Abstract: A device for detecting and recording animal behavior is provided. The device includes at least one corral that defines contained field, the base surface of the at least one corral being sensitive to the animal's footprint. The device also includes an image capturing device that cooperates with the base surface to capture both a profile of the animal's full footprint and a profile of the animal's toe print when the animal is standing on its toes. In some embodiments, the device is capable of providing a stimulus to the animal and observing the resulting behavior of the animal via the image capturing device.

Abstract: A device for detecting and recording animal behavior is provided. The device includes at least one corral that defines a contained field, the base surface of the at least one corral being sensitive to the animal's footprint. The device also includes an image capturing device that cooperates with the base surface to capture a first video frame in which at least one of a tail, body and head of the animal is illuminated by a light below the animal and a second video frame in which both a profile of a full footprint and a profile of a toe print of the animal when the animal is standing on its toes is illuminated by a light that is totally internally reflected within the base surface. A control system is arranged to control the image capturing device to capture the first and second video frames.

Abstract: The specification provides compositions and methods to treat neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: The invention features a method for inhibiting one or more voltage-gated ion channels in a cell by contacting the cell with (i) a first compound that activates a channel-forming receptor that is present on nociceptors and/or pruriceptors; and (ii) a second compound that inhibits one or more voltage-gated ion channels when applied to the internal face of the channels but does not substantially inhibit said channels when applied to the external face of the channels, wherein the second compound is capable of entering nociceptors or pruriceptors through the channel-forming receptor when the receptor is activated. The invention also features a quarternary amine derivative or other permanently or transiently charged derivative of a compound that inhibits one or more voltage-gated ion channels when applied to the internal face of the channels but does not substantially inhibit said channels when applied to the external face of the channels.

Abstract: A device for detecting and recording animal behavior is provided. The device includes at least one corral that defines a contained field, the base surface of the at least one corral being sensitive to the animal's footprint. The device also includes an image capturing device that cooperates with the base surface to capture both a profile of the animal's full footprint and a profile of the animal's toe print when the animal is standing on its toes. In some embodiments, a first light is totally internally reflected within the base surface and a second light illuminates at least one of a tail, body and head of the animal from below the animal. In some embodiments, the first and second lights are produced from first and second light sources.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds, compositions, methods, and kits for the treatment of pain, itch, and neurogenic inflammation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hemojuvelin (HJV) fusion protein (e.g., a human HJV.Fc) protein, polynucleotides and vectors encoding such proteins, and methods for making such proteins.

Abstract: This invention features methods and compositions useful for treating and diagnosing diseases of the nervous system, retina, skin, muscle, joint, and cartilage using a Dragon family protein. Protein and nucleic acid sequences of human, murine, zebrafish, and C. elegans Dragon family members are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention features a method for inhibiting one or more voltage-gated ion channels in a cell by contacting the cell with (i) a first compound that activates a channel-forming receptor that is present on nociceptors and/or pruriceptors; and (ii) a second compound that inhibits one or more voltage-gated ion channels when applied to the internal face of the channels but does not substantially inhibit said channels when applied to the external face of the channels, wherein the second compound is capable of entering nociceptors or pruriceptors through the channel-forming receptor when the receptor is activated. The invention also features a quarternary amine derivative or other permanently or transiently charged derivative of a compound that inhibits one or more voltage-gated ion channels when applied to the internal face of the channels but does not substantially inhibit said channels when applied to the external face of the channels.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and assays relating to the inhibition of sepiapterin reductase and measuring said inhibition by measuring the level of sepiapterin. In some embodiments, the methods can further relate to treating a subject with BH4 and/or BH2.

Abstract: The specification provides compositions and methods to treat neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of transdifferentiation of somatic cells, for example, directly converting a somatic cell of a first cell type, e.g., a fibroblast into a somatic cell of a second cell type, are described herein. In particular, the present invention generally relates to methods for converting a somatic cell, e.g., a fibroblast into a motor neuron, e.g., an induced motor neuron (iMN) with characteristics of a typical motor neuron. The present invention also relates to an isolated population comprising induced motor neurons (iMNs), compositions and their use in the treatment of motor neuron diseases such as ALS and SMA. In particular, the present invention relates to direct conversion of a somatic cell to an induced motor neuron (iMN) having motor neuron characteristics by increasing the protein expression of at least three motor-neuron inducing (MN-inducing) factors selected from Lhx3, Ascl1, Brn2, Myt1l, Isl1, Hb9, Ngn2 or NeuroD1 in a somatic cell, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hemojuvelin (HJV) fusion protein (e.g., a human HJV.Fc) protein, polynucleotides and vectors encoding such proteins, and methods for making such proteins. Also provided are methods for treating iron-related disorders which include administration of a HJV fusion protein to a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides new systems and strategies for the regulation of iron metabolism in mammals. In particular, methods of using agonists and antagonists of TGF-? superfamily members to modulate the expression or activity of hepcidin, a key regulator of iron metabolism, are described. The inventive methods find applications in the treatment of diseases associated with iron overload, such as juvenile hemochromatosis and adult hemochromatosis, and in the treatment of diseases associated with iron deficiency, such as anemia of chronic disease and EPO resistant anemia in end-stage of renal disease. The present invention also relates to screening tools and methods for the development of novel drugs and therapies for treating iron metabolism disorders.

Abstract: This invention features antibodies that specifically bind to a murine Dragon family protein.

Abstract: This invention features antibodies that specifically bind to a human Dragon family protein.

Abstract: The invention features a method for inhibiting one or more voltage-gated ion channels in a cell by contacting the cell with (i) a first compound that activates a channel-forming receptor that is present on nociceptors and/or pruriceptors; and (ii) a second compound that inhibits one or more voltage-gated ion channels when applied to the internal face of the channels but does not substantially inhibit said channels when applied to the external face of the channels, wherein the second compound is capable of entering nociceptors or pruriceptors through the channel-forming receptor when the receptor is activated. The invention also features a quarternary amine derivative or other permanently or transiently charged derivative of a compound that inhibits one or more voltage-gated ion channels when applied to the internal face of the channels but does not substantially inhibit said channels when applied to the external face of the channels.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of transdifferentiation of somatic cells, e.g., a fibroblast, into a nociceptor cell, e.g., an induced nociceptor (iNociceptors) with characteristics of a typical nociceptor cell. The present invention also relates to an isolated population comprising iNociceptors, compositions, their use in the study of cellular and molecular mechanisms of peripheral pain generation and peripheral neuropathy, use in in vitro drug discovery assays, pain research, as their use in the treatment of nociceptive pain related diseases or disorders. In particular, the present invention relates to direct conversion of a somatic cell to an iNociceptor cell having nociceptor characteristics by increasing the protein expression of five nociceptor inducing factors selected from Asc11, Myt11, Isl2, Ngn1, Klf7 in a somatic cell, to convert the fibroblast to an iNociceptors which express the markers of adult nociceptors.

Abstract: The present invention provides new systems and strategies for the regulation of iron metabolism in mammals. In particular, methods of using agonists and antagonists of TGF-? superfamily members to modulate the expression or activity of hepcidin, a key regulator of iron metabolism, are described. The inventive methods find applications in the treatment of diseases associated with iron overload, such as juvenile hemochromatosis and adult hemochromatosis, and in the treatment of diseases associated with iron deficiency, such as anemia of chronic disease and EPO resistant anemia in end-stage of renal disease. The present invention also relates to screening tools and methods for the development of novel drugs and therapies for treating iron metabolism disorders.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that motor neurons derived from patients with a neurodegenerative disease have decreased delayed rectifier potassium current and increased persistent sodium current compared to motor neurons derived from control healthy individuals. The present invention is also based on the discovery that the class of compounds known as “potassium channel openers” can be used to treat neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, and pain.