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:
The present invention relates to a method for isolating from the immunological gene repertoire a gene coding for a receptor having the ability to bind a preselected ligand. Receptors produced by the gene isolated by the method, particularly catalytic receptors, are also contemplated.
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:
The present invention relates to a simple method for generating antibody-based structures suitable for in vivo use. In particular, the invention relates to a method for the generation of antibody-based structures suitable for in vivo use comprising the steps of: (a) selecting an antibody single variable domain having an epitope binding specificity; and (b) attaching the single domain of step (a) to an effector group. Uses of molecules generated using the method of the Invention are also described.
Abstract:
The present invention comprises a platform on which a ball machine is temporarily mounted and can be secured. Beneath the platform a type of pivot or other variety of mobility providing device(s) is/are attached, to allow the platform to move about in multiple directions and/or rotate. The support platform can be allowed to roll, rotate, tilt and turn while a ball machine is attached to it. Handle(s) can be attached to the platform to allow someone to manually manage/dictate the aim or position of the apparatus, thus control or change the direction of each ball fed when a ball machine is in operation and attached to the structure.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for isolating from the immunological gene repertoire a gene coding for a receptor having the ability to bind a preselected ligand. Receptors produced by the gene isolated by the method, particularly catalytic receptors, are also contemplated.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for the generation of immunoglobulin molecules of predetermined specificity. In particular, the invention relates to a method for the retargeting of the epitope binding specificity of one or more antibodies using single variable domains which exhibit a dominant epitope binding specificity.
Abstract:
A customer appointment management system and method with mobile resource management including a customer communication module configured for transmitting to a customer a notification of a pending arrival of a mobile agent at the customer location for an appointment and receiving a confirmation from the customer confirming the appointment. The system also includes a mobile agent communication module configured for transmitting a schedule and customer appointment information to the mobile agent in response to receiving the customer confirmation.
Abstract:
A mobile resource management system and method for managing the arrival of a mobile agent at a location of a customer, the system including a mobile agent location module, a customer communication module, and a mobile agent communication module. The mobile agent location module is configured for identifying a location of a mobile agent and the customer communication module configured for transmitting a notification to a customer of an availability of the mobile agent for arrival of the mobile agent at a location of the customer as a function, at least in part, of the identified mobile agent location, prompting the customer to confirm the arrival of the mobile agent at the customer location, and receiving a confirmation from the customer in response to the prompting. The mobile agent communication module is configured for transmitting schedule and customer appointment information to the mobile agent in response to receiving the customer confirmation.