Identification of Plet-1 as a specific marker of early thymic epithelial progenitor cells.

The thymus is essential for a functional immune system, because the thymic stroma uniquely supports T lymphocyte development. We have previously identified the epithelial progenitor population from which the thymus arises and demonstrated its ability to generate an organized functional thymus upon transplantation. These thymic epithelial progenitor cells (TEPC) are defined by surface determinants recognized by the mAbs MTS20 and MTS24, which were also recently shown to identify keratinocyte progenitor cells in the skin.

The use of nucleic acid tools for target validation in central nervous system therapy.

The main challenge facing target validation today comes from the ongoing genomics revolution, which is generating an unprecedented number of potential targets. Existing technologies, such as mouse knockouts, are struggling to provide the throughput now required. Nucleic acid tools including antisense, RNA interference, ribozymes and aptamers offer a potentially higher throughput means of manipulating gene expression and thus validating targets in complex biological systems such as the central nervous system.

RT-PCR permits simultaneous genotyping of thiopurine S-methyltransferase allelic variants by multiplex induced heteroduplex analysis.

Thiopurine-based drugs are a widely prescribed group of medications. Their tolerance and effectiveness is dependent on an individual's ability to metabolize these compounds. An essential enzyme for the metabolism of these drugs is thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT), whose activity is subject to genetic variation.