Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of producing pancreatic hormone-expressing cells by first differentiating pluripotent cells in cell culture so as to produce endodermal cells, the endodermal cells being competent to further differentiate into hormone-expressing cells capable of secreting at least one pancreatic hormone in response to a physiological signal, and then, transplanting the cultured endodermal cells into an organism, such as an organism in need of an endocrine cell therapy.

Abstract: Devices and methods of delivering therapeutic agents to tissue are provided, which provide reduced outflow of therapeutic agents from an injection site. The methods include delivering one or more clot-promoting substances, such as platelets, fibrin and/or thrombin, to the injection site to entrap the therapeutic agent in the injection site. Devices include devices that are suitable for use in the provided methods.

Abstract: Acid/sour taste receptors are provided. CSF pH sensing receptors are provided. Methods and systems for screening for tastants and receptor modulators are provided. Knock out and transgenic animals, antibodies to the receptors, methods of detecting polymorphisms, and methods of correcting taste defects are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods of maintaining genetic stability of non-human animal inbred strains. In the methods, pedigree-tracked cryopreserved embryos derived from a foundation colony are produced and used to re-establish the foundation colony at appropriate intervals.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the identification and isolation of mammalian mesenchymal stem cells. The methods of the invention provide a means to obtain substantially homogeneous MSC populations. In some embodiments, the homogeneous MSC composition is stable in non-differentiating culture conditions, where the proportion of cells in the composition that have an MSC phenotype are maintained over multiple passages.

Abstract: A pro-inflammatory T cell response is specifically suppressed by the injection into a recipient of DNA encoding an autoantigen associated with autoimmune disease. The recipient may be further treating by co-vaccination with a DNA encoding a Th2 cytokine, particularly encoding IL4. In response to the vaccination, the proliferation of autoantigen-reactive T cells and the secretion of Th1 cytokines, including IL-2, IFN-? and IL-15, are reduced.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the production of PKC isozyme ? (PKC?)-deficient cells and non-human animals. The present invention is further directed to the identification of PKC? as a target for drugs that reduce anxiety. According to the present invention, PKC?-inhibiting compounds act in synergy with drugs acting at the GABAA receptor. The present invention is also directed to the use of modulators of PKC? to modulate alcohol consumption, self-administration of other drugs of abuse, and the effects of alcohol consumption as well as the use of inhibitors of PKC?, either alone or in conjunction with allosteric agonists of GABAA receptors, to treat conditions, such as addiction, withdrawal syndrome, skeletal muscle spasms, convulsive seizures, and epilepsy, that are amenable to treatment by allosteric agonists of GABAA receptors.

Abstract: The invention relates to the generation of non-human transgenic animals comprising a reporter construct for producing a detectable amount of a reporter molecule operably linked to a transcriptional regulatory nucleic acid molecule from the human CYP3A4 gene located between the initiation of transcription site of the gene and a position located 13,000 nucleotides upstream from the site. The invention also relates to the use of these animals for determining the effect of a compound, particularly, but not exclusively, a xenobiotic or steriod, on the regulation of expression of the CYP3A4 gene in a human.

Abstract: The present invention relates to herpes viral mutants and methods of using these viral mutants for selectively targeting tumor cells or other populations of target cells. The viral mutants of the invention are capable of selective targeting due to the use of tumor-specific and/or cell-specific promoters to drive expression of the herpes ?34.5 gene.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for providing in vivo delivery of polynucleotides to mammalian prostate cells using an intravascular administration route. The polynucleotides are inserted in an injection solution into a mammalian vasculature. Insertion of the injection solution at an appropriate rate increases the volume of extravascular fluid in the tissue thereby facilitating delivery of the polynucleotide to the cell.

Abstract: Myeloproliferative leukemia receptor (mpl) ligands, such as thrombopoietin, act on a primitive subpopulation of human stem cells having the characteristics of self-renewal and ability to give rise to all hematopoietic cell lineages. Thrombopoietin supports both megakaryocytic differentiation and primitive progenitor cell expansion of CD34+ and CD34+ sub-populations (CD34+Lin?, CD34+Thy-1+Lin?, and CD34+Lin? Rh123?lo). Thrombopoietin also stimulated quiescent human stem cells to begin cycling. Thus, mpl ligands are useful for expanding primitive stem cells for restoration of hematopoietic capabilities and for providing modified human stem cells for gene therapy applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides an animal model for prostatic stromal hyperplasia, and a method for screening for a substance effective for preventing/treating human benign prostatic hyperplasia using the animal model. The animal model for prostatic stromal hyperplasia is produced by implanting the fetal urogenital sinus of a non-human animal under the skin or beneath the prostatic capsule of a non-human animal belonging to the species of the same as or different from the animal. A substance effective for preventing/treating human benign prostatic hyperplasia can be screened by administering a test substance to the animal model and measuring the preventive or therapeutic effect of the test substance upon the implanted tissue (fetal urogenital sinus or tissue derived therefrom).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transgenic mouse which has integrated a reporter gene in the locus of the Cx40 gene, wherein said reporter gene is expressed in the different components of the cardiac conduction system (CCS) including the atrio-ventricular node (AVN). His bundle, bundle branches and Purkinje fibers.

Abstract: Viral vectors and methods of making such vectors are described that preferentially kill neoplastic but not normal cells, the preferred vector being an adenovirus that has the endogenous promoters in the E1A and/or E4 regions substituted with a tumor specific promoter which is preferably E2F responsive.

Abstract: The present invention provides transgenic non-human animal models and cell lines which express a metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 in a melanocyte-specific manner and, as a result, exhibit a predisposition to the development of melanoma. The invention further teaches methods of using the transgenic animals and cell lines to identify therapeutic agents. Diagnostic methods for detecting a melanoma are also provided.

Abstract: The invention of this application provides a method of expressing a gene, which comprises transferring a plasmid vector recombined with an exogenous gene into the kidney by administration via the renal vein so that the exogenous gene is expressed mainly in renal interstitial fibroblasts. The method of this invention can transfer the exogenous gene into the kidneys safely and efficiently and express the transgene over a long period of time.

Abstract: Non-human transgenic animal models and cells derived therefrom are provided for RabGEF1 function. RabGEF1 is a negative regulator of Fc?RI-dependent mast cell activation and T cell activation via the T cell receptor and a lack of RabGEF1 results in the development of skin inflammation in vivo. The mast cells derived from such animals exhibit enhanced Ras-mediated signaling and functional responses when activated through high affinity IgE receptors. These cells show significant potentiation of IgE and antigen-dependent secretion of 3 classes of mast cell mediators, providing a useful source of mast cells for screening assays.

Abstract: A viral or non-viral vector particle having a modified viral surface protein wherein the viral surface protein is modified to include a targeting polypeptide including a binding region which binds to an extracellular matrix component. Such vector particles are useful in delivering genes encoding therapeutic agents to cells located at the site of an exposed extracellular matrix component.

Abstract: This invention provides the sequence of 5,299 nucleotides from the E. canis genome. There are four proteins, ProA, ProB, MmpA, and a cytochrome oxidase homolog, as well as a partial lipoprotein signal peptidase homolog at the carboxy terminus, coded for in this cloned fragment. The antigenic properties of these proteins allow them to be used to create a vaccine. An embodiment of this invention includes the creation of a DNA vaccine, a recombinant vaccine, and a T cell epitope vaccine. Another embodiment of this invention includes the use of serological diagnosis techniques.

Abstract: This disclosure encompasses the edr3 polynucleotide, polypeptides encoded by the edr3 gene and fragments thereof. This disclosure also encompasses homologues of the edr3 gene from mammals, in particular from humans. In addition, this disclosure encompasses the use of edr3 polynucleotides, edr3 proteins and polypeptides, and antibodies to the edr3 protein capable of increasing or decreasing edr3 activity or expression.