Abstract: Provided herein is a genetically-modified micro-organ that provides a sustained delivery of a therapeutic peptide. The genetically-modified micro-organ may comprise a viral vector or expression cassette comprising at least two nucleic acid sequences encoding the therapeutic peptide separated by a cleavable linker. Further provided herein is a method of treating or preventing a disease or disorder in a human subject that can be treated or prevented by administration of a therapeutic peptide over a sustained time period using the genetically-modified micro-organ described herein.

Abstract: The present invention discloses lentogenic viral strains useful in the treatment of cancer. A preferred viral strain of Newcastle disease Virus (NDV) is specifically characterized in terms of biological activities. The present invention further discloses treatment of cancer by application of a clonal NDV strain to tumors. According to an alternative preferred embodiment the use of at least one isolated viral protein or subunit or analog thereof, or an isolated polynucleotide encoding same, is used in the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for inducing regression of a tumor in a subject by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a lentogenic strain of Newcastle disease virus (NDV). A preferred viral strain of NDV for inducing regression of a tumor in a subject is a clonal strain of NDV, the NDV HUJ. The methods of the present invention are particularly useful for inducing regression of tumors in patients unresponsive to conventional anti-cancer therapies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the production of a small interference RNA (siRNA) molecules for silencing the expression of a specific gene having AAUAAA as a polyadenylation signal site sequence. The method includes: a) identifying an oligonucleotide sequence of the specific gene, wherein the oligonucleotide sequence is about 15 to about 40 nucleotides in length and comprises (i) the polyadenylation signal site sequence and (ii) unique non-coding sequences flanking the polyadenylation signal site; and b) synthesizing oligonucleotide molecules having the oligonucleotide sequence (a), thereby obtaining an siRNA molecule for silencing the specific gene.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for inducing regression of a tumor in a subject by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a lentogenic strain of Newcastle disease virus (NDV). A preferred viral strain of NDV for inducing regression of a tumor in a subject is a clonal strain of NDV, the NDV HUJ. The methods of the present invention are particularly useful for inducing regression of tumors in patients unresponsive to conventional anti-cancer therapies.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for designing a sequence for efficient short interference RNA molecules. In particular, the present invention defines a universal target for siRNA derived from the consensus sequence of the polyadenylation signal in conjunction with unique sequences for gene silencing and inhibition of viral replication in a eukaryotic host cell. The present invention further provides methods for the treatment and prevention of diseases and disorders by silencing a gene of a virus, an oncogene, genes encoding transcription factors and many other diseases related genes.

Abstract: The present invention discloses lentogenic viral strains useful in the treatment of cancer. A preferred viral strain of Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) is specifically characterized in terms of biological activities. The present invention further discloses treatment of cancer by application of a clonal NDV strain to tumors. Another feature of the invention is the use of at least one isolated viral glycoprotein or a subunit or analog thereof or of an isolated polynucleotide encoding the same for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: This invention provides an imaging agent which comprises a polypeptide labeled with an imageable marker, such polypeptide having an amino acid sequence substantially present in the fibrin binding domain of naturally-occurring human fibronectin and being capable of binding to fibrin. The invention further provides a method wherein the imaging agent is used for imaging a fibrin-containing substance, i.e., a thrombus or atherosclerotic plaque. Further provided are plasmids for expression of polypeptides having an amino acid sequence substantially present in the fibrin binding domain of naturally-occurring human fibronectin and being capable of binding to fibrin, hosts containing these plasmids, methods of producing the polypeptides, methods of treatment using the polypeptides, and methods of recovering, refolding and reoxidizing the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention discloses lentogenic viral strains useful in the treatment of cancer. A preferred viral strain of Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) is specifically characterized in terms of biological activities. The present invention further discloses treatment of cancer by application of a clonal NDV strain to tumors. Another feature of the invention is the use of at least one isolated viral glycoprotein or a subunit or analog thereof or of an isolated polynucleotide encoding the same for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: This invention provides an imaging agent which comprises a polypeptide labeled with an imageable marker, such polypeptide having an amino acid sequence substantially present in the fibrin binding domain of naturally-occurring human fibronectin and being capable of binding to fibrin. The invention further provides a method wherein the imaging agent is used for imaging a fibrin-containing substance, i.e., a thrombus or atherosclerotic plaque. Further provided are plasmids for expression of polypeptides having an amino acid sequence substantially present in the fibrin binding domain of naturally-occurring human fibronectin and being capable of binding to fibrin, hosts containing these plasmids, methods of producing the polypeptides, methods of treatment using the polypeptides, and methods of recovering, refolding and reoxidizing the polypeptides.

Abstract: This invention provides an imaging agent which comprises a polypeptide labeled with an imageable marker, such polypeptide having an amino acid sequence substantially present in the fibrin binding domain of naturally-occurring human fibronectin and being capable of binding to fibrin. The invention further provides a method wherein the imaging agent is used for imaging a fibrin-containing substance, i.e., a thrombus-or atherosclerotic plaque. Further provided are plasmids for expression of polypeptides having an amino acid sequence substantially present in the fibrin binding domain of naturally-occurring human fibronectin and being capable of binding to fibrin, hosts containing these plasmids, methods of producing the polypeptides, methods of treatment using the polypeptides, and methods of recovering, refolding and reoxidizing the polypeptides.

Abstract: This invention provides an imaging agent which comprises a polypeptide labeled with an imageable marker, such polypeptide having an amino acid sequence substantially present in the fibrin binding domain of naturally-occurring human fibronectin and being capable of binding to fibrin. The invention further provides a method wherein the imaging agent is used for imaging a fibrin-containing substance, i.e., a thrombus or atherosclerotic plaque. Further provided are plasmids for expression of polypeptides having an amino acid sequence substantially present in the fibrin binding domain of naturally-occurring human fibronectin and being capable of binding to fibrin, hosts containing these plasmids, methods of producing the polypeptides, methods of treatment using the polypeptides, and methods of recovering, refolding and reoxidizing the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recombinant polypeptide having the amino acid sequence X-tyr.sup.26 -gly.sup.110 where tyr.sup.26 -gly.sup.110 is identical to the sequence shown in FIG. 10, and wherein X is methionine or absent and wherein asn.sup.72 may be substituted by pro.The invention further provides a method of producing the polypeptide which comprises transforming a host cell with an expression plasmid encoding the polypeptide, culturing the transformed host cell so that the cell produces the polypeptide encoded by the plasmid, and a method of recovering the polypeptide so produced.

Abstract: This invention provides an imaging agent which comprises a polypeptide labeled with an imageable marker, such polypeptide having an amino acid sequence substantially present in the fibrin binding domain of naturally-occurring human fibronectin and being capable of binding to fibrin. The invention further provides a method wherein the imaging agent is used for imagifig a fibrin-containing substance, i.e., a thrombus or atherosclerotic plaque. Further provided are plasmids for expression of polypeptides having an amino acid sequence substantially present in the fibrin binding domain of naturally-occurring human fibronectin and being capable of binding to fibrin, hosts containing these plasmids, methods of producing the polypeptides, methods of treatment using the polypeptides, and methods of recovering, refolding and reoxidizing the polypeptides.

Abstract: This invention provides an imaging agent which comprises a polypeptide labeled with an imageable marker, such polypeptide having an amino acid sequence substantially present in the fibrin binding domain of naturally-occurring human fibronectin and being capable of binding to fibrin. The invention further provides a method wherein the imaging agent is used for imaging a fibrin-containing substance, i.e., a thrombus or atherosclerotic plaque. Further provided are plasmids for expression of polypeptides having an amino acid sequence substantially present in the fibrin binding domain of naturally-occurring human fibronectin and being capable of binding to fibrin, hosts containing these plasmids, methods of producing the polypeptides, methods of treatment using the polypeptides, and methods of recovering, refolding and reoxidizing the polypeptides.

Abstract: This invention provides an imaging agent which comprises a polypeptide labeled with an imageable marker, such polypeptide having an amino acid sequence substantially present in the fibrin binding domain of naturally-occurring human fibronectin and being capable of binding to fibrin. The invention further provides a method wherein the imaging agent is used for imaging a fibrin-containing substance, i.e., a thrombus or atherosclerotic plaque. Further provided are plasmids for expression of polypeptides having an amino acid sequence substantially present in the fibrin binding domain of naturally-occurring human fibronectin and being capable of binding to fibrin, hosts containing these plasmids, methods of producing the polypeptides, methods of treatment using the polypeptides, and methods of recovering, refolding and reoxidizing the polypeptides.