Abstract: The present invention relates to a cell comprising an Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) stress element operably linked to a reporter element and an exogenous gene encoding a protein that induces ER stress. Methods of screening using the modified cell, constructs used in the modified cell, the candidate agents identified by the screen and uses thereof are also part of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to derivatives of L-Tyrosyl-L-Arginine and the use of said derivatives in the prevention and/or treatment of a tau-induced cytotoxicity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I) wherein X is hydrogen, R1, R1C(O), R1CO2, or a COX2 inhibitor, wherein R1 is C1-20 alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, alkyloxy or arylalkyloxy; wherein Y is OR2, NHR3N(R3)2, or a COX inhibitor; wherein R2 is hydrogen or C1-20 alkyl and each R3 is independently hydrogen or a C1-4 alkyl; wherein T is OR4, NHR5N(R5)2, or a COX inhibitor wherein R4 is hydrogen or C1-20 alkyl and each R5 is independently hydrogen or a C1-4 alkyl; wherein Z is hydrogen, R6, R6C(O), R6CO2, or a COX2 inhibitor; wherein R6 is C1-20 alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, alkyloxy or arylalkyloxy; with the proviso wherein when X and Z are hydrogen and T is OH, Y is not OH; for use in the prevention and/or treatment of pain wherein said compound is provided for systemic administration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cell comprising an Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) stress element operably linked to a reporter element and an exogenous gene encoding a protein that induces ER stress. Methods of screening using the modified cell, constructs used in the modified cell, the candidate agents identified by the screen and uses thereof are also part of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cell which is suitable for screening a candidate agent as being an inhibitor of the metabolism of tryptophan to NAD+ and/or a modulator of NAD+ levels, which cell comprises functional genes of a pathway enabling the metabolism of tryptophan to NAD+ and wherein the cell includes a copy of an exogenous gene of said pathway, from the same or different species as the cell, which exogenous gene is under the control of an inducible or constitutive promoter and wherein any endogenous copy of the gene having the same function as the exogenous gene is a non functioning gene. The present invention also relates to populations of such cells and to methods of screening candidate agents with such cells.