Abstract: A method of screening for compounds that module expression of specific macromolecules, the “target”. The method is particularly useful in that it does not require separation of target-bound and excess ligand and therefore enables, but is not limited to, High Throughput Screening for compounds that increase or decrease the levels or amounts of a target present in a biological sample. The method can also be used for high-throughput diagnosis of a condition leading to an increase or decrease of a cellular macromolecule.

Abstract: A method of screening for compounds that module expression of specific macromolecules, the “target”. The method is particularly useful in that it does not require separation of target-bound and excess ligand and therefore enables, but is not limited to, High Throughput Screening for compounds that increase or decrease the levels or amounts of a target present in a biological sample. The method can also be used for high-throughput diagnosis of a condition leading to an increase or decrease of a cellular macromolecule.

Abstract: A method of screening for compounds that module expression of specific macromolecules, the “target”. The method is particularly useful in that it does not require separation of target-bound and excess ligand and therefore enables, but is not limited to, High Throughput Screening for compounds that increase or decrease the levels or amounts of a target present in a biological sample. The method can also be used for high-throughput diagnosis of a condition leading to an increase or decrease of a cellular macromolecule.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for determining the presence of prions in a tissue/organ or fluid therefrom; said method comprising the steps of: contacting the tissue/organ with one or more devices, wherein said devices are capable of binding prions; removing said devices from contact with said tissue/organ; determining if said devices are binding prions wherein the device is contacted with the tissue/organ for 120 minutes.

Abstract: B-cells have been identified as being the crucial carriers of infectivity in the spread of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy within an infected organism. In a second step, B-cells may infect further components_of the immune system, e.g. T-cells. Accordingly, the present invention provides B-cell and T-cell specific ligands for the use in diagnostics and therapeutics for transmissible spongiform encephalopathy and provides methods for the manufacture of non-infective blood products and tissue derived products. Thus, the present invention provides medicaments comprising B-cell and/or T-cell depletants, for the treatment of pathologies where the depletion of B-cells and/or T-cells, and more particularly of tse-infected B-cells and/or T-cells is therapeutically effective.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting a prion in a sample comprising providing a population of cells which are susceptible to prion infection, contacting the population of cells with the cells with the sample, incubating the cells on a growth substrate, assaying for prion colony formation wherein presence of prion colonies indicates presence of prions in the sample. The invention further relates to methods for quantifying the prions, and to cell lines sensitive to prion infection.

Abstract: DNA sequences, recombinant DNA molecules and hosts transformed with them which produce polypeptides displaying a biological or immunological activity of human interferon, the genes coding for these polypeptides and methods of making and using these molecules, hosts, genes and polypeptides. The DNA sequences are characterized in that they code for a polypeptide displaying a biological or immunological activity of human interferon. In appropriate hosts these DNA sequences and recombinant DNA molecules permit the production and identification of genes and polypeptides displaying a biological or immunological activity of human interferon and their use in antiviral and antitumor or anticancer agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of treating or preventing prion infection in a subject comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of an agent wherein said agent cleaves PrPC.

Abstract: This invention relates to transgenic mammals and birds that are not susceptible to spongiform encephalopathies (i.e., scrapie-like or prion diseases), due to absence of endogenous functional prion protein ("PrP"). More particularly, this invention relates to DNA targeting molecules that specifically disrupt PrP genes by homologous recombination in transfected animal cells, to cultured cells transformed with such DNA targeting molecules, and to animals derived from those transformed cells and the transgenic progeny of such animals.

Abstract: Recombinant DNA molecules and hosts transformed with them which produce polypeptides displaying a biological or immunological activity of human interferon, the gene coding for these polypeptides and methods of making and using these molecules, hosts, genes and polypeptides. The recombinant DNA molecules are characterized by structural genes that code for a polypeptide displaying a biological or immulogical activity of human interferon. In appropriate hosts these molecules permit the production and identification of genes and polypeptides displaying a biological or immunological activity of human interferon and their use in antiviral and antitumor or anticancer agents.