Abstract: Isolated and enriched tumor-initiating cell populations, methods for preparing the same, and uses thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to human liver pluripotent progenitor cell lines which express hepatic cell markers such as albumin and ?-fetoprotein and do not express some of the markers which are typical of oval stem cells. Also disclosed is a method of isolating the cell lines of the invention, methods for differentiating said cells into a plurality of different cell lineages, methods for conditional immortalization and metabolic selection of said cells, as well as the use of the cell lines of the invention for preparing a medicament with osteogenic differentiation activity or liver injury regeneration activity.

Abstract: Methods are provided for diagnosis and prognosis of disease by analyzing expression of a set of genes obtained from single cell analysis. Classification allows optimization of treatment, and determination of whether on whether to proceed with a specific therapy, and how to optimize dose, choice of treatment, and the like. Single cell analysis also provides for the identification and development of therapies which target mutations and/or pathways in disease-state cells.

Abstract: The invention is a methodology which makes it possible to select from a very large number of cells, a single cell or cells of interest and obtain specific information from those cells in a rapid and efficient manner. As an example of the methodology, a large number of antibody producing cells such as plasma cells are separated so that these individual antibody producing plasma cells are placed in individual wells. The cells are allowed to produce antibodies and the antibodies in the wells are then contacted with a protein bound to a solid surface such as a well top. The protein universally and specifically binds antibodies in the wells. The surface or well tray top includes addresses configured such that each address is specifically related to one of the individual wells containing a cell producing antibodies.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for recapturing and recycling biomolecule reagents. The technique may be applied in a range of settings, including biopolymer synthesis, sequencing, and so forth. Biomolecule reagents such as nucleotides and oligonucleotides used to process nucleic acids, which may be marked with fluorescent tags, carry blocking agents, and so forth, are introduced to samples in a sample container. After the desired reaction occurs with some of the biomolecule reagents, such as some of the nucleotides or oligonucleotides, the effluent stream is processed to recapture unreacted biomolecule reagents. These may be separated from other reaction components, and recycled into the same or a different sample container. The recaptured biomolecule reagents may be mixed with additional biomolecule reagents prior to reintroduction to the same or different samples.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of biotechnology or genetic engineering. Specifically, this invention relates to the field of gene expression. More specifically, this invention relates to novel substitution mutant receptors and their use in a Group H nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system and methods of modulating the expression of a gene in a host cell for applications such as gene therapy, large scale production of proteins and antibodies, cell-based high throughput screening assays, functional genomics and regulation of traits in transgenic organisms.

Abstract: New gene therapy constructions and compositions are the subject of present invention. The gene therapy compositions consist in adeno-associated vectors which jointly express insulin (Ins) and glucokinase (Gck) genes. The new gene therapy constructions are useful for treatment of diabetes either in dogs or human beings.

Abstract: Early detection of tumors is a major determinant of survival of patients suffering from tumors, including gastric tumors. Members of the GTM gene family can be differentially expressed in gastric tumor tissue, and thus can be used as markers for the detection of gastric and other types of cancer. The present invention provides for novel GTMs for the detection of tumors, including gastric tumors, and in particular human zymogen granule protein 16 (ZG16). The GTMs can be used in isolation or together with other known GTMs to provide for novel signatures to be used in the detection of tumors, including gastric tumors.

Abstract: A system and method for planning, manipulating, processing and editing DNA molecules utilizing a core operation on a given input DNA molecule to produce a targeted DNA molecule.

Abstract: A system (20) for a PCR reaction includes an array of reaction vessels mounted on a thermal mount (21). The thermal mount (21) is provided with a liquid path therein coupled to a cooling liquid input port (22), a heating liquid input port (23) and a liquid output port (24). A pump (38) is used to pump liquid from cooling liquid source (29) either along a cooling liquid path (28) to the cooling liquid input port (22), or via a heating liquid source (31), where the liquid is heated, and along a heating liquid path (30) to the heating liquid input port (23). A temperature sensor (34) measures the temperature of the thermal mount (21) and a processor (27) controls the pump, valves (26) at the input and output ports and valves (41-44) at either side of the pump (38), to control whether heating or cooling liquid is input to the thermal mount, and at what flow rate, in order to obtain the correct temperature of the thermal block (21).

Abstract: PHB-deficient Sphingomonas strains having improved sphingan yield are provided. Certain of the Sphingomonas strains are diutan-producing strains that exhibit a dramatic improvement in productivity and yield due to a combination of certain genetic modifications that affect PHB and sphingan synthesis. Moreover, the sphingans produced from such strains have superior characteristics including improved filterability, clarity, and improved rheology-modifying characteristics. The sphingans provided are, thus, highly desirable in a variety of commercial and industrial uses, including personal care items, cement applications, and oilfield applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for evaluating the sensitizing potential of a test compound, and to a kit for implementing said method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of diagnosing the existence of a kidney disorder in a feline comprising measuring the level of expression of one or more biomarkers selected from the group consisting of lumican; collagen alpha 1 (111) chain, variant 12; decorin; secreted frizzled-related protein 2; retinol binding protein 5; MMP-2; MMP-7; and MMP-19, in a biological sample from the feline, wherein differences in expression of the one or more biomarkers in the sample relative to a control value for expression in a sample from a normal animal indicate the existence of a kidney disorder; a method of treating a feline so diagnosed; and compositions, reagents and kits for carrying out the specified methods.

Abstract: The invention is related to nucleic acid arrays and methods of using nucleic acid arrays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to non-steroidal ligands for use in nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system, and a method to modulate exogenous gene expression in which an ecdysone receptor complex comprising: a DNA binding domain; a ligand binding domain; a transactivation domain; and a ligand is contacted with a DNA construct comprising: the exogenous gene and a response element; wherein the exogenous gene is under the control of the response element and binding of the DNA binding domain to the response element in the presence of the ligand results in activation or suppression of the gene.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a translationally regulatable mRNA which has wider application and can perform specific ON-OFF regulation, an RNA-protein complex specifically bound to the mRNA, and a translational regulatory system. The present invention provides an mRNA having an RNA-protein complex interacting motif-derived nucleotide sequence 5? to the ribosome-binding site or within the 5? region of the open reading frame, and an mRNA having a nucleotide sequence complementary to an RNA-protein complex interacting motif-derived nucleotide sequence 5? to the ribosome-binding site or within the 5? region of the open reading frame.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for diagnosing ovarian cancer. In particular, certain microRNAs are useful to the response to chemotherapy of ovarian cancer patients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of suppressing the transcriptional expression of one or more genes by methylating the chromatin histone proteins of the one or more genes. Specifically, a viral SET domain histone lysine methyltransferase (vSET or vSET-like protein) methylates lysine 27 of a gene's histone protein 3 (H3-K27) thereby suppressing the transcription of the gene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an extracellular binding domain for an allosteric inhibitor, whereby said binding domain is derived from a single membrane span tyrosine kinase receptor. More specifically, the invention relates to an extracellular domain derived from a Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor (FGFR). It further relates to the use of this domain for the identification of similar domains in the extracellular part of other tyrosine kinase receptors, and to a screening method for identification of a small compound allosteric inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention provides mutant adeno-associated virus (AAV) that exhibit altered capsid properties, e.g., reduced binding to neutralizing antibodies in serum and/or altered heparin binding and/or altered infectivity of particular cell types. The present invention further provides libraries of mutant AAV comprising one or more mutations in a capsid gene. The present invention further provides methods of generating the mutant AAV and mutant AAV libraries, and compositions comprising the mutant AAV. The present invention further provides recombinant AAV (rAAV) virions that comprise a mutant capsid protein. The present invention further provides nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences that encode mutant capsid proteins, and host cells comprising the nucleic acids. The present invention further provides methods of delivering a gene product to an individual, the methods generally involving administering an effective amount of a subject rAAV virion to an individual in need thereof.