Abstract: The overexpression of certain marker genes including Wnt5a has been found useful in the identification of more aggressive forms of malignant melanoma. Therefore, the overexpression of these genes in tumor samples of malignant melanoma may be useful in the diagnosis, profiling, and treatment of patients suffering from this disease. Inhibitors of Wnt5a activity may be useful in the treatment of aggressive forms of malignant melanoma. Inhibition of Wnt5a activity may be effected by any method including anti-sense therapy, gene therapy, and pharmaceutical intervention.

Abstract: Simulating a microarray includes defining a number of parameters. A microarray is generated according to the parameters using an imaging procedure. The microarray is compared to a known value, and the imaging procedure is evaluated in response to the comparison. A simulated microarray image can be generated based on parameters. The simulated microarray can be associated with known values. An imaging procedure is applied to the simulated microarray image to generate observed values. The known values (e.g., intensities) can be compared to the observed values to evaluate the imaging procedure.

Abstract: The overexpression of certain marker genes including Wnt5a has been found useful in the identification of more aggressive forms of malignant melanoma. Therefore, the overexpression of these genes in tumor samples of malignant melanoma may be useful in the diagnosis, profiling, and treatment of patients suffering from this disease. Inhibitors of Wnt5a activity may be useful in the treatment of aggressive forms of malignant melanoma. Inhibition of Wnt5a activity may be effected by any method including anti-sense therapy, gene therapy, and pharmaceutical intervention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods of their use for the management or biocontrol on insect pests. The compositions comprise an entomopathogen and a chitin synthetase inhibitor alone or in combination with a UV protectant. Alternatively, compositions are disclosed comprising an entomopathogen and a fluorescent brightener of the stilbene type which may have chitin synthetase inhibitory properties. Specifically, entomopathogens such as Nuclear polyhedrosis viruses (NPV), Cytoplasmic polyhedrosis viruses (CPV), Entomopox viruses (EPV) and Granulosis viruses (GV) and iridescent virus (IV) are protected from UV radiation and their biological activity enhanced using fluorescent brighteners analogs, particularly, 4, 4'-diamino-2, 2'-stilbene disulfonic acid.