Abstract: There is presently provided mutant Sox2, Sox7 and Sox17 proteins that have acquired or increased ability to induce pluripotency in a partially differentiated or fully differentiated cell. Sox7 and Sox17 are mutated to resemble in part Sox2, or Sox2 is mutated to resemble in part Sox7 or Sox17. In one aspect, the Oct4 contact interface of Sox7 or Sox17 is mutated. In another aspect, the high mobility group (HMG) of Sox2 is fused to the C-terminal activation domain of Sox7 or Sox17. Methods relating to inducing pluripotency using a mutant Sox2, Sox7 or Sox17 protein are also provided.

Abstract: We disclose a method for producing a mesodermal or a endodermal cell from a pluripotent stem cell, the method comprising activating a Wnt signalling pathway in the pluripotent stem cell. In some embodiments, the pluripotent stem cell is in a substantially 2 dimensional configuration, such as a monolayer, for at least a portion of the time when the Wnt signalling pathway is activated.

Abstract: There is presently provided mutant Sox2, Sox7 and Sox17 proteins that have acquired or increased ability to induce pluripotency in a partially differentiated or fully differentiated cell. Sox7 and Sox17 are mutated to resemble in part Sox2, or Sox2 is mutated to resemble in part Sox7 or Sox17. In one aspect, the Oct4 contact interface of Sox7 or Sox17 is mutated. In another aspect, the high mobility group (HMG) of Sox2 is fused to the C-terminal activation domain of Sox7 or Sox17. Methods relating to inducing pluripotency using a mutant Sox2, Sox7 or Sox17 protein are also provided.

Abstract: We disclose a method for producing a mesodermal or a endodermal cell from a pluripotent stem cell, the method comprising activating a Wnt signalling pathway in the pluripotent stem cell. In some embodiments, the pluripotent stem cell is in a substantially 2 dimensional configuration, such as a monolayer, for at least a portion of the time when the Wnt signalling pathway is activated.

Abstract: Genes that are up- or down-regulated during differentiation provide important leverage by which to characterize and manipulate early-stage pluripotent stem cells. Over 35,000 unique transcripts have been amplified and sequenced from undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells, and three types of differentiated progeny. Statistical analysis of the assembled transcripts identified genes that alter expression levels as differentiation proceeds. The expression profile provides a marker system that has been used to identify particular culture components for maintaining the undifferentiated phenotype. The gene products can also be used to promote differentiation; to assess other relatively undifferentiated cells (such as cancer cells); to control gene expression; or to separate cells having desirable characteristics. Manipulation of particular genes can be used to forestall or focus the differentiation process, en route to producing a specialized homogenous cell population suitable for human therapy.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for treating or inhibiting SARS-CoV infection involving the administration of an interferon, particularly IFN ?-n1, IFN ?-n3, human leukocyte IFN ? or IFN ?-1b.

Abstract: The invention concerns new secreted factors encoded by clones P00184_D11 (SEQ ID NO: 1), P00185_D11 (SEQ ID NO: 3), P00188_D12 (SEQ ID NO: 5), P00188_E01 (SEQ ID NO: 7), P00194_G01 (SEQ ID NO: 9), P00194_G05 (SEQ ID NO: 11), P00194_H10 (SEQ ID NO: 13), P00199_D08 (SEQ ID NO: 15), P00203_D04 (SEQ ID NO: 17), P00203_E06 (SEQ ID NO: 19), P00209_F06 (SEQ ID NO: 21), P00219_D02 (SEQ ID NO: 23), P00219_F06 (SEQ ID NO: 25), P00220_H05 (SEQ ID NO: 27), P00222_G03 (SEQ ID NO: 29), P00225_C01 (SEQ ID NO: 32), P00227_D11 (SEQ ID NO: 34), P00228_F03 (SEQ ID NO: 36), P00233_H08 (SEQ ID NO: 38), P00235_G08 (SEQ ID NO: 40), P00239_C11 (SEQ ID NO: 42), P00240_E05 (SEQ ID NO: 45), P00247_A04 (SEQ ID NO: 50), P00248_B04 (SEQ ID NO: 52), P00249_F09 (SEQ ID NO: 54), P00258_A10 (SEQ ID NO: 56), P00262_C10 (SEQ ID NO: 58), P00269_H08 (SEQ ID NO: 62), P00628_H02 (SEQ ID NO: 66), P00629_C08 (SEQ ID NO: 68), P00641_G11 (SEQ ID NO: 71), P00648_E12 (SEQ ID NO: 73), P00697_C03 (SEQ ID NO: 75), and other mammalian homologues and variants

Abstract: This disclosure provides a system for qualifying embryonic stem cells intended for human therapy. A large-scale sequencing project has identified important markers that are characteristic of undifferentiated pluripotent cells. Combinations of these markers can be used to validate the self-renewing capacity of ES cells, and their ability to differentiate into tissue types suitable for regenerative medicine. The marker system of this invention has been used to screen feeder cells, media additives, and culture conditions that promote proliferation of stem cells without differentiation. A culture system optimized by following these markers is suitable for rapid expansion of undifferentiated cells from existing lines, or the derivation of new lines that are equally apposite for clinical use.

Abstract: The invention concerns new secreted factors encoded by clones P00184_D11 (SEQ ID NO:1), P00185_D11 (SEQ ID NO:3), P00188_D12 (SEQ ID NO:5), P00188_E01 (SEQ ID NO:7), P00194_G01 (SEQ ID NO:9), P00194_G05 (SEQ ID NO:11), P00194_H10 (SEQ ID NO:13), P00199_D08 (SEQ ID NO:15), P00203_D04 (SEQ ID NO:17), P00203_E06 (SEQ ID NO:19), P00209_F06 (SEQ ID NO:21), P00219_D02 (SEQ ID NO:23), P00219_F06 (SEQ ID NO:25), P00220_H05 (SEQ ID NO:27), P00222_G03 (SEQ ID NO:29), P00225_C01 (SEQ ID NO:32), P00227_D11 (SEQ ID NO:34), P00228_F03 (SEQ ID NO:36), P00233_H08 (SEQ ID NO:38), P00235_G08 (SEQ ID NO:40), P00239_C11 (SEQ ID NO:42), P00240_E05 (SEQ ID NO:45), P00247_A04 (SEQ ID NO:50), P00248_B04 (SEQ ID NO:52), P00249_F09 (SEQ ID NO:54), P00258_A10 (SEQ ID NO:56), P00262_C10 (SEQ ID NO:58), P00269_H08 (SEQ ID NO:62), P00628_H02 (SEQ ID NO:66), P00629_C08 (SEQ ID NO:68), P00641_G11 (SEQ ID NO:71), P00648_E12 (SEQ ID NO:73), P00697_C03 (SEQ ID NO:75), and other mammalian homologues and variants of such factor, as well as polyn

Abstract: This disclosure provides a system for qualifying embryonic stem cells intended for human therapy. A large-scale sequencing project has identified important markers that are characteristic of undifferentiated pluripotent cells. Combinations of these markers can be used to validate the self-renewing capacity of ES cells, and their ability to differentiate into tissue types suitable for regenerative medicine. The marker system of this invention has been used to screen feeder cells, media additives, and culture conditions that promote proliferation of stem cells without differentiation. A culture system optimized by following these markers is suitable for rapid expansion of undifferentiated cells from existing lines, or the derivation of new lines that are equally apposite for clinical use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the detection, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of a disease, specifically cardiac, kidney or inflammatory disease, and related disorders. The present invention also relates to compositions and methods useful in the diagnosis, prevention and therapeutic treatment of a disease, specifically cardiac, kidney or inflammatory disease. Specifically, methods and compositions are provided for the diagnostic evaluation and prognosis of conditions involving a disease, specifically cardiac, kidney or inflammatory disease, for the identification of subjects exhibiting a predisposition to such conditions, for modulating the effect of these differentially expressed genes, for monitoring patients undergoing clinical evaluation for the prevention and treatment of a disease, specifically cardiac, kidney or inflammatory disease, and its disorders, and for monitoring the efficacy of compounds used in clinical trials.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of agonists and antagonists of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors (PTBR) in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac hypertrophy and other circulatory conditions. The invention specifically concerns the use of PTBR antagonists in the prevention or treatment of decompensated cardiac hypertrophy and, eventually, heart failure. The invention also concerns the use of PTBR agonists in the management of conditions calling for increased blood flow or cardiac output, including injury or functional compromise of the heart, increased demand for physical exercise, or an acquired or inherited predisposition to cardiac contractile disfunction. Pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of such conditions and screening methods to identify PTBR agonists and antagonists are also included.

Abstract: Genes that are up- or down-regulated during differentiation provide important leverage by which to characterize and manipulate early-stage pluripotent stem cells. Over 35,000 unique transcripts have been amplified and sequenced from undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells, and three types of differentiated progeny. Statistical analysis of the assembled transcripts identified genes that alter expression levels as differentiation proceeds. The expression profile provides a marker system that has been used to identify particular culture components for maintaining the undifferentiated phenotype. The gene products can also be used to promote differentiation; to assess other relatively undifferentiated cells (such as cancer cells); to control gene expression; or to separate cells having desirable characteristics. Manipulation of particular genes can be used to forestall or focus the differentiation process, en route to producing a specialized homogenous cell population suitable for human therapy.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of agonists and antagonists of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors (PTBR) in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac hypertrophy and other circulatory conditions. The invention specifically concerns the use of PTBR antagonists in the prevention or treatment of decompensated cardiac hypertrophy and, eventually, heart failure. The invention also concerns the use of PTBR agonists in the management of conditions calling for increased blood flow or cardiac output, including injury or functional compromise of the heart, increased demand for physical exercise, or an acquired or inherited predisposition to cardiac contractile disfunction. Pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of such conditions and screening methods to identify PTBR agonists and antagonists are also included.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of ligands of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors (PTBR) in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases involving cyst formation and in particular polycystic kidney disease. The invention further concerns the treatment of hypertension accompanying polycystic kidney disease, and pharmaceutical compositions and articles of manufacture for the treatment or diagnosis of the target disease or condition.

Abstract: The invention concerns new secreted factors encoded by clones P00184_D11 (SEQ ID NO:1), P00185_D11 (SEQ ID NO:3), P00188_D12 (SEQ ID NO:5), P00188_E01 (SEQ ID NO:7), P00194_G01 (SEQ ID NO:9), P00194_G05 (SEQ ID NO:11), P00194_H10 (SEQ ID NO:13), P00199_D08 (SEQ ID NO:15), P00203_D04 (SEQ ID NO:17), P00203_E06 (SEQ ID NO:19), P00209_F06 (SEQ ID NO:21), P00219_D02 (SEQ ID NO:23), P00219_F06 (SEQ ID NO:25), P00220_H05 (SEQ ID NO:27), P00222_G03 (SEQ ID NO:29), P00225_CO1 (SEQ ID NO:32), P00227_D11 (SEQ ID NO:34), P00228_F03 (SEQ ID NO:36), P00233_H08 (SEQ ID NO:38), P00235_G08 (SEQ ID NO:40), P00239_C11 (SEQ ID NO:42), P00240_E05 (SEQ ID NO:45), P00247_A04 (SEQ ID NO:50), P00248_B04 (SEQ ID NO:52), P00249_F09 (SEQ ID NO:54), P00258_A10 (SEQ ID NO:56), P00262_C10 (SEQ ID NO:58), P00269_H08 (SEQ ID NO:62), P00628_H02 (SEQ ID NO:66), P00629_C08 (SEQ ID NO:68), P00641_G11 (SEQ ID NO:71), P00648_E12 (SEQ ID NO:73), P00697_C03 (SEQ ID NO:75), and other mammalian homologues and variants of such factor, as well as polyn

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of ligands of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors (PTBR) in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases involving cyst formation and in particular polycystic kidney disease. The invention further concerns the treatment of hypertension accompanying polycystic kidney disease, and pharmaceutical compositions and articles of manufacture for the treatment or diagnosis of the target disease or condition.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of agonists and antagonists of peripheral-type benzodiazcpine receptors (PTBR) in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac hypertrophy and other circulatory conditions. The invention specifically concerns the use of PTBR antagonists in the prevention or treatment of decompensated cardiac hypertrophy and, eventually, heart failure. The invention also concerns the use of PTBR agonists in the management of conditions calling for increased blood flow or cardiac output, including injury or functional compromise of the heart, increased demand for physical exercise, or an acquired or inherited predisposition to cardiac contractile disfunction. Pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of such conditions and screening methods to identify PTBR agonists and antagonists are also included.

Abstract: The invention pertains to isolated nucleic acid molecules containing sequences specified herein, to mutant CD36 genes and their encoded gene products, to methods of screening blood or a blood product by detecting a CD36 gene mutation, methods of administering blood or a blood product based on the presence or absence of a CD36 gene mutation, to methods of matching a biological sample donor with a recipient based on detection of a mutation in the CD36 gene, methods of determining the resistance of a patient to infection by a parasite by detecting a CD36 gene mutation, methods of diagnosing a disease associated with a defect in insulin action, glucose metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and/or catecholamine action by detecting a mutation in the CD36 gene, and methods of disease treatment by altering the mutation(s).