Background-free Imaging by Selective Modulation of Nanodiamond Fluorescence Using a Magnetic Field

This technology includes the use of nanodiamonds to achieve background-free imaging. We present several techniques to reduce or eliminate background florescence by exploiting properties of the fluorescent nanodiamonds. In particular, magnetic field modulation of the fluorescence intensity offers a simple, robust, and easily adaptable method to obtain background free imaging in a variety of imaging modalities, i.e., fluorescence microscopy and wide field fluorescence animal imaging.

Real-time Monitoring of In Vivo Free Radical Scavengers Through Hyperpolarized [1-13C] N-acetyl Cysteine as a Diagnostic and Disease Monitoring Tool

This technology includes synthesized demonstrated [1-13C] NAC as a promising novel probe for hyperpolarized 13C MRI methodologies which could provide diagnostic, and evaluation of response to treatment in various cancers and neurological diseases. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a widely used therapeutic and involved to stimulate glutathione synthesis. Glutathione elevates detoxification and works directly as a free radical scavenger. In vivo hyperpolarized NAC was broadly distributed throughout the body.

Selections of Genes

The invention provides selections of genes expressed in a cancer cell that function to characterize such cancer, and methods of using the same for diagnosis and for targeting the therapy of selected cancers. In particular, methods are provided to classify cancers belonging to distinct diagnostic categories, which often present diagnostic dilemmas in clinical practice, such as the small round blue cell tumors (SRBCTs) of childhood, including neuroblastoma (NB), rhabdomyosarcoma RMS), Burkitt’s lymphoma (BL), and the Ewing family of tumors (EWS).

Monoclonal Antibody to the Protein NCOA6 (also called ASC-2, AIB-3)

The invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that bind to the transcription factor NCOA6 (ASC-2, AIB-3, TRB, TRAP250, NRC). The antibodies have proven successful reagents for Western blotting and for purifying complexes containing NCOA6. The Western blot experiments revealed that NCOA6 is over-expressed in several breast cancer cell lines, and the purification experiments identified a protein complex containing NCOA6 (the ASCOM complex). The monoclonal antibodies may be useful reagents for studying the role of NCOA6 in transcription and for studying the ASCOM complex.

Transformation-Associated Recombination (TAR) Cloning

Transformation-Associated Recombination (TAR) cloning in yeast is a unique method for selective isolation of large chromosomal fragments or entire genes from complex genomes without the time-consuming step of library construction.1 The technique involves homologous recombination during yeast spheroplast transformation between genomic DNA and a TAR vector that has short (approximately 60bp) 5’ and 3’ gene targeting sequences (hooks).

Ixodes scapularis Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor

Ixodes scapularis is a blood-sucking tick and the principal vector of Lyme disease, a spirochetal illness caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and now the most common vector-borne infection in the United States; more than 50,000 cases have been reported during the last ten years. The salivary gland of I. scapularis has a number of pharmacologically active molecules that help the tick to successfully feed on blood, such as inhibitors of complement system, in addition to coagulation and platelet aggregation inhibitors.

Compounds That Treat Malaria and Prevent Malaria Transmission

Malaria is the single leading cause of death, especially among children, in the developing world. Malaria is caused by infection with parasites of the genus Plasmodium, transmitted by mosquitos. In addition to transmission, vital steps in the parasite lifecycle occur in the mosquito host. The invention offered for licensing relates to therapeutic compounds and related pharmaceutical compositions that can be used in the prevention and treatment of malaria infection.
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