Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purifying bacterial cytolysins such as pneumococcal pneumolysin. A single chromatography step produces excellent purification of the cytolysin by binding soluble aggregated cytolysin to a hydrophobic interaction chromatography material in the presence of detergent and high salt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel MAGE3 polypeptides, including a fragment of MAGE3 fused to an immunological fusion partner, and compositions thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purifying bacterial cytolysins such as pneumococcal pneumolysin. A single chromatography step produces excellent purification of the cytolysin by binding soluble aggregated cytolysin to a hydrophobic interaction chromatography material in the presence of detergent and high salt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of Serum Bactericidal Activity (SBA) assays for Gram negative bacteria, in particular N. meningitidis. The SBA assay is the most important method for measuring functional activity of serum antibodies against meningococcus. In order to determine whether a subject or a population is seropositive against invasive meningococcus the SBA test should ideally be both sensitive and specific. The inventors have found the standard N. meningitidis serotype A and W SBAs can be significantly improved in this regard.

Abstract: Methods of assessing the risk of clinical signs of hypersensitivity reaction to nucleoside antiviral compounds, including abacavir, are described. The methods include genotyping subjects for polymorphisms in the TNF? gene, the class 1 HLA genes, or a combination of both the TNF? and HLA genes.

Abstract: Methods of assessing the risk of clinical signs of hypersensitivity reaction to nucleoside antiviral compounds, including abacavir, are described. The methods include genotyping subjects for polymorphisms in the TNF? gene, the class 1 HLA genes, or a combination of both the TNF? and HLA genes.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to HER-2/neu fusion proteins, nucleic acid molecules encoding HER-2/neu fusion proteins, viral vectors expressing HER-2/neu fusion proteins, and pharmaceutical compositions (e.g., vaccines) comprising the HER-2/neu fusion proteins and/or nucleic acid molecules encoding the HER-2/neu fusion proteins. The present invention is also directed to methods of treating or preventing cancer by eliciting or enhancing an immune response to the HER-2/neu protein, including for uses in the treatment of malignancies associated with the HER-2/neu oncogene.

Abstract: A method of identifying a modulator Nogo function, the method comprising: (i) providing (a) a BACE polypeptide; (b) a Nogo polypeptide; (c) a test agent under conditions that would permit binding of a BACE polypeptide (a) to a Nogo polypeptide (b) in the absence of the test agent (c) wherein said BACE polypeptide (a) is BACE or a variant thereof or a fragment of either thereof capable of binding Nogo; and polypeptide (b) is Nogo or a variant thereof or a fragment of either thereof capable of binding BACE; (ii) monitoring Nogo mediated activity; and (iii) determining thereby whether the test agent is a modulator of Nogo activity. Modulators identified by a method of the invention and use of such modulators in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of disorders responsive to the modulation of Nogo activity such as acute neuronal injury.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to Her-2/neu fusion proteins, nucleic acid molecules encoding Her-2/neu fusion proteins, viral vectors expressing Her-2/neu fusion proteins, and pharmaceutical compositions (e.g., vaccines) comprising the Her-2/neu fusion proteins and/or nucleic acid molecules encoding the Her-2/neu fusion proteins. The present invention is also directed to methods of treating or preventing cancer by eliciting or enhancing an immune response to the Her-2/neu protein, including for uses in the treatment of malignancies associated with the Her-2/neu oncogene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the deracemisation or chiral inversion of chiral amines by enzymatic treatment. The method employs a stereoselective enzymatic conversion and either a non-selective or partially selective chemical or enzymatic conversion, simultaneously or sequentially. The invention also provides a method for selecting a suitable enzyme, particularly a suitable amine oxidase, and for the generation of novel enzymes suitable for use in the deracemisation method.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to HER-2/neu fusion proteins, nucleic acid molecules encoding HER-2/neu fusion proteins, viral vectors expressing HER-2/neu fusion proteins, and pharmaceutical compositions (e.g., vaccines) comprising the HER-2/neu fusion proteins and/or nucleic acid molecules encoding the HER-2/neu fusion proteins. The present invention is also directed to methods of treating or preventing cancer by eliciting or enhancing an immune response to the HER-2/neu protein, including for uses in the treatment of malignancies associated with the HER-2/neu oncogene.

Abstract: Viral proteins with sequence and functional similarity to the drosophila cell death protein known as Reaper are provided. Reaper plays an important role in the apoptotic pathway. Methods using the viral proteins and nucleotides encoding such proteins are described.

Abstract: A method for the identification of a modulator of the interaction between latency asssociated peptide (LAP) of transforming growth factor ?1 (TGF-?1) and the integrin avb3, which method comprises: (a) providing, as a first component, LAP-?1 or a functional variant thereof (b) providing, as a second component, integrin avb3 or a functional variant thereof (c) contacting the two components with a test product under conditions that, in the absence of the test product, would permit the two components to interact; and (d) determining whether the test product is capable of modulating the interaction between the first and second components, thereby to determine whether the test product is a modulator of the interaction between LAP-?1 and integrin avb3.

Abstract: Methods for the treatment of cholestatic liver disease and reduction and prevention of hepatic injury resulting from cholestasis via administration of a FXR ligand are provided.

Abstract: The present invention includes nuclear receptor heterodimer and nuclear receptor-coactivator peptide 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 provides a recombinant DNA construct comprising a coding sequence encoding human ASP2 and a brain-specific calcium calmodulin kinase promoter sequence which is operably linked to the coding sequence. The present invention further provides a transgenic non-human animal whose genome incorporates a polynucleotide comprising a coding sequence which encodes the human ASP2 protein wherein the coding sequence is operably linked to a brain-specific calcium calmodulin kinase II promoter.

Abstract: Correlations between polymorphisms in the 5-lipoxygenase gene, or polymorphisms in the leukotriene C4 synthase gene, and a subject's phenotypic response to treatment with a leukotriene receptor antagonist for respiratory disease are described. Methods of screening subjects to aid in treatment, and methods of screening therapeutic compounds, are presented.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of identifying therapeutic agents which inhibit triacyglycerol hydrolase (TGH) activity, defined as TGH inhibitors, which are useful in the treatment of conditions resulting from elevated circulating levels of TG, VLDL/LDL-cholesterol and ApoB-100. Also claimed are therapeutic agents which are TGII inhibitors, identifiable by such methods and their use in combating diseases associated with elevated circulating levels of TG, VLDL/LDL-cholesterol and ApoB-100.