Abstract: The present invention relates to developing customized therapies for a disease or condition in a subject. In particular, the present invention relates to aptamer-based compositions and methods for identifying, modulating and monitoring drug targets in individual with a disease or condition, and further composition and methods for identifying and selecting protein targets for drug development.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods for reducing the variability of inter-sample analyte measurements from a biological matrix. In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to methods for reducing the variability in the inter-sample levels of one or more proteins from a biological sample as measured by a proteomic assay.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes improved SELEX methods for producing aptamers that are capable of binding to target molecules and improved photoSELEX methods for producing photoreactive aptamers that are capable of both binding and covalently crosslinking to target molecules. Specifically, the present disclosure describes methods for producing aptamers and photoaptamers having slower dissociation rate constants than are obtained using prior SELEX and photoSELEX methods. The disclosure further describes aptamers and photoaptamers having slower dissociation rate constants than those obtained using prior methods. In addition, the disclosure describes aptamer constructs that include a variety of functionalities, including a cleavable element, a detection element, and a capture or immobilization element.

Abstract: The present application includes biomarkers, methods, devices, reagents, systems, and kits for the detection and diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer and general cancer. In one aspect, the application provides biomarkers that can be used alone or in various combinations to diagnose non-small cell lung cancer or general cancer. In another aspect, methods are provided for diagnosing non-small cell lung cancer in an individual, where the methods include detecting, in a biological sample from an individual, at least one biomarker value corresponding to at least one biomarker selected from the group of biomarkers provided in Table 1, wherein the individual is classified as having lung cancer, or the likelihood of the individual having lung cancer is determined, based on the at least one biomarker value.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the detection of proteins in biological fluids such as urine using a label-free assay is described. Specific proteins are detected by their binding to highly specific capture reagents such as SOMAmers that are attached to the surface of a substrate. Changes to these capture reagents and their local environment upon protein binding modify the behavior of color centers (e.g., fluorescence, ionization state, spin state, etc.) embedded in the substrate beneath the bound capture reagents. These changes can be read out, for example, optically or electrically, for an individual color center or as an average response of many color centers.

Abstract: A method for downsampling class-imbalanced sets with survival analysis comprising: acquiring a class-imbalanced data set, wherein the class-imbalanced data set comprises biological data from a plurality of subjects, wherein the biological data of each subject includes an observation, a time value, and a plurality of clinical measurements, and wherein the biological data is categorized as being part of a majority data class or a minority data class, wherein the majority data class has a greater number of observations than the minority data class; downsampling the class-imbalanced data set, wherein the downsampling results in the majority data class having an equivalent or substantially equivalent number of observations as the minority data class; and performing cross-validation on the downsampled data set with a survival analysis to generate a survival model, wherein the observation comprises an event or no event at a specific time value.

Abstract: The present application includes biomarkers, methods, devices, reagents, systems, and kits for the detection and diagnosis of lung cancer. In one aspect, the application provides biomarkers that can be used alone or in various combinations to diagnose lung cancer or permit the differential diagnosis of pulmonary nodules as benign or malignant. In another aspect, methods are provided for diagnosing lung cancer in an individual, where the methods include detecting, in a biological sample from an individual, at least one biomarker value corresponding to at least one biomarker selected from the group of biomarkers provided in Table 18, Table 20, or Table 21, wherein the individual is classified as having lung cancer, or the likelihood of the individual having lung cancer is determined, based on the at least one biomarker value.

Abstract: Aptamers that bind PDGF and aptamers that bind VEGF are provided. In addition, aptamer constructs comprising a PDGF aptamer and a VEGF aptamer are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the aptamers and aptamer constructs are provided, as well as methods of treating conditions using the aptamers and aptamer constructs.

Abstract: Described herein are aptamers capable of binding to immunoglobulin G (IgG); compositions comprising an IgG binding aptamer with an IgG protein; and methods of making and using the same. Provided herein are also methods of releasing proteins bound to aptamers.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to methods for obtaining biological samples of improved quality. It encompasses the identification of markers or proteins in biological samples that are altered due to variations in sample collection, handling and processing. They are also useful for correcting variations in measured results for disease biomarkers. Further, they can permit the rejection of samples or groups of samples as necessary if it is determined that their collection method was not in accordance with the predetermined protocol. Other advantages useful to the skilled artisan are described herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes improved SELEX methods for producing aptamers that are capable of binding to target molecules and improved photoSELEX methods for producing photoreactive aptamers that are capable of both binding and covalently crosslinking to target molecules. Specifically, the present disclosure describes methods for producing aptamers and photoaptamers having slower dissociation rate constants than are obtained using prior SELEX and photoSELEX methods. The disclosure further describes aptamers and photoaptamers having slower dissociation rate constants than those obtained using prior methods. In addition, the disclosure describes aptamer constructs that include a variety of functionalities, including a cleavable element, a detection element, and a capture or immobilization element.

Abstract: Methods, devices, reagents and kits designed to improve the performance of proteomic based assays are provided. Such methods have a wide utility in proteomic applications for research and development, diagnostics and therapeutics by providing for a reduction or elimination of background signal and improved specificity for protein binding reagents in a multiplex assay formats.

Abstract: Methods, compositions, and kits for determining whether a subject has non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and more specifically one or more of the following associated conditions of steatosis, lobular inflammation, hepatocyte ballooning and fibrosis, are provided. Methods, compositions, and kits for determining whether a subject has non-alcoholic steatosis are also provided. Methods, compositions, and kits for determining whether a subject has non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes biomarkers, methods, devices, reagents, systems, and kits for the detection and diagnosis of cancer generally and pancreatic cancer specifically. In one aspect, the disclosure provides biomarkers that can be used alone or in various combinations to diagnose cancer generally or pancreatic cancer specifically. In another aspect, methods are provided for diagnosing pancreatic cancer in an individual, where the methods include detecting, in a biological sample from an individual, at least one biomarker value corresponding to at least one biomarker selected from the group of biomarkers provided in Table 1, wherein the individual is classified as having pancreatic cancer, or the likelihood of the individual having pancreatic cancer is determined, based on the at least one biomarker value.

Abstract: Polynucleotides, such as aptamers, comprising at least first one 5-position modified pyrimidine and at least one second 5-position modified pyrimidine are provided, wherein the first and second 5-position modified pyrimidines are different. Methods of selecting and using such polynucleotides, such as aptamers, are also provided.

Abstract: Described herein are aptamers capable of binding to growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) protein; compositions comprising a GDF11 binding aptamer with a GDF11 protein; and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: Polynucleotides, such as aptamers, comprising at least first one 5-position modified pyrimidine and at least one second 5-position modified pyrimidine are provided, wherein the first and second 5-position modified pyrimidines are different. Methods of selecting and using such polynucleotides, such as aptamers, are also provided.

Abstract: Described herein are aptamers capable of binding to growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) protein; compositions comprising a GDF11 binding aptamer with a GDF11 protein; and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: Methods and computer methods used to assess an individual for the prediction of risk of developing a Cardiovascular (CV) Event over a 1 to 5 year period are provided. The methods employ at least two biomarkers selected from MMP12, angiopoietin-2, complement C7, cardiac troponin I, angiopoietin-related protein 4, CCL18/PARC, alpha-1-antichymotrypsin complex, GDF11 and alpha-2-antiplasmin, or GDF11 in combination with FSTL3. The methods are particularly useful in predicting CV events in patients who suffer from coronary heart disease (CHD).

Abstract: The present disclosure includes biomarkers, methods, devices, reagents, systems, and kits for the evaluation of risk of a caradiovascular (CV) Event within 5 years. In one aspect, the disclosure provides biomarkers that can be used alone or in various combinations to evaluate risk of a CV event within 5 years. In another aspect, methods are provided for evaluating risk of a CV event within 5 years in an individual, where the methods include detecting, in a biological sample from an individual, at least one biomarker value corresponding to at least one biomarker selected from the group of biomarkers provided in Table 1. In a further aspect, methods are provided for evaluating the risk of a CV, where the methods include detecting, in a biological sample from an individual, at least one biomarker value corresponding to at least one biomarker selected from the group of biomarkers provided in Table 2.