Abstract: Isolation and amplification of cardiac pacemaking/conduction system cells and development of a pacemaking/conduction system in vitro using the expression of surrogate expression markers. Use of markers to identify and select for clusters of pacemaking “nodes” that are functionally coupled with adjacent contracting regions and generation of cell populations displaying electrical properties characteristic of specialized pacemaking/conducting cardiac myocytes for modeling the cardiac conduction system, testing of pharmaceuticals and for transplantation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to female germline stem cells and their progenitors, methods of isolation thereof, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modified cell having adhesion properties that are increased as compared to the adhesion properties of an unmodified cell, comprising a) a recombinant nucleic acid encoding an integrin ?3 subunit; b) a recombinant nucleic acid encoding an integrin ?v subunit; c) a recombinant nucleic acid encoding an integrin ?IIb subunit; and/or d) any combination of (a), (b) and (c).

Abstract: The disclosed nucleic acid primer sets, used in combination with quantitative amplification (PCR) of tissue cDNA, can indicate the presence of specific proteases in a tissue sample. Specifically, the present invention relates to expression of hepsin protease. The detected proteases are themselves specifically over-expressed in certain cancers, and the presence of their genetic precursors may serve for early detection of associated ovarian and other malignancies, and for the design of interactive therapies for cancer treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a modified folded protein, comprising modifying unfolded a-chains comprising a collagenous amino acid sequence and thereafter folding at least part of the modified a-chains into a quaternary protein structure, in particular a helical protein structure. The invention allows for an attractive alternative for making recombinant proteins, such as recombinant collagens and the like, which may be used in a variety of biomedical and other applications.

Abstract: A preventive and/or therapeutic agent for post-transplant arteriosclerosis occurring as a rejection response to organ transplantation or for auto- or allo-arteriovenous graft post-transplant intimal thickening, wherein the agent contains, as an active ingredient, a monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) function inhibitor. Administration of the MCP-1 function inhibitor enables prevention and treatment of post-transplant arteriosclerosis occurring as a rejection response to organ transplantation or for auto- or allo-arteriovenous graft post-transplant intimal thickening.

Abstract: The invention provides a transgenic mouse that is a model for myocardial function. Also provided are methods for using the transgenic mouse model to study heart muscle, cardiac disease and identify compounds effective in treating or preventing cardiac disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for modulating apoptotic pathways. In particular, the present invention relates to methods and compositions for inducing apoptosis in cancer cells. The present invention further relates to methods and compositions for identifying drugs that modulate apoptotic pathways.

Abstract: An artery wall binding peptide (AWBP) based on the artery wall cell-binding domain of apolipoprotein B-100 was conjugated to a cationic backbone configured for forming a complex with a nucleic acid to produce a composition that enhances gene transfer to artery wall cells. An illustrative cationic backbone is poly(ethylene glycol)-grafted-poly(L-lysine) (PEG-g-PLL). Methods of making and using the composition for gene transfer are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved methods of treating individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) as well as methods to diagnose AD in an individual. Also included are compounds and methods of identifying compounds to treat AD. The present invention also discloses methods for decreasing the phosphorylation of amyloid precursor protein (APP), including inhibiting phosphorylation of amino acid residue tyrosine 668 of APP and for reducing cleavage of APP. The present invention further discloses transgenic (Tg), non-human animals and cells expressing a p25 transgene that are models of neurodegenerative diseases. Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods wherein the Tg animals and Tg cells of the invention are used to screen for modulators of neurodegenerative disorders. The Tg animals and cells of the present invention are useful for elucidating the mechanisms of neurodegenerative disorders.

Abstract: The present application disclosed a method for preparing a sterile transgenic fish, comprising constructing antisense RNA expression vector of salmon-type gonadotropin-releasing hormone, introducing the recombinant DNA fragment into carp oosperm by microinjection, and screening the sterile transgenic fish by Polymerase Chain Reaction and radioimmunoassay, wherein the expression vector comprising a promoter of carp beta actin (?-actin) gene, a complementary DNA fragment of antisense salmon-type gonadotropin-releasing hormone (sGnRH) gene from carp with 323 bp as a target gene comprising sGnRH decapeptide, the coding region of gonadotropin-releasing hormone associated peptide and 3? non-coding sequence, and 3? flanking sequence of grass carp growth hormone gene as a stop sequence.

Abstract: The invention provides a vector which is capable of the expression of a vascular endothelial growth factor wherein the vector comprises a modified PCMV promoter. The invention further provides use of a vector which is capable of and expressing a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for the regulation of endothelial function, angiogenesis and arteriogenesis. The invention further comprises use of a vector which is capable of the expression of a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for the prophylactic treatment of arterial diseases and/or bone marrow diseases and/or neural diseases.