Abstract: The present invention concerns the discovery that proteins encoded by a family of genes, termed here HDx-related genes, which are involved in the control of chromatin structure and, thus in transcription and translation. The present invention makes available compositions and methods that can be utilized, for example to control cell proliferation and differentiation in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: The invention demonstrates that NFATp and NFAT4 are required for the control of lymphocyte homeostasis and act as selective repressors of Th2 cells. The invention provides mice deficient in both NFATp and NFAT4 that exhibit a phenotype characteristic of increased Th2 cell activity. Methods for identifying modulators of Th2 cell activity, using either cells deficient in both NFATp and NFAT4, mice deficient in both NFATp and NFAT4, or indicator compositions containing both NFATp and NFAT4, are provided. Methods of regulating Th2 cell activity using agents that modulate the activity of NFATp and NFAT4 are also provided. Methods for diagnosing disorders associated with aberrant Th2 cell activity, by assessing changes in NFATp and/or NFAT4 expression, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for stereoselective or regioselective chemical synthesis which generally comprises reacting a nucleophile and a chiral or prochiral cyclic substrate in the presence of a non-racemic, chiral catalyst to produce a stereoisomerically- and/or regioisomerically-enriched product. The present invention also relates to hydrolytic kinetic resolutions of racemic and diastereomeric mixtures of epoxides.

Abstract: Electrical devices comprised of nanoscopic wires are described, along with methods of their manufacture and use. The nanoscopic wires can be nanotubes, preferably single-walled carbon nanotubes. They can be arranged in crossbar arrays using chemically patterned surfaces for direction, via chemical vapor deposition. Chemical vapor deposition also can be used to form nanotubes in arrays in the presence of directing electric fields, optionally in combination with self-assembled monolayer patterns. Bistable devices are described.

Abstract: Improved methods of forming a patterned self-assembled monolayer on a surface and derivative articles are provided. According to one method, an elastomeric stamp is deformed during and/or prior to using the stamp to print a self-assembled molecular monolayer on a surface. According to another method, during monolayer printing the surface is contacted with a liquid that is immiscible with the molecular monolayer-forming species to effect controlled reactive spreading of the monolayer on the surface. Methods of printing self-assembled molecular monolayers on nonplanar surfaces and derivative articles are provided, as are methods of etching surfaces patterned with self-assembled monolayers, including methods of etching silicon. Optical elements including flexible diffraction gratings, mirrors, and lenses are provided, as are methods for forming optical devices and other articles using lithographic molding.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel human and clam ubiquitin carrier polypeptides involved in the ubiquitination of cyclins A and/or B. Also disclosed are inhibitors of such polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides and inhibitors, antibodies specific for such polypeptides, and methods of their use.

Abstract: A method of identifying inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase-3 is provided. The method comprises providing a mixture comprising GSK-3, a phosphate source, and a GSK-3 substrate, incubating the mixture in the presence or absence of a test compound, and assessing the activity of GSK-3 in the mixture. A reduction of GSK-3 activity following incubation of the mixture in the presence of the test compound is an indication that the test compound is an inhibitor of GSK-3.

Abstract: Methods of generating a conjugate of MHC class I molecule and a compound via a cysteine residue engineered into the &bgr;2-M subunit. Also featured are uses of the conjugates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for stereoselective cycloaddition reactions which generally comprises a cycloaddition reaction between a pair of substrates, each either chiral or prochiral, that contain reactive &pgr;-systems, in the presence of a non-racemic chiral catalyst, to produce a stereoisomerically enriched product. The present invention also relates to novel asymmetric catalyst complexes comprising a metal and an asymmetric tridentate ligand.

Abstract: An article suitable for use as a biosensor includes a molecule of a formula X—R—Ch adhered to a surface of the article as part of a self-assembled monolayer. X is a functionality that adheres to the surface, R is a spacer moiety, and Ch is a chelating agent. A metal ion can be coordinated by the chelating agent, and a polyamino acid-tagged biological binding partner of a target biological molecule coordinated to the metal ion. A method of the invention involves bringing the article into contact with a medium containing or suspected of containing the target biological molecule and allowing the biological molecule to biologically bind to the binding partner. The article is useful particularly as a surface plasmon resonance chip.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel human and clam ubiquitin carrier polypeptides involved in the ubiquitination of cyclins A and/or B. Also disclosed are inhibitors of such polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides and inhibitors, antibodies specific for such polypeptides, and methods of their use.

Abstract: Molecular clones of feline leukemia virus isolates that encode (a) a prototype highly infectious, minimally pathogenic virus, (b) a variant genome that is replication-defective and associated with a fatal immunodeficiency in cats similar to AIDS (FAIDS) or (c) a chimeric genome that is replication-competent and induces FAIDS. These molecular clones may be used to generate cell lines producing infectious virus which is useful in the preparation of vaccines or in the generation of viremia or disease challenge systems.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel medical devices, particular well-suited for sustained delivery of therapeutically-significant substances. Also disclosed are methods of making and using these delivery devices. Using these devices and methods the present invention teaches sustained, targeted and reversible delivery of immunostimulating agents, as well as therapeutic agents such as enzymes, hormones and neurotransmitters, to name but a few.

Abstract: A liquid precursor is provided for the formation of metal oxide films comprising a mixture of two ro more types of beta-diketonate ligands bound to one or more metals. For example, a liquid mixture was formed of the mixed aluminum beta-diketonates derived from two or more of the ligands 2,6-dimethyl-3,5-heptanedione; 2,7-dimethyl-3,5-heptanedione; 2,6-dimethyl-3,5-octanedione; 2,2,6-trimethyl-3,5-heptanedione; 2,8-dimethyl-4,6-nonanedione; 2,7-dimethyl-4,6-nonanedione; 2,2,7-trimethyl-3,5-octanedione; and 2,2,6-trimethyl-3,5-octanedione. Films of metal oxides are deposited from vaporized precursor mixtures of metal beta-diketonates and, optionally, oxygen or other sources of oxygen. This process may be used to deposit high-purity, transparent metal oxide films on a substrate. The liquid mixtures may also be used for spray coating, spin coating and sol-gel deposition of materials.

Abstract: An aortic-preferentially-expressed gene-1 (APEG-1) polypeptide, DNA sequences encoding and controlling the transcription of APEG-1, methods of diagnosing vascular injury, and methods of inhibiting vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by increasing the level of APEG-1 at the site of vascular injury.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and kits for determining the extent of interaction and/or inactivation between a cyclin/cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor and the human papilomavirus E7 oncoprotein and thus for evaluating the proliferative state of a transformed cell. Methods for identifying compounds capable of inhibiting the interaction between a cyclin/cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor and the human papilomavirus E7 oncoprotein, and for inhibiting growth of a human papillomavirus-associated carcinoma cell are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides improvements in the expression cloning method for isolating novel cDNA clones. In particular, in the expression cloning method comprising the steps of preparing a cDNA library from a cell that expresses a desired protein; inserting the cDNA library into an expression vector; inserting the cDNA library into bacterial cells and culturing the bacterial cells to produce individual bacterial colonies; collecting pools of a predetermined number of individual bacterial colonies; isolating the cDNAs contained in the pools; expressing proteins encoded by the cDNAs; and detecting the desired protein, positive clones may be efficiently and cost-effectively obtained by collecting pools of about 100 individual bacterial colonies and expressing proteins encoded by the cDNAs in the pools in vitro.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for regulating formation of a complex of a plasminogen activator, its receptor and one of its inhibitors. More specifically, this method involves contacting a target cell having a plasminogen activator receptor with a compound which interacts with a component of the complex such that a change in target cell cytoskeletal stiffness results.

Abstract: The applicant has identified a particular class of imidazoles that inhibit endothelial cell, vascular smooth muscle cell and fibroblast proliferation. These imidazoles can be used to beneficially treat a variety of arteriosclerotic conditions.

Abstract: A method for the use of light pressure to optically center a lens on a source of emitted light with submicron accuracy. In one aspect the method uses light pressure to optically center a lens on a source of emitted light, where the lens is then fixed in place. In another aspect the method uses light pressure to create an optically centered lens from a dielectric liquid on a source of emitted light, the shaped lens is then fixed to form an optically aligned permanent lens. By choosing the appropriate lens the light emitted from the source can be either focused or collimated.