Imgenex Corp. develops and commercializes novel reagents for the scientific study of human biology and disease and for the production of new diagnostic assays and potential therapies of such diseases. These novel reagents include antibodies, gene and protein expression systems, and arrays of various cells and tissues for use in studies of functional genomics. Areas of biological interest at IMGENEX include cancer, apoptosis (programmed cell death), molecular signaling pathways, cellular aging, and metabolic and infectious diseases.

Both intracellular and cell surface proteins are involved in apoptotic processes. Apoptotic signals are transduced by death-domain containing receptors. Included in these receptors are tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1), Fas, and death receptors (DR3, DR4, DR5, and DR6). Each contain an intracellular region of homology designated as a "death domain." Three additional membrane antagonist decoy receptors, DcR1, DcR2, and DcR3, that belong to the family of death receptors have also been identified. These receptors either lack or contain mutations at the death domain.

Receptor activator of NF-kB (RANK) is a member of the TNFR superfamily with no significant homology to other members of this family. Its cytoplasmic domain interacts with TRAF2, TRAF5 and TRAF6. RANKL (RANK ligand/TRANCE/OPG ligand/ODF) is important in T- and B-cell maturation. It can both activate mature osteoclasts and mediate osteoclastogenesis.