Organization: CSU Ventures Inc
VetDC is a new Colorado startup company, founded to take advantage of technology development opportunities arising from Colorado State University’s world-renowned Veterinary Teaching Hospital and Animal Cancer Center. Many companies seek out veterinary models to conduct proof of concept studies on drugs, devices, and diagnostics in development for human commercialization. In many cases, the innovator companies have not considered potential veterinary applications of their technology and do not have strategic interest or resources to invest in ...
Organization: University of Michigan
Organization: University of Michigan
Cardiac Biomarker Sensing Based on Nanofluidic Amplification and Resonant Optical Detection
Organization: STC UNM
This novel invention is a compact, integrated sensor consisting of several technologies on a single chip to detect ultra-low concentrations of biomarkers with high sensitivity. Specifically, the lab-on-a-chip sensor platform has been developed to detect multiple cardiac biomarkers from microliter bloods samples.
Organization: STC UNM
The present invention is a simple, fast, selective and highly sensitive electrochemical assay and disposable device for detection of viruses, bacteria, proteins, DNA, and/or organic/inorganic compounds. Also see a related technology - Electrochemical Immunoassay for Autoantibodies
Lateral Flow Diagnostic Reader with Multiassay Cassette
Organization: Northern Arizona University
The core of this unique design uses assays that are similar to home pregnancy tests. The individual assays are made to test for suites of custom markers. For example, the growing concern over endocrine-disrupting chemicals in wastewater has prompted the development of assays that will test for the presence and quantification of an entire panel of these compounds, with results in less than ten minutes. A single water sample (less than one milliliter) is channeled into multiple individual assays. At the completion of the assay, the device reads ...
Reagents For Detection And Imaging Of HIV-1
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
This invention consists of a new family of molecular probes for the detection and imaging of human immunodeficiency virus-type 1 (HIV-1) in infected individuals, animal models, or cultured cells. These new compounds also allow for detection and quantitation of HIV in biological fluids or cell culture media. Moreover, depending on the compound utilized, a number of techniques (e.g. MRI, PET, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and fluorescence at either optical or near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths) can be employed in HIV detection.
Use Of Pak Inhibitors In The Treatment Of Human Cancers
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
Because specific cRAF phosphorylation can lead to tumor activation, a number of drugs have been designed to inhibit phosphorylation and activation of this pathway. Recent studies have identified a previously unknown means of targeting this pathway by directly inhibiting PAK (p-21 activated kinase), which acts immediately downstream of integrin alphav-beta3 (ανβ3). As with other drugs that act on this pathway, patients with high levels of phosphorylated cRAF would be good candidates for treatment with PAK inhibitors and ...
Organization: University of Miami
Corticosteroid therapy is a common treatment for various diseases of the eye such as exudative age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, retinal vein occlusion, and uveitis. A major complication of this treatment is an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP), which may be severe and intractable. This increase may lead to permanent optic neuropathy. The etiology of the steroid response has never been determined, although a possible genetic component has long been suspected. Presently, it is not possible to predict which patients ...
Algorithm for Age Related Macular Degeneration Prediction
Organization: University of Miami
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible severe vision loss in Caucasians over the age of 50. Typically diagnosis of AMD does not occur until the disease has progressed significantly and the patient experiences vision difficulties. Currently, there is no cure for the disease and very few preventative measures can be taken to prevent onset of the disease. There are several risk factors both environmental and genetic that allow certain individuals to contract the disease while others never get the disease. If ...
A Transcriptomic Biomarker of Cardiac Diseases and Disorders
Organization: University of Miami
There is a need to provide early diagnosis and prognosis of heart disease. Myocarditis causes a significant minority of depressed heart function and thus causes heart failure and premature and unexpected sudden cardiac death. Myocarditis affects humans throughout life including children. The current diagnostic approach using histologic analysis of heart tissue obtained by biopsy lacks sensitivity and specificity. There is an urgent need for better biomarkers to adjust treatment appropriately and early. The molecular signature described ...
A Transcriptomic Biomarker of Myocarditis
Organization: University of Miami
There is a need to provide early diagnosis and specific treatment of myocarditis. Myocarditis causes a significant minority of depressed heart function and thus causes heart failure and premature and unexpected sudden cardiac death. Myocarditis affects humans throughout life including children. The current diagnostic approach using histologic analysis of heart tissue obtained by biopsy lacks sensitivity and specificity. There is an urgent need for better biomarkers, to adjust treatment appropriately and at an early stage. A molecular ...
Electrochemical Immunoassay for Autoantibodies
Organization: STC UNM
A simple, fast, selective and highly sensitive electrochemical immunoassay for detection of autoantibodies in human and/or animal blood. Also see a related technology - Electrochemical Biosensor
Diagnosing Asthma Patients Predisposed to Adverse Beta-Agonist Reactions
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Inhaled beta-agonists are the most commonly prescribed asthma treatments. The benefits of beta-agonists include relaxation of smooth muscles of the bronchial airways, increased ciliary beat frequency and reduced mucousal viscosity. However, reports of a possible association between the administration of beta-agonists and increased morbidity have raised safety issues. UW-Madison researchers have developed a method to identify asthmatics carrying a certain allele of the beta2-adrenergic receptor gene who are more likely to show a negative ...
ADRB2 Gene Polymorphism Associated with Intraocular Pressure Response to Topical Beta-Blockers
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
An estimated 3 million people in the United States have glaucoma, a progressive optic neuropathy, characterized by increasing interocular pressure (IOP) that damages the optic nerve and can lead to blindness. The associated annual healthcare costs for glaucoma are estimated at $1.5 billion. Treatment options typically start with medications and progress to surgery, or a combination thereof. Medication options are numerous; in most cases topical beta-blockers represent the least expensive option to reduce IOP. There is a need, however, to ...
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
The incidence of sexually-transmitted diseases is in the millions. Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is an intracellular bacterium that is the leading cause of preventable infectious blindness (ocular trachoma) and of sexually transmitted diseases. Certain clusters of T cell epitopes in the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of Ct may be promising candidates for inclusion in anti-Ct vaccines. Therefore, these peptides, and the DNA that express them, are suitable for subunit vaccines. Activation of CTLs requires specific recognition of ...
PORTABLE IMAGING DEVICE FOR TUBERCULOSIS DETECTION
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Methods for Detection and Elimination of Dormant Cancer Stem Cells
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
UC inventors found that by inhibiting the Shh pathway (validated for Smo inhibition), dormant cancer stem cells could be forced back into the cell cycle where they again become susceptible to BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., imatinib and dasatinib). And, because the stages of disease are characterized by predictable RNA isoform patterns, the levels of specific RNA isoforms and downstream gene products comprise companion indicators of CML progression and the likelihood of response to current therapeutic options.
Highly Selective Stable Isotope Breath Test Marker for TB Diagnosis
Organization: STC UNM
University of New Mexico and Johns Hopkins University researchers have developed a breath test to detect tuberculosis. This method uses various analyte labeling to determine the presence of tuberculosis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is easily detected allowing for a high specificity compared to other developing stable isotope breath tests for Mtb.
Classification of Otitis Media Images
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
A Gene Involved in Primary Glaucoma
Organization: University of Iowa Res Foundation
Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Epitopes of the Major Outer Membrane Protein of <i>Chlamydia trachomatis</i>
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
C. trachomatis (Ct) is the causative agent of two major human diseases: trachoma, an infectious blindness affecting the mucosa of the eye, and a sexually transmitted disease. HLA class I-restricted CD8+ CTLs specific for the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of Ct, are present in the peripheral blood of humans with Ct genital tract infections. UW-Madison researchers previously described six HLA-restricted epitopes of MOMP that are promising candidates for inclusion in anti-Ct vaccines. UW-Madison researchers have now identified two ...
Methods of detecting periodic paralysis in horses
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
MEASUREMENT OF SWEAT GLAND FUNCTION FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF CYSTIC FIBROSIS (RDLP#652)
Organization: Hospital for Sick Children
This medical device provides a novel functional diagnostic test for Cystic fibrosis, which is based on in vivo measurements of the potential difference of sweat glands following cholinergic and combined cholinergic and β-adrenergic sweat stimulation. Through cholinergic stimulation, the transepithelial potential difference is measured between an ECG electrode and a subcutaneous reference electrode and provides similar diagnostic accuracy in discriminating healthy from disease as the existing sweat test. Further, the combination of ...
METHODS OF ASSESSING SEVERITY OF PULMONARY DISEASE AND ITS TREATMENTS (RDLP#589)
Organization: Hospital for Sick Children
Genetic factors such as the under-expression of collectins (MBL2 and SP-A1) in CF patients have been shown to correlate with the early acquisition of infection and a more rapid decline of lung function. Furthermore, it has been found that the over-expression of the growth factor, TGFB1, further amplifies the under-expression of collectins. The present invention relates to the development of a molecular DNA-based test for genetic variants, which are predictive of higher susceptibility to bacterial infections and severe pulmonary disease in ...
Nanoparticles for Targeted, In Vivo Delivery of Diverse Drug Chemotypes
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
The invention provides composite nanostructures for use as ex vivo or in vivo drug delivery vehicles. These compositions can deliver diverse classes of drugs including proteins and peptides, small molecules, and nucleic acid. They are also amenable to covalent attachment of targeting ligands for highly effective and selective payload delivery.
Novel Test for the Diagnosis of Phenylketonuria (PKU)
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Intradiscal Microdialysis Probe for Diagnosing Low Back Pain
Organization: George Washington University
Field Method of Assessing Vigour/Senescence in Trees
Organization: University of New Brunswick, Saint John
The technology involves a rapid non- destructive field method to determine the health and vigour status of trees based on the presence and level of highly diagnostic metabolic activity occurring within the tree. The method is based on a substantial body of fundamental biochemistry research with various tree species over the last 14 years. The detected metabolism is specifically diagnostic of tree vigour status.
TNFAIP3/A20 and other markers as predictive/prognostic factors in cancer
Organization: Stanford University
Vanin 1 as a peripheral blood oxidative stress sensor
Organization: Stanford University
Microfluidics tools for automated surveillance of insect-borne bioagent
Organization: Stanford University
Insects transmit a variety of diseases and are pests to many crops. Current methods for identifying them and quantifying their presence are tedious, time consuming, require high levels of expertise, and are often only applicable to a narrow range of contexts. The purpose of this invention is to automate the process of insect sample collection, identification, quantification, and detection of insect borne bio-agents with a goal to enable large scale ecological surveillance. Initial efforts are focused on mosquitoes and associated diseases ...
Modified INSM1-Promoter for Neuroendocrine Tumor Therapy and Diagnostics
Organization: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans
Insulinoma-associated 1 (INSM1) is as a transcription factor that functions in many difference aspects of embryonic development, evidenced by the fact that it’s expression is restricted to early fetal development in neuronal and endocrine tissues and is absent in normal adult tissues. However, INSM1 is strongly expressed in neuroendocrine tumors, including small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), medullablastoma, neuroblastoma, medullary thyroid carcinoma, insulinoma, retinoblastoma, pheochromocytoma, and pituitary tumors. The expression of ...
Algorithm For Continuous Brain Assessment Using Intracranial Pressure Measurements
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers at UCLA have identified an algorithm - Morphological Clustering and Analysis of Intracranial Pressure Pulse (MOCAIP) - for extracting various morphological features of ICP pulses. For patients who are suffering from a brain-related health condition, this data would be useful in characterizing dynamic physiological changes such as spasms of blood vessels in the brain (cerebral vasospasm) and changes of brain ventricle size. This algorithm has been tested using adequate clinical recordings and proved to be robust to noise and ...
The Protease-Assisted Native-protein Delivery Approach (PANDA)
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA researchers in the laboratory of Dr. Milan Fiala have identified a new biomarker for the identification of a gene essential for the removal of Aβ buildup in the brain, known as β-1, 4-mannosyl-glycoprotein 4-β-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (MGAT3). This invention is a blood-based biomarker that differentiates between different levels of MGAT3 expression in AD patients and characterizes the expression potential in response to small molecular natural compounds, such as vitamin D, curcuminoids, and omega-3. Through ...
Novel miRNA Therapeutic Targets for Asthma Treatment
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
UCSF investigators have used miRNA assays to analyze bronchial epithelial brushings from 16 “steroid-naïve” asthmatics before and after inhaled corticosteroids, 19 “steroid-using” asthmatics and 12 healthy controls and the effects of IL-13 and corticosteroids on cultured bronchial epithelial cells. They have identified and validated miRNAs associated with asthma that may serve as therapeutic targets. In addition, the inventors have discovered specific miRNAs, which are associated with IL-13-mediated asthma. This ...
Assay to Detect Susceptibility to Nitrous Oxide Neurologic Syndrome
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
The enzyme 5,10-methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) plays a role in the synthesis of methionine, an amino acid that is crucial for the production of neurotransmitters, assembly of the myelin sheath, and the synthesis of DNA in proliferating tissues. UW-Madison researchers discovered a novel mutation in the human MTHFR gene that represents a newly recognized pharmacogenetic syndrome, nitrous oxide neurologic syndrome. In this syndrome, nitrous oxide exposure in a genetically predisposed person results in neurological ...
Organization: MUSC Foundation for Research Devt
While HDL levels have been increasingly identified as important in diagnosing and protecting against cardiovascular disease, a consistent population with what are believed adequate HDL levels still develop cardiovascular disease. This misdiagnosis fails to identify a significant population of at risk pre and active cardiovascular disease patients. The present technology has identified a marker which accurately predicts this misdiagnosed population of cardiovascular disease patients. Blood and serum based diagnostic tests as ...
Organization: STC UNM
A nanostructure has been developed that is comprised of a porous inorganic particle/ nanoparticle core and a lipid bilayer shell to form a protocell that can be useful for a wide range of applications. The porous particle/nanoparticle part of the protocell(s) can be loaded with various desired species (i.e., cargos) including chemical molecules, nucleic acids, therapeutic agents, and/or nanoparticles. The lipid bilayer of the protocell(s) can provide biocompatibility and can be modified to possess target species including, but not limited to ...
Organization: STC UNM
A novel method has been developed where successive steps of electrostatistically mediated lipid exchange between silica-supported layers and oppositely charged free liposomes reduces bilayer defects and controls surface charge, allowing cargo retention, delivery and release inside cells. Drug loaded cationic silica cores fused and successively exchanged with liposomes of opposite charges. Researchers have used lipid fusion and exchange between free and nanoparticle-supported liposomes to reduce defects and control the zeta potential (surface ...
Predicting Risk of Developing Alzheimer’s Disease
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is the most common form of dementia. More than five million Americans over age 65 have Alzheimer’s disease, and 10 million baby boomers are expected to develop the disease during their lifetimes. Currently there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Treatment, which involves lifestyle and diet changes and may include medication, focuses on slowing progression of the disease. Identification of people at risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease would ...
Endothelial Specific Targeting by Oligo-Peptides (Endo Stop)
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Identification of the Gene (NPHP4) Causing Nephronophthisis Type 4 and Retinis Pigmentosa
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
UM File # 2417BackgroundNephronophthisis (NPHP), an autosomal recessive cystic kidney disease, constitutes the most frequent genetic cause for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in children and young adults. NPHP is a progressive hereditary kidney disease marked by anemia, polyuria, renal loss of sodium, progressing to chronic renal failure, tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis, glomerular sclerosis, and medullary cysts. The most prominent histologic feature of NPHP consists of renal fibrosis, which in chronic renal failure, regardless of ...
Computer-aided Diagnosis Method and System for Mass Detection in Digital Tomosynthesis Mammograms
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
UM File # 2974BackgroundBreast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide, accounting for more than 400,000 deaths per year. In 2002, more than 1.15 million new cases were diagnosed worldwide, including more than 200,000 in the United States alone. Mammography is one of the leading screening methods for early detection of breast cancer; however, the technology alone is limited and thought to miss 10-15%of breast cancers. Digital tomosynthesis mammography (DTM) is a promising new modality that may reduce the camouflaging ...
A Method to Diagnose the Risk for and Prevent Breast Inflammation and Breast Cancer
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
UC San Diego researchers have invented new methods to detect entry of inflammatory mediators in normal (or diseased) breasts as well as ways to prevent the inflammation. Although the disclosed techniques focus on breast cancer, this diagnostic technology may be applicable to other similar diseased conditions, including prostate inflammation and cancer, ovarian and colon inflammation and cancer, and certain forms of brain inflammation and cancer. More generally, this technology is applicable to inflammation and cancers derived from epithelial ...
Merkel Cell Carcinoma Prognostic Marker
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
UM File # 4571BackgroundMerkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, deadly cancer thought to originate from the neuroendocrine Merkel cells of the skin. Although the prevalence of MCC has been increasing, treatments for this disease remain limited due to a paucity of information regarding the biology of MCC oncogenesis.Technology DescriptionResearchers at University of Michigan have identified proteins that are expressed at high levels in MCC tumors and thus are new molecular markers for management of MCC.Applications• Detection of Merkel Cell ...
Method and Instrumentation for the Optical Detection of Disease in Pancreatic Tissue
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
UM File # 4086BackgroundPancreatic adenocarcinoma has a five-year survival rate of only 5%, making it the fourth-leading cause of cancer death in the US. Current diagnostic procedures are unable to diagnose the disease in its early stages, diagnosis is compromised due to an overlap of symptoms with pancreatitis. As a result, as many as 9% of patients undergo complicated surgery to remove a significant portion of their pancreas, only to reveal absence of the disease during pathological examination of the resected specimen. Clearly, early ...
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Scientists at the University of Michigan have developed optical fiberless sensors to fill this need. These sensors are either solid or semisolid particles with sizes ranging from micrometers down to 1 nanometer in diameter and may be either injected or shot into cells using commercially available pico-injector or gene gun technologies. Thus, for example, fiberless sensors can be manufactured from a polymer matrix containing currently available ionophores and/or chromoionophores, and used for the detection of numerous anions, cations, metals, ...
Fractional Moving Blood Volume Estimation with Power Doppler Ultrasound
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
UM File # 1216BackgroundIn the diagnosis of various medical conditions, it is often useful to examine soft tissues and/or blood flow within the body to show structural details of organs and blood vessels in these organs. Multiple studies have demonstrated increased vascularity (blood flow) in many tumors relative to that of normal tissue, and multiple attempts have been made to depict these differences in vascularity using ultrasonic imaging. Technology DescriptionUniversity of Michigan researchers have developed a method for quantitatively ...
Graphene Oxide-Based Circulating Tumor Cell Capture Device
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
UM File # 5137BackgroundThe quantification of circulating tumor cells (CTC) present in the blood stream of metastatic cancer patients is a valuable tool for the early detection of the disease, its staging, as well as for the assessment of the patient's response to their individual anti-cancer therapy. However, the process of quantitating CTCs is extremely challenging given the scarcity of these cells (1 for every ~ billion red blood cells). This makes the currently available assays and methods not sufficiently reliable and specific when it ...
Nanoparticles for Targeted, In Vivo Delivery of Diverse Drug Chemotypes
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
The invention provides composite nanostructures for use as ex vivo or in vivo drug delivery vehicles. These compositions can deliver diverse classes of drugs including proteins and peptides, small molecules, and nucleic acid. They are also amenable to covalent attachment of targeting ligands for highly effective and selective payload delivery.
Methods for High Sensitivity Detection of Deletions from Genomic DNA
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Researchers at the UC San Diego have developed a proprietary method to detect chromosomal gene deletions and map their breakpoints in biological samples. This method is based on the fact that a positive PCR signal can be obtained when DNA fragments otherwise too distant in the genome are brought close together by loss of nucleotides from a chromosomal region. Genomic DNA obtained from biopsy tissue is amplified by multiplex PCR and specific breakpoints can be identified by analyzing the PCR product(s) obtained. Advantages of this simple and ...
Novel Markers for the Treatment and Diagnosis of Chronic Lumphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a novel technology to diagnose and treat CLL. They have demonstrated an enhanced expression of the phosphodiesterase isoform 7B (PDE7B) in CLL patients. Additionally, the UC San Diego investigators find that the expression of several other phosphodiesterase isoforms is significantly decreased in CLL patients as compared to normal subjects. These findings for PDE isoforms have not previously been reported in blood cells and may represent novel markers for the diagnosis, prognosis, and choice of ...
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
This novel technology is a way to diagnose and treat CLL, breast cancer, and other cancers. A monoclonal antibody has been generated by UC San Diego against a receptor which is implicated in the progression of cancer. This protein named ROR1 is expressed on CLL B cells, but it is not present in normal lymphocytes.
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
UC San Diego researchers have developed a reliable MRI ASL pulse-sequence software to measure the PBF, with the entire imaging sequence being completed in one single breath-hold. It is based on the algorithm described in the published paper by Bolar et. al. (referenced below). Regional PBF can be quantified using an ASL-FAIRER (flow-sensitive alternating inversion recovery with an extra RF pulse) technique coupled with the single-subtraction approach of using one tag-control pair acquisition at an inversion time (TI) matched to the ...
Non-Invasive Method for Diagnosing and Monitoring Alzheimer’s Disease
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
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.
Fluorescent Amyloid Binding Agents for Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
A common structural feature of known amyloid-binding agents is an electronically-polarized, extended aromatic system that is inherent to a family of fluorescent probes known as molecular rotors. Features of molecular rotors, which inherently decrease the non-radiative decay rate and increase fluorescence emission upon binding to aggregated beta-amyloids, were incorporated into a general design of novel, amyloid-binding agents.
Non-Invasive, Sensitive Diagnostic for Viral Myocarditis
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Researchers from UC San Diego have identified altered forms of a protein complex present in cardiac muscle (the dystrophin-glyoprotein complex), which is associated with dilated cardiomyopathy caused by enteroviruses. Specifically, the presence of a unique, enteroviral protease 2A-cleavage product provides a highly specific and sensitive biomarker for enteroviral-mediated cleavage of dystrophin.
High Resolution, Diagnostic Imaging of Fat Composition and Regional Location
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Commonly employed MRI techniques for separating water and fat exploit differences in the precession frequency of protons in fat and water. UC researchers have simplified and improved analysis and data processing by identifying three most-relevant parameters that can be used to qualitatively and quantitatively image fat. By reducing the complexity of an MRI-generated fat spectrum, one is able to significantly improve the diagnostic utility of a scan with minimal effect on the scan time.
Carotid Patch and Filter for Panoramic X-Rays
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
The present invention uses a filter system that allows x-ray films or imaging devices in a panoramic radiograph device to be exposed at discreet intensities for different portions of the human dental structure. The structure is composed of human bone, teeth and soft tissue, all of which vary in density. This system has the ability to select the attenuation of an x-ray beam for the different densities of the human dental structure providing optimal results. The present invention has several advantages. First, using the carotid filter will ...
Genetic Polymorphisms Which are Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
The invention relates to a method of screening subjects for genetic markers associated with autism and the nucleic acids, polypeptides, and antibodies specific to the polypeptides produced by the mutated genes. Currently there are no diagnostic tests or biomarkers for autism and its diagnosis is based on behavioral criteria. The behavioral diagnosis sometimes is not made until age 2 or 3 although the signs of autism often appear by 18 months. The present invention provides an early diagnostic tool for disease intervention.
Rapid, Automatic Measurement of the Eye's Wave Aberration
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
A process for computing the aberrations of the eye in real time from wavefront measurements using a wavefront sensor such as a Hartmann-Shack detector. Real-time determination of the aberrations of the living human eye is necessary for high resolution imaging of the retina for diagnostic evaluation. This is necessary because the eye is constantly moving. The aberrations of the eye can be determined at rates as high as 60 times a second. The algorithms can be run on a simple computer processor. Aberrations for different pupil sizes are ...
Pediatric Asthma Care Technology (PACT)
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Anti-Leu-12 (CD19) Monoclonal Antibody, 4G7
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Transfection and Gene Knock-Out in Intracellular Parasites
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Monoclonal Antibody to Human CD81
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Human Y Chromosome Specific Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Diagnosis and Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Charge Sequencing: A New Technique for DNA Sequencing and SNP Detection
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Dedicated Shim Coils for the Correction of Local MR Field Inhomogeneity
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Method for Predicting Response to Cancer Therapy
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Gene controlling GRAIL function
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Blood Assay for Diagnosing Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Arrayed Primer
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Methods to detect and treat insulin resistance, a disorder modulated by DDAH
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Genes Differentially Expressed in Mood Disorders
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Monoclonal Antibodies to HLA-D Region Gene Products
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
A Monoclonal Antibody Specific For Mouse Granulocytes
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
A Monoclonal Antibody Specific for the B-220 Surface Glycoprotein in Mouse (RA3-3A1)
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
A Monoclonal Antibody Specific for Mouse and Human B Cells
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
HIV PCR Analysis Directs Drug Use
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Fibroblast serum response predicts human cancer progression
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Genes Differentially Expressed in Schizophrenia
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Scintillation Crystal Detection Arrays for Radiation Imaging Devices
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Charge Alternation DNA Detection System
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Compositions and Methods for Diagnosing and Treating Psychotic Disorders
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Serial Planar Immunofluorescence (SPI) Microscopy
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Markers of DNA copy number alteration for improved prognostication in prostate cancer
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Novel Diagnostic and Therapeutic Strategies in Lymphedema
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Biomarkers for Inflammatory and Autoimmune Diseases including Rheumatoid Arthritis and MS
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Protection against tumor growth and angiogenesis by inhibition of PKC beta II and delta
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Methods and Compositions for Diagnosing Suicidal Tendencies
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Blood Collection Apparatus and Reagent System
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Small RNA-based Diagnostics for Cervical Cancer
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Item Number 148 - Analysis Of Whole Blood
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
RB Functional Status as a Determinant for Breast Cancer Therapy
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Method for Determining Dietary Fat Absorption
Organization: Indiana Univ-Purdue University Indianapolis
Anti-microRNA Targets for Treating Pancreatic Cancer
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Dr. Tim Donahue and colleagues from UCLA’s Departments of Surgery and Pathology have utilized expression profiling of over 200 patient samples to identify miRNAs that are overexpressed in pancreatic tumors and the surrounding stroma, which is known to play a key role in tumor growth and survival. The researchers have identified numerous druggable miRNA targets that may participate in protumorigenic signaling and have devised methods to antagonize their effects. A specific miRNA known to regulate key proteins involved ...
Biomarkers for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Biomarkers for Motor Neuron Disease
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of ALS
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Blood Test for Cancer Screening & Diagnosis
Organization: University of Cincinnati
Dr. Georg Weber has developed a real time RT-PCR blood test for the screening of multiple cancers. Dr. Weber and his group have previously shown that osteopontin has potential for cancer screening; recently they identified particular splice variants of osteopontin that are more specific for cancer than the full-length transcript. Utilizing these unique splice variants, this test offers for a highly specific detection of multiple cancers. It may be of particular value in lung cancer. The recent results also included examining blood samples ...
RB Functional Status as a Determinant for Breast Cancer Therapy
Organization: University of Cincinnati
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in US women, after lung cancer. It is estimated that about 200,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2006 and that about 40,000 women will die from the disease.In a recently published article in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Dr. Erik Knudsen and colleagues at the University of Cincinnati discovered a link between inactivation of the retinoblastoma (RB) tumor suppressor and the response of cancer cells to anti-tumor therapies, including ...
Item Number 148 - Analysis Of Whole Blood
Organization: University of Cincinnati
The existence of infectious diseases, and particularly AIDS, presents a hazardous situation for the laboratory and clinical personnel whose responsibility it is to analyze contaminated blood samples for analytes unrelated to these diseases. This has given rise to the creation of "Universal Precautions" which have further increased the difficulties of handling and the complexity of the processing procedures. This is a major problem, for hundred of millions of clinical tests are run annually in the USA alone using blood as the sample source, ...
A tool for enriching microbial nucleic acids and depleting host nucleic acids
Organization: Columbia Tech Ventures
Rapid Identification of Bacteria in Clinical Blood Samples
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Rapid identification of bacteria in clinical blood samples is critical for quality patient care. Hospital-acquired infections greatly increase health care costs and if not detected rapidly, can drastically increase patient morbidity and mortality. These dangers make detecting infections imperative to improving healthcare and decreasing cost. Researchers at Marshfield Clinic have developed a rapid diagnostic system to detect and identify various clinically-relevant bacteria in patient blood samples. This invention uses an extended version of ...
A Biomarker for Prostate Cancer Prediction
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Prostate cancer affects 1 in 6 men in the United States, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation. In 2010, the foundation estimates 32,000 men will die from this disease. Despite advances made in cancer research, there is no satisfactory genetic risk test for prostate cancer. Though there are predictive tests available, they are primarily based on familial inheritance of genes and do not have strong predictive value for the population at large. Therefore, there is a need for a widely-applicable genetic test that provides a stronger, more ...
Therapeutic and Diagnostic Method for Ataxia Telangiectasia
Organization: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans
A researcher at LSUHSC in New Orleans identified novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers for the diagnosis and progression of Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T), along with a system for identifying and testing compounds that may be used for the treatment of A-T. The underlying pathogenic mechanism of A-T is thought to largely be due to defects in DNA repair mechanisms; however, this researcher identified a novel pathway distinct of DNA repair that likely contributes to A-T. This research presents a unique opportunity to advance the diagnostic and ...
TNFAIP3/A20 and other markers as predictive/prognostic factors in cancer
Organization: Stanford University
Vanin 1 as a peripheral blood oxidative stress sensor
Organization: Stanford University
Microfluidics tools for automated surveillance of insect-borne bioagent
Organization: Stanford University
Insects transmit a variety of diseases and are pests to many crops. Current methods for identifying them and quantifying their presence are tedious, time consuming, require high levels of expertise, and are often only applicable to a narrow range of contexts. The purpose of this invention is to automate the process of insect sample collection, identification, quantification, and detection of insect borne bio-agents with a goal to enable large scale ecological surveillance. Initial efforts are focused on mosquitoes and associated diseases ...
Functional Significance Of Human Telomerase Rna Elements
Organization: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Organization: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Biocompatible Nanostructures For Ultrasensitive Biomolecular Sensors And Cellular Imaging
Organization: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
High-throughput Cell Measurements
Organization: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Measuring Human Gait And Movement For Diagnosis Of Neurological Disease
Organization: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Fully Integrated, Low Cost, Point Of Care Diagnostic System
Organization: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Integrated Microfluidic Cell Analysis System
Organization: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Microfluidic Sample Preparation And Impedimetric Detection Of Small Molecules
Organization: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Organization: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Recombinant Streptavidin-protein Chimeras Useful For Conjugation Of Molecules In The Immune System
Organization: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Genetic Markers For Breast And Ovarian Cancer
Organization: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Genes And Proteins Controlling Cholesterol Synthesis
Organization: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Serological Diagnosis Of Chlamydia Trachomatis Infections
Organization: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Species-specific Monoclonal Antibody To Chlamydia
Organization: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Ready-to-use Detection of Melamine
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers at UCLA have identified a novel technique for the specific and rapid detection of melamine. The test combines a nano-particle with a chemical component. The nano-particle causes a rapid color change in the presence of melamine, while the chemical component induces quick precipitation formation. The color change and precipitate are observed within seconds of performing the test. The dual output is observed only in the presence of melamine itself; other interferents may cause either the color change or the precipitate ...
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA researchers have developed a novel method for the detection and monitoring of SULT activity in vivo. Through the use of SULT substrates in conjunction with positron emission tomography (PET), it is now possible to monitor SULT activity in vivo. In addition, investigators have developed DDNP, a compound, when labeled with positron emitters, can detect in vivo the presence of beta-amyloid plaques in the human brain due to its ability to easily cross the BBB.
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers at UCLA have created an assay to identify IRES elements from a library of bicistronic plasmids encoding two fluorescent proteins separated by a small (
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 ...
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
The present invention involves a method of artificially introducing an allosteric site into a protein whereby an addition of an artificially designed or a natural modulator of that allosteric site leads to a mechanical tension onto the protein. This mechanical tension alters the proteins affinity for its substrate, and, in the case of an enzyme, the catalysis rate.In addition to the above-described method, the invention involves, but is not limited to, the following: 1. An allosteric protein, selected from a group of well-studied proteins, ...
Volumetric Analysis Of Multi-dimensional Images
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers at UCLA have identified a modified illusory surface algorithm that uses the curvature and a few points on the surface of an irregular 3D object to accurately calculate its volume. By segmenting images given to the computer using user-selected points, the algorithm quickly and accurately obtains geometrical information about the structure with minimal user interaction. After the algorithm has calculated its estimate of the volume, a new image can be generated with the calculated data for comparison to the original image, verifying ...
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.
Integrated PCR and Electrochemical Biosensor to Detect Biological Samples
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA researchers have developed a novel microfluidic platform that integrates PCR amplification and sequence-specific real-time detection with electrochemical biosensors. Electronic sensor regions are incorporated into microfluidic channels that correspond to the annealing temperature zones. The sensor regions are fabricated with redox-labeled DNA probes attached on electrode surfaces. When these DNA probes come into contact and hybridize with PCR products, an electrochemical signal is produced and measured.
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers among women in the US. There are 2.4 million women living with breast cancer in the US and upwards of ~180,000 new cases each year. Breast cancer tumors are currently evaluated on the basis of several histopathological features including tumor size, grade, and lymph node status, all of which contribute to assessing the overall stage of cancer development. In addition, hormone receptor (ER, PR) and HER2 expression in tumors, together with the histopathological features, ...
Biomarkers for Oral Tongue Cancer Metastasis and Extracapsular Spread (ECS)
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA researchers have identified biomarkers that can discriminate metastasis vs non-metastasis and ECS vs non-ECS oral tongue cancers. Using multiplex real-time quantitative RT-PCR based on the RNA isolated from surgically removed primary oral tongue cancer tissues, specific combinations of these biomarkers can achieve 100% specificity and 100% sensitivity for classifying metastasis status as well as ECS status. Now, there is better accuracy in clinically diagnosing patients for oral cancer metastasis or ECS just through a simple surgical ...
NEW PROGNOSTIC INDICATORS FOR HORMONE RECEPTOR AND TRIPLE NEGATIVE BREAST CANCERS
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
A Method to Diagnose the Risk for and Prevent Breast Inflammation and Breast Cancer
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
UC San Diego researchers have invented new methods to detect entry of inflammatory mediators in normal (or diseased) breasts as well as ways to prevent the inflammation. Although the disclosed techniques focus on breast cancer, this diagnostic technology may be applicable to other similar diseased conditions, including prostate inflammation and cancer, ovarian and colon inflammation and cancer, and certain forms of brain inflammation and cancer. More generally, this technology is applicable to inflammation and cancers derived from epithelial ...
NOVEL PRENATAL DIAGNOSTIC BIOMARKERS FOR CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the leading viral cause of congenital birth defects and lasting disabilities in the United States and affects 1% of pregnancies. Each year about 40,000 infants are born with congenital CMV infection. Of these, 8,000 will suffer permanent disabilities, including mental retardation, neuromotor abnormalities, hearing and vision loss. CMV is a common virus and about half the adult population in the United States is seropositive. Most primary maternal infections are symptomatic and diagnosed by measuring avidity of ...
Sex Hormone-binding Globulin And Type 2 Diabetes
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers at UCLA have identified that plasma sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is a very strong pre-diagnostic predictor of type II diabetes in both men and women, which the researchers have newly identified as being potentially causal for diabetes risk. A lower level of SHBG indicates that a patient has a substantially higher risk for developing type II diabetes. SHBG can also serve as a diagnostic tool for type II diabetes. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have also been identified that affect the level of SHBG in the ...
Genomic Predictor Of Kidney Cancer Prognosis And IL-2 Treatment Response
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers at UCLA have identified a SNP in CA9 that acts as a biomarker of survival from renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Additionally, this SNP serves as an independent prognostic factor of positive response to IL-2 based immunotherapy of RCC.
Assay for Discovery of Muscular Dystrophy Therapeutics
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers at UCLA have identified a protocol for high-throughput screening of small molecules to identify compounds that alter glycosylation at the desired sites. This assay is a sensitive and specific lectin binding assay using a mouse muscle cell line. Robust binding with a large dynamic range was achieved, so that significant changes in lectin binding between cells transfected with a CTGalNAcT plasmid and a control plasmid could be readily observed. As a proof of concept, a library of FDA approved compounds was screened and a lead ...
Diagnostic And Therapeutic Utility Of Cystatin E/M For Cervical Cancer
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers at UCLA have demonstrated that cystatin E/M gene expression can be used as a diagnostic tool for cervical cancer development at the earliest stage. It has previously been identified that the expression of cystatin E/M protein was reduced in cancer cell lines. In CINs, cystatin E/M is expressed, but this expression is lost in tumors. In addition, cancer aggressiveness correlates to the level of reduction or loss of cystatin E/M, which in turn results in the overexpression of the target protein cathepsin L, providing diagnostic ...
Multivalent iRGD-Biopolymers For Early Cancer Detection And Treatment
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
A Novel Trigger Molecule for the Detection and Treatment of Cancer
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Biomarkers for Non-Invasive Diagnosis of Sarcoidosis
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Background: No single test is available for the diagnosis of sarcoidosis, a systemic granulomatous disease in which inflammation occurs throughout the body, leading to clusters of immune cells (granulomas) in various organs and the lungs are affected in more than 90% of patients. Sarcoidosis occurs worldwide and is the most common fibrotic lung disorder. The cause of sarcoidosis is unknown. Currently, diagnosis of sarcoidosis requires invasive histologic tests on biopsies to confirm the presence of granulomas. The only two non-invasive ...
Novel, reliable, non-invasive and inexpensive assay to detect steroids
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
BACKGROUND In the U.S., approximately 650,000 men in 2006 were treated for testosterone deficiency, 200,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, and 4-12% of women of reproductive age are diagnosed with polycystic ovary disease. All of these diseases and many others require the measurement of testosterone for diagnosis and/or treatment assessment. Health problems can also arise upon environmental exposure to industrial compounds and byproducts with steroid-like activities. Furthermore, abuse of steroids is a major issue, not ...
Human Protein Scaffold With Controlled Serum Pharmacokinetics
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers at UCLA have identified a specific domain of a prevalent human protein, and novel conserved mutations within that domain, that has the ability to modify and/or extend the serum half life of an attached molecule such as a tumor targeting molecule (peptide, aptamer, or small chemicals), imaging agent, or a therapeutic functional group.
Methods for High Sensitivity Detection of Deletions from Genomic DNA
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
Researchers at the UC San Diego have developed a proprietary method to detect chromosomal gene deletions and map their breakpoints in biological samples. This method is based on the fact that a positive PCR signal can be obtained when DNA fragments otherwise too distant in the genome are brought close together by loss of nucleotides from a chromosomal region. Genomic DNA obtained from biopsy tissue is amplified by multiplex PCR and specific breakpoints can be identified by analyzing the PCR product(s) obtained. Advantages of this simple and ...
Novel Markers for the Treatment and Diagnosis of Chronic Lumphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a novel technology to diagnose CLL. They have demonstrated an enhanced expression of phosphodiesterase isoform 7B (PDE7B) in lymphocytes of CLL patients. Thus PDE7B can be used as a biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of CLL.Features of this technology include: PDE7B mRNA and protein levels are increased in CLL patients to up to 70- and 90-fold, respectively.Potential therapeutic agents comprise PDE7B inhibitors, antagonists, and antibodies.
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
This novel technology is a way to diagnose and treat CLL, breast cancer, and other cancers. A monoclonal antibody has been generated by UC San Diego against a receptor which is implicated in the progression of cancer. This protein named ROR1 is expressed on CLL B cells, but it is not present in normal lymphocytes.
Sulf-Specific Antibodies for the Treatment of Cancers
Organization: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Antibodies that neutralize Sulf enzymatic activity can be used as therapeutic agents to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and reduce tumor growth. In addition to cancer treatments, antibodies directed against the Sulfs can be used for diagnostics and monitoring of the disease and/or response to treatment. UCSF investigators have also generated three monoclonal antibodies directed against human Sulf-2. The three anti-Sulf-2 antibodies are highly specific to Sulf-2. Sulf-2 regulates a number of pathways that can lead to cancer ...
5-lipoxygenase, A New Therapeutic And Diagnostic Target For Heart Disease Management
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Effective inhibitors of 5LO have been marketed for a different indication. The genes involvement in heart disease enables manufacturers of the mentioned inhibitors to extend their markets to heart disease indications. In addition, 5LO expression profile may be monitored in screenings for CAD drugs candidates.Results of the study indicated that 5LO is involved in susceptibility to both diabetes and CAD. UCLA researchers also demonstrated that certain forms of the 5LO gene are found in CAD patients twice as often as they are in control ...
A New Method To Reduce Radiation Dose In Multidetector CT While Maintaining Image Quality
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA scientists have developed a method to specifically reduce radiation dose to selected organs during a conventional helical CT scan performed on a patient. This innovation exploits the significant dose variations when CT scanning is performed to reduce dose to targeted radiosensitive organs solely by varying the tube start angle in CT scans.
A Method And Software To Generate X-Ray Source Models For Multidetector CT Scanners
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA scientists have developed a method and written software for generating x-ray source models for performing MC radiation dosimetry simulations of multidetector CT (MDCT) scanners. The x-ray source models developed by this method are based solely on measured values, and eliminate the need for access to proprietary data.
Droplet Membrane Formation With Integrated Electrode
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers at UCLA have identified a method for automating a membrane self-assembly process for creating and measuring lipid bilayers. The invention employs a modified pipette which is responsible for dispensing the second phase required for membrane fabrication and also allows for an electrical pathway to be established, which is necessary for measuring ionic currents associated with the membrane and the ion channel. The unique design of this membrane assembly technique combined with the modified pipette allows for simultaneous ...
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.
An Intraductal Approach to the Breast
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
UC San Diego researchers have developed a reliable MRI ASL pulse-sequence software to measure the PBF, with the entire imaging sequence being completed in one single breath-hold. It is based on the algorithm described in the published paper by Bolar et. al. (referenced below). Regional PBF can be quantified using an ASL-FAIRER (flow-sensitive alternating inversion recovery with an extra RF pulse) technique coupled with the single-subtraction approach of using one tag-control pair acquisition at an inversion time (TI) matched to the ...
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 ...
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 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 ...
Fluorescent Amyloid Binding Agents for Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
A common structural feature of known amyloid-binding agents is an electronically-polarized, extended aromatic system that is inherent to a family of fluorescent probes known as molecular rotors. Features of molecular rotors, which inherently decrease the non-radiative decay rate and increase fluorescence emission upon binding to aggregated beta-amyloids, were incorporated into a general design of novel, amyloid-binding agents.
Computer-Aided Detection Of Implantable Man-Made Devices In Medical Images
Organization: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Researchers at UCLA have developed a computer-aided detection system (CAD) to detect and assess an IMD for medical imaging. The system is implemented as a computer software package. Following detection and classification of an IMD, the system can automatically generate a detailed report about the images. In detail, a report will include information for automatically determining: (a) location, (b) number, (c) category, manufacturer, and characteristics; (d) comparison to manufacturer's specifications; (e) movement between serial images; ...
Non-Invasive, Sensitive Diagnostic for Viral Myocarditis
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
Researchers from UC San Diego have identified altered forms of a protein complex present in cardiac muscle (the dystrophin-glyoprotein complex), which is associated with dilated cardiomyopathy caused by enteroviruses. Specifically, the presence of a unique, enteroviral protease 2A-cleavage product provides a highly specific and sensitive biomarker for enteroviral-mediated cleavage of dystrophin.
High Resolution, Diagnostic Imaging of Fat Composition and Regional Location
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
Commonly employed MRI techniques for separating water and fat exploit differences in the precession frequency of protons in fat and water. UC researchers have simplified and improved analysis and data processing by identifying three most-relevant parameters that can be used to qualitatively and quantitatively image fat. By reducing the complexity of an MRI-generated fat spectrum, one is able to significantly improve the diagnostic utility of a scan with minimal effect on the scan time.
Biomarker for Assessing Efficacy and Utility of Cancer Therapeutics (Integrin Antagonists)
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
Inventors at UC San Diego have validated methods for identifying individuals who will be responsive to drugs that act by events downstream of activation of the alpha v-beta3 (αvβ3) integrin pathway. By assessing a specific phosphorylation of a downstream peptide (C-RAF), this diagnostic can assess the efficacy of drugs that: Directly block activation of the αvβ3 pathway.Block ligand-αvβ3 interactions.Block specific phosphorylation of the C-RAF polypeptide. This approach enables drug companies to improve ...
Novel Stress Biomarker for Diagnosing Cancer
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
Caveolin is a membrane structural protein that is has been found to associate with cellular stress. UCSD researchers have discovered a correlation between high levels of caveolin expression and colon cancer.
Skin Commensal Bacterial as Non-invasive Sensors for Skin Cancer and Other Environmental Risk
Organization: University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
UCSD researchers have developed a diagnostic method to monitor risk of developing cancer and other illnesses following radiation exposure by examining human skin commensal bacteria such as Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). P. acnes or other skin commensal bacteria can serve as early surrogate markers for radiation risk because the bacteria are immediately responsive to radiation. In addition, the bacteria are readily accessible and exposed to the same field of radiation as the human body. All forms of radiation could be monitored, including ...
Ngal diagnosis for detection of urinary obstruction, UTIs, and urosepsis
Organization: Columbia Tech Ventures
Radiolabeled Peptides for Breast and Prostate Cancer Imaging and Therapy
Organization: STC UNM
Radio-labeled peptides targeting the receptors specifically expressed on both the breast and prostate cancer cells were developed by Dr. Yubin Miao of University of New Mexico for imaging breast and prostate tumors. Studies conducted with DOTA-conjugated peptides that can bind to gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptors in prostate and breast cancer cells were radiolabeled with 111In and used for imaging xenografted human breast and prostate tumors in mice. Three-dimensional (A), coronal (B) and transversal (C) SPECT/CT images ...
A Design for a Diffuse Optical Tomography Probe for Brest Cancer Imaging
Organization: Columbia Tech Ventures
Novel disease-causing feline picornavirus
Organization: Columbia Tech Ventures
CONEXIC algorithmic software: tracking the genetic footprints of cancer
Organization: Columbia Tech Ventures
A transform for analyzing celiac disease data and other biomedical data
Organization: Columbia Tech Ventures
Diagnosis of neuropsychiatric disorders using magnetic resonance imaging
Organization: Columbia Tech Ventures
Optical Tomographic Imaging System for Joint Disease
Organization: Columbia Tech Ventures
Improved method for detecting COPD, the fourth leading cause of death in the United States
Organization: Columbia Tech Ventures
Method of distinguishing kidney disease and predicting mortality in cirrhosis
Organization: Columbia Tech Ventures
Sharp, high-resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) using novel coil decoupling method
Organization: Columbia Tech Ventures
Organization: Columbia Tech Ventures
Novel detection method for urosepsis and urinary tract infections
Organization: Columbia Tech Ventures
Wireless Electronic Pegboard for Quantification of Dexterity
Organization: Rice University
Absorbent-Based Visual Guide for Estimation of Blood Loss
Organization: Rice University
Measuring Protease Activity Using Quantum Dot Probes
Organization: Rice University
PCR assay detects mutant genes with 50 to 100-fold increase in sensitivity
Organization: Columbia Tech Ventures
Method of Identifying Compounds Useful to Treat Neuronal Degenerative Diseases
Organization: University of Iowa Res Foundation
Glaucoma Compositions and Therapeutic and Diagnositic Uses Therefor
Organization: University of Iowa Res Foundation
Organization: University of Iowa Res Foundation
Identification of complex sugars leads to a novel detection method of anthrax spores
Organization: Columbia Tech Ventures
Semi-Quantitative Lateral Flow Assays
Organization: STC UNM
A researcher at the University of New Mexico has developed a method of generating semi-quantitative data from lateral flow assays. This method requires a multiple-arm pattern of flow channels. When the assay is employed in the presence of analyte, it is possible to make a semi-quantitative determination of analyte concentration.
Organization: Columbia Tech Ventures
Theranostic System for Diagnosis and Treatment of Malaria
Organization: Rice University
Lateral Flow Diagnostic Reader with Multiassay Cassette
Organization: Northern Arizona University
SURFACE ACOUSTIC WAVE (SAW) RESONATOR AS MASS SENSOR IN DIAGNOSTICS
Organization: George Washington University
Organization: STC UNM
This invention uses two preferred denaturation-hybridization solutions, resulting in highly sensitive, fast (hybridization within 15 minutes, and all steps of prehybridization, hybridization and post-hybridization within 24 hours), technically easy, and reliable FISH procedures. It also outlines the development of an entirely formamide-free FISH technique.
Ghrelin Analogues as Molecular Imaging Probes
Organization: WORLDiscoveries - University of Western Ontario
Ghrelin is the natural ligand for the GHSR. Ghrelin binds to the GHSR with high affinity and specificity, resulting in a ghrelin-GHSR complex that is internalized. This binding and internalization of the ghrelin-GHSR complex is exploited through the design of a class of ghrelin-based imaging agents targeting GHSR. Through competitive binding assays it has been demonstrated that these imaging probes have strong affinity to the desired receptor target, GHSR. These probes are suitable for the non-invasive imaging of tumours expressing GHSR ...
Detection and Prevention of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Infection
Organization: Northern Arizona University
A Key Metabolite to Regulate Cancer Cells
Organization: Columbia Tech Ventures
Organization: Columbia Tech Ventures
Asthma patients predisposed to adverse beta-agonist reactions
Organization: Columbia Tech Ventures
Sodium Magnetic Resonance Imaging used in Diagnosis of Tumors and in Assessing Response to Treatment
Organization: Columbia Tech Ventures
Antibodies specific for HLH beta core fragment and uses thereof
Organization: Columbia Tech Ventures
Method for Determining Activity in the Central Nervous System
Organization: STC UNM
This technology uses automatic and semi-automatic (operator supervised) image processing techniques to provide precise measures of T2 that are then uniquely useful to diagnose diseases of the brain that are difficult to diagnose by any other method.
GENETIC BIOMARKERS FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS
Organization: George Washington University
Novel Hybrid Peptide for Imaging and Treatment of Melanoma
Organization: STC UNM
The present technology describes novel non-invasive diagnostic tools/compounds which can be used to image and treat melanoma. The radio-labeled peptide probes can specifically bind to the melanocyte simulating hormone (MSH) receptors that are over-expressed on melanoma cells. Upon binding to the receptor they can be rapidly internalized and selectively deliver diagnostic or therapeutic radionuclides to melanoma tumor cells for imaging or therapy. This means that these probes can not only be used as an effective diagnostic agent ...
Multiplex Lateral Flow Devices for Quick, Low-cost, and More Accurate Diagnostics
Organization: STC UNM
This invention improves upon traditional lateral flow devices by utilizing well know physical interactions between liquids and materials to achieve near-constant velocity capillary-driven fluid flow.
In Vivo Determination Of Melanocyte Protection Ability Of Sunscreens
Organization: STC UNM
A novel technique allows for a sunscreen protection factor that is weighted to the melanocyte to be determined for materials and preparations/substances, and also allows for the study of the wavelength dependent activity of sunscreens.
Rapid Method of Diagnosing a Normal Pregnancy with High Accuracy
Organization: STC UNM
This invention is a novel method of measuring hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin in pregnant women. This allows one to determine if the pregnancy will go to term based on changes in hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin levels in the mother. Using a point of care application one can quickly determine if a pregnancy is at risk or will go to term.
Organization: STC UNM
This invention is a diagnostic tool for predicting pregnancy outcome. Specifically, it involves the detection of ectopic pregnancy or spontaneous abortion by measuring the rate of change of hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin and progesterone in blood of pregnant women. Values are analyzed using our associated algorithm. Current test have an accuracy of 68%. Our test has an accuracy of 96%. This testing can be done at an early stage before symptoms emerge and cause damage.
Organization: STC UNM
This invention is a new ITA (Invasive Trophoblast Antigen) Down Syndrome Screening test.
Rio Mamore Hantavirus Nucleocapsid Protein and Diagnostic Methods Employing Said Protein
Organization: STC UNM
A molecular clone encoding the complete nucleocapsid (N) protein of the Rio Mamore Virus (RMV) was obtained and used to express high-levels of protein. The availability of the RMV N protein and its incorporation into immunodiagnostic assays will facilitate the detection of hantavirus-specific antibodies.
Identification of Subgroups of Childhood Acute Leukemia
Organization: STC UNM
The invention provides a method for identifying prognostic genetic markers in patients with high-risk B-ALL. By establishing a threshold value of prognostic genes, a prediction of a therapeutic outcome for the patient can be made. This prognosis can prove useful in treatment planning determine administration of therapeutic agents.
Novel Therapeutic Target for Gliomas and Medulloblastomas
Organization: Children's Hospital Los Angeles
A Novel Proto-Oncogene for Early Stage Detection and Targeted Treatment of Multiple Cancer Types
Organization: WORLDiscoveries - University of Western Ontario
Our discovery of a novel proto-oncogene over-expressed in the early stages of many human cancers has tremendous potential for early detection and treatment. Using our genetically engineered mouse prostate cancer models we have found a novel proto-oncogene that is up-regulated during cancer initiation in vivo (tumorigenesis). Targeted over-expression of this proto-oncogene in otherwise normal mice induces prostate cancer, a significant finding shared with only a few other proto-oncogenes (i.e. myc, Ras) which have proven to be valuable ...
An Ultrasound-Activated MRI Contrast Agent and Drug Delivery System
Organization: Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Diagnostic Target for Ewing's Family Tumors
Organization: Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Diagnostic Kit For Functional Disorders
Organization: Children's Hospital Los Angeles
A Specific Antibody for Mechanistic Indicators of Plaque Formation in Neurodegenerative Disease
Organization: WORLDiscoveries - University of Western Ontario
A leading Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) scientist at Robarts has generated an antibody that binds an epitope that holds promise to be sensitive and specific to ALS. The polyclonal antibody is fully developed, is very clean, and is specific to an epitope modification on a well accepted ALS disease related protein. This offering represents the only commercially available antibody for this specific epitope. A scientific publication relating to the epitope is pending in the near future.
Early Detection of Prostate Cancer and Prostatitis Using Serum Antibody Response
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in men. Most methods for diagnosing cancer involve detecting a protein like prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which is made by the tumor and secreted into the bloodstream. However, these methods require a large enough tumor and sensitive detection techniques, and may not detect early stage cancer. Detecting antibody responses to tumors may provide a more sensitive means of diagnosing prostate ...
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Five million people in the U.S. are chronically infected with Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Infection with this RNA virus is the leading cause of liver failure in the U.S. Approximately 60 percent of HCV patients develop chronic liver disease and many of these individuals need a liver transplant. Unfortunately, the virus survives in other cells and infects the new liver upon transplantation. Immunosuppressive agents are given to transplant recipients to minimize rejection; however, use of immunosuppressants has been linked ...
Using P-Selectin to Monitor Asthma
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Asthma is a chronic disease that affects more than 20 million Americans. Many tests for diagnosing asthma are available, but few options for monitoring treatment efficacy and disease progression exist. And the limited methods that are available are inconsistent, inaccurate and/or tedious. Because asthma is characterized by eosinophilic inflammation, tests that measure proteins associated with eosinophils may provide a new option for monitoring the disease. The inventors previously discovered that beta1 integrin activation ...
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Chronic rejection is the leading cause of long-term allograft failure in transplant recipients and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. It is a slow, ongoing process that results in replacement of allografted tissue with fibrous scar tissue. Similar to chronic rejection, progressive fibroproliferative disease occurs in native organs in which native tissue is replaced with fibrotic scar tissue, resulting in irreversible loss of function. No effective preventative or therapeutic strategy for chronic rejection ...
New Prostate Tissue Biomarkers Enhance Detection of Prostate Cancer
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Approximately 200,000 men in the United States were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009. The American Cancer Society reports that nearly 29,000 men will die annually from this disease. Typically, prostate tumors arise in multiple foci that are distributed throughout the prostate. This condition is associated with molecular changes in the histologically normal appearing associated prostate tissue, which have been termed a “field defect” or “field effect.” These genetic and epigenetic changes are ...
One-Step DNA Extraction from Dried Blood Spots for Newborn Screening
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Newborn screening is the practice of testing newborns for certain harmful or potentially fatal disorders that are not otherwise apparent at birth. Generally, blood drops are obtained from the heel, finger or ear and then absorbed onto filter paper to produce a dried blood spot collection card. The dried blood spots then are tested for a variety of individual diseases and conditions, including those of metabolic, genetic or hormonal origin. This testing saves millions of dollars each year in health care costs for people who would suffer the ...
Accurate and Reliable Detection of CMV Infection in Newborns Using Dried Blood Spots
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Newborn screening is the practice of testing newborns for certain harmful or potentially fatal disorders that are not otherwise apparent at birth. Generally, blood drops are obtained from the heel, finger or ear and then absorbed onto filter paper to produce a dried blood spot collection card. The dried blood spots then are tested for a variety of individual diseases and conditions, including those of metabolic, genetic or hormonal origin. This testing saves millions of dollars each year in health care costs for people who would suffer the ...
Enhancing Light-Based Tissue Diagnostics by Dimpled Waveguide
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Compact solid-state LED/LD (light-emitting diode) light sources are by their nature near-point sources. Applications that take advantage of these highly efficient, spectrally engineered light sources often require that the light radiate from a two-dimensional surface in a spatially modulated manner. Often it is desirable that these displays be able to redirect a multiplicity of colors, as with phosphor-coated AlGaN LEDs. Currently, the ability to provide a two-dimensional distribution of multiwavelength light for clinical spectroscopic ...
Simple Test for Diagnosing Antibody-Mediated Rejection in Patients with a Kidney Transplant
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Almost 90,000 Americans develop end-stage renal disease each year. Kidney transplantation is the best therapy for these patients and offers them an improved quality of life. Although many kidney grafts are successful in the short term, long-term maintenance of the grafts is poor. A primary cause of transplant failure is cell-mediated rejection (CMR). Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR), which affects 10 to 15 percent of patients, has emerged as another important cause of graft damage and eventual loss. Unlike ...
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Many cardiovascular diseases and other disorders result from problems with the metabolism of cholesterol, a major component of normal animal cell membranes. Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids like oleate and palmitoleate, which are major constituents of triglycerides and cholesterol esters. SCD1 is thought to influence obesity, atherosclerosis and other metabolic disorders associated with changes in lipid composition. UW–Madison researchers have ...
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer worldwide. Currently, no specific diagnostic test exists for early stage liver cancer, and the precise molecular causes of liver cancer are unknown. UW-Madison researchers have developed novel polypeptides and nucleic acids that are differentially expressed in liver tumors relative to normal liver tissues. The researchers initially isolated these sequences by using representational difference analysis (RDA), and then cloned the entire coding region of the genes. One polypeptide they identified is ...
Direct Detection and Mutational Analysis of Low Copy Number Nucleic Acids
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Quantifying RNA and DNA derived from infectious agents or from cellular sources is important in the diagnosis and monitoring of a range of diseases. Early detection of a mutated gene sequence can be important in treatment but requires the accurate evaluation of DNA or RNA existing in low levels. Most attempts to quantify low copy number nucleic acids involve PCR amplification, which may incorporate a high number of errors. A UW-Madison researcher has developed a quantitative method of detection of DNA and RNA target sequences, including ...
White Blood Cell Assay for Determining Risk of Sepsis and Other Inflammatory Disorders
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response to infection that often leads to low blood pressure, organ failure, and death. Components of Gram-negative bacterial cell walls, such as endotoxin, are a potent trigger of sepsis, and high levels of endotoxin in the blood cause many of its symptoms. The nucleotide receptor P2X7 likely modulates the response of macrophages to endotoxins and may be an indicator of sepsis. UW-Madison researchers have developed a method of rapidly assaying P2X7 pore activity in white blood cells within a sample of whole ...
Novel Assay for Measuring Stress-Induced CREB Phosphorylation
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
CREB is a transcription factor that has been implicated as a critical regulator of neuronal function and survival. Knockout mice lacking CREB exhibit a disease similar to ataxia telangiectasia, a neurodegenerative disease primarily seen in children that is characterized by neurodegeneration, extreme sensitivity to UV and ionizing radiation and high susceptibility to cancers. UW-Madison researchers have developed a phospho-specific antibody that can be used to monitor stress-induced phosphorylation of the CREB transcription factor. CREB is ...
Method and Compositions for Detecting Botulinum Neurotoxin
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Botulinum neurotoxins produced by Clostridium botulinum are the most potent toxins known. Because of the threat of bio-terrorism, sensitive methods for detecting botulinum neurotoxin are needed; however, current detection methods are expensive, time-consuming and complicated. UW-Madison researchers have developed a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) method for the sensitive detection of botulinum neurotoxin. The assay uses two fluorescent proteins, such as cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) and yellow fluorescent protein (YFP), which ...
Phospholipase Activity Provides a Simple Test for Systemic Inflammation in Acute and Chronic Disease
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
The inflammatory response plays a role in illnesses from injury to infections to allergies. Initiation of inflammation involves the activation of immune cells that trigger a cascade of events leading to phospholipase A2 (PLA2)-involved inflammatory processes. PLA2s are enzymes that play a vital role in regulating the production of precursors to a number of pro-inflammatory lipid mediators, including prostaglandins, leukotrienes and platelet activating factor, which in turn exert a wide range of potent physiological effects. ...
Depth-Resolved Fluorescence Instrument for Detecting Epithelial Pre-Cancers and Cancers
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Fluorescence spectroscopy involves irradiating tissue surfaces with light and detecting the fluorescence emitted by fluorophores in the tissue. This method provides a promising new means to detect human epithelial pre-cancerous and cancerous growths. However, the tissue depths at which current fluorescence spectroscopy and imaging devices can probe are fixed by the devices' illumination and collection geometries, and thus may not provide optimal contrast between neoplastic growth and normal tissue. UW-Madison researchers have developed a ...
Patient Support Bench and Method for Diagnosing Spinal Abnormalities with MRI
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
In healthy individuals, rotation of the five lumbar vertebrae of the lower spine is limited by strong, interlocking fibers, which hold the vertebrae in place and restrict the amount of twisting between them. Sometimes these fibers become damaged and excessive rotation occurs, a problem doctors may choose to fix by fusing the vertebrae together. Approximately 60,000 spinal fusion operations are performed annually in the United States. The clinical indication for most of these is “instability,” a condition that is poorly defined and ...
Marker Sequences for Liver and Other Cancers
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer worldwide; however, its precise molecular causes are unknown. UW-Madison researchers have identified polypeptides whose expression is upregulated in liver tumor cells and cells from pre-neoplastic foci in liver tissue. These polypeptides may be overexpressed in tumor and pre-neoplastic cells in general; the researchers have so far demonstrated their overexpression in human breast, colon and kidney cancer cell lines, in addition to liver tumors.
Method and System for Rapid and Reliable Testing of Speech Intelligibility in Children
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
In order to detect and treat hearing problems as early as possible, evaluating speech intelligibility – the ability to hear and understand speech – is particularly important in children. However, current hearing tests for children do not sufficiently engage children (who have short attention spans), do not allow evaluation under real world conditions, and do not provide a clinically reliable means to link the child’s environmental experience to the audiology clinic. A UW-Madison researcher has developed an improved ...
Depth-Resolved Reflectance Instrument
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Phsyicians often use microscopic visual inspection followed by biopsy to detect cancer; however, this method is limited in many ways. Optical techniques are a promising alternative that allows clinicians to quickly and nondestructively measure properties of tissue layers in vivo that are associated with pre-cancer and cancer. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy involves illuminating surfaces and measuring diffusely scattered light from the same surface. It has been shown that absorption and scattering in pre-cancerous and cancerous tissues ...
Method for Extraction of Optical Properties from Diffuse Reflectance Spectra
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy can be used to measure tissue absorption and scattering, which reflect the intrinsic physiological and structural properties of tissue respectively. This technique can potentially improve the accuracy of needle biopsy for diagnosing breast cancer. It could also be used for early diagnosis of cancers in other organ sites, minimizing the need for invasive surgical biopsies. However, current methods of extracting information about tissue from diffuse reflectance measurements are either computationally intensive ...
Ultrasound Determination of Vascular Age
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Coronary heart disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. A key challenge facing the cardiology community is the identification of high-risk individuals who would benefit from aggressive medical therapy. Traditional risk assessment models, such as the Framingham global risk assessment, fall short because they only estimate the short-term risk of coronary heart disease and not an individual’s overall risk. A UW-Madison researcher has combined direct measurements of atherosclerotic burden with existing ...
Synthetic Cofactor Analogs of S-Adenosylmethionine as Ligatable Probes of Biological Methylation
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Methylation of nucleic acids and proteins is necessary for normal development and cellular viability of organisms. The most important cofactor in substrate methylation is S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM), with SAM-dependent methylation of nucleic acids and proteins playing a crucial rule in the regulation of gene transcription. UW-Madison researchers have developed compounds and methods for specifically labeling the substrates of SAM-dependent methyltransferases. The methods use SAM analogs that have been modified at the C5` position so the ...
Application of NADH Cytochrome B5 Reductase/System for Direct Metabolism of Xenobiotics
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
The NADH cytochrome b5 reductase/cytochrome b5 system can transfer electrons to other enzymes, including those involved in the metabolism of fatty acids, toxins and drugs. In the past, NADH cytochrome b5 reductase has been considered a “helper” enzyme, with no direct role in drug metabolism. UW-Madison researchers have now shown that NADH cytochrome b5 reductase, along with cytochrome b5, can directly metabolize a hydroxylamine drug metabolite that may be important in sulfonamide drug hypersensitivity. Thus, NADH cytochrome b5 ...
PNA Probes, Probe Sets, Methods and Kits for Detecting Listeria
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) is a synthetic polyamide DNA mimic that can hybridize to DNA or RNA. Although it hybridizes readily with DNA and RNA, PNA is not equivalent to these nucleic acids in structure or function. Instead, it possesses a number of unique properties, including stability in biological samples, a long shelf life and the ability to hybridize with target nucleic acids independent of ionic strength. Additional properties of PNA include enhanced hybridization kinetics, improved mismatch discrimination and the ability to penetrate ...
Estrogen-Related Receptor Gamma, a Breast Cancer Biomarker and Target for Treatment
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-alpha) has become the single most important biomarker and target for breast cancer therapy. The human estrogen-related receptor gamma (ERR-gamma) is an orphan receptor that shares significant amino acid sequence identity with ER-alpha. UW-Madison researchers have developed methods for using ERR-gamma as both a breast cancer biomarker and a target for treatment. As a biomarker, it provides a method of determining a patient’s breast cancer prognosis. Expression levels of ERR-gamma are analyzed along with the ...
Use of Estrogen-Related Receptor Alpha Status to Determine Breast Cancer Prognosis and Treatment
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
The human estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERR-alpha) is an orphan member of the steroid/thyroid hormone superfamily with no known ligand. UW-Madison researchers have developed methods for using ERR-alpha as both a breast cancer biomarker and a target for treatment. As a biomarker, ERR-alpha provides a means to determine the breast cancer prognosis of a patient. Along with the status of other genes related to breast cancer, the expression level of ERR-alpha can be analyzed to help cancer patients make informed treatment choices. A high level ...
Method to Diagnose and Treat Degenerative Joint Disease
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Joint disease results in huge economic costs and can significantly reduce the quality-of-life of people who suffer from it. Pain, inflammation, and instability of the joint are common. Treatment is generally limited to easing the pain and reducing the swelling, but for joints with end-stage disease, surgical treatments, such as arthrodesis (fusion of the joint) or prosthetic joint replacement are also often used. No cure for degenerative joint disease or arthritis currently exists. UW-Madison researchers have developed methods for detecting ...
Using Environmental and Genetic Factors to Assess Predisposition to Antisocial Behavior in Humans
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Childhood maltreatment is a universal risk factor for antisocial behavior. Children who experience abuse are at risk of developing conduct disorder and antisocial personality symptoms and of becoming violent offenders. However, children demonstrate significant differences in their response to maltreatment. Although maltreatment increases the risk of criminality by about 50 percent, most mistreated children do not become criminals. The reason for this variability is unknown, but genes, such as the gene for monoamine ...
MiR-155 Assay Provides a Diagnostic Test Indicative of B-Cell Lymphoma
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding, single-stranded RNA molecules approximately 21-22 nucleotides long. These tiny molecules are implicated in the regulation of gene expression and may play a critical role in cell development, proliferation, differentiation, metabolism and apoptosis. Developmental defects and tumorigenesis can result from abnormal expression of miRNAs. UW-Madison researchers have developed a method of using the amount of a particular miRNA to diagnose B-cell lymphoma and determine a patient’s prognosis. They identified ...
Method of Analyzing Breast Cancer Susceptibility
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Breast cancer poses a serious health problem to many women, but it is difficult to tell who is at risk. Because of their genetic background, 50 percent of women are at much higher risk for breast cancer, while the other half has almost no risk. If the genes linking susceptibility to breast cancer could be identified, individuals who are at risk could be notified. UW-Madison researchers have developed a method of analyzing breast cancer susceptibility based on a subject’s DNA. They used quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping, a ...
Using Environmental and Genetic Factors to Assess Predisposition to Depression in Humans
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Depression affects approximately 15 million adults in the U.S. each year. Although the precise molecular cause of depression is not yet known, abnormalities in certain neurotransmitter systems, such as serotonin, may play a role. In addition, some types of depression are believed to have a strong genetic component, but specific genes for depression have not been identified. The serotonin transporter (5HTT) gene may play a role in depression. This gene has two main alleles: the short, or “s” allele, and the long, or ...
Cell Line for Evaluating Influenza Virus Sensitivity to NA Inhibitors
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
The extensive use of neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors to treat influenza virus infections by reducing viral sialidase activity requires close monitoring for resistant variants. However, cultured cells do not provide a reliable means of evaluating the susceptibility of human influenza virus isolates to NA inhibitors. The growth of influenza viruses in most cell lines is not inhibited by these drugs, even though their sialidase activity may be drug-sensitive. A UW-Madison researcher has developed a cell line that is capable of universally ...
Diagnosing Synovial Disease by Detecting Bacterial DNA in Stifle Synovial Tissues
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Joint disease is the leading cause of disability among Americans, with one in three adults suffering from the disease. Not just a problem for humans, more than one billion dollars is spent each year treating stifle arthritis and associated degenerative cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs. However, diagnosis of synovitis (inflammation of the membrane around a joint) and other joint disease has been largely subjective. A UW-Madison researcher has developed a more quantitative method of diagnosing chronic synovitis and progressive joint ...
Identification of Disease Characteristics Using Isotope Ratios in Breath
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
UW-Madison researchers previously described a method of determining whether or not an animal is suffering from a catabolic change by sampling isotope changes in breath or blood (see WARF reference number P93081US). The researchers now have developed a method of using isotope changes in breath to distinguish bacterial infections from viral infections in humans and other animals. A cavity ringdown spectrometer is used to collect and analyze the isotopes in breath samples taken from a subject over time. A change in the ratio of one stable ...
Non-Invasive Diagnosis and Evaluation of Disease
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
A complex network of biochemical processes underlies living systems. As these biochemical processes change, there is a corresponding change in the biological substances that are consumed or produced. For instance, when a system is challenged by a pathogen, the levels of different biological substances change depending on the specific type of challenge (e.g., a bacteria or a virus). These biological substances that change are known as biomarkers. For example, the amino acids leucine, valine and threonine are biomarkers that increase following ...
Prostate Cancer and Melanoma Screening
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Almost 200,000 men in the United States develop prostate cancer each year. More than 60,000 people develop melanoma. Early diagnosis is key to survival because the best treatment and prognosis for these diseases depends on early detection. However, diagnostic procedures, such as biopsies or imaging tests, are often invasive and uncomfortable. UW-Madison researchers have developed a minimally invasive method of screening for prostate cancer or melanoma. They identified a number of antigens to which patients with prostate cancer or melanoma ...
Optimizing Probes to Improve Spectroscopic Measurement in Turbid Media
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Fiber optic probes can be used for spectroscopic measurement of tissue. A fiber optic tube emits light on one side of the tissue that is absorbed and measured on the other side by fiber optic detectors. The interaction between the light and tissue gives information about the absorption and scattering properties of the tissue, which is useful in medical diagnosis. There are many variants in probe design, including diameter of fiber optic emitters and detectors, the distance between them, and the number of detectors. Because the interaction ...
Using Stromal Collagen to Help Diagnose and Characterize Breast Cancer
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Biomedical imaging allows physicians to detect the onset of disease, injury and other disorders at an early stage, and to monitor their progression. UW-Madison researchers have developed an imaging method that may assist in diagnosing cancerous and precancerous conditions in breast tissue. Because breast cancer is frequently associated with the increased deposition of proteins, particularly collagen, in the extracellular matrix, the inventors developed three tumor-associated collagen signatures, or TACS, which provide novel markers for ...
Quantitative Comet Assay for Measuring Viral Growth and Resistance to Anti-Viral Compounds
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
The standard assay for measuring viral infectivity is a plaque assay in which a semisolid agar applied over cells limits the spread of virus progeny from isolated infected cells to neighboring cells, eventually producing a macroscopic region of dead cells called a plaque. If the agar is replaced by a liquid medium, then virus progeny from infected cells can infect near and distant cells, producing significantly larger plaques that have comet-like shapes. UW-Madison researchers have developed a sensitive means of measuring viral infectivity ...
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
The catabolic state refers to the condition where the body uses stores of carbohydrates, amino acids or fats as a source of energy for maintenance. The catabolic state may be induced by infection, disease, external pathogens, toxic chemical exposure, malnutrition or other causes. Early detection of the onset of the catabolic state as an indicator of serious disease has broad applications in human and veterinary health. In sepsis alone, the mortality rate can be cut in half through earlier detection and intervention. A noninvasive, nondoping, ...
Antibodies to NGAL for Detection of Cancer and Kidney Damage
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a recently discovered cytokine. Because many types of cells produce NGAL in response to injury, it provides a biomarker for several chronic conditions. NGAL can be used in a diagnostic assay to detect certain types of cancer cells (see WARF reference number P95225US). It serves as a strong indicator of kidney damage, and may be useful to monitor other chronic conditions as well. UW-Madison researchers have developed purified antibodies to NGAL. These unique antibodies can be used in ...
Integrated, Miniaturized Fiber Optic Probe for Light-Based Diagnostics
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Light-based diagnostics are used to create images of human tissue to detect the development of diseases like cancer. The popularity of light-based diagnostics is growing due to their non-intrusive nature and potentially rapid implementation with existing techniques. One major absorber of light in tissue is hemoglobin, which shows distinctive absorbance characteristics depending on its concentration and oxygenation. Light scattering in tissue is sensitive to the size, density and refractive indices of cellular structures such as nuclei ...
Improved Method of Fluorescence Spectroscopy using Monte Carlo Simulation for Medical Diagnostics
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
The early detection of disease or malignancy can greatly increase the probability of full recovery, especially in the case of cancers. Optical diagnostic techniques, such as diffuse reflectance and fluorescence spectroscopy, are emerging technologies in the field of medical diagnostics that can provide early detection of disease and other abnormalities in tissues. Recent advancements in optical technologies and the abundance of tissue specific optical property data are quickly accelerating the development of bio-optical devices ...
Imaging Spectrometer for Early Detection of Skin Cancer
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Skin cancer detection is typically identified via standard visual inspection. Skin patches with asymmetrical outlines, irregular borders, mottled color or a diameter greater than six millimeters are all early indicators of possible cancerous areas. However, some skin cancers cannot be detected by visual inspection because they appear in light frequency bands other than the three bands visible to the human eye. For this reason, spectral information can be collected and analyzed to improve the early detection of skin cancer. Currently, two ...
miRNAs Provide Cancer Biomarkers and Diagnostic Information
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Micro RNAs (miRNAs) are naturally occurring, short RNA molecules that target specific mRNAs for destruction. They provide a means of turning down the expression of particular genes. miRNAs regulate genes associated with development, differentiation, proliferation, programmed cell death and stress response. In addition, miRNAs likely affect the development of many cancers. Identifying the miRNAs involved in specific cancers could provide useful diagnostic information as well as potential treatment targets. ...
Novel Splice Variants of PIPKIgamma Provide Biomarkers for Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Prognosis
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 185,000 women in the U.S. were diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 died as a result of the disease in 2005. It is difficult to predict how the disease will progress in a given patient. Identifying individuals with poor prognosis may enable more informed treatment decisions, but few markers of breast cancer progression are available. Type I phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinases (PIPKIs) may provide additional cancer biomarkers. In mammals, ...
Stem Cell Marker for Breast Cancer
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
In patients who develop breast cancer, malignant tumors frequently begin in somatic mammary stem cells. In addition, breast tumors have a stem cell component that propagates the tumor, which may explain why some tumors recur after initially effective treatment. In order for these tumors to be successfully contained or eradicated, the cancer stem cell population needs to be targeted, a process made difficult by the lack of cell surface markers for mammary tumor stem cells. UW-Madison researchers have discovered that the low density ...
Muc16 Bound to Immune Cells Provides an Improved Indicator for Ovarian Cancer and Preeclampsia
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Each year, approximately 20,000 American women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer and about 15,000 women die of the disease. The overall five-year relative survival rate for women with ovarian cancer is 46 percent. The survival rate improves to 93 percent if the cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, before it has spread. But only 19 percent of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed at this local stage. CA125 currently is used as a biomarker for ovarian cancer. Levels of CA125 in the serum rise when a patient has ovarian ...
Measuring the Activity of a Specific Fraction of Albumin for Early Diagnosis of COPD or Sepsis
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex group of conditions usually related to cigarette smoking. COPD is associated with progressive airway obstruction and loss of lung function. This disease is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S., and caring for patients with COPD costs as much as 40 billion dollars each year. Current methods of diagnosing COPD include pulmonary function testing, pulse oximetry, radiological procedures and arterial blood gases. However, these tests only detect relatively advanced disease. Early ...
Influenza B Viruses with Reduced Sensitivity to Neuraminidase Inhibitors
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Influenza is a major human disease caused by one of three types of influenza viruses. Type A viruses cause the most severe illnesses and are responsible for most epidemics; type B viruses generally cause less severe illnesses; and type C viruses result in mild respiratory illnesses and are not believed to cause epidemics. Because neuraminidase (NA) is critical for influenza virus infection, NA inhibitors, such as oseltamivir or zanamivir, are used to treat this disease. However, some strains of influenza have become resistant to these ...
Sensitive Assay for Detecting Botulinum Neurotoxin, Neutralizing Antibodies or Inhibitors
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Botulinum toxin is used for cosmetic procedures and to treat neurological disorders from spasmodic disorders to chronic pain syndromes. The most widely used form of botulinum toxin is the serotype A complex known as BOTOX. A single administration of BOTOX generally remains effective for four to five months before another dose is needed. However, many individuals develop immunity to the toxin after repeat dosing, making the injections less effective. To determine if an individual has developed neutralizing antibodies to ...
Non-Invasive Ultrasound of Cervical Tissue Predicts Preterm Delivery Risk & Labor Induction Success
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Preterm birth is a major world health problem that results in significant infant deaths and medical conditions at a cost of $26 billion annually in the U.S. alone. Preterm birth rates have increased in the past century due to the increased incidence of high risk pregnancies with a lack of effective therapies to treat these conditions. Unfortunately, neither drugs that calm inflammation and/or decrease uterine contractions nor cervical sutures prevent preterm births. The cause of preterm births appears to be the premature or ...
Antigenic Peptides of <i>Chlamydia trachomatis</i>
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
New reagents and vaccines are needed to diagnose and treat patients infected with Chlamydia trachomatis, a major human pathogen. The major outer membrane protein (MOMP) accounts for over 60 percent of the outer membrane protein synthesized during chlamydial development within infected cells. MOMP is highly immunogenic in humans, eliciting diverse antibody and T cell responses. However, preparing MOMP from chlamydiae is impractical and the extreme hydrophobicity of recombinant MOMP makes it hard to work with. Short antigenic MOMP peptides ...
Determining Carcinoma Proliferative Status by Measuring NGAL Expression Levels
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Human breast carcinomas contain elevated levels of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL). UW-Madison researchers have developed a method for determining the proliferative status of a human carcinoma by measuring NGAL expression. In the method, a sample from a patient, such as breast tissue, breast fluid aspirate or blood, is quantitatively analyzed for the NGAL gene expression product. The amount of NGAL gene expression product is compared with a standard curve to determine the sample’s S-phase value. A high percentage of ...
Low-Cost HIV Detection and Monitoring by Directly Quantifying RNA
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Detecting and determining how much RNA from an infectious agent is present in a sample is critical to the diagnosis and monitoring of disease. The viral load in blood serum, for example, correlates to high concentrations of virus in the lymph nodes and helps assess advancing stages of AIDS. But when there are too few RNA molecules to detect by conventional means, it is necessary to try and amplify the telltale sequence by increasing the number of molecules or their signals. However, results may be unreliable and fail to correlate with the ...
Monoclonal Antibodies That Specifically Recognize the Hsp10 of <i>Chlamydia trachomatis</i>
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Infections caused by Chlamydia are among the most prevalent causes of genital and ocular diseases worldwide. UW-Madison researchers have developed monoclonal antibodies against the Chlamydia trachomatis heat shock protein 10 (hsp10). The antibodies were generated through the use of multiple antigen peptides. Currently, they are the only monoclonal antibodies that specifically recognize C. trachomatis hsp10 -- a significant achievement considering that this family of heat shock proteins is highly conserved, and hsp10 homologs are found ...
The C-myc Coding Region Determinant Binding Protein (CRD-BP) and Its Nucleic Acid Sequence
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
C-myc protein levels influence cell proliferation, differentiation, and neoplastic transformation. Not surprisingly, given c-myc's roles in normal cell function, c-myc over-expression has also been found to play a role in tumor formation in experimental models and in human patients. A UW-Madison researcher has identified a coding region determinant binding protein (CRD-BP) that stabilizes c-myc mRNA by binding to the coding region determinant (CRD) on c-myc, thereby increasing the abundance of c-myc protein. Several properties of the CRD-BP ...
Novel Sequences of <i>E. coli</i> 0157:H7
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Infection with the O157:H7 strain of Escherichia coli results in acute hemorrhagic colitis and is often fatal. Because of the rapid progression of this disease, diagnosis often occurs late in disease development, making treatment difficult. UW-Madison researchers have identified the entire sequence of E. coli O157:H7, allowing detection, diagnosis, prophylaxis and therapeutic tools for combating this pathogen. The researchers identified nearly all the DNA sequences unique to E. coli O157:H7. When combined with the genome sequence of E. coli ...
Plasmid DNA from <i>Yersinia pestis</i>, the Causative Agent for Bubonic Plague
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
The bacterium Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of bubonic plague, harbors at least three plasmids necessary for full virulence of the organism. Two of these plasmids, pPCP1 and pMT1, are specific to this species, while the third plasmid, pCD1, also is found in Y. pseudotuberculosis and Y. enterocolitica. UW-Madison researchers have developed the complete DNA sequence of three virulence plasmids, pPCP1, pMT1 and pCD1, from Y. pestis. The open reading frames (ORFs), or protein coding regions, of the plasmids have been determined. ...
Microfluidic Systems and Methods Applicable to <i>In Vitro</i> Fertilization
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Microfluidic systems and methods can provide many functions of larger systems and facilities, such as entire laboratories, with increased efficiency as well as reduced size, cost and complexity. Such microfluidic systems and methods have applications in many fields, including biology. For example, technology-assisted reproduction techniques in which embryos are handled independently from their biological source are growing in importance and frequency of use. Agricultural industries rely on assisted reproduction techniques such as embryo ...
Organization: University of Michigan
Research Tool: Monoclonal antibody UMCD6
Organization: University of Michigan
Monoclonal Antibody UMCD6 (Hybridoma 3F1B5), Specific for the T Cell Glycoprotein CD6
Organization: University of Michigan
Research Tool: Monoclonal antibody UMCD6 (hybridoma 3F7B5), specific for the T cell glycoprotein CD6
Monoclonal Antibody UM7F8, Specific for the Human Cell Surface Antigen CD98 (4F2)
Organization: University of Michigan
Research Tool: Monoclonal antibody UM7F8 specific for the human cell surface antigen CD98 (4F2)
Novel Peptides for Use in Cancer Diagnostics and Vaccines
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Recombinant Luciferase Mycobacteriophages for Rapid Diagnosis of Tuberculosis
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Molecular Diagnostics to Identify Individuals with Inherited Lymphedema
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Methods and systems for facilitating the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Intelligent Polymerized Crystalline Colloidal Array Carbohydrate Sensor
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Novel layer segmentation algorithm for optical coherence tomography images
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Uses of Augmenter of Liver Regeneration (ALR) in Inflammatory Conditions
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
FSTL-1 as a biomarker of inflammation
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Methods to diagnose and immunize against the virus causing human Merkel Cell carcinoma
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Imaging of oxidated disulfides in proteins in histological samples
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Automated Assessment of Optic Nerve Head with Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Biomarkers for the prognoses of pulmonary diseases
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Monoclonal Antibodies for the diagnosis and treatment of basal breast carcinoma
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Mathematical Modeling of Inflammation Following Traumatic Brain Injury
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Connexin mutation detection for lymphatic variation and disease
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Microbubble Contrast and Therapeutic Agent
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Epigenetic Biomarkers for the Minimally Invasive Diagnosis of Fetal Genetic Disease
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Echometrix is a Madison-based developer of proprietary ultrasound technology, licensed from WARF, which offers a new quantitative approach to the functional analysis of musculoskeletal injuries. Instead of diagnostic images, the company's products map mechanical properties and behavior of a target tissue. Echometrix will improve musculoskeletal injury diagnostics, while helping to address accelerating costs in musculoskeletal imaging. Early studies demonstrate improvements in injury assessment when compared with traditional ultrasound. The ...
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
GWC Technologies develops, manufactures and markets scientific instruments for research in proteomics, diagnostics and biosensor development. Two product lines use technology licensed from WARF: 1) SpotReady? array substrates (US Patent 7,332,329) enable rapid, efficient analysis of protein function using the company's SPRimager?II array platform; and 2) The SPR100 system (US Patent 6,330,062) enables materials scientists to monitor thin films at ?ngstr?m resolution. Funded primarily by product revenues, with additional funding from debt, ...
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Helix Diagnostics is a leader in providing bioanalytical testing services for emerging oligonucleotide therapeutics drug developers. With over a dozen clients since mid-2006, Helix supports RNAi, antisense and microRNA clinical development by accurately identifying, quantifying and detecting both drug agent and metabolites in support of toxicology studies and clinical trials. No other assay can perform all three tasks at once, providing time and cost savings for Helix clients. Helix holds exclusive licenses to use of direct DNA/RNA ...
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
NeoClone Biotechnology International LLC excels in the development of monoclonal antibodies. Using its expertise in the development process, NeoClone can produce high affinity antibodies in significantly less time than the rest of the industry. NeoClone currently is servicing the reagent and diagnostic markets (400+ customers in more than 30 countries) and is enhancing its proprietary process to provide services to the therapeutic market.
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
OpGen will enable routine genetic analysis of microbial genomes in discovery and diagnostic applications to provide enhanced customer value. The OpGen result will enable enhanced resolution to solve discovery problems and dramatically reduce time to result in the diagnostic field.
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
The duck-billed platypus is known for its ability to detect specific prey in muddied environments using over 50,000 chemical and touch sensors studded along the surface of its bill. Keeping true to its namesake, Platypus Technologies is developing devices to rapidly detect target molecules present in complex biological samples through specific interactions with nanostructured surfaces. By applying its expertise in material sciences along with a patent portfolio licensed from WARF on liquid crystal technology, Platypus is developing innovative ...
Stemina Biomarker Discovery Inc.
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Stemina was founded in late 2006 and opened its facility in the University Research Park in November 2007 to commercialize hES cell technology based on Dr. Gabriela Cezar's work at UW-Madison. Human embryonic stem cells offer a unique and never before available opportunity to study the pathways impacted by exposure to toxic compounds or the manifestations of devastating disease. Stemina combines hES cell technology and mass spectrometry to discover and validate small molecules that are biomarkers of toxicity. The company's technological ...
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Third Wave was acquired by Hologic in June 2008. Hologic holds the number one position in nine technology areas serving woman's health, including breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, cervical cancer screening, prenatal testing and osteoporosis detection. Hologic believes that the health issues facing women today deserve and demand the singular dedication of a passionate company.
Organization: University of Miami
Vigilant Biosciences, Inc. ("VigilantBIO") was founded in 2011 to identify and develop a pipeline of improved healthcare products aimed at early intervention for cost effective and enhanced patient care. The company is currently trialing its initial product: an easy-to-use, highly specific, low-cost and noninvasive screening kit for oral cancer that allows for detection before visual symptoms present. VigilantBIO has assembled an extraordinarily talented and experienced management team and presented both its products and business plan at ...
URMC Receives Patent for Implantable Diagnostic Technology
Organization: University of Rochester
The University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) has received a U.S. patent for a medical device technology that could revolutionize the way that physician’s monitor the health of their patients. The device – which consists of an implantable “living chip” – is designed to give doctors real time information on their patients’ health and, more importantly, alert them to a change in their condition. The URMC technology consists of a chip that holds the potential to identify – faster and more accurately – physiologic and chemical changes in ...
