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Therapeutics

Latest Innovations
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.
A More Stable and Efficient Retroviral Gene Delivery Vector This technology is a viral vector based on the murine leukemia virus (MLV), which has been favored for clinical gene therapy due to its preferential infectivity of... Read More This technology is a viral vector based on the murine leukemia virus (MLV), which has been favored for clinical gene therapy due to its preferential infectivity of human cell types. The original vector has been modified through the use of directed evolution targeting its protease (PR) gene, which has been found to produce increased stability for the viral vector. It is believed that this modification has the potential to be applied to all clinically-relevant viral vectors. Applications Clinical, such as delivery of gene therapy therapeutics Biomedical Research by way of development of gene therapy therapeutics and general basic science research. Benefits Increased virus production. Increased infection efficiency. Increased safety (indirect benefit of decrease in required vector dose).
Ionic Helical Polypeptides - Non-Viral Gene Delivery with Improved Transfection Efficiency Tremendous potential exists for helical polypeptides that are water soluble (ionic) and remain stable at physiological conditions,... Read More Tremendous potential exists for helical polypeptides that are water soluble (ionic) and remain stable at physiological conditions, variable environmental conditions including pH fluctuations, temperature changes, and in the presence of denaturing agents for gene delivery and cell-membrane penetration over commercially available products. Libraries of helical polypeptides are screened for desired traits, i.e. efficient gene transfection compared to standard transfection reagents.
Algorithm Modified Deoxynybomycin for the Treatment of Gram-Negative Bacteria Dr. Hergenrother from the University of IL has developed a novel antibiotic that is effective against certain antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacteria. His powerful... Read More Dr. Hergenrother from the University of IL has developed a novel antibiotic that is effective against certain antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacteria. His powerful predictive algorithm determines accumulation of molecules in Gram-negative bacteria and enables conversion of known Gram-positive only antibiotics into novel compounds with Gram-negative potency.
A Pro-Apoptotic Microbial Community Network Enriched in the Tissue of IPF and Lung Cancer Patients Dr. Isaac Cann from the University of Illinois has identified biomarkers and therapeutic strategy for treatment of... Read More Dr. Isaac Cann from the University of Illinois has identified biomarkers and therapeutic strategy for treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and lung cancer. This strategy has the potential to dramatically improve the lives of millions patients throughout the world. It is the first know effective treatment route for IPF. The therapeutic strategy is based on the discovery of link between microbial community remodeling and IPF. Furthermore, the lung microbial community can induce excessive apoptosis of alveolar lining epithelial cells leading to lung carcinogenesis. Benefit • Treatment strategies including broad spectrum antibiotics may be effective for treating IPF and preventing lung cancer
pH Activated Antimicrobial Peptides for Treatment of H pylori Infection Dr. JJ Cheng from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a helix/random confirmation switchable antimicrobial polypeptides (HRS-AMPs) that are pH... Read More Dr. JJ Cheng from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a helix/random confirmation switchable antimicrobial polypeptides (HRS-AMPs) that are pH sensitive and can kill Helicobacter pylori. H pylori, a causative agent of gastric ulcers, lives in the acidic environment of the stomach, and these pH activated antimicrobial peptides could be used to kill H pylori. The polypeptides are inactive until reaching the stomach, thus preserving the microbiota of the rest of the GI tract. In vivo data demonstrates good biodistribution, bioavailability, efficacy, and low toxicity compared to standard treatment for H. pylori infection. Moreover, HRS-AMPs are active against MDR and clinical isolate strains.
New Drug to Reverse Alzheimer’s Disease Dr. Moore has developed a new drug that could reverse the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. The drug breaks up amyloid fibrils, which are believed to be the root cause... Read More Dr. Moore has developed a new drug that could reverse the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. The drug breaks up amyloid fibrils, which are believed to be the root cause of the disease. This invention is the first demonstration of a drug that could treat Alzheimer’s disease.
Small Molecules With Antibacterial and Anticancer Activity Dr. Hergenrother from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a series of topoisomerase inhibiting small molecules... Read More Dr. Hergenrother from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a series of topoisomerase inhibiting small molecules with anticancer activity. These molecules possess comparable activity and selectivity to doxorubicin, a common cancer chemotherapy drug, across a range of cancer cell lines. These small molecules are a promising alternative to cardiotoxicity producing doxorubicin as a cancer chemotherapy drug. These molecules are also useful as broad-spectrum antibiotics capable of treating resistant bacteria strains (minimum inhibitory concentrations as low as 0.5 micrograms/mL for S. aureus and E. coli).
Ligand for Potential Treatment of Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 (DM1) Dr. Zimmerman from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed an oligomeric ligand that can have potential... Read More Dr. Zimmerman from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed an oligomeric ligand that can have potential applications in the treatment of DM1. This Ligand on account of its multivalent nature, is an improvement over the previous small molecule (TF12039) designed by the inventor. The oligomeric ligand has been shown to rescue mis-splicing activity in DM1 cell models. Climbing defects in adult DM1 drosophila flies was also show to have been rescued on treatment with this oligomeric ligand.
Novel Endocannabinoid Therapeutics Dr. Aditi Das from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a novel set of therapeutic endocannabinoid derivatives.... Read More Dr. Aditi Das from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a novel set of therapeutic endocannabinoid derivatives. These derivatives retain the anti-inflammatory, anti-cancerous, anti-angiogenic, and anti-platelet aggregatory properties while having an increased half life. As these compounds are based off endogenous endocannabinoids it is predicted side-effects will be miminal. Importantly these derivatives show enhanced anti-migratory properties compared to the endogenous compound suggesting they will act as potent drugs.

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