Abstract: The invention provides computer systems and methods for visualization and analysis of relationships between biological data.

Abstract: The invention provides computer systems and methods for visualization and analysis of relationships between biological data.

Abstract: The invention provides computer systems and methods for visualization and analysis of relationships between biological data.

Abstract: The present invention provides molecular switch system methods and compositions for use in regulatable gene expression. The system includes a nucleic acid construct which has a DNA response sequence for a transcriptional regulatory protein operably linked to a promoter, a compound binding sequence in the vicinity of the DNA response sequence, a transgene under the control of the promoter; and a DNA binding compound. In some cases, the molecular switch system further includes a nucleic acid sequence encoding a transcriptional regulatory protein operably linked to a second promoter. The invention further provides a method for screening compounds for the ability to function in the molecular switch system and thereby regulate gene expression.

Abstract: This invention provides nucleic acid sequences, vectors and host cells comprising regulatory regions associated with various promoters including a cyclin D1 promoter, a CD40L promoter, three HBV promoters (core, pre-S1 and HBV-X), a vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) promoter, an androgen receptor promoter, a Her2 promoter, and ?-lactamase promoter. The invention further provides methods of regulating gene expression comprising the regulatory regions of such promoters.

Abstract: This invention provides nucleic acid sequences, vectors and host cells comprising regulatory regions associated with various promoters including a cyclin D1 promoter, a CD40L promoter, three HBV promoters (core, pre-S1 and HBV-X), a vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) promoter, an androgen receptor promoter, a Her2 promoter, and &bgr;-lactamase promoter. The invention further provides methods of regulating gene expression comprising the regulatory regions of such promoters.

Abstract: A line of .beta. cells is described which is capable of maintaining high levels of insulin secretion in culture. Such cells are useful in the treatment of diabetes, for example, by encapsulation of the cells in an insulin-permeable membrane device, followed by implantation into a diabetes patient.

Abstract: A cell culture of correctly regulated .beta.-cells having enhanced secretion of insulin is described. A method of selecting such correctly regulated .beta.-cells is also described comprising the following steps:(a) providing a population of cells comprising .beta.-cells in which increased intracellular concentrations of calcium ions is correlated with the extracellular presence of glucose;(b) exposing the population to a vital calcium-activated labelling agent;(c) exposing the population to glucose in a concentration sufficient to result in secretion of the insulin; and(d) selecting from the population, cells which exhibit a higher level of intracellular free calcium or insulin secretion when exposed to said concentration.

Abstract: A method of selecting cells with enhanced secretion of a secretory product is disclosed. The method comprises exposing a population of cells to a secretagogue to result in the secretion of a secretory product from the cells and selecting from the population, cells that exhibit increased amounts of intracellular free calcium when exposed to the secretagogue. The method enables the selection of correctly regulated .beta. cells that secrete appropriate amounts of insulin in response to varying glucose levels.