Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for treating various degenerative diseases (e.g., AMD) with a factor D inhibitor (e.g., anti-factor D antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof). Also provided are methods of selecting or identifying patients for treatment with a factor D inhibitor. Methods include the use of prognostic and/or predictive biomarkers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method to predict the response to treatment with radiotherapy combined with cisplatin-based chemotherapy in patients with cancer, preferably non-microcytic lung cancer, wherein said method is based on the detection of the presence of methylation in the IGFBP-3 gene. The present invention also relates to an in vitro method to design a customised treatment for an individual with said disease. The method of the invention may be quantitative or semi-quantitative. The present invention also relates to a probe designed for the quantitative detection of the methylation of the IGFBP-3 gene, to a kit that comprises it and to the use of the kit to predict the response of a subject to the aforementioned treatment.

Abstract: The invention provides tandem single nucleotide polymorphisms and methods for their use, for example, in diagnosing Down Syndrome.

Abstract: Four novel sequences of type B DNA polymerases and variants and analogues thereof useful for applications involving DNA polymerization in high salt conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the diagnosis or the prognosis of metastasis in breast cancer which comprises determining if the c-MAF gene is amplified in a primary tumor sample. Likewise, the invention also relates to a method for the diagnosis or the prognosis of metastasis in ER? breast cancer, as well as to a method for determining the tendency to develop bone metastasis with respect to metastasis in other organs, which comprise determining the c-MAF gene expression level. Finally, the invention relates to the use of a c-MAF inhibitor as therapeutic target for treating the ER? breast cancer metastasis.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for the detection of Streptococcus agalacticae.

Abstract: This invention is related to the area of characterization of inflammation in relation with the gut microbiota, in metabolic and autoimmune disorders. In particular, it relates to the identification of gene signatures which can be used as a marker predictive of inflammation associated diseases, such as liver-related metabolic disorders, in particular to the evolution of benign steatosis towards its most severe forms (steatohepatitis and cirrhosis) or autoimmune disorders, in particular inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis). These gene signatures can therefore be used as a means of diagnosis, prognosis, stratification for drug studies, for monitoring patient and for assigning an appropriate treatment.

Abstract: Methods for detecting the amplifications of sequences in the BRCA1 locus, which sequences have ends consisting of or are framed with sequence stretches present at least twice in the BRCA1 locus, and which amplification results in at least two or at least three, especially three, tandem copies of the amplified sequence; methods for determining a predisposition to diseases or disorders associated with these amplifications, including predisposition to ovarian cancer or breast cancer and methods for detecting amplifications with similar features in other loci.

Abstract: Using an RT-PCR platform, detection of gene transcripts highly expressed in prostate tissue and expressed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with mCRPC can provide a more reliable and robust prediction of poor overall survival than that of CTC enumeration in mCRPC. Disclosed is the identification of five genes, KLK3, KLK2, HOXB13, GHRL2 and FOXA1, the detection of two (2) or more transcripts of which predicts overall poor survival. The test is performed on blood samples that have been collected in collection tubes that stabilize intracellular RNA, require minimal on-site processing and can be easily stored and shipped for subsequent extraction of total RNA from whole blood for RT-PCR.

Abstract: Provided herein is an analytical method for determining whether a hepatocellular carcinoma patient has susceptibility or resistance to sorafenib treatment by analyzing the mRNA expression of FGFR1, optionally along with the mRNA expressions of other biomarkers (i.e., VEGFR2, PDGFR?, c-KIT, c-RAF, EGFR, and/or mTOR) to select a patient having susceptibility to sorafenib treatment and a patient having resistance to sorafenib treatment before employing molecular targeted therapy with sorafenib.

Abstract: This invention relates to systems and process for isolating DNA from biological materials such as seeds while retaining a viable seed for further use. The seed from which the DNA is isolated remains viable and is used or discarded based on the DNA analysis of the seed soak solution. The seed soak solution can have substantially all of the confounding maternal DNA from the seed eliminated from the seed soak solutions by employing intact seed pretreatments. This method is particularly useful for maize seed.

Abstract: Methods are provided of treating a human for cancer comprising administering at least one dose of lapatinib, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or composition thereof, to a patient, wherein said patient does not have one or more allelic polymorphisms selected from the group of: HLA-DQA1*0201, HLA-DQB1*0202, and HLA-DRB1*0701. Patients may also be free of genotypes in TNXB; rs12153855 and/or rs17207923.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of genotyping a C. gattii sample, which can include forming a plurality of mixtures for nucleic amplification. The method can include amplification of specific sequences within the C. gattii genome that can provide definitive genotype information to distinguish between one or more types or subtypes of C. gattii.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the presence or absence of N. gonorrhoeae in a sample is determined using nucleic acid-based testing methods using primers and/or probes that bind to opcA gene region of N. gonorrhoeae.

Abstract: Biological markers that predict patient responsiveness to B-cell antagonists are provided. Also provided are methods of using such biological markers. In addition, methods for identifying patients suffering from an autoimmune disease, e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, who are not likely to respond to B-cell antagonists are provided, as are methods of treating such patients. Methods for selecting therapeutic agents to treat such patients are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of human neutrophil marker interleukin 8 receptor B (IL8Rb) for detection of bladder cancer, and more particularly to the use of EL8Rb for discriminating between transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (TCC) and inflammatory conditions of the bladder.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials related to genetic variations of neurological disorders. For example, this document provides methods for using such genetic variations to assess susceptibility of developing Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rice whole genome breeding chip and the application thereof. The rice whole genome breeding chip of the present invention is Rice60K, an SNP chip manufactured based on Infinium technique. Each chip can detect 24 samples simultaneously and contains 58,290 SNP sites. The marker sites have DNA sequences represented by SEQ ID NO.1-58290. The chip can be used in molecular marker fingerprint analysis of the rice variety resources, in genotype identification of the hybrid progeny population, in identification of the variety authenticity, in analysis and screening of the genetic background of the breeding materials, and in association analysis of the agronomic traits, having wide application prospects.

Abstract: This invention pertains to devices, compositions and methods that can be used for the rapid determination of microorganisms, cells and other analytes of interest (e.g. a nucleic acid target) as well as associated properties of said microorganisms, cells and analytes. For example, said devices, compositions and/or methods can be applied to the determination of a trait of a microorganism present in a sample. Said devices, compositions and methods utilize matrix-forming prolonged-dissolution hydrophilic polymer to encapsulate hybridization probes and optionally other assay reagents within two or more reagent zones and/or matrix zones disposed on the surface of a substrate. Each reagent zone and/or matrix zone can be designed as a separate assay. Thus, a plurality of assays can be performed on a single substrate. In some embodiments, devices can be supplied in a form ready for a customer to rapidly perform one or a plurality of assays.

Abstract: The present technology provides methods and kits that may be used to detect and quantify the presence of Coccidioides species. The methods include quantification real-time PCR assays, and the kits and compositions include oligonucleotides used as primers and probes.