Abstract: The invention relates to methods for effecting qualitative and quantitative changes in the functional moieties expressed at the surface of cells and multi-cellular structures, and functional lipid constructs for use in such methods. In particular, the invention relates to functional lipid constructs and their use in diagnostic and therapeutic applications, including serodiagnosis, where the functional moiety is a carbohydrate, peptide, chemically reactive group, conjugator or fluorophore.

Abstract: The invention relates to selected carbohydrate-lipid constructs and their use as mimics of ligands for receptors expressed by virus. In particular, the invention relates to the use of selected carbohydrate-lipid constructs in methods of inhibiting virus infection and/or promoting clearance of virus from infected subjects. Carbohydrate-lipid constructs selected for use in these methods where the virus is Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are provided.

Abstract: A method of localizing reproduction assisting hyaluronic acid to reproductive cell surfaces by covalently linking it to lipids is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for effecting qualitative and quantitative changes in the functional moieties expressed at the surface of cells and multi-cellular structures, and functional lipid constructs for use in such methods. In particular, the invention relates to functional lipid constructs and their use in diagnostic and therapeutic applications, including serodiagnosis, where the functional moiety is a carbohydrate, peptide, chemically reactive group, conjugator or fluorophore.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of assaying Fc-function in an immunoglobulin containing sample by contacting the sample, in the presence of a complement, with red blood cells modified to incorporate a F-S-L peptide-lipid construct. The F-S-L peptide construct comprises a functional group (F) that is a target antigen for a complement activating immunoglobulin, a spacer group (S) covalently linking F to L and a lipid group (L). The present invention further discloses a specific construct, DOPE-Ad-CMG(2)-hCMV2 where the F group is an antigen of cytomegalovirus, that is used in assaying the Fc function of an intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) product.

Abstract: The invention relates to selected carbohydrate-lipid constructs and their use as mimics of ligands for receptors expressed by a virus. In particular, the invention relates to the use of selected carbohydrate-lipid constructs in methods of inhibiting virus infection and/or promoting clearance of virus from infected subjects. Carbohydrate-lipid constructs selected for use in these methods where the virus is Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are provided.

Abstract: Cells incorporating a synthetic molecule construct of the structure F—S1—S2-L where: F—S1 is an aminoalkylglycoside where F is a mono-, di-, tri- or oligo-saccharide and S1 is 2-aminoethyl, 3-aminopropyl, 4-aminobutyl, or 5-aminopentyl; S2 is —CO(CH2)2CO—, —CO(CH2)3CO—, —CO(CH2)4CO— or —CO(CH2)5CO—; and L is phosphatidylethanolamine.

Abstract: A method of localizing reproduction assisting hyaluronic acid to reproductive cell surfaces by covalently linking it to lipids is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for effecting qualitative and quantitative changes in the functional moieties expressed at the surface of cells and multi-cellular structures, and functional lipid constructs for use in such methods. In particular, the invention relates to functional lipid constructs and their use in diagnostic and therapeutic applications, including serodiagnosis, where the functional moiety is a carbohydrate, peptide, chemically reactive group, conjugator or fluorophore.

Abstract: Synthetic molecule construct of the structure F—S1—S2-L where F is an O-linked mono-, di-, tri- or oligo-saccharide, S1 is 2-aminoethyl, 3-aminopropyl, 4-aminobutyl, or 5-aminopentyl, S2 is —CO(CH2)2CO—, —CO(CH2)3CO—, —CO(CH2)4CO— or —CO(CH2)5CO—, and L is a diacyl- or dialkyl-glycerophospholipid.

Abstract: Peptide-lipid constructs of the structure L-S-F are disclosed, where F is a peptide, S is a spacer covalently linking F to L via an oligomer of ethylene glycol, and L is a diacyl- or dialkyl-glyccrolipid (including glyccrophospholipids). The spacer ideally has 6 to 14 ethylene glycol repeats, corresponding to PEG with a molecular weight of approximately 250 to 600. Also disclosed is a method of detecting reactive antibodies in serum by contacting serum with cells modified to incorporate a peptide-lipid construct, where the peptide is an epitope of the antibody, and determining the degree of agglutination of the cells.

Abstract: Peptide-lipid constructs of the structure L-S-F are disclosed, where F is a peptide, S is a spacer covalently linking F to L via an oligomer of ethylene glycol, and L is a diacyl- or dialkyl-glycerolipid (including glycerophospholipids). The spacer ideally has 6 to 14 ethylene glycol repeats, corresponding to PEG with a molecular weight of approximately 250 to 600. Also disclosed is a method of detecting reactive antibodies in serum by contacting serum with cells modified to incorporate a peptide-lipid construct, where the peptide is an epitope of the antibody, and determining the degree of aggluthination of the cells.

Abstract: The preparation and use of fluorescent cell markers of the structure F—S1—S2-L is described where F is a fluorophore, S1—S2 is a spacer linking F to L, and L is a diacyl lipid.

Abstract: A method of localising reproduction assisting hyaluronic acid to reproductive cell surfaces by covalently linking it to lipids is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to selected carbohydrate-lipid constructs and their use as mimics of ligands for receptors expressed by a virus. In particular, the invention relates to the use of selected carbohydrate-lipid constructs in methods of inhibiting virus infection and/or promoting clearance of virus from infected subjects. Carbohydrate-lipid constructs selected for use in these methods where the virus is Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to selected carbohydrate-lipid constructs and their use as mimics of ligands, for receptors expressed by virus. In particular, the invention relates to the use of selected carbohydrate-lipid constructs in methods of inhibiting virus infection and/or promoting clearance of virus from infected subjects. Carbohydrate-lipid constructs selected for use in these methods where the virus is Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are provided.

Abstract: Method of localizing hyaluronic acid to the surface of a cell or multi-cellular structure by contacting the cell or multi-cellular structure with a dispersion of a construct of the structure F—S1—S2-L where F—S1 is a polymer or oligomer of hyaluronic acid including a terminal glycamine residue (S1), S2 is —CO(CH2)4CO—, —CO(CH2)5CO— or —CO(CH2)6CO—, and L is a phosphatidylethanolamine.

Abstract: This invention relates to cells with modified blood group antigen expression. In particular, the invention relates to cells for use in haematology, immunohaemotology and immunology assays as serology controls.

Abstract: The invention relates to synthetic molecules that spontaneously and stably incorporate into lipid by-layers, including cell membranes. Particularly, although not exclusively, the invention relates to the use of these molecules as synthetic membrane anchors or synthetic molecule constructs to effect qualitative and quantitative changes in the expression of cell surface antigens.

Abstract: The invention relates to synthetic molecules that spontaneously and stably incorporate into lipid by-layers, including cell membranes. Particularly, although not exclusively, the invention relates to the use of these molecules as synthetic membrane anchors or synthetic molecule constructs to effect qualitative and quantitative changes in the expression of cell surface antigens.