Life Sciences

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De Novo Compartment Deconvolution and Weight Estimation of Tumor Tissue Samples Using Decoder

19-0094 – Tumors are mixtures of different compartments. While global gene expression analysis profiles the average expression of all compartments in a sample, identifying the specific contribution of each compartment remains a challenge. With the increasing recognition of the importance of non-neoplastic components, the ability to breakdown the gene expression contribution of each is critical.... Read More

LCK and SHP1 Engineering in CAR-T Cells

19-0107 – CD19-specific CAR-T cells encoding either CD28 or 4-1BB costimulatory endodomains promote antitumor activity in patients with B cell malignancies. Enhancing the kinetics of antitumor activity of 4-1BB, while preserving their longevity, may be critical in controlling rapidly progressive solid tumors. CD28 costimulation is generally associated with a very rapid tumor clearance as compared with... Read More

IL23 Cytokine T Cell Engineering for Cancer Immunotherapy

19-0145 – The development of inducible and selective engineering processes supporting T cell expansion and survival remain critical in adoptive T cell therapies in solid tumors. IL23 is a heterodimeric cytokine that consists of p19 and p40 subunits, both expressed by activated macrophages and dendritic cells. Activation-induced expression of the p19 subunit in T cells couples the release and activity... Read More

Methods And Compositions For CSPG4 Chimeric Antigen Receptor Targeting Cancer Cells

18-0087 – Glioblastoma (GBM) is a lethal primary brain cancer, surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy have little impact on survival. CSPG4 is an attractive target for immunotherapy in GBM, it is highly expressed in GBM with limited intratumoral heterogeneity little expression in the normal brain parenchyma. CSPG4 is expressed in considerable amounts not only in GBM but also other tumors including... Read More

Subunit Vaccine Against Dengue Virus

20-0009 – Current approaches to Dengue Virus (DENV) vaccine design all make use of live attenuated viruses. This appraoch suffers from difficulties in desinging a vaccine formulation that can eleicit a balanced immune response against all four serotypes of DENV. Subunit vaccines, composed only of the immungenic E protein found on the surface of the DENV viral capsid, present an alternative appraoch to... Read More

Ultrasound Mediated Delivery of Therapeutics and Disruption of Drug Resistant Biofilms

20-0102 – Background Biofilms are aggregates of microorganisms embedded in a self-produced extracellular matrix and can attach to each other or to surfaces, including a patient’s skin or soft tissue, or an implanted medical device, such as a catheter. Microorganisms that make up biofilms can include bacteria, fungi, and protists. Biofilms are prevalent in many infections and are resistant to... Read More

Brain Infusion System Safety Sheath

19-0045 – Convection enhanced delivery (CED) is a method for delivering therapeutics across the blood-brain barrier to the brain and central nervous system. CED can be used to treat various disease, including brain tumors, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease, and is generally characterized as a minimally invasive technique. While CED has shown some promise in clinical applications, the current... Read More

Rapidly Synthesized Radiolabeled PET Tracers with Improved Biological Characteristics

16-0078 – Background Positron-emission tomography (PET) is a medical imaging technique that utilizes radiolabeled tracers to aid in disease diagnosis for oncology, neurology, cardiology, and infectious diseases. PET imaging allows for detailed characterization of physiological processes, such as metabolism and blood flow. Most often PET is utilized by oncologists for cancer diagnosis and identification... Read More

Surgical Bed and Ligature Holder for Generating a Mouse Model to Study Periodontitis

18-0024 – Periodontal disease results in a loss of gingival tissue, periodontal ligament, and is a major contributor to tooth loss in adults. It is estimated that nearly 50% of the adult population in the United States is affected by periodontal disease. Experimental animal models for periodontal disease are essential for understanding the origin and evolution of the pathology in humans and are... Read More

Early breast cancer screening method by differentiating malignant from benign lesions

20-0104 – Current ultrasound-based systems are not able to differentiate between malignant or benign breast cancer, which is an important aspect of early breast cancer screening. A method has been developed combining acoustic radiation force-based ultrasound and measurement of tissue anisotropy to identify malignant breast cancer. Several viscoelastic characteristics are measured in the lesion and... Read More

Quantitative Viscoelastic Response (QVisR) Ultrasound to Diagnose, Treat, and Monitor Disease in Patients

20-0010 – Diagnosis of a disease using non-invasive biomarkers is a much safer alternative compared to surgical methods. Non-invasive biomarkers also accelerate the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of patients. Researchers in the Department of Biomedical Engineering have developed a method, termed Quantitative Viscoelastic Response (QVisR) ultrasound, to quantitatively assess underlying tissue... Read More

Double-Profile Intersection (DoPIo) Elastography to Diagnose, Treat, and Monitor Disease in Patients

20-0015 – Diagnosis of a disease using non-invasive biomarkers is a much safer alternative compared to surgical methods. Non-invasive biomarkers also accelerate the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of patients. Researchers in the Department of Biomedical Engineering have developed Double-Profile Intersection (DoPIo) elastography, which is an acoustic radiation force (ARF)-based ultrasound imaging... Read More

Enhanced Virtual Crossmatch

20-0038 – In the United States, there are approximately 110,000 people in need of a kidney transplant, 13 of which die every day before finding a donor match. Successful transplantation, particularly of kidneys, is contingent on the compatibility of donor antigens and the recipient’s antibodies. Current methods for determining compatibility via a crossmatch is quite cumbersome and dependent on the... Read More

Muscle Vibration Stimulator

19-0114 – This device provides vibration designed to stimulate skeletal muscle and sensory neurons during rehabilitation of orthopaedic injuries and disease (initially demonstrated in quadriceps and knees). The device is patient-portable, has a large contact area, provides localized effect, and is variably adjustable. UNC has also recently demonstrated that this device improves gait biomechanics... Read More

Advanced Disinfectant Formulations

18-0097 – The Water Institute at UNC has developed novel chemical disinfectant formulations to enhance inactivation of protozoan cysts and other chlorine-resistant pathogens with particular emphasis on improving water safety in emergencies and low and middle income settings. Based on the results of this work to date, UNC has developed at least three paths to rapidly achieving significant reduction in... Read More

Nanofibers for targeted treatment of aortic aneurysms

20-0042 – Background Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), occurs when there is an enlarged portion of the abdominal aorta, and accounts for approximately 10,000 deaths per year in the United States. Current treatments include surgical intervention or minimally invasive laparoscopic repair. However, the AAA can rupture, and the patient will not survive surgery or sometimes even reach the hospital. There are... Read More

Nanofibers for targeted treatment of pulmonary disease

20-0070 – Background Pulmonary hypertension is a progressive and severe condition with severe, and often fatal, consequences. Despite remarkable therapeutic advancements over the last thirty years, mortality rates remain as high as 40%. Current therapies largely target the major regulatory pathways involved in vascular tone. These therapies are associated with considerable limitations such as, a short... Read More

Mouse: Human ACE2 Expression

20-0133 – Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the cellular entry receptor for many SARS-like coronaviruses. SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 bind and enter human cells via the ACE2 receptor. This mouse line expresses human ACE2 under the control of HFH4, a lung ciliated epithelial promoter. HFH4-hACE2-expressing mice are sensitized to infection by SARS-like coronaviruses when compared with wild-type... Read More

Improved Techniques for Quantitative MRI

19-0061 – Background Quantification of tissue properties, such as the T1 and T2 relaxation times, in the human body through quantitative magnetic resonance imaging, is desired for clinical applications and research areas. Compared to qualitative imaging techniques, quantitative imaging can provide more accurate and unbiased information of a patient and make it easier to objectively compare different... Read More

Smart Medical Imaging Protocols

17-0036 – Background Currently, a wide array of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols are pre-defined for different diseases. For example, in neurological diseases, there are protocols for epilepsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, etc. Under each disease category, the protocols are further divided into pediatric or adult patients, and each protocol consists of a collection of MRI sequences aiming to... Read More

A red blood cell-mediated light-responsive platform for thrombolytics delivery

19-0138 – The red blood cell-mediated light-responsive platform is a novel drug delivery system that uses red blood cells to deliver thrombolytics with controlled release triggered by a specific wavelength of light. Thrombolytics, such as tPA and urokinase, have been used for the pharmacological removal of a thrombus for three decades. However, significant challenges have prevented the anticipated... Read More

A next generation FOLFOX for colorectal cancer and liver metastasis

20-0002 – FOLFOX is a combination of chemotherapy drugs, consisting of folinic acid (FnA), f-fluorouracil (5-Fu) and oxaplatin (OxP). The new generation of FOLFOX is comprised of targeted nano-formulation of Folox (FnA and OxP) and free 5-Fu, allowing for enhanced drug pharmacokinetics and therapeutic effect for the treatment of colorectal cancer and metastasis. FOLFOX has been used to treat... Read More

Synthetic adhesins for enhanced probiotic efficacy

20-0006 – Synthetic adhesin in probiotic delivery is a modular platform for the conjugation of targeting ligands to the surface of live therapeutic bacteria, allowing for more specific and enhanced attachment to live mammalian cells. It is known that the efficacy of therapeutic bacteria is dependent on the ability of the bacteria to interact with and adhere to specific host niches. However, current... Read More

Novel affinity molecule that synergizes that immune checkpoint blockade therapy

20-0063 – BisCCL2/5i is a novel single domain antibody that binds and neutralizes both murine CCL2 and CCL5. The dual blockade of CCL2 and CCL5 signaling with BisCCL2/5i leads to metabolic reprogramming of tumor-associated macrophages, providing enhanced therapeutic effect to treat liver malignancies when in combination with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. It has been known that... Read More

Nano co-delivery of quercetin and alantolactone for colorectal cancer treatment

19-0065 – Quercetin (Q) and alantolactone (A) are two traditional Chinese medicines that have shown a wide spectrum of medical benefits, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities. A micelle-based nano-formulation was used to encapsulate these two drugs in a unique ratio (Q:A = 1:4) and to achieve drug delivery to colorectal cancer site, providing optimal drug pharmacokinetics and synergistic... Read More

Multiple antigen-targeting T-cell immunotherapy for cancer treatment

19-0073 – The multiple antigen-targeting T-cell immunotherapy is a new T-cell therapy mediated by the expression of a novel antibody mimics that is able to simultaneously recognize two epitopes of the same antigens or two distinct antigens on the tumor cells, allowing for significant improvement on tumor cell capture and killing. Despite the remarkable clinical activity of adoptive therapy with... Read More

Fumarate prodrugs to treat or prevent schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders

19-0155 – Background The incidence of psychotic disorders is increasing worldwide. Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder that can become chronic, severe, and is often socially and occupationally disabling. Antipsychotic drugs are currently used to treat schizophrenia and other brain disorders like depression, dementia, and bipolar disorder. These drugs don’t work for approximately one third of... Read More

Composition of a Nanoparticle for Gene Delivery in Animals

09-0134 – A novel nanoparticle (NP) formulation that shows enhanced delivery of siRNA to its target cells has been developed. siRNA shows promise as a therapeutic; however, its delivery to its target tissue or cell is often a challenge. We have developed lipid calcium phosphate (LCP) NPs that efficiently deliver siRNAs to their targets. We have demonstrated the ability of these LCP NPs to deliver... Read More

Classifyiers for Tumor Phenotype based on DNA Copy Number Alterations

18-0018 – This technology is a method of using alterarions in DNA copy number to predict the phenotype of a breast cancer tumor. This is a significantly different approach to identifying tumor phenotype because it relies only on DNA-based data. This method is able to predict the estrogen receptor status, progesterone receptor status, and HER2 status of breast cancer tumors. Additionally, this method... Read More

Functionalized Poly-oxazoline Drug Delivery

19-0121 – A novel poly(2-oxazoline) based polymer functionalized with the condensed form of N, N-dimethylbiguanide (cBOx) has been developed. cBOx was synthesized via the condensation of N, N-dimethylbiguanide with the methyl ester side chain in poly (2-methoxycarboxyethyl-2-oxazoline) of the diblock copolymer composed of poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) and poly (2-methoxycarboxyethyl-2-oxazoline). The new... Read More

Nano-Puerarin Formulation for the regulation of the tumor microenvironment

19-0070 – Puerarin is one of several known isoflavones and it has been identified to effectively downregulate ROS production. The targeted nano-formulation delivers puerarin to tumor associated fibroblasts (TAFs) to deactivate tumor stromal microenvironment, allowing for facilitated chemotherapy and immunotherapy effect. It has been found that tumor stromal microenvironment serves as a physical... Read More

Mouse: Ccdc8 KO

20-0031 – To determine the mechanism underlying the 3-M syndrome, we knocked out Ccdc8 in the C57BL/6J mouse strain by standard homologous recombination methods. Ccdc8 conditional and conventional mice were generated by gene targeting in ES cells from C57BL/6 background strain microinjected into albino-C57BL/6 blastocysts. Successful Ccdc8 knockout was confirmed by Southern, PCR and DNA sequence.... Read More

Luminal Bladder Cancer Cell Lines

18-0020 – We have generated a novel GEM (Genetically Engineered Murine) Model of luminal bladder cancer, called UPPL, by knocking out Pten and Trp53 in Upk3a expressing cells (Upk3a-CreERT2). Once bladder tumors formed, cell lines were generated that can be passaged in vitro as well as form tumors in immunocompetent B6 mice Related Publications:

Software for the Analysis of Electrocochleograms

20-0019 – The Electrocochleogram (ECochG) is an electrophysiologic signal acquired from the cochlea in response to sound or electrical stimulaton. This recorded signal is a mixture of potentials generated by hair cells and nerve activity. Although many companies make products which can acquire the ECochG signal, the interpretation of that signal is largely qualitative. Our investigators have developed... Read More

Synthetic Peptide Mimetic for the Treatment of Cancer and Hematalogical Disorders

19-0178 – Researchers at UNC have recently developed a cell penetrating, synthetic peptide for the treatment of heamtological cancer, sickle cell anemia and ß-thalassemia. This peptide exerts its therapeutic effect by disrupting the MBD2:NuRD complex in human cells. Recent studies have indicated that disrupting MBD2:NuRD complex formation can inhibit DNA methylation, making this complex a target for... Read More

Biologically Targeted Photo-Crosslinkable Nano-Patch to Prevent Postsurgical Peritoneal Adhesion

18-0101 – A biologically targeted, photo-crosslinkable nanopatch (pCNP) that prevents postsurgical adhesion has been developed. Peritoneal adhesion occurs in a majority of patients following abdominal surgery and can result in significant side effects and complications. Current strategies to minimize adhesions involve the use of nontargeted anatomical barriers that are either inefficient in protecting... Read More

Small Molecules for the Treatment of Central Nervous System Disorders

10-0118 – Small molecules that can bind dopamine receptor D2 have been developed for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. The compounds developed have both agonist and antagonist activity and were proven effective in in vitro and in vivo models. Significantly, in hyperlocomotion mouse models, these compounds showed efficacy and potency without inducing catalepsy. These compounds can... Read More

Advanced Colonoscopy Imaging Technology

19-0148 – Colonoscopy reduces the rate of colorectal cancers following colonoscopy (interval cancers) by 50-60%. However, colonoscopy fails to find at least 20% of polyps, especially “flat” polyps. Polyps are missed because not all of the colon surface is effectively surveyed by current visualization systems or the polyps were seen but not effectively recognized by the current imaging technology. This... Read More

Assessing Lower Extremity Movement Quality

18-0003 – Clinical assessment tools can provide a simple and efficient method for identifying problems in the musculoskeletal system that may result in athletic injury. Sports medicine clinicians can often use the results of such assessment tools to develop effective intervention programs for injury prevention and rehabilitation. This innovation provides an objective and autonomous system to classify... Read More

Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) That Increases T Cell Metabolism and Lifetime

18-0109 – A novel chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that increases CAR-T cell function has been engineered. Typically, a CAR is comprised of a targeting ligand capable of binding to a specific antigen, and at least one co-stimulatory signal domain (CSSD), such as 4-1BB or CD28, that enhances T cell effector functions. We have developed a new CSSD derived from the herpes virus mediator (HVEM) protein,... Read More

Small Molecule Mutant IDH1 Inhibitors Useful for Treating Cancer

16-0001 – Small molecule inhibitors of mutant Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) have been developed for the treatment of cancer. Normal IDH1 converts isocitrate into ketoglutarate. A mutated form of IDH1 is found in several cancers including glioma, cholangiocarcinoma, and acute myeloid leukemia. Expression of mutated IDH1 leadd to elevated levels of R-2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG). 2HG has been linked to... Read More

Cell Line: AALEB

19-0116 – AALEB is an engineered cancer cell line, which was prepared from primary human bronchial epithelial cells that were serially transformed by retorvial driven expression of SV40 early region genes, human telomerase reverse transcriptase, and selection markers. Related Publications:

Cell Line: UNCCF7T

19-0150 – This is a growth enhanced cell line derived from primary epithelial cells originally obtained from the explanted lungs of a donor with cystic fibrosis, in accordance with an IRB-approved protocol, that underwent lung transplantation. The CFTR genotype is G542X homozygous, enabling this cell line to be used to study the biology and potential therapies for diseases created by premature... Read More

Use of Aminobisphosphonates as Latency Reversing Agents

18-0151 – Novel methods for the reversal of latency in HIV infected cells, and for the clearance of latently infected cells have been discovered. Aminobisphosphonates (N-BPs) are a class of drug currently FDA approved for the treatment of several diseases involving the loss of bone density. Our investigators have demonstrated that N-BPs can reverse latent HIV viruses in infected immune cells without... Read More

Epitope and Antibody for Prevention of Zika and Dengue Viruses

17-0061 – An epitope that can elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies against Zika virus (ZIKV) and dengue virus (DENZ) has been developed. ZIKV and DENV are endemic in South America and elsewhere, and can lead to fetal malformations, neurological disease and death. Rather than providing protection, generation of cross-reactive antibodies against only one serotype of DENV can increase the severity... Read More

Repurposing Dabuzalgron to Prevent and Treat Cardiomyopathy and Heart Failure

15-0105 – Dr. Paul Simpson Jr. at University of California, San Francisco and Dr. Brain C Jensen at University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill have identified and developed a new indication for dabuzalgron: prevention and treatment of cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Dabuzalgron is an alpha-1A- adrenergic receptor agonist that can stimulate smooth muscle contraction in higher doses; however, in this... Read More

Reconstructing Detailed Textured Surface Models from Endoscopic Videos

18-0149 – A method has been developed for constructing an accurate three-dimensional textured surface from an endoscopic video, and for transferring information from the reconstruction onto images gathered through other modalities such as computed tomography (CT). This technology facilitates more efficient and thorough review by clinicians and researchers and has demonstrated usefulness in planning... Read More

Gamma Secretase Inhibitors Attenuate Vascular Malformations

16-0192 – Gamma secretase inhibitors (GSI) have been determined to attenuate vascular malformations by inhibiting NOTCH expression in endothelial cells. Vascular malformations are developmental abnormalities of venous, arterial, capillary or lymphatic vessels which have significant morbidities such as pain, infection, pulmonary emboli, bleeding and even death. There is growing interest in medical... Read More

Recombinant Antigens for Differential Serological Detection of Remote Zika Infection

18-0017 – Two novel antigens have been developed for the serological diagnosis of Zika virus. Accurate diagnosis of Zika is critically important to its treatment, prevention, and further clinical research. Antibodies raised in response to other flaviviruses are often cross reactive to Zika virus, complicating serological diagnosis. These novel recombinant antigens demonstrate lower cross reactivity as... Read More

Highly Specific and Neutralizing Therapeutic Antibodies for Zika Virus

18-0023 – Our investigators have identified two highly specific and neutralizing antibodies isolated from a traveler naïve to all serotypes of Dengue. The antibodies (A9E and G9E) can be used against 7 different Zika virus types and react only to Zika virus and no other flaviviruses. Applications: •Diagnosis and treatment of Zika virus infection. •Antibody sequences for vaccine development. ... Read More

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