Abstract: The present invention provides a cell culture medium formulation that supports the in vitro cultivation, particularly in suspension, of mammalian cells, particularly epithelial cells and fibroblast cells, and methods for cultivating mammalian cells in suspension in vitro using these media. The media comprise a basal medium and a polyanionic or polyanionic compound, preferably a polysulfonated or polysulfated compound, and more preferably dextran sulfate. The present invention also provides chemically defined, protein-free eukaryotic cell culture media comprising an iron chelate and zinc, which is capable of supporting the growth (and particularly the high-density growth of mammalian cells) in suspension culture, increasing the level of expression of recombinant protein in cultured cells, and/or increasing virus production in cultured cells.

Abstract: Methods of treating complement-mediated ocular disorders by administering agents that inhibit a subject's complement component in an amount sufficient to treat the ocular disorder wherein, in a selected embodiment, said agent is an anti-complement aptamer that, in a preferred embodiment, is an anti-C5 aptamer.

Abstract: Materials and Methods are provided for target validation by gene knock-down with intracellularly expressed aptamers and siRNAs. The aptamers produced by the materials and methods of the invention are useful in target validation for therapeutics development.

Abstract: Chemically defined media compositions for the culture of eukaryotic cells are disclosed. The compositions are useful for eukaryotic cell culture in perfusion bioreactors and other vessels.

Abstract: A solution phase synthetic method for preparing basic tripeptides of the formula Gly-Xaa-Gly-X which have in various biological properties such as stimulating protein production when used as additives in a bioreactor. The basic tripeptides of the invention may be produced on gram or kilogram scale.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acid therapeutics and methods for using these nucleic acid therapeutics in the treatment of complement-related disorders.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acid therapeutics and methods for using these nucleic acid therapeutics in the treatment of complement-related disorders.

Abstract: Materials and methods are provided for producing and using aptamers as oncology therapeutics capable of binding to PDGF, PDGF isoforms, PDGF receptor, VEGF, and/or VEGF receptor or any combination thereof with affinity and specificity. The compositions of the present invention are particularly useful in solid tumor therapy and can be used alone or in combination with known cytotoxic agents for the treatment of solid tumors. Also disclosed are aptamers having one or more CpG motifs embedded therein or appended thereto.

Abstract: The invention discloses aptamers capable of binding to Immunoglobulin E (“IgE”) useful as therapeutics in and diagnostics of atopic disease and/or other diseases or disorders in which IgE has been implicated. The invention further relates to materials and methods for the administration of aptamers capable of binding to IgE.

Abstract: A network system for call processing, including customer premises equipment originating a call across a network, wherein the call includes private and public information; a session border controller directing the call information from the customer premises equipment to a public switched telephone network gateway, wherein the session border controller parses out the private information from the call information transmitted to the gateway; and one or more servers coupled to the session border controller, routing only the non-private call information to the public switched telephone network gateway.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to metal binding compounds which may be added to cell culture media to replace factors required for cultivation of the cells (e.g. transferrin) which are of animal or human origin. More specifically, the invention is directed to metal binding compounds or complexes thereof comprising one or more transition element cations (such as ferrous or ferric ions), which are added to cell and tissue culture medium compositions. The metal binding compounds may be added to the media alone or may be first complexed with a transition metal ion. The invention is also directed to methods of use of such compositions, including, for example, methods for the cultivation of eukaryotic cells, particularly animal cells, in vitro. The invention also relates to compositions comprising such culture media and one or more cells, and to kits comprising one or more of the above-described compositions.

Abstract: A computer-based method represents a subset of a dataset table of rows and columns. The method includes selecting a set of blocking variables corresponding to blocking columns of the dataset table. For each row in the dataset table, a tuple of values for the blocking columns uniquely identifies the row within the dataset table. The method also includes selecting a set of non-blocking variables that correspond to columns of the subset. The set of non-blocking variables does not intersect the set of blocking variables. The method also includes creating a block information structure that includes both the set of non-blocking variables and, for each blocking variable in the set of blocking variables, a set of values.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system and method for hedging or mitigating mortality exposure risk in a portfolio of mortality-dependent instruments. A mortality risk or longevity risk of the portfolio is calculated or otherwise determined. Then the sensitivity of the portfolio to mortality risk or longevity risk is calculated or otherwise determined, in other words, how much is cost or value of the portfolio affected by a change in mortality rate. To account for that mortality exposure, a selection is made of building block mortality derivatives that include age-based mortality derivatives. The selected plurality of building block mortality derivatives are used to create a hedge against the mortality risk or longevity risk of the portfolio.

Abstract: The invention comprises A comprises a system and method for hedging or mitigating mortality exposure risk in a portfolio of mortality-dependent instruments. A mortality risk or longevity risk of the portfolio is calculated or otherwise determined. Then the sensitivity of the portfolio to mortality risk or longevity risk is calculated or otherwise determined, in other words, how much is cost or value of the portfolio affected by a change in mortality rate. To account for that mortality exposure, a selection is made of building block mortality derivatives that include age-based mortality derivatives. The selected plurality of selected plurality of building block mortality derivatives are used to create a hedge against the mortality risk or longevity risk of the portfolio.

Abstract: A solution phase synthetic method for preparing basic tripeptides of the formula Gly-Xaa-Gly-X which have in various biological properties such as stimulating protein production when used as additives in a bioreactor. The basic tripeptides of the invention may be produced on gram or kilogram scale.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to glaucoma and, in particular, to a method of preventing or treating glaucoma using statins.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acid therapeutics and methods for using these nucleic acid therapeutics in the treatment of complement-related disorders.

Abstract: Materials and methods are provided for producing aptamer therapeutics having improved pharmacokinetic and pharmacodymanic properties, as well as increased target valency. The aptamers produced by the methods of the invention are useful as therapeutics for treating disease.

Abstract: Methods for engineering a nucleic acid sensor molecule are provided. Biosensors comprise a plurality of nucleic acid sensor molecules labeled with a first signaling moiety and a second signaling moiety. The nucleic acid sensor molecules recognizes target molecules which do not naturally bind to DNA. Binding of a target molecule to the sensor molecules triggers a change in the proximity of the signaling moieties which leads to a change in the optical properties of the nucleic acid sensor molecules on the biosensor. Reagents and systems for performing the method are also provided. The method is useful in diagnostic applications and drug optimization.

Abstract: The present invention provides materials and methods to treat immune disease in which cytokines are involved in pathogenesis. The materials and methods of the present invention are useful in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. The materials and methods of the present invention are directed to nucleic acid ligands capable of binding to human IL-23 and/or human IL-12 cytokines and thus modulate their biological activity and are useful as therapeutic agents in immune, auto-immune and cancer therapeutics.