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ID# UME-28
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Technology MRET-Based Discovery of Allosteric Drug Binding Sites in Flexible Multidomain Protein Kinases for use in Development of Novel Cancer Drugs
Scientific Relevance The invention is a novel, structure-based method for cancer drug discovery using the principles of Magnetic Resonance Energy Transfer (MRET).  By using such an approach, newly identified clefts and crevices in protein kinases can be targeted for structure and fragment-based drug discovery of compounds that inhibit protein kinases with higher specificity.  Currently, few protein kinase inhibitors are clinically approved because of their broad specificity and high toxicity.
Commercial Opportunity Cancer is second only to heart disease as the leading cause of death in the United States with over 500,000 deaths annually.  The National Institutes of Health will dedicate $7.8 billion for cancer research in 2007.
Competitive Advantage Protein kinases are known to play a critical role in the transformation of cancer cells.  This invention is a unique approach for discovering cancer drugs that inhibit protein kinases.
Inventors Thomas K. Harris
ID# UMG-01
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Technology Method for Assessing Beta-Cell Viability in Human Pancreatic Islets for Transplantation and Research
Scientific Relevance A novel, rapid and precise method to assess the viability and purity of beta-cells in human pancreatic islets for successful transplantation in patients with Type 1 diabetes has been discovered.  Beta-cells are important in that they produce insulin.
Commercial Opportunity Type 1 diabetes cost the U.S. an estimated $13 billion in 2002 in medical expenditures and lost productivity.  A total of $9 billion in direct medical expenditures was attributable to Type 1 diabetes and the resulting economic loss to the United States economy in 2002 alone was estimated to be $4 billion.
Competitive Advantage  A substantially higher number (≥ 30,000) of cells can be assessed objectively in a short time, compared to the few hundred cells that are counted manually or by operator-assisted imaging analysis using the current methodologies.  In addition, this method is able to identify islet preparations that will result in excellent function vs. those that will fail to reverse diabetes.
Inventors Hirohito Ichii and Camillo Ricordi
ID# UMF-31
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Technology Transgenic Mice Expressing A Real-Time Reporter For Cellular Camp In A Tissue-Selective And Inducible Manner
Scientific Revelance Cyclic AMP (cAMP) mediates the response to hormones, neurotransmitters and other molecules in practically every tissue of the body.  The inventors have generated a unique transgenic mouse that is able to express an inducible fluorescent cAMP reporter in targeted cells and tissues.  To achieve this, transgenic mice carrying the newly generated and unique cAMP reporter are mated with mice carrying an appropriate, tissue-specific, antibiotic-sensitive triggering mechanism in their genome.  Mice tailored to a specific tissue can be readily generated. By injecting a commonly available antibiotic, researchers can then induce the synthesis of the cAMP reporter in pre-specified cells.  Using this mouse model, cAMP can be examined in intact organs, tissues and cells both in vitro and in vivo. The transgenic mouse will make it possible to monitor how intracellular cAMP levels change in response to metabolites, transmitters, hormones, and drugs in real time and with high spatial resolution (i.e., single cells and even subcellular regions). 
Commercial Opportunity This mouse is an important drug discovery tool.  Pharmaceutical industry scientists as well as academic researches can use this mouse to monitor responses to existing drugs and develop new ones. Additionally, this mouse could be used to test the effects of treatments affecting the brain, spinal cord, or autonomic nervous system.
Competitve Advantage This only mouse model available that allows responses to drugs, metabolites, transmitters, hormones, pharmaceuticals, etc. to be monitored visually in vivo.   Furthermore, the response can be seen in real time with high spatial resolution.
Inventors Nirupa Chaudhari, and Stephen D. Roper
ID# CC004
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Technology A Novel Cell/Tissue Culture System to Enhance Cell Proliferation & Induce Cell Differentiation
Scientific Revelance Conventional cell and tissue culture typically involved cells resting atop (or attaching to) a gas-impermeable plastic bottom, in a given volume of specific medium to maintain viability and function. For immortalized cell lines or cells that are not exquisitely depend on oxygen, this means of culture is sufficient and results in acceptable growth and differentiation for experimental needs. However, these conditions are sub-optimal for tissues with high metabolic requirements. The researchers at the University of Miami have designed a novel culture system whereby three dimensional tissues can receive oxygen both from the top (after diffusion through medium) and the bottom (through direct diffusion across a perfluorohydrocarbon-silicon membrane).
Commercial Opportunity The Petri dish market is over two billion dollars a year. This novel system can be used to promote both growth and differentiation of stem/progenitor cells where oxygen becomes limiting as is invariably the case in conventional culture systems. Such application is of particular interest for cell types known for their high in vivo oxygen demands. The premise behind this approach is that, unless culture systems meet the physiological requirements of such cells, their in vitro differentiation from stem cells will be severely impaired. Among the tissues with a high metabolic rate whose differentiation may benefit from our invention are: pancreatic islet cells, liver, kidney, cardiac tissue, brain cells and lung epithelium, to name a few. Additionally, this device could also be used to improve the culture of primary or already differentiated tissues.
Competitve Advantage
  • Provides a more physiological mode of oxygen delivery, preventing hypoxia even in thick cellular aggregates.
  • Promotes cell viability and function
  • Enhances differentiation in stem cell systems where oxygen has been proven to act directly as a cell specification agent.
Inventors Drs. Christopher A. Fraker, Juan Dominguez-Bendala, Camillo Ricordi & Lucas Inverardi.

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