UNIVERSITY OF
IOWA RESEARCH FOUNDATION
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LICENSING
OPPORTUNITIES
July 2007
LICENSING
OPPORTUNITIES
We at the
The
The
The list
includes inventions which:
(a) have
been patented (date of issuance & patent number is provided),
(b) are
filed for patenting (date of filing is provided), or
(c)
are under consideration for patenting
At any
point, you can, under a confidentiality agreement, review technologies of
interest to you under categories (b) and (c).
The brochure
is organized under the following headings:
BIOTECHNOLOGY, PHARMACEUTICALS & THERAPEUTICS
MISCELLANEOUS
We invite
inquiries regarding these technologies and welcome any opportunities to be
partners with industry in promoting the transfer of technology. Please direct
all your inquiries regarding the technologies in this brochure or for further
information on other technologies, to:
Ms. Pamela
K. York, Executive Director
Ms. Brenda L. Akins, Associate
Director
Mr. John R.
Weis, Senior Licensing Associate
Mr.
Ms. Kathryn
E. Cox, Licensing Associate
214 Technology Innovation Center
Phone: (319) 335-4546
FAX: (319) 335-4486
B I O T E C H N O L O G Y / P H A R
M A C E U T I C A L S / T H E R A P E U T I C S
#83007
CMV PROMOTER FOR INCREASED EXPRESSION
Inventor(s):
Mark F. Stinski, Professor, Department of Microbiology,
Status:
Available for non-exclusive
licensing by fields of use.
Description:
These patents describe the cloning and usefulness of a human cytomegalovirus
(HCMV) immediate-early regulatory DNA sequence termed the CMV promoter, that
functions in a variety of different cell types. This promoter has been shown to
be capable of significantly increasing the expression of a wide variety of
genes. These genes cover a broad eukaryotic host range, thus making the CMV
promoter particularly useful for both recombinant protein production as well as
gene therapy/genetic immunization protocols. These patents are being licensed
non-exclusively by fields of use. License terms have currently been set for
licenses executed before December 1, 2005. License terms are subject to change
after this date. To learn more about license terms for your specific field of
use for the CMV promoter, please call or write to the University of Iowa
Research Foundation: Brenda L. Akins; Phone: 319/ 335-4546 Fax: 319/335-4486.
E-Mail: brenda-akins@uiowa.edu
--
#07061
Zinc-finger nuclease and RNA
interference mediated inactivation of viral genomes
Inventors:
Anton P. McCaffrey and Thomas J. Cradick
Status:
Provisional Patent Application Filed
Description:
The present invention provides methods and compositions for targeted cleavage
of viral genomes using recombinant zinc-finger proteins (ZFN), and target
inactivation of viral gene expression using RNA interference. Specifically,
the methods and compositions of the invention may be used to target viral
hepatitis sequences.
#07040
Method of
making cyclic polypeptides with inteins
Inventor:
Alexander R. Horswill
Status:
Description:
The present invention describes biologic methods for producing and screening
internally cyclized polypeptides. The present invention provides a
biological platform for efficiently synthesizing internally cyclized polypeptides
and for making a library of cyclic polypeptides that
provides a high through-put method for screening biological activity. The
methods provided may be used, for instance, to produce and optimize novel
cyclic peptides for use in treating Staphylococcal infections.
The methods described are both
easier and cheaper than current chemical synthesis methods.
#07041
A Zebrafish
based screen for agents with ability to prevent cell death
Inventor:
Robert A. Cornell
Status:
Description:
The present invention describes a zebrafish mutant useful for the screening of
candidate therapeutics for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as
Parkinson’s, Alzheimers, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The
invention further describes methods of screening candidate therapeutics to
treat neurodegenerative diseases and diseases or disorders characterized by
melanocyte cell death, using the zebrafish mutant, or other teleosts deficient
in the same gene.
Further, the invention provides
methods for screening of candidate therapeutics for the treatment of
melanomas.
The invention provides targets and
methods for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and melanomas.
Relevant Publication: McNeill,
M. S., Paulsen, J., Bonde, G., Burnight, E., Hsu, M.-Y., and Cornell, R. A.
(2007). Cell death of melanophores in zebrafish trpm7 mutant embryos depends on
melanin synthesis. J. Investigative Dermatology (in press)
Elizondo, M. R., Arduini, B. L.,
Paulsen, J., MacDonald, E. L., Sabel, J. L., Henion, P. D., et al. (2005).
Defective skeletogenesis with kidney stone formation in dwarf zebrafish mutant
for trpm7. Curr Biol 15, 667-71.
Cornell, R. A.,
Yemm, E., Bonde, G., Li, W., d'Alencon, C., Wegman, L., et al. (2004). Touchtone promotes survival
of embryonic melanophores in zebrafish. Mech Dev 121, 1365-76.
#07015
Methods AND COMPOSITIONS RELATED TO
PLUNC related surfactant polypeptides
Inventor(s): Paul B.
McCray, Jr., Jennifer Bartlett, Lokesh Gakhar, Rama K. Mallampalli, and
Subramanian Ramaswamy
Status:
Description:
The present invention describes novel surfactant compositions and methods for
lowering the surface tension of a liquid-air interface. The compositions
comprise all or part of a polypeptide of the PLUNC family.
Surfactants facilitate respiration
by continually modifying the surface tension of the fluid normally present
within the alveoli. Surfactants are necessary in order to keep airways
open and able to absorb oxygen.
Surfactants are generally useful in treating respiratory distress syndrome
(RDS), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) in premature infants,
The PLUNC proteins described in the invention may be produced recombinantly in
E. coli or other suitable hosts and therefore could be used as a topical agent
for respiratory, oral, and other applications.
#05035
NOVEL SIALIC ACID PERMEASE OF HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE
Inventor(s): Michael A.
Apicella, Simon Allen, Bradford W. Gibson, Anthony Zaleski
Status:
Description:
Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae is an opportunistic pathogen and
a common cause of otitis media in children and of chronic bronchitis
and pneumonia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease. H. influenzae utilizes sialic acid, a sugar readily available in
the respiratory tract. This invention consists of a method to treat or prevent
a Haemophilus influenzae infection by administering a sialic acid permease
inhibitory agent in an amount that reduces the uptake of sialic acid by the
bacterium. In the absence of sialic acid transporters siaP or
siaT, H. influenzae cannot incorporate sialic acid into its
lipooligosaccharides, making the organism unable to survive when
exposed to human serum and causing reduced viability in biofilm
growth. This technology also provides methods for determining both the
inhibitory activity and binding activity of the sialic acid transporters.
This invention may also be used to treat Haemophilus somnus, H. gallarium, Vibrio
vulnificus, Vibrio cholera, Shigella flexneri, Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
Helicobacter pylori, Pasturella multicidia, or Salmonella enteritidis.
Relevant Publications: Allen, Simon,
Zaleski, Anthony, Johnston, Jason W., Gibson, Bradford W., and
Contact: Brenda
L. Akins; Phone: 319/ 335-4546 Fax: 319/335-4486. E-Mail: brenda-akins@uiowa.edu
#02051
MUTANT STRAIN OF NEISSERIA MENINGITIDIS (NMBAII K3) WHICH LACKS
LIPOOLIGOSACCHARIDE (LOS) AND RMP PROTEIN
Inventor(s): Michael A.
Apicella, Deborah M. Post
Status:
Description:
Neisseria meningitidis is
one of the major causative agents of bacterial meningitis and septicemia in
children and young adults, with an estimated 500,000 cases and 50,000 deaths
per year worldwide, a number that is frequently accentuated by epidemic
outbreaks. The rapid progression of meningococcal disease makes proper
diagnosis and subsequent treatment often vital to the survival of infected
individuals. If not properly diagnosed and treated, meningococcal
infections can lead to shock and death within a matter of hours. Better
prevention, diagnosis and treatment of meningococcal infections are
needed. This technology provides for a vaccine to protect against N.
meningitidis colonization or infection. The vaccine contains an immunogenic
amount of isolated and purified transgenic N. meningitidis cell in combination
with a physiologically-acceptable, non-toxic vehicle. The purified cell
contains a disrupted msbB gene, where the disruption results in altered
acyltransferase activity, such that the cell has reduced lipooligosaccharide
expression. Vaccines of this invention can also include effective amounts
of immunological adjuvants, known to enhance an immune response.
Relevant Publications: Post, D.M.,
Ketterer, M.R.,
Phillips, N.J.,
Gibson, B.W.,
Apicella, M.A.,
The msbB mutant of Neisseria meningitidis strain NMB has a defect in
lipooligosaccharide assembly and transport to the outer membrane, Infect. Immun.,
71(2): 647-655 (2003).
Contact:
Brenda L. Akins; Phone: 319/ 335-4546 Fax: 319/335-4486. E-Mail: brenda-akins@uiowa.edu
#01025
Vaccine and Compositions for the Prevention and Treatment of Gonorrhea
Inventor(s): Michael A.
Apicella, Eric
Status:
Allowed Claims for
Allowed Claims for
Description: Over 300,000 women per year contract
gonorrhea in the
Relevant Publications:
Edwards, J. L. and Apicella, M. A.,
Neisseria gonorrhoeae: The molecular mechanisms that initiate infection differ
between men and women., Clin. Microbiol. Rev., 17 (4): 965-981 (2004).
Edwards, J. L., Entz, D.D. and
Apicella, M. A., Gonococcal phospholipase d modulates the expression and
function of complement receptor 3 in primary cervical epithelial cells, Infect. Immun.71(11):6381-91, (2003).
Contact: Brenda
L. Akins; Phone: 319/ 335-4546 Fax: 319/335-4486. E-Mail: brenda-akins@uiowa.edu
#02003
FLUORINATED ALKYL PHENOL COMPOUNDS AND THEIR USE AS MEDICINAL AGENTS
Inventor(s): Max T.
Baker, Mohammed Naguib
Status:
US Patent Application Filed
Description:
Alkyl phenols, such as the widely used intravenous anesthetic propofol, have a
broad range of medicinal properties ranging from central nervous system (CNS)
effects (anesthesia, sedation, anti-nausea) to direct antioxidant
activity. The response of the CNS to alkyl phenols is generally sedative
in nature which is thought to be due the interaction of these compounds with
inhibitory GABAA receptors. This
invention discloses novel alkyl phenol compounds that
are fluorine substituted on the alkyl side groups. If was found that some in
this class of compounds exhibit greater effectiveness than propofol onGABA receptor
and exhibit anesthetic effects of shorter duration than propofol when
administered intravenously possibly due to improved pharmacokinetics. These
compounds may also exhibit the other desirable properties of propofol such as
antimigraine and bronchodilation effects; the latter if administered by
inhalation. These compounds can be formulated in emulsions, polyermic micelles
or cyclodextrins similar to propofol.
E-mail:
#93026-1
DEUTERATED SEVOFLURANE AS AN INHALATION ANESTHETIC
Inventor(s): Max T.
Baker, John H. Tinker
Status:
Description: Sevoflurane is a
desirable fluorocarbon anesthetic widely used in the
Relevant
Publications: Baker MT, Ronnenberg WC, Ruzicka JA, Chiang C-K, Tinker JH.
Inhibitory effects of
deuterium substitution on the metabolism of sevoflurane by the rat. Drug Metab
Dispos, 1993:21;1170-1171.
E-mail: zev-sunleaf@uiowa.edu
#00072
MELATONIN FOR INDUCTION OF GENERAL ANESTHESIA
Inventor(s):
Mohammed Naguib
Status:
US Patent No. 6,552,064
Description:
Melatonin exerts a broad range of beneficial effects including sleep promotion,
sedation, anesthesia, anti-oxidation, and protection of organs to chemical,
infectious and cardiovascular damage. Melatonin
is a water-insoluble compound that cannot be administered to patients by
injection using an aqueous vehicle. Melatonin also cannot be formulated
into an organic solvent that is free of undesirable side effects, nor can it be
formulated in oil-in-water emulsions due to its insolubility in oil.
This invention has as its primary
objective the development of pineal hormone melatonin
(N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) or its biologically active analogues as a
general anesthetic which can be used without any significant anesthesia
hangover.
Relevant Publications: Naguib M,
Samarkandi AH. Premedication with melatonin: a double-blind,
placebo-controlled comparison with midazolam. British Journal of
Anesthesia, 1999:82 (6); 875 – 80.
________________________________________________________________________________
#02035
THE USE OF MELATONIN FOR INDUCTION OF GENERAL ANESTHESIA
Inventor(s):
Max T. Baker, Mohammed Naguib
Status:
US Patent No. 6,638,966
Description:
This invention discloses a novel use of melatonin, or biologically
active analogues of melatonin, for induction of general anesthesia. It is
anticipated that the use of melatonin agonists for sedation and anesthesia will
result in less post anesthetic discomfort. The invention provides compounds
useful for general anesthesia that will have limited toxicity to patients and
less of what is known as “anesthesia hangover.”
Relevant
Publications: (none)
E-mail:
#04003
MELATONIN ANALOG PRODRUG
Inventor(s):
Max T. Baker and Mohammed Naguib
Status:
US Patent Application Filed
Description:
Melatonin exerts a broad range of beneficial effects including sleep promotion,
sedation, anesthesia, anti-oxidation, and protection of organs to chemical,
infectious and cardiovascular damage. Melatonin
is a water-insoluble compound that cannot be administered to patients by
injection using an aqueous vehicle. Melatonin also cannot be formulated
into an organic solvent that is free of undesirable side effects, nor can it be
formulated in oil-in-water emulsions due to its insolubility in oil.
This invention discloses compounds
that are prodrugs to melatonin analogs and that are soluble in nontoxic
solvents. A
prodrug is a drug which is administered in a significantly less active
form. Once administered, the prodrug is metabolized or degrades in the
body to release the active substance. These disclosed compounds will
exert the beneficial effects of melatonin and can be administered in high
concentrations in aqueous vehicles. This invention thereby overcomes the
poor solubility of melatonin and melatonin analogs in nontoxic formulations so
that the melatonin related compounds can be administered intravenously in
adequate doses.
Relevant
Publications: (none)
E-mail:
#03014
PHOTOCHEMICAL METHOD TO ELIMINATE OXYGEN INHIBITION OF FREE RADICAL
POLYMERIZATIONS
Inventor(s): Alec
Scranton, Lijing Gou
Status:
Description:
Current free radical polymerization methods are vulnerable to inhibition by
oxygen. This oxygen inhibition reduces the polymerization rate, reduces
the primary polymer chain length, and limits the ultimate attainable conversion
in photopolymerization systems. This technology is a method for overcoming the
oxygen inhibition of free radical polymerizations. The method involves a
light-absorbing molecule interaction with oxygen to create singlet oxygen, and
use of a compound which traps the singlet oxygen. This technology allows
for either light-induced polymerizations or thermally-induced polymerizations,
will allow for increased chain length of the primary polymer, provides a
simplified process, and is much less expensive than inerting equipment.
This technology can be applied to almost all industrial processes that involve
free radical mechanism, including, but not limited to, coating and paint
industries, adhesives, optics, dental filling, sealing compound, and
stereo-lithography.
Relevant
Publications:
Gou, Lijing,
Gou, Lijing, Opheim, Blaine,
Contact: Brenda
L. Akins; Phone: 319/ 335-4546 Fax: 319/335-4486. E-Mail: brenda-akins@uiowa.edu
#01055
CCT PROMOTERS TO ENHANCE PROTEIN EXPRESSION
Inventor(s):
Rama K. Mallampalli
Status:
Description:
Two novel gene sequences, termed the CCTp208 and CCTp240 promoters, stimulate
the expression of genes in a variety of cell types. Their activity is robust
with several fold greater activity compared to existing viral promoters (e.g.,
SV40 promoter). The murine-based promoters are able to retain enhanced
expression of desired genes in a stable fashion. The relatively small
size of these mammalian sequences will permit easy packaging into adenoviral
vectors for gene delivery. Because the promoters are not viral-based sequences,
they circumvent effects of inflammatory host responses that turn off activity
of commonly available promoters. These promoters can be used to generate
recombinant proteins, and to express reporter genes in gene therapy and vaccine
products.
--
#05069
HYDROFLUOROALKYL PHENOLS HAVING ANESTHETIC PROPERTIES
Inventor(s):
Max T. Baker
Status:
US Patent Application Filed
Description:
Alkyl phenols have a broad range of medicinal properties ranging from central
nervous system (CNS) effects to antioxidant activities. The effects of
alkyl phenols on the CNS are generally sedative in nature. This
invention discloses hydrofluoroalkyl phenols that have effects on the central
nervous system including anesthesia and sedation. Other potential effects
include muscle relaxation, pulmonary smooth muscle relaxation, anti-spasticity,
and inhibition of endocannabinoid catabolism. Substitution of alkylphenols
with fluorine is believed to be advantageous because in some cases fluorine can
improve chemical and metabolic stability of a compound, and can favorably
affect the pharmacokinectics/pharmadynamics of small molecules.
The compounds disclosed in this
invention are useful for inducing anesthesia and sedation in mammals.
Furthermore, compound MB009 has a shorter
duration than propofol and may be useful in clinical situations when it is
desirable to use a more rapidly acting anesthetic.
Relevant
Publications: (none)
E-mail:
#05059
SYNTHESIS OF RACEMIC AND (s)-modafinil
Inventor(s):
Horacio F. Olivo
Status:
US Patent Application Filed
Description:
Modafinil is a psychostimulant agent that has gained much attention because of
its recent approval by the FDA for the treatment of excessive daytime
sleepiness. The agent has also received attention due to its low
likelihood of potential for abuse. Recent work suggests that modafinil
might also be of utility as a treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD), Alzheimer’s disease, and in treating opioid-induced sedation.
This invention discloses the first
asymmetric synthesis of (+)-(S)-modafinil. This is the
first report of a biocatalytic one-flask oxidation/amidation utilizing a
whole-cell transformation. The racemic synthesis of modafinil was
accomplished in two steps, one chemical and one microbial transfromation. The
enantioselective synthesis of (S)-modafinil was accomplished in just
three steps, one chemical and two microbial transformations (60% overall
yield). The new method provides a time savings and involves processes involving
low environmental impact.
Relevant Publications: Olivo, H.F.,
Osrio-Lozada, A., and
#06029
suppressing polyglutamine aggregation and
toxicity
Inventor(s):
Henry Paulson and Victor Miller
Status:
US Patent Application Filed
Description: The invention provides
for methods of increasing the amount of C-terminal heat shock protein
70-interacting protein (CHIP) in a subject, as part of the treatment of
Huntington’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s
disease. The invention also provides for decreasing aggregation of, or
increasing the solubility of polyglutamine proteins.
Relevant Publications: Miller, V.M.,
Nelson, R.F., Gouvion, C.M., Williams, A., Rodriguez-Lebron, E., Harper, S.Q.,
Davidson, B.L., Rebagliati, M.R., and Paulson, H.L., CHIP Suppresses
Polyglutamine Aggregation and Toxicity In Vitro and In Vivo; J of
Neuroscience; 2005; 25(40); 9152-9161.
#06012
Diagnosis and treatment of brain cancer
Inventor(s):
Rajeev Vibhakar, Beverly L. Davidson, and Anup Madan
Status:
Description: Certain embodiments of
the present invention provide methods for determining the presence of a brain
tumor or cancer and methods for predicting the recurrence of a brain tumor or
cancer. The invention describes diagnosis methods, based on the detection
of the silencing of a series of genes in the Wnt pathway, in a patient.
The diagnostic methods described are for solid and childhood tumors, including
specifically, medulloblastoma. Embodiments of the invention also include
methods of treating patients having brain tumors or cancers, comprising the
administration of specific nucleic acids. The methods described
demonstrate that re-expression of certain, silenced genes, decrease cancer cell
growth and increase cancer cell apoptosis.
Relevant Publication: Vibhakar, R., Foltz, J.Y.,
Field, L., Lee, H., Ryu, G., Pierson, J., Davidson, B. L., and Madan, A.;
Dickkopf-1 is an epigenetically silenced candidate tumor suppressor gene in
medulloblastoma; Society for Neuro-Oncology; 2007, 136-144
#06006
Compositions for treating hearing loss and
methods of use
Inventor(s):
Richard Smith
Status:
Description:
This invention includes compounds, compositions, and methods useful for
modulating the expression and activity of genes involved in deafness caused,
including mutations in GJB2, by dominant negative mechanism of action by
RNA interference (RNAi) using small nucleic acid molecules. In one
embodiment, the invention features one or more nucleic acid molecules and
methods that independently or in combination modulate the expression of genes
encoding proteins involved in deafness caused by dominant negative mechanism of
action. The present invention provides a method of reducing the
expression of GJB2 in a cell, which may decrease hearing loss.
Relevant Publication: Yukihide Maeda, Kunihiro
Fukushima, Kazunori Nishizaki, and Richard J.H. Smith; In vitro and in
vivo suppression of GJB2 expression by RNA interference; Human
Molecular Genetics; 2005, 14, 12; 1641-1650
#05064
Vaccine formulations for leishmania
Inventor(s):
Mary Wilson, Daniella Martins, John Donelson,
Noah Craft, and Jeffrey Miller
Status:
PCT Patent Application Filed
Description:
This invention comprises a vaccine constructed from antigens found through screening
a library of individuals with visceral leishmaniasis. The vaccine may comprise
isolated or recombinant Leishmania protein as well as Leishmania DNA which
codes for the applicable proteins. A particular delivery system for these
antigens is an engineered avirulent recombinant strain of the bacterium
Listeria monocytogenes. The present invention also includes methods of
treating humans and animals with pharmaceutical compositions made using the
Leishmania antigens.
#05055
Lectin binding to choroidal
neovascularization
Inventor(s):
Robert Mullins
Status:
US and International Patent Applications Filed
Description: The invention provides a method of identifying choroidal
neovascularization (CNV) in a subject, comprising (a) contacting a Choroidal
membrane and or Bruch’s membrane of the subject with a lectin; (b) assessing
the binding of said lectin to said Choroidal membrane and/or Bruch’s membrane;
and (c) comparing binding patterns of said lectins to the known structure of
CNV. The invention further provides methods of diagnosing wet macular
degeneration.
The invention describes methods of targeting therapeutics to choroidal
neovascularization.
#05016
USE OF THE SODIUM IODINE SYMPORTER TO EFECT UPTAKE OF IODINE
Inventor(s):
Frederick Domann, Andrew Gaut, Douglas Trask, Gang Niu, and Kimberly Krager
Status:
Description: The invention includes methods for testing the ability of cells to take
up and retain iodine. The invention describes methods for rendering a cell
susceptible to iodine uptake and retention as part of the treatment of a
variety of cancers. As a method of increasing iodine uptake and retention,
the invention describes methods for decreasing the expression of the amino acid
protein pendrin. The invention also includes methods of rendering a
cancer cell, particularly head and neck squamous carcinoma cells, susceptible
to radio-iodine therapy comprising introducing into the cell an expression
construct encoding an iodide symporter.
Relevant Publications: Gaut,
A., Niu, G, Krager, K, Graham, M., Trask, D., and Domann, F. Genetically
Targeted Radiotherapy of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Using the
Sodium-Iodide Symporter (
#05014
OPIOD RECEPTOR LIGANDS AND METHODS FOR THEIR PREPARATION
Inventor(s):
Thomas Prisinzano
Status:
Description:
The invention provides novel compounds that are
opioid receptor ligands. The invention also provides pharmaceutical
compositions comprising such compounds as well as methods for treating diseases
associated with opioid receptor function by administering such compounds to a
mammal in need of treatment. The invention also provides an improved
method for isolating an intermediate compound useful for preparing the novel
compounds.
#05005
COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS RELATED TO MODIFIED RETROVIRAL VECTORS
Inventor(s):
Paul B. McCray, Jr. Patrick L. Sinn, Dan Voytas and Junbiao Dai
Status:
Description:
The present invention provides a retrovirus virion pseudotyped with a
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV) envelope glycoprotein. The
invention also describes a pseudotyped feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)
virion comprising an envelope glycoprotein from LCMV. The invention
provides a method to pseudotype retroviruses to attain high titers suitable for
ex vivo and in vivo gene transfer. The invention will be
useful for gene therapy applications using retroviral vectors and provide a
novel method for increasing the transduction efficiency and the targeting of
specific cell types that were previously poorly accessible. In particular
these methods may have applications for targeting tissues such as airway
epithelia, cells of the CNS, hepatocytes and others. The methods may also
facilitate the production of stable packaging cell lines for vector production.
Relevant Publication: Sinn PL, Burnight ER, Hickey MA,
Blissard GW, McCray PB Jr. Persistent gene expression in mouse nasal epithelia
following feline immunodeficiency virus-based vector gene transfer. J Virol.
2005 Oct;79(20):12818-27.
#05004
A Bardet-biedl susceptibility gene and
uses thereof
Inventor(s):
Edwin Stone, Val Sheffield, Thomas Casavant, Terry Braun, and Darryl Nishimura
Status:
US and International Patent Applications Filed
Description: The invention provides an isolated and purified nucleic acid encoding
ADP-ribosylation factor-like 6, designated as BBS3. The invention further
includes oligonucleotides and polypeptides comprising BBS3. The invention
describes methods of diagnosing Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS), a debilitating
genetic disorder, based on mutations in BBS3. The invention further
provides methods of identifying individuals genetically predisposed to BBS
related maladies, including obesity, diabetes, renal defects, retinopathy,
hydrogonadism, polydactyly, and or mental retardation.. The invention
relates to specific sequences in Fibulin 1, 2, 4 and 5 and kits for detecting
those sequences.
Relevant Publications: Chiang,
A. P., Nishimura, D., Searby, C., Elbedour, K., Carmi, R., Ferguson, A.L.,
Secrist, J., Braun,
T., Casavant, T., Stone, E. M., Sheffield, V. C. “Comparative
Genomic Analysis Identifies an ADP-Ribosylation Factor-like Gene as the Cause
of Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS3). American Journal of Human Genetics, 2004
Sep;75(3):475-84. Epub 2004 Jul 16.
#04051
METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR SCREENING
INVOLVING ENDOTHELIAL CELLS UNDER SHEARING CONDITIONS
Inventor(s):
Khalid Kader and Christian H. Coyle
Status:
Description:
The present invention includes methods and compositions for screening
endothelial cells under conditions that mimic physiological stress conditions.
The invention provides methods for identifying or characterizing agents or
pathways in endothelial cell function and processes of screening for candidate
drugs to relieve oxidative stress in endothelial cells. Thus, the present invention
has ramifications for the fields of cardiology, diabetes, and other areas
involving endothelial cells under oxidative stress. The present invention
further provides methods and compositions for evaluating candidate substances
for their ability to modulate vascular endothelial cells in a relevant
physiological context. Methods of the present invention include a method
of identifying a protein involved in endothelial cell function.
The present invention also includes methods of for a candidate drug to relieve
or reduce oxidative stress in an endothelial cell, and for treating chronic
oxidative stress in an animal comprising administering to an endothelial cell
in the animal an effective amount of an inhibitor of eNOS or nicotinamide
adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH).
--
#04035
Alterations of Fibulin genes in macular
degeneration
Inventor(s):
Edwin Stone and Val Sheffield
Status:
US and International Patent Applications Filed
Description: The invention describes mutations in various fibulin genes that are
predictive of and causative for macular degeneration. The invention
further provides methods for detecting and treating specific age-related
macular degeneration phenotypes. The invention relates to specific
sequences in Fibulin 1, 2, 4 and 5 and kits for detecting those sequences.
Relevant Publications: Edwin M.
Stone, Terry A. Braun, Stephen R. Russell, Markus H. Kuehn, Andrew J. Lotery,
Paula A. Moore, Christopher G. Eastman, Thomas L. Casavant, and Val C.
Sheffield. Missense Variations in the Fibulin 5 Gene in Association with
Age-Related Macular Degeneration. NEJM, 351; 4, 20-27; 2004.
#04033M
Methods of Inhibiting
manganese-containing superoxide dismutase 2 (Mnsod)
Inventor(s):
Douglas Trask and Jonathan Bock
Status:
Description:
The present invention provides RNA molecules (e.g., antisense, RNAi, or
siRNA) specific for MnSOD, and further provides methods of reducing expression
of MnSOD. Several RNA molecules have been identified that are specific
for MnSOD and that can selectively reduce expression of MnSOD. The
invention provides for such MnSOD RNA molecules, the DNA molecules encoding
such RNA molecules, and also provides for methods of using the nucleic acid
molecules of the invention to reduce the expression of MnSOD in a cell. A
representative cell in which MnSOD expression can be reduced is a cancer
cell. Such cancer cells can be epithelially-derived, and can include, for
example, a head and neck cancer cell, a breast cancer cell, a colon cancer
cell, and a prostate cancer cell.
--
#04033V
Methods of Inhibiting vegf-c
Inventor(s):
Douglas Trask and Jonathan Bock
Status:
Description:
The present invention provides RNA molecules (e.g., antisense, RNAi, or
siRNA) specific for VEGF-C, and further provides methods of reducing expression
of VEGF-C. Several RNA molecules have been identified that are specific
for VEGF-C and that can selectively reduce expression of VEGF-C. The
invention provides for such VEGF-C RNA molecules, the DNA molecules encoding
such RNA molecules, and also provides for methods of using the nucleic acid molecules
of the invention to reduce the expression of VEGF-C in a cell. A
representative cell in which VEGF-C expression can be reduced is a cancer
cell. Such cancer cells can be epithelially-derived, and can include, for
example, a head and neck cancer cell, a breast cancer cell, a colon cancer
cell, and a prostate cancer cell.
--
#04033C
Methods of Inhibiting cox-2
Inventor(s):
Douglas Trask and Jonathan Bock
Status:
Description:
The present invention provides RNA molecules (e.g., antisense, RNAi, or
siRNA) specific for COX-2, and further provides methods of reducing expression
of COX-2. Several RNA molecules have been identified that are specific
for COX-2 and that can selectively reduce expression of COX-2. The
invention provides for such COX-2 RNA molecules, the DNA molecules encoding
such RNA molecules, and also provides for methods of using the nucleic acid
molecules of the invention to reduce the expression of COX-2 in a cell. A
representative cell in which COX-2 expression can be reduced is a cancer
cell. Such cancer cells can be epithelially-derived, and can include, for
example, a head and neck cancer cell, a breast cancer cell, a colon cancer cell,
and a prostate cancer cell.
--
#04028
ANTIBODIES TO PHOSPHORYLATED TAU, METHODS OF MAKING AND METHODS OF USE
Inventor(s):
Gloria Lee
Status:
Description:
The present invention provides a purified antibody that selectively binds to a
human tau epitope comprising a phosphorylated tyrosine residue corresponding to
the tyrosine residue.
--
#04024
Methods for Producing and using in
vivo pseudotypeD retroviruses using envelope glycoproteins from
lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (lcmv)
Inventor(s):
Paul B. McCray, Jr. and Beverly L. Davidson
Status:
U.S. Patent 7,160,727, issued January 9, 2007
Description:
The present invention provides a retrovirus virion pseudotyped with a
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV) envelope glycoprotein. The
invention also describes a pseudotyped feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)
virion comprising an envelope glycoprotein from LCMV. The invention
provides a method to pseudotype retroviruses to attain high titers suitable for
ex vivo and in vivo gene transfer. The invention will be
useful for gene therapy applications using retroviral vectors and provide a
novel method for increasing the transduction efficiency and the targeting of
specific cell types that were previously poorly accessible. In particular
these methods may have applications for targeting tissues such as airway
epithelia, cells of the CNS, hepatocytes and others. The methods may also
facilitate the production of stable packaging cell lines for vector production.
Relevant Publication: Stein CS,
Martins I,
Davidson BL.;
The lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus envelope glycoprotein targets lentiviral
gene transfer vector to neural progenitors in the murine brain. Mol Ther.
2005 Mar;11(3):382-9.
#04017
METHODS FOR PRODUCING AND USING IN VIVO PSEUDOTYPE D RETROVIRUSES
Inventor(s):
Paul B. McCray, Jr. and Beverly L. Davidson
Status:
Description:
The present invention provides a retrovirus virion pseudotyped with a
baculovirus envelope glycoprotein. In one embodiment, the glycoprotein is
glycoprotein-64 (GP64) derived from Autographa californica multinuclear
polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV). In another embodiment, the glycoprotein is
glycoprotein-75 (GP75) from a type D influenzae virus. The present
invention further provides a vector containing a nucleic acid encoding a
baculovirus envelope glycoprotein, an envelope glycoprotein from a type D
influenzae virus, an F protein from an insect virus, or a metaviridae envelope
protein. The present invention also provides a packaging cell containing a
nucleic acid encoding a pseudotyping envelope glycoprotein.
The invention provides a method to
pseudotype retroviruses to attain high titers suitable for ex vivo and
in vivo gene transfer. The invention will be useful for gene therapy
applications using retroviral vectors and provide a novel method for increasing
the transduction efficiency and the targeting of specific cell types that were
previously poorly accessible. In particular these methods may have
applications for targeting tissues such as airway epithelia, cells of the CNS,
hepatocytes and others. The methods may also facilitate the production of
stable packaging cell lines for vector production.
Relevant Publications: Sinn, P. L.,
Shah, A. J., Donovan, M. D., and McCray, P. B., Viscoelastic Gel Formulations
Enhance Airway Epithelial Gene Transfer with Viral Vectors, Am J Respir Cell
Mol Biol, 32, 404-410, 2005
Sinn, P. L., Burnight, E. R.,
Hickey, M. A., Blissard, G. W., and McCray, P. B., Persistent Gene Expression
in Mouse Nasal Epithelia following Feline Immunodeficiency Virus-Based Vector Gene
Transfer, J Virology, 79:20, 12818-12827, 2005
Kan, Y, Xie, L, Tran, D. T., Stein,
C. S., Hickey, M., Davidson, B. L., McCray, P. B., Persistent expression of
factor VIII in vivo following nonprimate Lentiviral gene transfer, Gene
Therapy, 106:5, 1552-1558, 2005
--
#04007
RNA INTERFERENCE IN RESPIRATORY CELLS
Inventor(s):
Paul McCray, Beverly Davidson, Anthony Fischer, Hong Peng Jia, Maureen Donovan,
Patrick Sinn and Mark Behlke
Status:
Description: The present invention presents an RNAi molecule capable of mediating expression of a respiratory virus-specific messenger RNA in the respiratory epithelium, including tissues lining the sinuses, the nasal airways, the conducting airways and the alveolar epithelium, as a means to treat a variety of disorders. Specifically, methods and compositions are presented for the delivery of inhibitory nucleic acids to pulmonary epithelia. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the RNAi targets pro-inflammatory processes, viral pathogens, and other agents involved in airway diseases. Examples of su