The present invention relates to the field of anastasis, i.e., the process of reversal of apoptosis. More specifically, the present invention provides methods and compositions useful for studying anastasis. In one embodiment, the present invention provides an in vivo biosensor comprising (a) a transcription factor complex comprising the Gal4 transcription factor linked to an enzyme cleavable linker, wherein the transcription factor complex is tethered to the plasma membrane via a transmembrane domain; and (b) a reporter system comprising (1) a first nucleic acid encoding flippase operably linked to the upstream activating sequence that binds Gal4; and (2) a second nucleic acid comprising an FRT-flanked stop codon cassette separating a constitutive promoter and a fluorescent protein open reading frame.

An apparatus for measuring through optical means temporally resolved, optical properties, and/or phenotypes, linked to cellular homeostasis. Those temporal measurements enable the detection of cell regulation through various channels linked to homeostasis, in order to assess cell viability or early cell death through rapid diagnostic.

The present invention is drawn to the use of the compounds highlighted in Tables 1 & 2 and analogs thereof, for enhancing IR-mediated cellular cannibalism in cancer cells. Said compounds are herein called enhancers of IR-mediated cellular cannibalism. They can be used to enhance tumor immunogenicity and/or to induce a significant protective anticancer immune response in subjects that will receive or that have received a radiotherapy treatment. In other words, said compounds can be used to potentiate a radiotherapy treatment in a subject in need thereof. Said compounds are preferably chosen in the group consisting of: Mebhydroline 1,5-napthalene disulfonate salt, Flurbiprofen, Minaprine dihydrochloride, Myricetin, Digoxin, Digitoxin, Lanatoside, LOPA87, VP331, RN-1-026, SG6163F, VP450, and VP43.

A receptor is provided having a heterologous binding site that activates, when bound, a signaling domain related to the TNF receptor superfamily. Methods/uses of the foregoing in whole cell biosensors are also provided. There is also provided a library comprising a plurality of unique biosensor cells for binding unknown binding substrates. Each unique biosensor is a host cell having a receptor which signals production of a positive selectable marker and/or a negative selectable marker in response to the receptor being bound. Also provided is a method of identifying biosensor cells from a library that is specifically activated by a target, involving (a) contacting the library with the target substrate under positive selection conditions; (b) contacting the library with a control substrate under negative selection conditions; and (c) identifying biosensor cells which survive (a) and (b) as biosensor cells which are specifically activated by the target.

The subject matter disclosed herein is generally directed to compositions and methods related to FAS-STAT1 interactions. Modulation of FAS-STAT1 interaction can be used to shift Th17-to-Th1 cell balance. The methods and cell compositions can be used for treating autoimmunity in a subject in need thereof. Cell compositions with altered FAS-STAT1 interactions can be used for adoptive cell transfer. The invention also relates to screening for agents capable of modulating FAS-STAT1 interactions.

Methods for inducing growth inhibition or apoptosis of Bcl-2-expressing cells and treatments of Bcl-2 expressing cancers are provided. Additionally, assays for agents that can induce apoptosis of Bcl-2 expressing cells are disclosed.

Provided is a method for determining an effect of a potential active agent on a sample comprising a co-culture comprising a target cellular object, TCO, and one or more further cell types, FCT, wherein the TCO has been labelled with a flourescent live-cell marker having a first emission/excitation profile, and with a luminescent cell-death marker, and optionally the FCT has been labelled with a fluorescent live-cell marker having a second emission/excitation profile different from the first emission/excitation profile, comprising capturing, during an acquisition event using a microscope, a first fluorescent image from the fluorescent live-cell marker having the first emission/excitation profile, and optionally a second fluorescent image from the fluorescent live-cell marker having the second emission/excitation profile, and a luminescence measurement of the sample, and comparing fluorescent images and luminescent measurements between sample contacted with the potential active agent and sample not contacted with the potential active agent, determining from a difference between test datasets and control datasets an effect of the potential active agent.

The invention relates to cell death of cancer cells, and in particular to biomarkers that may be used to identify cancer cells that are sensitive to death receptor ligand (DRL)-induced cell death. The invention also extends to prognostic methods and kits for identifying cancer cells that are sensitive to DRL-induced cell death. The invention further extends to novel compositions and therapeutic methods using such compositions for treating cancer.

Provided herein are methods and assays for isolating and culturing seborrheic keratosis cells ex vivo. Also provided herein are screening assays using cultured seborrheic keratosis cells and methods for treating seborrheic keratosis in a subject.

Provided herein are compounds, enzyme substrates, compositions, kits, uses, and methods for detecting the presence or absence of a caspase enzyme, measuring the activity of a caspase enzyme, or detecting the presence or absence of apoptosis. The detection or measurement can occur through intracellular cleavage of a compound or enzyme substrate, which can lead to an increase in fluorescence, e.g., in the violet or red channel, through liberation of a nucleic acid binding dye from a peptide, such as liberation of a DNA-binding dye from a negatively charged peptide comprising a sequence recognized and cleaved by a caspase