Abstract: This invention relates to a composition comprising a recombinant or genetically engineered Rhabdovirus that expresses a Fusion Protein, such as the F protein of the Paramyxovirus SV5 strain. This recombinant Rhabdovirus may express other non-Rhabdovirus attachment proteins and/or an enhancer protein. The invention also relates to methods of making recombinant Rhabdoviruses which express an F Protein. These recombinant compositions can be used for purposes of research, as well as for diagnostic and therapeutic compositions for treatment of diseases.

Abstract: Novel parathyroid hormone peptide (PTH) and parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHrP) or derivatives thereof which are biologically active are disclosed, as are pharmaceutical compositions containing said peptides, and synthetic and recombinant methods for producing said peptides. Also disclosed are methods for treating mammalian conditions characterized by decreases in bone mass using therapeutically effective pharmaceutical compositions containing said peptides. Also disclosed are methods for screening candidate compounds of the invention for antagonistic or agonistic effects on parathyroid hormone receptor action. Also disclosed are diagnostic and therapeutic methods of said compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for isolating one or more genetic elements encoding a gene product having a desired activity, comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising genetic elements into microcapsules; (b) expressing the genetic elements to produce their respective gene products within the microcapsules; (c) sorting the genetic elements which produce the gene product having a desired activity. The invention permits the in vitro evolution of nucleic acids by repeated mutagenesis and iterative applications of the method of the invention.

Abstract: Cell-based gene transfer is effected by administering transfected cells containing an expressible transgene coding for an angiogenic factor or other therapeutic factor, into the pulmonary circulation of a patient, where the cells express and secrete expression products of the transgene to act locally at the site of expression of expression, and in some cases to be conveyed by the patient's circulation to other body organs. The process is especially useful in treatment of pulmonary hypertension by means of expressed angiogenic factors. Also provided is the use of angiogenic factors, delivered by other means than cell-based gene transfer, in treating pulmonary hypertension.

Abstract: Construct-complexes of a hemoglobin, a hepatocyte modifying substance bound to the hemoglobin, and a haptoglobin bound to the hemoglobin, are provided, for administration to mammalian patients. The construct-complex may be formed ex vivo, or a hemoglobin-hepatocyte modifying substance combination may be administered to the patient so that haptoglobin in the mammalian body bonds thereto to form the construct-complex in vivo. Disorders of the liver may be diagnosed and treated using construct-complexes described herein.

Abstract: Described are recombinant adenoviral vectors retaining sufficient E4 sequences to improve the expression and/or persistence of expression of a gene of interest. Furthermore, the invention describes the use of a polynucleotide encoding one or more ORF(s) of the E4 region of an adenovirus selected from ORF1, ORF2, ORF3, ORF4, ORF3/4, ORF6/7, ORF6 and ORF7 taken individually or in combination, to improve the expression and/or persistence of expression of a gene of interest operably linked to regulatory elements and inserted into an expression vector. Finally, a host cell, a composition, an infectious viral particle comprising such a polynucleotide or adenoviral vector, a method for preparing said viral particle as well as their therapeutic use are described.

Abstract: Methods for purging stem cell products of tumor cells and for treating an individual having a disease which is treated by myeloablative therapy and stem cell rescue using a purged product are provided.

Abstract: The invention concerns composititions and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of neoplastic cell growth and proliferation in mammals, including humans. The invention is based on the identification of cardiotrophin-1 gene amplified in the genome of tumor cells. Such gene amplification is expected to be associated with the overexpression of the gene product and contribute to tumorigenesis. Accordingly, the cardiotrophin-1 polypeptide encoded by the amplified gene is believed to be a useful target for the diagnosis and/or treatment (including prevention) of certain cancers, and may act as a predictor of the prognosis of tumor treatment.

Abstract: Congenic animals and animal populations having type II diabetes-associated phenotypes are described. Insulin degradation polypeptides having amino acid substitutions linked to a type II diabetes-associated phenotypes also are described.

Abstract: A gene therapy system is disclosed that selectively kills leukemia cells in bone marrow, while leaving stem cells unaffected. All cells in a mixture of stem cells and leukemia cells are transfected with a high efficiency gene transfer vector. The vector carries a eukaryotic expression construct encoding a toxin gene. This toxin gene is expressed only in leukemia cells, not in stem cells. Differential expression of the toxin gene in leukemia cells and stem cells may be achieved by placing the coding sequence under the control of an appropriate promoter, such as the RSV promoter or the SV40 promoter. High gene expression has been demonstrated in a panel of transformed leukemia cell lines, but no gene expression in transformed, CD34-selected, primary human stem cells. The treatment will be useful not only for leukemia patients, but also for other cancer patients undergoing autologous bone marrow transplants (e.g., breast or lymphoma cancers).