Broadly neutralizing influenza hemagglutinin stem-directed antibodies

In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported roughly 3 to 5 million cases of severe influenza worldwide, resulting in approximately 290,000 to 650,000 deaths. Given the high disease burden, the needs for both prophylactic and therapeutic influenza strategies remain significant. However, current treatments for influenza are susceptible to resistance and are useful for only a limited post-infection period.    

Combined RNA and DNA Vaccination Strategy for Improving the Vaccine Immune Response

Description of Technology:

The development of an effective HIV vaccine has been ongoing. HIV sequence diversity and immunodominance are major obstacles in the design of an effective vaccine. Researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) developed a novel vaccine strategy combining both DNA and mRNA vaccination to induce an effective immune response. This combination strategy could also be used to develop vaccines against cancer or other infectious diseases (ex. SARS-CoV-2). 

Non-radioactive, Miniature Bipolar Aerosol Particle Charger for Personal, Portable Instrumentation

This CDC developed invention is a novel device for a miniature, nonradioactive bipolar charger to electrically charge aerosol particles for use in personal and portable aerosol instrumentation. Such devices are an integral component of aerosol instruments employing electrical mobility-based techniques. Current, commercial state-of-the-art mobility instruments employ aerosol chargers using radioactivity to achieve bipolar particle charging and, therefore, are not suitable for field-portable instruments.

Personal Air Sampler for Collecting Airborne Aerosol Particulates for Molecular Analysis by Size

This invention consists of a sampling apparatus that utilizes one or more cyclone separators to collect airborne particles from the atmosphere. The apparatus not only separates out aerosols from the atmosphere, but also serves as a collection tube for aerosol particles. Through its unique design, this CDC-developed apparatus is able to use the centrifugal force of the air flow on aerosolized particles forcing them to separate by size. Since the sample is collected directly in a microcentrifuge tube, in situ analysis of the ambient particulates can be performed.

Ultrasonic in situ Respirator Seal-Leakage Detection with Real-time Feedback Capabilities

This CDC invention entails methods and apparatuses for in situ testing seal integrity and improved operation of respiratory masks (respirators). A variety of external factors, such as individual face shape, user environment, mask age and material used to construct the respirator, can lead to device malfunction and failure to sufficiently protect a user. To address these limitations, this invention relies on ultrasonic wave detection to assess face seal quality and other potential leak paths, as needed.

Physiologic Sampling Pump Capable of Rapidly Adapting to User Breathing Rate

This CDC developed physiologic sampling pump (PSP) overcomes shortcomings of previous devices by the use of calibrated valves in conjunction with a constant speed pump. This novel approach obviates typical PSP inertia that inherently limits system response, functionality and accuracy. All prior PSP designs have attempted to follow a user's breathing pattern by changing pump speed, thereby altering sampling rate. In that approach, pump inertia will limit system response and function due to the time required to adjust speed.

Automated Microscopic Image Acquisition, Compositing and Display Software Developed for Applied Microscopy/Cytology Training and Analysis

Micro-Screen is a CDC developed software program designed to capture images and archive and display a compiled image(s) from a portion of a microscope slide in real time. This program allows for the re-creation of larger images that are constructed from individual microscopic fields captured in up to five focal planes and two magnifications. This program may be especially useful for the creation of data archives for diagnostic and teaching purposes and for tracking histological changes during disease progression.

Improved Acoustic Plethysmograph System for Noninvasive Measurement of Pulmonary Function

CDC researchers have developed a novel acoustic whole body plethysmograph (AWBP) that allows measurement of tidal volume in lab animals, independent of gas compression in the lung. This system provides particular advantages over the traditional whole body plethysmograph (WBP) when measuring model animals with increased gas compression due to increased airway resistance or increased acceleration in the breathing pattern.

Focused Electrostatic Collection of Aerosol Particles for Chemical Analysis by Spectroscopic Techniques

This CDC-developed technology is an aerosol preconcentration unit (APU) designed for use with spectroscopic detection techniques, including emission, Raman, or infrared spectroscopies. Most existing pulsed microplasma techniques, such as laser-induced breakdown, for aerosols rely mainly on filter-based collection and suffer from poor accuracy, precision, and detection limits and require long sample collection times.

Local Positioning System for Position-Time-Condition Correlation, Data-logging and Analysis

This CDC-developed technology describes an automated system for monitoring worker hazard exposures by recording data about where and when hazards occur in a workplace or other environment. This allows the hazards to be avoided and harmful exposures and risks reduced. This field-tested technology consists of an integrated, hand-held electronics instrument and software system that will precisely correlate multiple exposure levels with position coordinates of the user and features real-time data acquisition.
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