Life
Science

Novel linear IgE-binding peptide epitopes of the major celery allergen api g1 have been identified which are suitable for the diagnosis and therapy of celery allergy. The peptide epitopes can also serve as a basis for the detection of api g1 allergens in food and other  products. Based on the novel peptides, a high specific assay was developed which allows to distinguish between celery allergic patients and healthy individuals.

A novel drug polymer conjugate consisting of a dendritic polyglycerin (PG) core of 3-5 or more glycerol units and a polyethylene glycol shell has been developed. The pharmaceutically or diagnostically compound is covalently bound to a glycerol unit through a cleavable linker (and optionally an additional spacer). Dependently on the used linker, the compound can be cleaved physically or chemically e.g. by light, heat, or by hydrolysis, pH-dependent cleavage or cleavage by enzymes. As there are multiple glycerol units, more than one binding site exists, so that more than one active compound can be coupled to the same carrier molecule. Moreover, one carrier molecule also enables the loading of different pharmaceutically compounds (combinational therapy).

The present invention relates to forced intercalation probes (FIT-probes) based on nucleoside analogues with fluorescent artificial nucleobases. Thereby the nucleoside analogue is incorporated into DNA or RNA in the place of a single native base.

Globally, the total number of people living with HIV was estimated at 33 million. The clinical development of anti-HIV drugs is currently dominated by the class of entry inhibitors. For infection, the virus uses the coreceptors CCR5 and CXCR4 in addition to CD4 for the entry into target cells. Knowledge of the coreceptor preference is often critical in both the research and clinical settings, especially since coreceptor antagonists entered the market, however current assays are expensive and time consuming.