Main Menu

This technology includes novel systemic adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated CRISPR gene therapy technology. While some diseases (e.g., retinal diseases) can be treated through local gene transfer, many diseases such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) require systemic therapy. The CRISPR technology has two components, the Cas9 endonuclease, and the gRNA. To explore systemic CRISPR therapy, we co-delivered the AAV.Cas9 and AAV.gRNA vector to mdx mice, a mouse DMD model. Direct delivery to muscle yielded efficient gene correction.

Scientists at NCATS have developed a novel Cellular Thermal Shift Assay (CETSA), named “Real-time CETSA” in which temperature-induced aggregation of proteins can be monitored in cells in real time across a range of compound concentrations and simultaneously across a temperature gradient in a high-throughput manner. Real-time CETSA streamlines the thermal shift assay and allows investigators to capture full aggregation profiles for every sample.

This technology includes an assay capable of monitoring glycosome formation for use in high throughput screening (HTS). The reversible assembly and disassembly of a multi-enzyme complex, known as the glycosome, visualized by GFP-labeled human phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK1), is employed as an intracellular marker in human cells to screen small molecule libraries under high-content imaging in a high-throughput fashion. The glycolytic enzymes have been proposed to form a multi-enzyme complex in the cell.

This technology includes methods for the biofabrication of full thickness skin tissues in 12, 24, 48 and 96-well plates, using commercially available hardware to enable the implementation of large-scale toxicity and efficacy testing of chemical and biologics.

This technology includes the identification and use of heterocyclic alcohol compounds, including RITA and N-BIC, for the treatment of SULT1A1-expression cancers. A high-throughput screen (qHTS) was performed using >1,000 caner cell lines identified a compound called YC-1 (also called Lificiguat) that is effective across cancer cell types that express the phase 2 detoxifying enzyme SULT1A1.

This technology includes device and sensor selection for the detection of blood metabolites which can be used to diagnose and monitor diseases in real-time. Currently the monitoring of metabolite levels is performed with specialized mass spectrometry instrumentation, therefore patient quality-of-life and financial advantages exist to develop devices capable of detecting metabolites in real-time.

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 series of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines that potently inhibit FLT3, which can be utilized as an anticancer agent. These molecules retain potent binding and activity against FLT3 tyrosine kinase domain and gatekeeper mutations. This chemotype exhibits superior anti-leukemic activity against clinically-relevant FLT3-mutant acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in vitro and in vivo. Tyrosine kinase domain mutations are a common cause of acquired resistance to FLT3 inhibitors used to treat FLT3-mutant AML.

This technology includes a method of analyzing the potency of membrane transporter protein-based drugs acting on intracellular antioxidant and redox response pathways (and associated apoptosis pathways), wherein the drug delivery and activity is lipid associated. The present invention is a cell-based bioassay for measuring the bioactivity of drug substance and formulated drug product by determining the drug's dose-dependent inhibitory effects on 4 hydroxynonenal (4-HNE)-induced antioxidant response element (ARE) activity.

This technology includes small molecule inhibitors of O-linked N-acetyl glucosamine (OGlcNAc) transferase (OGT) as molecular probes to better understand OGT function in cell homeostasis, and to eventually be used as therapeutic agents against cancer and to reduce viral replication. OGT is a ubiquitous enzyme catalyzing the transfer of N-acetylglucosamine to the serine or threonine residues of nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins. This cellular process is tightly regulated and is sensitive to levels of cellular stress and of nutrients levels.