Abstract: The present invention provides a method for identifying a modulator or mediator of a biological activity, which activity includes antigenicity and or immunogenicity, said method comprising the step of: (i) producing a gene fragment expression library derived from defined nucleotide sequence fragments; and (ii) assaying the expression library for at least an amino acid sequence derived from step (i) for a biological activity wherein that activity is different from any activity the amino acid sequence may have in its native environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods for producing nucleic acid fragment libraries that express highly diverse peptides or protein domains and, in particular, methods for producing nucleic acid fragment libraries wherein the nucleic acid fragments of the libraries are derived from two or more diverse characterized genomes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-hybrid screening method for the identification and/or isolation of a peptide that is capable of modulating a phenotype in a cell, tissue or organism. For example, the non-hybrid screening method identifies a peptide that is derived from an organism that is unrelated to the cell, tissue or organism. Alternatively, or in addition, the non-hybrid screening method identifies a peptide that is capable of rescuing the cell, tissue or organism from cell death or inducing a cell, tissue or organism to grow. The present invention also provides a non-hybrid screening method for identifying a peptide that is useful for treating a disease and/or disorder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for identifying a modulator or mediator of a biological activity, which activity includes antigenicity and/or immunogenicity, said method comprising the step of: (i) producing a gene fragment expression library derived from defined nucleotide sequence fragments; and (ii) assaying the expression library for at least an amino acid sequence derived from step (i) for a biological activity wherein that activity is different from any activity the amino acid sequence may have in its native environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for identifying a modulator or mediator of a biological activity, which activity includes antigenicity and or immunogenicity, said method comprising the step of: (i) producing a gene fragment expression library derived from defined nucleotide sequence fragments; and (ii) assaying the expression library for at least an amino acid sequence derived from step (i) for a biological activity wherein that activity is different from any activity the amino acid sequence may have in its native environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods for producing nucleic acid fragment libraries that express highly diverse peptides or protein domains and, in particular, methods for producing nucleic acid fragment libraries wherein the nucleic acid fragments of the libraries are derived from two or more diverse characterized genomes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for identifying a modulator or mediator of a biological activity, which activity includes antigenicity and or immunogenicity, said method comprising the step of: (i) producing a gene fragment expression library derived from defined nucleotide sequence fragments; and (ii) assaying the expression library for at least an amino acid sequence derived from step (i) for a biological activity wherein that activity is different from any activity the amino acid sequence may have in its native environment.

Abstract: A spacer unit inlet member integrally constructed of rigid or non-flexible material and capable of selectively mounting about its opening any one of a plurality of metered dose inhaler (MDI) actuators having different outlet size or shape. The inlet member includes a channel providing an opening of the inlet member and being formed by a wall substantially parallel to its rotational axis A peripheral edge of the wall is shaped substantially as a truncated oval. The inlet member further includes a pair of opposing curved walls surrounding and substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the channel and having an outermost edge comprising a substantially oval shape, and a wall substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the channel and positioned between the walls of the channel and the opposing curved walls.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods for producing nucleic acid fragment libraries that express highly diverse peptides or protein domains and, in particular, methods for producing nucleic acid fragment libraries wherein the nucleic acid fragments of the libraries are derived from two or more diverse characterized genomes.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method of identifying modulators of biological interactions and agents useful for same. More particularly, the present invention contemplates a method of detecting inhibitors of biological interactions involving proteinaceous and/or nucleic acid molecules and more particularly a method of identifying peptide inhibitors of biological interactions having adverse effects on living cells, tissue or organisms. The present invention provides the means by which a wide range of peptide-based therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic reagents may be developed.

Abstract: An incentive inhaler device includes an inhalation device, at least one incentive toy coupled to the inhalation device, and at least one separator. The inhalation device has a respiration device and a connector that is linkable to a delivery device. The delivery device can deliver drugs, aerosols, powder and gas. The incentive toy is respiration driven and has at least one of a visible characteristic and an audible characteristic. The separator decouples the toy from at least one component of the inhalation device to ensure directional flow of respirational air which drives the toy. The separator can include a valve, a filter, or a baffle.