Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention generally relate to devices and methods for determining and/or isolating cells. For example, one aspect is generally directed to methods and devices for detecting, identifying, counting, and/or potentially sorting cells of interest in blood or other biological sample. In some embodiments, blood samples (or other biological fluids) may be treated with signaling entities, such as pH-sensitive entities, that change color or otherwise produce a signal in suitable internal environments. For example, certain cells, such as cancer or fetal cells, may have differences in intracellular pH compared to other cells, which can be detected using pH-sensitive entities. In certain embodiments, the cells may be sorted based on such signaling entities; for example, illumination of cells in a suitable machine for sorting cells (e.g., using fluorescent light) may allow determination of the cells, which may also be recovered or isolated for further manipulation in some cases.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention generally relate to devices and methods for determining and/or isolating cells. For example, one aspect is generally directed to methods and devices for detecting, identifying, counting, and/or potentially sorting cells of interest in blood or other biological sample. In some embodiments, blood samples (or other biological fluids) may be treated with signaling entities, such as pH-sensitive entities, that change color or otherwise produce a signal in suitable internal environments. For example, certain cells, such as cancer or fetal cells, may have differences in intracellular pH compared to other cells, which can be detected using pH-sensitive entities. In certain embodiments, the cells may be sorted based on such signaling entities; for example, illumination of cells in a suitable machine for sorting cells (e.g., using fluorescent light) may allow determination of the cells, which may also be recovered or isolated for further manipulation in some cases.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention generally relate to devices and methods for determining and/or isolating cells. For example, one aspect is generally directed to methods and devices for detecting, identifying, counting, and/or potentially sorting cells of interest in blood or other biological sample. In some embodiments, blood samples (or other biological fluids) may be treated with signaling entities, such as pH-sensitive entities, that change color or otherwise produce a signal in suitable internal environments. For example, certain cells, such as cancer or fetal cells, may have differences in intracellular pH compared to other cells, which can be detected using pH-sensitive entities. In certain embodiments, the cells may be sorted based on such signaling entities; for example, illumination of cells in a suitable machine for sorting cells (e.g., using fluorescent light) may allow determination of the cells, which may also be recovered or isolated for further manipulation in some cases.

Abstract: The current disclosure provide a novel human calcium sensing receptor named CaR2 and the nucleotide sequence that encodes the receptor. The disclosure further provides antibodies specific for CaR2. Also disclosed are methods of identifying modulators of the receptor and methods of using the identified modulators to treat calcium receptor mediated conditions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to reduction or inactivation of gene function or gene expression in cells in vitro and in multicellular organisms. The invention encompasses methods for mutating cells using a combination of mutagens, particularly wherein at least one mutagen is an insertional mutagen, to achieve homozygous gene mutation or mutation of multiple genes required cumulatively to achieve a phenotype to create knock-outs, knock-downs, and other modifications in the same cell. The invention is also directed to cells (and libraries thereof) and organisms created by the methods of the invention, including those in which at least one of the genes created by insertional mutagenesis is tagged by means of the insertion sequences thereby allowing identification of the mutated gene(s). The invention is also directed to libraries of mutated cells and their uses.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to reduction or inactivation of gene function or gene expression in cells in vitro and in multicellular organisms. The invention encompasses methods for mutating cells using a combination of mutagens, particularly wherein at least one mutagen is an insertional mutagen, to achieve homozygous gene mutation or mutation of multiple genes required cumulatively to achieve a phenotype to create knock-outs, knock-downs, and other modifications in the same cell. The invention is also directed to cells (and libraries thereof) and organisms created by the methods of the invention, including those in which at least one of the genes created by insertional mutagenesis is tagged by means of the insertion sequences thereby allowing identification of the mutated gene(s). The invention is also directed to libraries of mutated cells and their uses.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to reduction or inactivation of gene function or gene expression in cells in vitro and in multicellular organisms. The invention encompasses methods for mutating cells using a combination of mutagens, particularly wherein at least one mutagen is an insertional mutagen, to achieve homozygous gene mutation or mutation of multiple genes required cumulatively to achieve a phenotype to create knock-outs, knock-downs, and other modifications in the same cell. The invention is also directed to cells (and libraries thereof) and organisms created by the methods of the invention, including those in which at least one of the genes created by insertional mutagenesis is tagged by means of the insertion sequences thereby allowing identification of the mutated gene(s). The invention is also directed to libraries of mutated cells and their uses.

Abstract: The present invention is in the fields of molecular biology, cell biology, and genetics. The invention is directed generally to mutating genes in cells in vitro and in multi-cellular organisms. The invention encompasses methods for mutating genes in cells using polynucleotides that act as insertional mutagens. Such methods are used to achieve mutation of a single gene to achieve a desired phenotype as well as mutation of multiple genes, required cumulatively to achieve a desired phenotype, in a cell or in a multi-cellular organism. The invention is also directed to methods of identifying one or more mutated genes, made by the methods of the invention, in cells and in multi-cellular organisms, by means of a tagging property provided by the insertional mutagen(s). The insertional mutagen thus allows identification of one or more genes that are mutated by insertion of an insertional mutagen.

Abstract: The current disclosure provide a novel human calcium sensing receptor named CaR2 and the nucleotide sequence that encodes the receptor. The disclosure further provides antibodies specific for CaR2. Also disclosed are methods of identifying modulators of the receptor and methods of using the identified modulators to treat calcium receptor mediated conditions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to reduction or inactivation of gene function or gene expression in cells in vitro and in multiorganisms. The invention encompasses methods for mutating cells using a combination of mutagens, particularly wherein at least one mutagen is an insertional mutagen, to achieve homozygous gene mutation or mutation of multiple genes required cumulatively to achieve a phenotype to create knock-outs, knock-downs, and other modifications in the same cell. The invention is also directed to cells (and libraries thereof) and organisms created by the methods of the invention, including those in which at least one of the genes created by insertional mutagenesis is tagged by means of the insertion sequences thereby allowing identification of the mutated gene(s). The invention is also directed to libraries of mutated cells and their uses.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to reduction or inactivation of gene function or gene expression in cells in vitro and in multiorganisms. The invention encompasses methods for mutating cells using a combination of mutagens, particularly wherein at least one mutagen is an insertional mutagen, to achieve homozygous gene mutation or mutation of multiple genes required cumulatively to achieve a phenotype to create knock-outs, knock-downs, and other modifications in the same cell. The invention is also directed to cells (and libraries thereof) and organisms created by the methods of the invention, including those in which at least one of the genes created by insertional mutagenesis is tagged by means of the insertion sequences thereby allowing identification of the mutated gene(s). The invention is also directed to libraries of mutated cells and their uses.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to reduction or inactivation of gene function or gene expression in cells in vitro and in multiorganisms. The invention encompasses methods for mutating cells using a combination of mutagens, particularly wherein at least one mutagen is an insertional mutagen, to achieve homozygous gene mutation or mutation of multiple genes required cumulatively to achieve a phenotype to create knock-outs, knock-downs, and other modifications in the same cell. The invention is also directed to cells (and libraries thereof) and organisms created by the methods of the invention, including those in which at least one of the genes created by insertional mutagenesis is tagged by means of the insertion sequences thereby allowing identification of the mutated gene(s). The invention is also directed to libraries of mutated cells and their uses.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to reduction or inactivation of gene function or gene expression in cells in vitro and in multiorganisms. The invention encompasses methods for mutating cells using a combination of mutagens, particularly wherein at least one mutagen is an insertional mutagen, to achieve homozygous gene mutation or mutation of multiple genes required cumulatively to achieve a phenotype to create knock-outs, knock-downs, and other modifications in the same cell. The invention is also directed to cells (and libraries thereof) and organisms created by the methods of the invention, including those in which at least one of the genes created by insertional mutagenesis is tagged by means of the insertion sequences thereby allowing identification of the mutated gene(s). The invention is also directed to libraries of mutated cells and their uses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for using a human A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease containing ThromboSpondin repeats (ADAM-TS). The invention also relates to methods for using polynucleotides encoding the metalloprotease. The invention relates to methods using the ADAM-TS polypeptides and polynucleotides as a target for diagnosis and treatment in metalloprotease-mediated or -related disorders. The invention further relates to drug-screening methods using the ADAM-TS polypeptides and polynucleotides to identify agonists and antagonists for diagnosis and treatment. The invention further encompasses agonists and antagonists based on the ADAM-TS polypeptides and polynucleotides. The invention further relates to agonists and antagonists identified by drug screening methods with the ADAM-TS polypeptides and polynucleotides as a target. The invention further related to methods of treating a subject suffering from a ADAM-TS associated disorder.

Abstract: The current disclosure provide a novel human calcium sensing receptor named CaR2 and the nucleotide sequence that encodes the receptor. The disclosure further provides antibodies specific for CaR2. Also disclosed are methods of identifying modulators of the receptor and methods of using the identified modulators to treat calcium receptor mediated conditions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to reduction or inactivation of gene function or gene expression in cells in vitro and in multicellular organisms. The invention encompasses methods for mutating cells using a combination of mutagens, particularly wherein at least one mutagen is an insertional mutagen, to achieve homozygous gene mutation or mutation of multiple genes required cumulatively to achieve a phenotype to create knock-outs, knock-downs, and other modifications in the same cell. The invention is also directed to cells (and libraries thereof) and organisms created by the methods of the invention, including those in which at least one of the genes created by insertional mutagenesis is tagged by means of the insertion sequences thereby allowing identification of the mutated gene(s). The invention is also directed to libraries of mutated cells and their uses.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to reduction or inactivation of gene function or gene expression in cells in vitro and in multicellular organisms. The invention encompasses methods for mutating cells using a combination of mutagens, particularly wherein at least one mutagen is an insertional mutagen, to achieve homozygous gene mutation or mutation of multiple genes required cumulatively to achieve a phenotype to create knock-outs, knock-downs, and other modifications in the same cell. The invention is also directed to cells (and libraries thereof) and organisms created by the methods of the invention, including those in which at least one of the genes created by insertional mutagenesis is tagged by means of the insertion sequences thereby allowing identification of the mutated gene(s). The invention is also directed to libraries of mutated cells and their uses.

Abstract: The present invention is in the fields of molecular biology, cell biology, and genetics. The invention is directed generally to mutating genes in cells in vitro and in multi-cellular organisms. The invention encompasses methods for mutating genes in cells using polynucleotides that act as insertional mutagens. Such methods are used to achieve mutation of a single gene to achieve a desired phenotype as well as mutation of multiple genes, required cumulatively to achieve a desired phenotype, in a cell or in a multi-cellular organism. The invention is also directed to methods of identifying one or more mutated genes, made by the methods of the invention, in cells and in multi-cellular organisms, by means of a tagging property provided by the insertional mutagen(s). The insertional mutagen thus allows identification of one or more genes that are mutated by insertion of an insertional mutagen.

Abstract: A polishing head for chemical-mechanical polishing apparatus includes a carrier plate having concentric, integral, cylindrical walls, an annular piston fitting within the outer of the cylindrical walls and a second piston fitting within the inner cylindrical wall and engaging the annular piston. Each piston defines a chamber with the carrier plate and the chambers are isolated from each other by a seal. Pneumatic fittings supply air or vacuum to each chamber. The second piston includes a cylindrical side wall and an integral bottom plate. The bottom plate is thicker in the center than at the side wall and the underside of the plate is covered with a wafer adhering layer. A retaining ring is attached to the lower edge of the annular piston. The retaining ring includes a peripheral groove for separating an outwardly extending flange from the main body of the ring. The underside of the ring includes one or more spiral grooves for circulating slurry about a wafer during polishing.