Biological-Life Sciences Research Tools Summaries

Adenovirus- human ACE2 transduction system to sensitize mice to SARS-CoV-2
Diamond, Michael ; Hassan, Ahmed
T-019482

— Technology Description Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a method to sensitize commercially available laboratory mice to SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 is the cause of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that has had severe morbidity and mortality impa…

Human monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein
Ellebedy, Ali
T-019492

— Species: Human Target: SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein Applications: Description: Two recombinant fully human monoclonal antibodies that recognize SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (data below). Related Web Links: Ellebedy Profile; Ellebedy Lab

Tissue engineering scaffold for cell differentiation and delivery to intervertebral disc for treating lower back pain
Barcellona, Marcos ; Setton, Lori ; Speer, Julie
T-019297

— Background: Severe low back pain and disability can result from intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration caused by cell phenotype changes in the nucleus pulposus (NP) region. While autologous stem cells have be used to treat lower back pain, currently there are no tools to control differentiation of…

Single cell massively parallel reporter assays
Cohen, Barak ; Zhao, Siqi
T-019923

— Technology Description Researchers in Barak Cohen’s lab at Washington University have developed a method for single cell massively parallel reporter assay (scMPRA) to preserve cell type-specific information. This technology is scalable and sequencing platform agnostic. Massively parallel…

Microfluidic device for high-throughput, multiplexed electrochemical analysis with live-cell imaging and spectrometry
Binkley, Michael ; Bose, Arpita ; Meacham, John ; Rengasamy, Karthikeyan
T-018839

— Technology Description An interdisciplinary team of Washington University researchers has developed a high-throughput microfluidic bioelectrochemical cell (μBEC) that collects electrochemical data and is compatible with live-cell microscopy and spectrometry. This device transcends the capabilit…

Single Nanoparticle Detection by Mode Splitting in Active Microresonators using Heterodyne Technique
He, Lina ; Ozdemir, Sahin ; Yang, Lan
T-010140

— Dr. Lan Yang, Professor at Washington University in St. Louis, is a pioneer in the field of micro- and nano photonics. She recently developed a uniquely sensitive and versatile particle detector using whispering gallery mode (WGM) optical microresonators. Realtime detection and accurate sizing of la…

Conformationally-flexible benzamide analogs as sigma-2 selective ligands
Mach, Robert ; Rowland, Douglas ; Tu, Zhude "Will" ; Welch, Michael
T-004063

— The sigma-2 (σ2) receptor is an important target for the development of molecular probes in oncology because of its 10-fold higher density in proliferating tumor cells than in quiescent tumor cells, and the observation that σ2 receptor agonists are able to kill tumor cells via apoptotic …

Obligate Heterotetrameric Pairs of Cre Recombinase Mutants for Efficient Recombination at Asymmetric Sites
Corbo, Joseph ; Havranek, James ; Mitra, Robi ; Myers, Connie ; Qi, Zongtai ; Zhang, Chi

— Background: The function of enzymes involved in homologous recombination can be exploited in the field of genetic engineering in order to generate mutations of interest. However, this machinery is not functionally efficient in post mitotic or terminally differentiated cells. Viral gene therapy techn…

Scalable Generation of Hematopoietic Progenitors from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Luff, Stephanie ; Sturgeon, Christopher
T-018886

— T-018886 — Scalable Generation of Hematopoietic Progenitors from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Technology Description In vitro generation of CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) that faithfully recapitulate in vivo behavior is an area of ongoing research. A key characteristic of CD34+ …

Single cell massively parallel reporter assays
Cohen, Barak ; Zhao, Siqi
T-019923

d42m1 & F279 tumor cell lines
Schreiber, Robert
T-011286

— D42m1 is a methycholanthrene (MCA) induced sarcoma cell line generated in 129S6 strain RAG2 gene targeted mice. These cells are highly immunogenic and are rejected when transplanted into syngeneic naive wild type mice. F244 is an MCA induced sarcoma cell line generated in wild type 129S6 mice. Thes…

Generating pancreatic beta cells from pluripotent stem cells for diabetes cell therapy or drug development
Hogrebe, Nathaniel ; Millman, Jeffrey ; Velazco-Cruz, Leonardo ; Veronese Paniagua, Daniel ; Wernes, Kristina
T-019409

— Technology Description: Researchers in Prof. Jeffrey Millman’s laboratory have developed multiple techniques for enhancing the differentiation, maturation and function of glucose-responsive, insulin-producing SC-beta cells (pancreatic beta cells made from human pluripotent stem cells). Downst…

Tissue engineering scaffold for cell differentiation and delivery to intervertebral disc for treating lower back pain
Barcellona, Marcos ; Setton, Lori ; Speer, Julie
T-019297

Rapid, accurate RT-PCR test for enterovirus D68
Storch, Gregory ; Wylie, Kristine ; Wylie, Todd
T-015155

— Technology Description A team of researchers at Washington University designed patented primers for a sensitive, specific, real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) assay to quickly detect enterovirus D68 (EV-D68). EV-D68 is an emerging, highly contagious respiratory virus that can cause seve…

Single cell calling cards (scCC): Transposon system to simultaneously map transcription factors and quantify gene expression
Mitra, Robi ; Moudgil, Arnav ; Qi, Zongtai ; Wilkinson, Michael Nathaniel
T-018609

— Technology Description Researchers in Prof. Rob Mitra’s laboratory have developed single cell calling cards (“scCCs”), a robust and versatile self-reporting transposon system for high throughput analysis of protein-DNA binding with single cell resolution. This technology simulta…

Human monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein
Ellebedy, Ali
T-019492

Mouse monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (Ellebedy)
Diamond, Michael ; Ellebedy, Ali ; Fremont, Daved
T-019438

— Species: Mouse Target: SARS-CoV-2 spike protein Applications: Description: Four murine monoclonal antibodies that recognize SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Data below includes avaiable antibodies (mCoV.1.1C02; mCoV.1.2C08; mCoV.1.2D09; mCoV.1.2F05). Related Web Links: Ellebedy Profile; Ellebedy Lab …

Human monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein
Ellebedy, Ali ; McIntire, Katherine ; Mudd, Philip ; Schmitz, Aaron ; Turner, Jackson
T-019454

— Species: Human Target: SARS-CoV-2 spike protein Applications: Description: Ten recombinant fully human monoclonal antibodies that recognize SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (data below). Related Web Links: Ellebedy Profile; Ellebedy Lab Available Antibodies mAb name Ag 30.0000 10.0…

Mouse monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein
Diamond, Michael ; Fremont, Daved ; VanBlargan, Laura ; Zhao, Haiyan
T-019470

— Species: Mouse Target: SARS-CoV-2 spike protein Applications: Data: See table below for library of antibodies, inventor can recommend specific clones based on intended application. Related Web Links: Diamond Profile Available Antibodies Ab: Well # Final Boost flow cytometer…

Novel Method and Device to Produce Fluorine-18 PET Tracers
Chu, Wenhua ; Zhou, Dong
T-015970

— Technology Description Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL) have developed a new method and device for the preparation of flourine-18 (F-18) radiolabeled compounds as positron emission tomography (PET) tracers. PET is a widely used clinical and research imaging tool that will …

Novel Method and Device to Produce Fluorine-18 PET Tracers
Zhou, Dong
T-019276

Method to evaluate function of members of a gut microbiota
Gordon, Jeffrey ; Patnode, Michael
T-018760

— Technology Description Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a bead-based method to understand the functional states and metabolic capabilities of individual members of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota is increasingly linked to multiple aspects of human healt…

Method to characterize gut microbiome
Gordon, Jeffrey ; Raman, Arjun
T-018977

— Technology Description Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a method to stratify gut microbiota dysbiosis and monitor treatments to correct it. In order to efficiently treat microbiota imbalance, it would first be beneficial to understand the healthy organization and in…

Chimeric Artificial Interference RNA (aiRNA) for RNAi-based cancer therapy
Wang, Xiaowei
T-014021

— Technology Description In search of more effective cancer treatments, inventors in Dr. Xiaowei Wang’s lab at Washington University School of Medicine have developed artificial interference RNA (aiRNA). aiRNA is a patented chimeric RNAi that combines the multi-target abilities of miRNAs and t…

Precise, dynamic control of macromolecule adhesion to glass slides and other surfaces
Bridgman, Paul ; Turney, Steve
T-005874

— Technology Description This technology is a patented method for producing microarrays or directing cell growth on a surface by precisely and dynamically manipulating the adhesion of macromolecules. While many techniques exist for adhering proteins, nucleic acids, and other macromolecules to solid …

TR3: a stabilized TRAIL timer for use as an anticancer therapeutic
Hawkins, William ; Hotchkiss, Richard ; Spitzer, Dirk
T-007646

— WUSTL Technology 007646 Technology Description Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL) have developed a novel TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand)-based anticancer drug platform, designated TR3. TRAIL has potent and specific apoptotic activity against tumor cells. Thus,…

Novel human astrovirus sequences for diagnostics and vaccine development for encephalitis and gastroenteritis
Finkbeiner, Stacy ; Virgin, Herbert ; Wang, David ; Zhao, Guoyan
T-009294

— Technology Description A team of researchers at Washington University and the Centers for Disease Control discovered, sequenced and patented a novel human astrovirus that can cause encephalitis and gastroenteritis (non-etiologic diarrhea), offering a path to detection and diagnostics. The virus (…

Plasma oxysterols as biomarkers for Niemann-Pick C disease
Ory, Daniel
T-007594

— Background Niemann-Pick type C is a rare, progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by accumulation of cholesterol and other lipids in the viscera and central nervous system. For cases caused by mutations in the NPC1 or NPC2 gene, egress of lipids from endosomes or lysosomes are impaired, resulting in clinical symptoms such as abnormal eye movements, hearing loss, cerebellar ataxia, difficulty swallowing, and cognitive impairment. However, patients with Neimann-Pick disease have highly variable clinical presentation and symptom progression, making diagnosis challenging. Technology Summary A panel of oxygenated forms of cholesterol (oxysterols) in plasma that can be used as a diagnostic test for Neimann-Pick type C1 disease. The mass spectrometry-based panel is able to discriminate between subjects with NPC1 and normal control subjects. The oxysterol biomarkers have clinical utility in newborn screening for early diagnosis of NP1C disease, as markers for disease severity, and as biomarkers to aid in evaluation of new therapies for NPC1. Key Advantages High sensitivity Rapid diagnostic for screening infants Patents US 8,497,122 Issued US 9,012,216 Issued Publications Porter et al., 2010 – Cholesterol oxidation products are sensitive and specific blood-based biomarkers for NPC1 disease.

Hydrogel substrate system with easy, robust protein functionalization for cell culture
Pathak, Amit ; Sarker, Bapi
T-018649

— Technology Description Researchers in Prof. Amit Pathak’s laboratory have developed a hydrogel system that utilizes an aldehyde-based compound to easily and reliably pre-functionalize polyacrylamide for conjugation of proteins, such as collagen and fibronectin, for cell culture applications.…

Accurate, efficient 2D strain mapping with robust detection of strain localization
Boyle, John ; Genin, Guy ; Pless, Robert ; Thomopoulos, Stavros
T-014090

— Summary DDE (Direct Deformation Estimation) and SIMPLE (Strain Interference with Measures of Probable Local Elevation) are two simple Digital Image Correlation algorithms that combine image analysis techniques with mechanical engineering principles to provide accurate, efficient, quantitative strai…

pTAT/pTAT-HA plasmids and protein purfication protocol (Vectors are on deposit with Addgene)
Dowdy, Steven
T-000717

— Technology Description: Researchers at Washington University have developed a method that allows the transduction of full-length proteins by utilizing the pTAT or pTAT-HA protein expression plasmids. A protein of choice can be fused to a HIV-TAT transduction domain under the expression system. Ba…

Novel Murine Astroviruses
Loh, Joy ; Stappenbeck, Thaddeus ; Thackray, Larissa ; Virgin, Herbert ; Wang, David ; Yokoyama, Christine ; Zhao, Guoyan
T-012077

— Background: Mice are critical animal models for scientists investigating both basic and applied research principles. Several novel murine astroviruses have been identified in mouse facility at Washington University School of Medicine. Astroviruses are RNA viruses often associated with gastrointestin…

New Method to Produce a DNA Mutation Library
Alvarado, David ; Dobbs, Matthew ; Gurnett, Christina ; Haller, Gabriel
T-015343

— Background: A DNA point mutation is a single nucleotide base substitution, insertion, or deletion in a gene sequence. Point mutations are responsible for several diseases including cystic fibrosis, sickle-cell disease, polycystic kidney disease, microcephaly, and Crohn’s disease. The study on …

A Truly Tumor-Specific Epitope Carried by BG-A Antigen for Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
Xu, Mai
T-016998

— Background: In the US alone, 154,000 new cases of colorectal cancer (CRC) are diagnosed each year. Unfortunately, a third of those patients will die due to diagnosis at late stages – the 5-year survival rate is 11%, compared to 91% for those who are diagnosed with only localized CRC. A colonos…

Dementia Screening test: the AD8
Galvin, James ; Morris, John ; Roe, Catherine
T-007516

— The AD8 is an 8 question interview tool which distinguishes individuals with very mild dementia from those without dementia, regardless of etiology. The AD8 is based on intraindividual decline and has been demonstrated to be a valid and reliable screening tool for dementia.

Optical Coherence Computed Tomography
Li, Li ; Wang, Lihong
T-008832

— Optical coherence tomography (OCT) utilizes optical light to obtain an image of opaque or translucent objects, ie tissue. Because scattered light contributes to the bluring found in other optical imaging techniques, OCT filters out all the scattered light. An image is formed using only the back refl…

VarScan
Ding, Li ; Koboldt, Daniel ; Larson, David ; McLellan, Michael ; Wylie, Todd
T-009883

— arScan is a Java-based, platform-independent, software tool that can detect variants in next-generation sequencing (NGS) data. It employs a robust statistical approach to call variants and is able to handle germline variants, multi-sample variants, somatic mutations and somatic copy number alterati…

Hearing Environments and Reflection on Quality of Life (HEAR-QL) Assessment for Children
Jeffe, Donna ; Lieu, Judith ; Umansky, Amy
T-010222

— Approximately 5,000 infants are born with moderate, severe, or profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (HL) each year in the U.S. and many more have mild, unilateral, or progressive HL that will be identified in childhood. However, the degree of HL alone cannot predict a child’s language…

Conformationally-flexible benzamide analogs as sigma-2 selective ligands
Mach, Robert ; Rowland, Douglas ; Tu, Zhude "Will" ; Welch, Michael
T-004063

Coupled Visualization and Ablation of Specific Cells and Tissues in Zebrafish
Mumm, Jeffrey ; Schroeter, Eric
T-003399

— Background: Zebrafish is a standard model system in the field developmental biology and is particularly useful due to its extensive regenerative capabilities. The system has been used to study development by removal of cells by physical surgery and laser-mediated ablation; however these are labor in…

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Biological-Life Sciences Research Tools Summaries

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