(19)

(11)

EP 0 990 028 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 05.04.2000 Bulletin 2000/14 (21) Application number: 98930061.1 (22) Date of filing: 05.06.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C12N 9/12, C12Q 1/48, C12Q 1/50 (86) International application number: PCT/US9811/420 (87) International publication number: WO 9855/602 (10.12.1998 Gazette 1998/49)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 06.06.1997 US 48869 P (71) Applicant: MAYO FOUNDATION FOR MEDICALEDUCATION AND RESEARCH Rochester, MN 55905 (US)	(72) Inventors: ABRAHAM, Robert, T. Rochester, MN 55905 (US) SARKARIA, Jann, N. Rochester, MN 55902 (US) (74) Representative: Gassner, Wolfgang, Dr.-Ing.  Bissel Salleck + Partner,Nürnberger Strasse 69/71 91052 Erlangen 91052 Erlangen (DE)