Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for the modulation of autophagy and the treatment of autophagy-related diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and pancreatitis.

Abstract: The invention includes a surgical fastener and associated deployment system and method that overcomes the drawbacks of prior art surgical mesh fixation devices. The surgical fastener and deployment system may be used to fixate a surgical mesh material to the abdominal wall for the purpose of hernia repair. In accordance with one embodiment, the fastener may include an anchor head comprising a bi-pyramid framework. The anchor head is preferably made from a highly deformable and biocompatible material that withstands high flexural strain within an oscillatory environment. The anchor head may be provided in an elongate, undeployed configuration, and then expanded during deployment into a second, generally planar configuration. The anchor head may be biased to expand into the generally planar configuration from the undeployed configuration in a variety of manners.

Abstract: Novel peptides that are capable of binding to uPAR and inhibiting the binding of an integrin and vitronectin are described. Also provided are nucleic acid sequences encoding the novel peptides. Methods for screening for small molecules, other peptides, or peptoids that mimic the antagonistic function of the peptides of the invention are described. The invention has applications in design of therapeutics for treating disorders characterized by upregulation of uPA and uPAR, and cancer and chronic inflammation, cell migration or uPAR: integrin binding interactions, and diagnostical applications to such disorders.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of labeling a peptide or protein comprising a phosphorylated amino acid comprising: a) removing from the peptide or protein the phosphate group via a ?-elimination to form a double bond conjugated to a C?O group; b) reacting the double bond from step a) with a nucleophile comprising a tag on a solid support; and c) removing the solid support from the product of step b) forming the labeled peptide or protein. A second aspect of the invention relates to a solid support comprising a linker and tag between the solid support and a nucleophile, wherein the tag comprises a label.