Abstract: The present invention provides immunostimulatory nucleic acids that have an affinity to a specific target protein. The present invention also provides templates and methods for making and using the immunostimulatory nucleic acids. Further, methods for linking the immunostimulatory nucleic acids to antigens and using the resulting complexes to enhance an immune response are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides biosynthetic products that may be useful for controlling bacterial panicle blight of rice. These products are encoded by four biosynthetic operons found within the genome of a Pseudomonas protegens strain designated as PBL3 and deposited as ATCC #, which has been shown to inhibit the growth of Burkholderia glumae on rice plants. Also provided are vectors encoding these biosynthetic products, and methods of using the biosynthetic products to inhibit the growth of microorganisms.

Abstract: Non-invasive methods of detecting and providing an early diagnosis of cancer, in particular breast cancer are provided herein. The methods include obtaining a sample, suitably an ocular wash sample, from a subject and determining the level of ?-Defensin 1, ?-Defensin 2 and/or ?-Defensin 3 in the sample. Increased levels of any of these proteins as compared to a negative control or non-cancerous subject are indicative of cancer in the subject from which the sample was obtained. Kits for performing the methods described herein are also provided.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for establishing a quantitative relationship between spectral properties of molecules and a biological, chemical, or physical endpoint of the molecules. Spectral data including data from nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometric, infrared, and ultraviolet-visible techniques are used along with endpoint data to train a pattern-recognition program. The training yields a spectral data-activity relationship that may be used to predict the endpoint value of a molecule from its spectral data alone. Methods for rapidly screening isolated compounds or mixtures of compounds based upon their spectral data are included.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for establishing a quantitative relationship between spectral properties of molecules and a biological, chemical, or physical endpoint of the molecules. Spectral data including data from nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometric, infrared, and ultraviolet-visible techniques are used along with endpoint data to train a pattern-recognition program. The training yields a spectral data-activity relationship that may be used to predict the endpoint value of a molecule from its spectral data alone. Methods for rapidly screening isolated compounds or mixtures of compounds based upon their spectral data are included.