Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials for identifying agents for preventing and/or treating anthrax and similar diseases. Embodiments provide strains and model systems for studying non-lethal and lethal exposure to anthrax and similar disease vectors. Embodiments provide materials and methods for using the strains and model systems for differential profiling, such as proteomic profiling, such as differentiation phosphorylation profiling, to target identification and therapeutics discovery and development. Embodiments provide pharmaceutically acceptable compositions, and methods for using them to prevent and/or treat anthrax and similar diseases comprising an agent that decreases the activity of caspase ¼, such as YVAD, and/or an agent that increases the phosphorylation of AKT, such as IB-MECA or Cl-IB-MECA, together with, in particular embodiments, an antibiotic, such as ciprofloxacin. Kits comprising the same are provided as well, among other things.

Abstract: A subject's likelihood of responding to bariatric surgery can be assessed by measuring the phosphorylation state of certain proteins found in white adipose tissue (WAT). In particular, measuring the phosphorylation state of particular proteins can predict a patient's likelihood of resolving diabetes mellitus following bariatric surgery. In addition, evaluating the phosphorylation state of certain proteins forecasts a patient's capacity to reduce excess body weight and/or waist size following bariatric surgery. Such tests are valuable tools for managing the diseases of diabetes and obesity and determining who would most likely benefit from bariatric surgical procedures such as gastic bypass surgery.

Abstract: The current invention is a capture-particle comprising: a) a molecular sieve portion; and b) an analyte binding portion; wherein the molecular sieve portion, analyte binding portion or both further comprise a cross-linked region having modified porosity. Capture particles wherein the molecular sieve portion, analyte binding portion or both comprise pore dimensions sufficient to exclude molecules larger than about 60 kDa. These particles are useful in purification and diagnostic methods. Kits comprising the capture particles are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for characterizing the physiological state of a living system, including cells, tissues, organs, and whole organisms. The methods involve capturing biomarkers from the living system, and correlating their presence or absence to a physiological state. The biomarkers can be captured from the system, and then detected using any suitable analytical system to determine their presence or absence. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method of detecting a polypeptide biomarker in a blood serum or plasma sample obtained from a single subject with an affinity ligand which is capable of binding to a plurality of different polypeptide biomarkers derived from the same parental molecule.

Abstract: Low molecular weight (LMW) peptides have been discovered that are indicative of neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD), cognitive impairment and brain microhemmorhages. Evaluating patient samples for the presence of such LMW peptides is an effective means of detecting neurological conditions and monitoring the progression of the disease. The LMW peptides are particularly useful in detecting neurological conditions during the early stages without invasive procedures.

Abstract: Low molecular weight (LMW) peptides have been discovered that are indicative of colorectal cancer. Evaluating patient samples for the presence of such LMW peptides is an effective means of detecting colorectal cancer and monitoring the progression of the disease. The LMW peptides are particularly useful in detecting colorectal cancer during its early stages.

Abstract: A polypeptide can conduct electricity in a closed circuit. Conformational changes in the polypeptide due to posttranslational modifications or ligand binding can effect the conductive properties of the polypeptide which can be measured. In such a closed circuit, a polypeptide having at least one residue capable of reversible modification can be used as a molecular switch. Circuits comprising such molecular switches can be used, for example, in methods for assessing the modification state of a polypeptide, determining the activity of an enzyme of interest, identifying compounds that affect the activity of an enzyme of interest, storing data, detecting the presence of a compound and identifying inhibitors of protein-protein interactions.

Abstract: Capture particles for harvesting analytes from solution and methods for using them are described. The capture particles are made up of a polymeric matrix having pore size that allows for the analytes to enter the capture particles. The pore size of the capture particles may be changeable upon application of a stimulus to the particles, allowing the pore size of the particles to be changed so that analytes of interest remain sequestered inside the particles. The polymeric matrix of the capture particles may be made of co-polymeric materials having a structural monomer and an affinity monomer, the affinity monomer having properties that attract the analyte to the capture particle. The capture particles may be used to isolate and identify analytes present in a mixture. They may also be used to protect analytes which are typically subject to degradation upon harvesting and to concentrate low an analyte in low abundance in a fluid.

Abstract: Capture particles for harvesting analytes from solution and methods for using them are described. The capture particles are made up of a polymeric matrix having pore size that allows for the analytes to enter the capture particles. The pore size of the capture particles are changeable upon application of a stimulus to the particles, allowing the pore size of the particles to be changed so that analytes of interest remain sequestered inside the particles. The polymeric matrix of the capture particles are made of co-polymeric materials having a structural monomer and an affinity monomer, the affinity monomer having properties that attract the analyte to the capture particle. The capture particles may be used to isolate and identify analytes present in a mixture. They may also be used to protect analytes which are typically subject to degradation upon harvesting and to concentrate low an analyte in low abundance in a fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of quality assurance/quality control for high-throughput bioassay processes. The method includes generating a bioassay process model, and then comparing spectral data based on a combination of a biochip and a test serum to the bioassay process model to determine if the test sample and the bioassay process are producing acceptable data. Alternatively, the method may include comparing spectral data based on a combination of serum and diluents used in an electrospray process to the bioassay process model. If the bioassay process and test sample fall within the model, then the spectrum produced may be further analyzed.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for shielding and directing agents to biological targets in cellular systems for therapeutic, prophylactic, and diagnostic uses. Vascular devices are also provided which have coated surfaces that contain proteomic antisense, as well as therapeutic and other biological agents attached thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for characterizing the physiological state of a living system, including cells, tissues, organs, and whole organisms. The methods involve capturing biomarkers from the living system, and correlating their presence or absence to a physiological state. The biomarkers can be captured from the system, and then detected using any suitable analytical system to determine their presence or absence. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method of detecting a polypeptide biomarker in a blood serum or plasma sample obtained from a single subject with an affinity ligand which is capable of binding to a plurality of different polypeptide biomarkers derived from the same parental molecule.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the analysis and monitoring of ocular fluids for determining the physiological state of an organism, to monitor drug efficacy and dynamics, for early disease detection, as well as to certain molecular markers and fingerprints of identified molecules or molecule fragments in such analysis.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for determining a biological state through the discovery and analysis of hidden or non-obvious, discriminatory biological data patterns. The biological data can be from health data, clinical data, or from a biological sample, (e.g., a biological sample from a human, e.g., serum, blood, saliva, plasma, nipple aspirants, synovial fluids, cerebrospinal fluids, sweat, urine, fecal matter, tears, bronchial lavage, swabbings, needle aspirantas, semen, vaginal fluids, pre-ejaculate.), etc. which is analyzed to determine the biological state of the donor. The biological state can be a pathologic diagnosis, toxicity state, efficacy of a drug, prognosis of a disease, etc. Specifically, the invention concerns processes that discover hidden discriminatory biological data patterns (e.g., patterns of protein expression in a serum sample that classify the biological state of an organ) that describe biological states.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for determining a biological state through the discovery and analysis of hidden or non-obvious, discriminatory biological data patterns. The biological data can be from health data, clinical data, or from a biological sample, (e.g., a biological sample from a human, e.g., serum, blood, saliva, plasma, nipple aspirants, synovial fluids, cerebrospinal fluids, sweat, urine, fecal matter, tears, bronchial lavage, swabbings, needle aspirantas, semen, vaginal fluids, pre-ejaculate.), etc. which is analyzed to determine the biological state of the donor. The biological state can be a pathologic diagnosis, toxicity state, efficacy of a drug, prognosis of a disease, etc. Specifically, the invention concerns processes that discover hidden discriminatory biological data patterns (e.g., patterns of protein expression in a serum sample that classify the biological state of an organ) that describe biological states.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions for the detection and treatment of cells misexpressing (e.g., overexpressing) or expressing altered forms of SEMA 5 as well as methods for using the compositions.

Abstract: The invention provides high throughput screening systems and in vivo methods for high throughput screening of cancer genes. The invention also is applicable to the discovery of therapeutic agents that block tumor growth and metastasis. The invention further provides kits and compositions to perform such assays.