Organization: University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) is a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. UPCI and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Cancer Centers are internationally recognized for their leadership in cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment and research. UPMC Cancer Centers treat more than 36,000 new patients each year through a hub-and-satellite network of 37 community-based locations. This network also has enabled UPCI to conduct more than 150 clinical trials to date. ...
Life Science Research Tools and Instrumentation
Organization: University of Wisconsin Madison
UW Madison’s large community of life science researchers invent and develop tools every day to support their research, and hundreds of these tools have been licensed to companies who commercialize them. There are also strong collaborations between engineers and life science researchers, who together apply unique solutions to advance life science research.
Ototoxicity Project Data Collection System
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview Investigators at the Child Development and Rehabilitation Center have developed a computer software package that allows for consistent, organized collection of audiological data on children receiving cisplatin chemotherapy for ototoxicity assessment. This is not a case management system; rather, the software provides a consistent method that may be used nationwide to enable statistical data analysis with significant results.
Corticotrophin releasing hormone double receptor (CRH-R1/R2) knockout mice
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewSignaling pathways dependent on members of the corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) gene family exert pleiotropic effects within both the brain and peripheral tissues. Two biochemically and pharmacologically distinct corticotropin releasing factor receptor subtypes (corticotropin releasing factor receptor-1 and corticotropin releasing factor receptor-2) have been described. To study the developmental and physiological role of the specific receptor subtypes, a strain of mice null for both the corticotropin releasing ...
Corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor-2 knockout mice
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview Several of the critical molecules that mediate the response to stress have recently been identified and cloned, thus providing new molecular tools for studying this process. One of the primary players in neuro-immune regulation is the neuroendocrine hormone, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). This hormone is the central mediator of the stress response. CRH also regulates the immune response through direct actions on immune cells and indirectly through downstream mediators. Dr. Stenzel-Poore and her colleagues ...
Generation of specific and detectable primary antibodies.
Organization: Rockefeller University
Novel Scaffold for 3D Tissue Culture and Engineering
Organization: University of California, Davis (UC Davis)
Engineering biomaterials to repair damaged or diseased tissues such as cardiac, bone, liver, corneal and skin is an active branch of research in regenerative medicine. One approach being investigated is using cells combined with biomaterial constructs, or scaffolds that facilitate cell growth and differentiation to create functional tissues that can be implanted. Three-dimensional (3D) tissue culture systems that emulate key physical and molecular features of the extracellular microenvironments provide tremendous advantages to ...
Rigid Endoscopic Probe For Non-Linear Optical Microscopic (NLOM) Imaging
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Automated Knowledge Extraction from the biomedical literature
Organization: Tufts University
Fluorous Reagents for Alkylation of Amines and Purification of Biomolecules
Organization: Tufts University
MECHANISM BASED CROSS-LINKERS FOR IDENTIFYING KINASE-SUBSTRATE INTERACTIONS
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
A Rapid Assay For Raltegravir In Biological Samples
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Systematic Identification of Essential Genes by In Vitro Transponson Mutagenesis
Organization: Tufts University
Murine Pancreatic-Cancer Cell Lines
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
The cell lines developed by UC San Diego reliably and rapidly grow and metastasize in immunocompetent mice, allowing for the study of tumor interactions with immune cells. It also will allow for the manipulation of the gene/protein expression and therefore permit the study of cell signaling in ways not possible with human-on-mouse models given the issues of ligand/receptor incompatibility that occur when crossing species. The other alternative is genetic models, but they are much more costly and time-consuming to develop and also affect the ...
Resettable µpat - Micro/Nanofabricated Post Array Trapping
Organization: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Simplified Neural Circuit Labeling Using Gap Junction Permeable Molecular Probe
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
The labeling of complete neural circuits has been a challenge due to the fact that conventional labeling is accomplished by injecting each cell in the circuit independently.Contrary to popular belief, researchers at the University of California, Irvine have discovered that a uniquely formulated probe is capable of crossing interneuronal gap junctions. The molecular probe can be inserted at one location and will effectively stain entire neural circuits through gap-junction mediated intercellular molecular transfer. Fluorescent microscopy can ...
No-Assembly Devices For Microfluidics Inside A Cavity
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers at UCLA have developed a method to fabricate microfluidic devices monolithically without assembly of subcomponents by using a surface micromachining process.
Polyamine Ligands for Use as Metalloproteinase Inhibitors
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
UCSD inventors have used several polyamine ligands as "warheads" which result in compounds that are more selective for copper and zinc. The ability of the compounds to bind metals in the active site of a protein or enzyme will make these effective inhibitors. It is anticipated that the compounds will be potent inhibitors with fewer side effects than seen with hydroxamic acids. Some synthetic chemistry and limited biological activity assays (several of the compounds have already been tested in vitro and show activity against MMPs and/or lethal ...
Regulation of Adipocyte Differentiation to Control Obesity
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers in the laboratory of Dr. Anthony Heaney from the Departments of Medicine and Neurosurgery at UCLA have elucidated a role for the fructose metabolic pathway in the growth and differentiation of adipose tissue. In collaboration with UCLA chemists, the group has utilized this knowledge to develop specific inhibitors of fructose transport. The inhibitor could potentially deter the expansion and growth of adipose tissue.
Method to Develop Mutant Protein Library
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
University of California, Irvine researchers have developed a novel method to systematically develop and create a library of mutant proteins that may be optimized for microchip high throughput screening. This new method allows for greater control over the number and type of changes in a mutation library. In particular, this method allows for conditional dependencies among the mutational changes within (but not across) each mutation region of each sequence. Therefore this mutational capability is either inconvenient or impossible with other ...
Process For Analysis Of Spatially Varying Signals In Media With Distinct Structures
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Method for Assessing Physiological Response to Drug Target Inhibition
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
UC San Diego researchers have devised a method for predicting human metabolic physiological response to protein inhibition by drugs. It allows for preliminary testing of drugs, discovery of new uses of existing drugs, and identification of genetic risk factors for drug treatments. The method can be applied to either known or untested protein-ligand interactions. A working prototype exists.
An asthma-associated microbial signature for asthma diagnosis and personalized treatment
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Background Asthma has become a major public health concern in recent years. Currently, almost 15 million Americans have asthma, including 5 million children. One factor contributing to asthma disease symptoms and severity is microbial infection on the mucosal surfaces in airway passages. It is becoming increasingly clear that the profile of bacterial communities in the airway is a critical factor in determining the severity of asthma symptoms, as well as characterizing disease heterogeneity. Novel diagnostic tools are needed that ...
Microfluidic Device to Control Stem Cell Differentiation and Proliferation
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Controlling stem cell differentiation and proliferation in traditional static stem cell cultures systems (such as a petri dish) is highly complex and challenging. Growth factors added to today’s current systems are not easily removed from the system. These growth factors, along with waste generate by the stem cells, remain in the system and may negatively affect stem cell differentiation. Thus stem cells grown in static cultures may have altered and unwanted responses to growth factor signaling. University of California, Irvine ...
Fluorescence in situ detection of short unique DNA sites under non-denaturing conditions
Organization: Boston University
Organization: Boston University
Reduced Affinity Streptavidin (also) Streptavidin Mutants
Organization: Boston University
Novel Compositions and Methods for Promoting, Inhibiting and Detecting Protein Entry into Cells
Organization: Boston University
Design of cis/trans Engineered Riboregulators
Organization: Boston University
Organization: Boston University
Detection of Protein Biomarkers on a Thermoplastic Microchip
Organization: Boston University
Organization: Boston University
Dual Anti-Sense Expression Regulation System
Organization: Boston University
Spectral Imaging for Vertical Sectioning of Surface Bound Markers
Organization: Boston University
Expressed Lanthanide Binding Tags as Visualization Tools
Organization: Boston University
Plastic Microfluidic Chip for Isolation of Nucleic Acids from Biological Samples
Organization: Boston University
Organization: Boston University
Amplification and Spatial Detection of DNAs Immobilized on Solid Surfaces
Organization: Boston University
A System For Vascular Access In Preclinical Models
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA researchers have designed and tested a novel automated system that 1) locates the position of the rodent tail vasculature, 2) inserts a needle into the tail vein or tail artery, and 3) injects into or withdraws a specified volume from blood circulation. The system requires no manual assistance from the human operator and can be controlled from a standard PC interface. Needle insertion is programmable in two spatial dimensions, which allows the user to reliably take numerous blood samples without occlusion or damaging the tail ...
Novel Compounds & Methods for Producing N-Glycans
Organization: University of California, Davis (UC Davis)
An endoglycosidase is reported that is more effective than similar commercial enzymes or any of those previously reported in literature. De-glycosylation with endoglycosidases remove N-glycans leaving a core N-acetylglucosamine. Currently, the only method to achieve this cleavage is through sequential multiple enzyme exposure. No previously available enzyme is capable of cleaving all three types of naturally occurring N-glycans (high mannose, complex, and hybrid). Furthermore, existing enzymes do not efficiently and ...
Method for Modeling Metabolic Host-Pathogen Interactions
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
UC San Diego researchers have developed a method to integrate and simulate the interaction between two different cell types, specifically for an intracellular pathogen and a host cell. Relevant applications of this technology span the analysis of data generated from in vivo infectious data to in vitro co-culture systems, with potential applications including the identification of cell/tissue specific antibiotic targets and optimizing media conditions for growth of co-culture systems.
A Fully Automated Centrifugal-Based Fluidic System For Processing Microarrays On Cd
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Novel, Non-Infectious, Immunoreactive Viral Protein for Vaccine Development Against HIV
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Virologists at the University of California, San Francisco have modified the HIV virus to produce a viral envelope subunit which is immunoreactive but not infective. The subunit is devoid of viral RNA/p24 and residual viral and host RNA/DNA has been hydrolyzed to make the resultant subunit incapable of infection. The infectivity of the envelope subunit has been tested in vitro in co-cultures as well as in vivo in SCID-hu Thy/Liv mice. Furthermore, the envelope subunit retains gp120/gp41 in a non-covalently bound ...
Automated Microfluidic Device for Multiplex Protein Array Analysis
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
A Tool for Geospatial Analysis of Physical Activity
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
Scientists at UC San Diego have developed a physical activity and location measurement system (PALMS) comprised of an integrated suite of hardware and software that supports real-time capture and subsequent analyses of data on physical activity and energy expenditure (PAEE) from a geospatial perspective. This new technology provides the capability for ecological momentary assessment (EMA) of psychosocial factors related to PAEE context. These objective measures provide significant advantages over the standard methodology that was ...
A TRUNCATED ALPHA-2-3-SIALYLTRANSFERASE FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF SIALOSIDES AND SIALYL GLYCOLIPIDS
Organization: University of California, Davis (UC Davis)
Sialic acids are a family of monosaccharides that are commonly found as terminal residues on cell surface glycoproteins/glycolipids of higher animals. They have a vital role in cellular communication and recognition.To a much lesser degree, they are also found in microorganisms and their presence is often linked with pathogenicity. Pasteurella multocida alpha-2-3-sialyltransferase 3 (PmST3) is a powerful catalyst that is useful for synthesizing sialosides and sialyl glycolipids. UC Davis researchers have discovered that by ...
Apparatus for Growth of Single Crystals of Uniaxial Materials
Organization: Tufts University
Optical Trapping Using Microlens Arrays and Digital Micromirror Devices
Organization: Tufts University
Enantiomerically Pure Fluorinated Amino Acids
Organization: Tufts University
Methods, apparatuses and kits for introducing genetic material into living cells
Organization: Tufts University
Recombinant virus AcMNPV/human hTOP1
Organization: Tufts University
Organization: Tufts University
Organization: Tufts University
Organization: Tufts University
Stable reporter system for promoter activity in Listeria monocytogenes
Organization: Tufts University
New Molecular Technique for Neural Tracing
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
Scientists at UC San Diego have developed a novel calcium-dependent activity reporter system using a synthetic nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) transcription factor to molecularly mark, analyze, and manipulate neurons of elevated activity in behaving animals. The method, dubbed CaLexA, for calcium dependent nuclear import of transcription factor LexA, uses a genetically engineered nuclear transport mechanism of NFAT to improve both signal-to-noise ratio and specificity. Specifically, calcium signaling regulates the NFAT ...
Pmst2 - A Novel Pasteurella Multocida Glycolipid Alpha-2-3-Sialytransferase
Organization: University of California, Davis (UC Davis)
Sialic acids are a family of monosaccharides that are commonly found as terminal residues on cell surface glycoproteins/glycolipids of higher animals. They have a vital role in cellular communication and recognition.To a much lesser degree, they are also found in microorganisms and their presence is often linked with pathogenicity. UC Davis researchers have discovered a novel Pasteurella multocida alpha-2-3-sialyltransferase 2 (PmST2) that prefers to use lactosyl lipids and other lipid-containing galactosides as acceptor ...
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
SummaryA method for mapping and correcting optical distortion conferred by live cell specimens in microscopy that cannot be overcome using optical techniques alone can be used both for light microscopy and confocal microscopy. The system determines the 3D refractive index for the samples, and provides a method for ray tracing, calculation of 3D space variant point spread, and generalized deconvolution. ApplicationsMicroscopy: The method was developed and applied for light microscopy, and is of critical importance for detection of weak ...
The acquisition of multidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectra within a single scan
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary A method to significantly shorten acquisition times of high-quality MRI images. Multidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is used nowadays in many applications (e.g., discovery of new pharmaceutical drugs, characterization of new catalysts, and investigation of the structure and dynamics of proteins). One drawback of this technique is that, by contrast to one-dimensional spectroscpic methods, multidimensional NMR requires relatively long measurement times associated with hundreds or thousands of scans. This places certain ...
Reversible Binding of Avidin and Streptavidin Derivatives
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary A reversible form of avidin and streptavidin has been engineered by nitration of tyrosine, greatly simplifying current methods for reversing avidin. These derivatives are highly-useful in all applications of the avidin-biotin system. As abiding and straptavidin are readily and inexpensively available, this system is cost-effective as well. Applications The nitroavidin and nitrostreptavidin derivatives are useful in most applications of the avidin-biotin system, particularly where reversibility (release of biotin or ...
Monoclonal Antibodies for Monitoring Hormone and Drug Additives in Food Providing Animals
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary A series of monoclonal antibodies for monitoring hormone and drug additives in animals grown for the food industry. These include mAbs for peptide hormones, steroid hormones, drugs, leukotrienes, isoflavones, and veterinary drugs. Applications Monitoring hormone and drug additives in food providing animals for veterinary use and for the food industry. Advantanges Technology's Essence Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science have developed a series of mAb against ...
The MOCSER: a novel hybrid chemical-electronic detector
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary Trace chemical or biological elements can be accurately detected and monitored in the field or at the point of care through use of this new quick, cost-effective platform technology based on a hybrid chemical-electronic detector. Analytes can be measured according to the electrical current changes they induce with high specificity and accuracy at parts-per-billion (ppb) levels. Applications Transducer which may be developed to suite: Medical diagnostics: point of care, real time diagnostics of chemical and biological ...
Separation and Sorting of Particles from a Fluid
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary Efficient separation and size sorting of particles by ultrasound waves. Applications of ultrasound (US) standing waves for separation of particles from a solvent or of biomass from a serum in blood are well known. The advantages of using US separation instead of, e.g., centrifugal one are the possibility to use it in-line and for small volumes, and the simplicity of the control. However, separation by US suffers from complicated removal of the separated phase from the liquid, and does not have the possibility of size sorting of ...
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary A smart interface bridging between any reactive system modeling engine and a dynamic graphic representation. One of the major problems in understanding complex biological systems is an enormous amount of data and knowledge (not always quantitative), which is too large and interconnected to comprehend in full. Currently, any attempt to intuitively represent the behavior of any kind of complex reactive systems with an animated front end is tediously made by programming specifically tailored for the problem at hand. Current ...
On-Chip Synthesis of Biomolecules
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary A simple, single-step biochip platform for synthesis of biomolecules. Biochip technology is used today in measuring passive probe-target interactions i.e. measurement of the abundance of specific biomolecules). This technology can now be extended to include complex and cascaded activities on the chip. The present immobilization approaches (based on UV photography) have been essentially limited to short single stranded DNA probes and have not been developed for entire genes or other biochemical functions. Furthermore, most biochips ...
A Method for Manufacturing Synthetic Genes
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary Error-free DNA synthesis from error-prone oligonucleotides. Long DNA molecules encoding novel genetic elements are in broad demand. Short oligonucleotides are used as building blocks to construct longer DNA molecules. The utility of synthetic DNA constructs in biology depends on their being free of sequence errors, yet the synthetic oligonucleotides serving as their building blocks are error prone. Therefore, all DNA construction protocols struggle with the labor-intensive time-consuming task of cloning and sequencing synthetic DNA ...
Monoclonal Anti-Ubiquitinated histone H2B antibody
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary A novel antibody which can be used, for the first time, to recognize ubiquitinated histone 2B. This technology is novel in its ability to recognize proteins and their destinations, and may serve in diagnostics and immunoprecipitation processes. Applications Primary applications in research. Use as a detection tool in western blotting, immunoprecipitation and chromatin immunoprecipitation. Might be used for monitoring processes associated with modulations of ubiquitinated-H2B levels. Advantanges ...
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary Algae and certain types of bacteria use CO2 for photosynthesis and are prime sources for biomass for bio-fuel production. By genetically altering proteins which participate in photosynthesis, these species can efficiently conduct this process in both normal and extreme temperatures. Applications Biofuels production CO2 sequestration Agriculture: adaptation of crops to ambient temperatures Advantanges Technology's Essence The present invention addresses the shortcomings of ...
Non-invasive Assessment of Gene Expression
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary Decoding of the genomic activity of human liver cancers by noninvasive imaging. Gene expression patterns of cancer can reveal its etiology, prognosis and response to therapy. However, current methods of molecular profiling require invasive surgeries for tissue procurement and specialized equipment, thus limiting their routine use. Moreover, current profiling methods provide only single snapshots in time because they are destructive (i.e. cells must be disintegrated to extract nucleic acids or proteins for analysis). The outlined ...
Imaging of BBB Abnormalities in Schizophrenia and other neurodegenerative diseases
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary An MRI-based Non-invasive real-time depiction of Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) abnormalities that enables a wide range of diagnostic, therapeutic and drug development applications.The BBB is a capillary barrier that protects the brain from fluctuations in blood chemistry and passage of certain particles between bloodstream and the brain. Selective delivery of compounds across the BBB by means of temporary/local BBB disruption is an emerging field. Therefore, means to monitor the BBB function non-invasively and in real-time are ...
Anti-glutamate Receptor GluR3B for Diagnosis, Research and Drug Discovery in Epilepsy
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary A monoclonal antibody against GluR3B, a peptide found in epilepsy patients, and especially in patients suffering from intractable, resistant forms of the disease, could be used in diagnosis kits as well as in drug development for this form of "autoimmune epilepsy". Applications 1. Producing a new kit for epilepsy patients, able to detect GluR3b Ab's and thus GluR3-mediated neuropathology The anti GluR3B monoclonal Ab could be used for developing a new diagnostic kit to detect neuropathogenic human anti-GluR3B in serum and ...
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary A novel chemical patterning technique. Chemical patterning of surfaces for molecular-based devices or for hybrid organic-semiconductor devices involves a "bottom-up" chemical lithography approach. However, this approach has a relatively low throughput that can be overcome by very high parallelism, which may be expensive and may introduce defects reducing the yield. Various "printing" schemes of such micro-contact nanolithography have been developed that can indeed be scaled to high throughput but are usually limited to a single ...
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary An efficient protein purification system. Affinity chromatography using affinity tags can be used as a rapid, facile purification separation technique for isolating biologically active compounds, depending upon the affinity properties of the tag rather than those of the target protein. Some tags are relatively small in size (e.g. His-tag), which allows for minimal interaction with the target protein. Nevertheless, these tags fail to provide a highly specific interaction, which leads to low column capacity and sample impurities. ...
Induction peptide expression in the nervous system
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary An effective method for introducing peptides into the brain. Administration of synthetic or purified peptides directly into the brain ventricles is a method commonly used by neuroscientists for exploring physiological and behavioral functions of gene products. Intra-ventricle administration is controlled by the bloodbrain barrier, which limits its effectiveness, and currently available methods for the delivery of peptides or pharmacological agents into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain present researchers with ...
Overlapping recombination by simple PCR.
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary A novel and rapid method for molecular diagnostics uses. The worldwide molecular diagnostic market was worth $9 billion in 2009. It is estimated that the market will expand to $15.5 billion in 2014 and $42.5 billion in 2019. DNA sequencing is emerging as one of the most promising contributors to growth in this market. The identification of disease-associated mutations/variations has greatly increased owing to advancements in genomic sequencing. Therefore, sequencing of multiple discontiguous DNA segments has become necessary for ...
High Throughput Determination of RNA Secondary Structure
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary A novel genome-scale method for measuring RNA structure. RNA structure plays an important role in many biological processes. For genes that code for proteins, there is growing evidence that substantial regulation of their gene expression occurs post-transcriptionally. Much of this post-transcriptional regulation is thought to be mediated through secondary structure elements that are recognized by specific RNA binding proteins within the cell. The structures of RNA molecules are often important for their function and regulation, yet ...
Efficient production of Recombinant Proteins
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary Improvement of protein production by modulating the tRNA pool. For maximal heterologous expression of proteins per host cell, the optimal level of expression of genes needs to be addressed. The science and art of expressing a gene from one species in another often amounts to modifying the codons of the gene, and supplementing the host with specific tRNAs. Yet the full challenge of heterologous expression is not only to maximize expression per host cell, but also to minimize the burden on the host. The outlined invention describes a ...
Bleach-Chase - High throughput Measurement of Protein Stability
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary A method for measuring protein stability. The dynamics of proteins are controlled at several levels, including transcription, translation and degradation. In mammals, the correlation between mRNA levels and protein levels is less clear than in bacteria and single celled eukaryotes, a fact that emphasizes the need for a method for measuring post-transcription control (degradation or translation). Traditional methods for measuring protein half-lives require either radioactive assays that are limited to a few proteins at a time, or ...
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary A method to increase the efficiency and specificity of PCR reactions. Primer design for PCR reactions should have several parameters; Its length should be between 18-27 bases. In addition, it should be long enough so it is specific to the target DNA and with high enough melting temperature (Tm), but short enough to reduce cost, prevent binding to non-specific areas in the template DNA, and most important-to reduce the possibility of creating hairpins, self dimmers or primer-dimmers. The problem with the standard length primers is ...
3D niche for stem cells cultivation
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary A novel system that maintains the growth of stem cells in 3D cultures. Embryonic and adult stem cells of human origin provide unique models for studying human development and at the same time, exciting potential sources of cells for regenerative medicine. In vivo, embryonic and adult stem cells grow and function within three dimensional (3D) niches exhibiting complicated spatial and cellular structure, which typically reflects the developmental stage of the organism and the physiological demands. Unfortunately, this structure can ...
Recyclable membranes for size-selective separation of nanoparticles
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary A new recyclable size-selective filtration device. Particle size, chemical purity and dispersion of nanoparticles crucially determine their optical, electronic and chemical properties. Size-selective separation technologies are becoming increasingly important for the development of nanoparticles with well-defined sizes, which have application in the fields of optoelectronic devices, biomedicine, materials, and catalysis. Researchers at the Weizmann Institute have fabricated supramolecular ultrafiltration membranes that can be used ...
Partial online guidance of surgical brain implants
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary High precision positioning for surgical brain implants. Many experimental paradigms require surgical insertion of electrodes, cannulae, or syringes into a specific brain area. Current methodology for surgical insertion in rodents relies on atlas coordinates and measurements to orient and direct the probe. However, the atlas does not take into account variations due to strain, size, age, and individual differences in skull and brain structures. Furthermore, initial positioning is based on visible markers on the rodent's skull, which ...
A more efficient western blot device
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary Automation and acceleration of membrane blotting assay. Western blot immuno assay analysis is generally used to detect a protein of interest (an Antigen) in a biological sample (that may include, for example, a mixture of any number of proteins), while providing information about the size and amount of the protein of interest. Western blot (and other similar membrane dependent assay such as northern and southern blot) is a common assay used in almost any biological research, yet it is repetitive, time consuming, and prone to human ...
Diagnostic, Preventative and Therapeutic Targets for Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Organization: University of California, Santa Barbara (UC Santa Barbara)
Researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara have developed novel data sets of diagnostic, preventative and therapeutic targets for age-related macular degeneration. These data provide new insights into the expression landscape of AMD pathophysiology and reveal numerous targets for novel AMD pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. These results are also valuable for the validation of therapeutic targets already under development.
Flexible High Density Electrode Array For Electrocorticography
Organization: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
A Tool for Finding Drugs for Treating Neurodegenerative Diseases in the Brain
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
Scientists at the University of California, San Diego have reported coordinates of 3D models (not crystal structures) of the two forms of the human estrogen receptor, ERα and ERβ, complexed with two novel steroids, Δ5-androstenediol and 5α. The structures of 5α--androstenediol and 5α-androstanediol alter the conformation amino acids in the steroid binding site of ERα and ERβ in their 3D models. This invention can provide a new resource for discovering drugs to treat neurodegenerative diseases. That is, ...
Flow Rate Pertubation Damper For Syringe Pumps
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
SummaryA method for mapping and correcting optical distortion conferred by live cell specimens in microscopy that cannot be overcome using optical techniques alone can be used both for light microscopy and confocal microscopy. The system determines the 3D refractive index for the samples, and provides a method for ray tracing, calculation of 3D space variant point spread, and generalized deconvolution. ApplicationsMicroscopy: The method was developed and applied for light microscopy, and is of critical importance for detection of weak ...
The acquisition of multidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectra within a single scan
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary A method to significantly shorten acquisition times of high-quality MRI images. Multidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is used nowadays in many applications (e.g., discovery of new pharmaceutical drugs, characterization of new catalysts, and investigation of the structure and dynamics of proteins). One drawback of this technique is that, by contrast to one-dimensional spectroscpic methods, multidimensional NMR requires relatively long measurement times associated with hundreds or thousands of scans. This places certain ...
Reversible Binding of Avidin and Streptavidin Derivatives
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary A reversible form of avidin and streptavidin has been engineered by nitration of tyrosine, greatly simplifying current methods for reversing avidin. These derivatives are highly-useful in all applications of the avidin-biotin system. As abiding and straptavidin are readily and inexpensively available, this system is cost-effective as well. Applications The nitroavidin and nitrostreptavidin derivatives are useful in most applications of the avidin-biotin system, particularly where reversibility (release of biotin or ...
Monoclonal Antibodies for Monitoring Hormone and Drug Additives in Food Providing Animals
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary A series of monoclonal antibodies for monitoring hormone and drug additives in animals grown for the food industry. These include mAbs for peptide hormones, steroid hormones, drugs, leukotrienes, isoflavones, and veterinary drugs. Applications Monitoring hormone and drug additives in food providing animals for veterinary use and for the food industry. Advantanges Technology's Essence Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science have developed a series of mAb against ...
The MOCSER: a novel hybrid chemical-electronic detector
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary Trace chemical or biological elements can be accurately detected and monitored in the field or at the point of care through use of this new quick, cost-effective platform technology based on a hybrid chemical-electronic detector. Analytes can be measured according to the electrical current changes they induce with high specificity and accuracy at parts-per-billion (ppb) levels. Applications Transducer which may be developed to suite: Medical diagnostics: point of care, real time diagnostics of chemical and biological ...
Separation and Sorting of Particles from a Fluid
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary Efficient separation and size sorting of particles by ultrasound waves. Applications of ultrasound (US) standing waves for separation of particles from a solvent or of biomass from a serum in blood are well known. The advantages of using US separation instead of, e.g., centrifugal one are the possibility to use it in-line and for small volumes, and the simplicity of the control. However, separation by US suffers from complicated removal of the separated phase from the liquid, and does not have the possibility of size sorting of ...
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary A smart interface bridging between any reactive system modeling engine and a dynamic graphic representation. One of the major problems in understanding complex biological systems is an enormous amount of data and knowledge (not always quantitative), which is too large and interconnected to comprehend in full. Currently, any attempt to intuitively represent the behavior of any kind of complex reactive systems with an animated front end is tediously made by programming specifically tailored for the problem at hand. Current ...
On-Chip Synthesis of Biomolecules
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary A simple, single-step biochip platform for synthesis of biomolecules. Biochip technology is used today in measuring passive probe-target interactions i.e. measurement of the abundance of specific biomolecules). This technology can now be extended to include complex and cascaded activities on the chip. The present immobilization approaches (based on UV photography) have been essentially limited to short single stranded DNA probes and have not been developed for entire genes or other biochemical functions. Furthermore, most biochips ...
A Method for Manufacturing Synthetic Genes
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary Error-free DNA synthesis from error-prone oligonucleotides. Long DNA molecules encoding novel genetic elements are in broad demand. Short oligonucleotides are used as building blocks to construct longer DNA molecules. The utility of synthetic DNA constructs in biology depends on their being free of sequence errors, yet the synthetic oligonucleotides serving as their building blocks are error prone. Therefore, all DNA construction protocols struggle with the labor-intensive time-consuming task of cloning and sequencing synthetic DNA ...
Monoclonal Anti-Ubiquitinated histone H2B antibody
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary A novel antibody which can be used, for the first time, to recognize ubiquitinated histone 2B. This technology is novel in its ability to recognize proteins and their destinations, and may serve in diagnostics and immunoprecipitation processes. Applications Primary applications in research. Use as a detection tool in western blotting, immunoprecipitation and chromatin immunoprecipitation. Might be used for monitoring processes associated with modulations of ubiquitinated-H2B levels. Advantanges ...
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary Algae and certain types of bacteria use CO2 for photosynthesis and are prime sources for biomass for bio-fuel production. By genetically altering proteins which participate in photosynthesis, these species can efficiently conduct this process in both normal and extreme temperatures. Applications Biofuels production CO2 sequestration Agriculture: adaptation of crops to ambient temperatures Advantanges Technology's Essence The present invention addresses the shortcomings of ...
Non-invasive Assessment of Gene Expression
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary Decoding of the genomic activity of human liver cancers by noninvasive imaging. Gene expression patterns of cancer can reveal its etiology, prognosis and response to therapy. However, current methods of molecular profiling require invasive surgeries for tissue procurement and specialized equipment, thus limiting their routine use. Moreover, current profiling methods provide only single snapshots in time because they are destructive (i.e. cells must be disintegrated to extract nucleic acids or proteins for analysis). The outlined ...
Imaging of BBB Abnormalities in Schizophrenia and other neurodegenerative diseases
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary An MRI-based Non-invasive real-time depiction of Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) abnormalities that enables a wide range of diagnostic, therapeutic and drug development applications.The BBB is a capillary barrier that protects the brain from fluctuations in blood chemistry and passage of certain particles between bloodstream and the brain. Selective delivery of compounds across the BBB by means of temporary/local BBB disruption is an emerging field. Therefore, means to monitor the BBB function non-invasively and in real-time are ...
Anti-glutamate Receptor GluR3B for Diagnosis, Research and Drug Discovery in Epilepsy
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary A monoclonal antibody against GluR3B, a peptide found in epilepsy patients, and especially in patients suffering from intractable, resistant forms of the disease, could be used in diagnosis kits as well as in drug development for this form of "autoimmune epilepsy". Applications 1. Producing a new kit for epilepsy patients, able to detect GluR3b Ab's and thus GluR3-mediated neuropathology The anti GluR3B monoclonal Ab could be used for developing a new diagnostic kit to detect neuropathogenic human anti-GluR3B in serum and ...
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary A novel chemical patterning technique. Chemical patterning of surfaces for molecular-based devices or for hybrid organic-semiconductor devices involves a "bottom-up" chemical lithography approach. However, this approach has a relatively low throughput that can be overcome by very high parallelism, which may be expensive and may introduce defects reducing the yield. Various "printing" schemes of such micro-contact nanolithography have been developed that can indeed be scaled to high throughput but are usually limited to a single ...
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary An efficient protein purification system. Affinity chromatography using affinity tags can be used as a rapid, facile purification separation technique for isolating biologically active compounds, depending upon the affinity properties of the tag rather than those of the target protein. Some tags are relatively small in size (e.g. His-tag), which allows for minimal interaction with the target protein. Nevertheless, these tags fail to provide a highly specific interaction, which leads to low column capacity and sample impurities. ...
Induction peptide expression in the nervous system
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary An effective method for introducing peptides into the brain. Administration of synthetic or purified peptides directly into the brain ventricles is a method commonly used by neuroscientists for exploring physiological and behavioral functions of gene products. Intra-ventricle administration is controlled by the bloodbrain barrier, which limits its effectiveness, and currently available methods for the delivery of peptides or pharmacological agents into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain present researchers with ...
Overlapping recombination by simple PCR.
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary A novel and rapid method for molecular diagnostics uses. The worldwide molecular diagnostic market was worth $9 billion in 2009. It is estimated that the market will expand to $15.5 billion in 2014 and $42.5 billion in 2019. DNA sequencing is emerging as one of the most promising contributors to growth in this market. The identification of disease-associated mutations/variations has greatly increased owing to advancements in genomic sequencing. Therefore, sequencing of multiple discontiguous DNA segments has become necessary for ...
High Throughput Determination of RNA Secondary Structure
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary A novel genome-scale method for measuring RNA structure. RNA structure plays an important role in many biological processes. For genes that code for proteins, there is growing evidence that substantial regulation of their gene expression occurs post-transcriptionally. Much of this post-transcriptional regulation is thought to be mediated through secondary structure elements that are recognized by specific RNA binding proteins within the cell. The structures of RNA molecules are often important for their function and regulation, yet ...
Efficient production of Recombinant Proteins
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary Improvement of protein production by modulating the tRNA pool. For maximal heterologous expression of proteins per host cell, the optimal level of expression of genes needs to be addressed. The science and art of expressing a gene from one species in another often amounts to modifying the codons of the gene, and supplementing the host with specific tRNAs. Yet the full challenge of heterologous expression is not only to maximize expression per host cell, but also to minimize the burden on the host. The outlined invention describes a ...
Bleach-Chase - High throughput Measurement of Protein Stability
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary A method for measuring protein stability. The dynamics of proteins are controlled at several levels, including transcription, translation and degradation. In mammals, the correlation between mRNA levels and protein levels is less clear than in bacteria and single celled eukaryotes, a fact that emphasizes the need for a method for measuring post-transcription control (degradation or translation). Traditional methods for measuring protein half-lives require either radioactive assays that are limited to a few proteins at a time, or ...
3D niche for stem cells cultivation
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary A novel system that maintains the growth of stem cells in 3D cultures. Embryonic and adult stem cells of human origin provide unique models for studying human development and at the same time, exciting potential sources of cells for regenerative medicine. In vivo, embryonic and adult stem cells grow and function within three dimensional (3D) niches exhibiting complicated spatial and cellular structure, which typically reflects the developmental stage of the organism and the physiological demands. Unfortunately, this structure can ...
Recyclable membranes for size-selective separation of nanoparticles
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary A new recyclable size-selective filtration device. Particle size, chemical purity and dispersion of nanoparticles crucially determine their optical, electronic and chemical properties. Size-selective separation technologies are becoming increasingly important for the development of nanoparticles with well-defined sizes, which have application in the fields of optoelectronic devices, biomedicine, materials, and catalysis. Researchers at the Weizmann Institute have fabricated supramolecular ultrafiltration membranes that can be used ...
Partial online guidance of surgical brain implants
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary High precision positioning for surgical brain implants. Many experimental paradigms require surgical insertion of electrodes, cannulae, or syringes into a specific brain area. Current methodology for surgical insertion in rodents relies on atlas coordinates and measurements to orient and direct the probe. However, the atlas does not take into account variations due to strain, size, age, and individual differences in skull and brain structures. Furthermore, initial positioning is based on visible markers on the rodent's skull, which ...
A more efficient western blot device
Organization: Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Summary Automation and acceleration of membrane blotting assay. Western blot immuno assay analysis is generally used to detect a protein of interest (an Antigen) in a biological sample (that may include, for example, a mixture of any number of proteins), while providing information about the size and amount of the protein of interest. Western blot (and other similar membrane dependent assay such as northern and southern blot) is a common assay used in almost any biological research, yet it is repetitive, time consuming, and prone to human ...
Rapid Bio-Molecules Detection by Adjacent Impedance Probing (AIP) Techniques
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Researchers at the University of California have developed an inexpensive electronic detection techniques for DNA, proteins, and other biomolecules. This electronic detection scheme is based on our novel Adjacent Impedance Probing (AIP) technique. In this novel method, the DNA hybridization site is employed for the bio-recognition event (this site does not necessarily need an underlying conductor surface) and a bare adjacent conductor electrode is employed for generating the largest possible impedance change through the deposition of an ...
Algorithm for MSI Analysis by Semi-Supervised Segmentation (AMASS)
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
UC San Diego researchers have developed a novel method, AMASS (Algorithm for MSI Analysis by Semi-Supervised Segmentation), which allows segmentation of mass spectrometry imaging datasets into regions with similar molecular signatures. AMASS relies on the discriminating power of a molecular signal instead of its intensity as a key feature. It also uses an internal consistency measure for validation, and allows significant user interaction and supervision as options. AMASS represents a new approach that enhances the discovery of peptide ...
Multidentate Pyrone-Derived Chelators for Medicinal Imaging Contrast Agents
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
UC San Diego scientists have discovered chelating ligands and metal chelates that are useful in both diagnostic and therapeutic applications. It is anticipated that the agents could be used as iron chelation therapy in iron overload conditions or as gadolinium chelates for MRI contrast agents. The metal chelates are water-soluble paramagnetic chelates containing a metal ion complexed with one or more ligands. These have potential as contrast agents in medical imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The metal chelates ...
Dynamic Scaffolds To Promote Cell Differentiation
Organization: University of California, Merced (UC Merced)
Researchers at the University of California, Merced (UCM) have developed a dynamic scaffold for stem cells that changes its volume in response to exposure to an electromagnetic radiation that doesn't harm the cells. By regulating this exposure, it is possible to precisely control the magnitude, rate, and frequency of expansion/contraction cycles in the scaffold polymers, and consequently control the forces on the cells due to these changes in scaffold geometry.
A Novel Method for Predicting Drug-Target Interactions and Its Uses for Drug Repositioning
Organization: Georgetown University
Method Of Quantification For Cognitive Recall
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA Researchers invented a novel method of creating a graduated scale of difficulty based upon correlating user's response with specifics about the stimulus being offered. Instead of getting the response right or not right (binary scale), they may be able to get the response 70% right. This quantification of memory is computed using combined input signals such as the associated time, and historical, empirical or demographical data relating to the user.
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Researchers in the School of Engineering at The University of California, San Diego, have invented a novel laser trapping technique for manipulating, analyzing and parallel sorting of self-propelled cells (sperm, algae, bacteria) based on mobility and biotropism. A unique optical design is used to create a tunable 3-D annular trap (tens to hundreds of microns in diameter) with high-power efficiency and constant numerical aperture. The laser trap only provides optical confinement in the radial direction. The design is different than the ...
Extracorporeal Testing of Vascular Biomaterials
Organization: University of California, Riverside (UCR)
Vascular biomaterial testing is segmented into in vitro and in vivo testing. Although these testing methods are used in conjunction with each other, they are not necessarily the most efficient way of testing vascular biomaterials. In vitro testing does not subject the biomaterial to similar physiological stresses as imposed by the human body. In addition, In vivo testing does not allow researchers to easily control or observe the physiological reactions the vascular biomaterial is subjected. ...
Flexible Wall Reactor With Peristaltic Stomach Function
Organization: University of California, Davis (UC Davis)
Researchers at the University of California, Davis have developed a novel device for studying human gastric digestion. The HGS is designed in such a way as to simulate the continuous peristaltic movement of stomach walls, with similar amplitude and frequency of contraction forces as reported in vivo. In addition, the HGS creates fluid dynamics, incorporates gastric secretion and emptying systems, and offers temperature control for accurate simulation of the dynamic digestion process. These features can provide strong insight on how a human ...
Domain Specific Antagonistic Antibodies to Human uPAR/CD87
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Background Urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR)-mediated signaling is associated with invasion, survival and metastasis of tumor cells, including those from primary breast and lung cancers. uPAR activation also facilitates other cellular processes related to the spread of cancer, including angiogenesis, tissue remodeling, and cell adhesion. Therefore, it is believed that interruption of the uPAR signaling pathway will be of therapeutic benefit in a variety of cancers. uPAR-mediated signaling is dependent on the binding of ...
Biomarker for Lung and Inflammatory Diseases
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, and their collaborators have discovered that patients with interstitial lung and intestinal inflammatory diseases, for example, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, possess elevated levels of a specific chemokine known as CXCL17. CXCL17 is a mucosal chemokine, expressed mainly in the lung airways and digestive system on the epithelial layer. Further, due to the inherent solubility properties of CXCL17, this extracellular protein can be readily measured in bodily fluids by Enzyme ...
Pluripotent Human Adipose Adult Stem Cells: Isolation, Characterization And Clinical Implications
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers at the UCLA School of Medicine have recently discovered a new population of human pluripotent adult stem cells (pluripotent adipose stem cells, PASCs) isolated from lipoaspirate material by using a novel methodology, without the need of extrinsically-induced differentiation genes, and without further need of multiple purification steps (e.g. cell sorting, magnetic beads, etc). Similar to ESCs and iPSC, PASCs grow in suspension forming cell spheres, express the classical the pluripotent stem cell markers (SSEA3, Nanog, ...
Improved Elecrophoresis Method for Separation of Macromolecules
Organization: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Versatile Riboswitch-based Microfluidic Device For Disposable Point-of Care Diagnostics
Organization: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Transgenic Mouse Model for Screening Analgesic Agents
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
A model for peripheral nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain in an animal expresses the alpha-2-delta-l subunit of a voltage gated calcium channel in neuronal tissue in an amount sufficient to produce non-injurious tactile allodynia and/or thermal hyperalgesia, while retaining normal pain reaction to inflammatory pain (as compared to a control animal). Typically, the alpha-2-delta-l subunit is expressed in the hippocampus, the cortex, the spinal cord, and the dorsal root ganglion, and is substantially not expressed in the heart, skeletal ...
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
The invention is on new polymeric biomaterials. The new biomaterials were created by chemical synthesis with carbohydrates and amino acids as building blocks. The biopolymers have a specific alternating structure between carbohydrate and peptide units.
Organization: University of California, Davis (UC Davis)
UC Davis researchers from the NSF Center for Biophotonics and UC Davis Health System have developed a method of identifying and sorting cardiomyocytes derived from human pluripotent stem cells. This method, based on second harmonic generation (SHG) - a nonlinear optical technique, does not require genetic modification of the cell or any exogenous labels to be used, which makes this an attractive technique for obtaining pure populations of cardiomyocytes under xeno- and vector- free conditions most appropriate for clinical and ...
Organization: University of California, Davis (UC Davis)
Sialic acids are a family of monosaccharides that are commonly found as terminal residues on cell surface glycoproteins/glycolipids of higher animals. They have a vital role in cellular communication and recognition. To a much lesser degree, they are also found in microorganisms and their presence is often linked with pathogenicity. To study the importance of various sialic acid forms in nature, an efficient synthetic approach is required to obtain a library of sialyl Lewis x and other sialosides containing different sialic acid forms. ...
Micro-patterned Photoliable Surfaces for Capture and Light Triggered Release of Cells
Organization: University of California, Davis (UC Davis)
The researchers at UC Davis have developed a novel method for micropatterning surfaces with photoliabile protein to capture and release of cells, triggered by UV light. In this approach, surfaces were modified using a mixture of amine- and acrylate-terminated methoxysilanes and then micropatterned using poly (ethylene glycol)(PEG) photolithography. There surface were further functionalized with photolabile linker containing photosensitive o-nitrobenzyl group. Finally, the surfaces were functionalized with specific antibodies. This multi-step ...
New use for Sorafenib to Enhance the Efficacy of Chemotherapeutic Agents
Organization: University of California, Davis (UC Davis)
There are few effective therapeutic options for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Conventional chemotherapeutic agents are ineffective since these tumors are resistant to DNA damage, likely due to an exuberant DNA repair response. Sorafenib is currently used in clinics to treat advanced RCC as well as unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma however, there are severe, although rare, adverse events associated with this drug such as cardiac ischemia, left ventricular dysfunction, neutropenia and hypertension. Thus, there is an unmet need to ...
Novel Small Molecule Biomarker For Detection Of Breast Cancer and its Risk
Organization: University of California, Davis (UC Davis)
Estrogens are implicated in the development of many cancers, such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer. There is a clear association between cumulative exposure of exogenous and indigenous estrogens and the risk of breast cancer. Currently, there are three major pathways that have been proposed for estrogen induced carcinogenicity. The mutations resulting from these pathways could lead to transformation and initiation of cancer. Researchers at UC Davis have discovered a novel pathway for estrogen ...
Cloning of the Murine DNAse II Gene
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers at the University of California have cloned a gene for a murine endonuclease, DNase II, that preferentially cleaves DNA in the G-rich pentamers found at or adjacent to most analyzed switch rearrangement DNA breakpoints, as well as in other places in the genome.
Organization: University of California, Davis (UC Davis)
Micropatterning devices are invaluable tools in: DNA applications, Lab on a Chip applications, and protein microarray applications. However, there are improvements that can be made in low throughput patterning and reagent crosstalk and contamination. In addition, currently micropatterning is a time-consuming serial process, with low repeatability and reproducibility. Researchers at University of California, Davis have addressed these limitations, while additionally designing a lower cost device. By using a dot matrix ...
Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 1b Cell Cultures
Organization: University of California, Merced (UC Merced)
Researchers at the University of California, Merced (UCM) have stably transfected immortalized human cells with a CG1b construct that can release infectious HCV of genotype 1b into the cell culture media. The UCM researchers demonstrated the infectivity of this media using Huh7 and Huh7.5 cells (figure 1). FIGURE 1—Infectivity of the CG1b media of this invention containing HCV genotype 1b and of a JFH1 media containing HCV genotype 2a.
RNA-based, Amplification-free, Microbial Identification using Nano-Enabled Electronic Detection
Organization: University of California, Davis (UC Davis)
Rapid, efficient, and low cost detection and identification of microorganisms including pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and fungi is a challenge facing plant and animal health. Current technologies such as Q-PCR rely on multiple assays and amplification methods to identify bacteria and viruses. Traditional optical detection methods also require fluorescent markers. These multiple independent steps and tests increase the processing time and cost for detection and identification. Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have developed ...
Treatment For Circadian Performance Deficits By Upmodulation Of Central Glutamate Receptors
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, have tested certain compounds on rats that were subjected to maze tests during their normal sleep periods. The application of the drug caused a significant increase in the speed with which the animals completed the test.
Light-Scattering Techniques to Determine Stem Cell Fates
Organization: University of California, Merced (UC Merced)
University of California, Merced (UCM) researchers have invented an improved assay of stem cell fates based on forward light scattering/diffraction images of the cells. This UCM system takes advantage of phenotype-dependent optical effects associated with cell morphology, dielectric parameters, and other cell properties affecting interactions with an incident laser light beam. Using appropriate methods for rapidly generating and capturing images, one can compare the results to a reference image database to quickly determine the degree of ...
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, have created a model of brain aging in cultured brain slices. These slices provide an in vitro model for the following: the study of brain aging; an assay for anti-brain aging drugs; and therapeutics directed at the clinical condition referred to ceroid-lipofuscinosis.
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, have developed a method for the computational optimization of DNA sequences that encode their own correct self-assembly. Scores of short overlapping synthetic oligonucleotides are designed to hybridize correctly with great efficiency at a high temperature, while all competing nonproductive hybridization events are identified and disfavored. Sequence properties are optimized using a formal heuristic search. Long strings of mixed coding, regulatory, and intergenic regions may be hybridized ...
Ultrathin Nanoporous Silicon Nitride Membranes for Separations and Biotechnology
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have developed ultrathin membranes made from silicon nitride and other inorganic compounds, which contain nanopores of controllable diameter, geometry and chemical functionality of the pore walls. Ultrathin character and tunable porosity of our membranes makes them an ideal candidate for high-resolution transmission electron microscopy supports. The membranes can be used in temperatures >1000 °C and at harsh chemical conditions. Mass flux through these membranes exceeds by three orders ...
Organization: University of California, Davis (UC Davis)
Cell cultures can be an effective and efficient model for drug discovery, but there is a need for culture-based methods to assess drug effects on a cellular system as a surrogate for a complex tissue. Researchers at the University of California, Davis have invented a method for analyzing the volatile and non-volatile biomarker profile(s) released from cell line cultures in situ in order to link changes in biomarkers to alterations of certain metabolic pathways. In more advanced versions, cell line mixtures (co-cultures) can be created that ...
Low Cost Portable Diagnostic Biomolecular Detection Platform
Organization: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Cancer is thought to be caused by DNA mutation from exposure to DNA-damaging agents such as ionizing radiation, ultraviolet light, carcinogens, and free radicals, and by certain viral infections. Although cells successfully repair the majority of DNA damage, accumulation of uncured or miscured DNA damage at critical places within the genome may lead to the development of cancer. Thus, cancer susceptibility depends on the balance between DNA damage and corresponding cellular responses in a given individual. In fact, poor DNA damage response in ...
Luminescent Proteins For Biological Oxygen Sensing And Photodynamic Therapy
Organization: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Myeloperoxidase-Deficient Mouse
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
To study the role of MPO in the host defense and disease pathology, UCLA scientists have developed a strain of MPO-deficient mice. During an inflammatory response, phagocytic cells release MPO as a mechanism of defense. Studies have shown that MPO-deficient cells are more susceptible to disease. It is the oxidative properties generated by the enzyme that are effective in damaging proteins, lipids and DNA from a variety of pathogens. However, this process indiscriminately causes the destruction of the very tissue it aims to maintain. Thus, ...
Production Of Silver Dendrites As Sers Substrates
Organization: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
A Method To Measure The Activation State Of Signaling Pathways In Cells
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
The invention is a method of detecting protein activity in a cell, portion of a cell, or group of cells. The method comprises the steps of introducing into the cell reporter molecules which identify one or a plurality of protein activities. The reporter molecules are released from the cell, and exposed to a sensor which senses reporter molecules of one or a plurality of protein activities. The invention is further defined as a method of producing a description of the protein activity of a cell, portion of a cell, or cells in response to an ...
Reaction of Purines with Elemental Fluorine to Generate 8-fluoropurines
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
For the first time a simple synthetic method to produce 8-fluoropurines has been developed at UCLA. Although there has been successful halogenation of the 8-position of purines with bromine, chlorine and iodine, electrophilic flourination of purines with elemental flourine are not known. As a result, access to 8- fluoropurines have been limited and very little is known about their biochemical and pharmacological properties. The advantages of UCLAs method are its simplicity and wider applicability. In general, fluorinated purines may find ...
Synthetic Surfaces For Defined Human Cell Culture
Organization: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have developed an RF coil with integrated collimators. This combination coil has a greater internal volume and an object of interest, such as a small animal, may be placed within the coil for MRI and SPECT imaging. In addition, the RF coil and collimator may be rotated allowing for a greater number of views that increases the resolution. This new coil also allows for simultaneous or sequential MRI and SPECT images to be taken.
Electrophysiological Cell Cytometry And Sorting
Organization: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Integrated Microfluidic Universal Sample Preparation And Preconcentration (Usp) Module
Organization: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Complete Centrifugal, Microfluidic, Sample-to-Answer Device for Nucleic Acid-Based Diagnostics
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Organization: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Two-color Fluorescent Reporter for Alternative Pre-mRNA Splicing
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers at UCLA have developed a reporter assay for use in the detection of compounds that modulate alternative splicing. This novel and robust two-color fluorescent system provides a means to distinguish between general changes in splicing, such as efficiency, accuracy and transcription/translation abnormalities, and a particular alternative splicing event.
Ultrasensitive Surface Plasmon Biosensing
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Researchers in UCI’s Chemistry Department have developed a novel detection method that utilizes a combination of gold nanoparticles and surface plasmon coupled gold gratings to create an ultra sensitive surface bioaffinity sensor. By combining the opticaloptical properties of gold nanoparticles that are adsorbed onto the grating surface in the presence of a biomolecule target and the optical properties of planar surface Plasmon polaritons generated on micron-scale gold gratings they have achieved enhanced sensitivity that is over 100 ...
Live imaging of corneal lymphatic vessels
Organization: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Proton-sensing G Protein-coupled Receptor 4 Knockout
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Utilizing homologous recombination, UCLA researchers successfully developed a GPR4 -/- mouse line. GPR4 null mice had abnormalities in the formation and organization of blood vessels. Further testing revealed the loss of GPR4 alters the response of blood vessel growth at acidic pH. Additional abnormalities were seen in the lung and kidney. The GPR4 knockout mouse can be utilized to develop and test therapeutic compounds that modulate this receptor, and to test therapeutics intended to regulate blood vessel growth and function under acidic ...
Stencil Patterning Method For Generating Highly Uniform Stem Cell Colonies
Organization: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Centrifugal Microfluidic Platform with Modular Components
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Microfluidic Device for Mitochondrial Membrane Potential Measurement
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
The mitochondrial membrane potential is used to generate and regulate energy in living systems, driving the conversion of ADP to ATP, regulating ion homeostasis and controlling apoptosis, all central to human health and disease. Therefore, there is a need for tools to study its regulation in a controlled environment for potential clinical and scientific research applications. To date, to measure mitochondrial membrane potential, researchers and technicians must use fluorescent probes or electrochemical methods such as patch clamping ...
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
The invention provides a novel way to determine the variables and the specific state of each variable that altogether exert a desirable and optimal effect on a system, such as a population of cells, without having to investigate the details of the internal process of this system (e.g., how each variable affects cellular behavior). This approach, therefore, obviates the need to run a large number of tests, thereby reducing the amount of time and resources required for this goal. Specifically, the physical device that embodies the inventive ...
A High-Throughput Platform To Investigate Angiogenesis In Perfused Human Capillaries
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
The challenge to create an in-vitro perfused human capillary bed represents a completely new paradigm in the creation of 3-D tissues. By definition, a 3-D tissue requires enhanced transport of nutrients and waste relative to 2-D monolayer cultures. Current approaches to create such an environment have employed three primary approaches: 1) enhanced concentration gradients of nutrients and waste while relying on molecular diffusion (Brownian motion) as the mode of transport, 2) the creation of microchannels in the tissue to enhance advection ...
Microfluidic Platforms For Malaria Detection
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Among current approaches in malaria diagnoses, those based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) provide the highest sensitivity at 0.004 to 5 parasites per ul of blood. However, the most common PCR instruments are not portable and, therefore, inaccessible in most rural regions. Giemsa-stained thick and thin blood films are the most sensitive and specific methods available besides PCR. It exhibits sensitivities between 5 to 20 parasites per ul of blood (0.0001% parasitaemia). However, it requires a carefully prepared sample examined by a ...
A Novel System For Measuring Protease Activity
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
The present invention provides a novel way to detect virtually any protease activity in cell cultures and in whole organisms. It can be used to screen for drugs or genes modulating a specific proteolytic activity. The system is based on DNA constructs, such as plasmids. It uses modular components, which makes it highly flexible. The system can be designed to detect any protease of interest. The DNA expression system can be delivered to cultured cells or used to generate transgenic organisms such as mice or zebrafish. Protease activity is ...
Device and Method for Stutter Diagnosis
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Currently, to assess a patient’s stutter, the patient visits a speech-language pathologist (SLP). The methods to evaluate a patient’s stutter vary from one SLP to another SLP. Therefore there is no one method to objectively diagnose a patient’s stutter; and the expert rating of stuttering is both time consuming and relies on a SLP to diagnose stuttering. Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have developed a device and associated software to process and analyze a voice and a score is given on the severity of ...
Intelligent Nanomedicine Integrating Diagnosis and Therapy
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA researchers have invented an intelligent nanomedicine that is only activated in sick cells due to its dual integration of diagnostic and therapeutic functions. The diagnosis is continuously performed through the recognition of biomarkers for a specific disease. The nanomedicine changes its confirmation when the diagnostic result changes, either activating or deactivating the drug. Thus, the nanomedicine can intelligently adjust its dosage according to the amount of biomarker present.
Method to Extract Biomarkers from Nail Clippings
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Components for Improved Loading of Cells into Microfluidic Devices
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
The ability to consistently and continuously load cells into channels of microfluidic devices is critical for proper operation of the device along with proper detection and analysis of these cells. Unwanted settling and non-specified adhesion of cells onto various surfaces can significantly impact the effective transport of cells into the device for analysis. This settling of cells also results in the clumping of cells which effects the electrical detection of cells significantly as clumps of cells present very different electrical profiles ...
Method For High Level Production Of Recombinant Protein
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
Scientists at the UC San Diego have designed a recombinant protein expression system that delivers significantly higher yields than previously reported systems and includes an easy means of purification. It allows the production of a variety of proteins and peptides with authentic N termini for a range of downstream applications. Higher yields are obtained by redesigned protein core amino acids because of reduced toxicity and proteolysis due to the "tuned" stability of the ubiquitin fusion. They are expressed in inclusion bodies that enable ...
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Currently, “active” devices are used to generate droplets fused from different inlets. The droplet generation rates need to be matched and their paths to the droplet fusion region need to be synchronized. This requires active detection mechanisms and the holding of droplets of interest indefinitely through the use of electrodes in order to synchronize the fusion of droplets. This active detection and synchronization requires electrical current which may not be suitable for biological assays and the preparation of biological ...
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Microfluidic Device Using Dielectrophoresis Separation of Heterogeneous Cell Populations
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Large-Volume Centrifugal Microfluidic Device for Blood Plasma Separation
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Microfluidic Device for Cell Separation Using Dielectrophoresis and/or Magnetohydrodynamics
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
The device comprises of a main channel with two side walls and a bottom surface. A plurality of vertically-oriented electrodes is disposed on the first wall and on the second wall opposite to the first wall. As cells flow down the channel containing the two side walls, the electrodes are used to generate DEP and MHD forces vertical to the main stream of the flow. Different cell populations will be subjected to different forces from the opposing electrode arrays affecting the separation of different cell populations and thus resulting in ...
Controllable Method to Fabricate Carborn Nanowires for Use as Biological and Chemical Sensors
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
A Bioreactor To Quantify Headspace of Volatile Organic Gases From Cells In Culture
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
It is known that useful information may be obtained using human exhaled breath biomarkers relevant to diseases ranging from cystic fibrosis and asthma to diabetes. Despite considerable efforts to understand the underlying cellular sources and determinants of exhaled compounds, knowledge of the underlying chemical and biochemical processes of exhaled gases remains limited in many cases. For example, cells may be collected and the headspace above the cells may be analyzed for gaseous products. However, the identification of gases in the ...
Polymer Based High Surface Area Multi-Layered Three-Dimensional Structures
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
High surface area structures are utilized for variety of purposes such as increasing the rate of chemical and electrochemical reactions and enhancing the sensitivity of biosensors.High surface areas provide abundant places where absorption or reactions of interest can take place thereby increasing the reaction rate.Typical conductive high surface area structures sometimes involve carbon powders and nanotubes.While the use of micro-sized and nano-sized particles provides large surface areas, such an approach carries a significant ...
Optimized Matrix Based Virus-like Particle Entry And Budding Assay For Highly Pathogenic Viruses
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers at UCLA have developed a matrix based virus-like particle entry and budding assay that overcomes the limitations of surrogate assays and offers significant advantages, namely: extreme sensitivity, adaptability to other viruses with matrix determinants, and immediate entry detection without the requirement for reporter gene transcription/translations. The optimized entry and budding assay is based on a β-lactamase-Nipah matrix fusion protein which is able to bud and form virus-like particles that morphologically resemble ...
Generation Of Choroid Plexus Epithelial Cells From Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Choroid plexus epithelial (CPe) cells are a relatively understudied cell type in the nervous system with untapped clinical potential. These cells are the primary cells comprising the choroid plexus, the tissue that produces the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that bathes and nourishes the human brain. The CPe cells also form a physical barrier (“blood-CSF barrier”) and has important adsorptive functions that protect the brain from toxins. Atrophy and other defects in CPe cells have been implicated in human neurodegenerative diseases, ...
Magnetic Recovery Method Of Magnetically Responsive High-Aspect Ratio Photoresist Microstructures
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
A distinct advantage of the micropallet array is to be able to identify and recover viable single adherent cells from a heterogeneous mixture of cells. The unique geometry and characteristics of the micropallet array impose constraints on the use of ECM coatings. Such coatings are likely to be required for application of this technology to primary cells or cell lines with restricted growth conditions. Thus, specific issues surrounding the application of ECM components must be addressed, specifically the uniformity and stability of adhered ECM ...
Engineered Antibody-Quantum Dot Conjugates (immunoqdots) For Cancer Marker Detection
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers at UCLA have modified quantum dots with tumor-specific engineered antibody fragments for in vitro and in vivo imaging of antigen surface markers on tumor cells.
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
The superelastic polymer ink formulation enables continuous electrospinning at a voltage of 200V, nearly an order of magnitude lower than conventional near-field electrospinning. At such low voltages, perturbations in the deposition pattern due to bending instabilities are reduced, thereby increasing control of the resulting polymer jet and resulting nanofiber. These qualities allowed for improved precision over the patterning capability of the nanofibers.
New Microwell Plate Configurations to Increase Microwell Density
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
New Light Emission Detection Method Enables High Resolution Optical Imaging of Biological Tissue.
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Biological tissue is by nature a turbid media, with optical properties characterized by a strong multiple scattering and inhomogeneity of the refractive index. As a result, most of the excitation light focused inside the turbid media is scattered before reaching the focal area, limiting imaging depth. Conventionally, fluorescence photon excitation and fluorescence detection are performed using the same microscope objective. However, this is an inefficient process due to the objective’s narrow light acceptance angle and limited sample ...
Improved Bioluminescence Tomography
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Predictive Markers Of Response to Dasatinib in Human Colon Cancer
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Investigators at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine have identified predictive markers that can identify human colon cancer cell lines that are likely to respond to dasatinib or to other similar kinase inhibitors. A group of genes have been identified whose expression is higher in cell lines that are sensitive to dasatinib than in those who are resistant.
An Endoscopic Long Range Fourier Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (Lr-Fd-Oct)
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
There are approximately 20-40 million people in the United States with sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea has been recognized as a very common disorder and an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by repetitive interruptions of breathing during sleep due to the collapse of the upper airway. Sleep apnea can lead to severe health complications including hypertension, heart failure, memory impairment, motor vehicle and work accidents, decreased work productivity, and increased risk of death. The ...
Method of Producing Novel Unmarked Recombinant Vaccine Vector for Tuberculosis
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Investigators at UCLA have identified a method of producing unmarked, live recombinant vaccine vectors that provide high expression of recombinant proteins from genes stably integrated into the chromosome.
Wireless Monitoring Device Screens Infants, Determines Risk Of Neurological Disorder Development
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Methods for Multiplex Digital PCR
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
A new, optimized microfluidic channel design for maximized cell separation has been developed at UCLA. The device utilizes small metal particles to concentrate magnetic fields, routing the media through a simplified setup that can efficiently separate cells using magnetic beads. The force exerted on the magnetic beads flowing through the new design with the metal particles was markedly increased than a conventional magnet-only setup. The large magnetic field gradient generated from the new design translates into an enhanced magnetic force ...
Device for Strain Modulation of Local Micromechanics in an Extracellular Matrix
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Studying cells in 3-dimensional cell culture allows the researcher to better recapitulate the physiological environment. Furthermore this device adds prestress to the 3-D matrix which alters both the ECM and the cells response to it as it occurs naturally in vivo. The current prototype holds a 35mm glass-bottom Petri dish on a custom-designed stage insert. This serves as an anchoring point for a cantilever arm housing a leadscrew, spring plunger assembly, lever arm, and a rotating post. The position of the cantilever arm and post is variable ...
Fiber-based Probe Enables High Resolution CARS Imaging of Biological Tissues <i>in vivo</i>
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Nonlinear optical microscopy includes the techniques of two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF), second harmonic generation (SHG) and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy. This imaging approach as gained enormous popularity in biomedical imaging of tissues in vivo, because it provides high resolution images at fast imaging acquisition rates. While the potential of nonlinear microscopy for in vivo imaging is high, a suitable fiber-delivered probe that enables CARS imaging in addition to SHG and TPEF imaging is currently ...
Phasor Approach to Fluorescence Microscopy Evaluates Cell Metabolism <i>in vivo</i>
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
In the past, immunostaining and metabolic assays were used to analyze cell metabolism. However, these methods are time consuming, invasive, and ultimately render the cells unviable.To address these issues, non-invasive optical techniques have been developed recently that utilize multi-photon microscopy, taking advantage of the intrinsic auto-fluorescence of cells and tissues. In Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM), living tissue is excited by two-photon microscopy and the subsequent auto-fluorescence is detected and monitored over ...
Identifying individuals at high risk for multiple sclerosis
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system characterized by localized myelin destruction and axonal loss. The disease is the most common cause of nontraumatic neurological dysfunction in the developed world, affecting more than 500,000 people. In most patients, MS is initially characterized by recurrent relapses followed by progressive deterioration and the accumulation of physical and cognitive disability, thus resulting in great personal and economical losses. Most ...
Inducible Dominant Negative Disc1 Transgenic Mice as a Model for Schizophrenia
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles have developed inducible dominant negative transgenic mice strains expressing different mutant DISC1 proteins. These mutations are thought to abolish the formation of normal DISC1 complexes by competing with endogenous DISC1 for available binding sites on target proteins. Researchers have found that the disruption of DISC1 protein during development produces deficits in sociability, latent inhibition and spatial working memory tasks in adult animals, thus effectively modeling the ...
MOUSE MODEL OF HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Researchers at the University of California have developed a mouse model of HCC that will be useful in the design of new therapeutics for the treatment of liver cancer. Overexpression of the human Met receptor tyrosine kinase in hepatocytes (known to occur in human HCC) results in the formation of HCC in the transgenic mice. This HCC model develops hyperplasia with multiple characteristics of human HCC precursors and leads to the development of the trabeculae typical of advanced HCC. The incidence of HCC was 60% by one year of age. ...
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
This approach abandons the classical "overlap - layout - consensus" approach in favor of a new graph approach that, for the first time, resolves the problem of repeats in fragment assembly. The graph approach, in contrast to the Celera assembler, does not mask repeats but uses them instead as a powerful fragment assembly tool. The software also works with 454 contigs. For general information about the EULER project see Pevzner, et al, PNAS, 98, 2001 and http://nbcr.sdsc.edu/euler/. Site License.
METHOD FOR EXTENSION OF READ LENGTHS FOR ULTRA HIGH-THROUGHPUT SEQUENCING
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a fast, targeted approach to fluorescent nerve labeling that addresses all the disadvantages of current techniques. A targeting element, specific for neuronal tissue, eliminates dye accumulation in adjacent structures. Visualization of peripheral nerves occurs within a short time frame and improved accumulation of the imaging agent is obtained along the axonal tract of the nerve.
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
A Liver Failure Pig Model for Bioartificial Liver Studies
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers at UCLA have developed a consistently reproducible pig model for FHF by using special techniques that ensure complete, reproducible, and reversible occlusion of the liver. In addition, they can verify that occlusion does take place using standard, non-invasive, imaging techniques. This verification step is critical since it ensures that a device being tested for its hepatic function is indeed functioning and positive hepatic function is not attributed to incomplete occlusion.
Gene Therapy by Small Fragment Homologous Replacement
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
BACKGROUND: Current methods of gene delivery used in gene therapy have several drawbacks. For example, the use of viral vectors is associated with activation of the immune response which can reduce the efficiency of gene delivery to the target cell and can cause serious complications or death of the patient. In addition, non-specific insertion of functional genes can result in random or inappropriate expression of the target protein, and can disrupt the expression of important tumor suppressor genes, with toxic or tumorigenic results. ...
Method for Fast Atomic Density Evaluation
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
University researchers have invented a powerful method for the molecular modeling of proteins. This invention can rapidly calculate the distribution of atomic neighbors. A primary advantage of this atomic density method is its computational efficiency, especially over previous generation method that use Fast Fourier Transforms. Software based on this algorithm ...
Methods for Enhancing the Production of Viral Vaccines in Cell Culture
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
BACKGROUND: Mammalian cells are often used in the production of live attenuated and inactivated viruses that are used as vaccines. Vaccine manufacturers looking to reduce costs generally desire producer cell lines that allow for production of high viral titers. However, some mammalian cells have natural endogenous mechanisms that can restrict the level of virus production. DESCRIPTION: UCSF investigators have developed the methods to significantly enhance the viral yield of infected cell cultures. These methods rely on the inhibition of ...
Nanometer-Scale Optical Imaging By The Modulation Tracking (Mt) Method
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
GenePalette: Software For Genome Sequence Navigation And Analysis
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
GenePalette is a powerful cross-platform and cross-species bioinformatics tool for genome sequence visualization and navigation. Written in Java, this program allows users on Mac, PC, or UNIX platforms to access genome sequence data quickly and easily through a unified interface. Users can download from NCBI's GenBank database large or small segments of genome sequence from a variety of organisms (e.g., yeast, human, fly, worm, mouse, plants), preserving the gene annotation that is associated with that sequence. Sequence ...
NOVEL ANTIGEN TARGETS IN PROSTATE CANCER PATIENTS USEFUL FOR VACCINE DEVELOPMENT AND TREATMENT
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
BACKGROUND: Vaccine targets for prostate cancer have generally been identified either by tissue specific expression in prostate cancer or by assessing immune responses in cancer patients. However, UCSF investigators have taken a novel approach to identify the targets of an immune response in patients who are either responding or not responding to an immune-based treatment (anti-CTLA4 antibody) in a clinical trial at UCSF. CTLA4 blockade with antibody treatment can augment endogenous anti-tumor immunity in animal models and is being developed ...
CARIN: CAries Research INstrument Software Package
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Computers are now pervasive in dentistry practices, commonly used for disparate tasks including patient charting, monitoring, education, and appointment scheduling. Practicing dentists have many options available to them for integrating many of these tasks in one package, such as Dentrix, Easy Dental, SoftDent, and PracticeWorks. These practice management software packages often include modules to help schedule appointments, bill patients, track employee hours, plan treatments, and integrate with tools for digital radiography and cosmetic ...
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Highly Specific Antibody to Human MT-SP1 (Matriptase)
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Background Membrane type serine protease 1 (MT-SP1), or matriptase, is a serine protease that is over-expressed on the surface of epithelial cells involved in a variety of cancers, including breast, colon and prostate. MT-SP1 activates hepatocytes growth factor (HGF) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) through which it directs extracellular matrix remodeling, angiogenesis and invasive growth of tumors. Due to its central role in the oncogenic and metastatic process, it is believed that inhibition of MT-SP1 will ...
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Method for Counter-Centrifugal Liquid Transfer on a CD Platform
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Centrifugal Microfluidic System With Continuous Flow Reciprocation
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Single Use Disposable Bladder Camera
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
POTENT DOMINANT NEGATIVE TRANSCRIPTIONAL INHIBITORS
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Nanoelectronic Circuits For Mechanistic Protein Studies And Drug Discovery
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
A robust method for non-covalently linking single biomolecules to an electrical circuit and reading biomolecular dynamics has been developed. This novel implementation utilizes carbon nanotubes and results in a very generalizable, high yield approach with an improved signal to noise ratio. This system also provides for a higher information content and more straightforward analysis than current approaches.
Stable Human Embryonic Kidney 293 Cells Expressing Rpn11-Htbh
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Adaptable Wettability-Enabled Surfaces Ordered On Molded Etched Substrates
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
A variety of small animal imaging systems allows longitudinal imaging of cancer mouse models and thus the monitoring of natural or perturbed evolution of the processes in vivo in such mouse models. Meanwhile, optical imaging in absorption, fluorescence and bioluminescence mode has opened a new era in whole body small animal imaging. However, the main limitation has been the low resolution and quantitative accuracy of the images due to the highly scattering nature of tissue.To address this problem, PMI images are captured using the unique ...
HUMAN PROSTATIC EPITHELIAL CELL LINES
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
UCSF investigators have developed several immortalized and malignant adult human prostatic epithelial cell lines. They first immortalized primary epithelial cells from human prostate with SV40 large T antigen. This parental cell line BPH-1 has been extensively characterized and provides a model for addressing fundamental questions related to the role of growth factors in the proliferation and initiation of key developmental events in human prostate epithelium.Our investigators subsequently converted those non-tumorogenic immortalized BPH-1 ...
A NEW MOUSE MODEL FOR THE STUDY OF OBESITY
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Simpler, Faster System For Routine DNA Sequencing
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA researchers have developed a DNA sequencing method that makes use of small format (8cm x 11cm) gel electrophoresis systems with virtually no loss of performance characteristics. Primary benefits of this system are in savings of time and labor. For example, estimates are that the time from beginning a sequencing experiment to having DNA sequence data entered on a computer can be reduced from a minimum of 16-24 hours to less than 6 hours. Small format gels are especially useful in reducing time and labor required in the preparation of ...
A NOVEL CANDIDA ALBICANS LIBRARY
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
RECOMBINANT HUMAN PROTEIN THAT PROMOTES NEURITE GROWTH IN VITRO
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
UCSF researchers have produced a recombinant chimeric human protein that promotes neurite growth in vitro and that can be used as an alternative to the widely used cell adhesion molecule laminin, for cell attachment, neurite outgrowth studies, as well as other cell biology and immunology applications.The technology involves the recombinant form of a cell adhesion molecule that plays a critical role in the formation of neuronal connectivity during in vivo development. This molecule is known to regulate the formation of axon fascicles and to ...
Facile Method to Purify Retroviruses and/or to Enhance Gene Delivery
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Enveloped viruses, including retroviruses, herpes viruses, vaccinia viruses, vaccinia viruses, and influenza viruses are typically used for basic research as well as the basis for vaccines. Engineered forms of these viruses are key vectors used in clinical gene therapy. However there are many difficulties in working with these vectors since it is difficult to obtain high-titered, active stocks of these viruses.Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have developed a method to chemically modify the envelopes of viruses. This ...
A TRANSGENIC MOUSE FOR RAPID AND SENSITIVE IN VIVO TUMOR DETECTION AND EVALUATION
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
The number of murine models for human cancer has grown rapidly in recent years and there now exist mouse models for almost all tumor types. Evaluating the effect of specific molecular alterations or therapeutic interventions in these animal models requires the ability to temporally and spatially assess the tumor burden. In many cases, however, this entails sacrificing the animal thereby limiting ability to perform follow up analysis, and necessitating the use of many more experimental animals.To address these problems, UCSF investigators have ...
Carcinogenesis Model Encompassing the Range of Prostate Cancer Progression and Metastasis
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Temperature Modulated Fluorescence Tomography
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
STRAINS AND PLASMIDS FOR MAKING HOMOZYGOUS KNOCKOUTS IN C. ALBICANS
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
BACKGROUND:Candida pathogenic fungal infections has become an increasing threat to humans, particularly in immuno-compromised patients. Candida albicans accounts for >50% of fungal infections and thus is a severe concern to clinicians. The search for novel drugs has become urgent as the common Candida strains acquire multi-drug resistance to antifungals, thereby hampering successful therapy. One approach to developing new antifungal agents is to identify and target virulence genes important in the pathogenesis of C. albicans. Many ...
Adaptive Biological And Chemical Digital Assays In Microfluidic Droplets
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Droplet microfluidic systems are extremely versatile due to their ability to transport and precisely generate fluid volumes of each individual droplet.Current methods to sort droplets involve size-based sorting using “active” sorting mechanisms coupled with optical or electrical sensing mechanisms.New methods of developing more “passive” droplet sorting methods would be very useful for scientists and would reduce the expenses associated with “active” sorting techniques.Researchers at the University of ...
Cell Destruction Method to Eliminate/Remove Unwanted Subpopulations of Cells
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) is an important technique that has become the standard method to isolate subpopulations of cells.However, FACS has limited use in cases where the cells of interest do not have specific cell surface markers (e.g., isolating neuronal progenitors or astrocytic progenitors from neural stem or progenitor cells).New methods that allow for separation of cells that do not require advanced cell labeling would be an important tool for researchers.Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have ...
USE OF STREPTOCOCCUS THERMOPHILUS lacZ AS A VERSATILE REPORTER GENE FOR CANDIDA ALBICANS
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Method And System For Ultra-High Dynamic Range Nucleic Acid Quantification
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Real-time, label-free detection of nucleic acid amplification in droplets
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
DNA amplification finds tremendous applications in medicine, microbiology, and forensic science.One of the more widely used methods for detection of DNA amplification in droplets involves the use of a fluorescent probe, such as the Taqman probe.However, the use of a fluorescent marker is expensive and requires additional processing steps.A label-free method to monitor the amplification of DNA in flowing droplets would be a desirable improvement for researchers and scientists.Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have developed a ...
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers at UCLA have developed a C57Bl/6 based mouse model which lacks expression of a receptor for Type I Interferon (IFNAR). The animal lacks expression of the Type I receptor on all cells which has been shown to be the case genetically, biochemically and systemically in pathogen infection models. This is the first IFNAR KO mouse to be available on the C57Bl/6 background which is of most value to immunologists.
A MOUSE MODEL FOR AUTOIMMUNE LUPUS GLOMERULONEPHRITIS
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Coulter Counting and Particle Shape Sensing with a Single Pore Membrane
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Single nanopores have been applied as a basis for detection of single molecules, viruses, particles and cells. Complete blood count tests in hospitals utilize single-pore membranes. Currently available membranes cannot differentiate between objects of the same volume but of different shapes and also cannot determine when multiple particles or cells are in the pore thus the analysis has to be performed from diluted samples. Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have developed a device and method for detecting and characterizing ...
High Throughput Screen For Novel Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers at UCLA have developed a high throughput screen (Z factor > 0.5) to test for novel tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitors that do not target the TK active site. The assay can be used to identify compounds that inhibit both normal and oncogenic forms of TKs by blocking their activation by regulatory proteins. This assay is especially useful in the field of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment, because it can detect compounds that will inhibit the interaction of BCR-ABL1 (the oncogenic TK involved in CML) and its regulator protein ...
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
UC San Diego inventors have developed an approach for the construction of dynamic genome-scale mathematical models and their governing equations, which can be used to build and analyze dynamic models of biological networks and to predict responses to environmental and genetic perturbations.
High-Throughput Assays Using Laser to Induce Mechanotransduction in 3D and 2D Cell cultures
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Mechanotransduction, the process by which cells convert mechanical stresses to a biochemical signal, influences many cell functions including cell motility and proliferation and also modulates cell signaling events in the regulation of sensory neurons and in various molecular pathways such as the Src family of nonreceptor tyrosine kinases, ion channels, and the extracellular signal-regulated kinases. Mechanotransduction plays a role in the regulation of blood pressure and the progression of a variety of diseases such as atherosclerosis and ...
Genome-Scale Reconstruction Of Human Metabolism
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
Human genomic information (NCI Build 35) and over 50 years of legacy data were manually reconstructed to yield a global human metabolic network, which was mathematically represented as an in silico model. This was used to compute allowable network states under governing chemical and genetic constraints. The product of this endeavor (“Recon 1”) is a comprehensive reconstruction of human metabolism, which was validated by five iterative rounds of reconstruction and simulation of 288 known metabolic functions found in a variety ...
Measurement of protease activity using microfluidic cantilever arrays
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Nanofluidic Device For Single Mitochondria Analysis
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
The mitochondrial membrane potential is used to generate and regulate energy in living systems, driving the conversion of ADP to ATP, regulating ion homeostasis and controlling apoptosis, all central to human health and disease. Therefore, there is a need for tools to study its regulation in a controlled environment for potential clinical and scientific research applications. To date, to measure mitochondrial membrane potential, researchers and technicians must use fluorescent probes or electrochemical methods such as patch clamping which ...
Cell Surface Marker for Detection of Activated B Cells involved in Disease
Organization: University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, have discovered a novel marker expressed in activated B cells that can be selectively targeted, for example, using monoclonal antibody therapy.
Multipotent Amniotic Fetal Stem Cells: A Novel Source of Human Stem Cells
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
Scientists at UC San Diego have developed methods for isolating, identifying, expanding, and differentiating a novel source of epithelioid multipotent amniotic fetal stem cells with typical hES markers. The isolated stem cells have been characterized and have been shown to express typical hES-cell markers (characterized by expression of SSEA3, SSEA4, Tra1-60, Tra1-81, Tra2-54, Oct-4, CD105, and SSEA1). The technology provides a method for preparing multipotent stem cells from amniotic fluid and includes harvesting from amniotic fluid; ...
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA researchers have developed a method to generate human iPS cells from human dermal fibroblasts. Researchers were able to reprogram human somatic cells by overexpressing transcription factors in human skin fibroblasts to induce pluripotency. These cells can, just like ES cells, be differentiated into cells of all three germ layers. The method can also be used to create custom-made human embryonic stem cells from any person. For people with degenerative diseases, human iPS cells can be generated and differentiated, and then transplanted ...
Miniaturized NMR-Compatible Bioreactor and Perfusion System
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Background: Pharmaceutical toxicology studies include testing the effects of drugs on metabolic processes inside cells. Current state of the art involves extracting the contents of cells, which requires killing each cell sample and repetition of up to 100 independent experiments. Despite this inefficiency, metabolic testing and toxicology are routinely employed by pharmaceutical companies in preclinical studies of new chemical entities. Non-invasive assays of primary human cells would be faster, more efficient, and more ...
Mouse Model for Conditional Knockout of the PTEN Gene
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA Researchers have developed a mouse model in which the PTEN gene can be conditionally knocked out. This model can be applied to inhibit the expression of PTEN via crossing of mice bearing tissue or condition-specific expression of the CRE-recombinase, allowing for subsequent conditional ablation of PTEN expression.
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Background: Human stem cells provide an unprecedented opportunity for the study of human tissue development and the development of cell-based therapies for human disease. For example, research is underway to develop stem cell therapies for major conditions such as cardiac disease, cancer, and diabetes. Many of these proposed therapies involve the controlled differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into a tissue of interest (i.e. a heart muscle, or pancreatic beta-cells) that can then be transplanted into a patient. While these therapies ...
A safe and reliable device for endovascular biopsy
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Background Neurovascular diseases, which include brain aneurysms, stroke, arteriovenous malformations, intracranial atherosclerotic disease, inflammatory vasculitis, vascular tumors and others, are the number one cause of adult disability. Although recent advances in surgical and endovascular techniques have increased treatment options, the absence of safe and reliable methods to harvest neurovascular cells in vivo prohibits the discovery of the underlying genetic and pathophysiological mechanisms of these disorders. Current ...
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
This invention utilizes a novel self-compensating interferometric biosensor comprised of two layers of porous SiO 2, stacked one on top of the other. The reflectivity spectrum displays a complex interference pattern that arises from a combination of Fabry-Pérot interference from these layers. A ratio of the peak intensities in the fast Fourier transform (FFT) allows discrimination of target analyte from matrix effects arising from non-specific compositional changes in the analyte solution.
Translation Factors As Anti-aging Drug Targets
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers at UCLA have identified the molecular target of resveratrol, thereby uncovering a new drug target for anti-aging drug screening. Additionally, this target has been indirectly implicated in anti-aging research in S. cerevisiae and C. elegans, and inhibitors of this target have previously been identified. These inhibitors may be useful candidates for future anti-aging drugs.
Mouse Model for Premature Aging: Zmpste24 Knockout Mice
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA researchers have developed Zmpste24 knockout mice in order to determine the developmental and biochemical roll of Zmpste24. Zmpste24 -/- mice have retarded growth, hair loss, muscle weakness, spontaneous bone fracture, and shortened life spans. Zmpste24 deficient cells demonstrate the accumulation of wildtype farnesyl-prelamin A along the nuclear envelope, leading to misshapen nuclei. Researchers continue to utilize the Zmpste24 knockout mice to further understand the mechanism of progerias and ultimately provide treatment options for ...
Vectors for Antibody Expression
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers at UCLA have developed a large variety of vectors useful in the expression of recombinant antibodies. Different antibody variable regions can be easily introduced into these vectors for the expression of whole antibodies. Representative vectors are: Vectors pAG 4622 and pAH 4602 express V region antibodies associated with the human kappa and gamma 1 constant regions, respectively. Vectors 6307 pAH and 6525 pAN carry the genes for human IgG1 and human kappa, respectively. These vectors were designed for the ability to express ...
Knockout Mouse Lacking Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase-1 (DGAT-1) Activity; Gene Encoding DGAT-1
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Gladstone Institute and UCSF inventors cloned the DGAT-1 gene and created a knockout mouse lacking DGAT-1 activity. The DGAT-1 -/- mouse has been shown to have decreased adipocyte size, increased insulin sensitivity, and increased weight loss in response to leptin. DGAT-1 knockout mice are lean and resistant to diet-induced obesity. Knockout of DGAT-1 protects against obesity and insulin resistance in A y/a mice but not in ob/ob mice. DGAT-1 knockout mice are useful for research on metabolic disease and testing of ...
Novel, Real-Time Method for Brain Mapping
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Neurologists at the University of California, San Francisco have developed an innovative method for accurately mapping cortical brain function that can be used for real-time analysis during surgical procedures. Using simple physiological activities, such as speaking, listening, hand button pressing and tactile somatosensation, the investigators were able to accurately map cortical regions in epilepsy patients within seconds. Neural activity is recorded using probes that are routinely employed for other clinical purposes. Furthermore, an ...
Novel In Vitro Method For Chemical Irritation Testing
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Investigators at the University of California, San Francisco have developed a novel method to identify and predict the irritant potential of a compound. This technique makes use of newly discovered mechnaisms that underlie inflammation and is applicable to inflammation of both dermal irritation and airway inflammation. The novel biomarkers identified can be detected using a highly efficient screening approach, allowing large numbers of compounds to be evaluated simultaneously. Importantly, test samples may also be either ...
Novel Methods For Detecting Cancer Stem Cells And Circulating Tumor Cells In Blood
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Innovative investigators at the University of California, San Francisco have developed a novel diagnostic tool that allows circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and cancer stem cells (CSCs) to be accurately quantified in whole blood samples from patients. This new technique accurately reports the number of CTCs an CSCs via a high throughput assay which combines state-of-the--art bioengineering technology with a highly sensitive genetics-cased approach. Indeed, this technique has the capacity to significantly reduce the screening time ...
Targeted Intracellular Delivery of Nucleic Acids via Conjugation to Non-Lipid Carrier Molecules
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
An innovative, multi-disciplinary team at UCSF has developed a novel method for targeted delivery of nucleic acids, including dsRNA, long dsRNA, RNAi, miRNA, and DNA, to neuronal or gastrointestinal cells via conjugation of an unmodified nucleotide-linker to cell-specific non-lipid carrier molecules. This approach greatly improves delivery efficiency to the desired cells by enhancing uptake, reducing vehicle-mediated toxicity and protecting nucleic acids from degeneration by endonculeases. Importantly, the nucleic acids are not ...
Diagnostic Antibodies for In Vivo Visualization of Tumor Cells
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
UCSF investigators have developed novel antibodies to two human antigens that are highly expressed on tumor cells. Matriptase (MT-SP1) is a serine protease that is often upregulated in epithelial cancers including breast, colon and prostate cancers. Matriptase expression has been correlated with cancer stage and subtype. Antibody A11 is specific, fully human antibody that binds to the active form of matriptase. Animal model testing has revealed no side effects in adult control mice and has shown utility of A11 in in ...
Biological Applications of "Smart Dust," or Porous Silicon Photonic Crystals
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
UC San Diego researchers have developed a new nanotechnology platform called "smart dust" with state-of-the art applications in almost every field of use, ranging from biological sensing and screening to communications technology. The invention utilizes micron-sized particles of silicon that have been etched and then chemically modified in such a way that each individual particle has its own addressable identity. This feature allows one to use thousands of particles together, each with its own tag, for high-sensitivity chemical or ...
“Smart Dust,” or Porous Silicon Photonic Crystals
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
UC San Diego researchers have developed a new nanotechnology, smart dust, that has state-of-the-art applications in almost every field of use, including biological sensing, screening, and communications technology. The invention utilizes micron-sized particles of silicon that have been etched and then chemically modified in such a way that each individual particle has its own addressable identity. This feature allows one to use thousands of the particles together, each with its own “tag,” for high-sensitivity chemical or ...
Non-Covalent Chemical Reprogramming Of Cellular Adhesion with Membrane Anchored Nucleic Acids
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
UCSF investigators have developed a novel strategy for non-covalently labeling cell membranes with lipid-oligonucleotide conjugates that have improved performace when compared to state-of-the-art chemical adhesion molecules. They have successfully demonstrated rapid, efficient, and tunable labeling of cell surfaces with these unique conjugates: a platform methodology resulting in cells of high viability and enabling capture and adhesion to precise locations on complementary labeled surfaces such as glass substrates, or ...
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA researchers have developed a murine model in which a TCL1 transgene is overexpressed in both B and T cells. These transgenic mice develop Burkitt-like lymphoma and diffuse large B cell lymphoma at 4 months. This phenotype is accompanied by attendant Bcl-6 expression and mutated JH antibody gene segments. Interestingly, TCL1 is a more powerful initiator of B cell malignancies when compared to the low frequency of T cell malignancies with this model. This is mirrored in humans as >85% of human immune system malignancies are B cell ...
Novel Biomarkers for Autoimmune-mediated Lung Disease
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
UCSF investigators have shown that loss of immune tolerance to a lung mouse self-antigen, vomeromodulin, results in spontaneous ILD in the AIRE-deficient mouse model of autoimmunity. Importantly, researchers have identified a novel human lung autoantigen, LPLUNC1, using a highly sensitive autoantibody assay in an ILD patient with Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndrome Type 1, a multi-organ autoimmune disease caused by mutations in AIRE (Sci Transl Med, 2009 December 2; 1(9):9ra20.). LPLUNC1 autoantibodies have been detected in ...
Anti-HERV-K Antibody and HERV-K Peptides for Development of HIV Vaccine and Immunotherapy
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Investigators at UCSF, University of Toronto and OHSU have identified novel epitopes from the HERV-K viral transmembrane envelope and capsid that could be used to develop a vaccine that would target any HIV cell. Additionally, the epitopes have been used to generate a monoclonal antibody that could be used as an immunotherapeutic that would target HIV cells. The investigators first tested whether specific HERV-K antigens could elicit an immune response in HIV patients. Interestingly, there was a difference in the humoral ...
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA Researchers have developed a novel mouse model for prostate cancerwhich will be useful for preclinical trials and biochemical assays. Themouse model is unique in that it incorporates a naturally occuring oncogeneimplicated in a significant fraction of human prostate cancer and accuratelyreflects the gradual progression of human prostate cancer from prostaticintraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) to localized adenocarcinoma, to locallyinvasive disease and metastatis, with essentially 100% penetrance. The timecourse of disease progression allows ...
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA investigators have characterized an association between the expression of a single gene and behavioral learning associated with forebrain function. The gene is preferentially expressed in the cell bodies and dendrites of post-natal neurons of the forebrain. Since the geneis not expressed until after birth, it does not appear to be involved in development. To assess the physiological role of the gene, knockout (genedisruption) mice were developed. The null mice appear normal and reproduce normally, but show enhanced ...
Novel, Immunogenic Epitopes for use in an HIV Vaccine
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Investigators at UCSF, St. Mary's College, University of Wisconsin and University of Sao Paulo identified 199 unique, HIV cryptic peptides. A study in HIV-positive acute (n=28) and chronically infected (n=21) patients undergoing treatment with multiple anti-retrovirals showed that a number of the cryptic peptides were able to elicit an immune response from the patient's peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In both acute and chronic cohorts the response to the cryptic peptides was stronger and broader after treatment with ...
Novel Mouse Lines for Study of Cancer, Wound Healing and Stem Cell Biology
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
UCSF investigators have generated Dact2 conditional, constitutive and partial knockout mouse lines by making a targeted mutation in the genetic locus corresponding to Dact2, a conserved homolog of the Dapper/Frodo genes originally described in Xenopus laevis. This mutation was designed such that the essential exon 2 of the gene is flanked by loxP sites, which allows for its excision by the Cre recombinase protein to render the allele non-functional. ES cells carrying this mutation were made by homologous recombination, and a mouse ...
Novel Mouse Lines for Study of Cancer, Wound Healing and Stem Cell Biology
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
UCSF investigators have generated Dact3 conditional, constitutive and partial knockout mouse lines by making a targeted mutation in the genetic locus corresponding to Dact3, a conserved homolog of the Dapper/Frodo genes orginally described in Xenopus laevis. This mutation was designed such that the essential second and third exons of the gene are flanked by loxP sites, which allows for their excision by the Cre recombinase protein to render the allele non-functional. ES cells carrying this mutation were made by homologous ...
Novel Mouse Lines for Study of Cancer, Wound Healing and Stem Cell Biology
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
UCSF investigators have generated Sestd1 conditional, constitutive and partial knockout mouse lines by making a targeted mutation in the genetic locus corresponding to Sestd1. This mutation was designed such that the essential fourth and fifth exons of the gene are flanked by loxP sites, which allows for their excision by the Cre recombinase protein to render the allele non-functional. ES cells carrying this mutation were made by homologous recombination, and a mouse line derived from the correctly targeted ES cells ...
Novel Epithelial Cell Lines for Study of Wound Healing, Cell Migration and Stem Cell Biology
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
UCSF investigators have created novel epithelial cell lines that express low levels of epitope-tagged proteins Vangl2, Vangl1, Celsr1, Dact1, Dact2 and Dact3 from the Planar Cell Polarity pathway in vertebrates (IMCD-DCV cells). These PCP protein-expressing internal medullary collecting duct cell lines allow for research investigations in cells that display biologically relevant planar polarity. The researchers confirmed that IMCD-DCV cells express these proteins in the correct subcellular localization and can undergo wound ...
Novel Monoclonal Antibodies Against Neospora Caninum
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
The researchers have developed a large number of highly specific and robust monoclonal antibodies directed against The researchers have developed a large number of highly specific and robust monoclonal antibodies directed against Neospora caninum, which can be used for diagnostic or research purposes. They isolated a total of forty-six monoclonal antibodies against a variety of parasite organelles and identified the antigen for many of these by immunoaffinity purification and mass spectrometry. Included are antibodies that recognize the ...
Novel Dixdc1 Mouse Line for Study of Major Psychiatric Disorders and Cancer
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
UCSF investigators have generated a Dixdc1 knockout mouse line by making a targeted mutation in the genetic locus corresponding to Dixdc1, a conserved homolog of the DIXDC1 gene found in homo sapiens and other vertebrates. This mutation was designed such that the essential exons B2, 2 and 3 of the gene were replaced by a piece of foreign DNA encoding the neomycin-resistance gene, which is predicted to render the allele non-functional by disrupting the translation of all characterized Dixdc1 transcripts. ES cells carrying this ...
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Partnership Opportunities The UCSF investigators have generated two HBV-transgenic mouse systems that can be used to reveal disease mechanisms involved in human HBV immunopathogenesis: HBVEnvRag - Rag1-deficient mouse expressing viral antigens (HBV small, middle and large envelope proteins) in the liver, and HBVRplRag - Rag1-deficient mouse that allows viral replication and release of infectious virions. Reconstitution of these novel transgenic mice with naïve B and T cells results in immune responses that occur in a natural ...
Long Term Culture and Expansion for Stem Cells
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
UCSF investigators have developed a method that would allow the expansion of ASCs and MSCs while maintaining their stem cell characteristics (i.e., preventing differentiation). Current methods do not permit growth beyond a few passages. The method drives long term culture and proliferation of ASCs and MSCs in vitro for use in therapeutic applications, including treatment of diabetes, dyslipidemia, and cardiac disease.
Ras-Driven Conditional Model Of Liver Cancer
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco have developed a conditional transgenic mouse model of activated HRAS-driven liver cancer which can be used to model human liver tumor formation and regression. This is a doxycycline regulated system in which treatment of mice with doxycycline turns off transgene expression. Once doxycyclyine treatment is stopped, mice rapidly develop extensive liver tumors consistent with HCC. This model allows for studying different stages of liver tumor formation and ...
Novel Computer-Based Statistical Method for Cancer Diagnosis
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
UCSF investigators have developed a novel multi-step computer-based method for quantitative comparison of internal organization between different cell populations, which can be used to screen for tumor cell abnormalities using standard 2D microscopy in the clinic. The methedology was validated using the green alga Clamydomonas reinhardtii model system by comparing cells from wild-type and mutant algal strains, which dramatically differ in their cellular organization due to alterations in centriole structure and function. ...
Diagnostics and Treatment of Sinusitis (Rhinosinusitis)
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Investigators at UCSF have used a culture independent approach to diagnose sinusitis risk and have developed a novel regimen for patient specific treatment. The approach utilized mucosal samples of healthy and diseased individuals which were anlayzed with respect to disease state and severity, gross bacterial community characteristics and the presence of microbial diversity of specific protective bacterial species and increase of pathogenic species in CRS patients. Also identified are certain species associated with healthy ...
A Humanized Mouse Model Of Severe Asthma
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA researchers have developed 2 novel transgenic mouse models of the allergic response by using knock-in mutagenesis to create Q576R and Y709F mutants of the endogenous murine IL-4R . The Q576R mice, a human genetic polymorphism that is associated with severe and fatal and near-fatal asthma, developed severe allergic airway disease modeling human asthma. The Y709F mice, a key regulatory residue in the IL-4R alpha chain immunoreceptor tyrosine based inhibitory motif (ITIM), exhibited heightened allergic responses and allergic airway disease. ...
Quantitative Screening Method for Peptide Identification and Optimization
Organization: University of California, Santa Barbara (UC Santa Barbara)
Researchers at UCSB have developed a novel system and methods that provides efficient display and screening of peptide libraries at the cell surface, and enables rapid and quantitative characterization of the candidate peptides. This system has been demonstrated to especially effective for peptide and microprotein ligand isolation and affinity maturation. Furthermore, this system has been applied extensively to developed optimized peptide substrates for proteases that can serve as activity probes, in vivo imaging agents, and ...
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Using a high-throughput small molecule screen, UCSF investigators have identified compounds that promote neuronal differentiation and inhibit stem cell proliferation by activating particular receptors specifically expressed in the brain and also in peripheral organs such as the liver, pancreas, and prostate gland. The researchers demonstrated robust generation of dopaminergic, serotonergic (5-HT), GABAergic, and Islet motor neurons in vitro after treatment with these drugs. They also showed that the compounds have proneurogenic activity in ...
Novel small molecule activators of TREK-1 (K2P2.1) potassium channels
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Researchers at UCSF have identified a series of novel small molecules that are selective for TREK-1 activation. These compounds represent a new tool for manipulation of TREK-1 function in a variety of experimental settings, as well as candidates for further drug development. Validation studies demonstrated the activator’s specificity for TREK-1 within the K2P family of potassium ion channels. Researchers are currently evaluating the pain perception mitigation effects of these compounds in mouse models of pain.
Recombinant Luciferase Gene, Luciferase Fusion Proteins, and Methods of Use
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
Researchers at UC San Diego have been awarded three U.S. patents for the production of recombinant Coleoptera luciferase (U.S. patent number 5,583,024), their hybrid proteins (U.S. patent number 5,674,713), mutated proteins (U.S. patent number 5,700,673), and their uses as reporter molecules. The patent claims cover compostitions and methods to produce recombinant Coleoptera luciferase and hybrid proteins from either RNA or DNA templates. The recombinant luciferase can be expressed in procaryotic or eucaryotic cells, lysates of those cells, ...
NOVEL METHODS FOR PROGRAMMED ASSEMBLY OF 3D LIVING TISSUE INTO PRECLINICAL MODELS OF DISEASE
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
UCSF investigators have developed methods for generating three-dimensional (3D) living tissues embedded in physiologically relevant hydrogel by using a novel bottom-up DNA-programmed assembly strategy, which utilizes a previously developed technique for non-covalently labeling cell membranes with lipid-oligonucleotide conjugates. The methods result in creation of a next generation screening platform for drug efficacy, toxicity and absorption. The researchers are currently working on vascularizing the cellular assemblies, so that ...
Combinatorial Transcription Control
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
UC San Diego inventors have developed strategies and methods for exertion of combinatorial control on gene expression by integrating multiple transcription signals directly in the regulatory region without the need for additional genes and their expressions. (See White Paper PDF below for additional details.)
Non-Invasive Method for Diagnosing and Monitoring Alzheimer’s Disease
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
UC San Diego researchers have developed a fast and robust method for accurately quantifying cerebral structural changes. This approach uses serial MRI scans to quantify deformations in a whole brain or in regions of interest, including subtle changes in small-scale structures. The method has been validated by application to over a thousand pairs of serial scans, including normal controls and subjects with mild cognitive impairment or AD.
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
UC San Diego researchers have invented a new strain of E. coli that experiences the same level of growth in anoxic conditions as it does in oxic conditions and can convert glucose into D-lactate (lactic acid) at the same rate in either condition. In this process fermentation started in the aerobic medium without gas sparging. Levels of oxygen in the medium naturally reduced to zero within first couple of hours. No additional aeration control was applied.Yields for lactic acid in this partially anaerobic fermentation process are at around 95 ...
Microfluidic and Solid-State Beta Camera In-Vitro Kinase Radioassay
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
The invention uses a polydimethylsiloxane microfluidic platform with a solid state beta camera to measure kinase activity on a limited amount of patient samples. Miniaturizing the radiometric kinase assay brings several advantages over current radiometric assays. The amount of cell input required is reduced by 1,000 times over conventional assays. This allows for direct experimentation on clinical samples that are expensive or perishable. Also, the amount of radioactivity is reduced by at least one magnitude, alleviating radiation ...
Method To Estimate Age Of Individual Based On Epigenetic Markers
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers at UCLA have identified several spots in the genome at which the percentage of DNA methylation correlates linearly with age. By measuring the methylation level at just two of these spots, the age of an individual can be estimated to an accuracy of within five years. This method can be utilized on DNA obtained from saliva, blood, or other bodily fluids, and has a number of applications within the forensic science and healthcare fields. It would enable forensic scientists to approximate a suspect's age from a biological ...
Redox Responsive Polymeric Nanocapsules For Protein Delivery
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
This invention describes a new formulation method for nanocapsules that have the ability to preferentially deliver proteins into the cytosol of cells. The innovative nanocapsules are designed to sense the low redox potential of the cytosol and subsequently release pre-packaged proteins. The nanocapsules have been demonstrated to efficiently internalize into cells and to release the protein cargo within the cytosol. The approach represents an effective intracellular protein delivery strategy for therapeutic applications.
An Imaging-Based Biomarker For Childhood Stressors
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA researchers have developed periodic imaging protocols to characterize surface and subsurface enamel properties. Using mathematical analysis, these protocols capture tooth growth abnormalities and can accurately pattern enamel deposition over a defined period. Individual signatures of enamel properties can be correlated to environmental stressors and provide relevant medical history. The imaging techniques employed include light, confocal, and photon-based microscopy as well as tomographic modalities.
Anti-S80 Phospho-Specific Mecp2 Antibody
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
MeCP2 is a methyl-CpG binding protein that binds methylated DNA to repress gene expression. Mutations in MeCP2 lead to neurodevelopmental disorders, including Rett syndrome, one of the most common causes of mental retardation in females. Phosphorylation of MeCP2 on a highly conserved serine residue (S80) is required for its roles in regulating gene expression and neurological function. Moreover, mutations at this S80 residue have been identified in Rett patients and result in neurological deficits in mouse models. UCLA researchers have ...
Novel Method to Spatially Program Stem Cell Fate
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Stem cells are capable of both self-renewing and differentiating into more specialized cells. These two defining characteristics make stem cells a powerful tool for biological research, as they provide the potential to regenerate tissue in a living organism and grow organs in culture.Our ability to probe human stem cell fate has been hindered by the inability to create cellular microenvironments that provide a platform to spatially program stem cell fate. The invention described here provides the cellular microenvironment required to ...
Novel Approach for Intracellular Delivery of Biomolecules
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers in the laboratory of Dr. Hsian-Rong Tseng at UCLA have utilized a nanowire grafted substrate for the delivery of biomolecules. The surface of the nanowire substrate has been coated with a particular molecular recognition motif, referred to as a catalytic delivery nanosubstrate (CDNS), which enables delivery of the biomolecules into the cell of interest. The binding partner of the CDNS recognition motif is coated on a supramolecular nanoparticle (SNP) that houses the biomolecule to be delivered. The CDNS serves to ...
A Novel Biomarker For Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers at the UCLA Cardiovascular Research Laboratory have identified the first known biomarker for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Through studying two different mouse models of the disease (including one that is innovative and unique, and another that is most commonly used in the field of study), they found positive and consistent correlations between a biomarker deficiency and AAA development. The biomarker is also indicative of treatment efficacies, for instance, by folic acid that completely prevented AAA to occur (see ...
Method for Screening Delta Opioid Receptor Modulators
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers in the laboratory of Dr. Christopher Evans have cloned and characterized the delta opioid receptor. The present invention utilizes a cell based assay to detect the levels of activation of opioid receptors in the presence or absence of candidate drugs. The present invention provides methods for screening agonists and antagonists of the delta opioid receptor, and can potentially play a large role in the development of targeted therapies directed to treat a host of ailments. .
Improved Method for Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Dr. Bashir Tafti and colleagues at UCLA have developed a novel process to detect CTCs in epithelial tumors using peptidic ligands with high affinity for transformed epithelial cells. The receptor for one of these peptide ligands shows significant overexpression in several malignancies including colon, prostate, renal, and breast cancers; making it a suitable probe for the identification of these cancer cells. More notably, the receptor being targeted by this peptide is expressed on the surface of cells undergoing ...
A New 4D Computer Tomography Sorting Method for Reducing Motion Artifacts
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
To overcome this problem, UC San Diego researchers have developed a four-dimensional computed tomography (4D CT) technique for the delineation of moving targets as well as target motion modeling. This technology eliminates the need for external instruments to track breathing parameters, and relies on the patient’s internal anatomical features to extract respiratory signals. This simple method can be readily implemented in clinical settings. To generate respiratory signals directly from the axial CT images, five respiratory features ...
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Physician-scientists at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine have developed an improved device for sampling the rectal mucosa. The device design eliminates the need to completely insert the tube into the rectum. This substantially reduces the discomfort associated with the procedure. In addition to which, a number of additional novel design implements makes the tool more efficient, more precise, and safer for the patient.
A Novel Biomarker for Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Other Stress Disorders
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Physician-scientists at the UCLA Center for Neurobiology of Stress have identified the first known biomarker for IBS. Using DNA extracted from patient blood samples, the inventors determined methylation of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene NR3C1 to be non-existent in healthy control subjects, but present in IBS patients. This finding is associated with a change in gene expression that differs between IBS patients and healthy controls. This discovery can be directly utilized to develop products for the diagnosis and treatment of IBS ...
Novel Pseudotyped Lentiviruses for Targeted Gene Therapy
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Dr. Benhur Lee and colleagues in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics (MIMG) at UCLA have developed a novel method of pseudotyping lentiviral vectors with surface glycoproteins from the Nipah virus. This method endows the lentivirus with the ability to target cells expressing the EphrinB2 receptor. Neurons and various stem cell subsets - which are poorly targeted using current methods of lentiviral packaging - are efficiently targeted using this approach. Moreover, the virus particles are not trapped in the ...
A Novel Rapid And Highly Sensitive Cell Based System For The Detection And Characterization Of Hiv
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Dr. Benhur Lee and colleagues in the UCLA Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics have developed a novel system to detect and characterize HIV with unprecedented sensitivity and rapidity. By engineering a cell line with precise control over CD4 and CCR5 expression, the researchers enable comprehensive characterization of viral entry efficiency as a function of receptor density. Combining this with a secreted tat-rev dependent reporter protein 1,000-fold brighter than luciferase, the result is GGR, a novel cell ...
Human Fetal Prostate Cells for the Study of Human Tumors
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA researchers in the laboratory of Dr. Isla Garraway have isolated human fetal prostate cells to regenerate primary prostate tumors. The fetal prostate stromal cell line has been shown to support in vivo regeneration of human prostate tissue when combined with normal adult or fetal epithelial cells, as well as primary human prostate tumor cells. The present invention provides a unique cell line to investigate the genetic factors in tumorigenesis and disease progression, identify cancer stem cells, and evaluate the effectiveness of ...
Novel Therapeutic Analogues of Metformin for the Treatment of Cancers
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Dr. Richard Pietras, Director of the Stiles Program in Integrative Oncology in the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Dr. Michael Jung from the Departments of Chemistry & Biochemistry at UCLA have recently synthesized novel analogues of metformin, the most commonly prescribed drug to treat type 2 diabetes. These metformin analogues have anticancer activity in breast cancer cell lines, particularly those derived from TNBC. Further, the analogues also exhibit significant antitumor activity in melanoma, lung, and pancreatic cancers. ...
Antibody-based Agents for Imaging in vivo CD8 Expression
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers in the laboratory of Dr. Anna Wu in the department of Molecular & Medical Pharmacology have developed an antibody-based agent for imaging in vivo CD8 expression in mouse models of disease. The present invention utilizes the sequencing of the variable domains of anti-mouse-CD8 from hybridomas for the subsequent engineering into antibody fragments, such as, but not limited to, scFv's, diabodies, minibodies and scFv-Fc's. The antibody is subsequently conjugated to a radioisotope or fluorophore to enable visualization of ...
NMR Probe for the Detection of Microstructures
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA researchers developed a NMR probe with sensitivity superior to current designs. It contains a novel noise reduction mechanism, making it the most sensitive probe of its kind. These properties allow the detection of metabolites at the single cell level. Additionally, the probe has a planar configuration, making it ideally suited for microfluidic chips used for diagnosis and prognosis. It is also made with an ultra small detection region, 0.08 mm length by 0.05 mm width by 0.05 mm high, for samples of small volume and low concentration ...
Transgenic Mice for Endothelial Cell Research (Ve-Cadherin Cre-Recombinase - Rosa26r-LacZ)
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA researchers have developed a dual transgenic animal that enables genetic tracing of endothelial cells and their derivatives. Specifically, endothelial cells are labeled with LacZ, and VE-Cadherin, an endothelial-specific promoter, drives Cre-recombinase.
Methods for Dynamic Modification of Localized Cellular Environments
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
The invention details the use of lithographically patterned substrates combined with externally applied magnetic fields and cell internalized magnetic nanoparticles as a method of generating a broad spectrum of mechanical and biochemical signals to highly defined, subcellular locations in parallel.
Sheathless Inertial Cell Ordering Microfluidic Device for Extreme Throughput Flow Cytometry
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA researchers have developed a microfluidic chip capable of processing ~28 million cells per second. The design does not require a sheath stream, which simplifies the design without sacrificing efficiency. By coupling the chip with high-speed imaging, the researchers can observe single cells to compare physical characteristics or specifically targeted/stained cells for accurate blood cell detection and analysis.
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
UC San Diego researchers have developed an advanced aperture-based algorithm that significantly reduces the processing time for VMAT treatment plan optimization, permitting widespread clinical use of VMAT treatment techniques. This invention uses a column generation method that iteratively solves a sub-problem and a master problem efficiently. The sub-problem provides the most promising aperture to add to a given pool of allowable apertures while the master problem optimizes the intensities of selected apertures.
Ultrasound Assay System For Cell Stimulation
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Professor Martin Culjat and colleagues at the UCLA Departments of Surgery and Bioengineering have developed an integrated ultrasound cell culture well plate system, suitable for high throughput studies. Parameters such as duration, frequency, power, and intensity can be tailored to the researcher's specifications, and the device allows for independent sonication of desired wells. In addition to facilitating more robust characterization of US effects, results will also be more reliable and more reproducible, compared to the improvised ...
Microfluidic Platform to Control Particle Placement and Spacing in Channel Flow
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers from the Department of Bioengineering at UCLA have developed a microfluidic platform that controls particle-wall and particle-particle interactions by intertial flow, which leads to capability of manipulation of inter-particle spacing during solution exchange. This microfluidic platform utilizes expansion and contraction channel geometries to make particle distribution more uniform in Reynolds number flow. Moreover, particle-particle spacing can be tuned to a desired frequency. Unlike existing particle ...
Disposable World-To-Chip Interface For Digital Microfluidics
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers from UCLA’s Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology have developed a system for interfacing digital microfluidic chips with external vials for the delivery and retrieval of liquid reagents. The system is capable of preparing and delivering multiple reagents of specific volumes less than 20 μL to the digital microfluidic chip. The digital microfluidic chip can manipulate the discrete droplets of reagents using electric fields to initiate various chemical reactions. The novel interface system can then retrieve ...
A Systems Biology Approach for Identifying Drug Targets
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
Scientists at UC San Diego have developed a method to identify drug targets using a systems biology approach. Given a network that regulates a disease, the method can predict the effects of inhibiting a set of genes on the marker genes of the disease. For example, if two marker genes are up-regulated in a disease, the method can identify inhibition of genes that can reduce the expression of the two marker genes to normal levels. Therefore, the invention provides a systematic way to evaluate the effects of inhibiting multiple drug targets for ...
Ternary Interfaces for Direct and Sensitive Electronic Detection of Nucleic Acids in Complex Samples
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
UC San Diego researchers have developed ternary SAMs as genosensor interfaces with greatly improved signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) characteristics compared to those of conventional binary capture-probe/MCH assemblies. Such dramatic improvement in detection limits is attributed primarily to the remarkably higher resistance to nonspecific adsorption. One example ternary layer is formed by co-immobilizing dithiothreitol (DTT) with the SHCP at gold surfaces, followed by sequential addition of MCH, and has been shown to facilitate ...
Heads-Up Virtual Reality Device
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
Researchers at UC San Diego have created a new low-cost virtual reality device allowing users to ‘feel’ 3D images. The heads-up virtual reality (HUVR) device couples a 3D HDTV panel with a half-silvered mirror to project graphic images onto the user’s hands and/or into the space surrounding them. Head position is tracked to generate the correct perspective view, while the user maneuvers a haptic device to interact with the generated image, allowing users to ‘touch’ the image’s angles and contours, as ...
A Mathematical Model of Ventilation and Perfusion
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
This work consists of a series of derived mathematical equations that describe the distribution of gas and pulmonary perfusion in various physiological states. These equations calculate intrathoracic pressure with various lung conditions (varying maximum volume, compliance, and baseline pressures) and the manipulation of ventilator settings (tidal volume, PEEP, and ventilation rate). The equations also integrate PaCO2 and PetCO2 as a function of pulmonary perfusion, as well as airflow through the lung, based on values obtained in a ...
Plasmonic Dark Field Microscopy
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
UC San Diego researchers have developed a new optical imaging technique referred to as “plasmonic dark field” (PDF) microscopy. Instead of the lenses, light stops, and mirrors of conventional dark field microscopy, PDF microscopy uses a “plasmonic condenser” (PC) to guide the sample illumination angle. In one embodiment, the PC is essentially comprised of a metallic structure that converts light into surface plasmons. Since surface plasmons exist only at the metal surface, they appear completely dark in the far ...
Automated System for High Throughput Screening in Rodents
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
UC San Diego investigators have created an automated rodent testing system. This device has the potential to be much more than a research tool for other academic labs. This could be part of a high throughput preclinical screening system for rodent responses to specific drugs. It trains rats to choose one of two behaviors in response to a visual stimulus displayed on a computer screen. Correct responses are rewarded. Incorrect responses incur a “timeout” penalty period.
Isolation of Target Biomolecules from Complex Samples Using Nano/Microscale Motors
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
UC San Diego researchers have developed methods and devices, using self-propelling or externally actuated nano/microscale motors functionalized with appropriate receptors/ligands, to capture, isolate, and transport target biomolecules from raw biological samples (e.g., serum, urine, bacterial lysates, saliva). In exemplary embodiments, functionalized microrockets enable the isolation of rare cancer cells, nucleic acids, and protein antigens from raw samples within minutes to tens of minutes. The nano/micromotors and captured entities ...
Optical Switching and Sorting of Biological Samples and Microparticles in a Micro-Fluidic Device
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
The invention provides methods and devices in which microscopic particles or cells within a fluid flowing in microfluidic channels are selectively manipulated, normally by being pushed with optical pressure forces at branching junctions in the channels so as to enter into selected downstream branches, thereby realizing particle switching and sorting. Transport of the particles thus transpires by microfluidics while manipulation in the manner of optical tweezers arises either from pushing due to optical scattering force, or from pulling ...
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
UC San Diego researchers have developed methods and biosensors for simultaneous separation, capture, and detection of molecules. The method includes a carbonized, porous nanostructure. The porous nanostructure is used as an electroadsorptive substrate that is both conductive and semitransparent. Separation is accomplished by diffusional transport within the porous nanostructure, capture is accomplished by electroadsorption to the electrified nanostructure, and detection is accomplished by optical interferometry. The method provides a ...
Quantitative Peptide Microarray Technology
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
Scientists at UC San Diego have developed a microarray technology providing a quantitative, high-throughput, and cost-effective way to conduct proteomics measurements. The present invention employs a microarray technology that prints peptides on a glass surface thereby significantly reducing the size of the array. It requires using fewer peptides than traditional methods, whereby thousands of peptides can be easily printed on one DNA microarray-sized slide, compared to the existing technology’s limit of only tens of peptides on ...
A Novel Protease for Proteomics
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
UC San Diego researchers have discovered a stable, highly active protease with aliphatic substrate specificity that can complement trypsin for quantitative proteomics. Alpha-lytic protease (aLP) is a bacterial protease with specificity to cleave primarily after T(threonine), V(valine), and S(serine) when applied to proteomics. The average peptide length is about the same as for trypsin digests with a high probability of containing unique sequences, and very little evidence of laddering. The combination of aLP and trypsin doubles the ...
Brain Extracellular Matrix Compositions and Methods
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego have demonstrated the feasibility of using brain matrix as a cell culture coating, thereby providing a more in vivo-like microenvironment for neural cell culture, while also permitting solubilized brain matrix as an injectable scaffold for tissue engineering applications.
Logical Structure Of Amino Acid Stimulons In Bacteria
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
UCSD inventors invented a method for solving problems associated with design of amino acid metabolism in bacteria. The types of bacteria that can be designed have these industrial applicationsMore efficient fermentersLower cost biofuelsLower cost biodegradable plasticsThe research leading to this invention is available for review at this web site http://www.nature.com/nchembio/journal/v8/n1/abs/nchembio.710.html Related to case 2010-138
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
A UCSD Researcher has developed a method to fabricate microfluidic features into a single layer microfluidic device. All current microfluidic methods for fabrication require two layers. The advantages of a single layer is that tooling costs are lowered, there will be improved manufacturing yields, and improved compatibility with traditional injection-molding processes. Here, the researcher has made the chips with single layer valves and successfully tested these for functionality.In addition, source files for the design, fabrication and ...
Patient-derived, Murine Model of Prostate Cancer
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
Injection of patient-derived prostate cancer bone metastasis specimens into femurs of immunodeficient (Rag2-/-;IL2Rγc-/-) mice engendered serially transplantable tumors, which have been used to dissect the complex interactions between prostate cancer and the bone. In addition, the model enables new approaches to understand mechanisms of therapy-resistance that inevitably arise for bone metastatic prostate cancer.
Novel High-Throughput Screening (HTS) Method for Insulin Secreting Beta-Cell Modulation
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
The present invention is a novel human cell line that has been adapted for High Throughput Screening. TRM6, a cell line derived from human fetal islets, was previously engineered to express the homeodomain transcription factor PDX-1 and the bHLH factor NeoroD1, resulting in low levels of insulin promoter activity. To further augment the degree of insulin promoter activity, the NeuroD1 dimerization partner E47 was expressed. E47 activation resulted in strong upregulation of insulin gene expression and other β-cell genes.This cell line, ...
Device to Characterize Gas Transport Properties Of Cell-Free Oxygen Carriers And Red Blood Cells
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
UCSD researchers have developed an artificial capillary testing apparatus (ACTA) for evaluation of gas transport/exchange properties of a fluid. A sample fluid, having a known of measured partial gas pressure, is introduced from a gas-tight dispenser into an artificial capillary of known diameter located within an exchange chamber containing a flowing exchange gas. The artificial capillary is formed from a permeable material which permits gas exchange between the interior and exterior of the capillary. After exit from the artificial ...
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
Many psychiatric drugs have serious side effects that are often due to general toxicity and a lack of specific drug action, therefore developing a drug more precisely against a gene or the pathway can potentially enable higher efficacy and less toxicity.Building on previous studies on a large Scottish schizophrenic family, UCSD researchers have delineated a novel pathway that can potentially enable more effective drug development. They found that the component genes of this pathway have cytotoxic effects and likely to contribute to the ...
Automated Device for Screening Serotonin Receptor-Interacting Compounds in Rodents
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
UC San Diego investigators have developed a device that overcomes limitations of the current methods for assessing the HTR. The present device comprises locating an animal within a small chamber wherein specific head movements are automatically recorded and stored by a computer. This device is capable of automatically detecting and discriminating the HTR from other behaviors in mice and rats.
Fluorescent Probes for Molecular Imaging H2O2
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
UCSD researchers have synthesized fluorescent molecules which can be employed for noninvasive molecular imaging of Hydrogen Peroxide in biological systems. These are synthesized utilizing a tandem boronic ester trigger appended to the fluorophore through a benzyl ether linkage. These probes have demonstrated improved stability and solubility over earlier probes utilizing boron triggers. They have shown to be effective in detecting endogenous molecular imaging of hydrogen peroxide in two biological systems, murine macrophage RAW cells and ...
Computation Of Solvent Structure Thermodynamics To Support Drug Design And Molecular Design
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
A team of researchers from UC San Diego and City University of New York improved upon the implementation of Inhomogeneous Solvation Theory (IST) by developing a three dimensional grid around the solute of interest, in an approach termed Grid Inhomogeneous Solvation Theory (GIST). The GIST approach enables one to choose or design a second molecule (such as a ligand) which will bind a targeted first molecule (such as a receptor) with high affinity. This technique might not only be useful for computer-aided drug design and predicting molecular ...
Novel Brain Tumor Model System in the VM Mouse Strain
Organization: Boston College
Mycobacterial Vaccine Vectors and Methods of Using the Same (BIDMC 1201)
Organization: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Ctr
beta-1,2,3 adrenergic receptor triple knockout mouse (BIDMC 1311)
Organization: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Ctr
Method for introducing multiple wavelength laser excitations in fluorescence microscopy
Organization: Brandeis University
Fluorescence microscopes typically use a wavelength sensitive dichroic mirror to separate the incident laser excitation from the low light imaging path. However, to detect multiple fluorescence dyes simultaneously, a dichroic optical setup becomes unacceptable due to the significant loss of fluorescence signals as the emissions pass through the dichroic mirror—a direct consequence of compromises in designing an optical filter that can separate multiple wavelengths. To circumvent this problem, we employ broadband mirrors to separate the ...
Microfluidic Chip for Optimizing Protein Crystallization Conditions
Organization: Brandeis University
Sixty percent of drugs target an important class of membrane proteins know as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), representing $47 billion in annual sales. However, due to vast difficulties in obtaining high quality and stable protein crystals for X-ray crystallography, only a few of membrane protein structures have been solved. An efficient and automated method for optimizing protein crystallization conditions will be invaluable for developing specific drug targets. A microfluidic chip, which consists of very small fluid channels and small ...
Clonable gold label for electron microscopy
Organization: Brandeis University
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which can resolve cellular structures down to Angstrom levels, has been a great source of information for a wide range of biological studies. Clonable labeling tags for light microscopy, such as green fluorescent protein, have revolutionized biology, but few such agents have been developed for TEM. Gold nanoclusters are traditionally used to label biological structures for electron microscopy studies; however, introducing preformed heavy metal clusters into cells is an inefficient labeling process, and ...
Melanocortin 4 receptor knockout mice (loxTB-MC4R mice) (BIDMC 1316)
Organization: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Ctr
Transcriptionally-disrupted orexin receptor mice (loxTD-OX1R and loxTD-OX2R mice) (BIDMC 1338)
Organization: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Ctr
Transgenic mice expressing human FcEpsilon Receptor (BIDMC 1318)
Organization: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Ctr
Transgenic mice expressing the cre gene in POMC neurons (BIDMC 1315)
Organization: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Ctr
Corneal Endothelial Cell Culture
Organization: Schepens Eye Research Institute
Organization: Broad Institute
<UMA 05-10>Patchy Surfaces for Selective Adhesion, Sensing and Separations
Organization: University of Massachusetts Amherst
<UMA 98-04>A New Vaccine for Protection of Children and Adults Against Schistosomiasis
Organization: University of Massachusetts Amherst
<UMA 00-19>Chlamydial Glycolipid Vaccines and Methods for Synthesis
Organization: University of Massachusetts Amherst
Design of Polymer Surfaces With High Affinities Toward Biological Cells
Organization: University of Massachusetts Amherst
Regulation of Acheron Expression
Organization: University of Massachusetts Amherst
Organization: University of Massachusetts Amherst
Novel Polymer Capsules Prepared by Interfacial Crosslinking of Amphiphilic Graft Copolymers
Organization: University of Massachusetts Amherst
Organization: University of Massachusetts Amherst
Organization: University of Massachusetts Amherst
<UMA 04-26>Multiplexed MS/MS on a Quadrupole Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer
Organization: University of Massachusetts Amherst
Inhibitors of Cyclic AMP Phosphodiesterases
Organization: Boston College
A new class of small molecules that detect apoptosis
Organization: Boston College
Method for the Selective Functionalization of Complex Polymeric Structures
Organization: Boston College
Apparatus and Materials for Three-Dimensional Optical Data Storage and Retrieval
Organization: Boston College
Kinase Mimic Catalysts for Asymetric Synthesis of Phosphorylated Insitols and Cycloalkahols
Organization: Boston College
Ultra high-resolution protein fingerprinting of biopsy samples by mass spectrometry
Organization: Brandeis University
Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI) is an ionization technique often used for mass spectrometric analysis of large biomolecules, such as proteins. Direct mass spectrometry analysis of a tissue sample affords a wealth of chemical information, providing a molecular landscape of a tissue. Mass spectrometry imaging provides spatial and chemical information on hundreds of molecules at a time, providing a better correlation between molecular composition and disease pathology, and therefore a more accurate diagnosis. However, current ...
Organization: Broad Institute
Computer method and System for Increasing the Quality of Student Learning
Organization: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Nanotube Cantilever Probes for Nanoscale Magnetic and Atomic Force Microscopy
Organization: Boston College
Global Computer Network Tutoring System
Organization: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Global Computer Network Self-Tutoring System
Organization: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Low Cost Methods for Producing Microchannel Process Technology
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Low cost method making high performance microchannel This technology uses micro-pyramidal truss network to reduce internal stress caused by differential operating pressure between fluids, in turn reducing the cost of refractory alloy needed for high-temperature operation, while at the same time serving to direct flow of fluid within the channel, and increase surface area. Another key feature is that only half of the channels are sealed using a unique lamination architecture and the other half channels is defined by a housing, which ...
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) clinical isolate strain: Keone
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview Dr. Jay Nelson has a collection of HCMV strains available for licensing as a package or on an individual strain basis. The full list of strains which are available are listed under OHSU Technology #1221. These are all clinical isolates that are at early passage and have not been adapted to any cell type and should therefore retain both endothelial and epithelial cell tropism. These strains are useful for a variety of research applications in the field of HCMV. The particular strain under OHSU 1221-I is ...
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) clinical isolate strain: Powers
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview Dr. Jay Nelson has a collection of HCMV strains available for licensing as a package or on an individual strain basis. The full list of strains which are available are listed under OHSU Technology #1221. These are all clinical isolates that are at early passage and have not been adapted to any cell type and should therefore retain both endothelial and epithelial cell tropism. These strains are useful for a variety of research applications in the field of HCMV. The particular strain under OHSU 1221-O is ...
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) clinical isolate strain: Martinez
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview Dr. Jay Nelson has a collection of HCMV strains available for licensing as a package or on an individual strain basis. The full list of strains which are available are listed under OHSU Technology #1221. These are all clinical isolates that are at early passage and have not been adapted to any cell type and should therefore retain both endothelial and epithelial cell tropism. These strains are useful for a variety of research applications in the field of HCMV. The particular strain under OHSU 1221-L is ...
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) clinical isolate strain: Lysistrata
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview Dr. Jay Nelson has a collection of HCMV strains available for licensing as a package or on an individual strain basis. The full list of strains which are available are listed under OHSU Technology #1221. These are all clinical isolates that are at early passage and have not been adapted to any cell type and should therefore retain both endothelial and epithelial cell tropism. These strains are useful for a variety of research applications in the field of HCMV. The particular strain under OHSU 1221-K is ...
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) clinical isolate strain: Lacey
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview Dr. Jay Nelson has a collection of HCMV strains available for licensing as a package or on an individual strain basis. The full list of strains which are available are listed under OHSU Technology #1221. These are all clinical isolates that are at early passage and have not been adapted to any cell type and should therefore retain both endothelial and epithelial cell tropism. These strains are useful for a variety of research applications in the field of HCMV. The particular strain under OHSU 1221-J is ...
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) clinical isolate strain: Harris
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview Dr. Jay Nelson has a collection of HCMV strains available for licensing as a package or on an individual strain basis. The full list of strains which are available are listed under OHSU Technology #1221. These are all clinical isolates that are at early passage and have not been adapted to any cell type and should therefore retain both endothelial and epithelial cell tropism. These strains are useful for a variety of research applications in the field of HCMV. The particular strain under OHSU 1221-H is ...
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) clinical isolate strain: Gruden
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview Dr. Jay Nelson has a collection of HCMV strains available for licensing as a package or on an individual strain basis. The full list of strains which are available are listed under OHSU Technology #1221. These are all clinical isolates that are at early passage and have not been adapted to any cell type and should therefore retain both endothelial and epithelial cell tropism. These strains are useful for a variety of research applications in the field of HCMV. The particular strain under OHSU 1221-G is ...
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) clinical isolate strain: Gerry
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview Dr. Jay Nelson has a collection of HCMV strains available for licensing as a package or on an individual strain basis. The full list of strains which are available are listed under OHSU Technology #1221. These are all clinical isolates that are at early passage and have not been adapted to any cell type and should therefore retain both endothelial and epithelial cell tropism. These strains are useful for a variety of research applications in the field of HCMV. The particular strain under OHSU 1221-F is ...
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) clinical isolate strain: Edding
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview Dr. Jay Nelson has a collection of HCMV strains available for licensing as a package or on an individual strain basis. The full list of strains which are available are listed under OHSU Technology #1221. These are all clinical isolates that are at early passage and have not been adapted to any cell type and should therefore retain both endothelial and epithelial cell tropism. These strains are useful for a variety of research applications in the field of HCMV. The particular strain under OHSU 1221-E is ...
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) clinical isolate strain: Davis
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview Dr. Jay Nelson has a collection of HCMV strains available for licensing as a package or on an individual strain basis. The full list of strains which are available are listed under OHSU Technology #1221. These are all clinical isolates that are at early passage and have not been adapted to any cell type and should therefore retain both endothelial and epithelial cell tropism. These strains are useful for a variety of research applications in the field of HCMV. The particular strain under OHSU 1221-C is ...
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview Cyclophilin D (Cyp-D), also known as CyP-F in mice, is a member of the larger cyclophilin family and is equivalent to the previously cloned cDNA encoding human CyP-3. Mice have been generated in which the gene encoding mitochondrial cyclophilin (CyP-D or Ppif) has been eliminated by knockout strategies. These animals and their cells can be used to test the in vivo role of the mitochondrial permeability transition in various pathological responses of relevance to human disease; specifically, ...
Melanocortin-3 Receptor Knockout Mice
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewThe central melanocortin system is critical for the long term regulation of energy homeostasis. Null mutations of the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4-R) are associated with hyperphagia, obesity, and accelerated longitudinal growth in mice and humans. To assess the role of the melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3-R) in energy homeostasis, the mc3r coding sequence was deleted from the mouse genome. In contrast to the MC4-R knockout, which exhibits increased food intake, increased somatic growth, and defects in metabolism, ...
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) clinical isolate strain: Watkins
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview Dr. Jay Nelson has a collection of HCMV strains available for licensing as a package or on an individual strain basis. The full list of strains which are available are listed under OHSU Technology #1221. These are all clinical isolates that are at early passage and have not been adapted to any cell type and should therefore retain both endothelial and epithelial cell tropism. These strains are useful for a variety of research applications in the field of HCMV. The particular strain under OHSU 1221-S is ...
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) clinical isolate strain: Simpson
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview Dr. Jay Nelson has a collection of HCMV strains available for licensing as a package or on an individual strain basis. The full list of strains which are available are listed under OHSU Technology #1221. These are all clinical isolates that are at early passage and have not been adapted to any cell type and should therefore retain both endothelial and epithelial cell tropism. These strains are useful for a variety of research applications in the field of HCMV. The particular strain under OHSU 1221-R is ...
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Value Proposition: Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have developed software that utilizes real-space refinement to optimize atomic models of macromolecules fit into experimental electron density maps obtained either by x-ray crystallography or 3D electron microscopy. Real-space refinement optimizes the agreement between density simulated from an atomic model and an experimental map thus improving the accuracy of models based on x-ray diffraction or even lower resolution electron microscopy. This software can either be ...
Soluble Proline-Mimetic Organocatalyst
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
A new "organocatalyst" developed at Oregon State University is now available for commercial license on a non-exclusive basis, and should make new drug development around the world less costly, more efficient and more environmentally friendly. The catalyst, named "Hua Cat," is also one of the first products to reach the marketplace as a result of support from the University Venture Development Fund, an initiative finalized in 2007 by the Oregon legislature to create jobs and aid business by bringing university-based discoveries to commercial ...
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) clinical isolate strain: Salvo
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview Dr. Jay Nelson has a collection of HCMV strains available for licensing as a package or on an individual strain basis. The full list of strains which are available are listed under OHSU Technology #1221. These are all clinical isolates that are at early passage and have not been adapted to any cell type and should therefore retain both endothelial and epithelial cell tropism. These strains are useful for a variety of research applications in the field of HCMV. The particular strain under OHSU 1221-P is ...
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) clinical isolate strain: Dement
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview Dr. Jay Nelson has a collection of HCMV strains available for licensing as a package or on an individual strain basis. The full list of strains which are available are listed under OHSU Technology #1221. These are all clinical isolates that are at early passage and have not been adapted to any cell type and should therefore retain both endothelial and epithelial cell tropism. These strains are useful for a variety of research applications in the field of HCMV. The particular strain under OHSU 1221-D is ...
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) clinical isolate strain: Brown
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview Dr. Jay Nelson has a collection of HCMV strains available for licensing as a package or on an individual strain basis. The full list of strains which are available are listed under OHSU Technology #1221. These are all clinical isolates that are at early passage and have not been adapted to any cell type and should therefore retain both endothelial and epithelial cell tropism. These strains are useful for a variety of research applications in the field of HCMV. The particular strain under OHSU ...
Yeast strain expressing human VDAC2
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewThe voltage dependent anion channel (VDAC) proteins are the major pathways for metabolite flux through the outer membrane. These mitochondrial membrane proteins control the flux of anions through voltage gated mechanisms. VDACs have been shown to be important in apoptotic responses and linked to certain neurodegenerative diseases. In order to study Human voltage dependent anion channels (HVDACs) these investigators have developed yeast strains expressing HVDAC1 and HVDAC2. These strains can be used ...
Yeast strain expressing human VDAC1
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewThe voltage dependent anion channel (VDAC) proteins are the major pathways for metabolite flux through the outer membrane. These mitochondrial membrane proteins control the flux of anions through voltage gated mechanisms. VDACs have been shown to be important in apoptotic responses and linked to certain neurodegenerative diseases. In order to study Human voltage dependent anion channels (HVDACs) these investigators have developed yeast strains expressing HVDAC1 and HVDAC2. These strains can be used ...
H9 cell clone H9.42 susceptible to HIV isolates
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewOptimal development and evaluation of antiviral drugs and vaccines to HIV depend on cell culture studies using HIV-1 isolates that are representative of patient viruses. Many of the early HIV-1 isolates used were laboratory adapted strains which grew well in leukemic T cell lines such as H9. However, it was later realized that these laboratory adapted strains were different from primary patient isolates, and HIV-1 isolates from patients grow poorly in leukemic T cell lines. In order to overcome this hurdle, ...
Transformed HeLa Cell Line Clone RC.49
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewThis technology is a single clone line of adherent cells that are susceptible to both T-cell trophic HIV1 isolates and Macrophage-trophic HIV-1 isolates. It has utility in determining HIV co-receptor usage, discovery of new drugs effective against HIV and in monitoring drug therapy protocol to enhance the effectiveness of drug treatment regimes against HIV-1 infection. Cell clones are available that express discrete and different quantities of CD4 or CCR5. By measuring titers in the different clones in the presence ...
Transformed HeLa Cell Line Clone RC.55
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewThis technology is a single clone line of adherent cells that are susceptible to both T-cell trophic HIV1 isolates and Macrophage-trophic HIV-1 isolates. It has utility in determining HIV co-receptor usage, discovery of new drugs effective against HIV and in monitoring drug therapy protocol to enhance the effectiveness of drug treatment regimes against HIV-1 infection. Cell clones are available that express discrete and different quantities of CD4 or CCR5. By measuring titers in the different clones in the presence ...
Transformed HeLa Cell Line Clone RC.30
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewThis technology is a single clone line of adherent cells that are susceptible to both T-cell trophic HIV1 isolates and Macrophage-trophic HIV-1 isolates. It has utility in determining HIV co-receptor usage, discovery of new drugs effective against HIV and in monitoring drug therapy protocol to enhance the effectiveness of drug treatment regimes against HIV-1 infection. Cell clones are available that express discrete and different quantities of CD4 or CCR5. By measuring titers in the different clones in the presence ...
Transformed HeLa Cell Line Clone HI-R
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewThis technology is a single clone line of adherent cells that are susceptible to both T-cell trophic HIV1 isolates and Macrophage-trophic HIV-1 isolates. It has utility in determining HIV co-receptor usage, discovery of new drugs effective against HIV and in monitoring drug therapy protocol to enhance the effectiveness of drug treatment regimes against HIV-1 infection. Cell clones are available that express discrete and different quantities of CD4 or CCR5. By measuring titers in the different clones in the presence ...
Transformed HeLa Cell Line Clone H1-J(C.10)
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewThis technology is a single clone line of adherent cells that are susceptible to both T-cell trophic HIV1 isolates and Macrophage-trophic HIV-1 isolates. It has utility in determining HIV co-receptor usage, discovery of new drugs effective against HIV and in monitoring drug therapy protocol to enhance the effectiveness of drug treatment regimes against HIV-1 infection. Cell clones are available that express discrete and different quantities of CD4 or CCR5. By measuring titers in the different clones in the presence ...
Transformed HeLa Cell Line Clone H1-J(C.37)
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewThis technology is a single clone line of adherent cells that are susceptible to both T-cell trophic HIV1 isolates and Macrophage-trophic HIV-1 isolates. It has utility in determining HIV co-receptor usage, discovery of new drugs effective against HIV and in monitoring drug therapy protocol to enhance the effectiveness of drug treatment regimes against HIV-1 infection. Cell clones are available that express discrete and different quantities of CD4 or CCR5. By measuring titers in the different clones in the presence ...
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
We apologize. This product is no longer available. This is the incline ramp tool used in the BESTest-10 degree incline ramp (at least 2 x 2 ft) to stand on. INTERNATIONAL ORDERS: For orders outside of the US and Canada, please request invoice as the price will be $185 (instead of the $140 listed below.) To acquire the BESTest training DVD in addition to this tool, please see: BESTest DVD
C-Terminal Binding Protein (CtBP) single isoform lentiviral stable cell lines
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewThese cell lines re-introduce CtBP wild type and functional mutant isoforms (both CtBP1 and 2) back into a CtBP1+2 null mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) line. These cells contain lentiviral-introduced protein encoding sequences that allow for stable expression of physiologic levels of CtBP isoforms under the tetracycline operon regulated promoter. This results in a cell in which either the wild type or mutant CtBP (1 or 2) is expressed in isolation, allowing study of gene specific regulatory events that ...
Putative Mammalian Catecholamine Receptor (p-Tyramine-R)(TAR)
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview This invention encompasses expression of the Trace Amine Associated Receptor 1 (TAAR1) receptor gene in cell culture, and an assay to determine activity of the TAAR1 receptor function in the presence of test compounds. Until now, TAAR1 proteins have been difficult to express and assay in-vitro. The clones and associated methods included in this invention offer a valuable way to test the effects of compounds on the prototypical trace amine receptor. TAAR1 is the first member of a family of G ...
D4 Dopamine Receptor Knock-Out Mice
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewResearchers at OHSU have developed a strain of mice that are genetically deficient in the D4 dopamine receptor. These mice provide a new animal model for the study of the function of the D4 receptor. Homozygous mice may exhibit locomotor supersensitivity to ethanol, cocaine, and methamphetamine, as well as alterations in dopamine synthesis and function, glutamate levels and metabolism, behavioral responses to novelty, and spontaneous locomotor activity in both novel and familiar environments. They ...
Non-Human Primate Model for Stroke
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewThe current technology describes a stroke model in the rhesus macaque. The current transorbital approach to model stroke is one that has been successfully used in macaques, squirrel monkeys and baboons with some unique procedural modifications in the current model. Knowledge of the vascular incongruity in rhesus macaques compared to humans led these researchers to test this new model of arterial occlusion. Strokes in non-human primate models would mimic the human condition more closely if they were ...
Small-Conductance CA2+-Activated Potassium Channel 2 (SK2) Transgenic Mice
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewIn excitable cells, small-conductance Ca2+-activated potassium channels (SK channels) are responsible for the slow after-hyperpolarization that often follows an action potential. Three SK channel subunits have been molecularly characterized. These channels are found in many types of neurons as well as in some other cell types. In this invention, homologous recombination was used to floxed the SK2 gene in mouse ES cells. Subsequent routine manipulations generated homozygous floxed mice. ...
Small-Conductance CA2+-Activated Potassium Channel 1 (SK1) Transgenic Mice
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewIn excitable cells, small-conductance Ca2+-activated potassium channels (SK channels) are responsible for the slow after-hyperpolarization that often follows an action potential. Three SK channel subunits have been molecularly characterized. These channels are found in many types of neurons as well as in some other cell types. In this invention, homologous recombination was used to floxed the SK1 gene in mouse ES cells. Subsequent routine manipulations generated homozygous floxed mice. These have ...
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewMutations in the DNA mismatch repair pathway have been shown to be involved in the development of certain cancers. PMS2 is one of the genes involved in the DNA mismatch/repair pathway. PMS2 knock-out mice and cell lines provide a novel model to study cancer and could potentially aid in the development of new therapeutics for oncology. Licensing and collaborative research opportunities exist with respect to these biological materials. Background PMS2 protein is part of a repair complex that includes MLH1. ...
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) clinical isolate strain: Schmoe
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview Dr. Jay Nelson has a collection of HCMV strains available for licensing as a package or on an individual strain basis. The full list of strains which are available are listed under OHSU Technology #1221. These are all clinical isolates that are at early passage and have not been adapted to any cell type and should therefore retain both endothelial and epithelial cell tropism. These strains are useful for a variety of research applications in the field of HCMV. The particular strain under OHSU 1221-Q is ...
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) clinical isolate strain: Phoebe
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview Dr. Jay Nelson has a collection of HCMV strains available for licensing as a package or on an individual strain basis. The full list of strains which are available are listed under OHSU Technology #1221. These are all clinical isolates that are at early passage and have not been adapted to any cell type and should therefore retain both endothelial and epithelial cell tropism. These strains are useful for a variety of research applications in the field of HCMV. The particular strain under OHSU 1221-N is ...
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) clinical isolate strain: New Rock
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview Dr. Jay Nelson has a collection of HCMV strains available for licensing as a package or on an individual strain basis. The full list of strains which are available are listed under OHSU Technology #1221. These are all clinical isolates that are at early passage and have not been adapted to any cell type and should therefore retain both endothelial and epithelial cell tropism. These strains are useful for a variety of research applications in the field of HCMV. The particular strain under OHSU 1221-M is ...
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) clinical isolate strain: Adinis
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview Dr. Jay Nelson has a collection of HCMV strains available for licensing as a package or on an individual strain basis. The full list of strains which are available are listed under OHSU Technology #1221. These are all clinical isolates that are at early passage and have not been adapted to any cell type and should therefore retain both endothelial and epithelial cell tropism. These strains are useful for a variety of research applications in the field of HCMV. The particular strain under OHSU 1221-A is ...
H9 cell clone H9.38 susceptible to HIV isolates
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewOptimal development and evaluation of antiviral drugs and vaccines to HIV depend on cell culture studies using HIV-1 isolates that are representative of patient viruses. Many of the early HIV-1 isolates used were laboratory adapted strains which grew well in leukemic T cell lines such as H9. However, it was later realized that these laboratory adapted strains were different from primary patient isolates, and HIV-1 isolates from patients grow poorly in leukemic T cell lines. In order to overcome this hurdle, ...
Transformed HeLa Cell Line Clone H1-J(C.53)
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewThis technology is a single clone line of adherent cells that are susceptible to both T-cell trophic HIV1 isolates and Macrophage-trophic HIV-1 isolates. It has utility in determining HIV co-receptor usage, discovery of new drugs effective against HIV and in monitoring drug therapy protocol to enhance the effectiveness of drug treatment regimes against HIV-1 infection. Cell clones are available that express discrete and different quantities of CD4 or CCR5. By measuring titers in the different clones in the presence ...
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) clinical isolate strains
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview Dr. Jay Nelson has a collection of HCMV strains available for licensing as a package or on an individual strain basis. These are all clinical isolates that are at early passage and have not been adapted to any cell type and should therefore retain both endothelial and epithelial cell tropism. The strains which are available include: Adinis Brown Davis Dement Edding Gerry Gruden Harris Keone Lacey Lysistrata Martinez New Rock Phoebe Powers Salvo Schmoe Simpson Watkins These strains are useful ...
Regulation of Exocrine Gland Function by Modulation of Melanocortin-5 Receptor (MC5-R) Activity
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewMC5-R is responsive to all melanocortins at physiological levels except g-MSH. The MC5-R is found in a wide range of tissues from skeletal muscle, to adipose tissues, brain, lung, adrenal and stomach. The present invention relates to the cloning, expression and functional characterization of mammalian melanocortin receptor genes, particularly mammalian MC5-R receptor genes, and most preferably human MC5-R receptor genes. The invention provides methods for identifying and producing naturally-occurring and ...
BESTest medium density foam block tool
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
We Apologize. This product is no longer available. However, a similar foam block tool used in the BESTest is: Basic T-Foam Cushion, Medium, 18"x16"x4" Item # 172M You may order it here: http://www.alimed.com/basic-t-foam-cushions.html INTERNATIONAL ORDERS: For orders outside of the US and Canada, please request invoice as the price will be $155 (instead of the $125 listed below.) To acquire the BESTest training DVD in addition to this tool, please see: BESTest DVD
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewThe inventors developed an immortalized human brain capillary endothelial cell line named BB19. BB19 cells are derived from human brain endothelium and are immortalized with E6E7 genes of human papilloma virus. This cell line has been used to study cytoadherence of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes in vitro. The cells partly maintain endothelial properties as shown by tubule formation with MatrigelTM as substrate. They express Factor VIII-related antigen and von Willebrand’s ...
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview The TR BAC was prepared from the TR clinical HCMV isolate. This virus is resistant to ganciclovir and cidofovir and lacks UL97 codons 591-594. The BAC clone was generated by substituting BAC DNA for the US2-US5 region of the TR genome. The TR strain infects almost any diploid endothelial or epithelial cell as well as macrophages. This strain is useful for studies on HCMV including genetic studies. PublicationProc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003 Dec 9;100(25):14976-81 "Coding potential of laboratory and ...
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview The Hoatlin Cell-Free Screening Assay is biochemical assay platform that was initially developed to study proteins in the Fanconi Anemia-Breast Cancer (FA-BRCA) pathway. Derangements in the FA-BRCA pathway are common in a number of cancers, including breast cancer, head and neck cancers, and ovarian cancer. This versatile assay can be used to screen for drugs that can either stimulate or inhibit the pathway. The assay is adaptable to high throughput screening. The cell-free assay is based on the preparation ...
Novel Mammalian Catecholmine Receptor Genes and Uses
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Information This invention encompasses expression of the Trace Amine Associated Receptor 1 (TAAR1) receptor gene in cell culture, and an assay to determine activity of the TAAR1 receptor function in the presence of test compounds. Until now, TAAR1 proteins have been difficult to express and assay in-vitro. The clones and associated methods included in this invention offer a valuable way to test the effects of compounds on the prototypical trace amine receptor. TAAR1 is the first member of a family of G ...
cDNA Encoding the Cell Surface Receptor that Mediates Infection by Feline Leukemia Virus Type C
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewFeline Leukemia Virus Type C (FeLV-C) is a class of feline leukemia virus that often occurs in domestic cats and has been associated with moderate to severe aplastic anemia. There are three main types of feline leukemia virus: FeLV-A, FeLV-B and FeLV-C. Diagnostic tests can detect all three types of FeLV but can't distinguish between them. There are two FeLV blood tests that detect antigens to FeLV including: (i) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); and (ii) immunofluorescence assay (IFA) ...
H9 cell clones susceptible to HIV isolates
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewOptimal development and evaluation of antiviral drugs and vaccines to HIV depend on cell culture studies using HIV-1 isolates that are representative of patient viruses. Many of the early HIV-1 isolates used were laboratory adapted strains which grew well in leukemic T cell lines such as H9. However, it was later realized that these laboratory adapted strains were different from primary patient isolates, and HIV-1 isolates from patients grow poorly in leukemic T cell lines. In order to overcome this hurdle, ...
D2 Dopamine Receptor Knock-Out Mice
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewD2R is the gene for the D2 dopamine receptor and encodes a member of the D2-like class of dopamine receptors. It is one of the most abundant dopaminergic receptors expressed in the brain. This strain could be used to screen and assess agonist and antagonist drugs specific to the D2 receptor. These mutant mice could also provide a novel experimental system with which to study the role of dopamine in numerous brain functions, CNS-related diseases, addiction, depression, and anxiety-related disorders. They ...
A Novel Human Dopamine Receptor and its Uses (D4 subtypes - D4.2,4.4,4.7)
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewTechnology 0250 is directed toward the isolation, characterization and pharmacological use of the human D4 dopamine receptor. The nucleotide sequence of the gene corresponding to this receptor and allelic variant thereof are provided by the invention. The invention also includes recombinant eukaryotic expression constructs capable of expressing the human D4 dopamine receptor in cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells. The invention provides cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells which ...
D4 Cloning of a Human Dopamine Receptor
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview Technology 0199 is directed toward the isolation, characterization and pharmacological use of the human D4 dopamine receptor. The nucleotide sequence of the gene corresponding to this receptor is provided by the invention. The invention also includes a recombinant eukaryotic expression vector capable of expressing the human D4 dopamine receptor in cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells and such cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells which synthesize the human D4 dopamine receptor.
A Novel Adenosine Receptor (A3) and Uses
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewTechnology 0223 relates to a novel mammalian adenosine receptor. The invention is directed toward the isolation, characterization and pharmacological use of the rat A3 adenosine receptor, the gene corresponding to this receptor, recombinant eudaryotic expression construct capable of expressing the rat A3 adenosine receptor in cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells that synthesize the rat A3 adenosine receptor. The invention also provides methods for screening adenosine-receptor agonists and ...
D2 Dopamine Receptor and Genes and Associated United States Patents
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview Researchers at OHSU have cloned the D2 Dopamine receptor, and have developed cell lines containing both the D2 short and long forms, which are useful in studying ligand-receptor interactions, and developing potential drug candidates for treatment of neurological diseases. Currently, the university holds numerous patents covering the gene and protein sequences encoding for this receptor and its use as a target for drug development purposes, as well as methods for preparing labeled or unlabeled species for research ...
Profiling circulating fragments of fibrillin-1, fibrillin-2, and fibulin-4 as biomarkers for disease
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview Fibrillin-1, fibrillin-2, and fibulin-4 are molecular components of elastic fibers and microfibrils. Elastic fibers and microfibrils are stable structures especially abundant in the connective tissues of blood vessels, lung, skin, ligaments and tendons, and the eye. As a result of disease processes, these structures can be degraded by proteases. Examples of diseases that exhibit degradation of elastic fibers and microfibrils are Marfan's syndrome (a heritable disorder of connective tissue affecting 1 in 5,000), ...
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewDiabetes is a common disease affecting millions of individuals in the United States. Type 1 diabetes occurs when pancreatic islet beta-cells are destroyed as a consequence of an autoimmune disorder. Despite improvements in the medical management of diabetes, severe complications and shortened life-span are still common in individuals with this disease. Cell replacement therapy can work in type 1 diabetes as shown by the success of islet transplantation from cadaveric donors in the Edmonton ...
Humanized T cell hybridoma specific for myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55 peptide
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewThis hybridoma offers a laboratory tool to identify, screen, and characterize T-cell immune modulatory agents for use in treating patients with immune disorders including multiple sclerosis. This technology describes a T cell hybridoma specific for, and reactive to, human myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-35-55. The T-cell hybridoma is positive for D3(+) and CD4(+) cells and negative for CD8(-) cells, expresses TCR BV8/AV11 and AV17 genes, and produces IL-2, IFN-y and TNF-a Th1 cytokines upon concanavalin ...
Mouse Mlh-1 (-/-) Embryonic Cell Line
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview Mutations in the DNA mismatch repair pathway have been shown to be involved in the development of certain cancers, most notably those of the colon and endometrium. MLH1 is one of the genes involved in DNA repair during cell division. MLH1 knock-out mice and cell lines provide a novel model to study cancer and could potentially aid in the development of new therapeutics for oncology. Licensing and collaborative research opportunities exist with respect to these biological materials. Market Summary ...
Plasmid IE86kd able to produce the human CMV IE86 protein
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewPlasmid IE86kd has been generated which can be utilized to produce the full length human cytomegalovirus (CMV) IE86 protein. PublicationsJupp R., Hoffmann S., Depto A., Stenberg R.M., Ghazal P., Nelson J.A. Direct interaction of the Human Cytomegalovirus IE86 protein with the cis repression signal does not preclude TBP from binding to the TATA box. J. Virology 1993 Sept;67(9):5595-5604. Licensing OpportunityThe plasmid is available for non-exclusive licensing.
Murine Model System for Human Cytomegalovirus Latency and Pathogenesis
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewHuman cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is an important ubiquitous pathogen that is a leading viral cause of birth defects and a significant problem in bone marrow transplant patients as well as individuals receiving cancer therapy. Approximately 1 in 750 children born with or develops permanent disabilities due to HCMV. Approximately 8,000 children each year suffer permanent disabilities caused by HCMV. Infection with HCMV is a major cause of disease and death in immunocompromised patients, including organ and ...
SK3 Floxed Allele Mice (SK3 Null Mice)
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview In excitable cells, small-conductance Ca2+-activated potassium channels (SK channels) are responsible for the slow after-hyperpolarization that often follows an action potential. Three SK channel subunits have been molecularly characterized. These channels are found in many types of neurons as well as in some other cell types. Previously, Dr. Adelman's lab developed transgenic mice overexpressing the SK3 gene (OHSU Tech ID #515). In this invention, a new mouse model was developed which ...
Small-Conductance Ca2+-Activated Potassium Channel 3 (SK3) transgenic mice
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology Overview In excitable cells, small-conductance Ca2+-activated potassium channels (SK channels) are responsible for the slow after-hyperpolarization that often follows an action potential. Three SK channel subunits have been molecularly characterized. These channels are found in many types of neurons as well as in some other cell types. In this invention, the SK3 gene was targeted by homologous recombination for the insertion of a gene switch that permits experimental regulation of SK3 expression while ...
U87MG Cell Lines Expressing CD4, CD4 and CCR5, or CD4 and CXCR4
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewHIV-1 isolates infect cells that express CD4 as well as a coreceptor. The predominant coreceptor for T-cell-tropic isolates is CCR5. Human astroglioma U87MG cells lack coreceptors for HIV-1, so that even U87MG-CD4 cells are resistant to infection. U87MG-CD4/CXCR4 and U87MG-CD4/CCR5 cells were prepared by transfection of a U87MG-CD4 cell clone with pcDNA3 vectors that contained cDNAs for CXCR4 or CCR5. The U87MG-CD4/CXCR4 cells are highly susceptible to T-cell-tropic HIV-1 isolates, whereas ...
Mouse PMS-2 (-/-) Embryonic Cell Line
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewMutations in the DNA mismatch repair pathway have been shown to be involved in the development of certain cancers. PMS2 is one of the genes involved in the DNA mismatch/repair pathway. PMS2 knock-out mice and cell lines provide a novel model to study cancer and could potentially aid in the development of new therapeutics for oncology. Licensing and collaborative research opportunities exist with respect to these biological materials. Background PMS2 protein is part of a repair complex that includes MLH1. ...
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Isolated nucleic acids encoding zeatin O-glucosyltransferase are disclosed. These nucleic acid molecules are useful, among other things, to produce transgenic plants having modified zeatin O-glucosyltransferase activity. Applications: Used to alter plant traits including seed development and yield. U.S. issued Patent: 6,600,091 B1. -98-08
Zebrafish Assay to Identify Chemical Modulators of Tissue Regeneration
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
There are currently no vertebrate models that can be used to rapidly screen for small molecules that modulate tissue regeneration. This approach has the potential to revolutionize the field of regeneration medicine and provides an opportunity to identify the targets of identified bioactivities. The present invention provides a rapid throughput zebrafish regeneration assay, which may be used to identify pathways essential for tissue regeneration. Most vertebrates are incapable of tissue regeneration; however zebrafish have the ...
CTIP2 Diagnostic Marker and Drug Screening Tool for Head and Neck Cancer
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Head and neck squamous cell cancers are the sixth most common cancers in the world, the researchers said in their study, and a significant cause of mortality. In 2008, cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx alone accounted for 35,310 new cases in the United States and 7,590 deaths. Despite the development of new types of treatments for head and neck cancer, the mortality rates have not improved much in the last 20 years. Drs. Mark Leid, Arup Indra, Gitali Indra and Joseph Abecassis have invented a method to determine the ...
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Functional engineered fluorescent proteins with varied fluorescence characteristics that can be easily distinguished from currently existing green and blue fluorescent proteins. Such engineered fluorescent proteins enable the simultaneous measurement of two or more processes within cells and can be used as fluorescence energy donors or acceptors when used to monitor protein-protein interactions through FRET. Longer-wavelength engineered fluorescent proteins are particularly useful for photodynamic ...
Balance Evaluation Systems Test: BESTest
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewCurrent clinical balance assessment tools do not determine the underlying constraints on a balance disorder. The BESTest is a new clinical balance assessment tool that is unique in allowing clinicians to determine the type of balance problems in patients. The BESTest combines both original tasks and tasks/items taken from the literature to create a systematic, theoretical framework for identifying the underlying constraints of a balance disorder. Rather than just assuming that �balance� is one system, the BESTest ...
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
These novel nematode research tools facilitate simultaneous studies on the behavior and activity of individual nematodes (C. elegans). The tools can be used alone or in combination for C. elegans studies. They include: · Microfluidic devices with channels that are specifically designed to mimic the worm's motion in soil · An integrated gradient generator for use with the microfluidic ...
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewThe present invention provides a biological screening system for identifying and characterizing compounds that are agonists or antagonists of mammalian melanocortin receptors, MC3-R and MC4-R, with the capacity to influence or modify metabolism and behavior in an animal, particularly feeding behavior. It is an advantage of the present invention that it provides an in vitro screening method for characterizing compounds having melanocortin receptor binding activities that relate to feeding behavior in animals. ...
Mammalian Melanocortin Receptors and Uses (MC3)
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewThis invention relates to the isolation, cloning and sequencing of a complementary DNA copy of the messenger RNA (mRNA) of a novel rat melanocortin receptor gene responsive to g-melanocyte stimulating hormone, a-melanocyte stimulating hormone and adrenocorticotropic hormone. This receptor has been termed the melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3-R). The invention relates to the construction of eukaryotic recombinant expression constructs capable of expressing MC3-R in cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells, and the ...
Mammalian Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Receptors and Uses (MC2)
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewThe present invention relates to the mammalian adrenocorticotropic hormone receptor (ACTH) which is a type of melanocortin receptor (MC2). The fact that this receptor belongs to the melanocortin receptor family implies close association between several physiological processes including stress homeostatic mechanisms, regulation of food intake, immunity and skin function. This receptor is found in the zona fasciculate of the adrenal cortex and stimulates production of cortisol. The invention is directed ...
Mammalian Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone Receptors and Uses (MC1)
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Technology OverviewThe melanocortin 1 receptor (also known as the melanocyte-stimulating hormone receptor or MC1r) is one of the key proteins in regulating hair and skin color. A member of the family of G-protein-coupled receptors, it functions at the surface of pigment producing cells (called melanocytes). The proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene product is processed to produce a large number of biologically active peptides. Two of these peptides, alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (aMSH), and adrenocorticotropic hormone ...
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
The University of Oregon's Monoclonal Antibody Facility, in close collaboration with university researchers, developed novel monoclonal antibodies against a variety of proteins and peptides that are used in studies of molecular structure, subcellular activities, and cellular differentiation. Many of these monoclonal antibodies are now available through MitoSciences, Inc. Others, listed below, are available by direct licensing from the University of Oregon or through our non-exclusive licensed distributors. Hu proteins are ...
TNT, A General Purpose Least Square Refinement for Macro-Molecular X-Ray Crystallography
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
This package is a complete suite of computer programs for optimizing the fit of macromolecular models to x-ray crystallographic data. The parameters of the atomic model can be restrained to structure factors and the principles of stereochemistry. The programs are very general and can be used for any macromolecular problem. A model can be restrained by other forms of data without modification to the code. The programs all operate in a similar fashion, reading free-format input using a common set of ...
Organization: Auburn University
CytoViva is a leading provider of advanced optical microscopy and hyperspectral imaging technologies. These technologies have been specifically designed for nanomaterials, nanomedicine and life science related research. CytoViva Imaging Technology provides: - Real-time optical imaging of nanomaterials and biologicals - Spectral imaging analysis of nanomaterials and cellular features
CytoViva™ Ultra Resolution Imaging™
Organization: Auburn University
A light microscope adaptor using technology invented by Dr. Vitaly Vodyanoy of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University provides far higher resolution than current top-of-the-line research microscopes. The new technology enables researchers to observe living cells in extremely fine detail without the time consuming or invasive sample processing steps which are typical of current high-technology microscopes. Additional benefits include enhanced fluorescence capabilities and utility in the nanotechnology and materials ...
