Abstract: A cord management device adapted for use with a surgical drape including a mounting portion adapted to be affixed to a surface of the surgical drape, a substantially rigid arm having a fixed end and a free end, wherein the arm is coupled to the mounting portion at the fixed end, and the free end is free from the mounting portion, and wherein the mounting portion and the arm define a cord receiving portion. The device may also include a second arm having a fixed end and a free end, wherein the second arm is coupled to the mounting portion at the fixed end of the second arm, and the free end of the second arm is free from contacting the mounting portion, and wherein the mounting portion and the second arm define a second cord receiving portion.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods useful for modulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Certain of the compositions and methods are useful for inducing epithelial cells to undergo an EMT. The invention further provides cells generated using the inventive methods and methods of use thereof. Certain of the compositions and methods are useful for inhibiting epithelial cells from undergoing an EMT. Certain of the compositions and methods are useful for inhibiting EMT in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for inhibiting metastasis, such as by inhibiting FOXC2 expression or activity. The invention further relates to methods of prognosticating, diagnosing, and assisting in the diagnosis of metastasis in an individual, or of determining the metastatic potential of a tumor. The invention further relates to methods of identifying agents which inhibit metastasis.

Abstract: The invention utilizes gene expression profiles in methods of predicting the likelihood that a patient's cancer will respond to standard-of-care therapy. Also provided are methods of identifying therapeutic agents that target cancer stem cells or epithelial cancers that have undergone an epithelial to mesenchymal transition using such gene expression profiles.

Abstract: The invention provides tissue culture system for primary cells (e.g. normal mammalian primary epithelial progenitors). This system includes: a) a serum-free, chemically defined cell culture media; and, b) methods for isolation and in vitro long-term propagation of primary cells (e.g. primary epithelial cells). Primary cells so isolated and cultured can be kept undifferentiated and proliferate for many weeks (>15 weeks) or population doubling (>35 PD) without senescence, or any detectable genetic alterations. Upon changing media/culture conditions, these cells can be induced to differentiate. The invention also provides methods to transform normal primary cells so cultured into “cancer stem cells.” The genetically defined cancer stem cell tumor model mimics the behavior of the disease closely, e.g., the cells are invasive, hormone responsive and metastatic when injected into mice. The tumor cells express genes that are specific to cancer stem cells identified in patient samples.

Abstract: Methods for preparing progenitor cells are described where epithelial cells are induced to undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition as a result of exposure to an inducing agent or introduction of a gene therein that induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Progenitor cells resulting therefrom have use in cell-based therapies, among other utilities.

Abstract: The invention provides tissue culture system for primary cells (e.g. normal mammalian primary epithelial progenitors). This system includes: a) a serum-free, chemically defined cell culture media; and, b) methods for isolation and in vitro long-term propagation of primary cells (e.g. primary epithelial cells). Primary cells so isolated and cultured can be kept undifferentiated and proliferate for many weeks (>15 weeks) or population doubling (>35 PD) without senescence, or any detectable genetic alterations. Upon changing media/culture conditions, these cells can be induced to differentiate. The invention also provides methods to transform normal primary cells so cultured into “cancer stem cells.” The genetically defined cancer stem cell tumor model mimics the behavior of the disease closely, e.g., the cells are invasive, hormone responsive and metastatic when injected into mice. The tumor cells express genes that are specific to cancer stem cells identified in patient samples.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for inhibiting metastasis, such as by inhibiting FOXC2 expression or activity. The invention further relates to methods of prognosticating, diagnosing, and assisting in the diagnosis of metastasis in an individual, or of determining the metastatic potential of a tumor. The invention further relates to methods of identifying agents which inhibit metastasis.

Abstract: MicroRNA-31 (miR-31), targets of miR-31, the role of miR-31 in inhibiting tumor metastasis, and the role of miR-31 target genes in promoting tumor metastasis are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for inhibiting metastasis, such as by inhibiting FOXC2 expression or activity. The invention further relates to methods of prognosticating, diagnosing, and assisting in the diagnosis of metastasis in an individual, or of determining the metastatic potential of a tumor. The invention further relates to methods of identifying agents which inhibit metastasis.

Abstract: The invention provides tissue culture system for primary cells (e.g. normal mammalian primary epithelial progenitors). This system includes: a) a serum-free, chemically defined cell culture media; and, b) methods for isolation and in vitro long-term propagation of primary cells (e.g. primary epithelial cells). Primary cells so isolated and cultured can be kept undifferentiated and proliferate for many weeks (>15 weeks) or population doubling (>35 PD) without senescence, or any detectable genetic alterations. Upon changing media/culture conditions, these cells can be induced to differentiate. The invention also provides methods to transform normal primary cells so cultured into “cancer stem cells.” The genetically defined cancer stem cell tumor model mimics the behavior of the disease closely, e.g., the cells are invasive, hormone responsive and metastatic when injected into mice. The tumor cells express genes that are specific to cancer stem cells identified in patient samples.

Abstract: The present invention provides tumor instigation systems that can be used to characterize tumor growth and/or metastasis. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method for studying tumor outgrowth or metastasis including the steps of: (a) providing an animal host; (b) introducing into the animal host one or more cells that instigate the growth of an otherwise indolent tumor; (c) introducing into the animal host a tumor; wherein the presence of the one or more cells or a progeny thereof in the animal host enhances the growth and/or metastasis of the tumor. Among other things, the inventive methods and systems in accordance with the present invention can be used to identify modulators and/or contributors of tumor growth or metastasis, as well as diagnostic and/or therapeutic agents for use in monitoring and/or modulating tumor growth and/or metastasis.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for identifying compounds and compositions that target cancer stem cells. In some aspects, the invention relates to treatment methods that use compounds and compositions that specifically target cancer stem cells for inhibiting the growth and/or survival of cancer stem cells in a subject in need thereof. Other aspects of the invention relate to the use of cancer stem cell biomarkers in the selection of a treatment for inhibiting the growth and/or survival of cancer stem cells in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for inhibiting metastasis, such as by inhibiting FOXC2 expression or activity. The invention further relates to methods of prognosticating, diagnosing, and assisting in the diagnosis of metastasis in an individual, or of determining the metastatic potential of a tumor. The invention further relates to methods of identifying agents which inhibit metastasis.

Abstract: Methods for preparing progenitor cells are described where epithelial cells are induced to undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition as a result of exposure to an inducing agent or introduction of a gene therein that induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Progenitor cells resulting therefrom have use in cell-based therapies, among other utilities.