Abstract: The present invention provides combinatorial libraries of nucleoside analog compounds and methods of making the libraries. In addition, the present invention provides methods of assaying the libraries for agonists or antagonists of a broad array of targets of therapeutic importance.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for discovery of biomarkers that are useful for diagnosing, prognosticating, and monitoring the treatment efficacy, of various cancers. The invention also provides methods for diagnosing various forms of cancers using biomarkers identified in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: A fermentation apparatus is constructed to produce a known and repeatable amount of unpoisoned fermentation product using multiple fermentation vessels. To facilitate further processing compatible with other product processing steps, the fermentation apparatus has an array of sample vessels arranged in a container frame. The container frame is configured to hold the sample vessels during fermentation and to transport the vessel array to or from another processing station. Corresponding to the number of sample vessels in the sample vessel array, a cannula array is configured such that each cannula may be placed inside a sample vessel. The cannula array is attached to a gas distributor that delivers oxygen and/or one or more other gases from a gas source through the cannula into the sample vessel.

Abstract: General methods for the solution phase as well as solid phase synthesis of various substituted heteroaryls has been demonstrated. These substituted heteroaryls can be further elaborated by aromatic substitution with amines at elevated temperature or by anilines, boronic acids and phenols via palladium catalyzed cross-coupling reactions.

Abstract: This invention provides G protein-coupled receptors that are expressed in mammalian sensory neurons of dorsal root ganglia. Both nucleic acids that encode the receptors, and the receptor polypeptides are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides fluid handling systems and related methods that include weight scales for detecting weights of fluids disposed in fluid containers. The fluid handling systems, which are typically highly automated, provide for substantially continuous performance of methods that include the use of these fluid handling systems. The invention also provides kits that include various system components.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices, systems, and methods of manifolding or distributing materials to and/or from reaction wells of multiple reaction blocks. Materials are distributed through multiple surfaces of reaction blocks without exposing reaction well contents to external environments. The invention further provides reaction block carriers to array multiple reaction blocks for use in the manifolding devices and systems.

Abstract: The invention provides general methods for preparing 2,9-, 2,6,9-, O6-aryl- and O6-alkyl-substituted purines in a combinatorial and traceless fashion. The methods involve, in some embodiments, Mitsunobu alkylation of 2-fluoro-6-phenylsulfenylpurine at N9 with alcohols in solution, followed by C2-capture of the purine core with a resin-bound amine and subsequent oxidation and displacement of the C6 sulfonyl group with amines and anilines.

Abstract: A genetic screening methodology for rapid identification of candidate targets of any small molecule cellular effectors and other signals and modulators of cellular functions and pathways is provided. The effect of a small molecule or other signal on a cell is titrated by expressing within the cell cDNA that encodes a polypeptide that is the molecular target or that is responsible for directly or indirectly producing the molecular target.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for the solution-phase synthesis of arylbenzoxazoles. The methods involve condensation of aminophenols with benzaldehydes to form a Schiff base. The Schiff base is then induced to undergo oxidative cyclization in the presence of DDQ. The resulting arylbenzoxazoles can be separated from the reduced DDQ byproduct by treatment of reaction mixture with a strongly basic ion exchange resin.

Abstract: This invention provides novel genes and polypeptides of the sweet receptor family, methods for production of the polypeptides, methods for screening compounds that specifically bind to and/or modulate the activity of these polypeptides; and antibodies specific for the polypeptides.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for identification of proteins using high mass accuracy mass spectrometry. Not only do high mass accuracy measurements provide greater confidence in protein identification assignments, but they also enable proteins to be identified with either less sequence coverage or fewer additional tandem MS experiments. In addition, high mass measurement accuracy optionally allows protein identifications to be made on the basis of the mass of a single peptide, providing higher-throughputs in the analysis of mixtures due to the significant decrease in time spent on additional tandem MS experiments. In addition, a concomitant time saving in the cross correlation process of mass spectral data with in silico digested databases would also be achieved.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for preparing samples for MALDI mass spectrometry. The methods make possible the use of reagents that are normally considered unsuitable for MALDI in the preparation of a sample. Also provided are methods for internal calibration of a mass spectrometer, and methods for preparing sample supports.

Abstract: This invention provides methods, kits, and algorithms for obtaining molecular signatures of cells based on their gene expression profiles. Devices for carrying out molecular signature analysis of unknown samples are also provided.

Abstract: A gripper apparatus for grasping an object such as a specimen holder. The gripper apparatus comprises two arms. In one embodiment the arms are pivotable, and in a second embodiment, each arm includes a pivotable member. The arms are moveably coupled to each other and are structured to grasp the object therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention provides polynucleotides that a protein solubility responsive promoter operatively liked to a reporter gene and a genetic reporter system comprising these polynucleotides together with an expression construct for a target protein. The invention also provides cells comprising polynucleotides of the invention and the genetic reporter system. These compositions are useful to monitor the solubility of a target protein in a cell and to identify mutations to the cell or mutations to a polynucleotide encoding the target protein that alters the solubility of the target protein. The invention further provides method to identify variations in a protein biosynthetic process that alter the solubility of a target protein and methods to screen an expression library of recombinant clones to identify clones that express soluble proteins. Finally, the invention discloses a novel method of identifying an antibiotic agent.

Abstract: The specimen plate lid is generally a block, with a cover portion and a side portion. An alignment protrusion extends from the side portion and cooperates with an alignment member of the specimen plate to assist in manually or roboticly guiding the lid onto the specimen plate. An underside surface of the cover has a sealing perimeter for receiving a seal constructed from a compliant material, and shaped to cooperate with a complimentary sealing surface on the specimen plate. The lid is weighted so that when the lid is aligned and positioned on the specimen plate, the weight of the lid provides a gravitational force to sufficiently compress the seal against the sealing surface on the specimen plate. Accordingly, the lid is sufficiently sealed to the specimen plate to avoid contamination and impermissible drying.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and method for washing a biological chip cartridge. A washing station comprises a cartridge holder that includes at least two cartridge mounting tubes that are structured to retain the biological chip cartridge on the washing station without doors. At least one fluid source communicates with one of the mounting tubes and a waste dump communicates with another mounting tube. A fluid controller controls delivery of a fluid from the fluid source to the mounting tube.

Abstract: Non-peptide protease substrate libraries and high purity protease substrate libraries are constructed, e.g., using fluorogenic compounds. The libraries are useful in obtaining substrate profiles for a variety of proteases, such as methods for determining both prime and non-prime protease recognition sequences.

Abstract: The specimen plate lid is generally a block, with a cover portion and a side portion. An alignment protrusion extends from the side portion and cooperates with an alignment member of the specimen plate to assist in manually or roboticly guiding the lid onto the specimen plate. An underside surface of the cover has a sealing perimeter for receiving a seal constructed from a compliant material, and shaped to cooperate with a complimentary sealing surface on the specimen plate. The lid is weighted so that when the lid is aligned and positioned on the specimen plate, the weight of the lid provides a gravitational force to sufficiently compress the seal against the sealing surface on the specimen plate. Accordingly, the lid is sufficiently sealed to the specimen plate to avoid contamination and impermissible drying.