Mouse Models for the Study of Male Fertility

This technology includes two mouse models to be used in studying male sterility. One mouse is deficient in the full-length protein for STAMP/TtH5. The second is a conditional mutant STAMP mouse that can be used to produce tissues/organs that are deficient in full length STAMP. STAMP represents an intriguing new protein in the study of male fertility. More detailed future studies should identify the precise defect(s) leading to male sterility and may identify other behavioral and developmental consequences, such as a role in the immune system that is suggested by the microarray studies.

Mouse Model for the Study of Glycosphingolipid Storage Disorders

This technology includes a conventional knockout mice: beta- 1,4-N-acetylgalactosaminyl transferase 1 (GM2 Synthase) KO; B4galntltm1Rlp for the study of glycosphingolipid storage disorders. The glycosphingolipid (GSL) storage diseases are caused by genetic disruption in the lysosomal degradation pathway of GSLs, and include Tay-Sachs disease, Sandhoff's disease, Gaucher's disease, Fabry's disease, Krabbe's disease, and several others. In most of these diseases, GSLs accumulate to massive levels in cells, particularly in neurons, causing neurodegeneration and a shortened life span.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate 1 (S1P1) Receptor Signaling Mouse for Therapeutic Development

This technology includes a mouse model for studying SiP1 receptor signaling for development of therapeutics for a variety of conditions. The S1P1 receptor locus of the mouse has been modified by gene targeting to encode a fusion of the S1P1 receptor and the tetracycline-controlled activator protein (tTA) connected by a Tobacco Etch Virus (TEV) cleavage sequence, internal ribosome initiation sequence (IRES), followed by a beta-arrestin-Tobacco Etch Virus (TEV) protease fusion protein. When activated, the modified S1P1 receptor binds the beta-arrestin-TEV protease fusion, which cleaves the tTA.

A Cell Line Secreting an IgG Monoclonal Antibody to Mouse ZP2 for the Study of Anti-Psychotic Therapies

This technology includes a cell line to be used for the study of anti-psychotic therapies and potentially Parkinson’s disease. Activation of D1 dopamine receptors plays a critical role in many fundamental CNS processes. M4 mAChRs are coexpressed with D1 dopamine receptors in a specific subset of striatal medium spiny neurons that contain GABA as the major neurotransmitter. The present study used Cre/LoxP technology to generate mutant mice that lack M4-¬-AChRs only in D1 dopamine receptor-¬-expressing cells to investigate the physiological relevance of mAChRs in this neuronal subpopulation.

Eukaryotic Transposase Mutants and Transposon End Compositions for Modifying Nucleic Acids and Methods for Production and Use in the Generation of Sequencing Libraries

This technology includes novel hyperactive Hermes Transposase mutants and their encoding genes. These transposases are easily purified in large quantity after expression in bacteria. The modified Hermes Transposases are soluble and stable and exist as smaller active complexes compared to the native enzyme. The consensus target DNA recognition sequence is the same as the native enzyme and shows minimal insertional sequence bias.

MiR-193b and MiR-365-1 are Not Required for the Development and Function of Brown Fat in the Mouse

This technology includes the discovery that two specific microRNAs are not required for the development and function of brown fat in mice. Effects of inactivating microRNAs in cell culture in vitro have not always been reproduced in vivo. The paper tests the effect of inactivating two microRNAs, miR-193b and miR-365-1 on the differentiation, function and development of brown adipose tissue. In contrast to positive results previously observed in vitro, the mouse in vivo studies failed to demonstrate significant effects.

Figla-Cre Transgenic Mice Expressing Myristoylated EGFP in Germ Cells as a Model for Investigating Perinatal Oocyte Dynamics

This technology includes a transgenic mouse model which can be used to study perinatal oocyte dynamics. In the first two days after birth, the number of primordial ovarian follicles and their germ cells undergo a major decrease. The mechanism for this decrease was studied. Ablation of FIGLA (Factor in the germline, alpha), a basic helix-loop-transcription factor, results in massive perinatal oocyte loss. A transgenic mouse line was established, Figla-EGFP /Cre, in which EGFP and Cre recombinase are expressed just before birth in germ cells.

Clinical Model for Predicting Kidney Failure

This technology includes a model for providing a patient-specific diagnosis of disease using clinical data. Specifically, the present invention relates to a fully unsupervised, machine-learned, cross-validated, and dynamic Bayesian Belief Network model that utilizes clinical parameters for determining a patient-specific probability of transplant glomerulopathy. Kidney failure is a growing problem worldwide, in part related to the increase incidence of diabetes and hypertension. Renal replacement therapy includes dialysis or renal transplantation.

Transgenic Mice with Conditionally Activated Islet Beta Cell M3 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor for Improving Glucose Tolerance in High-fat Diet Obese Insulin-resistant Mice

This technology includes transgenic mice in which designer rat M3 muscarinic receptor mutants were expressed only in islet 13-cells (directed by rat insulin promoter II), were unable to bind acetylcholine (the endogenous ligand) but could be selectively activated by an otherwise pharmacologically inert compound (clozapine-N-oxide (CNO)). The R-q receptor contained a Y148C point mutation, which enabled CNO to selectively activate G proteins of the Gq/11 family. The R-5 receptor contained an A238G mutation, which enabled CNO to selectively activate G proteins of the G5 family.