(19)

(11)

EP 1 373 899 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 02.01.2004 Bulletin 2004/01 (21) Application number: 02709378.0 (22) Date of filing: 07.02.2002

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01N 33/574 (86) International application number: PCT/US2002/003569 (87) International publication number: WO 2002/068960 (06.09.2002 Gazette 2002/36)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 07.02.2001 US 266976 (71) Applicant: BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE Houston, TX 77030 (US)	(72) Inventors: SLAWIN, Kevin, M. Houston, TX 77030 (US) SHARIAT, Shahrokh Houston, TX 77054 (US) (74) Representative: Owen, Deborah Jane  Frank B. Dehn & Co.179 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4EL London EC4V 4EL (GB)