Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for enabling or improving functional assays of G-protein coupled receptors through the use of co-expression of helper genes. In some cases, chimeras linking the regulatory domain of the rap1B protein to the effector region of the ras oncogene are used in conjuction with existing functional assays for cellular proliferation. Furthermore, overexpression of other genes can further augment the enabling properties of ras/rap chimeras.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel sweetener compositions comprising monatin and methods for making such compositions. The present invention also relates to sweetener compositions comprising specific monatin stereoisomers, specific blends of monatin stereoisomers, and/or monatin produced via a biosynthetic pathway in vivo (e.g., inside cells) or in vitro.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel beverage compositions comprising monatin and methods for making such compositions. The present invention also relates to beverage compositions comprising specific monatin stereoisomers, specific blends of monatin stereoisomers, and/or monatin produced via a biosynthetic pathway in vivo (e.g., inside cells) or in vitro.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method to treat neuropsychiatric diseases including psychosis, affective disorders, dementia, neuropathic pain, and glaucoma. Treatment is carried out by administering a therapeutically effective amount of N-desmethylclozapine to a patient suffering from a neuropsychiatric disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel oligomers that comprise a plurality of monomers that comprises an active moiety and a scaffold moiety. The oligomers may comprise 6-12 monomers or more. The active moiety comprises sequences that interact with other proteins. The scaffold moiety comprises sequences that interact with sequences of scaffold moieties from other monomers to form oligomers.

Abstract: Drug delivery compositions and methods of delivering compounds to are disclosed. Vaccines and methods of immunizing individuals are disclosed. Compositions for drug delivery including gene therapy and methods of treating individuals using such compositions are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of inhibiting the immune response underlying sepsis, to methods of preventing sepsis, to methods of treating sepsis and to pharmaceutical compositions useful in such methods.

Abstract: Assays to identify Vpr/AIF interaction and translocation inhibitors are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to nitrilases and to nucleic acids encoding the nitrilases. In addition methods of designing new nitrilases and method of use thereof are also provided. The nitrilases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polypeptides having P450 activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, antibodies that bind to these polypeptides, and methods for making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The P450 enzymes can be used to catalyze the hydrolysis of epoxides and arene oxides to their corresponding diols.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polypeptides having epoxide hydrolase activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, antibodies that bind to these polypeptides, and methods for making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The epoxide hydrolases are used to catalyze the hydrolysis of epoxides and arene oxides to their corresponding diols.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polypeptides having epoxide hydrolase activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, antibodies that bind to these polypeptides, and methods for making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The epoxide hydrolases are used to catalyze the hydrolysis of epoxides and arene oxides to their corresponding diols.

Abstract: The invention relates to nitrilases and to nucleic acids encoding the nitrilases. In addition methods of designing new nitrilases and method of use thereof are also provided. The nitrilases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.

Abstract: The invention provides biocatalytic methods for the manufacture of pure single enantiomer compounds. This invention provides methods of screening for enzymes which are highly enantioselective or enzymes that can provide any desired stereoisomer of a compound. The invention provides the use of single enantiomer substrates in performing a growth screen of a clonal library to identify highly stereoselective enzymes.

Abstract: A power back-up unit is provided which includes a primary power source that is connected to a plurality of loads, including a critical load and a non-critical load. A secondary power source is also provided. A first low voltage disconnect is electrically connected to the secondary power source and the critical load. A second low voltage disconnect is electrically connected to the secondary power source and the non-critical load. In one embodiment, the second low voltage disconnect disconnects the non-critical load upon loss of the primary power source. In another embodiment, the second low voltage disconnect has a voltage threshold that is greater than the voltage threshold of the first low voltage disconnect such that the non-critical load is disconnected by the second low voltage disconnect prior to the critical load being disconnected by the first low voltage disconnect.

Abstract: An appliance for holding chopsticks comprising a paper or plastic sipping straw-like tube with a flexible center formed by a bellows or a thinned web section. Chopsticks are inserted into the opposite ends of the tube and are held therein and their free ends can be controllably brought together by bending the tube at its center.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of identifying compounds which act as inverse agonists of the 5-HT2A receptor, the method comprising contacting a constitutively active 5-HT2A receptor with at least one test compound and determining any decrease in the level of basal activity of the receptor so as to identify a test compound which is an inverse agonist of the 5-HT2A receptor. Such inverse agonists may be used in the treatment of schizophrenia and related psychoses.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for targeting recombinant retroviral particles specifically to cells of interest for delivery of desired therapeutic or toxic agents. The invention provides chimeric nucleotide constructs, chimeric proteins formed of a selected viral envelope gene from which a selected sequence has been deleted and into which has been inserted all or an effective portion of a heterologous ligand, said ligand or portion thereof capable of binding to a selected receptor, recombinant viral particles formed of the chimeric proteins, a biological mediator for delivery to the target cell; and retroviral gag and pol proteins. The lack of retroviral nucleic acid renders the viral particle replication defective and non-pathogenic.

Abstract: A mounting device provides a dynamically stiff joint between two structural members, such as a machine foundation and a building structure. One of the structural members is subject to dynamic forces acting in a predetermined direction and the other is substantially static. The mounting device comprises a spanning element compressed between the structural elements to transmit dynamic forces between the structural elements in the predetermined direction and thereby restrict relative movement of the structural members. Movement-transmitting means, such as a ball joint, permits movement between the structural elements in all other directions. The spanning element is prestressed to provide a static force between the structural elements along the direction of the dynamic forces.