Abstract: The present invention provides agents and compositions for modulating the apoptotic state of a cell. The agents comprise derivatives of antimycins which bind to an anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member protein. Further, the agents preferentially induce apoptosis in cells that over-express anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member proteins and typically exhibit reduced binding affinity for cytochrome B. Pharmaceutical uses of the agents and compositions include treating apoptosis-associated disease, such as neoplasia and drug resistance, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a highly processive reverse transcriptase having DNA polymerase activity and substantially reduced protease activity. More specifically, the invention relates to an isolated reverse transcriptase from foamy virus comprising a substantially inactivated protease. The invention also relates to vectors containing the gene and hosts transformed with the vector of the invention. Further, the invention relates to a method for producing reverse transcriptase having DNA polymerase activity and substantially reduced protease activity by expressing the reverse transcriptase genes of the present invention in a recombinant host. Methods are also provided for producing cDNA from polynucleotides using the highly processive reverse transcriptase of the invention. Kits for the preparation of cDNA from RNA comprising the highly processive reverse transcriptase of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: Hypercellular nonhuman organisms have functionally inactivated expression of a cyclin inhibitor gene, especially p27. The growth rate of nonhuman organisms are increased such that a desired size is attained more quickly than as compared to nonvariant organisms. Inhibitors of the p27 cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor protein or sequences encoding the protein modulate vertebrate cell cycle progression and increase the proportion of dividing cells to non-dividing cells in a population of treated cells. As the proportion of dividing cells increases, the cell population, e.g., hematopoietic progenitor (stem) cells, is more efficiently used for gene therapy applications. Transgenic animals and plants, and knockout alleles are provided.

Abstract: A tine carrier arrangement for a reel of a harvester for cereals has a tine carrier (1) rotatably attached on the reel around a rotational axis D. An adjustment element (3) is connectable to an adjustment arrangement of the reel for rotating the tine carrier (1) around the rotational axis D. The connection mechanism detachably connects the tine carrier (1) and the adjustment element (3) to each other to enable different rotational positions of the tine carrier relative to the rotational axis D.

Abstract: Arrays of HLA Class I oligonucleotide probes on a solid support are provided, wherein the probes are sufficient to represent at least 80% of the known polymorphisms in exons 2 and 3 of the HLA Class I locus.

Abstract: A method for identifying a compound that inhibits the NAD+-dependent deacetylase activity of a SIR2 protein is disclosed. These compounds are useful for the treatment of cancers and other diseases, through the activation of silenced genes, through the promotion of apoptosis in cancerous cells, and through the inhibition of transcriptional repressor activity in oncogenes.

Abstract: The amino acid sequence of the heavy chain polypeptide and the light chain polypeptide of the STRO-1 antibody is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for detecting and isolating cells expressing the STRO-1 cell surface protein.

Abstract: Transgenic, non-human animal model of cancer, methods of making such animals and methods of using such animals to screen test compounds are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for immortalizing precursor cells that are non-terminally differentiated cells such as stem cells, said methods comprising culturing the precursor cells in the presence of a Notch agonist and one or more growth factors that support the proliferation but not differentiation of the non-terminally differentiated cells. The present invention further provides methods to induce the differentiation of immortalized cells, comprising growing the cells in the presence of a Notch agonist and at least one growth factor which supports the differentiation of the cell into a more specialized cell type. The immortalized and/or differentiated cells of the invention can be used to repopulate cell populations that have been diminished, for example as a result of infection or exposure to certain drugs.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of identifying compounds that protect against ototoxicity induced by one or more noxious stimuli, and methods of treating an individual with compounds identified using the present screening methods. Also provided are compounds demonstrated to have otoprotective effects.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of polychalcogenide compositions on cells, tissue, organs, and organisms to enhance their survivability. It includes compositions, compounds, methods, articles of manufacture and apparatuses for enhancing survivability and for protecting them from or treating them for injury or damage. In specific embodiments, there are also therapeutic methods and apparatuses for hypoxic/ischemic injury, organ transplantation, hyperthermia, wound healing, hemorrhagic shock, cardioplegia for bypass surgery, neurodegeneration, hypothermia, and cancer using the polychalcogenide compositions described.

Abstract: A chlorotoxin conjugate detectable by fluorescence imaging that allows for intra-operative visualization of cancerous tissues, compositions that include the chlorotoxin conjugate, and methods for using the chlorotoxin conjugate.

Abstract: A therapeutic method of modulating the immune response, by administering to a patient an amount of IL-4 effective to promote peripheral blood lymphocyte adhesion to microvascular endothelial cells in lymphoid organs. The IL-4 is preferably coadministered with IL-1?. An improved method of screening a cell line for the production of a binding partner that binds with a cell adhesion molecule, by contacting the binding partner with IL4-activated and nonactivated microvascular endothelial cells, and selecting binding partners that bind to the IL4-activated microvascular endothelial cells but not to the nonactivated microvascular endothelial cells. The selected binding partners may thereafter be tested for the ability to block lymphocyte binding to cytokine-activated endothelial cells. The binding partners are preferably also characterized by binding to human VCAM-1 and to IL4- or TNF?-activated bone marrow stromal cells. A representative embodiment is mAb 6G10 produced by hybridoma ATTC No. HB10519.

Abstract: The present invention relates to germ line and somatic cells comprising a mutant p27kip1 protein lacking a Cdk2 phosphorylation site. Also provided are transgenic animals and methods of making such transgenic animals which have increased size and/or growth rate.

Abstract: Arrays of HLA Class I oligonucleotide probes on a solid support are provided, wherein the probes are sufficient to represent at least 80% of the known polymorphisms in exons 2 and 3 of the HLA Class I locus.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of oxygen antagonists for inducing stasis in cells, tissues, and/or organs in vivo or in an organism overall. It includes methods and apparatuses for achieving stasis in any of these biological materials, so as to preserve and/or protect them. In specific embodiments, therapeutic methods and apparatuses for organ transplantation, hyperthermia, wound healing, hemorrhagic shock, cardioplegia for bypass surgery, neurodegeneration, hypothermia, and cancer is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for immortalizing precursor cells that are non-terminally differentiated cells such as stem cells, said methods comprising culturing the precursor cells in the presence of a Notch agonist and one or more growth factors that support the proliferation but not differentiation of the non-terminally differentiated cells. The present invention further provides methods to induce the differentiation of immortalized cells, comprising growing the cells in the presence of a Notch agonist and at least one growth factor which supports the differentiation of the cell into a more specialized cell type. The immortalized and/or differentiated cells of the invention can be used to repopulate cell populations that have been diminished, for example as a result of infection or exposure to certain drugs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for specifically isolating and separating large segments of genomic DNA that can subsequently be used to determine a genomic haplotype. The invention relies on using a solid phase having a flat surface arrayed with oligonucleotides designed to specifically hybridize to each particular haplotype of an individual sample, e.g., oligonucleotides designed to specifically hybridize with each of the two HLA-B haplotypes, HLA-A, HLA-C, HLA-DR, HLA-DQ, and the like. The genomic DNA is contacted and hybridized to the arrayed oligonucleotides to form a genomic DNA/oligonucleotide complex. The excess genomic DNA is washed away and the haplotype separated genomic DNA is denatured from the oligonucleotide probe and collected. The method of the present invention allows for the separation of genomic DNA fragments of between approximately 2 to about 4 megabases (Mb).

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of oxygen antagonists for inducing stasis in cells, tissues, and/or organs in vivo or in an organism overall. It includes methods and apparatuses for achieving stasis in any of these biological materials, so as to preserve and/or protect them. In specific embodiments, therapeutic methods and apparatuses for organ transplantation, hyperthermia, wound healing, hemorrhagic shock, cardioplegia for bypass surgery, neurodegeneration, hypothermia, and cancer is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for specifically isolating and separating large segments of genomic DNA that can subsequently be used to determine a genomic haplotype. The invention relies on using a solid phase having a flat surface arrayed with oligonucleotides designed to specifically hybridize to each particular haplotype of an individual sample, e.g., oligonucleotides designed to specifically hybridize with each of the two HLA-B haplotypes, HLA-A, HLA-C, HLA-DR, HLA-DQ, and the like. The genomic DNA is contacted and hybridized to the arrayed oligonucleotides to form a genomic DNA/oligonucleotide complex. The excess genomic DNA is washed away and the haplotype separated genomic DNA is denatured from the oligonucleotide probe and collected. The method of the present invention allows for the separation of genomic DNA fragments of between approximately 2 to about 4 megabases (Mb).