DeePlexing – Extending Imaging Multiplexity Using Machine Learning

Spatial proteomics and transcriptomics are fast-emerging fields with the potential to revolutionize various branches of biology. In the last five years, various multiplex immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry imaging methods have been developed to stain 5-60 different protein markers in a given tissue. Nonetheless, most of these techniques are iterative and can image a maximum of 3-8 markers in a single cycle, resulting in processing time of several hours to days.

Selective A3 Adenosine Receptor Agonists for the Treatment of Chronic Neuropathic Pain and Other Conditions

This technology includes the creation and use of A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR)-selective agonists for treating chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, chronic neuropathic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and other conditions. A3 receptors for adenosine are found in most cells and endogenous activation of the A3 receptors can result in apoptosis, thereby relieving the inflammation or targeting a tumor. A3AR agonists have been a promising strategy for the treatment of various diseases.

DLX3-floxed mice (DLX3f/f) for Use in Drug Development and In Vivo Research Studies for Ectodermal Dysplasia Disorders

This technology includes the creation of DLX3-floxed mice, specifically designed for conditional deletion of the DLX3 gene via Cre-mediated recombination. This innovative approach aims to develop mouse models for studying ectodermal dysplasia disorders. Ectodermal dysplasias are a diverse group of genetic conditions affecting the development of ectodermal structures, including hair, teeth, and bones. The DLX3f/f mice are particularly valuable for modeling specific disorders such as Tricho-dento-osseous syndrome (TDO), Amelogenesis Imperfecta (AI), and Dentinogenesis Imperfecta (DI).

Treatment for Ichthyosiform Skin Diseases

A synthetic composition that contains the transglutaminase 1 (TGase I) enzyme and a lipid vesicle, which can be used to provide ameliorative therapy for inherited autosomal recessive ichthyoses (ARI). Icthyoses are rare inherited skin disorders that result in extensive scaling of the skin. Because this abnormality can affect heat and fluid transfer through the skin, individuals with this disease may have an increased risk for dehydration and skin infections. Each year, more than 16,000 babies are born with some form of ichthyosis. Ichthyosis affects people of all ages, races and gender.

Method of Producing Immortalized Primary Human Keratinocytes for HPV Investigation, Testing of Therapeutics, and Skin Graft Generation

One of the major limitations of using cultured keratinocytes for research studies is that primary keratinocytes senesce after a few passages. Keratinocytes from specific anatomical sites are also difficult to culture. Scientists at the NIH have demonstrated that primary keratinocytes, from several anatomical sites, when treated with a small-molecule inhibitor of the ROCK protein maintain a proliferative state and become immortal without genetic modification to the cells.

Antagonist of A3 Adenosine Receptor Fluorescent Probes for the Study of Diseases that Involve A3 Signaling

This molecular probe may serve as a companion tool to identify and stratify patient populations based on the prevalence of the target A3 adenosine receptors.

Small molecule drugs, A3AR-selective agonists, are currently in advanced clinical trials for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, autoimmune inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and dry eye disease, and other conditions.

Generation of Artificial Mutation Controls for Diagnostic Testing

This technology relates to a method of generating artificial compositions that can be used as positive controls in a genetic testing assay, such as a diagnostic assay for a particular genetic disease. Such controls can be used to confirm the presence or absence of a particular genetic mutation. The lack of easily accessible, validated mutant controls has proven to be a major obstacle to the advancement of clinical molecular genetic testing, validation, quality control (QC), quality assurance (QA), and required proficiency testing.

DLX3 Knockout Mice for the Study Mouse Models of Tooth, Hair, and Epidermal Defects

This technology includes K14creDLX3 conditional knockout (cKO) mice which will be used to study ectodermal dysplasia disorders such as Amelogenesis Imperfecta, and to study molecular mechanisms of DLX3 regulation in skin and ectodermal appendages. DLX3 is expressed in the epidermis, hair matrix cells in the hair follicle and in the mesenchymal and epithelial compartment of the tooth during embryonic development. To determine the transcriptional network dependent on DLX3-function, we will generate and analyze an epithelial-specific conditional knockout of DLX3.

Diisocyanate Specific Monoclonal Antibodies for Occupational and Environmental Monitoring of Polyurethane Production Exposure-related Asthma and Allergy and Clinical Diagnosis

CDC researchers have developed monoclonal antibodies useful as diagnostics for diisocyanate (dNCO) exposure and for toxicity characterization of specific dNCOs. Currently, dNCOs are used in the production of all polyurethane products and are the most commonly reported cause of occupational-induced asthma and also linked to allergic contact dermatitis. Presumptive diagnosis of dNCO asthma is presently dependent on criteria such as work history, report of work-related asthma-like symptoms and nonspecific airway reactivity to methacholine challenge.

Polymer-Cast Inserts for Cell Histology and Microscopy

Three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures systems are important for studying cell biology because they provide in vivo-like microenvironments more physiologically relevant than two-dimensional (2D) culture systems. In 3D culture systems, cells are grown in culture matrixes and turn into spheroids and organoids later processed for downstream analysis by microscopy and histology techniques. The processing of 3D cultures for analysis by microscopy or histology is laborious and time-consuming due to incompatibility of the 3D culture vessels and the microscopy and pathology blocks.