Methods and vectors for generating antibodies in avian species and uses therefor

Abstract

The present invention relates to processes for producing polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to an antigen in an avian species, preferably in a chicken, using polynucleotide vaccination. The present invention also relates to processes for determining the proteomics profile of a set of pre-selected DNA sequences isolated from a bio-sample, preferably the proteomics profile of a human cDNA library. The present invention additionally relates to processes for identifying physiologically distinguishable markers associated with a physiologically abnormal bio-sample. The present invention further relates to antibody arrays, integrated databases for identification of genes and proteins, multi-functional gene expression vectors, and methods of producing and using such antibody arrays, integrated databases and multi-functional gene expression vectors.

1 .- 69 . (canceled)  
     
     
         70 . An array of antibodies produced from an avian species attached on a solid surface.  
     
     
         71 . The array of  claim 70 , which comprises antibodies that specifically bind substantially to proteins or peptides encoded by a set of pre-selected DNA sequences isolated from a bio-sample.  
     
     
         72 . The array of  claim 71 , wherein the set of pre-selected DNA sequences is a cDNA library.  
     
     
         73 . The array of  claim 72 , wherein the cDNA library is isolated from animal, plant, fungus and bacterium cells.  
     
     
         74 . The array of  claim 72 , wherein the cDNA library is isolated from human cells.  
     
     
         75 . The array of  claim 72 , wherein the cDNA library is isolated from animal or plant cells and the cDNA library is a tissue or organ specific cDNA library.  
     
     
         76 . The array of  claim 72 , wherein the cDNA library is a developmentally-regulated cDNA library.  
     
     
         77 . The array of  claim 72 , wherein the cDNA library is isolated from physiologically normal or physiologically abnormal cells.  
     
     
         78 . The array of  claim 70 , wherein the antibodies are produced by the following process: 
 1) delivering to an avian species a plurality of DNA sequence encoding a plurality of antigens operatively linked to a promoter, said promoter being capable of directing expression of said antigens in said avian species, or a plurality of mRNA sequences encoding said antigens, or a plurality of antigens, in an amount sufficient to induce detectable production of said antibodies to said antigens; and    2) recovering said antibodies from said avian species.    
     
     
         79 . The array of  claim 70 , wherein the solid surface is selected from the group consisting of silicon, plastic, nylon, glass, ceramic, photoresist or rubber surface.  
     
     
         80 - 95 . (canceled)  
     
     
         96 . The array of  claim 70 , wherein the antibodies are monoclonal antibodies produced by the following process: 
 1) delivering to a avian species a plurality of DNA sequences encoding a plurality of antigens operatively linked to a promoter, said promoter being capable of directing expression of said antigens in said avian species, or a plurality of mRNA sequences encoding said antigens or a plurality of antigens, in a amount sufficient to induce detectable production of said antibodies to said antigens;    2) removing at least a portion of antibody-producing cells from said avian species;    3) immortalizing said removed antibody-producing cells;    4) propagating said immortalized antibody-producing cells; and    5) harvesting said monoclonal antibodies produced by said immortalized antibody-producing cells.    
     
     
         97 . The array of  claim 70 , wherein at least one antibody is produced from a chicken.  
     
     
         98 . The array of  claim 97 , wherein the chicken antibody is a chicken IgY antibody.  
     
     
         99 . The array of  claim 70 , wherein all antibodies are produced from a chicken.  
     
     
         100 . The array of  claim 99 , wherein all the chicken antibodies are chicken IgY antibodies.  
     
     
         101 . An array of chicken antibodies for assessing a proteomics profile of a set of pre-selected DNA sequences isolated from a bio-sample, which array comprises a plurality of chicken antibodies attached on a solid surface, wherein said chicken antibodies are produced by the following process: 
 1) cloning each of said DNA sequences into a dual-expression vector that is capable of expressing said DNA sequences in chicken cells, non-chicken cells or in vitro expression systems;    2) delivering said DNA sequences in said dual-expression vector formed in step 1), or proteins encoded by said DNA sequences, or a mixture thereof, to a chicken in an amount sufficient to induce detectable production of antibodies to said antigens encoded by said DNA sequences, and recovering said antibodies from said chicken.    
     
     
         102 . The array of  claim 101 , wherein at least one antibody is a chicken IgY antibody.  
     
     
         103 . The array of  claim 101 , wherein all the chicken antibodies are chicken IgY antibodies.  
     
     
         104 . The array of  claim 70 , wherein at least one antibody is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         105 . The array of  claim 101 , wherein at least one antibody is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         106 . The array of  claim 70 , wherein the solid surface is in the form of one or more tube(s), bead(s), disc(s), chip(s), microplate(s) or microtitre well(s).  
     
     
         107 . The array of  claim 101 , wherein the solid surface is in the form of one or more tube(s), bead(s), disc(s), chip(s), microplate(s) or microtitre well(s)