Novel Small Molecules for Promoting Nerve Regeneration
Scientific Relevance
Unlike most other tissues which have the ability to heal themselves after injury, damaged axons in the central nerve system are unable to regenerate. There are no existing therapies to promote CNS axon regeneration in humans. Identification of novel small molecules that promote nerve growth and nerve regeneration could provide compounds that can be manipulated to yield drugs useful in treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases.
Commercial Opportunity
Health care costs for CNS patients are staggering. For instance, the patient costs are estimated at $13 billion annually for SCI patients in the U.S. alone. Concerns about the specificity and efficacy of agents reported in the literature, researchers at the University of Miami and New York University have synthesized a novel family of small molecules that are potent and selective in promoting axon regeneration.
Competitive Advantage
Potent and selective
novel mechanisms that could lead to new therapy strategies.
Inventors
John Bixby, Vance Lemmon, Lynn Usher (UM), Young-Tae Chang, Jae-Wook Lee, and Jaeki Min (NYU).
A Novel Cell/Tissue Culture System to Enhance Cell Proliferation & Induce Cell Differentiation
Scientific Relevance
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.
Competitive 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
Christopher A. Fraker, Juan Dominguez-Bendala, Camillo Ricordi & Luca Inverardi.
Rapid Identification of Ocular Fungal and Amoebic Pathogens
Scientific Relevance
Fungal infection of the eye, or ocular mycosis, is a serious condition that may result in loss of vision if the disease is not diagnosed and treated in time. Despite an increase in the incidence of the disease over the last decades, management remains a clinical challenge due to misdiagnosis and inadequate detection methods, which are often slow.
Commercial Opportunity
Mycotic keratitis is considered a leading cause of ocular morbidity throughout the world. This corneal infection, which is mostly caused by yeast or filamentous fungi, can have devastating and irreversible effects if not treated on time. For instance, if the disease is left untreated, 50% of infected eyes can suffer from visual impairment or loss of sight due to irreversible corneal damage. The incidence of the disease, which has increased over the past four decades, has been the result of overuse of topical steroids and antibacterial agents, the rise in the number of patients with immuno-deficiencies, trauma, chronic ocular diseases and corneal anesthetic abuse. Contact lens wearers are also a growing sector of the population at risk for fungal keratitis
Competitive Advantage
High speed and high sensitivity for rapid and accurate diagnosis
Inexpensive
Versatile as a variety of probes can be added or subtracted to create different arrays that can be employed in a wide variety of applications
