Development of successful HIV vaccine immunogens continues to be a major challenge. Although gp120 was identified as having significant potential as a vaccine immunogen, attempts to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies using recombinant gp120 failed. The highly flexible gp120 may present numerous conformations to the humoral immune system that are not found on the viral spike.
The National Cancer Institute Cancer Genetics Branch is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize mouse epithelial cancer cell lines.
GATA-3 is a transcription factor that is highly expressed in normal cells of the mammary luminal epithelium. GATA-3 plays a regulatory role in determining the fate of cells in the mammary gland. Disruption of GATA-3 expression leads to defects in the development of mammary cells, including an inability to differentiate properly into the correct cell type. GATA-3 function is also disrupted in various breast cancer models indicating that GATA-3 has tumor suppressive properties in normal cells.
The National Cancer Institute is seeking parties interested in collaborative research to co-develop, evaluate, or commercialize a new mouse model for monoclonal antibodies and immunoconjugates that target malignant mesotheliomas. Applications of the technology include models for screening compounds as potential therapeutics for mesothelioma and for studying the pathology of mesothelioma.
Aberrant function of the WNT-b-catenin pathway is a common underlying cause of tumorigenesis. Despite the attractiveness of the WNT-b-catenin pathway as a therapeutic target, WNT dependent cell signaling is also crucial for normal tissue development, and is ubiquitous in all organs. As a result, WNT-b-catenin pathway inhibitors cause many side effects and fail to meet FDA safety standards. A more targeted approach is needed to develop safe and effective WNT signaling inhibitors.
Scientists at the National Cancer Institute developed a cell line designated A549 that was derived from explanted cultures of human lung cancer tissue. The A549 cell line has been tested under the guidance of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) so, under current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), these cells may be suitable for use in manufacturing constructs for use in clinical trials.
Researchers at the NCI Laboratory for Cell Biology have invented a device to guide a stream of oxygen or carbon dioxide over a dish of cells during fluorescence microscopy. The invention includes the 3D printing software to create the device. The device facilitates application of a steady source of oxygen or carbon dioxide to cells while operating a fluorescent microscope to oxidize fluorophores for subsequent visualization via electron microscopy.
Researchers at the NCI Center for Molecular Microscopy invented a device to hold transmission electron microscopy grids that allows adherent mammalian cells to be grown on it, as well as the 3D printing software to create the holder. The TEM cell grid holder solves the difficulty of lifting the TEM grid out of a plate without bending or damaging the grid. The holder can be reproduced in various sizes with 3D printing.
Baculoviruses have been used for decades to produce proteins in insect cell hosts. Current systems for generating recombinant baculovirus have several shortcomings which prevent their easy use in high-throughput applications.
The baculovirus-based protein expression system has gained increased prominence as a method for expressing recombinant proteins that are used in a wide range of biomedical applications. An important step in the use of this system is the ability to determine the virus infectious titer, i.e., the number of active baculovirus particles produced during an infection of the insect host cell.