Abstract: Molecular markers for lung and colorectal carcinomas and methods of using them in blood sample assays are disclosed. The method comprises measuring the expression of the markers in a blood sample from a subject for detecting the presence and/or severity of lung and/or colorectal cancer, and for monitoring and/or assessing the prognosis of the subject's response to a cancer therapy. Also disclosed are kits for detecting, diagnosing, and/or monitoring lung or colorectal carcinomas.

Abstract: Methods for determining a tumor in a human is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for identifying adenocarcinoma, and methods for identifying squamous cell carcinoma in a human tumor sample. In addition, methods for predicting prognosis of metastasis and survival in a human having a tumor is disclosed.

Abstract: Active fragments of hcrmp1 that are capable of inhibiting cell proliferation, invasive activity, and metastasis of cancer and methods of using the same for treating cancer are disclosed. The method can also be used prior to, or in combination with, the administration a chemotherapy agent. Vectors capable of expressing an hcrmp1, variants of hcrmp1, fragments of hcrmp1 and/or variants of fragments of hcrmp1 are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for treating cancer by using hCRMP1 and/or active fragments thereof, as well as the active fragments of hCRMP1 that are capable of inhibiting cell proliferation, invasive activity, and metastasis of cancer. The method can also be used prior to, or in combination with, the administration a chemotherapy agent. A vector capable of expressing an hCRMP1, a variant of hCRMP1, a fragment of hCRMP1 or a variant of a fragment of hCRMP1 is also disclosed.

Abstract: Molecular markers for lung and colorectal carcinomas and methods of using them in blood sample assays are disclosed. The method comprises measuring the expression of the markers in a blood sample from a subject for detecting the presence and/or severity of lung and/or colorectal cancer, and for monitoring and/or assessing the prognosis of the subject's response to a cancer therapy. Also disclosed are kits for detecting, diagnosing, and/or monitoring lung or colorectal carcinomas.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for treating cancer by using hCRMP1 and/or active fragments thereof, as well as the active fragments of hCRMP1 that are capable of inhibiting cell proliferation, invasive activity, and metastasis of cancer. The method can also be used prior to, or in combination with, the administration a chemotherapy agent. A vector capable of expressing an hCRMP1, a variant of hCRMP1, a fragment of hCRMP1 or a variant of a fragment of hCRMP1 is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods using a gene expression profiling analysis (1) to determine whether a human sample is a tumor using a gene set containing nucleic acid sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 1-7, 8-17 or 1-17; (2) to identify whether a tumor tissue is an adenocarcinoma (using a gene set containing nucleic acid sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 15, and 18-21) or a squamous cell carcinoma (using a gene set containing nucleic acid sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 22-27); and (3) to predict the prognosis of survival and metastasis in humans with tumor (using a gene set containing nucleic acid sequences of SEQ ID NOS:19, and 28-42 or SEQ ID NOS: 19, 29, 31, 40, and 42), particularly for those humans who are at the early stage of lung cancer. The gene expression profiling is preferably performed by cDNA microarray-based techniques and/or Real-Time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (Real-Time RT-PCR), and analyzed by statistical means.

Abstract: Specific nucleic acid sequences, e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 1–8, for detecting Escherichia coli. Also disclosed is a method of detecting Escherichia coli. The method includes providing a sample having a nucleic acid from an unknown microorganism; amplifying the nucleic acid with an upstream primer containing SEQ ID NO: 1 or 3 and a downstream primer containing SEQ ID NO: 2 or 4, each primer being 18–40 nucleotides in length; and detecting an amplification product. Detection of the amplification product, e.g., using SEQ ID NO: 5, 6, 7, or 8 as a probe, indicates the presence of Escherichia Coli.

Abstract: Specific nucleic acid sequences, e.g., SEQ ID NOs:2-8, for detecting Staphylococcus aureus. Also disclosed is a method of detecting Staphylococcus aureus. The method includes providing a sample having a nucleic acid from an unknown microorganism; amplifying the nucleic acid with a pair of primers, each containing an oligo-nucleotide selected from the Staphylococcus aureus gap regulator gene region (SEQ ID NO:1) and each having 14-40 nucleotides in length; and detecting an amplification product. Detection of the amplification product, e.g., using SEQ ID NO:2, 7, or 8 as a probe, indicates the presence of Staphylococcus aureus.

Abstract: Specific nucleic acid sequences, e.g., SEQ ID NOs:1-57, for simultaneous detection of seven most common viruses that cause respiratory infections in human, i.e., human parainfluenza virus 1, human parainfluenza virus 2, human parainfluenza virus 3, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza virus A, influenza virus B, and adenovirus. Also disclosed is a method of simultaneously detecting these viruses. The method includes providing a nucleic acid prepared from a sample suspected of containing a virus to be detected, amplifying the nucleic acid with a set of primers specific for one or more of the seven viruses, and detecting amplification products. Detection of an amplification product specific for any one of the seven viruses indicates the presence of that particular virus.

Abstract: A novel nucleic acid containing an oligo-nucleotide selected from a member of the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-25 and sequences complementary to SEQ ID NOs: 1-25. The nucleic acid is 10-1000 nucleotides in length. Also disclosed is a method of detecting Staphylococcus spp.

Abstract: Specific nucleic acid sequences, e.g., SEQ ID NOs:2-8, for detecting Staphylococcus aureus. Also disclosed is a method of detecting Staphylococcus aureus. The method includes providing a sample having a nucleic acid from an unknown microorganism; amplifying the nucleic acid with a pair of primers, each containing an oligo-nucleotide selected from the Staphylococcus aureus gap regulator gene region (SEQ ID NO:1) and each having 14-40 nucleotides in length; and detecting an amplification product. Detection of the amplification product, e.g., using SEQ ID NO:2, 7, or 8 as a probe, indicates the presence of Staphylococcus aureus.

Abstract: Specific nucleic acid sequences, e.g., SEQ ID NOs:1-57, for simultaneous detection of seven most common viruses that cause respiratory infections in human, i.e., human parainfluenza virus 1, human parainfluenza virus 2, human parainfluenza virus 3, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza virus A, influenza virus B, and adenovirus. Also disclosed is a method of simultaneously detecting these viruses. The method includes providing a nucleic acid prepared from a sample suspected of containing a virus to be detected, amplifying the nucleic acid with a set of primers specific for one or more of the seven viruses, and detecting amplification products. Detection of an amplification product specific for any one of the seven viruses indicates the presence of that particular virus.

Abstract: Specific nucleic acid sequences, e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 1-8, for detecting Escherichia coli. Also disclosed is a method of detecting Escherichia coli. The method includes providing a sample having a nucleic acid from an unknown microorganism; amplifying the nucleic acid with an upstream primer containing SEQ ID NO: 1 or 3 and a downstream primer containing SEQ ID NO: 2 or 4, each primer being 18-40 nucleotides in length; and detecting an amplification product. Detection of the amplification product, e.g., using SEQ ID NO: 5, 6, 7, or 8 as a probe, indicates the presence of Escherichia Coli.

Abstract: This invention features a discrimination primer for amplifying a nucleic acid that includes a first base at a position suspected of a polymorphism and a second base immediately 3′ to the first base. This primer includes (1) a first nucleotide, which is located at the 3′ terminus of the primer and includes a base that is complementary to the first base; (2) a second nucleotide, which is located immediately 5′ to the first nucleotide and includes a base that is not complementary to the second base; (3) a segment of nucleotides, which is located immediately 5′ to the second nucleotide and is complementary to a part of the nucleic acid that is immediately 3′ to the second base; and (4) a binding member of a specific binding pair covalently bonded to the 5′ terminus of the segment. The first base of the nucleic acid can be mutant or wild-type.