In-vivo System to Interrogate the Functions of Mucous Membranes and Identify Mucin/Glycan Mimetics and JAK/STAT Inhibitors for the Treatment of Diseases of the Oral Cavity and Digestive Tract

This technology includes a Drosophila mutant strain that can be used as an in vivo model for diseases of the oral cavity and digestive tract (Sjogren's syndrome, colitis, colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease), where the mucous membrane is disrupted or non-functional. This mutant lacks a mucous membrane and displays epithelial cell damage, uncontrolled cell proliferation and the up-regulation of conserved signaling pathways (JAK/STAT).

Devices for Improved Tissue Cryopreservation and Recovery

Problem: Cryopreservation is a process where living biological materials like cells, tissues, and cell therapies (which are susceptible to damage caused by unregulated chemical kinetics) are preserved by cooling to very low temperatures in the presence of specific cryopreservation media that protects the biological material from damage. In order to be used, the biological material ideally should be thawed in a controlled manner that minimizes damage and desirably brings the material back to a viable state.

CXCR4 Reduction Leads to Enhancement of Engraftment of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Methods of enhancing engraftment of donor hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) by reducing expression or activity of CXCR4 in HSCs is described. HSC are the only cells in the bone marrow that are both pluripotent and long lived. Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) using HSC is an increasingly common medical therapy for severe hematologic cancers and primary hematologic immunodeficiencies. However, for significant HSC engraftment to occur there must usually be pre-transplant conditioning with either irradiation or chemotherapy or both.

Tissue Clamp for Repeated Opening and Closure of Incisions/Wounds

Medical clamps currently available are not efficient nor are they sufficiently precise in closure and alignment of the edges of an incision or wound. Many available designs are difficult to use and handle, especially in situations where repeated opening and closure of an incision or wound is required. The functional short-comings of existing clamp designs may result in surgical complications, such as excess loss of fluids and pressure and hemostasis during some procedures.

LRRK2 Inhibitors: Novel Treatment for Intestinal Bowel Disorders

Use of Leucine Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2) inhibitors for the treatment of Intestinal Bowel Disorders (IBD) is disclosed. IBD is a broad term that describes conditions with chronic or recurring immune response and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, two common forms of idiopathic IBD, are chronic, relapsing inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.

Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor Peptides and Their Use for Treating Retinal Degeneration

Summary:  

The National Eye Institute (NEI) seeks research co-development partners and/or licensees for the development of an AAV2-based delivery system or an eyedrop formulation to deliver a Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor (PEDF) peptide as a gene-agnostic approach to treating inherited retinal diseases. 

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