Abstract: There is described herein methods and devices for confining and/or manipulating molecules. At least one molecule is introduced into a fluidic chamber. The fluidic chamber is formed inside a device comprising at least one first electrode having a first surface spaced from at least one second electrode having a second surface facing the first surface. The at least one second electrode has a plurality of dielectric structures arranged to form openings along the second surface. At least one electrical signal is applied across the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode to generate a non-uniform electric field having electric field lines extending from the first surface of the at least one first electrode to the second surface of the at least one second electrode in the openings formed between the dielectric structures. The at least one electrical signal has a frequency level causing the at least one molecule to move inside the fluidic chamber in accordance with a predetermined movement.

Abstract: There is described herein methods and devices for confining and/or manipulating molecules. At least one molecule is introduced into a fluidic chamber. The fluidic chamber is formed inside a device comprising at least one first electrode having a first surface spaced from at least one second electrode having a second surface facing the first surface. The at least one second electrode has a plurality of dielectric structures arranged to form openings along the second surface. At least one electrical signal is applied across the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode to generate a non-uniform electric field having electric field lines extending from the first surface of the at least one first electrode to the second surface of the at least one second electrode in the openings formed between the dielectric structures. The at least one electrical signal has a frequency level causing the at least one molecule to move inside the fluidic chamber in accordance with a predetermined movement.

Abstract: Gene expression patterns were analyzed in CD40-sensitive and CD40-resistant diffuse large-cell B-lymphoma (DLCBL) cell lines to identify signaling pathways which are involved in CD40-mediated apoptosis. CD40-resistant lines expressed pre-B cell markers including RAG and VPREB, whereas CD40-sensitive cells resembled mature B-cells and expressed higher levels of transcripts encoding several members of the CD40 signaling pathway including LCK and VAV. In addition, CD40 sensitive DLCBL cell lines also displayed constitutive activation of ERK and failed to undergo apoptosis when ERK phosphorylation was inhibited. In contrast, CD40 resistant lines showed no constitutive activation of ERK and no increase in ERK activity in response to CD40 stimulation. The invention includes methods to differentiate between CD40-sensitive and CD-40 resistant cells based on these differences in gene expression.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transgenic non-human mammal whose germ cells and somatic cells contain a knockout mutation in DNA encoding orphan nuclear receptor ERR&agr;. More specifically, the invention relates to knockout mice whose germ cells and somatic cells contain a knockout mutation in DNA encoding orphan nuclear receptor ERR&agr;. The invention further relates to such knockout non-human mammals which express an ERR&agr; gene which is different from the endogenous gene which was disrupted. In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to a transgenic mouse having its endogenous ERR&agr; gene disrupted and expressing human ERR&agr;. As well, the invention relates to cell lines in which ERR&agr; activity (and/or level) has been inactivated or augmented. The invention further relates to uses and methods of the transgenic animals of the present invention to select agents which modulate the expression and/or activity of ERR&agr;.