Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide methods for screening for candidate heart failure compounds employing screening assays effective in identifying agonists or antagonists or ligands of vitamin D receptor mediated pathways implicated in heart failure. Methods are provided for the screening of test compounds that can specifically bind to the vitamin D receptor. Methods for screening for a test compound which modulates the activity of a VDR for the treatment of heart failure, wherein the method comprises: (a) contacting a test compound with VDR in a reaction mixture, wherein the reaction mixture conditions permits the test compound to bind to a VDR, including membrane VDR and nuclear VDR. The binding between the test compound and the VDR is compared to a reference such as Vitamin D3. The modulation of biomarkers after a test compound has bound and activated a VDR are also measured and compared to samples in the absence of test compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleotide sequences, methods and compositions that enable the experimental determination as to whether any gene in the genome of Aspegillus fumigatus is essential, and whether that gene is required for virulence or pathogenicity. The methods involve the construction of genetic mutants in which a target gene is placed under conditional expression. The identification of essential genes and those genes critical to the development of virulent infections, provides a basis for the development of screens for new drugs against Aspergillus fumigatus.