Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that inactivation of the heat shock response in cancer cells significantly enhances their sensitivity to proteasome and Hsp90 inhibitors. The inventors have discovered novel compounds which exhibit low toxicity, inhibit the heat shock protein response and sensitize cancer cells to anti-cancer therapies. In general, the heat shock protein inhibitors of the present invention share a common structure, namely a 2H-benzo[a]quinolizine tricyclic ring. Also encompassed are methods for a high throughput screen to identify heat shock inhibitors that sensitize cancer cells to anti-cancer therapies.

Abstract: A system and method for characterizing carbohydrate polymers according to maps obtained from experimental data. Preferably, the data is obtained from a plurality of different types of experimental assays for characterizing the carbohydrate polymer. More preferably, at least one such assay involves binding a saccharide-binding agent to the carbohydrate polymer. One or more features of the carbohydrate polymer are then preferably characterized. These features are preferably derived from maps of the data obtained from assays involving the sample carbohydrate polymer. These maps are more preferably analyzed at a plurality of levels, with each level providing more abstract biological information. Most preferably, new types of experimental data are introduced to the process of analysis at each level, in order to support more complex analyses of the data. Optionally and most preferably, maps are eliminated at each level as being inconsistent with the experimental data.

Abstract: A system and method for characterizing carbohydrate polymers according to maps obtained from experimental data. Preferably, the data is obtained from a plurality of different types of experimental assays for characterizing the carbohydrate polymer. More preferably, at least one such assay involves binding a saccharide-binding agent to the carbohydrate polymer. One or more features of the carbohydrate polymer are then preferably characterized. These features are preferably derived from maps of the data obtained from assays involving the sample carbohydrate polymer. These maps are more preferably analyzed at a plurality of levels, with each level providing more abstract biological information. Most preferably, new types of experimental data are introduced to the process of analysis at each level, in order to support more complex analyses of the data. Optionally and most preferably, maps are eliminated at each level as being inconsistent with the experimental data.