Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acid molecules encoding novel DKR polypeptides. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides, and methods of using these molecules.

Abstract: Human, rat and mouse cAMP phosphodiesterase isoforms (denoted PDE4D7s), as well as the DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptides, are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polypeptides in diagnostic assays for identifying mutations in nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptides of the present invention, for detecting altered levels of the polypeptide of the present invention as a means of detecting diseases and methods of screening potential modulators, especially inhibitors, of the novel PDE4D7s disclosed herein. Such as inhibitors can be used, for example, as a means of increasing cyclic AMP in neurons and thus treating neurological problems, such as long term memory loss, if not preventing such maladies entirely. Transgenic animals expressing polypeptides disclosed herein are also described.

Abstract: This invention relates to attachment chemistries for binding macromolecules to a substrate surface or to other conjugation targets. More particularly, this invention relates to attachment chemistries involving branched or linear structures having one or more hydrazide attachment moieties for binding the macromolecules to a substrate surface, or for other conjugation reactions. Novel modifying reagents are provided for the introduction of protected hydrazide attachment moieties or precursor forms of such hydrazides to the macromolecule, either as a single hydrazide or as multiple hydrazides.

Abstract: The present invention relates e.g., to QM-7 or QT-6 cells comprising a heterologous mutant nicotinic &agr;7 acetylcholine receptor and/or a nucleic acid encoding it, or a fragment or variant thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the mutant nicotinic &agr;7 acetylcholine receptor subunit has a mutation in the M2 domain. QM-7 and QT-6 cells of the invention are useful for, e.g., assays such as high throughput assays that measure the influx of cations, such as Ca++ ions, into a cell. Such assays can be used, e.g., to identify agents that modulate the expression and/or activity of a mutant cell-surface-expressed channel receptor (e.g., the nicotinic &agr;7 receptor), and which thus modulate, e.g., among other functions, processes involved in the central nervous system, such as learning and memory.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved synthetic polymer hydrogel permeation layers for use on active electronic matrix devices for biological assays. The permeation layers have a defined porous character, with mesopores in a size range between about 100 nanometers and about 1000 nanometers, and may also have micropores in the micrometer size range. The mesoporous synthetic hydrogel permeation layers demonstrate improved signal intensity and linearity characteristics as compared to nanoporous synthetic hydrogel permeation layers on active electronic matrix devices. In addition, the present invention also provides synthetic polymer hydrogel permeation layers which contain copolymerized attachment sites for nucleic acid probes or other biomolecules.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acid molecules encoding novel DKR polypeptides. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides, and methods of using these molecules.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acid molecules encoding novel DKR polypeptides. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides, and methods of using these molecules.