biosciences

Synthesis and Applications of Boranephosphonate DNA

Anonymous — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 17:27:38 +0000

Synthesis and Applications of Boranephosphonate DNA Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 04/03/2019 - 11:27

Problem

Boranephoshonate DNA (bpDNA) is a stable analog DNA where one of the non-bridging phosphate oxygens is replaced by a BH3 group. We discovered the bpDNA reacts with metal ions such as Au3+, Ag+, Pt4+ to produce metallic nanoparticles. When combined with the ability of DNA to base pair to complementary sequences, bpDNA has many promising applications in low-cost diagnostics, electron microscopy probes and for construction of metallic nanomaterials. However, the development of these applications was stunted by a lack of robust chemical synthetic methods. This was a result of the incompatibility of the step to introduce borane into DNA, with the exocyclic amine protecting groups traditionally used in DNA synthesis.

Solution

A research group at ��ƷSM��ӰƬ, led by Dr. Marvin Caruthers and Dr. Subhadeep Roy, have established a novel silyl-based exocyclic amine protecting group that is compatible with boronation allowing the synthesis of bpDNA oligomers up to 20-25 nucleotide in length in yields and purity comparable to that of unmodified DNA. This technology enables the use of bpDNA in low-cost diagnostics, as well asCRISPR-Cas9 based probes for correlated light electron miscoscopy. These bpDNAs have the advantages of lowering costs, enabling scalable production, and increased chemical stability.

Market Application

Applications for the technology are areas such as point of care diagnostics, low cost diagnostics, electron microscopy probes and in pathogen detection in test-kits (such as testing for pathogens in food).

What's Next?

The university is looking to outlicense this opportunity to industry partners. This patent portfolio is available for exclusive and non-exclusive licensing.

Contact

Dipika Singh: dipika.singh@colorado.edu

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Tuning the miscibility of enzymes in non-native solvent environments

Anonymous — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 18:07:33 +0000

Tuning the miscibility of enzymes in non-native solvent environments Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 12/04/2018 - 11:07

Problem

Tuning the miscibility of enzymes in non-native solvent environments has important implications for the use of enzymes in industrial chemical transformations. Traditionally, because the preparation and purification of enzymes can be costly, enzymes are used as heterogeneous catalysts, which facilitates their separation and recycling but can severely impact their activity.

Solution

Prof. Joel Kaar has demonstrated the use of polymer modification to specifically modulate the interactions of enzymes with non-native solvents. This approach allows one to rationally tune the interactions of the enzyme-polymer conjugate with non-aqueous solvent in a thermoresponsive manner within a desired temperature range. By rationally altering the composition of the polymer, the solubility and temperature of the phase separation can be quantitatively controlled and tuned. The enzyme can be readily recycled via sequential dissolution and precipitation, without loss of activity. The enzyme can also be reversibly shuttled between a non-aqueous solvent and buffer in response to changes in temperature.

Market Application

Industrial enzymes are used as catalysts to induce chemical reactions and boost production processes. They are used for various chemical and industrial applications such as tanning, brewing, baking, detergents, biofuel production, pharmaceuticals and drug delivery. The industrial enzymes market was valued at USD 4.61 billion in 2016, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2017, to reach USD 6.30 billion by 2022 [source: Top Market Reports, Report Code FB 2277, Oct. 2016].

What's Next?

Seeking licensees.

Contact

Stephanie Villano: stephanie.villano@colorado.edu

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Novel use of Enterobactin to treat iron deficiency and related anemia

Anonymous — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 18:11:23 +0000

Novel use of Enterobactin to treat iron deficiency and related anemia Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 12/01/2018 - 11:11

Problem

Iron deficiency is one of the most prevalent nutritional deficiency disorders in the world, and a major cause of anemia. About 2 billion people were reported to suffer from anemia, including high numbers among women and children; the numbers are even higher for non-anemic, iron deficiency patients. The traditional solution, oral iron supplementation, has poor efficacy and damaging side effects. Low efficiency of iron transport is likely a key cause of both the disorder and the problems associated with the current treatment. Increasing iron uptake effficiency appears to be the key to significantly improving the current treatment.

Solution

Using a unique assay, Dr. Min Han's team has discovered an unexpected and striking role of Enterobactin (Ent) in supporting growth and the labile iron pool in C. elegans. Ent, a compound with high affinity for iron (Fe3+), is produced and used by certain bacteria (including gut microbes) to acquire iron from the environment. This new work has demonstrated that ferric-Ent is taken up by the host and is bioavailable. Mechanistically, the Han lab found, in both C. elegans and human cells, that Ent brings Fe3+ into the mitochondria through binding to the alpha subunit of the ATP synthase. The newly discovered role of enterobactin in promoting mitochondrial iron uptake and animal health may present a potential transformative treatment of iron deficiency and related anemia. In tests using C. elegans, Ent dramatically improved the iron level in animals fed a low iron diet.

Market Application

According to Credence Research (credenceresearch.com/press/global-iron-supplements-market), the global iron supplement market was over $3 billion in 2015 and expected to reach $6.35 billion by 2025. Ent will not be used to replace iron supplementation. Rather, Ent supplementation is expected to dramatically increase the efficiency of iron uptake, which should drastically reduce the effective dosage of iron supplementation and the acompanying side effects. Therefore, Ent supplementation is potentially an important medical treatment needed for the vast majority of the patients who take iron supplement to treat the disorder, which points to a huge potential market.

What's Next?

Dr. Han is currently testing the effectiveness of Ent in treating iron deficiency using mammlian models. He also plans to conduct medicinal chemistry work that will entail design and synthesis of Enterobactin analogues, followed by key in vivo studies. Currently, he is seeking business advisors and partners who could help navigate further development of the technology and the product.

Contact

Dipika Singh: dipika.singh@colorado.edu

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Novel therapeutics derived from mycobacteria for the treatment of sepsis and post-sepsis syndrome

Anonymous — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 15:12:27 +0000

Novel therapeutics derived from mycobacteria for the treatment of sepsis and post-sepsis syndrome Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 09/03/2018 - 09:12

Problem

Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition that is triggered by an infection or injury and is the result of an overwhelming inflammatory host response to bacterial infection. Despite intense scientific efforts, availability of antibacterial therapies, and improved immunotherapies, sepsis remains a serious clinical problem and there remains a need to improve the efficacy of sepsis treatments. Sepsis illness ranges from mild to severe, and while mild cases have a high rate of recovery, severe cases can lead to organ failure, gangrene, and cognitive impairment. In addition, 50% of sepsis survivors suffer from post-sepsis syndrome, a condition that involves a variety of physical, psychological and emotional problems. The pathology of sepsis is extremely challenging to fight with pharmaceuticals. The underlying infection may be resistant to antibiotics, and organ damage that happens can be extremely difficult to halt with drugs. For these reasons, new and more effective treatments for sepsis are needed.

Solution

Researchers working at ��ƷSM��ӰƬ and Immodulon Therapeutics Limited have discovered novel, mycobacterially-derived lipid compounds that have potent anti-inflammatory effects. These compounds can be extracted from a culture of bacterial cells containing the lipid of interest or chemically synthesized. Data collected by researchers indicate that these compounds could be useful in the treatment and prevention of sepsis and post-sepsis syndrome, as well as management of symptoms associated with the disease as they target the infection underlying sepsis and the disease pathology.

Market Application

According to National Institute of General Medical Sciences, severe sepsis strikes more than a million Americans every year, and 15 to 30 percent of those people die. The number of sepsis cases per year has also been on the rise in the United States. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality lists sepsis as the most expensive condition treated in U.S. hospitals, costing nearly $24 billion in 2013. In addition, people with sepsis are two to three times more likely to be readmitted to the hospital as people with many other conditions, including heart failure, pneumonia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Contact

Dipika Singh: dipika.singh@colorado.edu

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Riboglow, a novel platform for tagging RNA

Anonymous — Fri, 18 May 2018 20:41:44 +0000

Riboglow, a novel platform for tagging RNA Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 05/18/2018 - 14:41

Problem

While there is a broad spectrum of tools available to fluorescently tag proteins in live cells, fewer approaches for live cell imaging of RNA exist. Current limitations of the gold-standard approach for live cell RNA imaging include perturbed localization, low fluorescence contrast, and inability to detect diverse types of RNAs such as snRNAs and microRNAs.

Solution

Dr. Amy Palmer's team has developed a versatile RNA imaging platform called Riboglow. This technology introduces a novel riboswitch-based RNA imaging system that has several advantages over existing RNA detection systems. First, it requires a small RNA tag. Second, it is comptabile with a wide range of synthetic flurophores spanning from the green to far-red spectral range and retains favorable photophysical properties such as slow photobleaching. Third, it allows for the detection and visualization of diverse types of RNAs. For example, the short size of the RNA tag used in Riboglow enabled the visualization of U1 snRNA in live cells for the first time.

Market Application

Potential applications include drug discovery, drug delivery, academic research and pharmaceutical research.

Contact

Dipika Singh: dipika.singh@colorado.edu

Dr. Amy Palmer's team is developing Riboglow, a versatile riboswitch-based RNA imaging system. The short size of the RNA tag used in the system enabled the visualization of U1 snRNA in live cells for the first time.

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Targeting cathepsin B to reduce radiation therapy side effects for cancer patients

Anonymous — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 20:59:29 +0000

Targeting cathepsin B to reduce radiation therapy side effects for cancer patients Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 02/27/2018 - 13:59

Problem

During radiation treatment for cancer, even healthy cells that are far away from the tumor and are not exposed to the radiation are still subject to the harmful effects of radiation. This is known as the radiation-induced bystander effect ("RIBE").

Solution

Professor Ding Xue discovered that the human protein "cathepsin B" is a critical factor in the signalling between irradiated and non-irradiated cells. This signalling is required for RIBE, and thus Professor Xue began to search for ways to target cathepsin B and prevent RIBE. His efforts have been fruitful and a series of preclinical drug candidates are under development, all with the goal of improving patient response to radiation therapy by eliminating or reducing the side effects caused by RIBE.

Market Application

Cancer remains a serious global health problem. In the United States alone, there are about 15 million cases of cancer, approximately 60% of whom receive radiation therapy. Millions of people deal with the side effects of radiation therapy and new approaches are needed to limit or remove these side effects.

Contact

Dipika Singh: dipika.singh@colorado.edu

Professor Ding Xue has discovered a critical factor in the signalling between irradiated and non-irradiated cells. A series of preclinical drugs are being developed with the goal of improving patient response to radiation therapy.

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An objective assessment of acute and chronic pain

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 23:47:20 +0000

An objective assessment of acute and chronic pain Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 11/15/2017 - 16:47

Problem

Pain is typically measured through patient reports, behavioral and biological assessments, which are highly subjective. In addition, self-reporting is difficult for certain populations such as children and older adults. Thus, there is a need for diagnostic technologies that can correctly diagnose pain.

Solution

Dr. Tor Wager's team at the ��ƷSM��ӰƬ has used functional magnetic resonance imaging or fMRI coupled with machine learning techniques to identify neurologic pain signatures that allow for objective measurement of acute and chronic pain.

Market Application

Globally, 1.5 billion people suffer from moderate to chronic pain. In the US alone, persistent pain affects 100 million adults and accounts for $600 billion in annual medical costs and loss of productivity.

An fMRI-Based Neurologic Signature of Physical Pain (New England Journal of Medicine)

Contact

Dipika Singh:
dipika.singh@colorado.edu

Dr. Tor Wagner's team at ��ƷSM��ӰƬ uses functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) coupled with machine learning to identify neurologic pain signatures, allowing for the consistent, objective measurement of acute and chronic pain.

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Endoscope system designed to improve colonoscopy outcomes

Anonymous — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 06:28:05 +0000

Endoscope system designed to improve colonoscopy outcomes Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 08/13/2017 - 00:28

Problem

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. that can best be addressed with early detection by a colonoscopy. While 90% of colonoscopies have no complications, 10% of procedures, or 1.5 million procedures a year, are considered difficult and can result in increased cost and complications for patients.

Market Opportunity

Current solution to difficult colonoscopies requires the purchase and use of specialized equipment in a hospital setting resulting in increased costs and reduced revenue for doctors.

Solution

An endoscopically-delivered overtube developed at Dr. Mark Rentschler’s Advanced Medical Technologies Laboratory designed to ease insertion, manipulation, and retraction of an endoscope during colonoscopy will allow physicians to complete the difficult procedures using standard endoscopes in outpatient settings, resulting in increased success rates and reduced costs of the procedure.

Contact

Marta Zgagacz:
marta.zgagacz@colorado.edu

An endoscopically-delivered overtube developed at Dr. Mark Rentschler’s lab enables physicians to complete difficult endoscopic procedures in outpatient settings with increased success rates and reduced costs.

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