Enhanced Antigen Reactivity of Immune Cells Expressing a Mutant Non-Signaling CD3 Zeta Chain

Summary:

Researchers at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development are highly motivated in seeking licensing and/or collaboration partners to develop therapeutic cell populations arising out of these technologies.  An ideal partner would enter into both a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) and an exclusive license agreement towards commercialization of one or more therapies to treat various oncologies. 

CODEFACS and LIRICS: Computation Tools for Identifying Cell-Type Specific Gene Expression Levels in Tumors and Other Types of Samples

Description of Technology:

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex mixture of cell types whose interactions affect tumor growth and clinical outcome. Recent studies using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and single-cell RNA sequencing (RNAseq) to elucidate tissue composition and cell-cell interactions in the TME led to improved biomarkers of patient response and new treatment opportunities.

SMAD3 Reporter Mouse for Assessing TGF-ß/Activin Pathway Activation

Description of Technology:

The Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGF-ß) ligands (i.e., TGF-ß1, -ß2, -ß3) are key regulatory proteins in animal physiology. Disruption of normal TGF-ß signaling is associated with many diseases from cancer to fibrosis. In mice and humans, TGF-ß activates TGF-ß receptors (e.g., TGFBR1), which activates SMAD proteins that alter gene expression and contribute to tumorigenesis.  Reliable animal models are essential for the study of TGF-ß signaling.