Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions to facilitate determining whether an EGFR-expressing cancer in an individual is an EGFR inhibitor-responsive cancer, as well as methods for determining the likelihood that a patient having an EGFR-expressing cancer will exhibit a beneficial response to an EGFR inhibitor therapy. The methods generally involve determining a normalized expression level of a gene product that correlates with EGFR inhibitor responsiveness.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of cryopreserving stem and progenitor cells in a mammalian placenta; and methods of obtaining fetal stem and progenitor cells from a cryopreserved mammalian placenta. Cells obtained by carrying out the methods can be used in a variety of therapeutic applications.

Abstract: A sensor utilizing a non-leachable or diffusible redox mediator is described. The sensor includes a sample chamber to hold a sample in electrolytic contact with a working electrode, and in at least some instances, the sensor also contains a non-leachable or a diffusible second electron transfer agent. The sensor and/or the methods used produce a sensor signal in response to the analyte that can be distinguished from a background signal caused by the mediator. The invention can be used to determine the concentration of a biomolecule, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid, such as blood or serum, using techniques such as coulometry, amperometry; and potentiometry. An enzyme capable of catalyzing the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the biomolecule is typically provided as a second electron transfer agent.

Abstract: A sensor utilizing a non-leachable or diffusible redox mediator is described. The sensor includes a sample chamber to hold a sample in electrolytic contact with a working electrode, and in at least some instances, the sensor also contains a non-leachable or a diffusible second electron transfer agent. The sensor and/or the methods used produce a sensor signal in response to the analyte that can be distinguished from a background signal caused by the mediator. The invention can be used to determine the concentration of a biomolecule, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid, such as blood or serum, using techniques such as coulometry, amperometry; and potentiometry. An enzyme capable of catalyzing the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the biomolecule is typically provided as a second electron transfer agent.

Abstract: A blood glucose monitoring kit includes a case constructed in the form of a bi-fold wallet which comprises an upper flap and a lower flap that are connected together through a fold. The case includes an outer layer constructed out of a water resistant and soft fabric and an inner layer constructed out of a water resistant material, the outer and inner layers being sewn together about their peripheries. A layer of cushioned material is preferably disposed between the inner and outer layers to provide the case with a soft feel. Blood glucose monitoring electronics are preferably integrated directly into the upper flap of the case, the electronics including a printed circuit board (PCB), a test port mounted on the PCB and a display mounted on the PCB. Preferably, the upper flap is provided with an opening through which the test port is externally accessible. Additionally, the upper flap is provided with a window through which the display is externally visible.

Abstract: Compositions and systems are provided for the high efficiency quenching small water-soluble oligomers, or oligofluors, of from about 1-10 kd in size, where the oligofluors comprise multiple excimeric or exciplex forming fluorophores arranged on a scaffold, which are efficiently quenched by a quencher entity linked to the oligomer through a cleavable moiety. Fluorophores of interest include, without limitation, aromatic fluorophores such as pyrenes, e.g. benzopyrene, perylene, pyrene, etc. In some embodiments the oligofluor/quencher combination provides for a Stern-Vollmer constant (KSV) of greater than about 106 M?1, and may be greater than about 107 M?1, greater than about 108 M?1, or more. In some embodiments of the invention, the scaffold is a phosphodiester/glycoside backbone, e.g. an analog of a polynucleotide.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to humanized antibodies which bind the human C5a receptor and their use as therapeutic and diagnostic agents. The present invention is further directed toward nucleic acid sequences which encode said humanized antibodies, and their expression in recombinant host cells. In particular, the present invention is directed towards humanized antibodies derived from murine antibody 7F3 which specifically binds to the human C5a receptor.

Abstract: A casing for an injection device of the type having a safety device which prevents operation of the device, incorporating an actuator means by which the safety means of the device can be actuated to allow operation of the device. Also a casing for a medicament container having an opening closed prior to use by a break-off tip, having relatively moveable first and second casing parts, which on relative movement apply a breaking force to the break-off tip. A preferred embodiment includes both such features.

Abstract: A measurement module for glucose testing includes a glucose testing measurement module housing, a test strip receptacle formed in the housing, and a connector portion formed in the housing and shaped to permit mechanical removable attachment of the housing to a hand-held computer. Electronics determine the amount of glucose present in a sample of body fluid, when the test strip is positioned in the receptacle and the body fluid is placed on a test strip, and communicate the glucose amount to the hand-held computer via the connector portion.

Abstract: A sensor utilizing a non-leachable or diffusible redox mediator is described. The sensor includes a sample chamber to hold a sample in electrolytic contact with a working electrode, and in at least some instances, the sensor also contains a non-leachable or a diffusible second electron transfer agent. The sensor and/or the methods used produce a sensor signal in response to the analyte that can be distinguished from a background signal caused by the mediator. The invention can be used to determine the concentration of a biomolecule, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid, such as blood or serum, using techniques such as coulometry, amperometry; and potentiometry. An enzyme capable of catalyzing the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the biomolecule is typically provided as a second electron transfer agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrochemical sensor having a sensing chemistry that operates substantially free of any “oxygen effect”. The electrochemical sensors are useful in determining the level of an analyte in a biological sample from a subject. The present invention also provides sensor assemblies including the electrochemical sensors as well as methods of using the same.

Abstract: This invention provides antibodies that specifically bind to and neutralize botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) and the epitopes bound by those antibodies. The antibodies and derivatives thereof and/or other antibodies that specifically bind to the neutralizing epitopes provided herein can be used to neutralize botulinum neurotoxin and are therefore also useful in the treatment of botulism.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for concentrating samples for application to microfluidic devices are disclosed. The methods involve electrophoresing charged molecules from a high volume sample into a smaller volume. The analyte of interest can be a charged molecule or can be modified to be charged using, for example, one or more ionic moieties.

Abstract: A mismatched end DNA ligase is provided, which ligates two single strands to each other at a high efficiency, even if the other two single strands are not compatible. In one embodiment, the polypeptides of the ligase are Ku, Cernunnos, and XRCC4/Ligase4 (XL). This association can ligate DNA ends with a 3? overhang to a recessed 5? end, to a blunt end, or to a compatible end. In another embodiment, the proteins are Ku, Cernunnos, XRCC4/Ligase4 (XL) and DNA-PK.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for reagent compositions for biosensors comprising release polymers, methods of making such biosensors and films of reagent compositions comprising release polymers. The reagent compositions comprise a release polymer and an effective analyte detecting amount of an enzyme an enzyme cofactor and a redox compound capable of acting in a biosensor as (i) a redox mediator associated with a working electrode (ii) a redox couple associated with a reference electrode or (iii) the redox mediator associated with the working electrode and the redox couple for the reference electrode.

Abstract: A collapsible air freight container (10) comprises a standard base (12), a side panel (16) slideably hinged to the base and a back panel (18) which is hinged to the base which interlocks with the side panel. There is a side extension (20) which is generally trapezoidal to roughly conform to the shape of a side wall of a plane's cargo hold. A lid is slideably mounted on top of the container so that it can be slid relative to the back panel. The lid is arranged so that when fully retracted to the back of the container relative to the back panel, it may pivot to overlay the back panel. The container may be collapsed by retracting and pivoting the lid to overlie the back panel (18), folding the side extension (20), folding and sliding the side panel (16) into the base (12) and lowering the folded side extension (20) and then the back panel (18) and lid (40) into the base.

Abstract: A sensor utilizing a non-leachable or diffusible redox mediator is described. The sensor includes a sample chamber to hold a sample in electrolytic contact with a working electrode, and in at least some instances, the sensor also contains a non-leachable or a diffusible second electron transfer agent. The sensor and/or the methods used produce a sensor signal in response to the analyte that can be distinguished from a background signal caused by the mediator. The invention can be used to determine the concentration of a biomolecule, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid, such as blood or serum, using techniques such as coulometry, amperometry; and potentiometry. An enzyme capable of catalyzing the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the biomolecule is typically provided as a second electron transfer agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetically modified host cells and use of same for producing isoprenoid compounds.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include multi-mode communication ingestible event marker devices. Ingestible event marker devices of the invention include an ingestible component comprising a conductive communication module and at least one additional non-conductive communication module. The non-conductive communication module may be integrated with the ingestible component or at least a portion or all of the non-conductive communication module may be associated with a packaging component of the ingestible event marker device. Additional aspects of the invention include systems that include the devices and one or more receivers, as well as methods of using the same.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a method for crystallizing a GPCR. The method may employ a fusion protein comprising: a) a first portion of a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR), where the first portion comprises the TM1, TM2, TM3, TM4 and TM5 regions of the GPCR; b) a stable, folded protein insertion; and c) a second portion of the GPCR, where the second portion comprises the TM6 and TM7 regions of the GPCR.