Abstract: Disclosed are methods for identifying molecular interactions (e.g., protein/protein, protein/DNA, protein/RNA, or RNA/RNA interactions). All of the methods within the invention employ counterselection and at least two hybrid molecules. Molecules which interact reconstitute a transcription factor and direct expression of a reporter gene, the expression of which is then assayed. Also disclosed are genetic constructs which are useful in practicing the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The invention is based, in part, on the discovery that the CRY proteins and the PER2 protein function as important modulators of mammalian circadian rhythm. The invention includes methods of modulating the circadian rhythm and identifying compounds that modulate the circadian rhythm.

Abstract: The invention relates to microfabricated membranes and matrices that have a highly controlled and complex three-dimensional topography. The new microfabricated membranes and matrices can be prepared of man-made as well as natural materials, such as materials found in naturally occurring membranes, and thus can be made in the form of tissue substitutes or analogs, such as basal lamina, dermal, or skin analogs.

Abstract: The invention features-modular cell culturing devices including one or more flat-plate modules, and is based on the discovery that if the flows of liquid medium and oxygenated fluid are separated by a gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable membrane, and the cells are grown attached to the liquid side of the membrane, the device can be used to culture cells with transport of oxygen through the membrane (i.e., direct oxygenation), without regard for the flow rate of the liquid medium passing through the device. The new flow-through cell culturing devices can thus be used to culture cells, e.g., hepatocytes, with high levels of cell function in organ, e.g., liver, assist systems, for production of cells, for production of cell-derived products, such as, proteins or viruses, or for systems to treat biological liquids to remove toxins, such as, ammonia, or add cell-synthesized products, or both.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for identifying molecular interactions (e.g., protein/protein, protein/DNA, protein/RNA, or RNA/RNA interactions). All of the methods within the invention employ counterselection and at least two hybrid molecules. Molecules which interact reconstitute a transcription factor and direct expression of a reporter gene, the expression of which is then assayed. Also disclosed are genetic constructs which are useful in practicing the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The invention features methods for treating liver disease (e.g., viral hepatitis) by administering an asialocytokine (e.g., asialointerferon). The invention also includes methods of targeting a glycoprotein to a hepatocyte and a composition containing an asialocytokine.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting neoplastic cell growth in a mammal by administering to the mammal nucleosomes that elicit the production of antinuclear autoantibodies sufficient to inhibit neoplastic cell growth.

Abstract: Described are short peptide sequences, termed recombinant peptide chelates (RPCs), and the imaging marker genes that encode them. The RPCs can be expressed in parallel with the expression of any other desired gene (e.g., a therapeutic gene), and used to easily confirm the expression of the therapeutic gene product. The RPCs are expressed in the cell or on the cell surface concurrently with the therapeutic gene product, and can be assayed by standard imaging techniques.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting neoplastic cell growth in a mammal by administering to the mammal nucleosomes that elicit the production of antinuclear autoantibodies sufficient to inhibit neoplastic cell growth.

Abstract: A method for delivering compounds through epithelial cell layers using impulse transients is described. The method involves applying a compound to, e.g., the stratum corneum, of a patient and then inducing impulse transients to create transient increases in the permeability of epithelial tissue, thereby facilitating delivery of the compound across the epithelial cell layer.

Abstract: Intestinal trefoil factors and nucleic acids encoding intestinal trefoil factors are disclosed. The intestinal trefoil factors disclosed are resistent to destruction in the digestive tract and can be used for the treatment of peptic ulcer diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases and other insults.

Abstract: The invention features fragments of hepadnavirus pre-S protein that bind to viral receptor p120 or p170.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting neoplastic cell growth in a mammal by administering to the mammal nucleosomes that elicit the production of antinuclear autoantibodies sufficient to inhibit neoplastic cell growth.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, Bcl-2 expression is a molecular marker for muscle stem cells. Thus, the invention provides methods for identifying and isolating muscle stem cells. In addition, the invention provides methods for determining whether a test compound modulates muscle stem cell differentiation and/or proliferation. Finally, the invention provides methods for expressing an exogenous coding sequence in a muscle stem cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of central nervous system injuries by intracisternal or intravenous administration of polypeptide growth factors, such as basic fibroblast growth factor. This method provides significant benefits because administration can occur a substantial amount of time following an injury.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of using a reporter gene that encodes a fluorescent polypeptide to indicate that an interaction has occurred between a bait and a prey protein in a mammalian cell. An advantage of using a fluorescent reporter polypeptide is that an interaction between a bait and prey in a mammalian cell can be readily detected, e.g., within 96 hours. In another method of the invention, a prey plasmid contains an Epstein-Barr virus origin of replication (ori-P). The OriP permits the prey plasmid to replicate episomally and indefinitely without damaging the mammalian cell or integrating into the genomic DNA of the mammalian cell. Since such a plasmid is maintained episomally in a circular form, it can be readily recovered from the mammalian cell.