Abstract: The invention provides the compounds of formula (): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, A, X, Y, a, b and n are as defined herein. Also disclosed are methods for making the compounds of formula (I) and their use in treating or preventing diseases associated with cell overproliferation and dysfunctional sphingolipid signal transduction. The invention also encompasses the use of the compounds in combination with an apoptosis-signaling ligand, such as Fas ligand. Preferably, the Fas ligand is administered in the form of a gene therapy agent.

Abstract: The invention provides the compounds of formula ( ): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, A, X, Y, a, b and n are as defined herein. Also disclosed are methods for making the compounds of formula (I) and their use in treating or preventing diseases associated with cell overproliferation and dysfunctional sphingolipid signal transduction. The invention also encompasses the use of the compounds in combination with an apoptosis-signaling ligand, such as Fas ligand. Preferably, the Fas ligand is administered in the form of a gene therapy agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for high level, regulated transgene transcription that is restricted to cell populations of specific types. The process is designed to work with any inducible expression regulation systems, adapting them to a tissue-specific expression pattern while simultaneously delivering maximal achievable expression levels. In particular, the invention utilizes hybrid promoters that contain the DNA elements for both cell type-specific and regulated transcription. By placing the gene of the transcriptional activation factor (TAF) under the control of this tissue-specific/drug-regulated (TSDR) promoter, this invention achieves high expression levels of TAF in specific target cells by first initiating TAF expression using cell-type specific transcription elements, and subsequently amplifying transcriptional activity by establishing an autoregulatory positive feedback loop.

Abstract: Recombinant expression vectors and methods are provided for detecting HIV and monitoring HIV drug resistance.

Abstract: Methods are provided for screening natural and synthetic anti-HIV agents using recombinant cells that are rendered susceptible to productive infection of various strains, subtypes or clades of HIV from both laboratory and clinical isolates.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are provided for testing susceptibility of HIV to drug treatment, such as drug resistance of HIV and inhibition of HIV replication by a drug candidate. In one aspect of the invention, a method is provided for detecting drug resistance of HIV contained in a sample from an individual infected with HIV. In one embodiment, the method employs an indicator cell line which over-expresses CD4 and one or more co-receptors for HIV such as CXCR4 and CCR5 at high levels to render the cells susceptible to productive infection of various strains, subtypes or clades of HIV from both laboratory and clinical isolates. The methods, compositions and kits can be used for high throughput screening of HIV patient samples, anti-HIV agents, and for designing customized HIV therapy.

Abstract: Methods are provided for screening natural and synthetic anti-HIV agents using recombinant cells that are rendered susceptible to productive infection of various strains, subtypes or clades of HIV from both laboratory and clinical isolates.

Abstract: Recombinant expression vectors and methods are provided for detecting HIV and monitoring HIV drug resistance.

Abstract: a method is provided for detecting a presence of HIV virus in a sample comprising: taking a culture of recombinant cells which (a) are capable of cell division, (b) express CD4 receptor and one or more additional cell surface receptors necessary to allow the HIV virus to infect, (c) enable the HIV virus to replicate and infect the noninfected cells in the cell culture, and (d) comprise a reporter sequence introduced into the recombinant cells comprising a reporter gene whose expression is regulated by a protein specific to HIV viruses which is expressed from a genome of an HIV virus upon infection of the recombinant cell by the HIV virus; contacting the cell culture with a sample to be analyzed for the presence of HIV virus in the sample; and detecting a change in a level of expression of the reporter gene in cells in the recombinant cell culture.

Abstract: Recombinant expression vectors and methods are provided for detecting HIV and monitoring HIV drug resistance.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved AAV vectors for delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids. In particular, it provides vectors for delivery of CFTR polynucleotides.