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Therapeutic Scheme for Human Basigin Cancer researchers are focusing their efforts on identifying central pathways that trigger or enhance the invasiveness of tumor cells. One such target is EMMPRIN (... Read More Cancer researchers are focusing their efforts on identifying central pathways that trigger or enhance the invasiveness of tumor cells. One such target is EMMPRIN (Extracellular Matrix Metalloproteinase Inducer). It has been shown that EMMPRIN expression is linked to various cell signaling pathways that lead to an increase in tumor cell vascularization. Researchers are focusing efforts on elucidating the role of EMMPRIN in a number of disorders including cancer, arthritis, tissue repair and numerous inflammation-dependent diseases. DESCRIPTION/DETAILS Basigin is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily thatis also known as EMMPRIN. Human basigin is expressed as two differentiallyspliced isoforms encoded by a single gene found on chromosome, renamedrespectively as basigin-1 and basigin-2. Attempts to demonstrate specifichemophilic on separate cells, or between soluble forms of recombinant basiginusing surface Plasmon resonance have not been successful, suggesting thatbasigin-2 cannot function as a receptor for itself. In order to identify possible receptors for soluble basiginligand, an affinity purification approach was employed. This approach resulted inthe labeling of several potential interacting proteins, and MALDI MS/MSsequencing of one of these proteins identified a novel isoform of human basigin(basigin-3). Immunoprecipitation studies using cell fractions revealed thatrBSG interacts with basigin-2 at the cell membrane, and subsequently interactswith the basigin-3 isoform within the cell. Small-interfering RNA (siRNA)knockdown of basigin-2 protein reduced, but did not eliminate, rBSG-mediatedERK activation in HESCs, suggesting that additional cell surface receptors forsoluble basigin may exist. Taken together, these results support the hypothesisthat basigin-2 can function as a receptor for soluble basigin and demonstratethat the hemophilic interactions between basigin proteins are not dependentupon glycosylation of the basigin ligand. It has also been shown that soluble EMMPRIN binds tomembrane-bound EMMPRIN and the bound complex is internalized presenting apotential means to deliver therapeutic compounds to the cell in a highlytargeted manner. A therapeutic scheme isproposed that aims to design EMMPRIN-conjugates designed to deliver cancertherapeutics in a targeted fashion. Applications Conjugation oftherapeutics to EMMPRIN increases specificity and targets cancers cells cancer (skin, bladder,breast); other inflammatory diseases (arthritis, endometriosis); Upregulationof inflammatory response. Benefits It is possible to design therapeutic agents directed toward human basigin. Possible therapeutic scheme to block tumor progressionor inflammation.
Engineered Reprogramming of Somatic Cells Dr. Kris Kilian has designed specific micropatterned surfaces as a substrate for somatic cell reprogramming. Geometric cues facilitate the reprogramming of somatic... Read More Dr. Kris Kilian has designed specific micropatterned surfaces as a substrate for somatic cell reprogramming. Geometric cues facilitate the reprogramming of somatic cells by providing curvature and pinch points that guide proliferation, chromatin architecture, and mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET), which are major indicators of active reprogramming. The technology comprises a kit for somatic cell reprogramming that includes a micropatterned object and immobilized cell adhesion agent. Benefits: A non-genetic method for cellular reprogramming Method saves time and enhances efficiency of reprogramming
Higher Performance Proteases for Scarless Tag Removal Dr. van der Donk from the University of Illinois has characterized expression vectors and a family of proteases that are useful in removing affinity tags after... Read More Dr. van der Donk from the University of Illinois has characterized expression vectors and a family of proteases that are useful in removing affinity tags after protein expression. Affinity tag removal after protein expression is sometimes necessary for the protein of interest to be functional and active. However during this tag removal, some amino acids not native to the protein of interest can be left behind. Dr. van der Donk's invention eliminates the possibility of extraneous amino acids being left on the final protein product, which is an improvement over existing enzymatic tag removal techniques. This invention has identified a class of lanthipeptides, class II LanPs that show substrate specificity and can serve as efficient sequence-specific traceless proteases, expanding and advancing the current toolbox of proteases. The general goal of Dr. van der Donk's research is to understand enzymatic transformations that are of environmental or pharmaceutical importance. The van der Donk lab utilizes both synthetic organic chemistry and molecular biology to reach this goal. Specifically, the lab uses genome mining strategies to discover new natural products, use microbiology and genomic tools to determine their mode of action, use chemical biology techniques to study their biosynthesis, and use synthetic chemistry to improve their activities and therapeutic properties.
Hydrophilic Nanocluster Contrast Agents for High Sensitivity Magnetic Resonance Imaging Researchers from the University of Illinois have developed a new contrast agent for use with MRIs. The agent is made of super-paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles... Read More Researchers from the University of Illinois have developed a new contrast agent for use with MRIs. The agent is made of super-paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) with a special coating. This agent is an improvement over existing contrast agents and helps to increase the sensitivity of MRI scans. This is important, because it can define areas of damaged tissues which could go un-detected using currently available SPION-based contrast agents.
EMCCD Scintillation Camera for Low Energy X and Gamma Ray Imaging A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an ionizing radiation sensor having a first scintillator for generating... Read More A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an ionizing radiation sensor having a first scintillator for generating photons from incoming ionizing radiation, an imaging intensifier for amplifying the photons, and an electron-multiplying charge-coupled device (EMCCD) coupled to the imaging intensifier for sensing the amplified photons generated by the imaging intensifier.
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.
A Non-Invasive Blood Viscosity Measurement through Pulse Oximetry A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a sensor having a pulse oximeter sensor to measure an oxygen saturation... Read More A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a sensor having a pulse oximeter sensor to measure an oxygen saturation level in a liquid, a magnetic source coupled to the pulse oximeter sensor, and a controller to control the pulse oximeter sensor and the magnetic source, and to measure a mechanical effect on the liquid responsive to the magnetic source applying a magnetic field to the liquid.
Ultrasonic Biopsy Needle Shear Wave Imaging An apparatus and method for estimating and imaging mechanical properties of biological tissues. The apparatus includes one or two ultrasound emitting devices (... Read More An apparatus and method for estimating and imaging mechanical properties of biological tissues. The apparatus includes one or two ultrasound emitting devices (transducers) that first apply an acoustic radiation force to vibrationally displace a sphere embedded in the medium. Alternatively, a biopsy needle may be inserted into the medium and vibrated along its axis to generate shear waves. During and after vibration, ultrasound is again applied to image shear waves in the medium that propogate from the vibrating sphere or needle. By measuring the local wavelength of the shear waves, the shear modulus and viscous coefficient of the medium surrounding the vibrating element are estimated.
System and Method for Designing Multi-Channel RF Pulses for MR Imaging A system and method for designing RF pulses for multi-channel and/or multi-dimensional spatially-selective applications using a linear approximation. Embodiments... Read More A system and method for designing RF pulses for multi-channel and/or multi-dimensional spatially-selective applications using a linear approximation. Embodiments of the system and method may use a generalized linear-class large tip angle approximation to design RF pulses for multi-channel and parallel transmission. Further, some of these approximations allow for the design of arbitrarily large flip angles, irregularly-shaped flip angle profiles, or arbitrary initial magnetization values. Embodiments of the system and method may also provide for the design of k-space trajectories which aid in maintaining assumptions of the various linear class approximations.
Pharmaceutical Compounds and Pathways from Actinobacteria Dr. Metcalf and Dr. van der Donk from the University of Illinois have discovered 12 novel phosphonate natural products as well as the genes responsible for the... Read More Dr. Metcalf and Dr. van der Donk from the University of Illinois have discovered 12 novel phosphonate natural products as well as the genes responsible for the biosynthesis of hundreds of additional compounds of other natural product classes. Phosphonic and phosphinic acids represent an underexploited group of bioactive compounds with great promise for the treatment of human disease.

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