Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for sequencing nucleic acids. In particular, such method includes incorporating certain modified nucleotides referred to as Simtides into nucleic acid strands. These Simtides are complexes comprising a nucleotide base (or analog thereof), a linker, and a label capable of generating a detectable signal for sequencing. A Simtide may be incorporated into a sequencing fragment as a primer component, as a chain elongator, or as a chain terminator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of enhancing the efficacy of one or more agents in a subject by administering the agent or agents and a context-dependent functional entity to the subject, wherein a context-dependent functional entity includes a substructure with thrombogenic potential operably linked to a selective recognition domain, and interacts with a function-forming context expressed by a cell or tissue in the subject. The invention also relates to a method of treating a pathologic condition in a subject by administering to the subject a therapeutic agent and a context-dependent functional entity. The invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition, which contains an agent and a context-dependent functional entity in a pharmaceutically acceptable form. The invention further provides a peptide having the amino acid sequence Pro-Arg-Lys-Leu-Tyr-Asp (SEQ ID NO: 1).

Abstract: The present invention may be embodied in a device for detection of vulnerable plaque in a vessel based on a temperature increase of the vessel's wall. The device may be a guide wire having an extendable assembly having resilient delivery wires for placing the temperature sensor in contact with the vessel's inner wall.

Abstract: A method for in vivo electrotherapy, or electroporation-mediated therapy, using a needle array apparatus is provided. Treatment of tumors with a combination of electroporation using the apparatus of the invention, and a chemotherapeutic agent, caused regression of tumors in vivo.

Abstract: A method for in vivo electrotherapy, or electroporation-mediated therapy, using a needle array apparatus is provided. Treatment of tumors with a combination of electroporation using the apparatus of the invention, and a chemotherapeutic agent, caused regression of tumors in vivo.

Abstract: Recombinant enzyme libraries and kits where a plurality of enzymes are each characterized by different physical and/or chemical characteristics and classified by common characteristics. The characteristics are determined by screening of recombinant enzymes expressed by a DNA library produced from various microorganisms.

Abstract: Primordial germ cells isolated from human embryonic tissue, such as from the gonadal ridges of human embryo, are disclosed. The primordial germ cells are cultured resulting in cells that resemble embryonic stem cells or embryonic germ cells in morphology and pluripotency. The cells are maintained several months in culture and can be genetically manipulated using transgenic technology to insert heterologous genetic material.

Abstract: Substantially purified stable human hypoxia-inducible factor-1&agr; (sHIF-1alpha) proteins and polynucleotides encoding stable human hypoxia-inducible factor-1&agr; proteins are provided. A method is provided for treating a hypoxia-related tissue damage in a subject by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a sHIF-1alpha protein or a nucleic acid encoding a stable HIF-1alpha protein. Formulations are provided for the administration of stable human hypoxia inducible factor-1&agr; (HIF-1alpha) polypeptide or a polynucleotide encoding stable human hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) to a patient having or at risk of having hypoxia- or ischemia-related tissue damage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of detecting specific nucleic acids using an oligonucleotide linked to a cleavable tag. The presence of a specific nucleic acid in a population of nucleic acids is determined by hybridizing an oligonucleotide containing the tag to a population of nucleic acids, separating hybridizing bound oligonucleotides, and then removing and identifying the tag. Also provided are compositions and kits comprising oligonucleotides linked to a cleavable tag.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for identifying clones having a specified activity of interest, which process comprises (i) generating one or more expression libraries derived from nucleic acid directly isolated from the environment; and (ii) screening said libraries utilizing an assay system. More particularly, this is a process for identifying clones having a specified activity of interest by (i) generating one or more expression libraries derived from nucleic acid directly or indirectly isolated from the environment; (ii) exposing said libraries to a particular substrate or substrates of interest; and (iii) screening said exposed libraries utilizing a fluorescence activated cell sorter to identify clones which react with the substrate or substrates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of detecting specific nucleic acids using an oligonucleotide linked to a cleavable tag. The presence of a specific nucleic acid in a population of nucleic acids is determined by hybridizing an oligonucleotide containing the tag to a population of nucleic acids, separating hybridizing bound oligonucleotides, and then removing and identifying the tag. Also provided are compositions and kits comprising oligonucleotides linked to a cleavable tag.

Abstract: A composition comprising of a monomer component comprised of at least one alkyl cyanoacrylate and at least one inhibitor, and a second component comprised of a resultant aggregate structure formed from an alkyl cyanoacrylate monomer, an alkyl esterified fatty acid and an opacificant agent where said composition forms a resultant aggregate structure when said composition contacts an anionic environment. The compositions are useful for filling, occluding, partially filling or partially occluding an unfilled volume or space in a mass in an anionic environment. The composition are also useful for ablating diseased or undesired tissue by cutting off the blood supply to the tissue.

Abstract: A gene, mc1-1, of the bc1-2 family is disclosed along with its nucleotide and amino acid sequence. Also disclosed are diagnostic and therapeutic methods of utilizing the mc1-1 nucleotide and polypeptide sequences.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of screening clones having DNA from an uncultivated microorganism for a specified protein, e.g. enzyme, activity by screening for a specified protein, e.g. enzyme, activity in a library of clones prepared by (i) recovering DNA from a DNA population derived from at least one uncultivated microorganism; and (ii) transforming a host with recovered DNA to produce a library of clones which is screened for the specified protein, e.g. enzyme, activity.

Abstract: Growth differentiation factor-14 (GDF-14) is disclosed along with its polynucleotide sequence and amino acid sequence. Also disclosed are diagnostic and therapeutic methods of using the GDF-14 polypeptide and polynucleotide sequences.

Abstract: Provided are reagents and methods useful for the synthesis of guanidinylated compounds. Also provided are methods for assaying molecules, including guanidinylated molecules that modulate viral infection and replication.

Abstract: Methods are provided for introducing a biologically active agent into cells of a subject by injecting the agent with a needle-free injector and applying a pulsed electric field to the region of tissue to cause electrotransport of the agent into cells of the tissue. Preferably the agent is either ionized to some degree or contained in an ionized medium for electrotransport. The needle-free injector can serve as an electrode by which the pulsed electric field is applied to the region of tissue. The active agents delivered into cells by this method include small molecules, polynucleotides, polypeptides, and the like. Polynucleotides introduced into cells using this method can be used to accomplish gene therapy or to modulate expression of an endogenous gene.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a multi-well platform for fluorescence measurements, comprising a plurality of wells within a frame, wherein the multi-well platform has low fluorescence background. Another aspect of the present invention is a system for spectroscopic measurements, comprising reagents for an assay and a multi-well platform for fluorescence measurements. A further aspect of the present invention is a method for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample contained in a multi-well platform by detecting light emitted from the sample. Another aspect of the present invention is a method from identifying a modulator of a biological process or target in a sample contained in a multi-well platform by detecting light emitted from the sample. Another aspect of the present invention is a composition identified by this method. A further aspect of the present invention is a method to identify a therapeutic.

Abstract: A transgenic non-human animal of the species selected from the group consisting of avian, bovine, ovine and porcine having a transgene which results in disrupting the production of and/or activity of growth differentiation factor-11 (GDF-11) chromosomally integrated into the germ cells of the animal is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for making such animals, and methods of treating animals with antibodies or antisense directed to GDF-11. The animals so treated are characterized by increased muscle tissue.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide (JNK) characterized by having a molecular weight of 46kD as determined by reducing SDS-PAGE, having serine and threonine kinase activity, phosphorylating the c-Jun N-terminal activation domain and polynucleotide sequences and method of detection of JNK are provided herein. JNK phosphorylates c-Jun N-terminal activation domain which affects gene expression from AP-1 sites.