The nucleotide sequence of the DNA encoding the traM, finP and the promoter proximal segment of the traJ gene of the F plasmid has been determined. The predicted amino acid sequence for the traM protein shows that this inner membrane protein contains no signal sequence. The promoters for both the traM and traJ genes have been mapped by in vitro transcription and nuclease S1 protection experiments. No unambiguous location can be assigned to the finP gene but all candidates, if translated, would encode small proteins of between 24 and 52 amino acids.

The DNA sequence of the F plasmid origin of conjugal DNA transfer, oriT, has been determined. The origin lies in an intercistronic region which contains several inverted repeat sequences and a long AT‐rich tract. Introduction of a nick into one of the DNA strands in the oriT region precedes the initiation of conjugal DNA replication, and the position of the strand‐specific nicks acquired by a lambda oriT genome upon propagation in Flac‐carrying cells has been determined. The nicks were not uniquely positioned, rather there was a cluster of three major and up to 20 minor sites: the biological significance of this observation is not yet fully clear. Nine independent point mutations which inactivate oriT function have been sequenced and found to alter one or other of two nucleotide positions which lie 14 and 19 bp to one side of the rightmost (as drawn) major nick site. These key nucleotides may lie in a recognition sequence for the oriT endonuclease, since mutations at these sites prevent nicking at oriT .

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The modified cell separator is an easy and fast device to obtain highly enriched MOs with a DC differentiation potential. The system is closed and employs a single-use disposable set and is more amenable to good tissue practice. This method could become a valuable tool for DC-based active immunotherapy.

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In its recent report on organ donation, the Institute of Medicine has recommended rigorous studies of how living organ donors make the decision to donate. In this pilot study, 65 donor applicants were interviewed while being evaluated in the outpatient donor clinic and 20 were surveyed again three months after donation. Fifteen and six of these subjects were surveyed again in six and 12 months respectively. Several strategies for retaining donors in a prospective longitudinal study are discussed. Half of the donors indicated that the decision to donate was a shared family decision. Married donors were slightly more likely than non-married donors to involve another family member in this decision. Several donors made practical recommendations for improved education of donors during what many perceived to be a very lengthy evaluation process. Some subjects recommended more discussion about post-operative pain and the expected pace of recovery after discharge. Others spoke of the challenge of completing basic homemaking tasks when the donor and recipient were in the same nuclear family. We are continuing to explore these and other aspects of donor decision-making and outcomes and have expanded our sample to include non-donors in the post-evaluation period.

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