Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the propagation of lytic organisms which comprises the infection of the cells of a stable cell line within a hollow fibre bioreactor with a lytic organism, wherein after said infection, said organism multiplies within the cells and can be harvested, characteriscd in that the cell line can survive for at least ten days after said infection. The invention further provides a method as herein described wherein after harvest, the cell line is allowed to re-populate the bioreactor, and at least one subsequent harvest may be taken, with the cell line being able to repopulate the bioreactor after each harvest.

Abstract: Novel molecular chimaeras produced by recombinant DNA techniques are described. They comprise a target-tissue specific transcriptional regulatory sequence (TRS) linked and controlling the expression of a heterologous enzyme, for example Varicella Zoster Virus Thymidine Kinase (VZV TK) or non-mammaliam Cytosine Deaminase (CD). A molecular chimaera is packaged into a synthetic retroviral particle that is capable of infecting mammalian tissue. This, in turn, may be administered to a host, and the TRS will be selectively transcriptionally activated in the target tissue (for example cancerous cells). Administration of compounds that are selectively metabolised by the enzyme produce cytotoxic or cytostatic metabolites in situ thereby selectively killing or arresting the growth of the target cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for screening therapeutic agents, defined as SCAP antagonists, for use in combating diseases associated with elevated lipid levels, said method comprising detecting or assaying the extent or result of transcriptional activity or binding between a control SCAP antagonist and SCAP, in the presence of and absence of said agent. Also claimed are therapeuic agents which are antagonists of SCAP, identified by such a method and their use in combating diseases associated with elevated lipid levels.

Abstract: The present invention includes nuclear receptor heterodimer and nuclear receptor-coactivator pepetide assays for identifying ligands for nuclear receptors, utilizing scintillation proximity and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), and methods of using identified ligands.

Abstract: The present invention relates to human diacylglycerol kinase proteins (hDAGK) and particularly to human diacylglycerol kinase &bgr; (hDAGK&bgr;) protein, and to related nucleotide sequences, expression vectors, cell lines, antibodies, screening methods, compounds, methods of production and methods of treatment, as well as other related aspects.

Abstract: This invention relates to an IKK kinase protein, IKK3, nucleotides coding for it vectors and host cells containing the same and methods for screening for modulators of said IKK3 protein for treatment of conditions involving inflammation.

Abstract: Described are peptides and peptide mimetics that bind to and activate the thrombopoietin receptor. Such peptides and peptide mimetics are useful in methods for treating hematological disorders and particularly, thrombocytopenia resulting from chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or bone marrow transfusions as well as in diagnostic methods employing labeled peptides and peptide mimetics.

Abstract: Receptors are peptides and peptide mimetics that bind to and activate the thrombopoietin receptor. Such peptides and peptide mimetics are useful in methods for treating hematological disorders and particularly, thrombocytopenia resulting from chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or bone marrow transfusions as well as in diagnostic methods employing labeled peptides and peptide mimetics.

Abstract: Novel molecular chimaeras produced by recombinant DNA techniques are described. They comprise a target-tissue specific transcriptional regulatory sequence (TRS) linked and controlling the expression of a heterologous enzyme, for example Varicella Zoster Virus Thymidine Kinase (VZV TK) or non-mammaliam Cytosine Deaminase(CD). A molecular chimaera is packaged into a synthetic retroviral particle that is capable of infecting mammalian tissue. This, in turn, may be administered to a host, and the TRS will be selectively transcriptionally activated in the target tissue (for example cancerous cells). Administration of compounds that are selectively metabolised by the enzyme produce cytotoxic or cytostatic metabolites in situ thereby selectively killing or arresting the growth of the target cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding mutant human carboxypeptidase A enzymes, and encoding conjugates of targeting molecules and mutant human carboxypeptidase A enzymes. The invention further relates to vectors and cell lines containing such nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: Novel molecular chimaeras produced by recombinant DNA techniques are described. They comprise a target-tissue specific transcriptional regulatory sequence (TRS) linked and controlling the expression of a heterologous enzyme, for example Varicella Zoster Virus Thymidine Kinase (VZV TK) or non-mammaliam Cytosine Deaminase(CD). A molecular chimaera is packaged into a synthetic retroviral particle that is capable of infecting mammalian tissue. This, in turn, may be administered to a host, and the TRS will be selectively transcriptionally activated in the target tissue (for example cancerous cells). Administration of compounds that are selectively metabolised by the enzyme produce cytotoxic or cytostatic metabolites in situ thereby selectively killing or arresting the growth of the target cells.

Abstract: Described are peptides and peptide mimetics that bind to and activate the thrombopoietin receptor. Such peptides and peptide mimetics are useful in methods for treating hematological disorders and particularly, thrombocytopenia resulting from chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or bone marrow transfusions as well as in diagnostic methods employing labeled peptides and peptide mimetics.

Abstract: The transcriptional regulatory sequence (TRS) of Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) and molecular chimeras comprising the CEA TRS and DNA encoding a heterologous enzyme are described. Such molecular chimeras are capable of targeting the expression of the heterologous enzyme to CEA-positive cells. The heterologous enzyme may be cytosine deaminase.

Abstract: Conjugates of a cell targetting molecule and a mutant human carboxypeptidase A enzyme are provided. Suitable targetting molecules include antibodies, hormones, ligands, cytokines, antigens, oligonucleotides and peptidomimetics. Enzymes comprising a mutant human carboxypeptidase A enzyme are also provided.

Abstract: Described are peptides and peptide mimetics that bind to and activate the thrombopoietin receptor. Such peptides and peptide mimetics are useful in methods for treating hematological disorders and particularly, thrombocytopenia resulting from chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or bone marrow transfusions as well as in diagnostic methods employing labeled peptides and peptide mimetics.

Abstract: Polymorphisms in the cysteinyl-leukotriene receptor 2 gene and their association with asthma are described.