Abstract: A robotic system and method are provided. The robotic system includes a continuum robot, an actuation unit, and a flexible positioning shaft. The continuum robot is configured to perform minimally invasive diagnostic, surgical or therapeutic techniques, and includes at least one continuum segment including a plurality of backbones. The continuum segment carries at least one diagnostic, surgical or therapeutic instrument in a flexible instrumentation housing that has a plurality of instrumentation channels. The actuation unit is configured to actuate the continuum robot by providing linear actuation to each of the plurality of backbones, and includes force sensors for measuring actuation forces. The flexible positioning shaft is configured to direct a position and orientation of the continuum robot and to couple the actuation unit to the continuum robot.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compounds and methods for treating or preventing hormone-resistant prostate cancer using siRNA specific for protocadherin-PC, or other inhibitors of protocadherin-PC expression or activity, including antisense oligonucleotides and antibodies. The invention also provides for the use of protocadherin-PC as an in vivo prostate cancer biomarker, and includes a kit for detecting prostate cancer in biological samples. Also covered by the invention is a transgenic non-human mammal engineered to overexpress protocadherin-PC specifically in the prostate.