Abstract:
The present invention relates to somatic mutations in the Multiple Tumor Suppressor (MTS) gene in human cancers and their use in the diagnosis and prognosis of human cancer. The invention further relates to germ line mutations in the MTS gene and their use in the diagnosis of predisposition to melanoma, leukemia, astrocytoma, glioblastoma, lymphoma, glioma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, CLL, and cancers of the pancreas, breast, thyroid, ovary, uterus, testis, kidney, stomach and rectum. The invention also relates to the therapy of human cancers which have a mutation in the MTS gene, including gene therapy, protein replacement therapy and protein mimetics. Finally, the invention relates to the screening of drugs for cancer therapy.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for evanescent light fluoroimmunoassays are disclosed. The apparatus employs a planar waveguide (124) with an integral semi-cylindrical lens (502), and has multi-analyte features and calibration features, along with improved evanescent field intensity. A preferred embodiment of the biosensor (120) and assay method have patches (662) of capture molecules (720) each specific for a different analyte (210), disposed adjacent within a single reservoir (660). The capture molecules (720) are immobilized to the patches (662) on the waveguide surface by site-specific coupling of thiol groups on the capture molecules (720) to photo-affinity crosslinkers (706), which in turn are coupled to the waveguide surface (700) or to a non-specific-binding-resistant coating (702) on the surface (700). The patches (662, 664, 666) of different antibodies are produced by selectively irradiating a portion (714) of the waveguide surface (700) during the process of coupling the photo-affinity crosslinkers (706), the selective irradiation involving a mask (712), a laser light source, or the like.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to bioconjugates and the delivery of bioactive agents which are preferably targeted for site-specific release in cells, tissues or organs. More particularly, this invention relates to bioconjugates which comprise of bioactive agent and an organocobalt complex. The bioactive agent is covalently bonded directly or indirectly to the cobalt atom of the oragnocobalt complex. The bioactive agent is released from the bioconjugate by the cleavage of the covalent bond between the bioactive agent and the cobalt atom in the oragnocobalt complex. The cleavage may occur as a result of normal displacment by cellular nucleophiles or enzymatic action, but is preferably caused to occur selectively at a predetermined release site by application of an external signal. The external signal may be light or photoexcitation, i.e. photolysis, or it may be ultrasound, i.e. sonolysis. Further, if the photolysis takes places in the presence of a magnetic field surrounding the release site, the release of the bioactive agent into surrounding healthy tissue is minimized.
Abstract:
A hydrogel polymeric system for the site specific delivery of peptide and protein drugs to the colon is prepared. The hydrogel protects the drug through the acid environment of the stomach, swells at a chemically controlled rate in the higher pH environment of the small intestine and is enzymatically degraded by azoreductases in the colon. pH sensitive hydrogels are formulated from monomers of N-substituted (meth)acrylamides, acrylic or methacrylic acid, a cross-linking agent containing an aromatic azo bond and an N,O-diacylhydroxylamine. Chemical control of swelling is attained by initially providing labile N,O-diacylhydroxylamine moieties in the hydrogel that are stable in the acidic medium of the stomach but that are susceptible to hydrolysis at the intestinal pH, i.e. above about pH 6.5. Upon hydrolysis, ionized -COOH groups attached to the polymer network are generated and swelling is maximized as the hydrogel reaches the colon where degradation occurs by the azoreductase cleavage of the aromatic azo cross-linking agent.
Abstract:
A method of detecting a polymorphism at a polymorphic site in the genome of an individual is described. The method involves amplifying a portion of a genomic DNA sample by polymerase chain reaction to produce an amplified segment that contains the polymorphic site, desalting the amplified segment, and determining the mass of the amplified segment by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Comparison of the mass of the amplified segment to a reference mass permits detection of the presence or absence of the polymorphism. Methods for heterozygosity and disease inheritance by mass spectrometry are also described. The figure shows the molecular weight transform spectrum obtained from the mass-to-charge spectrum of a 53-base oligonucleotide.
Abstract:
A thermal cycling method and device is disclosed. The device comprises a sample chamber whose temperature can be rapidly and accurately modulated over a range of temperatures needed to carry out a number of biological procedures, such as the DNA polymerase chain reaction. Biological samples are placed in glass micro capillary tubes and then located inside the sample chamber. A programmable controller regulates the temperature of the sample inside the sample chamber. Monitoring of the DNA amplification is monitored by fluorescence once per cycle or many times per cycle. The present invention provides that fluorescence monitoring of PCR is a powerful tool for DNA quantification.
Abstract:
A new peptide, λ-conotoxin PVIIA, is disclosed. This peptide is found naturally in the cone snail Conus purpurascens and has the amino acid sequence Cys-Arg-Ile-Xaa-Asn-Gln-Lys-Cys-Phe-Gln-His-Leu-Asp-Asp-Cys-Cys-Ser-Arg-Lys-Cys-Asn-Arg-Phe-Asn-Lys-Cys-Val (SEQ ID NO:1) where Xaa represents 4-trans-hydroxyproline, hydroxyproline or proline. This peptide together with a previously disclosed peptide, δ-conotoxin PVIA, act synergistically to rapidly immobilize fish which are injected with the two peptides. Injection of λ-conotoxin PVIIA alone results in different symptoms with an injected fish becoming hyperactive and then contracting and suddenly extending all major fins. This 'fin-popping' occurs repeatedly resulting in a series of jerky movements, but injection of only λ-conotoxin PVIIA does not immobilize or kill the fish.
Abstract:
A composition for intracellular delivery of a chemical agent into a T cell comprises a receptor-binding and endocytosis-inducing ligand and a chemical agent coupled to a water soluble polymer. The ligand binds to a receptor on T lymphocytes and elicits endocytosis of the composition. The composition also includes a spacer for coupling the chemical agent and the ligand to the polymer. Chemical agents can include cytotoxins, transforming nucleic acids, gene regulators, labels, antigens, drugs, and the like. A preferred water soluble polymer is a copolymer of N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA). The composition can further comprise a carrier such as a water soluble polymer, liposome, or particulate. Methods of using these compositions for delivering a chemical agent in vivo or in vitro are also disclosed.