Abstract:
A member of a specific binding pair (sbp) is identified by expressing DNA encoding a genetically diverse population of such sbp members in recombinant host cells in which the sbp members are displayed in functional form at the surface of a secreted recombinant genetic display package (rgdp) containing DNA encoding the sbp member or a polypeptide component thereof, by virtue of the sbp member or a polypeptide component thereof being expressed as a fusion with a capsid component of the rgdp. The displayed sbps may be selected by affinity with a complementary sbp member, and the DNA recovered from selected rgdps for expression of the selected sbp members. Antibody sbp members may be thus obtained, with the different chains thereof expressed, one fused to the capsid component and the other in free form for association with the fusion partner polypeptide. A phagemid may be used as an expression vector, with said capsid fusion helping to package the phagemid DNA. Using this method libraries of DNA encoding respective chains of such multimeric sbp members may be combined, thereby obtaining a much greater genetic diversity in the sbp members than could easily be obtained by conventional methods.
Abstract:
This invention provides methods of identifying ligands that are internalized into a cell. The methods typically involve i) contacting the cell with a reporter non-covalently coupled to a ligand; ii) dissociating the reporter from the ligand and removing dissociated reporter from the surface of the cell; and iii) detecting the reporter within said cell (if any is present) where the presence of the reporter within said cell indicates that the ligand binds to an internalizing receptor and is internalized.
Abstract:
Bispecific single chain antibody molecules are disclosed which may be used to advantage to treat various forms of cancer associated with the overexpression of members of the EGFR protein family.
Abstract:
The fiber optic pressure sensing system includes a sensor housing formed using MEMS processing. The sensor housing has ribs and grooves in both horizontal and vertical directions relative to the surface to allow the membrane to flex in a consistent manner. The flexing of the membrane allows the pedestal to be repeatedly positioned in response to pressure acting on the extension of the sensor head and membrane.
Abstract:
A universal reusable template for cutting ends of cylindrical objects such as pipes, in preparation for joining the cylindrical objects to other cylindrical bodies. The template is formed as a flat flexible bendable sheet with magnetic properties allowing the sheet to be temporarily secured on a metal pipe. The front face of the sheet has reference indicia corresponding to contour lines of a desired cut to be made in the end of the cylindrical body. The cut lines represent most conventional types and sizes of lateral-type cuts, eccentric cuts and saddle-type cuts, with pipe diameters ranging from about 3″ to about 24″.
Abstract:
Methods are disclosed for the production of anti-self antibodies and antibody fragments, being antibodies or fragments of a particular species of mammal which bind self antigens of that species. Methods comprise providing a library of replicable genetic display packages (rgdps), such as filamentous phage, each rgdp displaying at its surface member of a specific binding pair which is an antibody or antibody fragment, and each rgdp containing nucleic acid sequence derived from a species of mammal. The nucleic acid sequence in each rgdp encodes a polypeptide chain which is a component part of the sbp member displayed at the surface of that rgdp. Anti-self antibody fragments are selected by binding with a self antigen from said species of mammal. The displayed antibody fragments may be scFv, Fd, Fab or any other fragment which has the capability of binding antigen. Nucleic acid libraries used may be derived from rearranged V-gene sequences of unimmunised mammal. Synthetic or artificial libraries are described and shown to be useful.
Abstract:
Methods are disclosed for the production of anti-self antibodies and antibody fragments, being antibodies or fragments of a particular species of mammal which bind self antigens of that species. Methods comprise providing a library of replicable genetic display packages (rgdps), such as filamentous phage, each rgdp displaying at its surface member of a specific binding pair which is an antibody or antibody fragment, and each rgdp containing nucleic acid sequence derived from a species of mammal. The nucleic acid sequence in each rgdp encodes a polypeptide chain which is a component part of the sbp member displayed at the surface of that rgdp. Anti-self antibody fragments are selected by binding with a self antigen from said species of mammal. The displayed antibody fragments may be scFv, Fd, Fab or any other fragment which has the capability of binding antigen. Nucleic acid libraries used may be derived from rearranged V-gene sequences of unimmunised mammal. Synthetic or artificial libraries are described and shown to be useful.
Abstract:
Disclosed are products and methods to facilitate the identification of compounds that are capable of interacting with biological macromolecules of interest, especially when such macromolecules are attached to a support surface in microarray. Aspects of the invention concern attachment chemistry, peptide labeling, antibody preparation, applications and so on.