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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.

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.

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.

This technology includes new nucleoside inhibitors containing rigid rings that provide high potency for use as antiepileptic drugs. Adenosine kinase (AdK) inhibitors raise the level of endogenous adenosine, particularly in disease states, and are of interest for the potential treatment of seizures and neurodegenerative and inflammatory conditions.

This technology includes lentivirus vectors to be used to treat sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia. (i) Lin28A or Lin28B vectors designed for erythroid-specific expression using EKLF1, SPTA1, or similar erythroid-specific regulatory elements will be used to transduce hematopoietic stem cells isolated from humans with sickle cell disease or beta-thalassemia syndromes.

This technology includes adenosine receptor binding compounds which could potentially be used for development of more selective and safe treatment of cardiovascular, psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Though adenosine has been extensively studied as a primary chemical scaffold for adenosine receptor agonists, very little structure activity data exist for C5' substitution. This technology presents novel rationally designed small molecule compounds capable of selective binding to adenosine receptor (subtypes A2a, A1, A2b and A3) and inducing effector-biased downstream signaling.

This technology includes a plasmid (designated pJH114) that encodes all five subunits of the E. coli Bam (barrel assembly machine) complex under the control of an inducible promoter to be used in the study of the Bam and screen for therapeutic small molecules. The Bam (barrel assembly machine) complex is a highly conserved heterooligomer that catalyzes the integration of membrane proteins that have a beta barrel structure into the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Research suggests that this complex is essential for the viability of most, if not all bacteria in this class.

This technology includes an immunoassay to measure SARS-CoV-2 antibodies against the nucleocapsid and spike proteins.

Feedback vasodilation by endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) is under the regulation of globins. NIH Researchers discovered that not only the alpha globin but also the beta globin subunits of hemoglobin are expressed in the human artery wall, with beta globin interacting directly with endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS).

Local inflammation processes are crucially important in the host defense against pathogens and for successful immunization because proinflammatory cytokines are necessary for initiation and propagation of an immune response. However, normal inflammatory responses are eventually terminated by physiological termination mechanisms, thereby limiting the strength and duration of immune responses, especially to weak antigens. The inventors have shown that adenosine A2a and A3a receptors play a critical role in down-regulation of inflammation in vivo.