Abstract: Methods for using microRNA, particularly miRRA, to regulate nucleotide excision repair (NER) for treatment of cancer, particularly drug resistant breast cancer (BC) or late-stage breast cancer. The microRNA will effectively lower NER capacity in breast cancer, allowing for application or reapplication of chemotherapy that will be significantly more effective after pretreatment with the microRNA. Pharmaceutical compositions including microRNA are also provided.

Abstract: In the detection of a complex multifactorial disease, an MN blood group typing is performed on a first blood sample of a subject to be tested for a complex multifactorial disease, and on a second blood sample of a control subject having known phenotypes. Erythrocytes from the samples are isovolumetrically sphered, and M alleles and N alleles expressed on surfaces of erythrocyte cells of the first and second blood samples are labeled by contacting the blood samples with anti-M antibodies and anti-N antibodies associated with a marker. Labeled M alleles and labeled N alleles in the first and second blood samples are detected and quantified using the marker, in order to determine an incidence of somatic mutations in Glycophorin A of the patient. The incidence is compared with data pertaining to patients with a known complex multifactorial disease, to diagnose the patient.

Abstract: In the detection of a complex multi-factorial disease, an MN blood group typing is performed on a first blood sample of a subject to be tested for a complex multifactorial disease, and on a second blood sample of a control subject having known phenotypes. Erythrocytes from the samples are isovolumetrically sphered, and M alleles and N alleles expressed on surfaces of erythrocyte cells of the first and second blood samples are labeled by contacting the blood samples with anti-M antibodies and anti-N antibodies associated with a marker. Labeled M alleles and labeled N alleles in the first and second blood samples are detected and quantified using the marker, in order to determine an incidence of somatic mutations in Glycophorin A of the patient. The incidence is compared with data pertaining to patients with a known complex multi-factorial disease, to diagnose the patient.

Abstract: A method and a medium for culturing epithelial cells of both normal and malignant origin is provided. The method entails physically disaggregating tissue samples, placing the resulting fragments onto a surface comprised of basement membrane matrix components, and culturing the tissue in a medium containing preselected fetal and newborn calf sera and rat sera. Both primary explant cell cultures and cell lines, which are long-lived and particularly suitable for further study, are produced. The cultured primary explant cells undergo differentiation to form complex structures resembling those seen in vivo.

Abstract: A method and a medium for culturing epithelial cells of both normal and malignant origin is provided. The method entails physically disaggregating tissue samples, placing the resulting fragments onto a surface comprised of basement membrane matrix components, and culturing the tissue in a medium containing preselected fetal and newborn calf sera and rat sera. Both primary explant cell cultures and cell lines, which are long-lived and particularly suitable for further study, are produced. The cultured primary explant cells undergo differentiation to form complex structures resembling those seen in vivo.