Abstract: We describe a method of determining a food-to-biomass ratio in an aqueous fluid the method comprising: providing an aqueous fluid comprising viable biomass and food for said biomass, and wherein there is insufficient available food to sustain all said viable biomass; using a sensor (for example a respirometer or a sensor for sensing an amount of ammonia, ammonium, nitrates or nitrites) to determine an amount of food in said aqueous fluid available to said biomass; determining a measure of viable biomass in said aqueous fluid by measuring polarisability of viable biomass cells in an AC electric field; and determining a food-to-biomass ratio from said amount of food and said measure of viable biomass.

Abstract: We describe a method of selectively testing a liquid sample for the presence of a specific living biological entity, the method comprising: preparing a plurality of culture vessels each for selective detection of the presence of a different living biological entity, wherein preparing a said culture vessel comprises: providing a culture vessel comprising a sealable chamber for receiving and culturing a liquid sample such that presence of said biological entity is detectable by detecting a change in pressure in a head space of said chamber; providing a selective growth medium in said culture vessel, wherein said selective growth medium is in a dry form and selectively facilitates growth of a specific living biological entity, and providing the culture vessel with an identifier to identity said specific biological entity; providing a test system comprising a device to receive said culture vessel and to detect said change in pressure in said head space of said chamber, the device further comprising a temperature

Abstract: The invention provides methods for prognosis, diagnosis, staging and determining disease progression in human cancer patients related to amplification levels of one or a plurality of genetic loci that are differentially amplified in chemotherapeutic drug resistant tumor cells.

Abstract: A parallel inducible cell-based kinase screen (PICKS) includes a plurality of cells that express a kinase gene under the control of an inducer and a reporter gene, wherein the cells are derived from a single cell line, and wherein the reporter gene generate a signal in response to catalytic activity or inhibition of the expressed kinases. Particularly preferred systems include cells expressing kinases from a single kinase signaling pathway, kinases from a kinase family, and/or kinases from various different kinase signaling pathways. Consequently, contemplated systems provide a platform for screening for novel kinase inhibitors, inhibition specificity of particular kinase inhibitors, and for analysis of inter-pathway and/or intra-pathway inhibition of a kinase inhibitor.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for prognosis, diagnosis, staging and determining disease progression in human cancer patients related to expression levels of one or a plurality of genes or genetic loci that are differentially deleted, amplified, expressed or amplified and over-expressed in chemotherapeutic drug resistant tumor cells.

Abstract: Compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of SLC26A2. The compositions comprise oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acid encoding SLC26A2. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of SLC26A2 expression and for diagnosis and treatment of disease associated with expression of SLC26A2 are provided.

Abstract: Substituted isothiazole compounds and compositions are provided, wherein particularly preferred compositions and methods are directed towards inhibition of various protein kinases (especially MEK and/or ERK). Consequently, particularly preferred methods include treatment of diseases associated with abnormality in MEK and/or ERK function.

Abstract: Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of FLIP-c. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding FLIP-c. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of FLIP-c expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of FLIP-c are provided.

Abstract: Substituted isothiazole compounds and compositions are provided, wherein particularly preferred compositions and methods are directed towards inhibition of various protein kinases (especially MEK and/or ERK). Consequently, particularly preferred methods include treatment of diseases associated with abnormality in MEK and/or ERK function.