.V.

6150145 Process for the production of degradation products of fatty acids Fatty acid degradation products are overproduced by oxidative biochemical degradation of a plant biomass containing unsaturated fatty acids and enzymes for the degradation in the presence of additional unsaturated fatty acids. These degradation products are natural flavour and fragrance ingredients.

Hausler; Alex, Ehret; Charles, Binggeli; Eva SWITZERLAND assigned to Givaudan Roure (International) SA

6150408 Tart cherry compounds that have antioxidant activity and uses thereof Compounds that are isolatable from cherries and have antioxidant activity and methods for isolating these compounds are described. In particular, the invention relates to 1-(30,40-dihydroxycinnamoyl)-cyclopenta-2,3-diol and 1-(3 0,4 0-dihydroxycinnamoyl)-cyclopenta-2,5-diol, which have antioxidant activity. These antioxidant compounds and compositions containing these compounds are useful as food preservatives, dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, and phytoceuticals.

Nair; Muraleedharan G., Wang; Haibo, Strasburg; Gale M., Booren; Alden M., Gray; James I. USA assigned to Board of Trustees operating Michigan State University

6153415 Method for producing amide compounds using a nitrile hydratase from a thermophilic bacillus A process for the bioconversion of a nitrile to its corresponding amide product, particularly acrylonitrile to

acrylamide, which is used for forming polymers. The process uses a thermophilic bacterium having a nitrile hydratase activity that is constitutively expressed, activated by cobalt ions, stable at 60°C, and is most active between 20°C and 70°C with optimum activity at 55°C. Alternatively, the process uses the enzyme extracted from the thermophilic bacterium to convert a nitrile to its amide product. The genes encoding nitrile hydratase and amidase are described in which the former is useful for the conversion of a nitrile to its amide and the latter is useful for the conversion of an amide to its acid.

Oriel; Patrick J., Padmakumar; Rugmini, Kim; Sang Hoon USA assigned to Board of Trustees operating Michigan State University

6159726 Method of biotreatment for solid materials in a nonstirred surface bioreactor A method of biotreating a solid material to remove an undesired compound using a nonstirred surface bioreactor is provided. According to the method, the surface of a plurality of coarse substrates is coated with a solid material to be biotreated to form a plurality of coated coarse substrates. The coarse substrates have a particle size greater than about 0.3 cm and the solid material to be biotreated has a particle size less than about 250 mm. A nonstirred surface reactor is then formed by stacking the plurality of coated coarse substrates into a heap or placing the plurality of coated coarse substrates into a tank so that the void volume of the reactor is greater than or equal to about 25%. The reactor is inoculated with a microorganism capable of degrading the undesired compound in the solid material and the solid material is then biotreated in the surface bioreactor until the undesired compound in the solid material is degraded to a desired concentration. Preferably, the thickness of the solid material coating on the plurality of coarse substrates is less than about 1 mm and the void volume of the reactor is greater than or equal to about 35%. The process is useful for many different biotreatment processes, including the bioremediation of contaminated soils, the desulfurization of coal, and the biooxidation of refractory sulfide ores and concentrates. In bioremediation applications, the undesired compound is typically an organic compound. In coal desulfurization and refractory sulfide ore biooxidation applications, the undesired compound is sulfide mineral.

Kohr; William J. Inc.

USA assigned to Geobiotics

Patent Abstracts / Biotechnology Advances 19 (2001) 139±172

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Biological Waste Treatment and Pollution Control 6143176

6146896

Method of converting organic wastes to valuable resources

Method and apparatus for measuring the nitrification effectiveness of activated sludge

The improved method of converting organic wastes to valuable resources comprises a methane fermentation step in which a slurry of organic waste is retained for fermentation in an anaerobic digester to thereby generate a methane-containing gas and a fermentation slurry, a hydrothermal treatment step in which the fermentation slurry is subjected to a hydrothermal reaction to thereby generate a carbon slurry, and a concentrating step in which an aqueous phase is separated from the carbon slurry to thereby yield a concentrated carbon slurry having a high heating value. The method is capable of performing an effective hydrothermal treatment on a slurry of low water content, prevents the slurry from putrefaction during retention in the process, and it is yet capable of effective treatment of the aqueous phase of the slurry after the hydrothermal treatment.

The methods and apparatus for determining nitrification effectiveness of activated sludge in an aqueous solution include: supplying equivalent quantities of an activated sludge, an aqueous solution, and a gas-containing oxygen to each of first and second reaction vessels; simultaneously delivering a nitrification inhibitor to only the second reaction vessel; performing a bacterial respiration reaction in the vessels for either a preselected period of time or continuously in which case the materials are supplied per unit of time so that the bacterial respiration reaction in the first reaction vessel, where oxygen consumption as a result of total bacterial respiration occurs and includes oxygen consumption as a result of endogenous respiration, oxygen consumption as a result of nitrification, and oxygen consumption as a result of degradation of carbon compounds, may be compared with the respiration reaction in the second reaction vessel where oxygen consumption includes oxygen consumption as a result of endogenous respiration, and oxygen consumption as a result of degradation of carbon compounds, but where oxygen consumption as a result of nitrification is at least inhibited; measuring oxygen content for each of the vessels after the same reaction time either above the respective aqueous solutions or continuously in respective waste gas streams escaping from the respective reaction vessels to obtain at least one measured value for the respective vessels of one of oxygen content or a variable derived therefrom; determining the nitrification effectiveness of the activated sludge per unit quantity thereof by subtracting the measured values for the second reaction vessel from the first reaction vessel to provide a difference value; supplying the equivalent preselected quantities of an activated sludge including nitrifying bacteria, pure water, and a gas-containing oxygen to a third reaction vessel; and performing a bacterial respiration reaction in the third reaction vessel for either the predetermined period of time or continuously so that the bacterial respiration reaction in the third reaction vessel where oxygen consumption is due only to endogenous respiration may be compared to that in at least one of the first and second reaction vessels.

Nagamatsu; Sadasuke, Higo; Tsutomu, Fukuda; Toshio JAPAN assigned to Ebara Corporation

6143177 Engineered in situ anaerobic reactive zones An in situ method and system for reductive dechlorination, the precipitation of chromium, the precipitation of heavy metals, and microbial denitrification. The invention comprises the formation of in situ anaerobic reactive zones to precipitate and filter out dissolved heavy metals as metallic sulfides, to degrade nitrate to nitrogen gas, to reduce chlorinated hydrocarbons to ethene, and to precipitate and filter out chromium. The invention is comprised of an injection well or wells that extend into a contaminated saturated zone. A conduit located within the injection well conveys carbohydrates and sulfates to the contaminated saturated zone. Microbes digest the carbohydrates to produce sulfate-reducing and methanogenic conditions within the reactive zone that include a dissolved oxygen level less than about 0.5 mg/l, a redox potential less than about ÿ 250 mV, and a dissolved organic carbon to contaminant ratio of greater than about 50:1. These biogeochemical conditions lead to the reduction of PCE to TCE to DCE to VC and eventually to ethene. These biogeochemical conditions also lead to the precipitation of heavy metals, the precipitation of chromium, and microbial denitrification.

Suthersan; Suthan S. USA assigned to Arcadis Geraghty and Miller Inc.

Pilz; Ulrich GERMANY assigned to LAR Analytik und Umweltmesstechnik GmbH

6150157 Reductive dehalogenation of organic halides in contaminated groundwater The invention provides methods and microbial cultures for the bioremediation of organic halide contaminated ground-

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water contaminated with organic halides, such as di- and trichloroethene. The methods involve adding, in situ, to organic halide-contaminated groundwater a carbohydrate and one or more reductive dehalogenation factors, usually in the form of a nutrient extract, both in amounts sufficient to permit in situ reductive dehalogenation of the organic halide by a microbial population. The microbial population may be endogenous to the ground water or added exogenously. The nutrient-enriched ground water is then maintained in situ under reducing conditions to reductively dehalogenate the contaminating organic halide. Enriched bioremediation cultures are produced by adding to organic halide contaminated groundwater that comprises an endogenous microbial population capable of reductive dehalogenation of the organic halide a carbohydrate and frequently, one or more reductive dehalogenation factors. Thereafter, the nutrient-enriched groundwater is incubated under reducing conditions whereby the organic halide is reductively dehalogenated and the microbial population is selectively and numerically expanded to yield a bioremediation culture.

situ techniques may be used to reduce or eliminate PCB pollutants from liquid, gas, and solid sources. In a preferred embodiment, PCB concentrations in various aqueous environments are reduced by contacting a contaminated water source with butane-utilizing bacteria in the presence of oxygen to degrade the PCB by cometabolism or direct metabolism. Suitable butane-utilizing bacteria include Pseudomonas, Variovorax, Nocardia, Chryseobacterium, Comamonas, Acidovorax, Rhodococcus, Aureobacterium, Micrococcus, Aeromonas, Stenotrophomonas, Sphingobacterium, Shewanella, Phyllobacterium, Clavibacter, Alcaligenes, Gordona, Corynebacterium, and Cytophaga.

Anthony; Felix

USA

6159364 Water treatment system based on denitrification

Bioremediation of polychlorinated biphenyl pollutants with butane-utilizing bacteria

To allow compact and simple design of a water treatment system capable of denitrification, an anaerobic treatment vessel 3 is provided downstream of an aerobic treatment vessel 2, and a filter layer 5 having a large number of carriers for microbes filled therein is formed in the anaerobic treatment vessel so that sulfur contents may be reduced by sulfate-reducing microbes bred in the filter layer and the nitrate nitrogen is gasified by sulfur denitrification microbes with the aid of the sulfides thus obtained. In particular, the carriers preferably comprise a floating filter material in the form of plastic foam blocks that can float in the water.

Butane-utilizing bacteria are used to degrade pollutants comprising polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In situ or ex

Hirane; Ken JAPAN assigned to Daiwa Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha

Keasling; Jay D., Bolesch; Douglas G., Delfino; Thomas A. USA assigned to The Regents of the University of California Geomatrix Consultants

6156203