Abstract: The present invention is directed to a peptide for the delivery of anionic materials, such as anionic therapeutic agents, across a biological barrier, and methods of use thereof. The invention relates to a peptide comprising, or consisting of: X-(Xaa1)a-(Xaa2)b-Y-(Xaa3)c-(Xaa4)d-Z, in which each of X and Z is independently selected from Asn, Cys, Gln, Gly, Ser, Thr and Tyr; in which one of Xaa1 and Xaa2 is His and the other of Xaa1 and Xaa2 is Arg; in which one of Xaa3 and Xaa4 is His and the other of Xaa3 and Xaa4 is Arg; in which the amino functional group of X is, optionally, acylated; in which the carboxylate functional group of Z is, optionally, amidated; in which Y is selected from Ala and Trp; in which each of a and d is independently 2 to 4; and each of b and c is independently 2 to 4, or a salt or amide thereof.

Abstract: The inventors have determined that increasing the expression level or activity of FKBP-L polypeptide in a subject, which can be provided by expression of nucleic acids encoding FKBP-L or by providing FKBP-L polypeptides to a subject is advantageous for use in the treatment of obesity and obesity-related disorders. In particular increased expression or activity of FKBP-L polypeptide in a subject may be used to treat excessive weight gain (which can be characterised as obesity), glucose intolerance, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, which are closely linked to obesity and insulin resistance. FKBP-L can also be used as a biomarker for obesity and obesity-related disorders.

Abstract: The inventors have determined that increasing the expression level or activity of FKBP-L polypeptide in a subject, which can be provided by expression of nucleic acids encoding FKBP-L or by providing FKBP-L polypeptides to a subject is advantageous for use in the treatment of obesity and obesity-related disorders. In particular increased expression or activity of FKBP-L polypeptide in a subject may be used to treat excessive weight gain (which can be characterised as obesity), glucose intolerance, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, which are closely linked to obesity and insulin resistance. FKBP-L can also be used as a biomarker for obesity and obesity-related disorders.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an amphipathic peptide and methods of using the amphipathic peptide for delivering small molecule agents to a cell. Ideally, the amphipathic cell penetrating peptide comprises less than approximately 50 amino acid residues with at least 6 arginine residues, at least 12 Alanine Residues, at least 6 leucine residues, optionally at least one cysteine residue, and at least two but no greater than three glutamic acids wherein the arginine residues are evenly distributed along the length of the peptide; and the peptide has a defined ratio of arginine to negatively charged amino acid residues and a defined ratio of hydrophilic amino acid residues to hydrophobic amino acid residues. The present invention is also directed to a nanoparticle and cell delivery system comprising the amphipathic cell penetrating peptide of the invention. The peptide, nanoparticle or cell delivery system of the invention may be used in therapy.

Abstract: The inventors have determined that increasing the expression level or activity of FKBP-L polypeptide in a subject, which can be provided by expression of nucleic acids encoding FKBP-L or by providing FKBP-L polypeptides to a subject is advantageous for use in the treatment of obesity and obesity-related disorders. In particular increased expression or activity of FKBP-L polypeptide in a subject may be used to treat excessive weight gain (which can be characterised as obesity), glucose intolerance, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, which are closely linked to obesity and insulin resistance. FKBP-L can also be used as a biomarker for obesity and obesity-related disorders.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an amphipathic peptide and methods of using the amphipathic peptide for delivering small molecule agents to a cell. Ideally, the amphipathic cell penetrating peptide comprises less than approximately 50 amino acid residues with at least 6 arginine residues, at least 12 Alanine Residues, at least 6 leucine residues, optionally at least one cysteine residue, and at least two but no greater than three glutamic acids wherein the arginine residues are evenly distributed along the length of the peptide; and the peptide has a defined ratio of arginine to negatively charged amino acid residues and a defined ratio of hydrophilic amino acid residues to hydrophobic amino acid residues. The present invention is also directed to a nanoparticle and cell delivery system comprising the amphipathic cell penetrating peptide of the invention. The peptide, nanoparticle or cell delivery system of the invention may be used in therapy.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an amphipathic peptide and methods of using the amphipathic peptide for delivering small molecule agents to a cell. Ideally, the amphipathic cell penetrating peptide comprises less than approximately 50 amino acid residues with at least 6 arginine residues, at least 12 Alanine Residues, at least 6 leucine residues, optionally at least one cysteine residue, and at least two but no greater than three glutamic acids wherein the arginine residues are evenly distributed along the length of the peptide; and the peptide has a defined ratio of arginine to negatively charged amino acid residues and a defined ratio of hydrophilic amino acid residues to hydrophobic amino acid residues. The present invention is also directed to a nanoparticle and cell delivery system comprising the amphipathic cell penetrating peptide of the invention. The peptide, nanoparticle or cell delivery system of the invention may be used in therapy.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an amphipathic peptide and methods of using the amphipathic peptide for delivering small molecule agents to a cell. Ideally, the amphipathic cell penetrating peptide comprises less than approximately 50 amino acid residues with at least 6 arginine residues, at least 12 Alanine Residues, at least 6 leucine residues, optionally at least one cysteine residue, and at least two but no greater than three glutamic acids wherein the arginine residues are evenly distributed along the length of the peptide; and the peptide has a defined ratio of arginine to negatively charged amino acid residues and a defined ratio of hydrophilic amino acid residues to hydrophobic amino acid residues. The present invention is also directed to a nanoparticle and cell delivery system comprising the amphipathic cell penetrating peptide of the invention. The peptide, nanoparticle or cell delivery system of the invention may be used in therapy.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an amphipathic peptide and methods of using the amphipathic peptide for delivering small molecule agents to a cell. Ideally, the amphipathic cell penetrating peptide comprises less than approximately 50 amino acid residues with at least 6 arginine residues, at least 12 Alanine Residues, at least 6 leucine residues, optionally at least one cysteine residue, and at least two but no greater than three glutamic acids wherein the arginine residues are evenly distributed along the length of the peptide; and the peptide has a defined ratio of arginine to negatively charged amino acid residues and a defined ratio of hydrophilic amino acid residues to hydrophobic amino acid residues. The present invention is also directed to a nanoparticle and cell delivery system comprising the amphipathic cell penetrating peptide of the invention. The peptide, nanoparticle or cell delivery system of the invention may be used in therapy.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cell delivery system for the delivery of materials including nucleic acids across a biological barrier and methods of use thereof. The cell delivery system of the invention comprises a microprotrusion array composed of a swellable and/or dissolvable polymer composition for use in the transport of a material across a biological barrier, wherein the material comprises nanoparticles formed from a nucleic acid complexed with an amphipathic cell penetrating peptide and wherein the microprotrusion array is loaded with the nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an amphipathic peptide and methods of using the amphipathic peptide for delivering small molecule agents to a cell. Ideally, the amphipathic cell penetrating peptide comprises less than approximately 50 amino acid residues with at least 6 arginine residues, at least 12 Alanine Residues, at least 6 leucine resiues, optionally at least one cysteine residue, and at least two but no greater than three glutamic acids wherein the arginine residues are evenly distributed along the length of the peptide; and the peptide has a defined ratio of arginine to negatively charged amino acid residues and a defined ratio of hydrophilic amino acid residues to hydrophobic amino acid residues. The present invention is also directed to a nanoparticle and cell delivery system comprising the amph ipathic cell penetrating peptide of the invention. The peptide, nanoparticle or cell delivery sys tem of the invention may be used in therapy.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a liposomal delivery system comprising defined lipid components, including dimethyldioctadecylammonium and other lipid components and a stabilizing agent, which may be used in the delivery of bioactive agents to a subject in need thereof. The liposomal delivery system of the invention provide improvements in terms of delivery and stability. Ideally, the liposomal delivery system is used as a vaccine or drug/medicament delivery system although other bioactive agents may be delivered.

Abstract: In a vehicle using a differential apparatus for enabling the operator to quickly stop a skid. A set of electric clutches is attached to the idler pinion gears of the differential and to the spider. A centrifugal switch attached to a pinion responds to rapid rotation of the pinion which occurs during skidding to engage the electric clutches which thereby stop the spinning of the vehicle wheels permitting the drive to regain control. A time delay device maintains the clutches engaged for a short time after the centrifugal switch reopens.