Abstract: The present invention describes templated combinatorial chemical libraries comprised of a plurality of bifunctional molecules having both a chemical compound and a nucleic acid tag that defines the structure of the chemical compound and directs its synthesis. Also described are methods for producing, enriching and in vitro evolution of the bifunctional molecules of such libraries based on the nucleic acid tags and methods for selecting for library compounds having a desired activity.

Abstract: Methods for treating gestational diabetes which comprise administration of an effective amount of an exendin or an exendin agonist, alone or in conjunction with other compounds or compositions that lower blood glucose levels.

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: 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: Peptides have been generated that have binding affinity to carbon nanostructures and particularly carbon nanotubes. Peptides of or the invention are generally about twelve amino acids in length. Methods for generating carbon nanotube binding peptides are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for the production of anti-self antibodies and antibody fragments, being antibodies or fragments of a particular species of mammal which bind self antigens of that species. Methods comprise providing a library of replicable genetic display packages (rgdps), such as filamentous phage, each rgdp displaying at its surface member of a specific binding pair which is an antibody or antibody fragment, and each rgdp containing nucleic acid sequence derived from a species of mammal. The nucleic acid sequence in each rgdp encodes a polypeptide chain which is a component part of the sbp member displayed at the surface of that rgdp. Anti-self antibody fragments are selected by binding with a self antigen from the said species of mammal. The displayed antibody fragments may be scFv, Fd, Fab or any other fragment which has the capability of binding antigen. Nucleic acid libraries used may be derived from a rearranged V-gene sequences of unimmunised mammal.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides and peptide analogues that mimic the structural and pharmacological properties of human ApoA-I. The peptides and peptide analogues are useful to treat a variety of disorders associated with dyslipidemia.

Abstract: Methods are described for conjugating radioiodinated peptides or carbohydrate structures to proteins with improved yields and qualities of conjugates. In one method, specially designed radioiodinated bifunctional peptides containing nonmetabolizable amide bonds are coupled to antibodies. In a second method, radioiodinated nonmetabolizable bifunctional peptides, which also contain aminopolycarboxylates, are coupled to antibodies. In a third method, radioiodinated bifunctional aminopolycarboxylates are coupled to antibodies. In a fourth method, a hydrazide-appended antibody is coupled to a radioiodinated carbohydrate or a thiolated antibody is coupled to a hydrazide-appended and radioiodinated carbohydrate. In a fifth method a monoderivatized cyanuric chloride is used to conjugate thiolated antibody. Radioiodinated residualizing antibody conjugates made by these methods are particularly stable in vivo and are suitable for radioimmunodetection and radioimmunotherapy.

Abstract: The use of azetidinone compounds that are inhibitors of cholesterol absorption as tools for discovering and characterizing proteins involved in trafficking or absorption of cholesterol and/or cholesteryl esters in biological systems is presented. These compounds can serve as tools for competitive binding assays to discover and characterize other chemical agents useful as cholesterol absorption inhibitors. New compounds of the present invention are also highly efficacious inhibitors of cholesterol absorption.

Abstract: The invention describes the display of exogenous polypeptides on filamentous phage using a fusion between the exogenous polypeptide and phage pVII or pIX proteins. In particular, phage particles and phagemid vectors are described for expression and display of heterodimeric proteins such as antibody Fv heterodimers in combinatorial libraries, and uses thereof.