Abstract: The methods and reagents described in this invention are used to analyze circulating tumor cells, clusters, fragments, and debris. Analysis is performed with a number of platforms, including flow cytometry and the CellSpotter® fluorescent microscopy imaging system. Analyzing damaged cells has shown to be important. However, there are two sources of damage: in vivo and in vitro. Damage in vivo occurs by apoptosis, necrosis, or immune response. Damage in vitro occurs during sample acquisition, handling, transport, processing, or analysis. It is therefore desirable to confine, reduce, eliminate, or at least qualify in vitro damage to prevent it from interfering in analysis. Described herein are methods to diagnose, monitor, and screen disease based on circulating rare cells, including malignancy as determined by CTC, clusters, fragments, and debris. Also provided are kits for assaying biological specimens using these methods.

Abstract: A method for assessing tumor progression is described by assessing AGR2 and/or TFF3 expression in a biological sample after induction of a physiological stress, such as hypoxia or serum deprivation in an enriched sample. Assessing the role of these indicators and their expression levels in an enriched CTC sample provides diagnostic and prognositic information on a patient. This method is also useful as a pharmatool in drug discovery.

Abstract: Disclosed are diagnostic techniques for the detection of human disease states that affect gene expression in peripheral leukocytes. The invention relates particularly to probes and methods for evaluating the presence of RNA species that are differentially expressed in the peripheral blood of individuals with such a disease state compared to normal healthy individuals. The invention further relates to methods for detection of protein species that are differentially expressed in the peripheral blood of individuals with such a disease state compared to normal healthy individuals. Genetic probes, antibody probes and methods useful in monitoring the progression and diagnosis of two specific disease states, prostatic cancer and breast cancer, are described.

Abstract: Disclosed are diagnostic techniques for the detection of human prostate, bladder and breast cancer. Genetic probes and methods useful in monitoring the progression and diagnosis of prostate, bladder and breast cancer are described. The invention relates particularly to probes and methods for evaluating the presence of RNA species that are differentially expressed in prostate, bladder and breast cancer compared to normal human prostate, benign prostatic hyperplasia, or normal bladder or breast tissue.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of determining whether a compound inhibits HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. This invention provides methods of determining whether a compound inhibits formation of a complex between a p66 and p51 subunit polypeptides of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. This invention provides a method of determining whether a compound enhances formation of a complex between a p66 and p51 subunit polypeptides of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. This invention provides methods of determining whether a compound inhibits formation of a complex between two p66 subunit polypeptides of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. This invention provides methods of determining whether a compound enhances formation of a complex between two p66 subunit polypeptides of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for detecting circulating tumor cells and assessing said cells for alterations in tumor-diathesis associated molecules.

Abstract: Disclosed are diagnostic techniques for the detection of human prostate, bladder and breast cancer. Genetic probes and methods useful in monitoring the progression and diagnosis of prostate, bladder and breast cancer are described. The invention relates particularly to probes and methods for evaluating the presence of RNA species that are differentially expressed in prostate, bladder and breast cancer compared to normal human prostate, benign prostatic hyperplasia, or normal bladder or breast tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed are diagnostic techniques for the detection of human disease states that affect gene expression in peripheral leukocytes. The invention relates particularly to probes and methods for evaluating the presence of RNA species that are differentially expressed in the peripheral blood of individuals with such a disease state compared to normal healthy individuals. The invention further relates to methods for detection of protein species that are differentially expressed in the peripheral blood of individuals with such a disease state compared to normal healthy individuals. Genetic probes, antibody probes and methods useful in monitoring the progression and diagnosis of two specific disease states, prostatic cancer and breast cancer, are described.

Abstract: Methods of screening for modulators of respiratory syncytial virus matrix protein interaction are described. A host cell carrying a nucleic acid sequence encoding RSV matrix protein or fragments of RSV matrix protein which can bind to RSV matrix protein is cultured and the RSV matrix protein or RSV fragments are expressed. The interaction of the expressed RSV matrix protein or fragments is measured. A test sample is then added to the expressed RSV matrix protein or fragments and the effect of the test sample on RSV matrix protein interaction is measured.

Abstract: Disclosed are diagnostic techniques for the detection of human prostate cancer. Genetic probes and methods useful in monitoring the progression and diagnosis of prostate cancer are described. The invention relates particularly to probes and methods for evaluating the presence of RNA species that are differentially expressed in prostate cancer compared to normal human prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel purified gibbon ape leukemia receptor proteins and purified DNA sequences encoding these receptor proteins.