Abstract: The present invention relates to in vitro cultured skin tissue, and in particular to cultured skin tissue comprising exogenous genes encoding angiogenic growth factors. In some embodiments, the keratinocytes express exogenous angiopoietin-1, HIF-1?, or a member of the VEGF family, preferably VEGF-A. In particularly preferred embodiments, the keratinocytes are incorporated into cultured skin tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to in vitro cultured skin tissue, and in particular to cultured skin tissue comprising exogenous genes encoding angiogenic growth factors. In some embodiments, the keratinocytes express exogenous angiopoietin-1 or a member of the VEGF family, preferably VEGF-A. In particularly preferred embodiments, the keratinocytes are incorporated into cultured skin tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to in vitro cultured skin tissue, and in particular to cultured skin tissue comprising exogenous genes encoding angiogenic growth factors. In some embodiments, the keratinocytes express exogenous angiopoietin-1, HIF-1?, or a member of the VEGF family, preferably VEGF-A. In particularly preferred embodiments, the keratinocytes are incorporated into cultured skin tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to compositions for treating patients that have skin cancer or have recently had skin cancers removed. More specifically, the present invention provides human skin substitutes engineered to express exogenous IL-12 and compositions and methods for making human skin substitutes engineered to express exogenous IL-12. In addition, the present invention provides methods for treatment of sites on a patient where skin cancers have been removed with human skin substitutes engineered to express exogenous IL-12.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for preparing, storing, shipping and using skin equivalents made by organotypic culture. In particular, the present invention relates to systems and methods for producing, transporting, storing and using skin equivalents produced by organotypic culture at reduced temperatures, preferably from 2-8 degrees Celsius to ambient temperature. The methods include sterile packaging of the grafts so that the sterility and integrity of the package is maintained until the time of use for grafting purposes.

Abstract: A method of screening for selective inhibitors or activators Smad protein function is disclosed. In one embodiment, the invention comprises the steps of (a) obtaining a phosphorylated Smad protein or protein complex, (b) allowing the phosphorylated Smad protein or complex to interact with a target protein or peptide in the presence of a test compound, and (c) analyzing the binding of the phosphorylated Smad complex or protein and the target protein or peptide, wherein a perturbation of binding indicates that the test compound is an inhibitor or activator of Smad-target protein interaction.