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Compounds That Selectively Induce Cancerous Cell Death in the G1 Phase of the Cell Cycle Malignant melanoma is a cancer that is refractory to current chemotherapeutic treatments. The average survival time for patients is 6 months. This coupled with the... Read More Malignant melanoma is a cancer that is refractory to current chemotherapeutic treatments. The average survival time for patients is 6 months. This coupled with the alarming rise in incidence of melanoma (46,170 cases of in situ melanoma are expected to be newly diagnosed in 2005) warrants research into novel means to treat melanoma. Through the synthesis of a combinatorial library of potential proapoptotic agents, a novel class of small molecules (triphenylmethylamides, TPMAs) have been identified that are effective agents in killing melanoma cells, as well as other cancer cells. The majority of anticancer drugs operate through induction of cell cycle arrest and cell death in either the DNA synthesis (S) or mitosis (M) phase of the cell cycle. In contrast, these TPMAs, act in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Many of the TPMAs are quite potent inducers of apoptotic death in melanoma cell lines (IC50 of 0.5 ?M), and importantly, some TPMAs are comparatively nontoxic to normal cells isolated from the bone marrow of healthy donors. Furthermore, the TPMAs dramatically reduce the level of active nuclear factor ?-B (NF?B) in the cell; NF?B is known to be constitutively active in melanoma, and this activity is critical for the proliferation of melanoma cells and their evasion of apoptosis. With regard to status of development, multiple generations of compounds have been tested and have shown efficacy with primary melanocytes, while these same compounds have shown to be largely non-toxic in initial rodent studies assessing changes in body weight and death. In addition, the National Cancer Institute?s 60-cell line screen has demonstrated activity of the compounds against a broad range of cancer types. Additional detailed information about this technology can be found in the recently published article: Synthesis and Identification of Small Molecules that Potently Induce Apoptosis in Melanoma Cells through G1 Cell Cycle Arrest (JACS 2005, 127, 8686-8696) Applications Chemotherapeutic treatment of Melanoma Chemotherapeutic treatment against other cancers, such as breast, colon, non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), etc. As a research reagent that arrests cells in G1. Benefits Potent death inducers in melanoma cell lines with potencies in the 0.5 - 1.0 M range Markedly less (8-12-fold) toxicity to the non-cancerous human bone marrow cells National Cancer Institute's 60-cell line screen demonstrated the compounds are quite active against a broad spectrum of cancers and confirmed the IC50 value of 600 nM against the UACC-62 melanoma cell line Initial animal testing suggests that mice can tolerate concentrations as high as 200 mg/kg Efficacy and water solubility are being increased as additional chemical modifications are made with later generation compounds
Compounds for the Treatment of Fluoquinolone resistant infections Researchers from the University of Illinois have synthesized a variety of compounds with strong activity toward fluoroquinolone resistant bacteria. These compounds... Read More Researchers from the University of Illinois have synthesized a variety of compounds with strong activity toward fluoroquinolone resistant bacteria. These compounds not only combat resistant bacteria, but also reverse the resistance making it possible to again treat with the common fluoroquinolone drugs.
New Drugs for Malarial and Bacterial Infections New anti-infectives are required now more than ever as resistance to existing drugs increases in prevalence. Enzymes unique to bacteria or parasites are potential... Read More New anti-infectives are required now more than ever as resistance to existing drugs increases in prevalence. Enzymes unique to bacteria or parasites are potential drug targets with minimal side effects because they are not present in humans. One such source of potential drug targets is the isoprenoid biosynthesis pathway. Many pathogenic bacteria and malaria parasites use isoprenoids in their cell walls, to protect against the human immune system, and for other functions. This pathway is not present in humans and thus is an excellent target for new anti-infective drugs. Scientists from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaigns Departments of Chemistry and Biophysics have identified a class of novel chemical entities that are capable of inhibiting two key enzymes, GcpE and LytB, in the isoprenoid biosynthesis pathway. These compounds are able to inhibit the isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway at concentrations far lower than any other known inhibitors and have the potential to treat a wide-range of infectious disease caused by both bacteria and malarial parasites. In addition, it may be possible to use these compounds for the treatment of cancers, via immune system activation. Details This invention includes a class of novel chemical entities composed of similar geometries and bonds. They inhibit through a unique organometallicinteraction that has not been previously described. Applications Currently, the compounds are being evaluated for their ability to act as: Broad spectrum anti-infectives Cytotoxic cancer drugs Other compounds produced using similar chemistry may have a wide range of medical applications Benefits Novel Mechanism: These compounds act on the isoprenoid pathway using a chemical interaction that has not been previously described. Continued work on these compounds is designed to identify new applications of this interaction, beyond anti-infectives.
Supramolecular Assembly for Non-Viral Gene Delivery Gene therapy is an approach for human disease treatment. This is done by inserting nucleic acids into cells to produce proteins, fix or replace damaged genes, and... Read More Gene therapy is an approach for human disease treatment. This is done by inserting nucleic acids into cells to produce proteins, fix or replace damaged genes, and inhibit expression of harmful genes. The gene delivery systems are classified into viral and nonviral systems. There are several advantages in nonviral delivery systems, including biological safety (safer than viral vehicle), low immunogenicity, ability to deliver large genes, and large scale production at a reasonable cost. However, non-viral delivery systems have barriers that need to be overcome such as: biocompatibility of polymers used (toxicity) transfection efficiency, nuclear localization, and packaging and unpackaging of DNA. This invention addresses some of these issues. This technology uses a multi-component approach to gene delivery that allows DNA binding strength, endosomolytic capabilities and targeting to be tuned separately in the resulting vector. Applications Pharmaceutical industry Gene delivery/therapy companies Research Reagents Companies selling research reagents Benefits Better transfection efficiency compared to other gene therapy delivery systems Easier: Does not require chemical reactions to assemble the supramolecule Able to arrive at a useful delivery vehicle using combination at a faster rate.
Antibacterial Drug Targeting Isoprenoid Biosynthesis Researchers at the University of Illinois and the University of California at San Diego have developed a variety of potential inhibitors of Isoprenoid biosynthesis... Read More Researchers at the University of Illinois and the University of California at San Diego have developed a variety of potential inhibitors of Isoprenoid biosynthesis, an integral step in bacterial cell wall synthesis. The inhibitors may be useful in killing other strains that have developed resistance to other anti-bacterials.
The Role of the Cochlear Processing in Human Speech Recognition This technology details five different methods of manipulating speech sounds to identify how they are processed, and measures the listener response to altered... Read More This technology details five different methods of manipulating speech sounds to identify how they are processed, and measures the listener response to altered speech sound, truncated speech sound, added noise, altered intelligibility, and morphed sounds. These methods allow for identification of the unique feature of each speech sound (e.g. time of onset and frequency).
Microfluidic Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Device for Epigenomic Analysis Researchers from the University of Illinois have created a process for the epigenomic analysis of single cells. This process combines the uses of single cell... Read More Researchers from the University of Illinois have created a process for the epigenomic analysis of single cells. This process combines the uses of single cell microfluidics and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) for the analysis of DNA modifications in single cells.This technology has the potential to greatly decrease the number of cells needed from a biopsy to test for different cancers. It may also allow the study of traveling cell cancers that are only present in very small almost undetectable quantities.
Cell Encapsulation in Uniform Microcapsules with Built-In Cell Centering Mechanism A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an apparatus having an outer nozzle operable to discharge an outer stream... Read More A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an apparatus having an outer nozzle operable to discharge an outer stream of a shell solution, and an inner nozzle operable to discharge an inner stream of a core solution intermixed with a plurality of materials. The outer stream can substantially surrounds the inner stream, thereby forming a combined stream. A plurality of capsules can be formed responsive to a force applied to the combined stream. At least a portion of the plurality of capsules are desirable capsules, each having a core encapsulated by a portion of the shell solution. The core can have at least one of the plurality of materials encapsulated by a portion of the core solution without protruding an outer surface of the portion of the shell solution.
RF Coil for Improving Tuning Range, Cost and Maintaining Q A radio frequency (RF) coil comprising a plurality of electrically uninterrupted conductive legs, each leg having a first end and a second end, and at least one... Read More A radio frequency (RF) coil comprising a plurality of electrically uninterrupted conductive legs, each leg having a first end and a second end, and at least one continuous conductor electrically connected to the first ends of the legs. Frequency tuning of the coil is achieved by translating, along the legs, an electrically continuous tuning band that includes a capacitor closed about the axis of the coil in proximity to the conductive legs. Maintaining electrical symmetry of the coil results in tuning ranges of at least 30 percent of the nominal value of the resonant frequency.
Integrated Portable Pneumatically Powered Ankle-Foot Orthosis Below the knee muscle weakness, defined by weak dorsiflexor (shin) or plantarflexor (calf) muscle groups, can result from a variety of physical impairments or... Read More Below the knee muscle weakness, defined by weak dorsiflexor (shin) or plantarflexor (calf) muscle groups, can result from a variety of physical impairments or congenital abnormalities. Stroke, spinal cord injuries, polio and multiple sclerosis are among some of the physical injuries and congenital defects responsible for the condition. The largest complication from below the knee muscle weakness is abnormal gait, which when compensated for can lead to further complications in other muscles and joints. Ankle-foot-orthoses (AFOs) have been designed to assist afflicted individuals in walking and rehabilitation of the weakened muscle groups. Unfortunately, many commercially available AFOs are passive devices that cannot provide assistance during the propulsive phase of gait. Furthermore, these instruments are not capable of adapting to changes in walking conditions. Powered AFOs have been engineered to overcome these limitations but lack practicality in that they are commonly tethered to off-board power sources. This technology provides a non-tethered, portable pneumatic powered AFO that controls and assists propulsion of the foot as well as ankle motion using plantarflexor and dorsiflexor torque at the ankle joint. A custom-built pneumatic rotary actuator is located at the ankle joint. Torque generated by the actuator is used for both motion control of the foot and to provide supplemental torque for the individual during gait. Pressure regulators are used to manage the force produced by the rotary actuator and valves are used to direct the flow of fluid power to the actuator. Control and sensing of the actuator is accomplished through use of pressure and angle sensors and onboard electronics. Applications This device can be used to aid individuals afflicted with below the knee muscle weakness or impaired gait resulting from any number of physical injuries or congenital disabilities. Portability of the device permits the device to be used in a variety of locations. Applications include: Assistance in walking (including flexibility to walk outside) Relief from pain and discomfort during walking Rehabilitation of dorsiflexors and plantarflexors (possible from the patients personal residence) Benefits The portable pneumatic AFO is beneficial compared to passive AFOs in that it: Controls velocity of foot during initial contact to prevent foot-slap Provides torque at end of the stance for propulsion Supports the foot in the neutral, 90 degree position during swing to prevent foot-drop and allow free range of motion throughout the walking cycle Enables full customization of timing and magnitude of assistance through electronic and mechanical means Benefits over other powered AFOs include: Portable, non-tethered power

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