Droplet-interface bilayer and lipid bilayer membrane compositions stabilized with an amphiphilic polymer are disclosed. Methods of making and using the compositions are also disclosed.

Poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) is a protein implicated in numerous neurodegenerative disease states including Parkinson's disease (PD). To date, no routine laboratory test has been developed to diagnosis, assess or monitor patients suffering from PD. Disclosed herein a novel method to assess the PAR concentration in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) of a patient and correlate that concentration to the medical condition of a patient with PD. Also disclosed is the use of PAR as a biomarker for PD.

The present disclosure provides Bak binding proteins that change the conformation of Bak and uses thereof.

The present invention provides kinase inhibitor analogs with improved properties, such as improved efficacy, pharmacokinetics, safety, and specificity. In some embodiments, the present invention provides lapatinib analogs that provide therapeutic benefits.

The present invention provides FAHD1 for use in a method for the treatment or prevention of aberrations of the energy metabolism of the nervous system, pancreas, kidney, liver, muscles or adipose tissue. Further, a method of decarboxylating an organic compound is provided, which uses FAHD1 to decarboxylate the organic compound. Additionally, a method and a kit for identifying inhibitors of FAHD1 are provided.

This invention relates to assays which screen for compounds that modulate taste elicited by the T1R2/T1R3 sweet taste receptor which include a novel counter screen to eliminate false positives. In addition, the invention contemplates assays which screen for compounds that modulate taste elicited by the T1R1/T1R3 umami taste receptor which include a novel counter screen to eliminate false positives. Preferably the assays are conducted in high throughput format thereby enabling the screening of many hundreds of different compounds whereby the counter screen significantly improves assay efficiency. Further, the invention relates to the use of the compounds identified in the subject screening assays to modulate T1R associated taste perception.

The invention provides kinase substrates and methods comprising their use.

A novel class or family of TGF-β binding proteins is disclosed. Also disclosed are assays for selecting molecules for increasing bone mineralization and methods for utilizing such molecules.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, wherein the groups are as defined in the claims. Further aspects of the invention relate to pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of formula (I), and the use of compounds of formula (I) in the preparation of a medicament for treating a viral disorder. ##STR00001##

The present invention relates to a CFI bioactivity assay designed to quantitatively measure (a) CFI bioactivity of plasma or other body fluids; and (b) bioactivity of CFI in plasma or other body fluids of a human patient afflicted by a disease that involves amyloid deposition in tissues, in particular Alzheimer disease, AMD, glaucoma, or beta-amyloid cataract formation.