Abstract: The invention provides methods of inhibiting angiogenesis within a tissue, promoting neuron protection within a tissue, and treating a disease in a mammal, wherein (a) a gene transfer vector encoding a protein of a serpin superfamily or a therapeutic fragment or variant thereof or (b) a protein of a serpin superfamily or a therapeutic fragment or variant thereof is administered with an inhibitor of matrix metalloprotease (MMP). Alternatively, the method comprises administration of (a) a protein of a serpin superfamily or therapeutic fragment or variant thereof or (b) a gene transfer vector encoding a protein of a serpin superfamily or a therapeutic fragment or variant thereof, wherein the protein or nucleic acid encoding the protein comprises at least one mutation which renders the protein of the serpin superfamily resistant to cleavage by an MMP.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying a gene product. The method comprises providing a multiplicity of cells comprising a first gene product. Preferably, the first gene product is produced in the multiplicity of cells by expressing a first exogenous nucleic acid sequence encoding the first gene product. A library of second nucleic acid sequences encoding second gene products is then introduced into the multiplicity of cells. The second nucleic acid sequences are expressed in the multiplicity of cells to produce the second gene products such that the first gene product and at least one of the second gene products contact. The method further comprises causing a complex to form between the first gene product, an affinity molecule that binds the first gene product, and at least one of the second gene products, and subsequently retrieving the complex. At least one second gene product of the complex then is identified.

Abstract: The present method involves evaluating the purity of a viral gene transfer vector stock by providing an aliquot of the viral gene transfer vector stock and producing charged fragments from the aliquot. The fragments are detected by a detector that produces a sample signal corresponding to the mass-to-charge ratio of the detected fragments. This signal then is compared to a standard signal, whereby the purity of the viral gene transfer vector stock is evaluated.