Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products are provided for identifying a component of culture medium based on the parameters (e.g., physical, chemical, biological and/or topological characteristics) of compounds from within a compound library. In preferred embodiments, the compound library is a peptide library. Also provided are methods of selecting a compound library from a larger compound space based on whole molecule (i.e., global) parameters of the compounds. Preferably, this method is practiced in conjunction with a method of identifying a component of a culture medium. Further provided are methods of predicting a biological activity of a peptide based on at least one whole molecule parameter of the peptide. This method finds use in methods of drug discovery, identifying components of culture medium, and identifying and/or designing peptides with particular pharmacological or therapeutic activities.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides libraries which are useful for rapid identification of biologically active compounds. The invention further provides peptides which include cell-growth affecting peptides and peptides which enhance or inhibit production of cellular proteins. Many of the peptides of the invention may be produced in large quantity by recombinant techniques and formulated in culture medium to produce the desired effect on cultured cells and tissues. Certain of the libraries of the invention and the peptides identified in them are particularly useful in concatemer-based recombinant expression methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides specific peptides identified as having cell adhesion, growth, expression or secretion-enhancing activities. Many of the peptides of the invention may be produced in large quantity by such means as chemical synthesis or recombinant DNA methodology. They may be non-specifically adsorbed, or chemically attached to a surface or, alternatively, formulated in a culture medium to produce the desired effect on cultured cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides libraries which are useful for rapid identification of biologically active compounds. The invention further provides peptides which include cell-growth affecting peptides and peptides which enhance or inhibit production of cellular proteins. Many of the peptides of the invention may be produced in large quantity by recombinant techniques and formulated in culture medium to produce the desired effect on cultured cells and tissues. Certain of the libraries of the invention and the peptides identified in them are particularly useful in concatemer-based recombinant expression methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides libraries which are useful for rapid identification of biologically active compounds. The invention further provides peptides which include cell-growth affecting peptides and peptides which enhance or inhibit production of cellular proteins. Many of the peptides of the invention may be produced in large quantity by recombinant techniques and formulated in culture medium to produce the desired effect on cultured cells and tissues. Certain of the libraries of the invention and the peptides identified in them are particularly useful in concatemer-based recombinant expression methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides libraries which are useful for rapid identification of biologically active compounds. The invention further provides peptides which include cell-growth affecting peptides and peptides which enhance or inhibit production of cellular proteins. Many of the peptides of the invention may be produced in large quantity by recombinant techniques and formulated in culture medium to produce the desired effect on cultured cells and tissues. Certain of the libraries of the invention and the peptides identified in them are particularly useful in concatemer-based recombinant expression methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides libraries which are useful for rapid identification of biologically active compounds. The invention further provides peptides which include cell-growth affecting peptides and peptides which enhance or inhibit production of cellular proteins. Many of the peptides of the invention may be produced in large quantity by recombinant techniques and formulated in culture medium to produce the desired effect on cultured cells and tissues. Certain of the libraries of the invention and the peptides identified in them are particularly useful in concatemer-based recombinant expression methods.

Abstract: A method of converting differentiated non-hormone producing pancreatic cells into differentiated hormone producing cells is disclosed. The method comprises two steps: first, culturing cells under conditions which convert differentiated non-hormone producing cells into stem cells; and second, culturing stem cells under conditions which provide for differentiating stem cells into hormone-producing cells. The invention defines growth and differentiation factors that are presented to the stem cells to result in their differentiation into hormone-producing cells, especially insulin-producing cells. The invention provides a new source of large quantities of hormone producing cells such as insulin-producing cells that are riot currently available for therapeutic uses such as the treatment of diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides libraries which are useful for rapid identification of biologically active compounds. The invention further provides peptides which include cell-growth affecting peptides and peptides which enhance or inhibit production of cellular proteins. Many of the peptides of the invention may be produced in large quantity by recombinant techniques and formulated in culture medium to produce the desired effect on cultured cells and tissues. Certain of the libraries of the invention and the peptides identified in them are particularly useful in concatemer-based recombinant expression methods.

Abstract: Peptides and peptide compositions are identified which inhibit the growth of abnormal cells. In one embodiment, the peptides are useful for inhibiting the growth of cells dependent on autocrine activation of the PDGF receptor. Such peptides may be used in the treatment of cell proliferative disorders including cancer, fibrotic disorders, myeloproliferative diseases and blood vessel proliferative (angiogenic) disorders characterized by inappropriate PDGF receptor activity. A biomedical device is further disclosed which has associated with it a peptide or peptide composition according to the present invention.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products are provided for identifying a component of culture medium based on the parameters (e.g, physical, chemical, biological and/or topological characteristics) of compounds from within a compound library. In preferred embodiments, the compound library is a peptide library. Also provided are methods of selecting a compound library from a larger compound space based on whole molecule (i.e., global) parameters of the compounds. Preferably, this method is practiced in conjunction with a method of identifying a component of a culture medium. Further provided are methods of predicting a biological activity of a peptide based on at least one whole molecule parameter of the peptide. This method finds use in methods of drug discovery, identifying components of culture medium, and identifying and/or designing peptides with particular pharmacological or therapeutic activities.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products are provided for identifying a component of culture medium based on the parameters (e g, physical, chemical, biological and/or topological characteristics) of compounds from within a compound library. In preferred embodiments, the compound library is a peptide library. Also provided are methods of selecting a compound library from a larger compound space based on whole molecule (i.e., global) parameters of the compounds. Preferably, this method is practiced in conjunction with a method of identifying a component of a culture medium. Further provided are methods of predicting a biological activity of a peptide based on at least one whole molecule parameter of the peptide. This method finds use in methods of drug discovery, identifying components of culture medium, and identifying and/or designing peptides with particular pharmacological or therapeutic activities.

Abstract: A computerized method and apparatus are disclosed for analyzing numerical data pertaining to a sample assay comprising at least one biological or chemical sample. The data include a set of data pertaining to each respective sample, with each set of data including a plurality of values each representing a condition of the sample at a given time. The method and apparatus assign a respective numerical value to each of the data values, mathematically combine the numerical values to generate a total value, compare the total value to a threshold value, and control the system to indicate whether the sample has a predetermined characteristic based on a result of the comparison. Prior to calculation of the sample value, filtering, normalizing and other correcting operations can be performed on the data to correct anomalous values in the data which could adversely affect the accuracy of the results.

Abstract: Methods for determining quantities of nucleic acid sequences in samples undergoing amplification utilize amplification ratio estimates (R*) in operations to accurately perform absolute quantitation even when amplification factors for the target and control sequences undergoing amplification are different, time dependent or vary as a function of starting concentrations of nucleic acid sequences. These operations also take into account conversion efficiencies associated with the conversion of probes upon generation of target or control amplicons, but do not require the explicit calculation of such efficiencies. The operations also recognize that a preferred R* should be determined based on a preferred statistical criterion to improve quantitation. In addition, the use of standard samples having known starting concentrations of target and control sequences therein may enable accurate absolute quantitation without the explicit calculation of amplification ratio estimates.

Abstract: Methods for determining quantities of nucleic acid sequences in samples include the steps of amplifying a plurality of known quantities of a nucleic acid sequence in respective calibration samples and an unknown quantity of a nucleic acid sequence in a test sample, in parallel, during a time interval. These samples may be amplified using an isothermal amplification method such as Strand Displacement Amplification (SDA), or a thermal cycling amplification method such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), for example. Indicia of the quantities of a nucleic acid sequence being amplified in the calibration and test samples are then measured using conventional techniques, at measurement points in the time interval. Steps are then performed to determine for a first potential cutoff level, a corresponding first set of time points in the time interval at which the indicia of the quantities of a nucleic acid sequence being amplified in each of the calibration samples equal the first cutoff level.