A Highly Efficient Differentiation Protocol for Placental Cells Derived from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications

This technology includes in vitro-generated trophectoderm (TE) cells, which are ideal for modeling diseases of the placenta, drug screening, and cell-based therapies. The TE lineage which gives rise to placental cells during early human development. Derivation of definitive placental cells from human pluripotent stem cells in culture remains controversial and so far, placental cells can only be derived directly from primary placental tissue, which largely limits their access and study in the laboratory.

Electronic Fringe Scanning for the Improvement of Medical Imaging Technology

This technology includes an electronic method for fringe scanning in grating-based phase-contrast imaging, which enhances x-ray phase-contrast imaging. Traditional methods use high-density gratings and require fine grating fringes, finer than the detector's resolution, necessitating fringe scanning to obtain phase-contrast information. This process typically involves complex and precise movements of a grating for each image, challenging in applications like medical computed tomography that demand rapid gantry rotation and acquisition of numerous projection images in less than a second.

Bivalent Tn5 Complex and its Application to Map Enhancer-Promoter Interactions for Use in Diagnostics

This technology includes a new reagent, termed bivalent Tn5 complex, and applied it to mapping genome-wide enhancer-promoter interactions to be utilized for disease diagnostics. Chromatin structure is critical for regulating transcription in normal development and disease states. In particular, the interaction between enhancers and promotes are essential for the temporospatial control of gene expression.

Immunoassay-derived Protein Biomarkers of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk

This technology includes a combination of 6 protein biomarkers and clinical risk factors to be used as an In Vitro Diagnostic Multivariate Index Assay (IVDMIA) that can improve the identification of individuals at high risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Incorporation of novel protein biomarkers of ASCVD risk into risk assessment algorithms may improve their ability to identify individuals at high risk for ASCVD.

Mass Spectrometry Derived Protein Biomarkers of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk

This technology includes a combination of protein biomarkers and clinical risk factors to be used as an In Vitro Diagnostic Multivariate Index Assay (IVDMIA) that can improve the identification of individuals at high risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and myocardial infarction (MI). Incorporation of novel protein biomarkers of ASCVD risk into risk assessment algorithms may improve their ability to identify individuals at high risk for ASCVD.

Computational Alleviation of Depth-dependent Degradation in Fluorescence Images

This technology includes an approach that dramatically lessens the effects of depth-dependent degradation in fluorescence microscopy images. First, we develop realistic ‘forward models’ of the depth dependent degradation and apply these forward models to shallow imaging planes that are expected to be relatively free of such degradation. In doing so, we create synthetic image planes that resemble the degradation found in deeper imaging planes. Second, we train neural networks to remove the effect of such degradation, using the shallow images as ground truth.

Improvement of Axial Resolution via Photoswitching and Standing Wave Illumination

This technology includes an illuminator and reflector that enables flexible standing wave illumination on an inverted microscope stand, and procedures for using such illumination to improve axial resolution in confocal or instant SIM imaging systems. The axial resolution in conventional fluorescence microscopy is typically limited by diffraction to ~700 nm. This method that improves axial resolution ~7-fold over the diffraction limit, and that can be applied to any fluorescence microscope.

Paper Strip Tool with Gold Nanoparticle Conjugated Probes for Rapid Detection of Pathogens in Stool

This technology includes a paper strip tool that may be used at the point-of care to detect the presence of a multiplex of pathogen nucleic acid sequences in stool without the need for molecular amplification, laboratory or instrumentation. This invention can be used to rapidly and inexpensively detect gastrointestinal and diarrheal disease in order to guide treatment.

Real-time Monitoring of In Vivo Free Radical Scavengers Through Hyperpolarized [1-13C] N-acetyl Cysteine as a Diagnostic and Disease Monitoring Tool

This technology includes synthesized demonstrated [1-13C] NAC as a promising novel probe for hyperpolarized 13C MRI methodologies which could provide diagnostic, and evaluation of response to treatment in various cancers and neurological diseases. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a widely used therapeutic and involved to stimulate glutathione synthesis. Glutathione elevates detoxification and works directly as a free radical scavenger. In vivo hyperpolarized NAC was broadly distributed throughout the body.

Blocking CD38 using Daratumumab F(ab)2 to Protect Natural Killer Cells from Daratumumab-induced Apoptosis and Cell Death for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma

This technology includes the method of blocking CD38 in expanded natural killer (NK) cell therapy in combination with daratumumab in patients with multiple myeloma. Our in vitro studies have already confirmed the addition of NK cells to myeloma cells that have been exposed to daratumumab enhances myeloma killing compared to single agent treatment.