Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to the field of bioinformatics and its applications to functional genomics and advanced genetic engineering. More particularly, the present invention contemplates a method for identifying effector molecules capable of modulating gene network integration and which facilitate genetic multi-tasking and the regulation of complex suites of programmed responses within, on and between eukaryotic cells. The present invention permits, therefore, the identification of a new generation of proteome and nucleome modulators useful in a range of therapeutic and trait-modifying protocols. The ability to manipulate genetic networks within a cell and within whole organisms also provides a sophisticated genetic engineering approach of introducing new traits and to influencing the genetic architecture and, hence, to enable cell and organismal programming or re-programming. The identification of effector molecules and their target or receiver sites, further enables the development of diagnostic protocols for a range of conditions or physiological or genetic states of an organism useful, for example, in modulating stem cell differentiation, quantitative traits, aging or the development of pathological conditions.
Abstract:
A single exon nucleic acid microarray comprising a plurality of single exon nucleic acid probes for measuring gene expression in a sample derived from human Fetal liver is described. Also described are single exon nucleic acid probes expressed in the Fetal liver and their use in methods for detecting gene expression.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for predicting, confirming and displaying functional regions from genomic sequence data are presented. The methods and apparatus are particularly useful for predicting coding regions within genomic sequence data, confirming the expression thereof experimentally, and relating and displaying the expression data in meaningful relationship to the genomic sequence. The methods and apparatus of the present invention thus present powerful tools for novel gene discovery.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for predicting, confirming and displaying functional regions from genomic sequence data are presented. The methods and apparatus are particularly useful for predicting coding regions within genomic sequence data, confirming the expression thereof experimentally, and relating and displaying the expression data in meaningful relationship to the genomic sequence. The methods and apparatus of the present invention thus present powerful tools for novel gene discovery.
Abstract:
Methods of detecting G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) activity in vitro and in vivo are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes providing at least one cell that expresses a GPCR and a plurality of conjugated proteins. Each of the plurality of conjugated proteins is formed by conjugating an arrestin protein and a detectable molecule. The plurality of conjugated proteins are substantially evenly distributed in the cytoplasm of the at least one cell. A first image of the at least one cell is obtained by detecting an amount of energy emitted from the detectable molecules and storing a value relative to the amount of energy. The at least one cell is treated with an agonist. A second image of the at least one cell is obtained. The first image and the second image are compared to detect the localization of at least some of the plurality of conjugated proteins at endocytic vesicles and/or endosomes.
Abstract:
A synthetic nucleic acid sequence is disclosed, comprising a non-naturally occurring polymer of nucleic acids, having a biological function encoded by the sequence and known from a starting nucleic acid sequence, and having a difference in sequence of at least about 5 % between the nucleic acids of the synthetic sequence and the starting sequence. The difference between the nucleic acid sequences results in a different free energy of folding for the synthetic sequence as compared to the starting sequence, such that the synthetic sequence would be expressed better in a selected heterologous host cell than the starting sequence would be if expressed in the same heterologous host cell.
Abstract:
A single exon nucleic acid microarray comprising a plurality of single exon nucleic acid probes for measuring gene expression in a sample derived from human adult liver is described. Also described are single exon nucleic acid probes expressed in the adult liver and their use in methods for detecting gene expression.
Abstract:
A method of screening a candidate for an artificial promoter whereby the number of promoters to be subjected to an experiment in practice can be reduced in designing a candidate for an artificial promoter effective on a structural gene. This method comprises: (S1) ligating an arbitrarily designed base sequence to the upstream of a structural gene; (S2, S3) extracting bases from a definite domain containing at least the vicinity of the transcriptional initiation point of the base sequence thus formed by the binding in a definite pattern and determining an index curve from the imaginary amino acid sequence thus formed; and (S4), when the index curve thus determined shows a reversal from positive to negative in the vicinity of the transcriptional initiation point, then selecting the base sequence ligated to the upstream of the structural gene as a candidate for an artificial promoter. By using this method, base sequences with a high possibility of acting as an effective promoter can be screened prior to an experiment. Thus, the number of promoters to be subjected to the experiment in practice can be reduced.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to novel methods for isolation and identification of virulence determinants from bacterial pathogens. The present invention also relates to novel genes of the Legionella pneumophila bacteria, and methods of detection of Legionella pneumophila bacteria in samples.
Abstract:
The present invention provides systems, methods, screens, and kits for optical system analysis of cells to rapidly determine the distribution, environment, or activity of luminescently labeled reporter molecules in cells for the purpose of screening large numbers of compounds for those that specifically affect particular biological functions. The invention involves providing cells containing luminescent reporter molecules in an array of locations and scanning numerous cells in each location with a luminescence optical system, converting the optical information into digital data, and utilizing the digital data to determine the distribution, environment or activity of the luminescently labeled reporter molecules in the cells.