A Protocol to Enhance Therapeutic Effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and the Methods to Realize It

Summary: 

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) seeks research co-development partners and/or licensees for a high-powered electronic device and coil that delivers Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) pulses as well as the software that controls the device for treating treatment resistant depression, substance use disorders and other CNS disorders.

Description of Technology: 

Directed Acetylation of Cytidine in Cellular mRNA through Engineered snoRNA Adapters for the Treatment of Haploinsufficiencies

Summary: 

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) seeks research co-development partners and/or licensees for engineered chimeric snoRNA guides that recruit NAT10 to a specific target and cause directed acetylation of the target. They could be used to treat haploinsufficiency-associated disorders or diseases.

Description of Technology: 

National Cancer Institute dosimetry system for Computed Tomography (NCICT) Computer Program

About half of the per capita dose of radiation due to medical exposures is provided by computed tomography (CT) examinations. Approximately 80 million CTs are performed annually in the United States. CT scans most commonly look for internal bleeding or clots, abscesses due to infection, tumors and internal structures. Although CT provides great patient benefit, concerns exist about potential associated risks from radiation doses – especially in pediatric patients more sensitive to radiation.

Nanobodies Neutralizing Lassa Virus

Lassa Hemorrhagic Fever (LHF) is a serious disease caused by infection with Lassa virus (LASV) – highly prevalent in West Africa and spreading globally. LASV is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, annually infecting 100,000 to 300,000 individuals and causing 5,000 deaths. Developing prophylactics and treatment for LASV is difficult due to challenges in inducing neutralizing antibodies and producing their target, the LASV glycoprotein trimer (GPC).

Biomarker Analysis Software for High-Throughput Diagnostic Multiplex Data

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid bilayer-enclosed particles that are released from cells. EVs may contain proteins derived from their cells of origin with the potential as diagnostic biomarkers indicating the state of the cells when released. However, due to their small size (50-1000nm), the methods currently used to phenotype EVs have limited sensitivity and scale. A need exists for development of novel technologies improving EV detection and phenotyping.

Optical Configuration Methods for Spectral Scatter Flow Cytometry

Multi-parameter flow cytometry has been extensively used in multiple disciplines of biological discoveries, including immunology and cancer research. However, the disadvantage of traditional flow cytometry platforms using excitation lasers and fluorescence detectors is spectral overlap when using multiple dyes on the same biological sample. Metaethical compensation of spectral overlap could only be effective to a certain degree. Mass cytometry is advantageous compared to flow cytometry but is pricey and requires highly skilled operators. 

T-cell Receptor Targeting Human Papillomavirus-16 E6 Oncoprotein

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of human viruses known to cause various malignancies. Of the group, HPV-16 is the most prevalent strain – an estimated 90% of adults have been exposed. HPV-16 is also the strain most commonly associated with malignancy, causing the vast majority of cervical, anal, vaginal, vulvar, and penile cancers. Currently, HPV-positive malignancies non-responsive to surgery or radiation are incurable and poorly palliated by existing systemic therapies. Thus, an alternative therapeutic approach for HPV-positive malignancies is needed. 

 

IgG4 Hinge Containing Nanobody-based CARs Targeting GPC3 for Treating Liver Cancer

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer. Globally, HCC is the sixth most prevalent cancer and third leading cause of cancer-related morbidity. Standard treatment for HCC is not suitable for a large proportion of liver cancer patients. Part of this is because less than a quarter of HCC patients are surgical candidates for curative-intent treatment. As a result, alternative treatments are needed. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is a promising alternative approach selectively targets targeting tumors via tumor-specific antigens.