Abstract: The invention provides novel genetic constructions for the expression of inhibitory RNA in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. The inhibitory RNA may be an anti-sense RNA or a co-suppressor RNA, and functions to reduce the expression of a gene of interest in the target cell. The genetic constructions of the invention are capable of replicating in the cytoplasm of a eukaryotic cell and comprise a promoter region in functional combination with an encoding polynucleotide. The genetic constructions may be designed so as to replicate in the cytoplasm of plant cells, yeast cells, and mammalian cells. When the eukaryotic cell of interest is a plant cell, the genetic construction is preferably derived from a plant RNA virus. Plant RNA virus derived genetic constructions may employ a plant virus subgenomic promoter, including subgenomic promoters from tobamoviruses in functional combination with the RNA encoding region.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the production of PKC isozyme &egr; (PKC&egr;)-deficient cells and non-human animals. The present invention is further directed to the identification of PKC&egr; as a target for drugs that reduce anxiety. According to the present invention, PKC&egr;-inhibiting compounds act in synergy with drugs acting at the GABAA receptor. The present invention is also directed to the use of modulators of PKC&egr; to modulate alcohol consumption, self-administration of other drugs of abuse, and the effects of alcohol consumption as well as the use of inhibitors of PKC&egr;, either alone or in conjunction with allosteric agonists of GABAA receptors, to treat conditions, such as addiction, withdrawal syndrome, skeletal muscle spasms, convulsive seizures, and epilepsy, that are amenable to treatment by allosteric agonists of GABAA receptors.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying components of a mixture by labeling the individual components with fluorescent agents having different fluorescence lifetimes. The components are subsequently separated, fluorescent labels detected and their lifetimes measured. Based on the measured fluorescent lifetimes, the components of mixtures of small organic molecules, polymers, peptides, saccharides and nucleic acids can be identified.

Abstract: The diagnosis of diabetes based on the level or ratio of P- and A-type inositolphosphoglycans (IPGs) in a sample from a patient is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides methods employing iterative cycles of recombination and selection/screening for evolution of whole cells and organisms toward acquisition of desired properties. Examples of such properties include enhanced recombinogenicity, genome copy number, and capacity for expression and/or secretion of proteins and secondary metabolites.

Abstract: Novelty Date Package with a series of stepped platforms forming a base for a package, each the platform having a plurality of recesses capable of removably retaining the lower portion of a date, a date retaining member for preventing the side to side motion of the dates on each platform, a laminated plastic and paper sleeve that surrounds the front and side portions of each date, each the sleeve having a printed image of a person, each the sleeve partially covering the front each date so that the sides and top of each date are visible, a removable and replaceable clear cover that slips over said stepped platform base that helps protect and retain said dates, and a graphic card member that covers a portion of the top, bottom and sides of said date package.

Abstract: The invention provides for a novel VZV gene, mutant VZV and immunogenic compositions based on such novel genes and mutant VZV. Also provided are proteins, diagnostic assays and methods of producing reconstructed VZV.

Abstract: Electrokinetic devices having a computer for correcting for electrokinetic effects are provided. Methods of correcting for electrokinetic effects by establishing the velocity of reactants and products in a reaction in electrokinetic microfluidic devices are also provided. These microfluidic devices can have substrates with channels, depressions, and/or wells for moving, mixing and monitoring precise amounts of analyte fluids.

Abstract: The role of the &egr; isozyme of protein kinase C (“PKC&egr;”) in pain perception, particularly hyperalgesia, methods of lessening pain through administration of inhibitors of PKC&egr;, methods of identifying compounds that modulate pain, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising an inhibitor of PKC&egr; and PKC&egr;-independent analgesic agent are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the discovery of a class of reagents that effectively form intramolecular disulfide bonds in peptides. Intermolecular disulfide linkage formation is low or essentially non-existent. In addition, preferred reagents of this invention are relatively mild and do not oxidize “vulnerable” residues in the subject peptide(s). In addition the reagents and reaction products are safe and essentially non-toxic. One particularly preferred reagent is [Pt(en)2Cl2]2+ where en is ethylenediamine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to parallel reaction devices that include reaction blocks having arrays of reaction wells. Devices of the invention also typically include lids having arrays of protrusions disposed thereon, which protrusions axially align with the reaction wells, and/or attachment components that include hinges that permit lids to be removed from reaction blocks.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices, systems, and methods measure viscosity, flow times, and/or other flow characteristics within the channels, and the measured flow characteristics can be used to generate a desired flow. Multi-reservoir pressure modulator and pressure controller systems, electrokinetic systems and/or other fluid transport mechanisms can generate the flow, controllably mix fluids, and the like.

Abstract: A method and/or system and/or apparatus for a molecular-based FET device (an m-FET) uses charge storing molecules between a gate and channel of an FET-type transistor. Further embodiments describe fabrication methods for using combinations of standard practices in lithography and synthetic chemistry and novel elements.

Abstract: Integrated systems, apparatus, software, and methods for performing biochemical analysis, including DNA sequencing, genomic screening, purification of nucleic acids and other biological components and drug screening are provided. Microfluidic devices, systems and methods for using these devices and systems for performing a wide variety of fluid operations are provided. The devices and systems of are used in performing fluid operations which require a large number of iterative, successive or parallel fluid manipulations, in a microscale, or sealed and readily automated format.

Abstract: Methods and devices for inducing high bulk hydrodynamic resistance and/or for inducing low electrical resistance in microscale systems including bulk viscosity enhancers, surfactants, and electrolytes. High bulk hydrodynamic resistance is optionally utilized to regulate the effects of spontaneous injection and/or dispersion. Induced high hydrodynamic resistance in conjunction with induced low electrical resistance are optionally utilized to provide and regulate electrical fields within microfluidic devices. Integrated systems incorporating the methods of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides novel peptides that ameliorate one or more symptoms of atherosclerosis. The peptides are highly stable and readily administered via an oral route.

Abstract: The present invention relates to foreign peptide sequences fused to recombinant plant viral structural proteins and a method of their production. Fusion proteins are economically synthesized in plants at high levels by biologically contained tobamoviruses. The fusion proteins of the invention have many uses. Such uses include use as antigens for inducing the production of antibodies having desired binding properties, e.g., protective antibodies, or for use as vaccine antigens for the induction of protective immunity, including immunity against parasitic infections.

Abstract: A system and method for preparing and dispensing fluid mixtures is provided. Fluid wells are positioned below a plurality of fluid dispensing devices, such as syringes configured to dispense fluid into the individual fluid wells. The fluid dispensing devices are configured to be positionable relative the fluid wells to enable different fluid dispensers to be sequentially positionable over a particular fluid well. A controller controls the relative movement between fluid wells and the fluid dispensing devices. In a preferred embodiment, the controller selectively moves multi-well vessels in one direction and moves the fluid dispensing devices in a second direction so that when directed by the controller, a selected fluid dispensing device is enabled to deposit a determined quantity of a fluid into a selected individual well of the multi-well vessels.

Abstract: This invention provides novel high density memory devices that are electrically addressable permitting effective reading and writing, that provide a high memory density (e.g., 1015 bits/cm3), that provide a high degree of fault tolerance, and that are amenable to efficient chemical synthesis and chip fabrication. The devices are intrinsically latchable, defect tolerant, and support destructive or non-destructive read cycles. In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a fixed electrode electrically coupled to a storage medium having a multiplicity of different and distinguishable oxidation states wherein data is stored in said oxidation states by the addition or withdrawal of one or more electrons from said storage medium via the electrically coupled electrode.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid sequences having an altered viral movement protein and 126/183 kDa replicase proteins further characterized in its ability to stabilize a transgene contained in a virus that expresses the altered movement protein. The present invention also provides viral vectors expressing the altered movement protein, cells transformed with the vectors, and host plants infected by the viral vectors.