Abstract: Provided are dielectrophoresis (DEP) devices and methods that allow cell sorting to identify, isolate, and/or separate cells of interest based on electrical and physical properties of the cells. Particularly, provided are systems and methods for manipulating particles suspended in a fluid, e.g., cells, micro- or nano-particles, using their electrical signatures. Such methods can be performed using DEP, iDEP, and/or cDEP (contactless dielectrophoresis, where direct contact between the electrodes and the sample is avoided). Typically, an electric field is induced in a sample comprising the target particles and/or cells, such as cancer cells, and the spatial distribution of cells is measured to identify one or more characteristics or properties of the cancer cells. The identified characteristics of the sorted cells can be used to determine drug efficacy and/or resistance with respect to the cells.

Abstract: Derivatives of sphingolipids of the formula: 1

Abstract: Derivatives of sphingolipids of the formula: are provided wherein the substituents are as defined in the specification and wherein there is at least one R2 substituent in the sphingolipid derivative. The compounds are useful in the treatment of of abnormal cell proliferation, including benign and malignant tumors, the promotion of cell differentiation, the induction of apoptosis, the inhibition of protein kinase C, and the treatment of inflammatory conditions, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease as well as proliferation of smooth muscle cells in the course of development of plaques in vascular tissue. The invention also includes a method for triggering the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria that includes administering an effective amount of a sphingolipid or its derivative or prodrug to a host in need thereof.