Abstract: This invention characterizes the specific peptide fragment derived from specially prepared zinc charged fetuin and a method of preparation thereof, wherein the fragment was found to contain an apoptosis-inducing activity. Specifically, the amino acid sequence of this peptide is His Thr Phe Ser Gly Val Ala Ser Val Glu (SEQ ID NO: 1). The peptide induced apoptosis in LNCaP (prostate cancer) and HT-29 (colon cancer) cells without affecting CCD 18 Co (normal colon) cells. The in vitro tissue culture study demonstrated that the peptide is more potent than the parent molecule (full-length zinc charged fetuin) in inducing apoptosis. The peptide has a LD50 of 0.3-0.4 ?M, while the LD50 for zinc-charged fetuin is 3-10 ?M.

Abstract: The present invention provides a universal peptide-binding scaffold. This scaffold is used to bind a target. The target can be a peptide or peptides of interest (for example, peptides associated with a disease state) or can represent the entire proteome. The target can be either protein fragments prepared by enzymatic digestion of the entire proteome or N- or C-terminal short sequences exposed by chemical denaturation of the entire proteome (unfolded proteins). The universal peptide-binding scaffold can be tailored to specifically bind a target using the methods described herein.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the selection of a virus comprising the steps of: (a) providing a virus encoding and displaying a fusion polypeptide, said fusion polypeptide comprising a heterologous polypeptide inserted into the sequence of a viral coat protein polypeptide, wherein said virus comprises a cleavable site located within a displayed polypeptide; (b) exposing the virus to a cleaving agent; (c) propagating the virus comprising intact fusion protein.

Abstract: An automatic pipette in an analytic device uses disposable pipette tips, and in which proper coupling of the pipette tip to the pipette, accurate volume of the aspirated fluid, and distance of the pipette tip to a biochip are determined using a plurality of sensors that are coupled to the automatic pipette.

Abstract: Methods for treating conditions associated with elevated, inappropriate or undesired post-prandial blood glucose levels are disclosed which comprise administration of an effective amount of an amylin agonist alone or in conjunction with other anti-gastric emptying agents. Methods for reducing gastric motility and delaying gastric emptying for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes are also described.

Abstract: The system includes a microfabricated electrochemical biosensor for detecting the presence and/or quantity of the target analyte in the sample reagent. The biosensor includes a substrate and at least two electrically conductive electrodes. Each of the electrical conductive electrodes consists of a single layer of an electrically conductive material. The electrodes can be fabricated on the substrate by integrated circuit technology.

Abstract: Substituted oxazolidinone of the formula: wherein R2 is alkyl selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, and isopropyl moieties, are described. The compounds are antibacterial.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating infections, especially bacterial infections, are provided. Indolicidin peptide analogues containing at least two basic amino acids are prepared. The analogues are administered as modified peptides, preferably containing photo-oxidized solubilizer.

Abstract: A composition containing a photoacid generator monomer and surfactant, and a method for synthesizing a compound on a substrate using the composition are provided. The method includes bonding a layer of first molecules having an acid labile protecting group to a solid substrate; coating a layer of the photoacid generator monomer composition according to the present invention on the layer of first molecules; exposing the composition layer to light and then heat-treating to remove the acid labile protecting group from the first molecules corresponding to the exposed portion; washing and removing the composition layer from the exposed and unexposed portions; and bonding second molecules to the exposed first molecules.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for high throughput mass spectrometry are provided. The methods involve sample preparation in an off-line parallel purification system. Such methods include but are not limited to the use of an appropriate buffer when generating samples or the use of a solid support for tagged components. The samples prepared in this way do not then need to be column separated. The apparatus provided includes a cell growth plate for growing cells and generating products and/or reactants, an off-line parallel purification system, a mass spectrometer, and an automatic sampler that transports samples and injects them into the mass spectrometer of the apparatus. The methods and apparatus described are used, for example, in screening enzyme reaction pathways.

Abstract: This invention provides compounds and methods for treating, with said compound, a mycobacterial infection by administering to an animal a pharmaceutical composition containing a compound having the formula R—SOn-Z-CO—Y, where R is an alkyl groups having 6-20 carbon atoms, unsaturated hydrocarbon groups having 6-20 carbon atoms, or alkyl groups having 6-20 carbon atoms interrupted by at least one aromatic ring; Z is —CH2—, —CH2CH2—, —NH—NH—, —O—, ——NH—, —O—NH—, —CH2—NH—, —CH2—O—, —NH—O—, —NH—CH2—, —O—CH2—, and —CH?CH—; Y is —NH2, —O—CH2—C6H5, —CO—CO—O—CH3, and —O—CH3; and n is 1 or 2. It has been discovered that these compounds treat microbially-based infections caused by corynebacteria, nocardiae, rhodococcus, and mycobacteria. These compounds may be used to treat mycobacterial cells, such as Mycobacteria tuberculosis, drug resistant M. tuberculosis, M. avium intracellulare, M. leprae, M. paratuberculosis, and pathogenic Mycobacteria sp.

Abstract: The present invention provides camel antibody libraries that maintain in vivo diversity of camelid antibody variable region genes. The in vivo diversity of antibody variable region genes can be accomplished by, for example, mixing genes derived from a plurality of animals or modifying gene amplification conditions. Conventional methods yield only VHHs with limited repertoire diversity. However, the present invention provides libraries comprising genes encoding functional VHHs with sufficient repertoire size. According to the present invention, libraries that enable to freely obtain VHHs against arbitrary antigens are provided. VHHs have excellent solubility and stability, and show a reactivity that usually cannot be expected from tetrameric IgGs.

Abstract: The present invention provides antineoplastic peptides of formula I, R1R2N—CHX—CO-A-B-D-E-(G)s-K I wherein R1, R2, X, A, B, D, E, G, K, and s have the meanings stated in the description. The compounds have antineoplastic activity.

Abstract: Viruses expressing ligands on their surfaces are used as a detection means for the related polypeptide which binds the ligand. Multiple copies of the ligand can be expressed on the viral surface. These viruses may be used to detect polypeptides, cells, receptors and channel proteins.

Abstract: A diazaphosphacycle may be synthesized by reacting a phosphine with a diimine and optionally one or more equivalents of an acid halide, a sulfonyl halide, a phosphoryl halide, or an acid anhydride in the substantial absence of O2 to form the diazaphosphacycle. The phosphine has the formula R1—PH2 where R1 is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted ferrocenyl group.

Abstract: A detector for optical analysis of a biochip determines the focal position of a plurality of analytes on the biochip using one or more registration markers on the biochip, wherein the analytes and the registration marker are illuminated by different light sources. Therefore, contemplated configurations will significantly reduce overall focusing time and automate proper positioning of the biochip, while allowing to determine a focal position without photobleaching or other undesirable effects on optically labile compounds. Thus, automated analyses can be performed without manual user intervention.

Abstract: Transition metal complexes include a diazaphosphacycle of formula III and a transition metal. The phosphorus atom of the diazaphosphacycle is bonded to the transition metal and the diazaphosphacycle of formula III has the following structure where the variables have the values set forth herein.

Abstract: This invention characterizes the specific peptide fragment derived from specially prepared zinc charged fetuin and a method of preparation thereof, wherein the fragment was found to contain an apoptosis-inducing activity. Specifically, the amino acid sequence of this peptide is His-Thr-Phe-Met-Gy-Val-Val-Ser-Leu-Gly (SEQ ID NO: 3) and correlates to amino acid no. 300-309 of bovine fetuin, referred to herein as Fetuin Peptide Fragment (FPF 300-09). FPF 300-09 strongly induced apoptosis in LNCaP (prostate cancer) and HT-29 (colon cancer) cells without affecting CCD 18 Co (normal colon) cells. The in vitro tissue culture study demonstrated that the FPF 300-09 is more potent than the parent molecule (full-length zinc charged fetuin) in inducing apoptosis. FPF 300-09 has a LD50 of 0.3-0.4 ?M, while the LD50 for zinc-charged fetuin is 3-10 ?M.

Abstract: It is intended to provide lectins and a lectin library comprising these lectins which are useful in recognizing differences in carbohydrates on cell surface (for example, sugar chains and cell surface glycoproteins) reflecting extremely subtle differences among cells, etc. and thus distinguishing, identifying or fractionating various cells.

Abstract: Water soluble hybrid phthalocyanine derivatives useful in competitive and noncompetitive assays immunoassays, nucleic acid and assays are disclosed and claimed having (1) at least one donor subunit with a desired excitation peak, and (2) at least one acceptor subunit with a desired emission peak, wherein said derivative(s) is/are capable of intramolecular energy transfer from said donor subunit to said acceptor subunit. Such derivatives also may contain an electron transfer subunit. Axial ligands may be covalently bound to the metals contained in the water soluble hybrid phthalocyanine derivatives. Ligands, ligand analogues, polypeptides, proteins and nucleic acids can be linked to the axial ligands of the dyes to form dye conjugates useful in immunoassays and nucleic acid assays.