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This technology includes a method for differentiating human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into stable chondrocytes, capable of producing cartilage, and their use in cartilage repair in human injury and degenerative diseases. In suspension culture, hiPSC aggregates demonstrate gene and protein expression patterns similar to articular cartilage.

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide. Currently, physical descriptors such as tumor size and depth are the primary factors used for deciding the course of treatment. Despite significant efforts to identify prognostic biochemical markers or therapeutic targets to improve diagnosis and treatment, none have achieved routine clinical use. An example of one previously identified biomarker is the Tn antigen, a carbohydrate moiety composed of a GalNAc residue linked to serine or threonine.

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.

Cell motility and membrane trafficking play important roles in regulating cell division, cell migration, cell death and autophagy. Impairment of these processes can result in enhanced cell proliferation and survival and increased migration and invasion leading to cancer. Several proteins involved in cell motility and membrane trafficking have been shown to be dysregulated in various cancers. There is therefore a need for development of animal models for studying the roles of these proteins in cancer and their responses to drug treatment in vivo.

Previously described epidermal growth factor receptor- (EGFR) driven tumor mouse models develop diffuse tumors, which are dissimilar to human lung tumor morphology and difficult to measure by CT and MRI scans. Scientists at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have developed and characterized a genetically engineered mouse (GEM) model of human EGFR-driven tumor model (hEGFR-TL) that recapitulates the discrete lung tumor nodules similar to those found in human lung tumor morphology.

The Hippo signaling pathway regulates a multitude of biological processes including cell proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, tissue homeostasis, and stem cell functions. This axis has been recently listed as one of the top 10 signaling pathways altered in human cancer. Its role in modulating cell growth and proliferation is mediated by the activation of Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) and transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding domain (TAZ).

The Zbtb7b gene encodes the zinc finger transcription factor ThPOK (also known as cKrox) that promotes CD4 lineage differentiation in immature T cells. CD4+ T cells, also known as “helper” T cells, are critical for long-term immunity against pathogens as well as for promoting CD8+ “effector” T cell and effective B cell responses. ThPOK is needed for the development and functional fitness of CD4+ T cells as well as multiple aspects of the immune response to infection. As such, ThPOK offers a potential target for immune regulation.

This technology includes a vaccine for lowering plasma triglycerides by inducing the formation of autoantibodies against either ANGPTL3 or ANGPTL4, which are inhibitors of Lipoprotein Lipase. This was done by conjugating synthetic peptides based on ANGPTL3 or ANGPTL4 to virus- like particles (VLPS). Injection of the vaccine in animal models was shown to induce the autoantibody against the target and to lower plasma triglycerides.

This technology includes a peptide containing alternating Alanine and Lys(DOTA-Gd) residues can be used to increase the MRI relaxivity of a peptide. The low molecular weight construct can be appended to proteins, antibodies and peptides to increase MRI signals. This approach offers advantages over previous dendrimeric constructs.

This technology includes the use of LZK and DLK inhibitors to be used for the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) or lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Specifically, we demonstrate that inhibitors that can be repurposed to target LZK suppresses LZK kinase-dependent stabilization of MYC and activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway. In vivo preclinical cell line xenograft mouse model demonstrates that targeting LZK will suppress tumor growth. We also demonstrate that several additional compounds potently inhibit LZK and could serve as new therapeutic modalities.