Abstract: A method and system directs therapeutic light of a first wavelength to a patient's eye to excite a photosensitizing agent for PDT during a series of discrete periods of time that are separated by non-therapeutic intervals. Diagnostic light of a second wavelength can be directed to the eye during at least a portion of one or more of the non-therapeutic intervals to allow a physician to see the affect of the therapy.

Abstract: Methods of treating diseases of a subject through selective occlusion of blood vessels. The methods include identifying and/or mapping the blood vessels supplying nutrients to the diseased or unwanted tissue, delivering an appropriate dose of an occlusion-forming photosensitizer to the subject, and exciting the photosensitizer with sufficient light irradiation in the vicinity of the blood vessels to cause vessel occlusion. The vessel occlusion cuts off nutrient supply to the diseased or unwanted tissue resulting in cell death of that tissue and any other tissue served by the occluded vessels.

Abstract: This invention discloses methods of treating neovasculature diseases of the eye through the administration of a photosensitizing agent and subsequent exposure to light of specific wavelength sufficient to photoactivate the photosensitizing agent to occlude one or more vessels in the neovasculature for an extended period of time. Diseases treatable under this invention, include, for example: diabetic retinopathy; macular degeneration; subfoveal choroidal neovascularization, malignant uveal melanomas and other maladies of the human or animal eye or body.

Abstract: A photodynamic therapy includes a particular combination of a photosensitizer and light source for a photodynamic therapy used to treat ocular diseases. The photosensitizer has a peak excitation level when exposed to light of a given wavelength where the wavelength of light is absorbed at a particular location of the eye to be treated. The light source has a wavelength within the excitation range of the photosensitizer and matched to the location of the diseased eye tissue. The light source also has an irradiance level and energy level that is effective for therapy but at levels below the maximum permissible exposure level.

Abstract: A method and system directs therapeutic light of a first wavelength to a patient's eye to excite a photosensitizing agent for PDT during a series of discrete periods of time that are separated by non-therapeutic intervals. Diagnostic light of a second wavelength can be directed to the eye during at least a portion of one or more of the non-therapeutic intervals to allow a physician to see the affect of the therapy.

Abstract: This invention provides a system for controlling the phenotypic characteristics of cells. A pair of chimeric polypeptides is anchored in the plasma membrane, each of which has a variable region sequence and an effector sequence. The polypeptides are independent in the absence of antigen, but form a stable complex with each other when antigen is provided. This drives the effector sequences together in a manner that produces a receptor activation signal, leading to a phenotypic change. By titrating the amount of antigen present in the environment, the degree of phenotypic change can be regulated. Cells bearing chimeric polypeptides can be used to measure the concentration of antigen or select cells transfected with a therapeutic gene.