Abstract: This invention provides a novel screening system for identifying p53 mimetics/agonists. Also provided are small organic molecules that act as effective p53 mimetics/agonists.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of medical molecular diagnostics. It provides methods and means for the in vitro detection of the neurodevelopmental toxicity of a compound by determining the gene expression of a limited number of genes.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of altering gene expression by homologous recombination in a multipotent adult progenitor cell (MAPC). In particular, methods of producing a recombinant MAPC, of correcting a genetic defect in a mammal, of providing a functional and/or therapeutic protein to a mammal, and of transforming a MAPC are provided. MAPCs containing an erogenous DNA as well as recombinant MAPCs and their differentiated progeny are also provided.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a mitochondria-function regulator effective for treatment or prevention of obesity, and a screening method therefore. [Solution] The mitochondria-function regulator of the present invention contains, as an active ingredient, a PGC-1?-protein function regulator synoviolin. The screening method of the present invention includes a step for causing a test substance to act on an adipose tissue cell or an individual animal, and measuring or detecting one or more of the following in the adipose tissue cell: (1) expression level of synoviolin; (2) a bond between synoviolin and PGC-1? protein; and (3) the ubiquitination of the PGC-1? protein by synoviolin.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery that the proliferation and survival of pancreatic progenitor cells can be enhanced by contacting the cells with, (1) a caspase inhibitor sufficient to reduce apoptosis in the pancreatic endocrine cells; and, (2) a growth factor in an amount sufficient to increase the level of activated Akt in the pancreatic endocrine cells.

Abstract: An expression vector, comprising a first reporter nucleic acid sequence operably linked to a first expression control sequence comprising a promoter; and a second reporter nucleic acid sequence operably linked to a second expression control sequence that comprises a response element that is activated or inactivated as one or more of the cells differentiate or dedifferentiate. Methods and kits for imaging and monitoring stem cells comprising the expression vector are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to DNA-sequences, especially transcription- or expression-enhancing elements (TE elements) and their use on an expression vector in conjunction with an enhancer, a promoter, a product gene and a selectable marker. TE elements bring about an increase in the expression of the product gene, particularly when stably integrated in the eukaryotic genome, preferably the CHO-DG44 genome.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease and ulcerative colitis using miRNA biomarkers for these diseases are provided. Differential expression of the miRNA biomarkers in blood fractions, e.g., platelets, of diseased individuals as compared to expression levels in normal individuals indicates the presence of IBD or ulcerative colitis. Also provided are microarrays for use in the diagnostic methods, wherein the features of the microarray consist essentially of nucleic acid sequences that hybridize to the miRNA biomarkers and normalization controls.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for screening for iPS cells exhibiting differentiation resistance using a marker identified as lincRNA or mRNA that is specifically expressed in an iPS cell line exhibiting differentiation resistance, and such markers.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, nucleic acids and kits for determining the prognosis of a subject having cell proliferative disorder, preferably cancer. The invention discloses genomic sequences the methylation patterns of which have utility for the improved detection of said disorder, thereby enabling the improved diagnosis and treatment of patients.

Abstract: This invention relates to a lamellae tissue layer, comprising a grooved silk fibroin substrate comprising tissue-specific cells. The silk fibroin substrates provides an excellent means of controlling and culturing cell and extracellular matrix development. A multitude of lamellae tissue layers can be used to create a tissue-engineered organ, such as a tissue-engineered cornea. The tissue-engineered organ is non-immunogenic and biocompatible.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid constructs, expression vectors, transgenic cell and methods of making and using the same, wherein the nucleic acid construct includes a synthetic promoter designed using selected PDX-1 activation sites such as those observed in the human insulin promoter (HIP). In illustrative working embodiments of the invention, an exogenous nucleic acid fragment encoding thymidine kinase is operably linked to the synthetic promoter which is then shown to regulate the expression of this polypeptide.

Abstract: The present specification discloses clonal cell lines susceptible to BoNT/A intoxication, methods of producing such clonal cell lines, and methods of detecting Botulinum toxin serotype A activity using such clonal cell lines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of non-invasively monitoring the expression of a gene of interest in a cell when contacting said cell with a compound influencing the expression of said gene of interest. The present invention is also concerned with different isolated nucleic acid molecules comprising a coding sequence. Said coding sequence comprises a gene of interest-sequence encoding a gene of interest-polypeptide fused to a reporter sequence encoding a fluorescent reporter polypeptide and is operatively coupled to a promoter sequence. The present invention is also concerned with the use of a method and a nucleic acid molecule of the invention for delivering a compound influencing the expression of a gene of interest in a cell, monitoring the delivery of said compound as well as monitoring the influence on the expression of said gene of interest induced by said compound at the same time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polynucleotide vector system used during polypeptide display that can be used to facilitate transfer of pools of polynucleotides encoding antigen binding proteins of interest. The present invention also provides methods that allow seamless conversion of pools of polynucleotides encoding antigen binding proteins using a restriction enzyme digestion and ligation strategy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant host cell, wherein the cell is modified to increase the expression levels of Ero1 and XBP1 relative to the expression levels of Ero1 and XBP1 in an unmodified cell. The present invention also relates to a method of producing a recombinant protein of interest comprising expressing the recombinant protein of interest in the recombinant host cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to enhance cell growth in culture comprising adding an alkyl-amine-n-oxide (AANOx), such as dodecyldimethylamine oxide (DDAO), into the culture medium in an amount sufficient to improve cell growth.

Abstract: A method of vaccination against a viral, bacterial or non-infectious disease includes administering an effective dose of a prime vaccine and then an effective dose of a boost vaccine. Each one of the prime vaccine and the boost vaccine includes an active principle. The prime vaccine includes, as the active principle, a colloidal synthetic bioresorbable vector that includes at least one protein substance. The boost vaccine includes, as the active principle, a viral vector that includes at least one nucleotide sequence which codes for a protein substance corresponding to the at least one protein substance of the synthetic vector.

Abstract: Specific oxygen uptake (OUR) is used as a process control parameter in fermentation processes. OUR is determined during at least the production phase of a fermentation process, and process parameters are adjusted to maintain the OUR within desired ranges. The invention is particularly applicable when the fermentation is conducted using a microorganism having a natural PDC pathway that has been disrupted so that it no longer functions. Microorganisms of this sort often produce poorly under strictly anaerobic conditions. Microaeration controlled by monitoring OUR allows the performance of the microorganism to be optimized.

Abstract: The present invention features compositions and methods that make use of complexes comprising one or more inhibitory nucleic acids and a targeting polypeptide, wherein the targeting polypeptide consists of a cell surface receptor ligand. The compositions can be used in methods of silencing gene expression in a cell, in delivering agents to a target cell, and in treating or preventing a disease or disorder in a subject.