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The invention offered for licensing and commercial development is in the field of Interventional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (“iMRI”). More specifically the invention discloses a guidewire for magnetic resonance imaging with a single channel design to reduce complexity and to provide conspicuous tip visibility under MRI. In the design of the present device, the guidewire body includes an antenna formed from a rod and a helical coil coupled together. The helical coil can have multiple windings without a gap between the windings.

This invention discloses methods for treating neurodegenerative diseases by administering cyclin dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) inhibitory peptides derived from P35, the activator of Cdk5. Abnormally hyperactive Cdk5 has been shown to be associated with a variety of neurodegenerative disorders. Disclosed in this invention are isolated peptide fragments, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for use of such for treating subjects with a neurodegenerative disease, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson’s disease (PD).

NIH Inventors have recently discovered a novel Leucine-rich repeat and calponin homology domain-containing protein 4 (Lrch4) in a proteomic screen of the plasma membrane of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-exposed macrophages. Expression data by RT-PCR revealed that all Lrch family members (1-4) are expressed in macrophages, but only Lrch4 was recruited into lipid rafts (signaling microdomains of the plasma membrane) by LPS. Lrch4 is the most highly expressed Lrch family member in mouse tissues. It is a predicted single-spanning transmembrane protein that is encoded by the Lrch4 gene in humans.

The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-activated gene-1 (NAG-1) encodes a protein that has anti-inflammatory, proapoptotic, and antitumor properties. It plays a pivotal role in antitumorigenesis induced by chemopreventive compounds. Transgenic mice expressing human NAG-1 have been developed by the NIH investigator and collaborator.

This technology is a collection of small molecules screened for their ability to prevent or reduce the cytotoxic effects of the protein, Huntingtin. Huntington's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder due to a dominantly acting expansion of a CAG trinucleotide repeat in exon 1 of the Huntington (HTT) gene resulting in production of the altered (mutant) protein Huntingtin, which has a long chain of polyglutamine (poly Q) attached to the exon 1 encoded protein sequence.

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are pluripotent cells that can be cultured indefinitely, and maintain their capability to differentiate into all cell lineages. To maintain these cells as well as various types of related induced stem cells and progenitor cells in culture, Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts (MEFs) are routinely used as feeder cells, largely to serve as a source of Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF). ESCs can also be cultured without feeders if the medium is supplemented with recombinant LIF and other factors.

The retinoid-related orphan receptors alpha, beta and gamma (RORalpha, beta and gamma , also referred to as NR1F1, 2 and 3, respectively) comprise a distinct subfamily of nuclear receptors. Study of ROR-deficient mice has implicated RORs in the regulation of a number of biological processes and revealed potential roles for these proteins in several pathologies. NIH investigators have developed an in-vitro system using CHO cells stably expressing a TET-On expression vector regulating RORgamma and a RORE-Luciferase reporter.

TBEV causes serious illnesses from meningitis to meningo-encephalitis, totaling 3,000 cases of hospitalization in Europe and between 5,000-10,000 cases in Russia reported every year. The Far Eastern hemorrhagic TBEV strains are associated with a mortality rate (between 1-2%), higher than other strains isolated in the Siberia or Western Europe. There is a high proportion (up to 46%) of TBEV patients with temporary or permanent neurological sequelae.

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) functions as a hormone-dependent transcription factor that is involved in the maintenance of basal and stress-related homeostasis. Serine 134 is a newly discovered phosphorylation target on the human glucocorticoid receptor that becomes phosphorylated during stress-activating conditions such as ultraviolet irradiation, nutrient starvation, and oxidative stress. The inventors have developed a rabbit polyclonal antibody that specifically recognizes the Ser 134 phosphorylated form of the human glucocorticoid receptor.

Species of Bacillus, such as Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus cereus, and Bacillus subtilis, are attractive microorganisms for recombinant protein production in view of their fast growth rate, high yield, and ability to secrete produced products directly into the medium. Bacillus anthracis is also attractive in view of its ability to produce anthrax toxin and ability to fold proteins correctly. This application claims a B. anthracis strain in which more than one secreted protease is inactivated by genetic modification.