Metformin for the Treatment of Age-related Retinal Degeneration

Retinal Degenerations (RD) are the leading cause of blindness in the United States. The degeneration of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) is associated with various types of RD such as Stargardt’s disease, retinitis pigmentosa, choroideremia, Late-Onset Retinal Degeneration (L-ORD), and Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). The RPE as a layer of cells in the back of the eye. Therefore, it is essential to maintain the health and integrity of retinal photoreceptors.

Treatment of Oculocutaneous/Ocular Albinism and for Increasing Pigmentation

Albinism (also called achromia, achromasia, or achromatosis) is a congenital disorder characterized by the complete or partial absence of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes due to absence or defect in any one of a number of proteins involved in the production of melanin.  Certain forms of albinism are known to be due to mutations in tyrosine metabolism.  In oculocutaneous albinism (OCA), pigment is lacking in the eyes, skin and hair.  In ocular albinism, only the eyes lack pigment.  Patients with albinism experience varying degrees of vision loss associated with foveal h

Selective estrogen-receptor modulators (SERMs) confer protection against photoreceptor degeneration

Retinal degeneration is a deteriorative condition of the human retina caused by the progressive and eventual death of photoreceptor cells. To date, no effective treatment for genetically inherited or age-associated retinal degeneration, which includes a large patient population worldwide, is available.

Novel Methods for Generating Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

The retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) make up a polarized monolayer in the vertebrate eye that separates the neural retina from the choroid, and performs a crucial role in retinal physiology by forming a blood-retinal barrier and closely interacting with photoreceptors to maintain visual function.  Many ophthalmic diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, are associated with a degeneration or deterioration of the RPE. 

Use of Interleukin (IL)-34 to Treat Retinal Inflammation and Neurodegeneration

Interleukin (IL)-34 is a homodimer that is produced mainly by keratinocytes, neuronal cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs). It is believed to play important roles in chronic inflammation and the homeostasis of microglia. Currently, there is no effective treatment for many types of retinal degeneration. An improved treatment of autoimmune uveitis is also needed, as current uveitis treatment primarily uses steroidal anti-inflammation medication, which may produce significant unwanted side effects in long-term use.

Immunogenic Hepatitis E Virus Polypeptides for Vaccine and Diagnostics Development

This technology comprises specific hepatitis E virus (HEV) antigenic polypeptides. HEV causes epidemic and sporadic cases of hepatitis outbreaks with a mortality rate as high as 20% for pregnant women. In order to address this problem, CDC scientists carried out thorough HEV antigen screenings and subsequently developed recombinant proteins that efficiently model major HEV neutralization epitope(s). These recombinant proteins may be considered as candidates for the development of an HEV subunit vaccine, as well as for the development of highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tests.

Real-time PCR Assays for Human Bocavirus Detection and Diagnosis

CDC researchers have developed a real-time PCR assay for the detection and viral-load quantitative estimations of human bocavirus (HBoV) from clinical specimens. At present, there have been few reports on the epidemiology, geographic distribution or clinical features of HBoV infection. Additionally, symptoms affiliated with bocavirus infections overlap with numerous other respiratory illnesses. This CDC assay provides sensitive, specific, and quantitative detection of HBoV in patients with respiratory illness by a method of real-time PCR targeting the HBoV NS1 and NP-1 genes.

Therapeutic, Bifunctional Janus Microparticles with Spatially Segregated Surface Proteins and Methods of Production

CDC researchers have developed a fabrication process to create bifunctional microparticles displaying two distinct proteins that are spatially segregated onto a single hemispheric surface. At present, there is no described way of producing biological microparticles with two distinct types of separated proteins. Bifunctional Janus particles generated by the CDC approach possess biologically relevant, native conformation proteins attached to a biologically unreactive and safe substrate.

Heterocyclic P2Y14 Antagonists for the Treatment of Various Conditions

The technology discloses composition of compounds that are highly selective P2Y14 receptor antagonists,
with moderate affinity with insignificant antagonism of other P2Y receptors. These compounds might provide a
treatment for patients for various disease conditions, including lung inflammation, kidney inflammation,
asthma, diabetes, obesity, and neuropathic pain of diverse states. In vivo data using mouse lines with the
receptor knocked out in specific tissues showed that P2Y14 receptor antagonists act on adipocytes to improve

Intralipid as a Contrast Agent to Enhance Subsurface Blood Flow Imaging

This technology includes a blood flow imaging method that allows for a higher density of smaller particles to be detected. Current imaging methods that are based on Doppler measurements are limited by the discontinuity in the capillary flow in the space between red blood cells. The core technology is to use a scattering agent to enhance capillary flow or microcirculation. This technology has been tested for optical coherence Doppler tomography, but can be expended to any Doppler based flow imaging techniques such as laser speckle imaging.

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