Particles for Imaging Cells

Available for licensing are NIH patent pending contrast particles for use in MRI and flow cytometry to track cells migration in real time. Present cell-tracking studies rely on labeling cells with ultra-small dextran-coated iron particles that are endocytosed. The contrast agent of the present invention uses larger iron oxide particles, approximately 1 µm, situated in a tri-layer structure.

A Mouse Model for Systemic Inflammation in Glucocerebrosidase-Deficient Mice with Minimal Glucosylceramide Storage

Gaucher disease, the most common lysosomal storage disease, is an inherited metabolic disorder in which harmful quantities of the lipid glucocerebroside accumulate in the spleen, liver, lungs, bone marrow and in rare cases in the brain, due to a deficiency of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase (Gba) that catalyses the first step in the biodegradation of glucocerebrosides. Type 1 Gaucher disease is the most common and is distinguished from the other forms of the disease, types 2 and 3, by the lack of neurologic involvement.

A Mouse Model for Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes affects over 120 million people worldwide (16 million in the US) and is a major health problem with associated health costs estimated at almost $100 billion dollars. Type 2 diabetes affects as many as 10% of the population of the Western World (with 15 million patients in the US alone) and arises from a heterogeneous etiology, with secondary effects from environmental influences. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include obesity, high blood pressure, high triglycerides and age.

Regulation of RNA Stability

This invention relates to the discovery that tristetraprolin (TTP) can promote the poly(A)RNase (PARN) mediated deadenylation of polyadenylated substrates containing AU-rich elements (AREs). As one aspect of the invention, the inventors have developed a cell free system that may be used for the purposes of assessing the effects of the various system components or their derivatives (i.e. AREs, PARN, or TTP) on the deadenylation process or the effects of various test agents on the deadenylation process.

MADCO-Accelerated Multidimensional Diffusion MRI

Although multidimensional diffusion/relaxation NMR experiments are widely used in materials sciences and engineering applications, preclinical and clinical MRI applications of these techniques were not feasible. Moreover, higher-field MRI scanners posed another obstacle to translation of this NMR method. Their specific absorption rate (SAR) limits the use of multi-echo or CPMG pulse trains, so that the large amounts of data required by these methods cannot be collected in vivo due to exceedingly long scan times.

Radiographic Marker for Portable Chest and Abdominal X-Rays

The NIH Clinical Center seeks parties interested to license a method and apparatus that can significantly improve the diagnostic performance of portable chest (CXR) and abdominal x-rays.  This device (see image below) quantifies angulation of a patient to provide for a better comparison of day-to-day improvement. Potential applications include portable chest and abdominal x-rays performed at patient's hospital bedside.

Development Status:

Human Monoclonal Antibodies That Recognize Influenza A Viruses for Vaccine, Therapeutic, and Diagnostic Development

Human influenza A is one of two influenza virus types that cause seasonal epidemics of disease (known as flu season) almost every winter in the United States. Influenza A viruses are the only influenza viruses known to cause flu pandemics (i.e., global epidemics of flu disease). (Source.)

Hybridomas Producing Antibodies to Neuraminidase for Influenza A (H3N2) Diagnostics, Vaccine, and Therapeutic Development

Influenza A and B viruses can cause seasonal flu epidemics ― commonly known as the “flu season” ― and infect the nose, throat, eyes, and lungs in humans. Typically, flu seasons that are dominated by influenza A (H3N2) virus activity have higher associated hospitalizations and deaths in at-risk groups, such as people ages 65 and older and young children. Influenza A (H3N2) virus can also cause respiratory disease in animals, such as canines and swine.

Methods for near real-time aerosol chemical analysis for environmental and occupational monitoring

­Exposures to hazardous airborne particles can pose a significant health risk to those routinely exposed in ambient air and industrial work environments. Measuring chemical composition and concentration of aerosol particles is important to preventing worker exposures and protecting health.

Subscribe to Diagnostics