Isotropic Generalized Diffusion Tensor MRI

Scientists at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute for Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) have developed a method implemented as pulse sequences and software to be used with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners and systems. This technology is available for licensing and commercial development. The method allows for measuring and mapping features of the bulk or average apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of water in tissue – aiding in stroke diagnosis and cancer therapy assessment.

Silicone Hydrogel Support Structures that Mimic Tissue Vasculature for Cell Culturing

Researchers at the National Cancer Institute developed silicone hydrogel support structures that mimic tissue vasculature (e.g., capillary bed) with high oxygen diffusivity. Photolithographic methods are used to construct mimetic silicone hydrogel pillars that have, for example, a 20:1 height to diameter ratio. Advantageously, these mimetic silicone hydrogels diffuse oxygen from the bottom chamber to the cells cultured on the surface at near physiological rates (60 times that of water).

Device for selectively removing cells from a biological sample

A variety of techniques have been used to isolate specific cells or cell populations from a histological sample under direct microscopic visualization.  Techniques that involve manual or micro-manipulation devices to isolate individual cells based upon visible characteristics and/or immunological staining are labor intensive and can require an extended amount of time.
 

Method for High-Throughput Microdissection and Analysis of Biological Samples

The National Cancer Institute's Laboratory of Pathology is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize a method for target-activated microdissection.

A variety of techniques have been used to micro-dissect specific cells or cell populations from a histological sample under direct microscopic visualization. Traditional  microdissection techniques involve painstaking manual dissection using needles or other micro-manipulation devices to isolate individual cells based on histologies.

Evans Blue Dye Derivatives for Serum Albumin Labeling

The invention is an imaging agent and method of use for imaging blood pools and the lymphatic system. The imaging agent binds with high affinity to serum albumin, the most abundant serum protein, and can be tagged with several isotopes making it suitable for magnetic resonance imaging or positron emission tomographic imaging. To date, only very few blood-pool tracers have been introduced for positron emission tomography. The existing ones have short half-lives (20.4 min for 11C and 2.05 min for 15O) and thus can only be used in centers with an in-house cyclotron.

Octopod (8-Pointed Star) Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Enhance MRI T2 Contrast

The octopod-shaped iron oxide nanoparticles of this technology significantly enhance contrast in MRI imaging compared to spherical superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle T2 contrast agents. These octopod iron oxide nanoparticles show a transverse relaxivity that is over five times greater than comparable spherical agents. Because the unique octopod shape creates a greater effective radius than spherical agents, but maintains similar magnetization properties, the relaxation rate is improved. The improved relaxation rate greatly enhances the contrast of images.

Ultra-sensitive Diagnostic Detects fg/mL-pg/mL Pathogen/Disease Protein by Visual Color Change

This technology is an ultra-sensitive colorimetric assay, based on an enzyme-catalyzed gold nanoparticle growth process, for detection of disease-associated proteins (biomarkers) and disease diagnosis. Current detection methods, such as ELISA immunoassays, measure concentrations above 0.1 ng/mL in a sample. PCR, although more sensitive than ELISA, requires expensive and specialized equipment and reagents, skilled labor, and complex analysis techniques. This assay detects fg/mL to pg/mL concentrations, allowing detection and diagnosis in the earliest stage of disease or infection.

Microscopy System for Distinguishing Stimulated Emissions as a Means of Increasing Signal

The invention pertains to a system and method for distinguishing stimulated emissions as a means of enhancing signal strength of fluorescent markers in fluorescence microscopy applications. The system is arranged such that an excitation beam (e.g., laser beam) illuminates a sample along some axis exciting the fluorescent markers used in the sample. A second light beam, a stimulation beam, illuminates the sample along another axis, possibly the same as that of the excitation beam.
Subscribe to NIBIB