Abstract: Modified HCV multiple epitope fusion antigens (MEFAs) are described. The proteins include modified sequences such that proteolytic cleavage of the MEFAs by HCV NS3 protease is inhibited. HCV immunoassays including the modified MEFAs are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides polynucleotides, as well as polypeptides encoded thereby, that are differentially expressed in cancer cells. These polynucleotides are useful in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic methods. The present invention further provides methods of reducing growth of cancer cells. These methods are useful for treating cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides the art with the DNA coding sequences of polynucleotides that are up-or-down-regulated in cancer and dysplasia. These polynucleotides and encoded proteins or polypeptides can be used in the diagnosis or identification of cancer and dysplasia. Inhibitors of the up-regulated polynucleotides and proteins can decrease the abnormality of cancer and dysplasia. Enhancing the expression of down-regulated polynucleotides or introducing down-regulated proteins to cells can decrease the growth and/or abnormal characteristics of cancer and dysplasia.

Abstract: A human gene encoding a novel cyclin-dependent kinase termed hPNQALRE and its expression products can be used to provide reagents and methods for detecting neoplasia. Compositions and methods for treating proliferative disorders and neoplasia are also provided.

Abstract: A sensor platform for use in sample analysis comprises a substrate (30) of refractive index (n1) and a thin, optically transparent layer (32) of refractive index (n2) on the substrate, (n2) is greater than (n1). The platform incorporates one or multiple corrugated structures in the form of periodic grooves (31), (33), which defines one or more sensing areas each for one or more capture elements. The grooves are so profiled, dimensioned and oriented that when coherent light is incident on the platform it is diffracted into individual beams or diffraction order resulting in reduction of the transmitted beam and an abnormal high reflection of the incident light thereby creates an enhanced evanescent field at the surface of the or each sensing area. The amplitude of this field at the resonant condition is greater by an order of approximately 100 than the field of prior art platforms so that the luminescence intensity created from samples on the platform is also increased by a factor of 100.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for isolation of hepatitis C virus. The method comprises the separation of particles termed exosomes from the blood plasma of an individual infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the extraction or RNA from these exosome particles.

Abstract: Gene sequences as shown in SEQ ID NO:1-18 have been discovered and isolated, and found to be significantly associated with metastatic spread of breast and colon cancer cells to other organs. Methods are provided for determining the risk of metastasis of a breast or colon tumor, which involve determining whether a tissue sample from a tumor expresses a polypeptide encoded by a gene as shown in SEQ ID NOS:1-18, or a substantial portion thereof. One of the gene sequences encodes a novel aspartyl protease termed CSP56, which can be used to provide reagents and methods for determining which tumors are likely to metastasize and for suppressing metastases of these tumors. Clinicians can use this information to predict which tumors will metastasize to other organs and to provide relevant therapies to appropriate patients.

Abstract: Methods for using semiconductor nanocrystals for determining fluid movement, fluid dilution and fluid removal are described. Methods for using semiconductor nanocrystals for monitoring and quantifying the amounts of solid materials dissolved in a liquid are also described.

Abstract: A device for in-line blood screening and testing using biochips is disclosed. The screening methods include nucleic acid amplification techniques and antibody/antigen assays to detect target molecules and agents indicative of infectious diseases or metabolic diseases.

Abstract: Fluorogenic or chromogenic dyes are useful as reporter molecules for detecting cell entry by a specific molecule.

Abstract: The present invention provides polynucleotides, as well as polypeptides encoded thereby, that are differentially expressed in cancer cells. These polynucleotides are useful in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic methods. The present invention further provides methods of reducing growth of cancer cells. These methods are useful for treating cancer.

Abstract: The extracellular loop of CD81 is a cellular receptor for the E2 protein of hepatitis C virus. A CD81 crystal structure has been elucidated and is provided for use in the structure-based design of compounds which bind to CD81 and thus block the binding of HCV. Methods such as docking and de novodrug design can be used.

Abstract: Modified HCV non-structural proteins are described. The proteins include modified NS3 domains such that proteolytic activity of the NS3 molecule is inhibited. The modified proteins retain conformational epitopes. HCV immunoassays including the modified NS3 molecules are also described.

Abstract: This invention relates compositions and methods for increasing the uptake of polynucleotides into cells. Specifically, the invention relates to vectors, targeting ligands, and polycationic agents. The polycationic agents are capable of (1) increasing the frequency of uptake of polynucleotides into a cell, (2) condensing polynucleotides; and (3) inhibiting serum and/or nuclease degradation of polynucleotides.

Abstract: Chimeric antigens derived from hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are described which form virus-like particles when co-expressed with an excess of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg). The chimeric antigens are fusion proteins containing an immunogenic peptide derived from an HCV protein coupled to the amino terminus of HBsAg. Also described are nucleic acid constructs and vectors for transfection of cells and expression of the chimeric antigens. The invention further provides methods for producing HBV/HCV virus-like particles containing the chimeric antigens, cell lines for producing the virus-like particles, combination vaccines containing the virus-like particles, and DNA vaccines that express the virus-like particles.

Abstract: A polypeptide containing an anchor region, a protease recognition site, and a detectable signal region can be produced recombinantly and directly attached to a solid support. The polypeptide is useful for screening protease regulators, especially protease inhibitors.

Abstract: Different-sequence peptoids, including lipid- and sterol-conjugated peptoids, are found to be effective in transfection of cells with oligonucleotides. Combinatorial libraries of such peptoids can be screened efficiently in a high-throughput format, and selected peptoids are identified post-screening.

Abstract: Molecules having potential biological activity, particularly peptoids, that are conjugated to solid phase supports, spacer groups, and/or ligation moieties, and methods of their preparation, are described. In some instances, the molecules of the invention are made entirely by solid phase synthesis. In other instances, the spacer groups are hydrophilic and compositions containing them, and to solid phase synthesis of varied structure peptoids using chemoselective ligation moieties.

Abstract: Polynucleotide sequences are provided for the diagnosis of the presence of retroviral infection in a human host associated with lymphadenopathy syndrome and/or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, for expression of polypeptides and use of the polypeptides to prepare antibodies, where both the polypeptides and antibodies may be employed as diagnostic reagents or in therapy, e.g., vaccines and passive immunization. The sequences provide detection of the viral infectious agents associated with the indicated syndromes and can be used for expression of antigenic polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bistable switch using a shape memory alloy, and a method for manufacturing the same. More specifically, the bistable switch includes a substrate having at least one power source; a flexible sheet having a first distal end attached to the substrate; a bridge contact formed at a second and opposite distal end of the flexible sheet; and at least one heat activated element connected to a first surface of the flexible sheet and between the second distal end and the power source. During operation, current from the power source passing through the heat activated element to indirectly bend the flexible sheet and short the signal contacts on the substrate with a sustainable force.

Abstract: A joint connection for abutting, circumferentially extending segments in a gas turbine engine, such as turbine nozzle segments, includes a sealing member which is insertable between longitudinally extending slots formed in the abutting side edges of two adjacent segments. The segments are each formed with a number of grooves which are longitudinally spaced along the length of the slots therein, and which extend beneath the sealing member carried within the slots. A cooling air flow path is thus formed extending from one side of the sealing member, into the longitudinal slot of each segment and then through the grooves to the opposite side of the sealing member so that the entire joint connection or seal region between the abutting side edges of the segments is cooled.