Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a regulatory molecule and to genetic sequences encoding same. More particularly, the present invention provides a molecule involved in, associated with or which otherwise facilitates myogenesis. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the regulatory molecule is a transcription factor involved in the expression of genes resulting in the determination of skeletal muscle (a sequence encoding the regulatory molecule is disclosed within the specification as Seq. Id. No: 2). The identification of the regulatory molecule of the present invention permits the development of agents capable of modulating myogenesis including therapeutic agents capable of ameliorating aberrations in pyogenesis such as but not limited to myogenic cancers.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method for modulating cell survival. Modulation of cell survival includes inducing, enhancing or otherwise promoting cell survival such as the survival of neural cells as well as facilitating cell death such as the death of targeted cancer cells. The modulation of cell survival is mediated by a region identified on the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) required for death signalling. The present invention further provides genetic molecules which encode the death signalling region of p75NTR which are useful in antagonising death signal function as well as promoting cell death when expressed in targeted cells. The present invention also contemplates recombinant peptides, polypeptides and proteins s well as chemical equivalents, derivatives and homologues thereof which comprise the death signalling portion of p75NTR. Particularly useful molecules of the present invention comprise peptides corresponding to soluble forms of the death signalling portion of p75NTR.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a regulatory molecule and to genetic sequences encoding same. More particularly, the present invention provides a molecule involved in, associated with or which otherwise facilitates myogenesis. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the regulatory molecule is a transcription factor involved in the expression of genes resulting in the determination of skeletal muscle (a sequence encoding the regulatory molecule is disclosed within the specification as Seq. Id. No: 2). The identification of the regulatory molecule of the present invention permits the development of agents capable of modulating myogenesis including therapeutic agents capable of ameliorating aberrations in pyogenesis such as but not limited to myogenic cancers.

Abstract: The present invention provides T helper cell epitopes and compositions for use in inducing an immune response comprising at least one of these epitopes. The epitopes are contained within a peptide sequence selected from the group consisting of SSKTQTHTQQDRPPQPS (SEQ ID NO: 1); QPSTELEETRTSRARHS (SEQ ID NO: 2); QSLRTSLEQSNKAIEEI (SEQ ID NO: 18); and DESSCVFVSESAICSQN (SEQ ID NO: 23).

Abstract: The present invention provides cytotoxic Epstein-Barr virus T-cell epitopes. These epitopes are QVKWRMTTL, VFSDGRVAC, VPAPAGPIV, TYSAGIVQI, LLDFVRFMGV, QNGALAINTF, VSSDGRVAC, VSSEGRVAC, VSSDGRVPC, VSSDGLVAC, VSSDGQVAC, VSSDGRVVC, VPAPPVGPIV, VEITPYEPTG, VEITPYEPTW, VELTPYKPTW, RRIYDLIKL, RKIYDLIEL and PYLFWLAGI. The present invention further provides vaccines including one or more of these epitopes, optionally with additional epitopes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated cytotoxic Epstein-Barr virus T-cell epitope having the amino acid sequence TYSAGIVQI (SEQ ID NO: 34) which can be formulated as a water-in-oil formulation, and vaccine compositions comprising said epitope, optionally with additional epitopes.

Abstract: The present invention provides T helper cells epitopes and compositions for use in inducing an immune response comprising at least one of these epitopes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of screening for ligands to a receptor-type tyrosine kinase. The receptor-type tyrosine, in its naturally occurring form, is characterized by being reactive to monoclonal antibody III.A4, having an apparent molecular weight of approximately 120-150 kD in its glycosylated form, and having the N-terminal amino acid sequence E L I P Q P.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an enhanced and simplified herpes virus amplicon packaging system. The packaging system comprises a herpes virus amplicon vector and a packaging vector. In one embodiment, the packaging vector comprises a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) containing the HSV-1 genome. The packaging vector contains an intact pac site but is otherwise rendered packaging defective. The packaging vector can be rendered packaging defective by inserting nucleotides into the pac site, or by otherwise interfering with the capsid's ability to close, for example, by increasing the size of the DNA fragment upon which the herpes virus genome is cloned. This system can be used to package a wide range of nucleotide sequences (e.g., a therapeutic or antigenic gene) into an empty herpes virus particle taking advantage of the large transgene capacity of herpes viruses. This system can also be used as a vaccine to induce protective immunity against HSV-1, or other complex pathogens.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method for modulating cell survival. Modulation of cell survival includes inducing, enhancing or otherwise promoting cell survival such as the survival of neural cells as well as facilitating cell death such as the death of targeted cancer cells. The modulation of cell survival is mediated by a region identified on the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) required for death signalling. The present invention further provides genetic molecules which encode the death signalling region of p75NTR which are useful in antagonizing death signal function as well as promoting cell death when expressed in targeted cells. The present invention also contemplates recombinant peptides, polypeptides and proteins s well as chemical equivalents, derivatives and homologues thereof which comprise the death signalling portion of p75NTR. Particularly useful molecules of the present invention comprise peptides corresponding to soluble forms of the death signalling portion of p75NTR.

Abstract: A pro-apoptotic polypeptide, designated DIABLO, is disclosed which inhibits the activity of IAPs, including animal and viral IAPs. Also disclosed are methods of using DIABLO polypeptides and DIABLO-encoding polynucleotides to screen for modulatory agents that modulate the level and/or functional activity of DIABLO, as well as methods for detecting cell death or apoptosis, and for diagnosis of conditions relating to the expression or activation of DIABLO. The invention also discloses compositions for treating and/or preventing such DIABLO-related conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to growth factors and more particularly to growth factors which are capable of stimulating or otherwise facilitating formation of insulin-secreting cells. The identification of these growth factors permits the development of protocols to culture cells in vitro for transplantation into mammalian and in particular human subjects with insulin-dependent type 1 diabetes or related conditions. It is further contemplated that the endogenous expression of growth factors required for the development of insulin-producing cells may be manipulated in vivo, by the appropriate administration of agents including genetic agents capable of regulating the expression of growth factors in pancreatic duct epithelial cells. The growth factors ray also be administered to subjects with type 1 diabetes to stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of pancreatic cells into insulin-secreting cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to therapeutic and diagnostic agents. More particularly, the present invention provides therapeutic molecules capable of modulating signal transduction such as but not limited to cytokine-mediated signal transduction. The molecules of the present invention are useful, therefore, in modulating cellular responsiveness to cytokines as well as other mediators of signal transduction such as endogenous or exogenous molecules, antigens, microbes and microbial products, viruses or components thereof, ions, hormones and parasites.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to chimeric peptides comprising one or more protective epitopes in a conformation enabling inmunological interactivity and to vaccine compositions comprising same. The present invention is particularly directed to a chimeric peptide capable of inducing protecting antibodies against Group A streptococci.

Abstract: Antisense oligonucleotides to nerve growth factor receptor, p75NGFR gene downregulate expression, thereby facilitating neurone survival.

Abstract: Antisense oligonucleotides to nerve growth factor receptor, p75.sup.NGFR gene downregulate expression, thereby facilitating neurone survival.

Abstract: DNA molecules comprising polynucleotide sequences substantially corresponding to all or a portion of the base sequence coding for an antigen of Plasmodium falciparum selected from the group consisting of the RESA antigen, the FIRA antigen, and other antigens of P. falciparum cross-reactive therewith. Such DNA molecules are capable of being expressed as polypeptide(s). Synthetic peptides or polypeptides displaying the antigenicity of all or a portion of the RESA or FIRA antigens of P. falciparum. Compositions for stimulating immune responses against P. falciparum antigens in a mammal, comprising at least one polypeptide displaying the antigenicity of the RESA or FIRA antigens of P. falciparum.