Abstract: Provided herein are methods for identifying molecules capable of modulating SERCA, the SERCA-PLB complex or the microenvironment of the complex. An exemplary assay provided herein is fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Also provided herein are FRET assays that are optimized for high-throughput screening (HTS) for identifying small molecules that modulate SERCA or the SERCA-PLB complex. Further provided are kits for carrying out said methods for identifying molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of stem cell factor (SCF) for the treatment of ischemic injured tissue such as in cardiovascular disease. The method involves administration of a nucleic acid encoding SCF, wherein the nucleic acid is delivered to the site of the injury and is incorporated into cells which then express the SCF.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for identifying molecules capable of modulating SERCA, the SERCA-PLB complex or the microenvironment of the complex. An exemplary assay provided herein is fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Also provided herein are FRET assays that are optimized for high-throughput screening (HTS) for identifying small molecules that modulate SERCA or the SERCA-PLB complex. Further provided are kits for carrying out said methods for identifying molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for augmenting SERCA2 mediated calcium ion transport into the sarcoplasmic reticulum of cardiac myocytes of a host. The method includes administering to host cardiac myocytes a zinc finger protein that induces expression of SERCA2a (or administering a nucleic acid molecule encoding such a protein), wherein expression of SERCA2a produces an augmentation in SERCA2 mediated calcium ion transport in treated myocytes, as compared to untreated myocytes. Also provided are methods of treating heart failure by administering to a patient in need thereof, a zinc finger protein or zinc finger protein fused to an effector domain, that induces expression of SERCA2a.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of stem cell factor (SCF) for the treatment of ischemic injured tissue such as in cardiovascular disease. The method involves administration of a nucleic acid encoding SCF, wherein the nucleic acid is delivered to the site of the injury and is incorporated into cells which then express the SCF.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating urinary incontinence, urethral sphincter dysfunction and/or bladder dysfunction by delivering a therapeutic adeno-associated virus (AAV)-SERCA2 composition to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Novel stem cell factors, oligonucleotides encoding the same, and methods of production, are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating disorders involving blood cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention features a method of producing a multimeric protein from a hybrid cell formed from the fusion of two or more cells, each of which cell is engineered to express one component of the multimeric protein, as well as a method for screening for successful fusion of the cells to produce a desired hybrid cell. The methods of the invention are widely applicable to the production of proteins having two or more components.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel retroviral packaging system, in which retroviral packaging plasmids and packagable vector transcripts are produced from high expression plasmids after stable or transient transfection in mammalian cells. High titers of recombinant retrovirus are produced in these transfected mammalian cells and can then transduce a mammalian target cell by cocultivation or supernatant infection. The methods of the invention include the use of the novel retroviral packaging plasmids and vectors to transduce primary human cells, including T cells and human hematopoietic stem cells, with foreign genes by cocultivation or supernatant infection at high efficiencies. The invention is useful for the rapid production of high titer viral supernatants, and to transduce with high efficiency cells that are refractory to transduction by conventional means.

Abstract: Novel stem cell factors, oligonucleotides encoding the same, and methods of production, are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating disorders involving blood cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method to produce a cell expressing an antibody from a genomic sequence of the cell comprising a modified immunoglobulin locus using Cre-mediated site-specific recombination is disclosed. The method involves first transfecting an antibody-producing cell with a homology-targeting vector comprising a lox site and a targeting sequence homologous to a first DNA sequence adjacent to the region of the immunoglobulin loci of the genomic sequence which is to be converted to a modified region, so the first lox site is inserted into the genomic sequence via site-specific homologous recombination. Then the cell is transfected with a lox-targeting vector comprising a second lox site suitable for Cre-mediated recombination with the integrated lox site and a modifying sequence to convert the region of the immunoglobulin loci to the modified region.

Abstract: Novel stem cell factors, oligonucleotides encoding the same, and methods of production, are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating disorders involving blood cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel stem cell factors, oligonucleotides encoding the same, and methods of production, are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating disorders involving blood cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel stem cell factors, oligonucleotides encoding the same, and methods of production, are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating disorders involving blood cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides immunogenic compositions containing attenuated bacteria (such as Salmonella enterica) which are resistant to the antimicrobial actions of human defensins, particularly human defensin 5 (HD-5). Methods for using these compositions to elicit a sustained and highly specific immune response are provided. The invention also provides methods for preparing vaccines wherein a heterologous antigen is expressed by the defensin-resistant bacteria.

Abstract: Novel stem cell factors, oligonucleotides encoding the same, and methods of production, are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating disorders involving blood cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention features a method of producing a multimeric protein from a hybrid cell formed from the fusion of two or more cells, each of which cell is engineered to express one component of the multimeric protein, as well as a method for screening for successful fusion of the cells to produce a desired hybrid cell. The methods of the invention are widely applicable to the production of proteins having two or more components.

Abstract: Novel stem cell factors, oligonucleotides encoding the same, and methods of production, are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating disorders involving blood cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention features a method of producing a multimeric protein from a hybrid cell formed from the fusion of two or more cells, each of which cell is engineered to express one component of the multimeric protein, as well as a method for screening for successful fusion of the cells to produce a desired hybrid cell. The methods of the invention are widely applicable to the production of proteins having two or more components.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel retroviral packaging system, in which retroviral packaging plasmids and packagable vector transcripts are produced from high expression plasmids after stable or transient transfection in mammalian cells. High titers of recombinant retrovirus are produced in these transfected mammalian cells and can then transduce a mammalian target cell by cocultivation or supernatant infection. The methods of the invention include the use of the novel retroviral packaging plasmids and vectors to transduce primary human cells, including T cells and human hematopoietic stem cells, with foreign genes by cocultivation or supernatant infection at high efficiencies. The invention is useful for the rapid production of high titer viral supernatants, and to transduce with high efficiency cells that are refractory to transduction by conventional means.