Abstract: The present invention provides systems for developing and/or testing therapies for prenatal diseases and conditions including Down Syndrome. The present invention also provides diagnostic methods for Down Syndrome involving, in some embodiments, gene expression analyses of fetal RNA and/or detection of expression of particular genes involved in Down Syndrome. Also provided are microarrays and kits useful in prenatal diagnostic applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems for assessing neonatal development and/or conditions by analyzing neonatal saliva RNA. Methods of identifying genes involved in neonatal development and/or conditions affecting neonates, are provided. Methods of determining a diagnosis of a neonate comprising detection of one or more differentially expressed genes are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods of prenatal diagnosis, screening, monitoring and/or testing. The inventive methods include the analysis by array-based hybridization of cell-free fetal DNA isolated from amniotic fluid. In addition to allowing the prenatal diagnosis of a variety of diseases and conditions, and the assessment of fetal characteristics such as fetal sex and chromosomal abnormalities, the new inventive methods provide substantially more information about the fetal genome in less time than it takes to perform a conventional metaphase karyotype analysis. In particular, the enhanced molecular karyotype methods provided by the present invention allow the detection of chromosomal aberrations that are not often detected prenatally such as microdeletions, microduplications and subtelomeric rearrangements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods of prenatal diagnosis, screening, monitoring and/or testing. The inventive methods include analysis of the fragment size distribution of cell-free fetal DNA isolated from amniotic fluid. The inventive methods allow for rapid screening of fetal characteristics such as chromosomal abnormalities and for prenatal diagnosis of a variety of diseases and conditions. Since the new methods do not require cell culture, they can be performed more rapidly than conventional fetal karyotypes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods of prenatal diagnosis, screening, monitoring and/or testing. The inventive methods include the analysis by array-based hybridization of cell-free fetal DNA isolated from amniotic fluid. In addition to allowing the prenatal diagnosis of a variety of diseases and conditions, and the assessment of fetal characteristics such as fetal sex and chromosomal abnormalities, the new inventive methods provide substantially more information about the fetal genome in less time than it takes to perform a conventional metaphase karyotype analysis. In particular, the enhanced molecular karyotype methods provided by the present invention allow the detection of chromosomal aberrations that are not often detected prenatally such as microdeletions, microduplications and subtelomeric rearrangements. Also provided are improved methods of extraction of fetal DNA from amniotic fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods of prenatal diagnosis, monitoring, screening and/or testing. The invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery that amniotic fluid is a rich source of cell-free fetal RNA. Methods of isolation and analysis of fetal RNA are described, that can lead to information about fetal gene expression that is not available by other techniques. The inventive systems allow for a more comprehensive determination of a living human fetus' health, growth and development and for the prenatal diagnosis of a variety of diseases and conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods of identifying and testing TGF-.beta. pathway agonists and antagonists, and in particular compositions comprising Mothers against DPP (MAD) proteins and related Smad polypeptides which exhibit sequence-specific DNA-binding activity. The invention also provides a novel DNA sequence (SEQ ID NO:19); (SEQ ID NO:20); (SEQ ID NO:21) that is bound with high affinity by Drosophila MAD protein. This protein is useful for identifying compounds that will enhance or interfere with MAD protein-DNA binding.

Abstract: A knife has a fixed blade, a plastic base fixed to the tang of the blade, and a rugged rubber grip fixed to the plastic base. A visible portion of the plastic base extends along a back of the knife and also forms a hilt and forwardly swept guard. A visible portion of the rubber forms a grip along the bottom and sides of the handle, and also a thumb rest along the top of the handle at the guard. The handle is formed by injection molding the plastic to the tang of the blade, and thereafter injection molding the rubber to the plastic. The plastic base has features thereon for ensuring that the rubber is strongly fixed to the plastic. The base and the grip are made of strong, tough, damage-resistant materials.