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This technology is a highly sensitive tethered-bead immune sandwich assay. Analyte molecules are captured between two antibodies, a capture antibody and a detection antibody. The capture antibody on a micron-size bead binds analyte from a sample fluid. The bead-captured analyte is then exposed to a “detection” antibody that binds to the bead-captured analyte, forming a “sandwich”. The sandwiched analyte-bead complex then connects to a flexible polymer (such as DNA) anchored on a solid surface to form tethered particles.

Upon intranasal vaccination, live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) viruses may replicate within the nose for several days. Current clinical diagnostic tests cannot distinguish between LAIV viruses and multiple influenza viruses in recently inoculated patients that present with respiratory symptoms. This poses a problem for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with respiratory symptoms, as these symptoms may not be caused by influenza. CDC researchers have developed a real-time RT-PCR assay to detect the presence of LAIV viruses.

The Molecular Recognition Section of NIDDK announces the availability of a novel triazole-based probes, structures which act as antagonists at human P2Y₁₄ receptors. Although the physiologic functions of this receptor remain undefined, recently it has been strongly implicated in immune and inflammatory responses. Prior work with a 4,7-disubstituted 2 naphthoic acid derivative (PPTN) established the ability to inhibit chemotaxis of human neutrophils in the lung and kidney.

CDC researchers have developed probes and primers for detecting the 2009 pandemic influenza A H1N1 virus in patient samples using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) methods. These primers and probes were originally developed in 2009 and were cleared by the FDA as part of a domestic human diagnostic testing panel in June 2010. These were also updated to increase specificity and/or sensitivity of the detection methods.

The technology describes the composition of small molecule compounds that are antagonists of the P2Y14 receptor. Also provided are methods of using the compounds, including a method of treating a disorder, such as inflammation, diabetes, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, a lipid disorder, obesity, a condition associated with metabolic syndrome, and asthma, and a method of antagonizing P2Y14 receptor activity in a cell.

The rapid worldwide spread and impact of COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has created a need for accurate, reliable, and readily accessible testing on a massive scale.

The technology discloses composition of compounds that fully antagonize the human P2Y14 receptor, with moderate affinity with insignificant antagonism of other P2Y receptors. Therefore, they are highly selective P2Y14 receptor antagonists. Even though there is no P2Y14 receptor modulators in clinical use currently, selective P2Y14 receptor antagonists are sought as potential therapeutic treatments for asthma, cystic fibrosis, inflammation and possibly diabetes and neurodegeneration.

This technology includes a method for creating functional, brain region-specific neural spheroids that can be used for disease modeling and therapeutic testing of compounds for neurological diseases. The developed protocol uses somatic cells, including iPSC-derived neurons, as well as astrocytes using means such as 96- or 384-well ultra-low attachment round-bottom plates. Spheroids have been generated using this method that model brain regions such as the ventral tegmental area and prefrontal cortex, which are implicated in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

This technology includes the use of the Anneal-Pool-Ligate-Sequence method (APLS) to quantify the cellular expression of dozens of genes for high throughput chemical library screening. This method is performed by culturing eucaryotic cells in 384-well format microplates, treating the cells with a library of chemicals, and producing cell lysates. Oligodeoxynucleotide (oligo) pairs representing (21) selected genes, and carrying index sequences for each well (384) and microplate (26), are annealed to mRNAs in cell lysates.

Scientists at NCATS have developed a novel Cellular Thermal Shift Assay (CETSA), named “Real-time CETSA” in which temperature-induced aggregation of proteins can be monitored in cells in real time across a range of compound concentrations and simultaneously across a temperature gradient in a high-throughput manner. Real-time CETSA streamlines the thermal shift assay and allows investigators to capture full aggregation profiles for every sample.