Medigen Biotechnology Corporation

Vita Genomics, Inc.

National Taiwan University

Chung Wo, Andrew Man

Pei-Jer Chen

Ding-Shinn Chen

Jui-Lin Chen

Wen-Pin Chou

Ping-Hei Chen

Yi-Fan Hsieh

Yuchi Hwang

Kuang-Den Chen

Shiou-Hwei Yeh

Ming-Yang Lai

Kuei-Ling Chen

Min-Pey Ding

Shu-Ching Wang

Li-Rung Huang

Wan-Lin Yao

Hui-Lin Wu

Chingwei Chang

Wen-Pi Chu

Shiou-hwei Yeh

Chiao-ling Li

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for amplifying a nucleic acid sequence by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The method comprises placing a PCR sample in a container which is heated by only a single heat source that provides a high temperature for denaturation in the bottom of the PCR sample, while annealing and extension automatically occur in different regions of the PCR sample due to the convection induced by a temperature gradient descending from the bottom of the PCR sample to the surface of the PCR sample.

Methods and apparatuses for convective polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

Disclosed is a recombinant plasmid for expressing hepatitis B viral antigens in vivo, comprising an adeno-associated virus (AVV) vector and a replication-competent hepatitis B virus genome fragment. Mice hydrodynamically injected with the recombinant plasmid of the present invention show persistent expression of hepatitis B viral antigens for more than 6 months in the hepatocytes, thus a immuno-competent mouse model for persistent expression of hepatitis B antigens and also for human chronic hepatitis B virus infection is established, which can be applied in evaluation and elucidation of mechanism of chronic hepatitis and anti-viral drug discovery research.

Recombinant plasmid and method for expressing hepatitis B viral antigens and virions in vivo

Sets of nucleic acids and methods for predicting a subject's responsiveness to therapy for liver disorders.

Responsiveness to therapy for liver disorders

It is provided isolated polynucleotides that include sequences from genomic region around the gene CD 81. The polynucleotides include polymorphisms associated with treatment response of HCV patients to interferon-&#x3b1; and ribavirin combined therapy and are useful as the probes in screening for patients who will response to interferon-&#x3b1; and ribavirin combined therapy. It is further provided linkage disequilibrium structure of the CD81 gene and haplotype information within a particular LD block, which can be used for prediction of the treatment outcome of the interferon-&#x3b1; and ribavirin combined therapy on HCV patients.

Method for detecting a propensity of an individual to respond effectively to treatment of interferon-&#x3b1; and ribavirin combined therapy

Growing community of inventors

Taipei, Taiwan

Pei-Jer Chen