Abstract: Methods and compositions for extracting nucleic acids such as microRNAs (miRNAs) from biological samples are provided. Aspects of the methods include contacting a biological sample with proteinase K followed by contact with ferric oxide particles under acidic conditions to induce binding between the ferric oxide particles and nucleic acids (e.g., miRNAs) of the sample. In some cases, the ferric oxide particles are provided as part of a dissolvable film, which releases the ferric oxide particles upon solvation. In some embodiments, after nucleic acids bind to the ferric oxide particles, the particles are magnetically separated from the sample and are contacted with an alkaline elution buffer to release the nucleic acids.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for extracting nucleic acids such as microRNAs (miRNAs) from biological samples are provided. Aspects of the methods include contacting a biological sample with proteinase K followed by contact with ferric oxide particles under acidic conditions to induce binding between the ferric oxide particles and nucleic acids (e.g., miRNAs) of the sample. In some cases, the ferric oxide particles are provided as part of a dissolvable film, which releases the ferric oxide particles upon solvation. In some embodiments, after nucleic acids bind to the ferric oxide particles, the particles are magnetically separated from the sample and are contacted with an alkaline elution buffer to release the nucleic acids.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for diagnosing ovarian cancer in a patient and for identifying patients with an increased likelihood of having ovarian cancer are provided. The compositions include novel monoclonal antibodies, and variants and fragments thereof, that specifically bind to glycodelin. Monoclonal antibodies having the binding characteristics of a glycodelin antibody of the invention and monoclonal antibodies that bind to a glycodelin epitope of a disclosed antibody are further provided. Hybridoma cell lines that produce a glycodelin monoclonal antibody of the invention are also disclosed herein. Kits comprising one or more of the disclosed glycodelin monoclonal antibodies and for practicing the methods of the invention are further provided. Polypeptides comprising the amino acid sequence for a glycodelin epitope of a disclosed monoclonal glycodelin antibody and methods of using these polypeptides in the production of glycodelin antibodies are also encompassed by the present invention.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for diagnosing ovarian cancer in a patient and for identifying patients with an increased likelihood of having ovarian cancer are provided. The compositions include novel monoclonal antibodies, and variants and fragments thereof, that specifically bind to glycodelin. Monoclonal antibodies having the binding characteristics of a glycodelin antibody of the invention and monoclonal antibodies that bind to a glycodelin epitope of a disclosed antibody are further provided. Hybridoma cell lines that produce a glycodelin monoclonal antibody of the invention are also disclosed herein. Kits comprising one or more of the disclosed glycodelin monoclonal antibodies and for practicing the methods of the invention are further provided. Polypeptides comprising the amino acid sequence for a glycodelin epitope of a disclosed monoclonal glycodelin antibody and methods of using these polypeptides in the production of glycodelin antibodies are also encompassed by the present invention.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for diagnosing ovarian cancer in a patient and for identifying patients with an increased likelihood of having ovarian cancer are provided. The compositions include novel monoclonal antibodies, and variants and fragments thereof, that specifically bind to glycodelin. Monoclonal antibodies having the binding characteristics of a glycodelin antibody of the invention and monoclonal antibodies that bind to a glycodelin epitope of a disclosed antibody are further provided. Hybridoma cell lines that produce a glycodelin monoclonal antibody of the invention are also disclosed herein. The compositions find use in diagnostic methods as well as in screening methods for identifying patients having an increased likelihood of having ovarian cancer. Kits comprising one or more of the disclosed glycodelin monoclonal antibodies and for practicing the methods of the invention are further provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for diagnosing ovarian cancer in a patient and for identifying patients with an increased likelihood of having ovarian cancer are provided. The compositions include novel monoclonal antibodies, and variants and fragments thereof, that specifically bind to MMP-7. Monoclonal antibodies having the binding characteristics of an MMP-7 antibody of the invention and monoclonal antibodies that bind to an MMP-7 epitope of a disclosed antibody are further provided. Hybridoma cell lines that produce an MMP-7 monoclonal antibody of the invention are also disclosed herein. The compositions find use in diagnostic methods as well as in screening methods for identifying patients having an increased likelihood of having ovarian cancer. Kits comprising one or more of the disclosed MMP-7 monoclonal antibodies and for practicing the methods of the invention are further provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for diagnosing ovarian cancer in a patient and for identifying patients with an increased likelihood of having ovarian cancer are provided. The compositions include novel monoclonal antibodies, and variants and fragments thereof, that specifically bind to glycodelin. Monoclonal antibodies having the binding characteristics of a glycodelin antibody of the invention and monoclonal antibodies that bind to a glycodelin epitope of a disclosed antibody are further provided. Hybridoma cell lines that produce a glycodelin monoclonal antibody of the invention are also disclosed herein. The compositions find use in diagnostic methods as well as in screening methods for identifying patients having an increased likelihood of having ovarian cancer. Kits comprising one or more of the disclosed glycodelin monoclonal antibodies and for practicing the methods of the invention are further provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to SZP polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides. The invention further relates to methods of making and using the polypeptides and nucleic acids. Also, the invention relates to immortalized chondrocytes or SZP-producing cells and methods of using the cells. The invention also relates to a method of culturing immortalized or non-immortalized chondrocytes in serum-free medium. The invention also relates to a method of imaging an articular surface or synovium of a joint using detectably tagged SZP or detectably tagged SZP binding proteins.

Abstract: This invention describe a novel human amyloid precursor protein protease; nucleic acids encoding the protease; and methods employing the protease, as well as methods employing the nucleic acids encoding the protease.

Abstract: This invention provides an APP-cleaving protein and related nucleic acid compounds. The invention also provides methods, materials and assays. The compounds of this invention will further the characterization of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Down's syndrome.