Abstract: The invention provides materials and methods for colorectal cancer screening, diagnosis, and therapy.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated antibody or antibody fragment thereof that binds an extracellular epitope of a fibroblast growth factor receptor-4 (FGFR4) that is expressed by mammalian cells and inhibits cancer cell invasion. Optionally, the antibody or fragment thereof binds an epitope of FGFR4 that is bound by monoclonal antibody F90-10C5, or comprises complementarity determining regions identical to those of monoclonal antibody F90-10C5. Also provided are methods of using the antibody or fragment thereof to modulate invasion, ingrowth, or metastasis of cancer cells and treat cancer in a subject. The invention additionally provides a method of identifying an antibody or antibody fragment that inhibits invasiveness.

Abstract: The invention provides activated fibroblasts for the treatment of tissue and/or organ damage in a patient. Fibroblasts are activated by culturing the cells under conditions that induce the cells to adhere to each other and simultaneously to secrete growth factors, especially hepatocyte growth factor, HGF. The invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition based on the medium in which the activated fibroblasts are cultured. The invention further provides methods for transplantation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel neurotrophic factor protein, MANF2 and a genetic sequence encoding the same. The molecule will be useful in the development of a range of therapeutics and diagnostics useful in the treatment, prophylaxis and/or diagnosis of MANF2 dependent conditions. The molecule of the present invention is also a useful effector of primary and central neurons, especially dopaminergic neurons at the central nervous system and growth factor genes.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for assessing the presence of, or disposition to, an asbestos-related disorder in a subject. Particularly, the invention provides a method of identifying lung cancers associated with asbestos-exposure. The association is confirmed by the detection of allelic imbalance (AI) in at least one of the following chromosomal regions of lung cancer cells: 19p13.3-p13.1; 9q32-34.3; 2p21-p16.3; 16p13.3; 22q12.3-q13.1; and 5q35.3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cancer treatment and particularly to a method for predicting the response of a cancer subject to a given therapy. The invention provides a gene or gene product useful as a predictive marker for classifying the subjects. Also disclosed are diagnostic tools, test kits and compositions and their use in the method. The invention is based on the use of NAD(P)H:Quinone oxidoreductase 1, NQO1, which enables the identification and classification of subjects who would benefit from being excluded from a treatment, particularly from anthracycline-based adjuvant chemotherapy with epirubicin.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of treatment of neuronal disorders and more particularly to neurotrophic factor MANF and uses thereof. The present invention provides a pharmaceutical compound comprising MANF nucleic acid molecule, MANF protein or a functional fragment thereof for the treatment of a peripherial neuropathy including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, drug addiction and ischemic brain injury.

Abstract: The present invention relates to materials and methods for the treatment of arterial diseases having impaired arteriogenesis and angiogenesis. More particularly, the invention provides materials and methods for treating arterial disease using a gene therapy vector expressing Bmx tyrosine kinase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for combating disorders affecting the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system by allotopic expression of the cyanide-insensitive alternative oxidase (AOX) in human cells. The successful expression of AOX in human cells and in Drosophila has been shown to confer spectacular cyanide-resistance to mitochondrial substrate oxidation, alleviate oxidative stress, apoptosis susceptibility and metabolic acidosis. AOX is well tolerated when expressed ubiquitously in the whole organism. AOX expression is a valuable tool to limit the deleterious consequences of respiratory chain deficiency.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to compositions for and methods of inhibiting the mammalian Hedgehog signaling pathway.

Abstract: The present invention discloses purified and isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides having a structure substantially similar to that of splicing forms of mammalian GFR?4 comprising the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:1:)-(SEQ ID NO:6:). The preferred sequences comprise cDNAs having the sequence (SEQ ID NO:7:)-(SEQ ID NO:13:). The present invention is also related to purified and isolated polypeptides comprising the amino acid sequence and or substantially similar splicing forms of mammalian GFRà4. Furthermore, the invention is related to substances capable of specifically recognizing said polypeptides and including both antibodies and receptors. The active compounds of the present invention including cDNAS, polypeptides, binding substances, and antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel neurotrophic factor protein, MANF2 and a genetic sequence encoding the same. The molecule will be useful in the development of a range of therapeutics and diagnostics useful in the treatment, prophylaxis and/or diagnosis of MANF2 dependent conditions. The molecule of the present invention is also a useful effector of primary and central neurons, especially dopaminergic neurons at the central nervous system and growth factor genes.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel neurotrophic factor protein, MANF2 and a genetic sequence encoding the same. The molecule will be useful in the development of a range of therapeutics and diagnostics useful in the treatment, prophylaxis and/or diagnosis of MANF2 dependent conditions. The molecule of the present invention is also a useful effector of primary and central neurons, especially dopaminergic neurons at the central nervous system and growth factor genes.

Abstract: The present invention describes a novel human gene, DYXC1, which is functionally related to dyslexia. DYXC1 gene encodes a 420-amino acid residue protein. DYXC1 is expressed in several tissues, including the brain, and is localized in the nucleus. In addition, four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DYXC1 mRNA have been characterized in this invention. The invention provides diagnostic methods and materials for analysing allelic variation in DYSC1 gene. This invention also provides polypeptides encoded by DYXC1 gene and antibodies binding to said polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and to a microarray for detecting herpesviruses. The invention provides new primers and oligonucleotides for detecting herpesviruses, in particular herpesviruses selected from the group comprising HSV-1, HSV-2, CMV, EBV, VZV, HHV-6A, HHV-6B and HHV-7. By using the method of the invention several different herpesviruses can be detected simultaneously from the same biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to identifying modulators of VEGF-C or VEGF-D ligand binding to the nervous system transmembrane protein neuropilin-2 and materials and methods for detecting said modulators.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions relating to vertebrate AMIGO, AMIGO2, AMIGO3, collectively vertebrate AMIGO polypeptides, related nucleic acids, and polypeptide domains thereof having vertebrate AMIGO-specific structure and activity, and modulators of vertebrate AMIGO function.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel peptide ligands for prostate specific antigen (PSA) binding specifically with it and enhancing its enzyme activity, to a process for preparation of these peptides, to diagnostic and pharmaceutical compositions comprising these peptides, to the use of these peptides for pharmaceutical and research preparations, to methods using these peptides in diagnostic assays for determination of the concentrations of various molecular forms of PSA, to methods for modulating the PSA enzyme activity and PSA activity dependent conditions by using these peptides either in vivo or in vitro and to the use of these peptides in procedures for biochemical isolation and purification of PSA.

Abstract: VEGF-D, a new member of the PDGF family of growth factors, which among other things stimulates endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis and increases vascular permeability, as well as nucleotide sequences encoding it, methods for producing it, antibodies and other antagonists to it, transfected or transformed host cells for expressing it, pharmaceutical compositions containing it, and uses thereof in medical and diagnostic applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides materials and methods for repairing tissue and using vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) genes and/or proteins. Methods and materials related to the use of VEGF-C for the reduction of edema and improvement of skin perfusion is provided. Also provided is are materials and methods for using VEGF-C before, during, and after reconstructive surgery.