Abstract: The present invention relates to diacylglycerol acyltransferase genes and proteins, and methods of their use. In particular, the invention describes genes and proteins that exhibit both long-chain acyltransferase and acetyltransferase activity. The present invention encompasses both native and recombinant wild-type forms of the transferase, as well as mutants and variant forms, some of which possess altered characteristics relative to the wild-type transferase. The present invention also relates to methods of using diacylglycerol acyltransferase genes and proteins, including in their expression in transgenic organisms and in the production of acetyl-glycerides in plant oils, and in particular seed oils.

Abstract: This invention relates to non-radioactive markers that facilitate the detection and analysis of nascent proteins translated within cellular or cell-free translation systems. Nascent proteins containing these markers can be rapidly and efficiently detected, isolated and analyzed without the handling and disposal problems associated with radioactive reagents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the detection of malignant melanoma. In particular, the present invention relates to systems and methods for the early detection of cancerous lesions.

Abstract: The present invention provides multivalent vaccines for the treatment of B-cell malignancies (e.g., lymphomas and leukemias). The present invention also provides methods for the production of custom vaccines, including multivalent vaccines for the treatment of immune cell tumors malignancies as well as methods of treating immune cell tumors using custom vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel seed specific promoter regions. The present invention further provide methods of producing proteins and other products of interest and methods of controlling expression of nucleic acid sequences of interest using the seed specific promoter regions. The present invention also provides methods of identifying and isolating novel seed specific promoters.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the treatment and prevention of diseases characterized by excess cell proliferation and/or activation. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods to suppress the activation and/or proliferation of various cells. In preferred embodiments, the present invention provides compositions and methods to suppress the activation and/or proliferation of mesenchymally derived cells (including, but not limited to hepatic stellate cells), as well as cells with abnormal growth characteristics. In particularly preferred embodiments, the present invention provides compositions and methods to induce fibrosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for inhibiting I?B Kinase (IKK) as well as methods and compositions for identifying compounds with activity as inhibitors of IKK. In particular, the present invention provides methods for identifying inhibitors of IKK?.

Abstract: The present invention relates to rapid, quantitative, specific, high through-put methods for screening test substances for their ability to inhibit activity of an ouabain-resistant Na+—K+-ATPase involved in a variety of biological processes such as regulation of osmotic balance and cell volume, maintenance of the resting membrane potential, establishment of the ionic composition of cerebrospinal fluid and aqueous humor, electrical activity of muscle and nerve, and receptor-mediated endocytosis, cardiac muscle contractility, neurotransmitter metabolism and vascular muscle cell contraction. These methods can be employed to identify compounds for use in therapeutic applications for disease processes in which dysfunction of the Na+—K+-ATPase contributes to a pathological process. The present invention also includes kits which are used in the methods provided herein.

Abstract: Telomerase peptides that bind MHC are disclosed. The instant application also discloses vaccines containing said peptides and methods of using said peptides to enhance a CTL response against mammalian cancer cells.

Abstract: The invention generally relates compositions and methods for the treatment of patients with melanoma and other malignant cancers. The compositions of the present invention are novel peptide sequences that inhibit seprase-mediated cell migration. Said sequences may also be used for diagnostics and library screening protocols.

Abstract: A vehicle roof rack assembly (50) including a pair of clamp assemblies (11) that secure a roof rack bar (10) to the rails (12) of a vehicle having a roof over which the bar (10) is extend. Each clamp assembly (11) includes a pivotally mounted jaw member (26) that co-operates with a jaw (16) to engage the vehicle rail (12).

Abstract: The present invention relates to plant genes involved in regulating flowering, and especially to genes involved in the induction of flowering in response to cold, or vernalization. In particular, the present invention provides the identification, cloning, and characterization of genes involved in vernalization, and specifically of VIP genes, as well as to the proteins encoded by these genes, and to methods of using the VIP genes and proteins. Mutants of VIP genes, where the mutation is a knock-out mutation, confer a vernalization independence, or constitutively vernalized, phenotype in a plant which in the non-mutant form requires vernalization to flower.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monoclonal antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof having binding specificity for ouabain, wherein the antibody or antigen binding fragment does not crossreact with digoxin. Preferably the anti-ouabain monoclonal antibody can bind ouabain with an affinity of at least about 10?7M, preferably 10?8M, and more preferably 10?9M. The invention also relates to diagnostic and therapeutic uses of the monoclonal antibodies described herein.

Abstract: A new class of imidazolines as 4-position acids or esters with very potent anti-inflammatory as well as antimicrobial activity is described. The synthesis of these imidazolines includes a multicomponent reaction applicable to a combinatorial synthetic approach. The combination of these two key characteristics provides an effective therapeutic drug in the treatment of septic shock as well as many other inflammatory (arthritis and asthma) and infectious disorders. The use of this novel class of non-steroidal agents as anti-inflammatory agents (for the treatment of asthma, etc.), antibacterial agents, and antiseptic agents is described. The compounds are also useful in the treatment of tumors (such as cancers). The imidazolines are potent inhibitors of the transcription factor NF-?B as well as potent activity against the Gram (+) bacterium. The compositions are also useful for treating autoimmune diseases and for inhibiting rejection of organ and tissue transplants.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the in situ growth, freezing and testing of cultured cells. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions for the long-term preservation of cells in ready-to-use formats for testing. In addition, the present invention provides rapid and easy to use means to diagnose viral and other infections. Furthermore, the present invention provides easy to use means to grow and store cells in situ for testing methods. Indeed, the present invention makes viral, chlamydial and other diagnostic methods accessible to small laboratories, including those without cell culture capabilities.

Abstract: The present invention provides modified cyclic nucleotide gated (CNG) channels. In particularly preferred embodiments, the modified CNG channels exhibit increased sensitivity and specificity for cAMP, as compared to wild-type CNG channels. In additional embodiments, regulation by Ca2+-calmodulin has been removed in the modified CNG channels. Convenient optical methods for detecting changes in cAMP, taking advantage of the Ca2+ permeability of the channel are also provided by the present invention. In addition, electrophysiological methods are further provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to agents and conjugates that can be used to detect and isolate target components from complex mixtures such as nucleic acids from biological samples, cells from bodily fluids, and nascent proteins from translation reactions. Agents comprise a detectable moiety bound to a photoreactive moiety. Conjugates comprise agents coupled to substrates by covalent bounds which can be selectively cleaved with the administration of electromagnetic radiation. Targets substances labeled with detectable molecules can be easily identified and separated from a heterologous mixture of substances. Exposure of the conjugate to radiation releases the target in a functional form and completely unaltered. Using photocleavable molecular precursors as the conjugates, label can be incorporated into macromolecules, the nascent macromolecules isolated and the label completely removed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and novel devices for treating tracheobronchitis, bronchiectasis and pneumonia in the intubated patient, preferably with aerosolized anti gram-positive and anti-gram negative antibiotics administered in combination or in seriatim in reliably sufficient amounts for therapeutic effect. In one aspect, the invention assures this result when aerosol is delivered into the ventilator circuit. In one embodiment the result is achieved mechanically. In another embodiment, the result is achieved by aerosol formulation. In another aspect, the invention assures the result when aerosol is delivered directly to the airways distal of the ventilator circuit. The devices eliminate the dosage variability that ventilator systems engender when aerosols are introduced via the ventilator circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hepatitis virus core proteins and nucleic acids. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods comprising recombinant hepatitis virus core proteins or nucleic acids for use in vaccine formulations.