Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to methods of identifying pharmacophores and inhibitors against protein aggregation. The present disclosure also provides pharmacophores themselves and medical uses of agents in the treatment of diseases associated with protein aggregation.

Abstract: Method of tracking a plurality of objects comprising: focusing an image of the objects on an imaging element using an optical system; capturing the image of the objects using an imaging element comprising a plurality of pixels; measuring at least one characteristic of the objects from the captured image using an image processor; wherein the field of view is set be the widest field of view for which the image processor is able to measure the at least one characteristic.

Abstract: A thiazolidinedione or rhodanine compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer, solvate, hydrate, prodrug, derivative, stereoisomer, analog or isotopically labelled derivative thereof, for use in the treatment and/or prevention of a protein misfolding disease, wherein said compound is not Pioglitazone, Rosiglitazone, Rivoglitazone, Balaglitazone or Mitoglitazone.

Abstract: A thiazolidinedione or rhodanine compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer, solvate, hydrate, prodrug, derivative, stereoisomer, analog or isotopically labelled derivative thereof, for use in the treatment and/or prevention of an ophthalmological condition, wherein said compound is not Pioglitazone, Rosiglitazone, Rivoglitazone, Balaglitazone or Mitoglitazone.

Abstract: Method of tracking a plurality of objects comprising: focusing an image of the objects on an imaging element using an optical system; capturing the image of the objects using an imaging element comprising a plurality of pixels; measuring at least one characteristic of the objects from the captured image using an image processor; wherein the field of view is set be the widest field of view for which the image processor is able to measure the at least one characteristic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of identifying pharmacophores and inhibitors against protein aggregation. The present invention also provides pharmacophores themselves and medical uses of agents in the treatment of Alzheimer's.

Abstract: A method and data processing system for identifying mutations or insertions that alter a property such as the solubility or aggregation propensity of an input polypeptide chain. The method comprises inputting a sequence of amino acids and a structure for said sequence for said target polypeptide chain; calculating a structurally corrected solubility or aggregation propensity profile for said target polypeptide chain; selecting, using said calculated profile, regions within said target polypeptide chain; identifying at least one position within each selected region suitable for mutations or insertions; generating a plurality of mutated sequences by mutations or insertions at least one identified position; and predicting a value of the solubility or aggregation propensity for each of the plurality of mutated sequences whereby any alteration to the solubility or aggregation propensity of the input polypeptide chain is identified.

Abstract: We describe methods for identifying aggregation-prone regions in structured—that is folded—proteins. Embodiments of the method use a local propensity for aggregation (Ai) at an amino acid position, this being determined by a combination of a hydrophobicity value, an ?-helix propensity value, a ?-sheet propensity value, a charge value and a pattern value for the amino acid position. This is combined with local structural stability values for the amino acid positions to identify one or more regions in the amino acid sequence which, in the folded protein, are predicted to promote aggregation.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of predicting protein aggregation and designing aggregation inhibitors. One such method for predicting potential protein aggregation inhibiting peptide sequences, includes the steps of: a) identifying a peptide sequence forming at least part of an aggregation region in a target protein; b) testing whether said peptide sequence forms part of a ?-sheet; c) if a positive result is achieved in step b), extracting the adjacent strands of that sheet; d) identifying residues in the adjacent strands to said peptide sequence whose side chains interact with said peptide sequence, those residues forming a potential protein aggregation inhibiting peptide sequence. The present invention also provides methods of designing compounds using the residues identified in the above method; compounds produced by the methods and computer programs for carrying out the above methods.

Abstract: A method of determining aggregation rate data predicting an aggregation rate of a polypeptide defined by an amino acid sequence, the method comprising determining a hydrophobicity value, a charge value, and at least one shape propensity value for said sequence; identifying one or more aggregation-influencing patterns within said sequence; determining a pattern value for the sequence responsive to said identifying; and determining said aggregation rate data by determining a weighted combination of said hydrophobicity value, said charge value, said at least one shape propensity value, said pattern value and at least one factor extrinsic to said amino acid sequence.

Abstract: We describe methods for identifying aggregation-prone regions in structured—that is folded—proteins. Embodiments of the method use a local propensity for aggregation (Ai) at an amino acid position, this being determined by a combination of a hydrophobicity value, an ?-helix propensity value, a ?-sheet propensity value, a charge value and a pattern value for the amino acid position. This is combined with local structural stability values for the amino acid positions to identify one or more regions in the amino acid sequence which, in the folded protein, are predicted to promote aggregation.

Abstract: A method of determining aggregation rate data predicting an aggregation rate of a polypeptide defined by an amino acid sequence, the method comprising determining a hydrophobicity value, a charge value, and at least one shape propensity value for said sequence; identifying one or more aggregation-influencing patterns within said sequence; determining a pattern value for the sequence responsive to said identifying; and determining said aggregation rate data by determining a weighted combination of said hydrophobicity value, said charge value, said at least one shape propensity value, said pattern value and at least one factor extrinsic to said amino acid sequence.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of predicting protein aggregation and designing aggregation inhibitors. One such method for predicting potential protein aggregation inhibiting peptide sequences, includes the steps of: a) identifying a peptide sequence forming at least part of an aggregation region in a target protein; b) testing whether said peptide sequence forms part of a ?-sheet; c) if a positive result is achieved in step b), extracting the adjacent strands of that sheet; d) identifying residues in the adjacent strands to said peptide sequence whose side chains interact with said peptide sequence, those residues forming a potential protein aggregation inhibiting peptide sequence. The present invention also provides methods of designing compounds using the residues identified in the above method; compounds produced by the methods and computer programs for carrying out the above methods.

Abstract: A method of determining aggregation rate data predicting an aggregation rate of a polypeptide defined by an amino acid sequence, the method comprising determining a hydrophobicity value, a charge value, and at least one shape propensity value for said sequence; identifying one or more aggregation-influencing patterns within said sequence; determining a pattern value for the sequence responsive to said identifying; and determining said aggregation rate data by determining a weighted combination of said hydrophobicity value, said charge value, said at least one shape propensity value, said pattern value and at least one factor extrinsic to said amino acid sequence.

Abstract: A method of determining aggregation rate data predicting an aggregation rate of a polypeptide defined by an amino acid sequence, the method comprising determining a hydrophobicity value, a charge value, and at least one shape propensity value for said sequence; identifying one or more aggregation-influencing patterns within said sequence; determining a pattern value for the sequence responsive to said identifying; and determining said aggregation rate data by determining a weighted combination of said hydrophobicity value, said charge value, said at least one shape propensity value, said pattern value and at least one factor extrinsic to said amino acid sequence.