Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preventing and/or treating pancreatitis in a subject, the method including administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a Galanin antagonist and/or a Galanin receptor antagonist.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acid molecules for use in detecting a target nucleic acid molecule which is a member of a class of nucleic acid molecules and which is characterised by a specific variant region, said nucleic acid molecule comprising (i) a nucleic acid stem region which comprises a nucleic acid interaction site directed to a conserved region of the class of which said target nucleic acid molecule is member, or part thereof and which conserved region is located proximally to a variant region; operate y linked to (ii) a nucleic acid recognition region comprising at least two nucleotides. The nucleic acids are used in arrays and are an efficient means of screening molecules exhibiting a unique nucleotide sequence within a randomly varying population. The invention is useful in monitoring the effectiveness of therapeutic drug therapies and the progression of medical conditions, characterised by the presence of clonal populations of cells, particularly clonal lymphocyte populations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preventing and/or treating pancreatitis in a subject, the method including administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a Galanin antagonist and/or a Galanin receptor antagonist.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of detecting an aberrant population of cells in a subject and, more particularly, to a method of qualitatively and/or quantitatively detecting a clonal population of aberrant cells in a subject by ‘screening for mitochondrial DNA mutations. The method of the present invention is useful in a range of applications including, but not limited to, diagnosing a condition characterised by the presence of a clonal population of aberrant cells (such as a neoplastic condition), monitoring the progression of such a condition, predicting the likelihood of a subject's relapse from a remissive state to a disease state or for assessing the effectiveness of existing therapeutic drugs and/or new therapeutic agents. In a related aspect, the present invention also provides a method of characterising clonal populations of aberrant cells by determining the nature and range of mitochondrial DNA mutations expressed by a specific population of aberrant cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for diversification of heterologous DNA sequences in vivo. The present invention employs a recombination hotspot functionally coupled to the heterologous DNA. The process of recombination generates new versions of the foreign sequences by recombining their differences in new combinations. Errors in recombination generate additional sequence diversity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for modulating cellular activity. The invention is particularly suited for delivering an agent which modulates cellular activity to a neuronal cell. In a typical embodiment, a composition of the invention includes an agent associated with a neuronal tracer which associates with a neuron to facilitate uptake of the agent by the neuron cell body.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for diversification of heterologous DNA sequences in vivo. The present invention employs a recombination hotspot functionally coupled to the heterologous DNA. The process of recombination generates new versions of the foreign sequences by recombining their differences in new combinations. Errors in recombination generate additional sequence diversity.

Abstract: A solid medium for storage of DNA, including blood DNA, comprising a solid matrix having a compound or composition which protects against degradation of DNA incorporated into or absorbed on the matrix. Methods for storage of DNA using this solid medium, and for recovery of DNA or in situ use of DNA are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dry solid medium for storage of genetic material, including RNA and DNA, in a form suitable for subsequent analysis. The invention also provides a dry solid medium including components which function in subsequent analysis of the genetic material using, for example, PCR, reverse transcriptase initiated PCR, LCR, RFLP, or genetic hybridization. The components for subsequent analysis include, for example, nucleotide sequences such as a primer and a target sequence stabilizer.The invention further provides methods for using the dry solid medium of the invention. The invention and methods thereof are particularly suited for analysis in automated systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dry solid medium for storing a sample of a genetic material, including RNA and DNA, in a form suitable for subsequent analysis. The dry solid medium of the invention includes a dry solid matrix and a composition including a protein denaturing agent, and a chelating agent. The dry solid medium can further include a component which functions in subsequent analysis of the genetic material using, for example, PCR, reverse transcriptase initiated PCR, LCR, RFLP, or genetic hybridization. A component for subsequent analysis includes, for example, a nucleotide sequences such as a primer, DNA or RNA probe, and a target sequence stabilizer. The dry solid medium can also include a retaining agent to enhance retention of a component for subsequent analysis. The invention also provides methods for using the dry solid medium of the invention. The dry solid media and methods of use thereof are particularly suited for use in automated systems.

Abstract: A solid medium for storage of DNA, including blood DNA, comprising a solid matrix having a compound or composition which protects against degradation of DNA incorporated into or absorbed on the matrix. Methods for storage of DNA using this solid medium, and for recovery of DNA or in situ use of DNA are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dry solid medium for storage of genetic material, including RNA and DNA, in a form suitable for subsequent analysis. The invention also provides a dry solid medium including components which function in subsequent analysis of the genetic material using, for example, PCR, reverse transcriptase initiated PCR, LCR, RFLP, or genetic hybridization. The components for subsequent analysis include, for example, nucleotide sequences such as a primer and a target sequence stabilizer. The invention further provides methods for using the dry solid medium of the invention. The invention and methods thereof are particularly suited for analysis in automated systems.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the isolation of trophoblast (placental) cells from the blood of a pregnant mammal so as to provide the essential starting material, namely cells derived from the fetus, to enable genetic and/or biochemical information about the fetus to be obtained. In particular, this invention relates to the use of monoclonal antibodies specific for membrane protein markers on mammalian trophoblasts to isolate trophoblast cells from maternal blood. These cells may then be used to obtain fetal genetic and/or biochemical information early in pregnancy. The present invention is particularly relevant for detecting human fetal abnormalities.

Abstract: A solid medium for storage of DNA, including blood DNA, comprising a solid matrix having a compound or composition which protects against degradation of DNA incorporated into or absorbed on the matrix. Methods for storage of DNA using this solid medium, and for recovery of DNA or in situ use of DNA are also disclosed.