Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for high content drug screening in C. elegans which may be used to identify compounds that treat disorders associated with protein aggregation.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods that address the variability in immunohistochemistry (IHC) tests that can lead to inaccurate diagnosis or misdiagnosis while maintaining important structural information within the specimen. The devices may include a control region having a control unit including a plurality of substantially homogenous samples and a biological sample region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a genetically encoded fluorescent sensor for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, as well as methods of preparation and uses thereof. In one aspect, this invention relates to a sensor for detecting nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, particularly, a recombinant fluorescent fusion protein sensor for detecting nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. In one specific aspect, this invention relates to a recombinant fluorescent fusion protein sensor for detecting reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH); in another specific aspect, this invention relates to a recombinant fluorescent fusion protein sensor for detecting oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+); in yet another aspect, the invention relates to a recombinant fluorescent fusion protein sensor for detecting the ratio of reduced to oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to single cell array micro-chips and fabrication, electrical measurement and electroporation method thereof. The single cell array microchip comprises a substrate (1), a plurality of positioning electrodes (2) formed in an array, a plurality of measuring electrode-pairs (3) formed in an array, and a micro sample pool (4). The invention integrates cell array positioning with electrical measurement and electroporation for living cells, which is characteristic of label-free and noninvasive methods to manipulate, position particles/cells as well as further measure their electrical parameters. Therefore, single-cell-array positioning and multi-mode in-situ real-time measurement can be realized for intensive analysis. Since the positioned cells are immobile, the precision of the electrical measurement of cells is effectively improved, so is the efficiency of electroporation with lower cell mortality rate.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of treating stroke and related conditions exacerbated by fever and/or hyperglycemi by administering peptides or peptidomimetics that inhibit binding of NMDAR 2B to PSD-95 to a patient.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods of identifying a compound that comprises an epitope that induces immune tolerance in a patient suffering from an autoimmune disease. The disclosure further relates to methods of treating an autoimmune disease by administering (i) a compound identified by the methods described herein, (ii) regulatory T-cells from the patient or a compatible donor, or (iii) a combination of regulatory T-cells and a compound identified by the methods described herein. The disclosure further relates to methods of treating age-related macular degeneration and uveitis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to moving microorganisms to a surface, where they are grown in the presence and absence of antimicrobials, and by monitoring the growth of the microorganisms over time in the two conditions, their susceptibility to the antimicrobials can be determined. The microorganisms can be moved to the surface through electrophoresis, centrifugation or filtration. When the movement involves electrophoresis, the presence of oxidizing and reducing reagents lowers the voltage at which electrophoretic force can be generated and allows a broader range of means by which the target can be detected. Monitoring can comprise optical detection, and most conveniently includes the detection of individual microorganisms. The microorganisms can be stained in order to give information about their response to antimicrobials.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating cancer, particularly cancers that are null or have decreased expression or activity of the Lkb1 gene. Also included are methods of identifying therapeutic targets for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to methods and compositions for the production of heterogeneous tissue from human induced pluripotent stem (hiPS) cells.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to methods and compositions for determining the level of DCLK1-S in a sample and treating a subject having elevated levels of DCLK1-S.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to cell culture vessels comprising fabricated cell culture surfaces providing means for efficient corneal endothelial cell growth and the use of the cultured cells in the repair of corneal tissue damage.

Abstract: The invention relates to techniques for the rapid screening of suitable translational fusion partners (TFPs) capable of inducing secretory production of recombinant proteins, especially proteins that are difficult to produce using conventional recombinant production methods.

Abstract: High throughput system for in vivo screens on vertebrate larvae. The system includes a source of vertebrate larvae in a liquid medium and loading tube means for aspirating a larva. A detector assembly is provided to differentiate passage of a larva from bubbles and/or debris. An imaging means is provided for both confocal imaging and wide-field fluorescence imaging of the larva. A laser is provided for optical manipulation of the larva.

Abstract: A method of screening a compound having a hypoglycemic effect (hereinafter referred to as “hypoglycemic compound”), a remedy for diabetes which contains a compound having a novel function mechanism, etc. More specifically speaking, a method of screening a hypoglycemic compound capable of binding to the ? subunit of a trimeric GTP-binding protein, a remedy for diabetes comprising a hypoglycemic compound, which is characterized by being capable of binding to the ? subunit of a trimeric GTP-binding protein, as the active ingredient, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a library of host cells, a plurality of which comprise an assembled polynucleotide at a target locus, which method comprises: (a) providing a plurality of polynucleotides comprising two or more polynucleotide subgroups, wherein: (i) a plurality of polynucleotides in each polynucleotide subgroup comprises sequence encoding a peptide or polypeptide and/or a regulatory sequence; (ii) a plurality of peptides or polypeptides encoded by, or a plurality of regulatory sequences comprised within, each polynucleotide subgroup share an activity and/or function; (iii) at least one polynucleotide subgroup comprises at least two non-identical polynucleotide species; (iv) a plurality of polynucleotides of each polynucleotide subgroup comprises sequence enabling homologous recombination with a plurality of polynucleotides from one or more other polynucleotide subgroups; and (v) a plurality of polynucleotides in two polynucleotide subgroups comprise a nucleotide

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for detecting the presence of a cancer stem cell and their use in cancer prognosis, evaluating risk of cancer metastasis, identifying or validating drug candidates, and determining treatment efficacy. It also provides kits useful for detecting the presence of cancer stem cells as well as methods of treating cancer using CAIX inhibitors.

Abstract: The invention features therapeutic compositions comprising agents useful for the treatment or prevention of pruritis, and methods useful for identifying such agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid constructs that encode fusion peptides comprising a bioluminescent protein and a precursor of a secreted peptide or protein expressed at the cell surface and high throughput screening assays using same.

Abstract: There is provided an expression cassette comprising a 3?-UTR cDNA library fragment, mammalian cells transfected with the expression cassette, and kits comprising the same. Furthermore, methods for identifying target genes for microRNAs are provided that utilize the expression cassette hereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for regulating skin pigmentation of a subject, comprising the step of administering the agent for inhibiting the expression or activation of Microphthalmia Transcription Factor (MITF) to the subject who is in need of regulation of skin pigmentation.

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 present invention discloses a method of identifying agents that affect maturation and survival of oligodendrocytes or myelination of neuronal cells using ex-vivo differentiated embryonic stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for screening substances capable of modulating the replication of an influenza virus.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for inducing, enhancing or increasing satellite cell proliferation, and an assay for screening for a candidate compound for inducing, enhancing or increasing satellite cell proliferation. Also provided is a method for repairing or regenerating a damaged muscle tissue of a subject.

Abstract: The small molecule profiles of cells are compared to identify small molecules which are modulated in altered states. Cellular small molecule libraries, methods of identifying tissue sources, methods for treating genetic and non-genetic diseases, and methods for predicting the efficacy of drugs are also discussed.

Abstract: The present invention refers to inhibitors of microRNAs, particularly of microRNAs miR-212 and/or miR-132 for use in medicine, particularly in the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of cardiac disorders, e.g. cardiac hypertrophy-associated or autophagic disorders, and further refers to isolated nucleic acid molecules, particularly microRNAs miR-212 and/or miR-132 and related sequences, for use in medicine, particularly human medicine, more particularly in the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disorders involving cardiac atrophy and/or dysfunctional autophagy, e.g. cardiac cachexia.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods, systems and compositions comprising concentric chamber cell culture analog devices, comprising biologically functional cells, which function similarly to in vivo conditions.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein describes a novel therapeutic target for motoneuron diseases (altered dynamics of microtubules and microtubule-mediated axonal transport of cargo molecules in neurons), with or without dementia, and in dementia; methods for measuring the state of activity of this therapeutic target in subjects with established, incipient, or potential motoneuron disease, with or without dementia, and in dementia; the discovery of drug agents that modulate neuronal microtubule dynamics in living subjects with motoneuron diseases; the discovery that administration of such agents, alone or in combinations, can improve MT-mediated transport of cargo molecules along and through axons; the discovery that such modulation of altered microtubule dynamics and improvement in MT-transport of molecules along axons can provide marked neuroprotective therapy for living subjects with motoneuron diseases, including delay in symptoms and prolongation of survival; and the discovery that monitoring of microtubule-m

Abstract: Synthesis of compounds having varying degrees of conformational rigidity is obtained via a low cost, high yield and efficient synthetic reactions. The library of compounds is structurally diverse having at least one or more chiral centers and providing large numbers of compounds having building block diversity and substantial scaffold diversity. The compounds further provide a novel method for obtaining candidate therapeutic agents for prevention, treatment or diagnosis of diseases.

Abstract: A method for selecting combinations of drugs for treatment of diseases that arise from deranged signaling pathways is disclosed. The method involves measuring the activity states for signaling proteins in a diseased cell and determining whether the activity states are different from the activity states observed for a reference cell such as a normal cell. Based on the observed differences, combinations of two or more drugs are selected to reduce these differences. Treatment of a subject with the combinations restores the activity states of the signaling proteins of the deranged disease-associated signaling pathways toward the activity states observed in the reference cell. Since the diseased cell and the reference cell can both be obtained from the same subject, combinations of drugs that specifically target patient-specific signaling derangements is possible.

Abstract: Methods and constructs are provided for controlling processes in live animals, plants or microbes via genetically engineered near-infrared light-activated or light-inactivated proteins including chimeras including the photosensory modules of bacteriophytochromes and output modules that possess enzymatic activity and/or ability to bind to DMA, RNA, protein, or small molecules. DNA encoding these proteins are introduced as genes into live animals, plants or microbes, where their activities can be turned on by near-infrared light, controlled by the intensity of light, and turned off by near-infrared light of a different wavelength than the activating light. These proteins can regulate diverse cellular processes with high spatial and temporal precision, in a nontoxic manner, often using external light sources.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for reducing expression of a mutant huntingtin (mHTT) protein in a cell are provided. Such methods include contacting the cell with an effective amount of a nucleic acid silencing agent targeting a differentiating polymorphism in RNA encoding the mHTT.

Abstract: A method of identifying compounds as direct inhibitors of Keap1-Nrf2 interaction through high-throughput screening and lead development. The direct inhibitors of Keap1-Nrf2 interaction are more specific and free of various undesirable effects than existing indirect inhibitors, and are potential drug candidates of chemopreventive and therapeutic agents for treatment of various diseases or conditions involving oxidative stress and/or inflammation, including but not limited to cancers, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's. Novel compounds are identified and methods of preventing or treating diseases or conditions related to Keap1-Nrf2 interaction activity by use of the novel compounds identified or compositions containing such compounds are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions comprising mutated PYR/PYL receptor polypeptides that bind to a type 2 protein phosphatase in the absence of abscisic acid. The present invention further provides for methods of making and using the mutated PYR/PYL receptor polypeptides.

Abstract: In response to the need for highly-sensitive antibiotic susceptibility assays and identification assays that do not require extensive incubation times, the present invention provides automated assay methods and systems that permit the determination of antibiotic susceptibilities and/or microorganism identification in a timeframe that is substantially shorter than has previously been attainable using a hybrid system that combines turbimetric and fluorescence determinations using a single, clear-plastic assay platform. Related devices, kits, and components thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a method of treating or preventing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a patient subject to, or symptomatic of the disease, wherein the method comprises restoring normal lysosomal pH (pHL), or acidifying an abnormally elevated pHL, thus decreasing or preventing a damaging accumulation of lipofuscin or waste products in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells of the eye of the patient. Further, this method is achieved by modulating the action of the P2X7 and/or P2Y12 receptors of the RPE cells, specifically decreasing the acidity (pHL) of the RPE lysosomes by administering selected receptor antagonists affecting the action of the P2X7 and/or P2Y12 receptors of the RPE. Methods for selecting and quantifying the effectiveness of drugs to restore pHL and determine outer segment clearance rates is also provided using a high through-put screening protocol.

Abstract: Methods of identifying a xenohormetic induced phenotype in an organism are provided. Also provided are methods if using organisms having a known xenohormetically induced phenotype in a number of different applications, such as the identification of xenohormetic agents and the generation of chemical entities and foodstuffs under specific conditions of production governed by xenohormetic effects.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to variant squalene synthase enzymes, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae squalene synthase enzymes, and to nucleic acid molecules encoding these variant enzymes. These variant enzymes produce squalene at a lower rate than the wild-type enzyme, allowing more farnesyl pyrophosphate to be utilized for production of isoprenoid compounds, while still producing sufficient squalene to allow the S. cerevisiae cells to grow without the requirement for supplementation by sterols such as ergosterol. These variant enzymes, therefore, are highly suitable for the efficient production of isoprenoids.

Abstract: Culture media and methods for expanding and differentiating populations of stem cells and for obtaining organoids. Expanded cell populations and organoids obtainable by methods of the invention and their use in drug screening, toxicity assays and regenerative medicine.

Abstract: This invention provides transcription regulatory control sequences, the activity of which function as biomarkers for a variety of biological responses. This invention also provides expression constructs in which a biomarker transcription regulatory sequence is operably linked with a sequence for a reporter. Cells that comprise these expression constructs can be used in assays to identify conditions that modulate activity of the biological response.

Abstract: A method of immobilizing matter for imaging that includes providing an array of nanofibers and directing matter to the array of the nanofibers. The matter is immobilized when contacting at least three nanofibers of the array of nanofibers simultaneously. Adjacent nanofibers in the array of nanofibers may be separated by a pitch as great as 100 microns. The immobilized matter on the array of nanofibers may then be imaged. In some examples, the matter may be cell matter, such as protoplasts.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery of genetic polymorphisms that are associated with rheumatoid arthritis. In particular, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules containing the polymorphisms, variant proteins encoded by such nucleic acid molecules, reagents for detecting the polymorphic nucleic acid molecules and proteins, and methods of using the nucleic acid and proteins as well as methods of using reagents for their detection.

Abstract: Cell lines having genetically modified glycosylation pathways that allow them to carry out a sequence of enzymatic reactions, which mimic the processing of glycoproteins in humans, have been developed. Recombinant proteins expressed in these engineered hosts yield glycoproteins more similar, if not substantially identical, to their human counterparts. The lower eukaryotes, which ordinarily produce high-mannose containing N-glycans, including unicellular and multicellular fungi are modified to produce N-glycans such as Man5GlcNAc2 or other structures along human glycosylation pathways.

Abstract: We have discovered that p63 inhibition results in increased cellular proliferation. We have also performed a screen for agents capable of increasing cellular proliferation, (e.g., of stem cells such as skin-derived precursors (SKPs)). The invention therefore invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for increasing proliferation of cells, using compounds that decrease p63 expression or activity or using the compounds described herein. The invention also features methods of using these compounds for increasing hair growth, improving skin health, or promoting skin repair in a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for cell transfection and regulating cellular behavior. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods of non-viral cell transfection and regulating cellular behavior using mineral coatings that allow for the enhanced transfection of cells. The mineral coatings bind polynucleotides and provide a source of calcium and phosphate ions to enhance transfection. The present disclosure also provides a high throughput platform for screening non-viral transfection of cells. The methods of the present disclosure also provide an advantageous polynucleotide delivery platform because the mineral coatings may be deposited on various medical device materials after being specifically developed using the high throughput screening platform.

Abstract: An assay and system compatible with high throughput screening (HTS) that is capable of identifying inhibitors, such as small-molecule inhibitors, of the degradation of the Cdk inhibitor p21, are described. The assay is based on the use of fusion protein comprising (i) a p2 polypeptide; and (i) a reporter protein linked to the C-terminal of said p21 polypeptide, wherein the fusion protein has a half-life that is similar to that of the p21 polypeptide. Inhibitors identified by this assay may be useful to inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells, and thus for the treatment of cancers.

Abstract: A system for the high-throughput screening of mechanical properties of cells and/or particles is provided. In certain embodiments the system comprises a first structure comprising a plurality of sample receiving wells; a second structure comprising a plurality of exit ports; a porous structure disposed between said plurality of sample receiving wells and said plurality of exit ports and in communication with said plurality of sample receiving wells and in communication with said plurality of exit ports, and said first structure, said second structure and said porous structure are sealed or configured such that when sufficient pressure is applied to sample receiving wells in said first structure said cells or particles migrate through the porous structure into said exit ports, and wherein the mean or the median pore size of said porous structure is smaller than the mean or median cross-section of a cell or particle that is to be screened.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for conducting biological assays which employs “virtual wells” in lieu of the physical wells of conventional array plates. Also provided are methods of processing a sample and/or culturing cells using the apparatus and systems described herein. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a first structure having a sheet layer with a plurality of discrete through holes; and a second structure coupled to the first structure, the second structure including a base layer. At least a portion of a first surface of the sheet layer of the first structure is exposed from the second structure, and a second surface of the sheet layer, opposite to the first surface of the sheet layer, is embedded in the base layer of the second structure adjacent the first surface of the base layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of identifying IGF-IR modulators and hybrid-R modulators comprising contacting IGF-IR with a humanized anti-IGF-IR antibody and contacting hybrid-R with a humanized anti-hybrid-R antibody, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, methods for detecting whether a subject has an infection. These methods include (a) incubating a test sample from a subject suspected of having an infection with a labeled molecule, such as a labeled nucleoside analog, that is preferentially incorporated into a pathogenic microorganism for a period of time sufficient for the pathogenic microorganism to incorporate the labeled molecule; (b) removing any unincorporated labeled molecule from the test sample; and (c) detecting the labeled molecule within the pathogenic microorganism, if any, in the test sample, wherein the presence of labeled molecule within the pathogenic microorganism indicates that the subject has an infection.