TSLP Induces Neutrophil-mediated Killing of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

This technology includes the use of thymic stromal lymphopoetin (TSLP) for the treatment of MRSA. Our studies show that mouse neutrophils express the TSLP receptor, TSLPR, and that TSLP protein is increased during cutaneous MRSA infection. Using in vitro MRSA whole blood killing assays, we show that TSLP acts on mouse neutrophils to enhance MRSA killing. In an in vivo MRSA intradermal ear infection, TSLPR-deficient mice exhibit increased MRSA burden compared to wild-type mice.

Vascular Anchoring Introducer Sheath for Interventional Cardiac Procedures

This technology includes a device and method for maintaining access to a location in the body while reducing or eliminating the potential for pulling an access device (i.e., catheter) back through an opening, such as a cardiac procedure. An introducer sheath includes a distal indented portion and a balloon, so that once placed in a desired location through tissue, the balloon can be inflated to anchor the sheath against retraction.

ApoA-1 Mimetic Peptides Promoting Lipid Efflux from Cells for Treatment of Vascular Disorders

This invention involves ApoA-1 mimetic peptides with multiple amphipathic alpha-helical domains that promote lipid efflux from cells and are useful in the treatment and prevention of dyslipidemic, inflammatory and vascular disorders. IND-enabling studies for one of the peptides, named Fx-5A, are completed in preparation for an IND filing at the FDA, to be followed by a Phase I clinical trial planned for 2017.

Therapeutic Peptide Treatment for Dyslipidemic and Vascular Disorders

This invention is directed to use of certain peptide analogs comprising multiple amphipathic helical domains that are able to promote cellular lipid efflux and stimulate lipoprotein lipase activity. As a result, administration of invention peptides lead to reduced incidences of hypertriglyceridemia without inducing toxicity. Existing peptides that stimulate efflux of lipids from cells exhibit unacceptably high toxicity. Invention peptides are superior to existing peptides and can also be used to treat or prevent a vast range of vascular diseases, and their dyslipidemic precursors.

Glucocerebrosidase Non-inhibitory Chaperones for the Treatment of Gaucher Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and Other Proteinopathies

Gaucher disease is a rare lysosomal storage disease that is characterized by a loss of function of the glucocerebrosidase (GCase) enzyme, which results in a decreased ability to degrade its lipid substrate, glucocerebroside. The intracellular build up of this lipid causes a broad range of clinical manifestations, ranging from enlarged spleen/liver and anemia to neurodegeneration. In Gaucher disease, the loss of GCase function has been attributed to low levels of the protein in the lysosomal compartment, resulting from improper GCase folding and transport.

Derivatives of Docosahexaenoylethanolamide (DEA) for Neurogenesis

The invention pertains to derivatives of docosahexaenoylethanolamide (synaptamide or DEA) and their use in inducing neurogenesis, neurite growth, and/or synaptogenesis. As such, these DEA derivatives can be used as therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, peripheral nerve injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, autism, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The DEA derivatives of the invention have increased potency and hydrolysis resistance as compared to native DEA.

Deconvolution Software for Modern Fluorescence Microscopy

This software invention pertains to Joint Richardson-Lucy (RL) deconvolution methods used to combine multiple images of an object into a single image for improving resolution in modern fluorescence microscopy. RL deconvolution merges images with very different point spread functions, such as in multi-view light-sheet microscopes, while preserving the best resolution information present in each image.

Novel Small Molecule Antimalarials for Elimination of Malaria Transmission

The transmission of malaria begins with injection of sporozoites into a human from the bite of a female anopheles mosquito, which initiates the malarial life cycle in humans. When a mosquito bites an infected human, the ingested male and female malaria gametocytes fuse to form a zygote that eventually becomes an oocyst. Each oocyst produces thousands of sporozoites which migrate to the mosquito salivary glands, ready to infect a new human host.

Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease with Synthetic Amphipathic Peptides

The invention is directed to treatment of chronic kidney disease by administering a synthetic, amphipathic helical peptide known as 5A-37pA, and novel derivatives thereof. Scientists at NIDDK have demonstrated that invention peptides antagonize activity of a particular scavenger receptor known as CD36. Using an in vivo model, NIDDK scientists have shown that invention peptides slowed progression of chronic kidney disease and can potentially be utilized as a therapeutic treatment.

Microscopy System for Distinguishing Stimulated Emissions as a Means of Increasing Signal

The invention pertains to a system and method for distinguishing stimulated emissions as a means of enhancing signal strength of fluorescent markers in fluorescence microscopy applications. The system is arranged such that an excitation beam (e.g., laser beam) illuminates a sample along some axis exciting the fluorescent markers used in the sample. A second light beam, a stimulation beam, illuminates the sample along another axis, possibly the same as that of the excitation beam.
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