Abstract: The present invention relates to cell targeting conjugates and in particular, but not exclusively, to methods of their use in selectively eliminating and in selectively imaging target cells. The invention also relates to processes for production of the conjugates and to intermediate compounds that may be used in production of a specific class of cell targeting conjugates. In one embodiment there is provided a cell targeting conjugate comprising the following components that are covalently conjugated via a linker that is degradable within the target cells: i) a DNA minor groove binding ligand incorporating an effective Auger electron-emitting and/or gamma-emitting and/or positron-emitting atom or photoactive moiety; ii) a target cell specific protein or peptide that is capable of internalization by target cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating and/or preventing a toxicity associated with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor therapy in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a steroid sulfatase (STS) inhibitor. The toxicity may be ocular toxicity; or dermatologic toxicity, such as papulopustular rash. The EGFR inhibitor may be selected from the group consisting of: a small molecule; an antibody or derivative or fragment thereof; another agent that targets the extracellular or intracellular domain of the EGFR, such as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor selected from the group consisting of: erlotinib; gefitinib; lapatinib; and any combination thereof. The EGFR inhibitor may also be antibody selected from the group consisting of: cetuximab; panitumumab; and any combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of evaluating DNA methylation in a sample. The method comprises (i) reacting the DNA with an agent that differentially modifies methylated cytosine and non-methylated cytosine to produce modified DNA, (ii) amplifying the modified DNA by methylation specific PCR to produce amplified DNA, and (iii) subjecting the amplified DNA to melting analysis. In the method the methylation specific primers are selected such that the sequence between the primers includes a region of known sequence variation and/or at least one cytosine nucleotide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating a hyperproliferative disorder characterized by expression of a mutant form of p53 in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an agent which inhibits promyelocytic leukemia (PML) protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to retroviral vectors capable of driving the expression of perforin in a cell and a method of expressing recombinant perforin in a cell. The present invention also relates to recombinant perforin polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules derived therefrom and uses thereof. Also encompassed are screening assays employing such recombinant perforin molecules, compounds identified by the screening assays and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of identifying a haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) or progeny thereof comprising the steps of: obtaining a cell sample including HSC or progeny thereof; detecting the presence of at least one carbohydrate sequence having a sequence of at least one disaccharide repeat of glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine or an equivalent thereof; and identifying a HSC or progeny thereof having the sequence or equivalent thereof. The invention also relates to methods of enriching cell populations for HSC or progeny thereof, for isolating HSC or progeny thereof and cell preparations obtained using the methods of their invention and their uses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of a specific population of cell types, in particular somatic stem cells including haematopoietic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells and keratinocyte stem cells. The invention also provides for methods of isolation and uses of the stem cells. Derived from the methods of the present invention, there is provided a method of identifying a stem cell comprising the steps of: obtaining a cell sample including stem cells; detecting the presence of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) or a fragment thereof on a cell; and identifying the stem cells having ACE or a fragment thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, culture media, and apparatus to produce useful amounts of specific cell populations ex vivo by the modulation of Opn and/or an active Opn fragment. The present invention provides ex vivo expanded populations of HSC for use in transplantation therapy and in clinical and research activities, such as drug screening, toxicity testing, and other research activities. Also provided are methods, devices and culture media are provided to inhibit Opn binding to HISC to promote the increased production of more differentiated cell populations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for self renewal of stem cells. In particular the invention relates to stem cells of increased transplant potential or enhanced self renewal, stem cell cultures derived therefrom and uses of the stem cell cultures for treatment and particularly for transplantation and gene therapy protocols.

Abstract: Use of a compound of formula (I): wherein X is optionally substituted aminoalkyl, optionally substituted alkylene or an interactive group; Y and Z may be the same or different and are selected from N, O, S and C(R′) wherein R′ is hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl or optionally substituted alkenyl; ---- is a double bond unless the attached Y or Z group is O or S in which case it is a single bond; and R1 to R11 may be the same or different and are selected from hydrogen, a sterically hindering group and an electron donating group; or any two of R1 to R11, Y, Z, NH and R′ may together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form an optionally substituted ring which may contain heteroatoms, provided that at least one of R1 to R11 is an electron donating group and that when X is NCH3, Y and Z are N and R1, R2 and R4 to R11 are hydrogen, then R3 is not OH or OCH2CH3; and salts thereof, pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof, pro-drugs thereof and/or tau

Abstract: Enrichment for human Keratinocyte Stem Cells KSCs to a high degree of purity can be successfully achieved on the basis of a cell surface component whose expression is proliferation-related in conjunction with an integrin such as the &agr;6&bgr;4 integrin. Transferrin receptor may be used as the cell surface component that is proliferation related. Enrichment of Transit amplifying cells can also be achieved by use of a variation of this method. The enrichment follows on from harvesting of cells from an epithelium, preferably rich in stem cells.