Abstract: An electronic computer keyboard is constructed to provide the minimum keystroke resistance sufficient to prevent accidental switch closures otherwise resulting from the weight of the operator's fingers resting on the keys. This forces the operator to move his or her hands over the keyboard with locked wrists. It also eliminates the need of the operator to hold his or her hands up to prevent inadvertent key depressions thereby reducing stress and fatigue on the operator's shoulders, forearms, wrists and hands.

Abstract: Assay for detecting the amount or presence of target ligand in a sample. The assay includes a ligand analogue conjugate having a linkage site and a binding site, a ligand receptor, and a sample. The assay includes the steps of providing at least one crosstalk inhibitor. This inhibitor, under assay conditions, competes with the linkage site of the ligand analogue conjugate for binding to the ligand receptor, and does not compete with the binding site of the ligand analogue conjugate for binding to the ligand receptor. In the invention, the assay is performed for the target ligand in the presence of a sufficient amount of the crosstalk inhibitor to reduce the amount of binding of the linkage site of the ligand analogue conjugate to the ligand receptor. The invention also features a method for identifying crosstalk inhibitors, and the crosstalk inhibitors themselves.

Abstract: Compounds which are non-natural galanin receptor ligands are disclosed. The ligands are of small size, have agonist or antagonist galanin activity and may cross the blood-brain barrier to displace galanin from galanin receptors. The ligands are useful as medicaments for treatment of convulsions (e.g. in epilepsy), diseases and disorders related to endocrinology (e.g., growth hormone, insulin or prolactin release), tumors expressing galanin receptors, feeding disorders pain, allodynia, psychiatric disorders such as depression (involving e.g., noradrenaline or serotonin), cognitive disorders (e.g. Alzeimer's disease), and the like.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for use in the rapid and simultaneous screening of one or more samples for one or more polymorphisms in the TIGR gene. The methods and compositions of the present invention can be used to rapidly determine if polymorphisms in a gene encoding the TIGR protein are present in the genome of a subject. Identifying which polymorphisms are present in an individual can permit the diagnosis or prediction of the risk of glaucoma in the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for detecting and analyzing clonal T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement using temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TTGE), which employs a gradual and uniform increase in the temperature of a constant denaturing gel to resolve different DNA molecules based on base pair composition. The present invention also provides methods and compositions for providing appropriate DNA migration markers for TTGE analysis.

Abstract: The present invention features compounds able to modulate one or more activities of an inorganic ion receptor and methods for treating diseases or disorders using such compounds. Preferred compounds can mimic or block the effect of extracellular calcium on a cell surface calcium receptor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to materials and methods for cloning porcine animals. The invention relates in part to totipotent cells useful for cloning porcine animals, porcine embryos produced from such cells by employing nuclear transfer techniques, and porcine animals that arise from such cells and embryos.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for determining the presence and/or amount of Borrelia burgdorferi nucleic acids in a test sample related to Lyme disease. In particular, substantially purified oligonucleotide primers and probes are described that can be used for qualitatively and quantitatively detecting Borrelia burgdorferi nucleic acid in a test sample by amplification methods. The present invention also provides primers and probes for generating and detecting control nucleic acid sequences that provide a convenient method for assessing internal quality control of the Borrelia burgdorferi assay.

Abstract: The present invention describes a novel method for the solid phase synthesis of polyamides containing imidazole and pyrrole carboxamides. The polyamides are prepared on a solid support from aromatic carboxylic acids and aromatic amines with high stepwise coupling yields (>99%), providing milligram quantities of highly pure polyamides. The present invention also describes the synthesis of analogs of the natural products Netropsin and Distamycin A, two antiviral antibiotics. The present invention also describes a novel method for the solid phase synthesis of imidazole and pyrrole carboxamide polyamide-oligonucleotide conjugates. This methodology will greatly increase both the complexity and quantity of minor-groove binding polyamides and minor-groove binding polyamide-oligonucleotide conjugates which can be synthesized and tested.

Abstract: Assay device structures for a device where fluid flows from a one region to another. The device structures comprising one or more capillarity-inducing structures; where the capillarity-inducing structure induces capillary force along an axis that is essentially perpendicular to the axis along which capillary force induced in another region of the device.

Abstract: The invention relates in part to novel methods of rapidly determining the ratio of biological molecules. The invention also relates in part to a kit for rapidly determining the ratio of biological molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cost effective analytical instruments for determining the presence or amount of an analyte in a sample. The analytical instruments utilize an assay cartridge which has a sample receiving port and a rotatable carousel containing a plurality of reagent wells. Each reagent well includes a piston element for delivery of reagent to a test surface. The instrument is capable of indexing the assay cartridge to deliver sample and reagents to a test surface in a predetermined and flexibile manner, thus providing an assay protocol which is specific to the type of sample under analysis. The invention also relates to components, features, disposables, reagent delivery systems, accessories, and methods for using such instruments. Appropriate applications include infectious disease testing, cancer detection and monitoring, therapeutic drug level monitoring, allergy testing, environmental testing, food testing, diagnostic testing of human and veterinary samples, and off-line process testing.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for forming complexes between dsDNA and oligomers of heterocycles, aliphatic amino acids, particularly omega-amino acids, and a polar end group. By appropriate choice of target sequences and composition of the oligomers, complexes are obtained with low dissociation constants. The formation of complexes can be used for identification of specific dsDNA sequences, for inhibiting gene transcription, and as a therapeutic for inhibiting proliferation of undesired cells or expression of undesired genes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cloning technologies. The invention relates in part to immortalized and totipotent cells useful for cloning animals, the embryos produced from these cells using nuclear transfer techniques, animals that arise from these cells and embryos, and materials, methods, and processes for establishing such cells, embryos, and animals.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the calibration of detection and/or quantification assays for a wide variety of analytes in wet or dry chemistry assay systems. The invention involves the use of a reagent and calibrator, which provide a detectable signal after reacting with the analyte to be assayed for. In preferred embodiments the calibrator is provided in gross excess. A mathematical relationship is provided that relates a reaction measurement of the analyte sample with the reagent and a reaction measurement of the calibrator with the reagent as an equation that defines a three dimensional surface. This relationship may be used to calibrate the detection and/or quantification assay.

Abstract: Compositions for stabilizing polypeptides or antigens are described. These compositions are useful for stabilizing polypeptides or antigens stored in aqueous formulations. Such formulations can be used for various analytical or other methods.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for the detection and quantitation of cardiac specific troponin I and troponin T in samples. Cardiac-specific troponin isoforms exist in various forms in the blood, including free and complexed forms. By selecting antibodies that are sensitive and/or insensitive to these various forms, the present invention can provide immunoassays that more accurately reflect the clinical state of an individual. These described methods and compositions can be used for providing indicators of myocardial infarction and other cardiac pathologies.

Abstract: The present invention provides chimeric receptors. The chimeric receptors comprise at least one region homologous to a region of a metabotropic glutamate receptor and at least one region homologous to a region of a calcium receptor. The invention also includes methods of preparing such chimeric receptors, and methods of using such receptors to identify and characterize compounds which modulate the activity of metabotropic glutamate receptors or calcium receptors. The invention also relates to compounds and methods for modulating metabotropic glutamate receptor activity and binding to metabotropic glutamate receptors. Modulation of metabotropic glutamate receptor activity can be used for different purposes such as treating neurological disorders and diseases, inducing an analgesic effect, cognition enhancement, and inducing a muscle-relaxant effect.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods, compositions, kits, and devices for detecting cardiac ischemia, hypoxia, or other causes of heart failure in a mammal by obtaining a test sample from a mammal, measuring a level of a non-polypeptidic cardiac marker in the test sample, and determining if the level of the cardiac marker measured in said test sample correlates with cardiac ischemia or hypoxia or another form of heart failure.

Abstract: The present invention features calcilytic compounds. “calcilytic compounds” refer to compounds able to inhibit calcium receptor activity. Also described are the use of calcilytic compounds to inhibit calcium receptor activity and/or achieve a beneficial effect in a patient; and techniques which can be used to obtain additional calcilytic compounds.