Abstract: The invention relates to the use of ?-glycolipids as immunomodulators. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of ?-glycolipids, preferably, ?-lactosyl-ceramide, ?-glucosylceramide, ?-galactosyl-ceramide, ceramid and ?-lactosyl-ceramide, as well as any mixture or combination thereof for the treatment of immune related disorders. The present invention further relates to a process for the modulation of the Th1/Th2 cell balance toward anti-inflammatory cytokine producing cells, in a subject suffering from an immune related disorder. Therapeutic compositions and method for the preparation of these compositions are also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides for labeling reagents, labeled targets and processes for preparing labeling reagents. The labeling reagents can take the form of cyanine dyes, xanthene dyes, porphyrin dyes, coumarin dyes or composite dyes. These labeling reagents are useful for labeling probes or targets, including nucleic acids and proteins. These reagents can be usefully applied to protein and nucleic acid probe based assays. They are also applicable to real-time detection processes.

Abstract: This invention provides novel processes for amplifying nucleic acid sequences of interest, including linear and non-linear amplification. In linear amplification, a single initial primer or nucleic acid construct is utilized to carry out the amplification process. In nonlinear amplification, a first initial primer or nucleic acid construct is employed with a subsequent initial primer or nucleic acid construct. In other non-linear amplification processes provided by this invention, a first initial primer or nucleic acid construct is deployed with a second initial primer or nucleic acid construct to amplify the specific nucleic acid sequence of interest and its complement that are provided. A singular primer or a singular nucleic acid construct capable of non-linear amplification can also be used to carry out non-linear amplification in accordance with this invention.

Abstract: This invention provides novel processes for amplifying nucleic acid sequences of interest, including linear and non-linear amplification. In linear amplification, a single initial primer or nucleic acid construct is utilized to carry out the amplification process. In non-linear amplification, a first initial primer or nucleic acid construct is employed with a subsequent initial primer or nucleic acid construct. In other non-linear amplification processes provided by this invention, a first initial primer or nucleic acid construct is deployed with a second initial primer or nucleic acid construct to amplify the specific nucleic acid sequence of interest and its complement that are provided. A singular primer or a singular nucleic acid construct capable of non-linear amplification can also be used to carry out non-linear amplification in accordance with this invention.