Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for screening, identifying, and/or quantifying modulators of amyloid and/or aggregates, fibrils or components thereof, in particular modulators of amyloid ?-peptide (A?) or A? fibrils. Aspects of the invention provide methods for screening putative modulators against an Amyloid target, in particular an A? target, so as to determine which modulators bind to or interact with the target, or interfere with the interaction of an indicator agent and the target. Particular aspects of the invention employ mass spectrometric methods for the screening of an Amyloid target against compound libraries, in particular mixtures of compounds or combinatorial libraries.

Abstract: In general, the invention features antibodies specific for PrPSc and diagnostic, therapeutic, and decontamination uses thereof. The invention also features synthetic peptides useful as immunogens for generating antibodies specific for PrPSc and therapeutic for the treatment of prion diseases.

Abstract: Light emitting compounds of the formula: where R1 is a light-emitting moiety, R2 is a bombesin-like peptide and fragment, derivative or analog thereof and L is a linker moiety, which may be present or absent. The peptide is linked at a first amino acid position to (C—X) which, in turn, is selected from the group including C?O, C?S, CH(OH), C?C=O, C?NH, CH2, CH(OR), CH(NR), CH(R), CR3R4, and C(OR3)OR4 where R, R3, and R4 are alkyl moieties or substituted alkyl moieties. Optionally the compound may include a linker moiety between the peptide and the C—X binding group. Preferably, the compound exhibits substantial biological activity in the presence of receptors having affinities for bombesin-like peptides.

Abstract: Light emitting compounds of the formula where R1 is a light-emitting moiety, R2 is a CRF-related peptide and fragment, derivative or analog thereof and L is a linker moiety, which may be present or absent. The peptide is linked at a first amino acid position to (C—X) which, in turn, is selected from the group including C═O, C═S, CH(OH), C═C═O, C═NH, CH2, CH(OR), CH(NR), CH(R), CR3R4, and C(OR3)OR4 where R, R3, and R4 are alkyl moieties or substituted alkyl moieties. Optionally the compound may include a linker moiety between the peptide and the C—X binding group. Preferably, the compound exhibits substantial biological activity in the presence of receptors having affinities for CRF-related peptides.

Abstract: Light emitting compounds of the formula: where R1 is a light-emitting moiety and R2 is a motilin peptide and fragment, derivative or analog thereof The peptide is linked at a first amino acid position to (C—X) which, in turn, is selected from the group including C═O, C═S, CH(OH), C═C═O, C═NH, CH2, CH(OR), CH(NR), CH(R), CR3R4, and C(OR3)OR4 where R, R3, and R4 are alkyl moieties or substituted alkyl moieties. Optionally the compound may include a linker moiety between the peptide and the C—X binding group. Preferably, the compound exhibits substantial biological activity in the presence of receptors having affinities for motilin peptides.