Abstract:
A method of testing sperm quality comprising obtaining a sample of sperm to be tested; detecting and measuring amount of testis-specific HspA2 chaperone protein in the sperm; and determining a sperm quality parameter based upon the amount of chaperone protein, wherein an increased amount of the chaperone protein indicates a higher sperm quality. The chaperone protein is detected and measured either by binding one or more antibodies specific to the sperm chaperone protein to the sperm and measuring the antibody content or measuring ATP bound to the sperm chaperone protein. In the case of the latter method, the chaperone protein may be detected and measured by measuring the ATP bound to the sperm chaperone protein, and such measuring is by chaperone protein-bound and CK-B generated ATP measurement, or by chaperone protein ATP bioluminescence.
Abstract:
An antibody/carrier complex which makes it possible to easily control the sensitivity in an antigen-antibody reaction without newly constructing an antibody. This antibody/carrier complex is a complex containing at least one antibody and has a polymer structure wherein each antigen-binding site of the antibody is arranged so as to react with the antigen.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to improved methods and reagents for the production of 1,3-propanediol. In particular, the present invention provides novel thermophilic organisms and thermostable enzymes capable of catalyzing the fermentation of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol. The present invention also relates to methods of isolating such thermophilic organisms, methods of cloning polynucleotides that encode such enzymes, polynucleotides encoding such enzymes, and methods of using such enzymes and organisms for the production of 1,3-propanediol.
Abstract:
The invention features a method of identifying a polypeptide which increases gene expression from a promoter, including (a) contacting a library of polypeptides with a cell that expresses a recombinant anti-cell death gene and that contains a reporter gene operably linked to a promoter (as shown in the figure), whereby expression of the reporter gene is increased if the library includes a polypeptide which increases gene expression from the promoter; (b) determining whether the reporter gene expression is increased in the cell as a result of contact with the polypeptide library; and (c) if reporter gene expression is increased, identifying a polypeptide of the library which increases reporter gene expression.
Abstract:
The present invention in the field of immunotherapy, provides a method for predicting the likelihood of tumor shrinkage in response to administration of immunotherapeutic agents to patients having tumors or cancer, especially lymphoma or myeloma. The present invention further provides methods for optimizing a beneficial outcome of immunotherapy for treating cancer, immune system diseases and infections diseases in an anergic patient by boosting the immune responsiveness of the patient before beginning the immunotherapy, and methods for determining the optimum amount and schedule of an immunotherapeutic agent to administer to treat cancer and immune diseases.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method of detecting and quantifying a contaminant in a sample utilizing an insect based bioassay system. The method comprises exposing insect hemocytes, either in vivo or in vitro , to the sample to be tested followed by analyzing the cellular and biochemical behavior of the cells in the hemolymph subsequent to the exposure.
Abstract:
This invention provides new fluorescent molecules useful for detection of target entities. In particular, it relates to fluorescent adducts comprising an apoprotein and a bilin.
Abstract:
A method for concentrating a particular microorganism or microorganisms of interest in a sample is provided and effected by contacting the sample with a matrix to which is bound an affinity receptor specific for the particular microorganism or microorganisms, the affinity receptor and the matrix being selected so as to allow capture of the microorganism or microorganisms to the matrix via the affinity receptor when present in the sample at a concentration of ultra low levels, thereby obviating the need for a prolonged pre-enrichment step, and in some cases obviating altogether the need for a pre-enrichment step, of the microorganism or microorganisms in the sample.
Abstract:
The invention discloses the Neisseria spp. NGSP polypeptide, polypeptides derived therefrom (NGSP-derived polypeptides), nucleotide sequences encoding said polypeptides, and antibodies that specifically bind the NGSP polypeptide and/or NGSP-derived polypeptides. Also disclosed are prophylactic or therapeutic compositions, including antigenic, preferably immunogenic compositions, e.g., vaccines, comprising NGSP polypeptide and/or a NGSP-derived polypeptide or antibodies thereto. The invention additionnally discloses methods of inducing an immune response to Neisseria and Neisseria NGSP polypeptide and an NGSP-derived polypeptide in animals.