This invention includes the generation and use of two polyclonal antibodies that specifically recognizes the phosphorylation site pThr707 of Neuroligin 4 and pThr739 of Neuroligin 1. A peptide of the site around the phosphorylation site was generated and injected into rabbits to create an immune response. Serum was collected from the rabbits that was then affinity purified. The specificity of the resulting polyclonal antibodies was then determined using biochemical techniques.

During lung infection, bloodstream neutrophils (PMNs) responding to infection travel to the airspace lumen. Although successful arrival of microbicidal PMNs to the airspace is essential for host defense against inhaled pathogens, excessive accumulation of PMNs in the lung contributes to the pathogenesis of several prevalent lung disorders, including acute lung injury, bronchiectasis, and COPD. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for controlling PMN accumulation in the lung.

This technology includes a series of diphenylpropanamides as potent and selective RORgt inhibitors for the treatment of Th17-related autoimmune diseases. The retinoic acid-related orphan receptor RORgt plays an important role in the differentiation of thymocytes, lymphoid tissue inducer cells, and inflammatory T helper-expressing interleukin 17a (Th17) cells. Small molecule RORgt inhibitors may provide means to regulate Th17 mediated immune response.

This technology includes a series of diphenylpropanamides as potent and selective RORgt inhibitors for the treatment of Th17-related autoimmune diseases. The retinoic acid-related orphan receptor RORgt plays an important role in the differentiation of thymocytes, lymphoid tissue inducer cells, and inflammatory T helper-expressing interleukin 17a (Th17) cells. Small molecule RORgt inhibitors may provide means to regulate Th17 mediated immune response.

This technology includes a strategy to generate antibodies of rabbit origin, both polyclonal and monoclonal, which have strong affinity to the TAT sequence and which enable specific immunocapture or immunodetection of TAT containing frataxin and analogs for quantitative or qualitative assays. In addition, antibodies that react with the FXN region have also been generated with this strategy. The HIV virus encoded a translational activator protein containing a 12 amino acid domain which permits transmembrane delivery of any therapeutic protein containing the sequence.

This technology includes the enablement of the nanoliter-scale transfer of biological liquids in array format from a microplate (source plate) containing cultured cells or other protein-containing mixtures onto a nitrocellulose membrane that has been mounted within a custom-designed target plate. Using this method and the prototype nitrocellulose target plate, reverse phase protein arrays can be generated in which protein levels from each well transferred onto the membrane can be detected and quantified.

This technology includes a precise measurement assay of cellular FMRP levels in patients, which can assist in the diagnosis and assess the severity of Fragile X syndrome (FXS). FXS is an X-linked disorder that produces intellectual disability, cognitive impairment, epilepsy, depression and anxiety. FXS is caused by mutations in the Fragile X Mental Retardation-1 (FMR1) gene that result in the absence or a loss of function of its protein product, FMRP.

NCATS has developed a highly diverse synthetic library that will allow for the rapid identification of novel nanobodies that bind to a wide arrange of target antigens. The humanized framework used to construct the library will facilitate the transition of lead candidates into patient studies. Several highly potent SARS-CoV-2 nanobodies (antibodies) have been identified and are available for further development.

NCATS is actively seeking licensing for the 1) a synthetic library and 2) the potent neutralizing antibodies with activity against SARS-CoV-2.

3D spheroids have emerged as powerful drug discovery tools given their high-throughput screening (HTS) compatibility. The present invention presents a method for generating functional neural spheroids with differentiated human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neurons and astrocytes at cell type compositions mimicking specific regions of the human brain.

This technology includes monoclonal antibody (mAb) that binds to the junction region of the PAX3-FOXO1 and PAX7-FOXO1 fusion protein for the diagnosis of Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS). Specifically, two monoclonal antibodies (PFM.1 and PFM.2) have been isolated that recognize the 92kDa bands found uniquely to the pediatric striated muscle tumors of the type Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) carrying the characteristic t(2;13)(q35;q14) or t(1;13)(p36;q14) chromosomal translocations.