Abstract: The invention relates to relatively short peptides (termed ?-conotoxins herein), about 10-30 residues in length, which are naturally available in minute amounts in the venom of the cone snails or analogous to the naturally available peptides, and which preferably include two disulfide bonds.

Abstract: The invention relates to relatively short peptides (termed ?-conotoxins herein), about 10-25 residues in length, which are naturally available in minute amounts in the venom of the cone snails or analogous to the naturally available peptides, and which preferably include two disulfide bonds.

Abstract: The invention relates to relatively short peptides (termed ?-conotoxins herein), about 10-25 residues in length, which are naturally available in minute amounts in the venom of the cone snails or analogous to the naturally available peptides, and which preferably include two disulfide bonds. The ?-conotoxins, as described herein, are useful for as neuromuscular blocking agents, such as muscle relaxants.

Abstract: Surface micro-machined micro-needles (32) are formed as single needles (32) or in two-dimensional or three-dimensional micro-needle arrays (30). The micro-needles (32) are fabricated on a substrate (12) which can remain attached to the micro-needles (32) or can be subsequently removed. The two-dimensional or three-dimensional micro-needle arrays (30) can have cross-coupling flow channels (36) which allow for pressure equalization, and balance of fluid flow within the micro-needle arrays (30). Each of the micro-needles (32) has a micro-channel (36) therethrough that provides communication between at least one input port (37) at a proximal end of the micro-needles (32), and at least on output port (39) at an opposite distal end.

Abstract: Particle localization by geometrical nanostructures allows for the fabrication of artificial atoms and molecules suitable for use as building blocks for molecular electronic devices. Artificial lattices made from the artificial atoms and molecules can be used to create artificial networks or arrays. These can be formed by depositing strips of homogeneous semiconductor material on an insulator substrate and etching away unwanted material to form specific lattice shapes, such as by using photolithographic methods or other techniques. The artificial atoms and molecules can be used to form field effect transistors, power and signal amplifiers, artificial electrical conductors, and artificial two-dimensional electronic superconductors. The artificial molecules of the invention can also be employed in constant magnetic fields and probed by electromagnetic fields to produce magnetic memory elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for Raman imaging of carotenoids and related chemical substances in biological tissue, such as macular pigments. The method and apparatus utilize the technique of resonance Raman spectroscopy to produce an image of the levels of carotenoids and similar substances in tissue. In this technique, light is directed upon the area of tissue which is of interest such as the retina of an eye. A small fraction of the scattered light is scattered inelastically, producing a carotenoid Raman signal which is at a different frequency than the incident light. The Raman signal is collected, filtered, and analyzed to determine the spatial position and intensity of the Raman signals in the inelastically scattered light. An image of the Raman signals is then produced on an output device, with the image representing the spatial distribution and concentration level of carotenoids in the tissue.

Abstract: The invention relates to relatively short peptides (termed O-Superfamily conotoxins herein), about 20-40 residues in length, which are naturally available in minute amounts in the venom of the cone snails or analogous to the naturally available peptides, and which preferably include two disulfide bonds.

Abstract: The invention relates to relatively short peptides (termed ?-conotoxins herein), about 10-25 residues in length, which are naturally available in minute amounts in the venom of the cone snails or analogous to the naturally available peptides, and which preferably include two disulfide bonds.

Abstract: The invention relates to relatively short peptides (termed ?-conotoxins herein), about 10-30 residues in length, which are naturally available in minute amounts in the venom of the cone snails or analogous to the naturally available peptides, and which preferably include two disulfide bonds.

Abstract: The invention relates to relatively short peptides (termed &agr;-conotoxins herein), about 10-25 residues in length, which are naturally available in minute amounts in the venom of the cone snails or analogous to the naturally available peptides, and which preferably include two disulfide bonds. The &agr;-conotoxins, as described herein, are useful for as neuromuscular blocking agents, such as muscle relaxants.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to genes and gene products related to Min-K which form ion channels and to a process for diagnosis of ion channel disorders, including long QT syndrome (LQT). For example, KCNE2 forms IKr potassium channels and is associated with LQT. LQT is diagnosed in accordance with the present invention by analyzing the DNA sequence of KCNE2 of an individual to be tested and comparing the respective DNA sequence to the known DNA sequence of a normal KCNE2 gene. Alternatively, these MinK-related genes of an individual to be tested can be screened for mutations which cause ion channel disorders, including LQT. Prediction of ion channel disorders, including LQT, will enable practitioners to prevent the disorders using existing medical therapy. This invention is further directed to the discovery that the HERG and KCNE2 (also known as MiRP1) proteins coassemble to form a cardiac IKr potassium channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of &agr;-conotoxin peptides having the general formula Xaa1-Xaa2-Cys-Cys-Xaa3-Xaa4-Pro-Xaa5-Cys-Xaa6-Xaa7-Xaa8-Xaa9-Xaa10-Xaa11-Xaa12-Cys (SEQ ID NO:1) for treating disorders regulated at neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Such disorders include, but are not limited to, cardiovascular disorders, gastric motility disorders, urinary incontinence, nicotine addiction, mood disorders (such as bipolar disorder, unipolar depression, dysthymia and seasonal effective disorder) and small cell lung carcinoma, as well as the localization of small cell lung carcinoma. In this formula, Xaa1 is des-Xaa1, Tyr, mono-iodo-Tyr or di-iodo-Tyr, Xaa2 is any amino acid, Xaa3 is any amino acid, Xaa4 is any amino acid, Xaa5 is any amino acid; Xaa6 is any amino acid, Xaa7 is any amino acid, Xaa8 is any amino acid, Xaa9 is des-Xaa9 or any amino acid, Xaa10 is des-Xaa10 or any amino acid, Xaa11 is des-Xaa11 or any amino acid and Xaa12 is des-Xaa12 or any amino acid.

Abstract: The present invention is to &mgr;-conopeptides, derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The present invention is further directed to the use of this peptide, derivatives thereof and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof for the treatment of disorders associated with voltage-gated sodium channels. Thus, the &mgr;-conopeptides or derivatives are useful as neuromuscular blocking agents, local anesthetic agents, analgesic agents and neuroprotective agents. The &mgr;-conopeptides are also useful for treating neuromuscular disorders. The invention is further directed to nucleic acid sequences encoding the &mgr;-conopeptides and encoding propeptides, as well as the propeptides.

Abstract: A thermal cycling method and device is disclosed. The device comprises a sample chamber whose temperature can be rapidly and accurately modulated over a range of temperatures needed to carry out a number of biological procedures, such a the DNA polymerase chain reaction. Biological samples are placed in glass micro capillary tubes and then located inside the sample chamber. A programmable controller regulates the temperature of the sample inside the sample chamber. Once a heating cycle is completed, the controller opens a door to the chamber for venting hot air out and cool ambient air is moved in. Temperature versus time profiles corresponding to optimum denaturation, annealing and elongation temperatures for amplification of DNA are achieved by the present invention.

Abstract: Particle localization by geometrical nanostructures allows for the fabrication of artificial atoms and molecules suitable for use as building blocks for molecular electronic devices. Artificial lattices made from the artificial atoms and molecules can be used to create artificial networks or arrays. These can be formed by depositing strips of homogeneous semiconductor material on an insulator substrate and etching away unwanted material to form specific lattice shapes, such as by using photolithographic methods or other techniques. The artificial atoms and molecules can be used to form field effect transistors, power and signal amplifiers, artificial electrical conductors, and artificial two-dimensional electronic superconductors. The artificial molecules of the invention can also be employed in constant magnetic fields and probed by electromagnetic fields to produce magnetic memory elements.

Abstract: Linear polyethylenimine was modified with sterols, such as cholesterol, in three different geometries: linear shaped (L), T-shaped (T), and a combined linear- and T-shaped (LT), to result in linear polyethylenimine-sterol conjugates. These conjugates were mixed with nucleic acids to form complexes for delivery of the nucleic acids into cells. Mammalian cells transfected with these complexes showed protein expression levels higher than linear polyethylenimine alone, and twice that of branched polyethylenimine, but without any significant loss in cell viability. Methods of making these compositions and methods of using them for gene delivery are also described.

Abstract: Methods for identifying and locating alterations in a nucleic acid having a known sequence are provided. The methods involve measuring the melting temperature of probe nucleic acids hybridized to a target nucleic acid. The methods take advantage of the differential dissociation temperatures of a probe from a target resulting from mismatches at different locations along the region of the target to which the probe hybridizes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vaporizing and cracking chemical elements for use in a deposition process. The apparatus includes a vaporization cell integrally connected with a thermal cracker cell. The vaporization cell has an inlet section in communication with a valve section defining a heating chamber capable of holding a liquid or solid chemical material to be vaporized. A heat source is positioned in the heating chamber and is capable of providing sufficient thermal energy to evaporate or sublimate the chemical material. The thermal cracker cell is communicatively connected to an outlet of the vaporization cell, and includes an elongated tapered tube with a heating element associated therewith. The heating element is capable of providing sufficient thermal energy to dissociate molecular clusters of vaporized chemical material. This provides monomeric or dimeric chemical elements for use in a deposition process such as during semiconductor device fabrication.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for Raman imaging of carotenoids and related chemical substances in biological tissue, such as macular pigments. The method and apparatus utilize the technique of resonance Raman spectroscopy to produce an image of the levels of carotenoids and similar substances in tissue. In this technique, light is directed upon the area of tissue which is of interest such as the retina of an eye. A small fraction of the scattered light is scattered inelastically, producing a carotenoid Raman signal which is at a different frequency than the incident light. The Raman signal is collected, filtered, and analyzed to determine the spatial position and intensity of the Raman signals in the inelastically scattered light. An image of the Raman signals is then produced on an output device, with the image representing the spatial distribution and concentration level of carotenoids in the tissue.

Abstract: A human gene termed APC is disclosed. Methods and kits are provided for assessing mutations of the APC gene in human tissues and body samples. APC mutations are found in familial adenomatous polyposis patients as well as in sporadic colorectal cancer patients. APC is expressed in most normal tissues. These results suggest that APC is a tumor suppressor.