Methods and Materials for Controlling Stem Cell and Cancer Cell Proliferation and Differentiation

This work describes a novel nucleolar mechanism that controls the cell-cycle progression in CNS stem cells and cancer cells. The inventors identified a novel peptide, nucleostemin, found in the nucleoli of CNS stem cells, embryonic stem cells, and several cancer cell lines and preferentially expressed by other stem cell-enriched populations. When stem cells differentiate, nucleostemin expression decreases rapidly prior to cell-cycle exit both in vitro and in vivo. Depletion or overexpression of nucleostemin reduces cell proliferation in CNS stem cells and transformed cells.

Factors That Bind Intestinal Toxins

This invention discloses and covers polyphenolic compounds that will bind bacterial toxins, methods for the treatment of such infections, specifically Stx-1 toxins from STEC strains of E. coli.

Bacterial infections not only cause disease by their presence but also upon the release of toxins. The common enteric bacteria, E. coli O157:H7 releases such toxins (Stx-1) upon treatment with antibiotics. These toxins, when released into the lumen of the intestinal tract, will cause cellular damage thus increasing the severity of the infection.

Particles for Imaging Cells

Available for licensing are NIH patent pending contrast particles for use in MRI and flow cytometry to track cells migration in real time. Present cell-tracking studies rely on labeling cells with ultra-small dextran-coated iron particles that are endocytosed. The contrast agent of the present invention uses larger iron oxide particles, approximately 1 µm, situated in a tri-layer structure.

A Mouse Model for Systemic Inflammation in Glucocerebrosidase-Deficient Mice with Minimal Glucosylceramide Storage

Gaucher disease, the most common lysosomal storage disease, is an inherited metabolic disorder in which harmful quantities of the lipid glucocerebroside accumulate in the spleen, liver, lungs, bone marrow and in rare cases in the brain, due to a deficiency of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase (Gba) that catalyses the first step in the biodegradation of glucocerebrosides. Type 1 Gaucher disease is the most common and is distinguished from the other forms of the disease, types 2 and 3, by the lack of neurologic involvement.

A Mouse Model for Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes affects over 120 million people worldwide (16 million in the US) and is a major health problem with associated health costs estimated at almost $100 billion dollars. Type 2 diabetes affects as many as 10% of the population of the Western World (with 15 million patients in the US alone) and arises from a heterogeneous etiology, with secondary effects from environmental influences. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include obesity, high blood pressure, high triglycerides and age.

Regulation of RNA Stability

This invention relates to the discovery that tristetraprolin (TTP) can promote the poly(A)RNase (PARN) mediated deadenylation of polyadenylated substrates containing AU-rich elements (AREs). As one aspect of the invention, the inventors have developed a cell free system that may be used for the purposes of assessing the effects of the various system components or their derivatives (i.e. AREs, PARN, or TTP) on the deadenylation process or the effects of various test agents on the deadenylation process.

Full-Length cDNA Clone Representing the Consensus Sequence of the RNA Genome of a Human Norovirus (strain MD145-12) That Encodes Biologically Active Proteins

The invention provides for a full-length cloned cDNA copy of the RNA genome of a predominant norovirus strain (Genogroup II.4) designated MD145-12 that was associated with human gastrointestinal illness. The noroviruses, which were formerly known as "Norwalk-like" viruses are estimated to cause 23 million cases of acute gastroenteritis in the USA each year. The virus has been designated into category B of the CDC biodefense-related priority pathogens because it can be used as an agent of bioterrorism.

Heterocyclic P2Y14 Antagonists for the Treatment of Various Conditions

The technology discloses composition of compounds that are highly selective P2Y14 receptor antagonists,
with moderate affinity with insignificant antagonism of other P2Y receptors. These compounds might provide a
treatment for patients for various disease conditions, including lung inflammation, kidney inflammation,
asthma, diabetes, obesity, and neuropathic pain of diverse states. In vivo data using mouse lines with the
receptor knocked out in specific tissues showed that P2Y14 receptor antagonists act on adipocytes to improve

An Innovative Adapter for Expedited and Automated Thawing of viably Frozen Cells

This technology is a device and system for expediting the thawing frozen specimens (e.g., cryopreserved cells) contained in cryo-vials, offering a breakthrough solution for researchers seeking efficiency and precision in their workflows. The device is equipped with a small elongated tubular adaptor that suspends a cryo-vial of frozen cells over a centrifuge tube containing culture medium in an inverted position. With a focus on speed, efficiency and automation, the adaptor dramatically expedites the process of recovering viable cells from frozen specimens.

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