Abstract: The present invention concerns a family of nucleic acids, polypeptides and cloning vectors which direct expression of fusion proteins that can mimic aggregated IgG (AIG) and immune complex function with respect to their interactions with Fc?R and which allow for the inclusion and targeting of a second protein domain to cells expressing Fc?R. This was accomplished by expressing multiple linear copies of the hinge and CH2 domains (HCH2) of human IgG1 fused to the framework region of human IgG1. Convenient restriction sites allow for the facile introduction of additional amino-terminal domains. Methods for treating patients using fusion proteins are also disclosed. The HCH2 polymers described here represent a new strategy in the design of recombinant proteins for the therapeutic targeting of Fc?R in autoimmune disorders.

Abstract: The present invention concerns inventive polypeptides. The present invention also concerns compositions and vaccines comprising the inventive polypeptides. In other embodiments of the invention, the inventive polypeptides are provided to a subject, used to vaccinate, or used to induce immunity. Other embodiments include methods for making the inventive polypeptides and nucleic acids used to encode the inventive polypeptides.

Abstract: A data path optimization element is used in a behavioral synthesis process to optimize portions of an algorithmic description of a digital logic circuit. Directives are provided in the algorithmic description to identify subsets of the algorithmic description that can be extracted and optimized. The optimization includes identification of certain operators, function calls, conditional statements, or other relationships in the subset, and then compression of the extracted subset into or more data path components in a building block. The building block thus generated is substituted back into the algorithmic description and used in subsequent operations during the behavioral synthesis process, thereby leading to a more optimum design in terms of area, performance, power characteristics, or other characteristic(s).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a family of nucleic acids, polypeptides and cloning vectors which direct expression of fusion proteins that can mimic aggregated IgG (AIG) and immune complex function with respect to their interactions with Fc&ggr;R and which allow for the inclusion and targeting of a second protein domain to cells expressing Fc&ggr;R. This was accomplished by expressing multiple linear copies of the hinge and CH2 domains (HCH2) of human IgG1 fused to the framework region of human IgG1. Convenient restriction sites allow for the facile introduction of additional amino-terminal domains. Methods for treating patients using fusion proteins are also disclosed. The HCH2 polymers described here represent a new strategy in the design of recombinant proteins for the therapeutic targeting of Fc&ggr;R in autoimmune disorders.

Abstract: An improved method for performing a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of a targeted piece of DNA, wherein by controlling the annealing times and concentration of both the outer and the inner set of primers according to the method disclosed, highly specific and efficient amplification of a targeted piece of DNA can be achieved within one reaction vessel without depletion or removal of the outer primers from the reaction mixture vessel.