Some embodiments relate to a method for producing a product of interest with a microbial host using an auto-replicative extra-chromosomal nucleic acid molecule comprising a first nucleic acid sequence whose genetic activity confers an advantage to the host, optionally wherein the genetic activity of said first nucleic acid molecule is controlled.

A modular and hierarchical DNA assembly platform for synthetic biology is described. This enabling technology, termed MIDAS (for Modular Idempotent DNA Assembly System), can precisely assemble multiple DNA fragments in a single reaction using a standardised assembly design. It can be used to build genes from libraries of sequence-verified, reusable parts and to assemble multiple genes in a single vector. We describe the design and use of MIDAS, and its application in the reconstruction of the metabolic pathway for production of paspaline, a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of a range of indole diterpenesa class of economically important secondary metabolites produced by several species of filamentous fungi.

Mice are provided that comprise a reduction or deletion of ADAM6 activity from an endogenous ADAM6 locus, or that lack an endogenous locus encoding a mouse ADAM6 protein, wherein the mice comprise a sequence encoding an ADAM6 or ortholog or homolog or fragment thereof that is functional in a male mouse. In one embodiment, the sequence is an ectopic ADAM6 sequence or a sequence that confers upon a male mouse the ability to generate offspring by mating. Mice and cells with genetically modified immunoglobulin heavy chain loci that comprise an ectopic nucleotide sequence encoding a mouse ADAM6 or functional fragment or homolog or ortholog thereof are also provided.

Mice are provided that comprise a reduction or deletion of ADAM6 activity from an endogenous ADAM6 locus, or that lack an endogenous locus encoding a mouse ADAM6 protein, wherein the mice comprise a sequence encoding an ADAM6 or ortholog or homolog or fragment thereof that is functional in a male mouse. In one embodiment, the sequence is an ectopic ADAM6 sequence or a sequence that confers upon a male mouse the ability to generate offspring by mating. Mice and cells with genetically modified immunoglobulin heavy chain loci that comprise an ectopic nucleotide sequence encoding a mouse ADAM6 or functional fragment or homolog or ortholog thereof are also provided.

Recombinant adenoviral vectors, immunogenic compositions thereof and their use in medicine, and methods for generating recombinant adenoviral vectors are provided. In particular, the an adenovirus vector having a capsid derived from chimpanzee adenovirus AdY25, wherein the capsid encapsidates a nucleic acid molecule comprising an exogeneous nucleotide sequence of interest are provided.

In one embodiment, an expression system for expressing a UL128 complex is provided herein. The expression system may include a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) construct, wherein the BAC construct comprises a viral vector inserted with a set of DNA sequences that encode a UL128 complex. In another embodiment, a vaccine composition for preventing HCMV infection is provided. The vaccine composition may include a viral or bacterial vector capable of expressing a UL128 complex and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant, additive or combination thereof or additional vector expressing a protein adjuvant. The viral vector may be an MVA and the UL128 complex includes five HCMV proteins or antigenic fragments thereof: UL128, UL130, UL131A, gL, and gH. In some embodiments, the viral vector is further inserted with one or more additional DNA sequences that encode one or more additional HCMVHCMV proteins or antigenic fragments thereof such as pp65, gB or both, or such as gM/gN or gO.

Recombinant adenoviral vectors, immunogenic compositions thereof and their use in medicine, and methods for generating recombinant adenoviral vectors are provided. In particular, the an adenovirus vector having a capsid derived from chimpanzee adenovirus AdY25, wherein the capsid encapsidates a nucleic acid molecule comprising an exogeneous nucleotide sequence of interest are provided.

A shuttle vector is provided which can be manipulated in various kinds of host cells, thereby providing a novel tool for the field of genetic engineering. Also provided are a prokaryotic host cell and a kit including said shuttle vector, so as to construct expression vectors which contain the target gene using the shuttle vector, thereby producing proteins in various host cells with one single vector.

Mice having a restricted immunoglobulin heavy chain locus are provided, wherein the locus is characterized by a single polymorphic human V.sub.H gene segment, a plurality of human D.sub.H gene segments and a plurality of J.sub.H gene segments. Methods for making antibody sequences that bind an antigen (e.g., a viral antigen) are provided, comprising immunizing a mouse with an antigen of interest, wherein the mouse comprises a single human V.sub.H gene segment, a plurality of human D.sub.H gene segments and a plurality of J.sub.H gene segments, at the endogenous immunoglobulin heavy chain locus.

Disclosed herein are recombinant CMV vectors which may comprise a heterologous antigen that can repeatedly infect an organism while inducing a CD8+ T cell response to immunodominant epitopes of the heterologous antigen. The CMV vector may comprise a deleterious mutation in the US11 glycoprotein or a homolog thereof.