Abstract: The nucleotide and polypeptide sequences of two novel human flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) enzymes are presented: hFMO2 and hFMOx. Vectors and host cells for cloning and/or expression of hFMO2 and hFMOx are described, as are methods of preparing hFMO2 and hFMOx polypeptides. Also included are methods for selecting compounds, diagnosing predisposition to pathologies and/or deficiencies related to FMO's, and pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds for treating and/or preventing these pathologies.

Abstract: The invention concerns the genomic sequence of the purH gene. The invention also concerns biallelic markers of a purH gene and the association established between these markers and cancer, particularly prostate cancer. The invention provides means to determine the predisposition of individuals to cancer as well as means for the diagnosis of cancer and for the prognosis/detection of an eventual treatment response to agents acting on cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fluorescent probes which can be used in multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization, and mainly chromosome painting. The probes intended for labeling a chromosome are such that they are composed of a set of DNA segments which are more represented in certain chromosome bands and which are obtained by IRS-PCR amplification from said chromosomes using PCR primers specific for the repeated and dispersed Alu and LINE DNA sequences. The invention comprises, in addition, methods of producing said probes, multicolor FISH methods which can use said probes as well as diagnostic kits comprising them. Finally, the invention comprises combinations of fluorophores and optical filters.

Abstract: The invention provides polynucleotides including biallelic markers derived from genes involved in the biotransformation of xenobiotics such as drugs and from genomic regions flanking those genes. Primers hybridizing to regions flanking these biallelic markers are also provided. This invention also provides polynucleotides and methods suitable for genotyping a nucleic acid containing sample for one or more biallelic markers of the invention. Further, the invention provides methods to detect a statistical correlation between a biallelic marker allele and a phenotype and/or between a biallelic marker haplotype and a phenotype.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to methods of screening for new compounds for the treatment of obesity and obesity-related diseases and disorders, as well as methods of treating obesity-related diseases and disorders, based on the discovery of the role of the leptin-LSR interaction in obesity.

Abstract: The invention concerns plasmin variants. Polynucleotides the disclosed plasmin variants are provided. Additionally, methods of using the plasmin polynucleotides and polynucleotides are provided herein.

Abstract: Provided is a microfluidic device comprising a microfluidic substrate comprising at least one pathway for sample flow; and at least one thermal transfer member which is capable of cycling between at least two temperatures. The thermal transfer member is adapted to heat at least a portion of the sample pathway while a sample is flowing along said at least a portion of said sample pathway. Provided also are methods of carrying out biochemical protocols using such a device.

Abstract: Devices and methods for carrying out a chemical or biochemical protocol are disclosed. In one embodiment, the chemical or biochemical protocol is performed by cycling at least one thermal transfer member between at least two temperatures while liquid samples on which the chemical or biochemical protocol is to be performed are continuously moving through at least one temperature regulated zone upon which the at least one thermal transfer member acts. In some embodiments, the device comprises a sample transport member that comprises liquid samples in sample receiving regions. The sample transport member moves the samples continuously through a temperature regulated zone which cycles between at least two temperatures while the liquid samples are moving through a temperature regulated zone on which at least one thermal transfer member acts. In some embodiments, the sample receiving regions comprise wells, hydrophillic films or hydrophillic filaments.

Abstract: Devices and methods for carrying out a chemical or biochemical protocol are disclosed. In one embodiment, the chemical or biochemical protocol is performed by cycling at least one thermal transfer member between at least two temperatures while liquid samples on which the chemical or biochemical protocol is to be performed are continuously moving through at least one temperature regulated zone upon which the at least one thermal transfer member acts. In some embodiments, the device comprises a sample transport member that comprises liquid samples in sample receiving regions. The sample transport member moves the samples continuously through a temperature regulated zone which cycles between at least two temperatures while the liquid samples are moving through a temperature regulated zone on which at least one thermal transfer member acts. In some embodiments, the sample receiving regions comprise wells, hydrophillic films or hydrophillic filaments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel human polypeptide defensin Def-X, genomic DNA and cDNA encoding Def-X, vectors containing Def-X encoding polynucleotides, and cells transformed with these vectors. The invention also provides for the use of Def-X polypeptides as an antibiotic, a cytotoxic, repair, and endocrine regulatory agent, and as pesticide. Def-X can also be used as agent, a cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of microbial infections, in particular bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, parasitic infections, cancer, inflammation, and immune deficiencies. The invention provides diagnostic methods and kits for the determination of a microbial or parasitic infection and/or inflammation; also provided are methods of screening for predisposition to immune deficiencies or cancer.