Two or more conditional, dominant, lethal gene expression systems provide high levels of penetrance in insects. Lethality is induced at an earlier stage of development and the risk of biochemical resistance is reduced, as compared to a single insect conditional, dominant, lethal gene expression system. The invention is useful for the control of insect populations.

Provided herein are methods, compositions and transgenic mice useful in treating and developing treatments for VCP-associated neurodegenerative diseases.

It was found that bacteria belonging to the genus Clostridium induce accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in the colon. Moreover, the present inventors found that regulatory T cells (Treg cells) induced by from these bacteria suppressed proliferation of effector T-cells. From these findings, the present inventors found that the use of bacteria belonging to the genus Clostridium or a physiologically active substance derived therefrom made it possible to induce proliferation or accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells), and further to suppress immune functions.

It was found that bacteria belonging to the genus Clostridium induce accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in the colon. Moreover, the present inventors found that regulatory T cells (Treg cells) induced by from these bacteria suppressed proliferation of effector T-cells. From these findings, the present inventors found that the use of bacteria belonging to the genus Clostridium or a physiologically active substance derived therefrom made it possible to induce proliferation or accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells), and further to suppress immune functions.

It was found that bacteria belonging to the genus Clostridium induce accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in the colon. Moreover, the present inventors found that regulatory T cells (Treg cells) induced by from these bacteria suppressed proliferation of effector T-cells. From these findings, the present inventors found that the use of bacteria belonging to the genus Clostridium or a physiologically active substance derived therefrom made it possible to induce proliferation or accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells), and further to suppress immune functions.

The present invention relates to expression cassette and vector comprising Alzheimer's disease-related genes and a cell line transformed by means of same, and more specifically, the expression cassette according to the present invention comprises amyloid precursor protein (APP), Tau protein, and presenilin-1 (PS1) genes associated with Alzheimer's disease so that mutant genes thereof can be simultaneously expressed. Additionally, the present invention relates to a cell line transformed by means of the expression cassette or vector comprising said genes, and further, to an animal model transformed by means of the vector or cell line.

It was found that bacteria belonging to the genus Clostridium induce accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in the colon. Moreover, the present inventors found that regulatory T cells (Treg cells) induced by from these bacteria suppressed proliferation of effector T-cells. From these findings, the present inventors found that the use of bacteria belonging to the genus Clostridium or a physiologically active substance derived therefrom made it possible to induce proliferation or accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells), and further to suppress immune functions.

The invention provides a previously uncharacterized protein (gamma secretase activating protein or gSAP) that activates -secretase to produce -amyloid protein (A). Deposition of A has been associated with Alzheimer's disease and other pathologies. The invention thus additionally provides, e.g., screening methods and novel research tools, inhibitors of this novel protein, and methods of diagnosis, treatment and control of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions associated with deposition of A.

Provided are compositions and methods for treating or reducing the likelihood of the development of epilepsy in an individual. The method includes administering to the central nervous system of an individual in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of an agent capable of increasing the expression and/or activity of miR-128.

A genetically modified mouse is provided that comprises a conditional Acvr1 allele that comprises a mutated exon that, upon induction, converts to a mutant exon phenotype, wherein the mutant exon phenotype includes ectopic bone formation. Mice comprising a mutant Acvr1 exon 5 in antisense orientation, flanked by site-specific recombinase recognition sites, are provided, wherein the mice further comprise a site-specific recombinase that recognizes the site-specific recombinase recognitions sites, wherein the recombinase is induced upon exposure of the mouse to tamoxifen. Upon exposure to tamoxifen, the recombinase is expressed and acts on the RRS-flanked mutant exon 5 and places the mutant exon 5 in sense orientation and deletes the wild-type exon.