The Collaborative Group, Ltd.

Biopolymer Engineering Pharmaceutical, Inc.

William M Mackin

Eric M Wakshull

Janet W Zimmerman

Leslie W Fisette

A preparation containing a receptor for underivatized, aqueous soluble &bgr;(1-3)-glucan is disclosed, along with characterization of the receptor for underivatized, aqueous soluble &bgr;(1-3)-glucan. Also described are assays for identifying agents which alter the effect of underivatized, aqueous soluble &bgr;(1-3)-glucan on activation of signal transduction pathways and agents identified thereby, as well as assays for assessing the specificity of carbohydrate:glycolipid interactions.

Assay for binding between carbohydrate and glycolipid

Methods of isolating &bgr;(1-3)-glucan or &bgr;(1-3)-glucan-containing organisms in a sample, or of detecting the presence of &bgr;(1-3)-glucan or &bgr;(1-3)-glucan-containing organisms in a sample, utilizing binding agents for &bgr;(1-3)-glucan, such as LacCer, GalCer, globotriaosylceramide and asialoganglioside-GM1, are described. Methods of diagnosing fungal infection, by detecting &bgr;(1-3)-glucan or &bgr;(1-3)-glucan-containing organisms, are also described. Antibodies and kits useful in the methods are also disclosed.

&bgr;(1-3)-glucan diagnostic assays

A preparation containing a receptor for underivatized, aqueous soluble .beta.(1-3)-glucan is disclosed, along with characterization of the receptor for underivatized, aqueous soluble .beta.(1-3)-glucan. Also described are assays for identifying agents which alter the effect of underivatized, aqueous soluble .beta.(1-3)-glucan on activation of signal transduction pathways and agents identified thereby.

Receptor for underivatized aqueous soluble .beta.(1-3)-glucan

Activation of signal transduction by underivatized, aqueous soluble      .

Methods of isolating .beta.(1-3)-glucan or .beta.(1-3)glucan-containing organisms in a sample, or of detecting the presence of .beta.(1-3)-glucan or .beta.(1-3)-glucan-containing organisms in a sample, utilizing binding agents for .beta.(1-3)-glucan, such as LacCer, GalCer, globotriaosylceramide and asialoganglioside-GM1, are described. Methods of diagnosing fungal infection, by detecting .beta.(1-3)-glucan or .beta.(1-3)-glucan-containing organisms, are also described. Antibodies and kits useful in the methods are also disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Charlton, MA, United States of America

William M Mackin