Abstract: Peptides that bind to the interleukin-1 type I receptor (IL-1RtI) can be used to assay the amount of IL-1R, or an IL-1R agonist or antagonist, in a sample and comprise a sequence of amino acids selected from the group consisting of (1) WXXXGZ.sub.1 W where Z.sub.1 is L, I, A, or Q (SEQ ID NO:2); (2) XXQZ.sub.5 YZ.sub.6 XX where Z.sub.5 is P or Aze where Aze is azetidine; and Z.sub.6 is S, A, V, or L (SEQ ID NO:1); and (3) Z.sub.23 NZ.sub.24 SZ.sub.25 Z.sub.26 Z.sub.27 Z.sub.28 Z.sub.29 Z.sub.30 L where Z.sub.23 is D or Y; Z.sub.24 is D or S; Z.sub.25 is S or W; Z.sub.26 is S or Y; Z.sub.27 is D or V; Z.sub.28 is S or W; Z.sub.29 is F or L; and Z.sub.30 is D or L (SEQ ID NO:27); and where each amino acid is indicated by standard one letter abbreviation; and each X can be selected from any one of the 20 genetically coded L-amino acids or the stereoisomeric D-amino acids.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices and systems, and particularly, microfluidic devices that are easier to handle by the operator, without damaging, contaminating or otherwise fouling, as a result of manual contact with the device. These microfluidic devices and systems include manual handling structures, to allow handling of the small scale devices with minimal potential for fouling as a result of manual contact with the device.

Abstract: Biotinylation peptides can be fused to other peptides or proteins of interest using recombinant DNA techniques to provide efficient methods for biotinylating the resulting fusion proteins in vivo or in vitro.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods, apparatus and systems for use in performing in situ dilution or concentration of a particular subject material in a microfluidic device or system. These methods and apparatus may generally be integrated with other microfluidic operations and/or systems, to perfom a number of different manipulations, wherein dilution or concentration, carried out within the context of the microfluidic device or system, is just one part.

Abstract: Peptides that bind to the interleukin-1 type I receptor (IL-1RtI) can be used to assay the amount of IL-1R, or an IL-1R agonist or antagonist, in a sample and comprise a sequence of amino acids selected from the group consisting of (1) WXXXGZ.sub.1 W where Z.sub.1 is L, I, A, or Q; (2) XXQZ.sub.5 YZ.sub.6 XX where Z.sub.5 is P or Aze where Aze is azetidine; and Z.sub.6 is S, A, V, or L; and (3) Z.sub.23 NZ.sub.24 SZ.sub.25 Z.sub.26 Z.sub.27 Z.sub.28 Z.sub.29 Z.sub.30 L where Z.sub.23 is D or Y; Z.sub.24 is D or S; Z.sub.25 is S or W; Z.sub.26 is S or Y; Z.sub.27 is D or V; Z.sub.28 is S or W; Z.sub.29 is F or L; and Z.sub.30 is D or L; and where each amino acid is indicated by standard one letter abbreviation; and each X can be selected from any one of the 20 genetically coded L-amino acids or the stereoisomeric D-amino acids. Also provided are peptides which bind to the IL-1RtI, which are 11 to 40 amino acids in length, which comprise the core sequence of amino acids:Z.sub.31 XWZ.sub.32 Z.sub.33 Z.sub.34 Z.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to improved microfluidic devices, systems and methods of using same, which incorporate channel profiles that impart significant benefits over previously described systems. In particular, the presently described devices and systems employ channels having, at least in part, depths that are varied over those which have been previously described. These varied channel depths provide numerous beneficial and unexpected results.

Abstract: Peptides that bind to the interleukin-1 type I receptor (IL-1RtI) can be used to assay the amount of IL-1R, or an IL-1R agonist or antagonist, in a sample and comprise a sequence of amino acids selected from the group consisting of (1) WXXXGZ.sub.1 W where Z.sub.1 is L, I, A, or Q; (2) XXQZ.sub.5 YZ.sub.6 XX where Z.sub.5 is P or Aze where Aze is azetidine; and Z.sub.6 is S, A, V, or L; and (3) Z.sub.23 NZ.sub.24 SZ.sub.25 Z.sub.26 Z.sub.27 Z.sub.28 Z.sub.29 Z.sub.30 L where Z.sub.23 is D or Y; Z.sub.24 is D or S; Z.sub.25 is S or W; Z.sub.26 is S or Y; Z.sub.27 is D or V; Z.sub.28 is S or W; Z.sub.29 is F or L; and Z.sub.30 is D or L; and where each amino acid is indicated by standard one letter abbreviation; and each X can be selected from any one of the 20 genetically coded L-amino acids or the stereoisomeric D-amino acids. Also provided are peptides which bind to the IL-1RtI, which are 11 to 40 amino acids in length, which comprise the core sequence of amino acids:Z.sub.31 XWZ.sub.32 Z.sub.33 Z.sub.34 Z.

Abstract: Peptides that bind to the interleukin-1 type I receptor (IL-1RtI) can be used to assay the amount of IL-1R, or an IL-1R agonist or antagonist, in a sample and comprise a sequence of amino acids selected from the group consisting of (1) WXXXGZ.sub.1 W (SEQ ID NO: 2) where Z.sub.1 is L, I, A, or Q; (2) XXQZ.sub.5 YZ.sub.6 XX where (SEQ ID NO: 1) Z.sub.5 is P or Aze where Aze is azetidine; and Z.sub.6 is S, A, V, or L; and (3) Z.sub.23 NZ.sub.24 SZ.sub.25 Z.sub.26 Z.sub.27 Z.sub.28 Z.sub.29 Z.sub.30 L (SEQ ID NO: 313) where Z.sub.23 is D or Y; Z.sub.24 is D or S; Z.sub.25 is S or W; Z.sub.26 is S or Y; Z.sub.27 is D or V; Z.sub.28 is S or W; Z.sub.29 is F or L; and Z.sub.30 is D or L; and where each amino acid is indicated by standard one letter abbreviation; and each X can be selected from any one of the 20 genetically coded L-amino acids or the stereoisomeric D-amino acids.