Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.

Emory University

Affymetrix, Inc.

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ag

Ulrich Certa

Timothy P Tully

Michael Phillip Davis

Hansj&ouml;rg Tschirky

Jan Mous

Joshua I Dubnau

Reiner Gentz

Karl Weyer

Stefan Foser

Bela Takacs

Michael Davis

The present invention relates to methods of identifying genes involved in memory formation. This is accomplished by performing a gene chip identification of those genes expressed during transcription-dependent memory formation but not during transcription-independent memory formation. A statistical analysis of the gene chip identification output yields a set of genes that are involved in transcription-dependent memory formation.

Gene chip technology for determining memory genes

The present invention provides a novel method for determining the biological activity of a compound comprising the steps of a) contacting a host with a compound; b) determining the general transcriptional gene response of the host; and c) quantitating the general transcriptional gene response induced by said compound.

Gene transcription assay method

A washing system comprises a support for holding several cartridges. Each cartridge has a chamber with an inlet and an outlet. Wash blocks are movably coupled to the support, each having two needles for penetrating the inlet and the outlet of a respective cartridge when the wash blocks are moved towards the support. Tubing is coupled to the needles for flowing liquid through the chamber of the cartridge.

Cartridge washing system and methods

The present invention provides polypeptides having an amino acid sequence derived from the 190 kD precursor to the major merozoite surface antigens of the K1 isolate of Plasmodium falciparum. These polypeptides are capable of eliciting an immune response against different isolates of Plasmodium falciparum. The invention further provides immunogenic compositions and vaccines containing such polypeptides, antibodies raised against the polypeptides. a DNA sequence coding for one of the polypeptides, a replicable microbial vector containing such a DNA sequence and a microorganism transformed with such a vector. The invention also provides processes for the production of the polypeptides, immunogenic compositions, microorganisms and antibodies of the invention and for the use of the polypeptides and immunogenic compositions for the immunization of mammals against malaria.

Plasmodium falciparum merozoite antigen peptides

The invention provides polypeptides which correspond in at least one specific epitope with a plasmodium falciparum merozoite antigen having a molecular weight of about 41,000 Daltons, and a process for their production. The invention further provides immunogenic compositions which contain such a polypeptide and a suitable adjuvant, a DNA sequence which codes for such a polypeptide, replicable microbial vectors which contain such a DNA sequence, microorganisms which contain such a replicable vector and antibodies against a polypeptide of the invention. The invention still further provides processes for the production of the immunogenic compositions, the microorganisms and the antibodies and for the use of the polypeptides and the immunogenic compositions for the immunization of mammals against malaria.

Recombinant malarial polypeptides

The invention provides polypeptides which correspond in at least one specific epitope with Plasmodium falciparum merozoite antigen having a molecular weight of about 41,000 Daltons, and a process for their production. The invention further provides immunogenic compositions which contain such a polypeptide and a suitable adjuvant, a DNA sequence which codes for such a polypeptide, replicable microbial vectors which contain such a DNA sequence, microorganisms which contain such a replicable vector and antibodies against a polypeptide of the invention. The invention still further provides processes for the production of the immunogenic compositions, the microorganisms and the antibodies and for the use of the polypeptides and the immunogenic compositions for the immunization of mammals against malaria.

Growing community of inventors

Allschwil, Switzerland

Ulrich Certa