Nucleoside Agonists of Adenosine Receptors as Cardio- and Cerebroprotective Agents

This technology includes a compound for use as a selective agonist of the A1 adenosine receptor (AR) for therapeutic hypothermia and other conditions. We have examined various synthesized nucleosides in a model of mouse hypothermia, in conjunction with AR knockout mice, to characterize the biological profiles. In trying to identify novel highly selective A1AR agonists that have superior in vivo activities, we have adapted a means of rigidifying the ribose moiety of adenosine in the form of a bicyclic (N)-methanocarba ring.

Ionophores as Treatment for Sickle Cell Disease

This technology includes a method using ionophores to reduce sickling in patients with sickle cell disease. Sickle cell disease is caused by polymerization of a hemoglobin mutant, and the only approved treatment acts by replacing sickle hemoglobin with fetal hemoglobin, thereby increasing the delay time prior to polymerization. This drug is only partially successful because it does not induce fetal hemoglobin synthesis in all cells.

Structure-Based Design of A3 Adenosine Receptor-Selective 2-Arylethynyl (N)-methanocarba Nucleosides for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Uses

This technology includes compounds that are selective agonists of the A3 receptor for the treatment of various disorders such as cancer and autoinflammatory diseases. Structurally, these compounds extend the class of (N)-methanocarba derivatives that are selective agonists of the A3 receptor.

Ribose Derivatives as A3 Adenosine Receptor Modulator for Various Therapeutic Uses

This technology includes a class of A3AR-selective agonists to be used therapeutically to treat a variety of conditions, including chronic pain, cancer, and inflammatory diseases. This class of compounds produced full agonists of the human A3AR of nanomolar affinity that were consistently highly selective (>1000-fold vs. A1AR and A2AAR). The selectivity at mouse A3 receptors is smaller, but the compounds are still effective in vivo in reducing or preventing development of neuropathic pain.

Antibacterial and Antifungal Polyketides from Environmental Amycolatopsis Strains

This technology includes three new chemical entities discovered for antibacterial and antifungal activities. The compounds are novel tetramic acid containing polyketides obtained from two different Amycolatopsis strains. Their planar structures and relative stereochemistry were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR methods, including 1H-1H and 13C-13C COSY, TOCSY, HSQC, HMBC and ROESY. Whole genome sequencing of these two strains revealed a 158 kb biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) containing a 23-module, mixed NRPS-PKS pathway responsible for their biosynthesis.

Sphingosine Kinase 1 (Sphk1) Knockout Mouse for Utilization in Developmental Biology

This technology includes a sphingosine kinase 1 (Sphk1) knockout mouse model for use in developmental biology research. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is synthesized from sphingosine and ATP by the action of sphingosine kinase, and activates cell signaling. Two sphingosine kinases, SPHK1 and SPHK2, have been identified. To study the physiological function of SPHK1, Sphki null mice were generated. The mice were viable, fertile, with no obvious abnormalities. Total SPHK activity in most tissues was substantially reduced, suggesting the presence of other sphingosine kinases.

(N)-methanocarba Phosphonate Analogues of 5'-AMP as Cardioprotective Agents

This technology includes the use of the (N)-methanocarba phosphonate analogues of 5’-AMP as cardioprotective agents for use in conditions such as cardiomyopathy and heart failure. We previously found a compound, MRS2339 (a phosphate derivative that can be slowly cleaved in vivo and lose potency), which activates the appropriate receptors and is protective in models of heart failure in several species (mouse, dog). MRS2339 is a phosphate derivative that can be slowly cleaved in vivo and lose potency. We now extend this technology to more stable derivatives, i.e.

Thyclotides for the Development of Clinical Diagnostics and Targeted Therapeutics

This technology includes a new class of oligomeric molecules called thyclotides for diagnostic and therapeutic development. Thyclotides is described where chiral tetrahydrofuran (THF) diamine units are linked together with alternating glycines, and nucleobases are attached to this backbone as sidechains. The thyclotide sequence consists of a series of nucleobases similar to that of a nucleic acid sequence. Thyclotides are easily synthesized and purified with excellent solubility in water. Thyclotide sequences bind to complementary DNA and RNA sequences with very strong affinity.

S1pr1 LoxP (S1p1 FM2Rip) Mouse Model for Developmental Biology

This technology includes a mouse model for S1 pr1 to be used in development biology research. Sphingosine-1-phosphate is a potent bioactive compound that activates a family of G-protein coupled receptors known as Edg or S1P receptors. Triggering these receptors on cells may have important effects related to inflammation, immunity, cancer, angio-genesis, cell proliferation, adhesion, cardiovascular function, nervous system function and injury responses.