Abstract: The present invention is a method distinguishing between head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma. In particular, a 10-gene classifier has been identified which can be used to distinguish between primary squamous cell carcinoma of the lung and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. These genes include CXCL13, COL6A2, SFTPB, KRT14, TSPYL5, TMP3, KLK10, MMP1, GAS1, and MYH2. A panel of one or more of these genes, or proteins encoded thereby, can be used for early diagnosis and selection of an appropriate therapeutic treatment.

Abstract: Mice in which enhance wound healing occurs can be used to identify genes and gene products which are involved in enhanced wound healing in mammals, including humans. Methods and compositions for treating wounds, including central and peripheral nerve wounds, are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of delivering a selected DNA sequence to the central nervous system of a mammal by administering to said mammal a neurotropic virus, said virus containing a selected DNA sequence under the control of a promoter which permits expression of the DNA during the latent infectious state of the virus.

Abstract: The present invention provides multiple antigenic agents compositions and the use thereof to prevent or treat viral infections. The multiple antigenic agents of the invention contain at least one of a B cell determinant, a T cell determinant, or a targeting molecule attached to a core peptide composed of Lys-Gly repeats.

Abstract: A method for detecting DNA damage in a tissue sample involves contacting an immobilized biological sample with a labeled ligand which binds to human 53Bp1, and examining the immobilized sample for the presence of a label generated-detectable signal concentrated in foci in said sample. The presence of concentrated foci is indicative of DNA damage and the presence of diffuse signal is indicative of a normal sample. Diagnostic reagents contain a ligand that binds to human 53Bp1 associated with a detectable label. Diagnostic kits for detecting DNA damage in a biological sample contain such diagnostic reagents and signal detection components. Compositions that inhibit or antagonize the biological activity of 53Bp1 are identified by suitable assays, and are employed in methods of retarding the growth of a cancer cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides and peptidomimetics corresponding to part or to the entirety of the region encompassed by residues 360-386 of human p53, said peptides and peptidomimetics characterized by the ability to activate DNA binding of wild-type p53 and of select tumor-derived p53 mutants. Pharmaceutical compositions of the compounds of the invention and methods of using these compositions therapeutically are also provided.

Abstract: An organotypic culture comprises an artificial stroma overlayed with epithelial cells isolated from a human colon or intestine. The stroma comprises a mixture of collagen and human fibroblasts isolated from a human colon or intestine. The culture contains a factor that binds the IGF-1 receptor, a factor that binds the EGF receptor, and a factor that binds the LIF receptor. These factors may be added exogenously to the culture via medium or may be expressed by various recombinantly engineered cell types in the culture. The organotypic culture can result in growth that is in situ-like or emphasizes other physiological or morphological states, depending on the balance of factors in the growth media. The organotypic culture may be used in methods for screening of therapeutic, carcinogenic, or growth enhancement factors, or for treating intestinal injuries by applying to the site of an injury the intact culture or the components thereof.

Abstract: A method for detecting DNA damage in a tissue sample involves contacting an immobilized biological sample with a labeled ligand which binds to human 53Bp1, and examining the immobilized sample for the presence of a label generated-detectable signal concentrated in foci in said sample. The presence of concentrated foci is indicative of DNA damage and the presence of diffuse signal is indicative of a normal sample. Diagnostic reagents contain a ligand that binds to human 53Bp1 associated with a detectable label. Diagnostic kits for detecting DNA damage in a biological sample contain such diagnostic reagents and signal detection components. Compositions that inhibit or antagonize the biological activity of 53Bp1 are identified by suitable assays, and are employed in methods of retarding the growth of a cancer cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides and peptidomimetics corresponding to part or to the entirety of the region encompassed by residues 360–386 of human p53, said peptides and peptidomimetics characterized by the ability to activate DNA binding of wild-type p53 and of select tumor-derived p53 mutants. Pharmaceutical compositions of the compounds of the invention and methods of using these compositions therapeutically are also provided.

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid sequence of a mitotic checkpoint gene, chfr, encodes a Chfr protein having a Forkhead-associated domain and a Ring Finger. This protein is required for regulation of the transition of cells from prophase to metaphase during mitosis. The chfr nucleic acid and Chfr polypeptide are useful in diagnosing tumorigenic cells and in screening for drugs which can inhibit the activity of Chfr in a cancer cell, thereby rendering the cell more sensitive to additional anti-tumor therapies.

Abstract: The present invention provides Bin2 sequences and proteins encoded thereby. Also provided are compositions and methods utilizing these sequences and proteins in the diagnosis and treatment of blood disorders, including hepatocarcinoma. Further provided are oligonucleotides derived from sequences encoding Bin2, as well as compositions and methods utilizing same for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: A method of developing a gene expression profile indicative of the presence or stage of a selected a disease, disorder or genetic pathology in a mammalian subject employs penalized discriminant analysis with recursive feature elimination. A method of diagnosing a cancer in a mammalian subject includes the steps of examining a sample containing the subject's immune cells and detecting a variance in the expression of a statistically significant number of genes, e.g., at least 10 non-tumor genes from those same genes in a characteristic disease or healthy gene expression profile. A significant variance in expression of these genes when compared to a gene expression profile, preferably an average gene expression profile of a normal control, or significant similarities to an average gene profile of subjects with cancer, correlates with a specific type of cancer and/or location of tumor.

Abstract: A method for identifying a compound that has a biocidal effect against a selected organism involves screening from among known or unknown peptide or non-peptide molecules, a test molecule that binds selectively to a target sequence of a multi-helical lid of a heat shock protein of the organism. The binding of the test compound inhibits the protein folding activity of the protein. A specific embodiment of such a method is useful for identifying or designing a pharmaceutical or veterinary biocidal or antibiotic compound, preferably a pathogen and/or strain-specific compound. For this purpose, the compound does not bind to a heat shock protein that is homologous to the mammalian subject to be treated with the compound. Screening methods can encompass direct binding or competitive assays. Molecules or compounds identified by these methods are employed as biocides for pharmaceutical, veterinary, pesticide, insecticide and rodenticide uses, among others.

Abstract: This application relates to antibodies reactive with a novel homogenous human cytokine, Natural Killer Stimulator Factor (NKSF), having the ability to induce the production of gamma interferon in vitro in human peripheral blood lymphocytes, and a pharmaceutical preparation containing such antibodies.

Abstract: A non-human mammalian model of an autoimmune disorder co-expresses a major histocompatibility (MHC) class II-restricted T cell receptor (TCR) and a selected peptide that binds to the TCR. The selected peptide is selectively expressed by MHC class II positive antigen presenting cells (APC) of the mammal. Models with high penetrance of disease are those in which the selected peptide is a MHC class II-restricted T cell determinant that specifically binds with high affinity to the TCR. Models with low penetrance of disease are those in which the selected peptide binds with low affinity to the TCR. These models, which may be transgenic mammals, are used in method for identifying diagnostic and therapeutic markers and targets characteristic of an autoimmune disorder.

Abstract: Modifications of the peptide pyrrhocoricin permit the production of a variety of anti-bacterial or anti-fungal peptides having general formula R1-Asp-Lys-Gly-X-Y-Leu-Pro-Arg-Pro-Thr-Pro-Pro-Arg-Pro-Ile-Tyr-X?-Y?-R2 SEQ ID NO: 1 or multimeric compositions containing more than a single peptide of that formula. These peptides may be straight chain or cyclic peptides, and may contain one or more non-cleavable bonds. These peptides are characterized by anti-bacterial or anti-fungal activity and metabolic stability in mammalian serum. These peptides are useful in anti-bacterial or anti-fungal pharmaceutical compositions and for further drug development or identification of other antibiotic or anti-fungal compounds.

Abstract: Methods of introducing genetic material into cells of an individual and compositions and kits for practicing the same are disclosed. The methods comprise the steps of contacting cells of an individual with a polynucleotide function enhancer and administering to the cells, a nucleic acid molecule that is free of retroviral particles. The nucleic acid molecule comprises a nucleotide sequence that encodes a protein that comprises at least one epitope that is identical or substantially similar to an epitope of a pathogen antigen or an antigen associated with a hyperproliferative or autoimmune disease, a protein otherwise missing from the individual due to a missing, non-functional, or partially functioning gene, or a protein that produces a therapeutic effect on an individual. Methods of prophylactically and therapeutically immunizing an individual against pathogens are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and kits for practicing methods of the present invention are disclosed.

Abstract: Modifications of the peptide pyrrhocoricin permit the production of a variety of anti-bacterial or anti-fungal peptides having the general formula R1-Asp-Lys-Gly-X-Y-Leu-Pro-Arg-Pro-Thr-Pro-Pro-Arg-Pro-Ile-Tyr-X?-Y?-R2 [SEQ ID NO: 1] or multimeric compositions containing more than a single peptide of that formula. These peptides may be straight chain or cyclic peptides, and may contain one or more non-cleavable bonds. These peptides are characterized by anti-bacterial or anti-fungal activity and metabolic stability in mammalian serum. These peptides are useful in anti-bacterial or anti-fungal pharmaceutical compositions and for further drug development or identification of other antibiotic or anti-fungal compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides Bin2 sequences and proteins encoded thereby. Also provided are compositions and methods utilizing these sequences and proteins in the diagnosis and treatment of blood disorders, including hepatocarcinoma. Further provided are oligonucleotides derived from sequences encoding Bin2, as well as compositions and methods utilizing same for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: Compositions containing one or more peptido-mimetics or modified peptido-mimetics of a carbohydrate ligand of an adhesion molecule in a physiologically acceptable carrier are useful for methods of reducing metastasis in a mammal and for inhibiting inflammatory response in a mammal. Particularly useful are embodiments in which the ligand is a Lewis antigen and/or the adhesion molecule is a selectin, e.g., E-selectin. Methods are disclosed for identifying peptido-mimetics of carbohydrate ligands, which may be involved in binding of tumor cells to other cells, such as endothelial cells.