Abstract: The present invention provides a topical composition comprising (i) an amount of an AP-1 signaling inhibitor sufficient to reduce, delay or prevent apoptosis and/or necrosis induced by dermal wounding and/or to induce and/or enhance proliferation of a cell; and (ii) a suitable carrier or excipient e.g., a topical carrier or excipient or other carrier or excipient for dermal application. For example, the AP-1 signaling inhibitor is a peptide analog comprising the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 104. The present invention also provides a method of treating a dermal wound comprising topically administering said topical composition to a subject suffering from a dermal wound.

Abstract: The present invention provides AP-1 signaling inhibitory peptides of SEQ ID NOS:54-57, compositions of the peptides, and methods of treatment of neurological disorders by administration of the peptide(s) or compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-hybrid screening method for the identification and/or isolation of a peptide that is capable of modulating a phenotype in a cell, tissue or organism. For example, the non-hybrid screening method identifies a peptide that is derived from an organism that is unrelated to the cell, tissue or organism. Alternatively, or in addition, the non-hybrid screening method identifies a peptide that is capable of rescuing the cell, tissue or organism from cell death or inducing a cell, tissue or organism to grow. The present invention also provides a non-hybrid screening method for identifying a peptide that is useful for treating a disease and/or disorder.

Abstract: The present invention provides AP-1 signaling inhibitory peptides comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 28-31, 36-39, 45-48, 54-57 and 62-65, compositions comprising one or a plurality of said peptides, and methods of treatment of neurological disorders comprising the administration of the peptide(s) or compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a topical composition comprising (i) an amount of an AP-1 signaling inhibitor sufficient to reduce, delay or prevent apoptosis and/or necrosis induced by dermal wounding and/or to induce and/or enhance proliferation of a cell; and (ii) a suitable carrier or excipient e.g., a topical carrier or excipient or other carrier or excipient for dermal application. For example, the AP-1 signaling inhibitor is a peptide analog comprising the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 104. The present invention also provides a method of treating a dermal wound comprising topically administering said topical composition to a subject suffering from a dermal wound.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the screening of nucleic acid fragment expression libraries and selecting encoded peptides based upon their ability to modulate the activity of a target protein or nucleic acid and assume conserved conformations compatible with albeit not reiterative of the target protein or nucleic acid. The present invention also provides methods for the diagnosis and treatment of ischemia. The present invention also provides c-Jun dimerization inhibitory peptides and analogues thereof that are useful for treatment of ischemia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying or determining a compound that inhibits or reduces internal ribosome entry site (IRES) mediated translation. For example, the present invention provides a method for determining a compound that inhibits IRES-mediated translation, said method comprising expressing in a cell a counter selectable marker operably under the control of an IRES. A candidate compound is then introduced into the cell or contacted with the cell and the cell maintained under conditions that select against a cell expressing the counter-selectable marker gene. Accordingly, a cell in which IRES-mediated translation of the counter-selectable reporter gene is selected, thereby identifying a compound that inhibits IRES-mediated translation. The present invention also provides compounds identified by the method.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved N-hybrid assays. In particular, the present invention provides an improved reverse N-hybrid assay comprising modulating the amount of a substrate of a reporter gene and/or the amount of a reporter gene thereby enhancing cell death in the absence of a peptide inhibitor of a DNA-protein or protein-protein interaction and/or enhancing cell survival in the presence of a peptide inhibitor of a DNA-protein or protein-protein interaction. Furthermore, the present invention provides an improved forward N-hybrid assay comprising modulating the amount of a reporter gene thereby enhancing cell death in the absence of a heterologous peptide or protein capable of binding to the DNA or protein in a cell and enhancing cell survival in the presence of a heterologous peptide or protein capable of binding to the DNA or protein in a cell.