Abstract: A method of modulating immune response in an animal is disclosed. Such a method interacting the immature dendritic cells from the animal with an antigen ex vivo so that the immature dendritic cells present the antigen on their surfaces, inducing maturation of the immature dendritic cells ex vivo, and contacting the mature dendritic cells ex vivo with a modulator comprising TRANCE, conservative variants thereof, fragments thereof, analogs or derivatives thereof, or a fusion protein comprising the amino acid sequence of TRANCE, conservative variants thereof, or fragments thereof. After contacting the modulator ex vivo, the mature dendritic cells are introduced into the animal. As a result, immune response in the animal towards the antigen is modulated relative to the immune response against the antigen in an animal in which dendritic cells did not interact with the antigen ex vivo, and did not contact a modulator ex vivo.

Abstract: This invention relates to a kit and a method for the collection and analysis of complex protein mixtures. More particularly, the invention relates to a kit comprising a single barrel filtration well or a multi-well filtration plate wherein each well comprises an upper filtration zone; a lower filtration zone; a conical flow director zone; and, an elution tip, wherein the upper filtration zone and the lower filtration zone are separated by a retainer ring disposed within the lower filtration zone. The upper filtration zone comprises an upper collection zone, a sponge zone, and a deep bed filtration zone; and, the lower filtration zone comprises the retainer ring, a supported hydrophilic membrane and a lower bed filtration media. When used with an array of selected buffer solutions, the multi-well filtration plate can provide accurate, automated, high-throughput protein analysis by affinity chromatography.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to a method of identifying pre-neoplastic or neoplastic tissue of a mammal by utilizing autoantibodies that detect the pre-neoplastic or neoplastic tissue. Also described herein are methods of killing pre-neoplastic or neoplastic tissue by either binding toxins to autoantibodies that detect the pre-neoplastic or neoplastic tissue or introducing toxin-conjugated molecules that can in turn recognize the autoantibodies already bound to the pre-neoplastic or neoplastic tissue.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for fixing a short nucleic acid in a biological sample. In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for detecting a target short nucleic acid in a biological sample. The method includes contacting the biological sample with an aldehyde-containing fixative, and subsequently contacting the sample with a water-soluble carbodiimide. In a further aspect, the invention relates to a kit for fixing a short nucleic acid in a biological sample. The kit includes a support substrate for holding the sample; an aldehyde-containing fixative; and a water-soluble carbodiimide.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods, compositions and articles of manufacture useful for the treatment of Bacillus anthracis and B. cereus bacteria and spores, and related conditions. The disclosure further relates to compositions comprising various phage associated lytic enzyme that rapidly and specifically detect and kill Bacillus anthracis and other bacteria. Related articles of manufacture, methods of degrading spores and methods of treatment of infections or bacteria populations of, or subjects exposed to or at risk for exposure to Bacillus anthracis are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel truncated mutated T4 RNA ligase 2. In addition, methods are provided for ligating pre-adenlylated donor molecules to the 3? hydroxyl group of RNA in the absence of ATP using the ligase.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolated DNA or RNA molecules comprising at least ten contiguous bases having a sequence in a pancreatic islet microRNA. In another embodiment, the invention relates to isolated single stranded pancreatic islet microRNA molecules or anti-pancreatic islet microRNA molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the characterization of odorant receptors. In particular, the present invention relates to the OR7D4 proteins and nucleic acids encoding OR7D4 proteins and cell systems for screening for modulators of OR7D4 receptors. The present invention further provides assays for the detection of OR7D4 polymorphisms and mutations associated with altered olfactory sensation states, as well as methods of screening for therapeutic agents, ligands, and modulators of OR7D4 receptors.

Abstract: A composition of matter suitable for use in identifying chemical compounds that bind to voltage-dependent ion channel proteins, the composition comprising a screening protein that comprises an ion channel voltage sensor domain of the ion channel protein immobilized on a solid support.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to nucleic acids encoding glycosyltransferases, the proteins encoded thereby, and to methods for synthesizing oligosaccharides using the glycosyltransferases of the invention. In particular, the present application is directed to identification a glycosyltransferase locus of Neisseria gonorrhoeae containing five open reading frames for five different glycosyltransferases. The functionally active glycosyltransferases of the invention are characterized by catalyzing reactions such as adding Gal ?1?4 to GlcNAc or Glc; adding GalNAc or GlcNAc ?1?3 to Gal; and adding Gal ?l?4 to Gal. The glycosyltransferases of the invention are particularly suited to the synthesis of the oligosaccharides Gal?1?4GlcNAc?1?3Gal?1?4Glc (a mimic of lacto-N-neotetraose), GalNAc?1?3Gal?1?4GlcNAc?1?3Gal?1?4Glc?1?4 (a mimic ganglioside), and Gal?1?4Gal?1?4Glc?1?4Hep?R (a mimic of the saccharide portion of globo-glycolipids).

Abstract: The invention relates to isolated DNA or RNA molecules comprising at least ten contiguous bases having a sequence in a microRNA shown in SEQ ID NOs: 1-94; 281-374; 467-481; 497-522; or 549, except that up to thirty percent of the bases may be wobble bases, and up to 10% of the contiguous bases may be non-complementary. The invention further relates to modified single stranded microRNA molecules, isolated single stranded anti-microRNA molecules and isolated microRNP molecules. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method for inhibiting microRNP activity in a cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dermal papilla-specific markers and a method for isolating dermal papilla cells using the same. Dermal papilla cells isolated in accordance with the method of the invention and treated with BMP6 are useful for promoting hair growth.

Abstract: The present invention is method of determining whether or not associations between a given protein and other proteins in a cell are specific.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptide vaccines, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and associated methodologies that promote the immune-mediated regression of tumors expressing an onconeural antigen, e.g. a cdr-2 antigen, HuD antigen. The cancer peptide vaccines of the present invention are antigenic peptides capable of being faithfully presented on the MHC I complex of a target cell or antigen presenting cell. This external cellular presentation of these peptides promotes a specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-mediated immune response against tumor cells expressing these proteins, thereby, inducing immunological reactivity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to identification of a human gene, Complement Factor H (CFH), associated with the occurrence for developing age related macular degeneration (AMD), which is useful for identifying or aiding in identifying individuals at risk for developing AMD, as well as for diagnosing or aiding in the diagnosis of AMD.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the control of body weight of animals including mammals and humans, and more particularly to nucleic acids encoding materials identified herein as modulators of weight. In its broadest aspect, the present invention relates to the elucidation and discovery of nucleotide sequences, and proteins putatively expressed by such nucleotides, that demonstrate the ability to participate in the control of mammalian body weight. The nucleotide sequences in object represent the genes corresponding to the murine and human ob gene, that have been postulated to play a critical role in the regulation of body weight and adiposity. Preliminary data, presented herein, suggests that the polypeptide product of the gene in question functions as a hormone. The present invention further provides nucleic acid molecules for use as molecular probes, or as primers for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, i.e., synthetic or natural oligonucleotides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds and compositions useful for inhibiting and/or reducing platelet deposition, adhesion and/or aggregation. The present invention also relates to methods for screening compounds and compositions useful for inhibiting or reducing platelet deposition, adhesion and/or aggregation. The present invention further relates to methods for the treatment or prophylaxis of thrombotic disorders, including stroke, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, peripheral vascular disease, abrupt closure following angioplasty or stent placement and thrombosis as a result of vascular surgery.

Abstract: This invention relates to immunogenic compounds which serve as ligands for NKT (natural killer T) cells and to methods of use thereof in modulating immune responses.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated peptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1 to SEQ ID NO:36, as well as derivatives thereof comprising various N-terminal and C-terminal chemical moieties, substituted analogs thereof, and fragments thereof. The peptides of the invention are useful for treating and preventing a Flavivirus invention. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the peptides, and methods of treating or preventing Flavivirus infections, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of modulating epithelial stem cell lineage by regulating the expression of Lef1 or a BMP inhibitor and/or the stability of ?-catenin or the expression of a Wnt; regulating the expression or activity of GATA-3; or regulating BMPR1A activity either at the level of receptor expression or at the level of pathway activation. Methods of regulating E-cadherin, GATA-3, BMPR1A and HK1-hair keratin and methods of identifying agents which modulate the epithelial stem cell lineage are further provided. Such agents are useful for inhibiting or stimulating inner root sheath development or hair follicle formation.