Federal Tech Transfer Opportunities
During the past two weeks, the following agencies have listed inventions available for licensing.
Requests for copies of the patent application cited above should be directed to the Naval Research Laboratory, Code 1008.2, 4555 Overlook Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20375-5320, and must include the Navy Case number. For further information, contact Catherine M. Cotell, Ph.D., Head, Technology Transfer Office, NRL Code 1004, 4555 Overlook Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20375-5320, telephone (202) 767-7230.
Requests for copies of the patent application cited above should be directed to the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Laboratory, Code CD222, 17320 Dahlgren Road, Building 183, Room 015, Dahlgren, VA 22448-5100, and must include the Navy Case number. Interested parties will be required to sign a Confidentiality, Non-Disclosure and Non-Use Agreement before receiving copies of requested patent applications. For further information, contact James B. Bechtel, Patent Counsel, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Laboratory, Code CD222, 17320 Dahlgren Road, Building 183, Room 015, Dahlgren, VA 22448-5100, telephone (540) 653-8016.
Office of General Counsel, Department of Energy
The Department of Energy hereby announces that
are available for license, in accordance with 37 U.S.C. 207-209. A copy of the patents may be obtained, for a modest fee, from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Washington, DC 20231.
For further information, contact Robert J. Marchick, Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585; Telephone (202) 586-2802.
Department of Health & Human Services
Office of Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health
Licensing information and copies of the U.S. patent applications listed below may be obtained by writing to the indicated licensing contact at the Office of Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health, 6011 Executive Boulevard, Suite 325, Rockville, Maryland 20852-3804; telephone: 301/496-7057; fax: 301/402-0220. A signed Confidential Disclosure Agreement will be required to receive copies of the patent applications.
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) constitute a family of zinc endopeptidases that are capable of degrading most of the structural components of the extracellular matrix. The NIH announces a new mouse model deficient in MT1-MMP activity. This mouse model demonstrates the necessity of MT1-MMP for normal development of cranial bones, long bones and general housekeeping of connective tissues throughout the body. Since studies in the pharmaceutical industry are currently aiming at inhibiting the MMP family at large for purposes of cancer and arthritis treatment, this mouse model provides a valuable demonstration of the possible side effects that such treatment may lead to. As such this mouse model may also provide a test bed for the substances that can alleviate the unwanted side effects of MMP inhibitor treatments.
This invention discloses a novel use for compounds that are inhibitors of the HIV Protease: specifically, the invention shows that HIV protease inhibitors are also potent inhibitors of Calcium Activated Neutral Proteases (Calpain). Activation of calpain plays a central role in tissue destructive processes following tissue trauma caused by, for example, stroke, heart attack, brain trauma, and spinal cord injury. Thus specific inhibition of calpain is an important therapeutic target in these disease processes. The estimated total market for these classes of therapeutic agents is on the order $500 million to 1 billion annually. The inventor has specifically demonstrated that in vitro the HIV protease inhibitors ritonavir and saquinavir are also potent inhibitors of calpain. This technology has a variety of practical applications: (1) Existing HIV proteases may be used as calpain inhibitors; (2) Existing HIV protease inhibitors which are FDA approved drugs will require less studies to develop as therapeutics; (3) HIV proteases inhibitors are small molecules with oral availability; (4) Other lead compounds developed as HIV protease inhibitors, but not commercialized, may be reevaluated as calpain inhibitors; (5) HIV protease inhibitors used as calpain inhibitors will not require chronic administration; and (6) calpain inhibitors may address therapeutic areas where there are not current effective therapies. A Provisional Patent Application Serial Number 60/202,378 has been filed for this technology. It is available for licensing through a DHHS Patent license.
The invention provides a soluble composite material comprising an organic polymer and nanoparticles of a magnetic iron oxide. Poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM)dendrimers aggregate with magnetic particles in an oligocrystalline structure which makes them extremely magnetic and soluble in solution. These superparamagnetic nanoparticles are readily taken up by cells. Because the preparation is superparamagnetic rather than ferromagnetic there is a very large relaxation effect and hysteresis is not shown. The combination of solubility, cellular uptake and strong paramagnetic properties give these novel magnetodendrimers a number of potential uses.
Magnetodendrimers have a high non_specific affinity for cellular membranes and will label cells by simple in vitro incubation regardless of the cells origin or surface proteins. After uptake of magnetodendrimer, cells can be readily separated by simple permanent magnets within seconds. When used as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent, the magnetically labeled cells allow non_invasive monitoring of the temporal spatial dynamics of a wide variety of cell transplants. After incubation with magnetodendrimer, cellular relaxation enhancement is 3_5 times higher than earlier approaches. For example, the magnetically labeled cells can be injected into a patient undergoing stem cell therapy to follow the migration, distribution and integration of new tissue. Magnetic dendrimers could also be injected into tumors and other areas to directly label cells and tissues in vivo. Such uses include cancer hyperthermia therapy, ultrasound imaging_microwave radiation, and nuclear isotope imaging using \59\Fe preparations. The magnetodendrimer could be attached to therapeutic compounds or other clinically relevant molecules for research, diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
Links between magnesium status and diseases such as ischaemic heart disease, hypertension, atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, migraine headaches, and other chronic diseases have been reported. These correlations have been difficult to confirm, however, mainly because of poor methods for determining free magnesium levels. This invention discloses new compounds that are fluorescent indicators for free (ionized) magnesium__the physiologically important form of magnesium. These compounds are analogs of fluoroquinolone antibiotics. Unlike other methods and indicators, they show a particularly high degree of specificity for Mg<SUP>2+</SUP> versus Ca<SUP>2+</SUP>. They represent an exciting improvement over other methods and indicators used to measure Mg<SUP>2+</SUP> because they significantly increase the ability to accurately measure intra and extracellular Mg<SUP>2+</SUP> levels in a wide variety of cells, tissues, and fluids under conditions where calcium is elevated. These compounds will be important research reagents, and have the potential to be very useful as diagnostic reagents in a variety of therapeutic areas.
Impaired wound healing states in the elderly have lead to major problems in terms of morbidity and mortality, affecting over four million U.S. citizens per annum and costing over 9 billion dollars. NIH investigators have recently found that Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor (SLPI) plays an important and specific role in cutaneous wound healing. SLPI is an inhibitor of serine proteases, and evidence demonstrates a requirement for SLPI as an anti_proteolytic defense against elastase and possibly additional tissue degradative enzymes and is consistent with excess elastolytic activity in pathologic, nonhealing wounds and venous ulcers. Our researchers have found that the absence of SLPI causes delayed or aberrant wound healing, an increased and prolonged inflammatory response, enhanced elastase activity, and delayed matrix accumulation in mice.
This new technology provides an improved method for treating diseases or disorders involving tissue destruction. The use of SLPI in such treatment provides a combination of advantages, including improved anti_bacterial, anti_viral, anti_fungal, and anti_inflammatory functions. SLPI also provides a number of relevant functions that accelerate the wound healing process of a variety of tissues, including skin, mucosal surfaces, and joints. Additionally, our investigators have developed a SLPI gene knock out mouse which is a useful animal model to study the functions of SLPI in the host innate immune response.
It is well known that patients with bilary cholestatic diseases are susceptible to complications of systemic infection and endotoxemia, which may be attributable to impaired host immunity. Extensive studies in the past have shown that some bile acids, particularly chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), one of two major human primary bile acids, possessed immunosuppressive properties including inhibiting the production of Interleukin 1 (IL_1), IL_6 and tumor necrosis factor_<greek_a> (TNF_<greek_a>) by monocytes. The precise mechanistic basis for the immune suppression was unclear.
The NIH announces the discovery that deoxycholic acid and many of its naturally occurring variants block the function of formyl peptide receptors by reversibly blocking the ligand_binding site on the receptors. The formyl peptide receptors are responsible for inducing many cell types to migrate to sites of inflammation and infection and have been shown to participate in host defense against microbial agents, the formation of atherosclerosis plaques, granulomas, autoimmune disease and possibly Alzheimer's disease. In particular, our researchers have shown that co_incubation of the bacterially derived N_formyl peptide (fMLP) with major components of human bile, namely dexocholic acid or chenodeoxycholic acid, inhibited chemotaxis and binding by monocytes that act as phagocytic leukocytes in cell_mediated immunity. Deoxycholic acid and its variants therefore have potential usefulness as anti_inflammatory agents with a broad range of potential applications.
This application relates to methods for the inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis. The inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis is based on the demonstration that certain inhibitors of the chemokine MCP_1 (monocyte chemotactic protein 1 also known as JE) inhibit angiogenesis in in vitro and in vivo model systems. In addition, methods for identifying other inhibitors are described. In addition to this application the NIH has other intellectual property related to MCP_1 which is available for license, including U.S. Patents 5,714,578, 5,532,144, 5,179,078, 5,212,073 and 5,278,287. This work has been published, in part in Blood 96(1): July 1, 2000.
This application describes a composition and method for treating inflammatory bowel disease or other autoimmune diseases. The composition utilizes a vector which contains a first promoter which controls the expression of a regulatory transcription factor and a second inducible promoter which controls the expression of the gene of interest. The preferred gene of interest encodes an isoform of TGF_<greek_b> such as TGF_<greek_b><INF>1</INF> or TGF_ <greek_b><INF>3</INF>. The isoform of TGF_<greek_b> does not have to be hTGF_<greek_b> and can be a latent or active isoform of TGF_<greek_b>. The preferred inducible promoter is TRE_CMV which can be induced using doxycycline. The usefulness of the composition for treating autoimmune diseases is demonstrated in the application in a murine model of inflammatory bowel disease in which intestinal inflammation was abrogated by the administration of a plasmid vector encoding active TGF_<greek_b>. The composition may be administered by a variety of delivery systems and intranasal delivery is exemplified.
The technology described and claimed in this application relates to the development of a serum_free medium which is particularly useful for the culture, both growth and expansion, of chondrocytes. More particularly, the medium allows chondrocytes to maintain their cartilaginous phenotype. Chondrocytes cultured in this medium may be used to repair joints having cartilage damage from diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
This work has been published, in part, at L Erhlacher, et al. ``Presence of cartilage_derived morphogenetic proteins in articular cartilage and enhancement of matrix replacement in vitro'' Arthritis Rheum. 1998 Feb;41(2):263_73. The material found in the patent application has been published as WO 98/59035 (Dec 30, 1998).
PHS also owns additional intellectual property, related to cartilage derived morphogenetic proteins 1 and 2 (CDMP_1/GDF5 and CDMP_2/GDF6) which may be used in conjunction with this technology. The work related to CDMP_1 and CDMP_2 has been published as WO 96/14335 (May 17, 1996) and at originally at Chang, et al., ``Cartilage_derived morphogenetic proteins. New members of the transforming growth factor_beta superfamily predominantly expressed in long bones during human embryonic development'' J Biol Chem. 1994 Nov 11;269(45):28227_34.
This invention relates to a mutant of the RAD51 gene and its use in diagnosing individuals predisposed to breast cancer involving BRCA1 and/or BRCA2. The mutant contains a guanine_to_cytosine transversion at nucleotide position 135 in the 5' untranslated region of the RAD51 gene. The invention relates to the nucleotide sequence of the mutant RAD51 gene, associated vector constructs and host cells, and diagnostic methods. Epidemiological and in vitro biochemical characterization studies are in progress.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Licensing and CRADA information, and copies of the U.S. patent applications listed below, may be obtained by writing to Thomas E. O'Toole, M.P.H., Deputy Director, Technology Transfer Office,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mailstop E_67, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30333, telephone (404) 639_6270, email tto@cdc.gov. Please note that a signed Confidential Disclosure Agreement will be required to receive copies of the patent application.
Reverse transcription_polymerase chain reaction (RT_PCR) has been used worldwide for the diagnosis of Norwalk_like virus (NLV) infection, yet a commonly accepted genetic classification scheme has not been established. On the basis of the analysis of amino acid sequences in the second open reading frame (ORF2) regions from a total of 101 NLV strains, including 2 bovine strains, a genetic classification scheme is proposed that differentiates 99 human strains into 2 major genetic groups, consisting of 5 and 10 genetic clusters, respectively. The 2 bovine strains constitute a newly defined third major genetic group composed of two putative clusters represented by each strain. This classification scheme is well supported by the analysis of the entire ORF2 sequences from 38 strains selected to represent the genetic diversity of the human strains used above. This scheme should provide a firm scientific basis for designation and evaluation of improved molecular methods for the diagnosis of NLV infection. CDC Ref.#: I_025_99/0.
M. pneumoniae is a common cause of atypical pneumonia, tracheobronchitis, and pharyngitis. M. pneumoniae is difficult to culture for diagnostic purposes and serum antibodies used for diagnostic confirmation often arise too late for timely treatment decisions. A specific M. pneumoniae antigen has been identified which is present during acute infection. This antigen may be used as a diagnostic marker and may also be used to monitor treatment efficacy. CDC Ref.#: I_026_99/0.
Enterovirus 71 (EV71) has been responsible for many outbreaks throughout the world since the early 1970s. Infections can result in severe neurologic symptoms including poliomyelitis_like paralysis. Recently, EV71 caused large outbreaks of hand_foot_mouth disease in Asia with thousands of reported cases. This invention provides a method for the rapid serotype identification of EV71. There are over 780 serotypes of Enteroviruses and many of them have potential for causing diseases with similar symptoms, so viral identification is necessary. Many diagnostic labs would like to implement simple and fast tests to identify viruses. The primer pairs described by these researchers are specific for the Enterovirus agent EV71. The virus is known to be fairly prevalent and the sequencing studies indicate that there are two genetically different groups of this virus. The amplicons produced with these primers allow sequencing and even resolution to which genetic group the virus belongs. U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 60/164,520 CDC Ref.#: I_027_99/0.
CD40 Ligand (CD40L) is an important costimulatory molecule on the T_cell and is central to the development of immunity. CD40L expression can influence cytokine response and is responsible for immunoglobulin class switching in B_cells. CD40L can be used as an adjuvant to enhance cytokine and antibody response to RSV. CD40L can be used as an adjuvant to enhance any immune response, particularly to weak antigens.
Expression of CD40L with antigens may enhance the potency or efficacy of vaccines, by enhancing both the antibody response and the T_cell response in terms of cytokine production.U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 60/179,905 CDC Ref.#: I_029_99/0.
H. pylori is an established cause of chronic gastritis, duodenal and gastric ulcer, and is linked to gastric cancer. H. pylori is difficult to culture from extra_gastric and environmental samples due to heavy contamination with other microorganisms that inhibit the growth of H. pylori on commercially available media. New sample treatment methods which eliminate all other microorganisms while not affecting H. pylori allow diagnostic and environmental samples to be grown on non_selective growth media. CDC Ref.#: I_030_99/0.
Cysticercosis (pork tapeworm disease) is acquired by ingestion of Taenia solium cysticerci found in raw and undercooked pork muscle or food contaminated with human or pig feces. Native gp50 antigen from Taenia solium has been shown to be highly sensitive and specific in detecting individuals with neurocysticercosis. The gp50 antigen has been cloned and may be useful for improvements over the existing Western blot diagnostic method. CDC Ref.#: I_031_99/0.
Magnetic fields are suspected of causing cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and other serious health problems. In order to measure individual magnetic field exposures, multiwave instruments measure magnetic field undulations in three perpendicular directions. This software analyzes the exposure metrics using standard and novel mathematical manipulations leading to highly accurate exposure calculations applicable to large scale epidemiological studies of magnetic field health risks or surveys of the geomagnetic environment. CDC Ref.#: I_032_99/0.
This invention comprises an aerosol vaccination system designed for the administration of measles vaccine. The device is a hand held, jet aerosol vaccine delivery system which delivers vaccine to the respiratory tract via disposable nasal prongs. The jet aerosol is generated with a hand pump or compressed gas. The prototype vaccine is measles; however, this device may be adapted for any vaccine suitable for respiratory administration. CDC Ref.#: I_033_99/0.
This invention comprises an aerosol vaccination system designed for the administration of measles vaccine. The device is a hand held, battery powered ultrasonic nebulizer which delivers vaccine to the respiratory tract via disposable nasal prongs. The prototype vaccine is measles; however, this device may be adapted for any vaccine suitable for respiratory administration. CDC Ref.#: I_034_99/0.
Current malaria vaccine development efforts focus primarily on moderating infection in the human host rather than targeting the mosquito vectors responsible for the spread of malaria. A set of monoclonal antibodies has been developed which inhibit the development of human malaria parasites in different species of mosquitos by blocking specific mosquito antigens. It may be possible to develop a malaria transmission blocking vaccine by immunizing humans with DNA or protein forms of the identified mosquito antigens. The human antibodies elicited against such antigens, when ingested by the mosquito along with infectious parasites, may prevent the development of parasites in the mosquito and thus halt malaria transmission. CDC Ref. #: I_002_00/0.
Tuberculin skin testing for M. tuberculosis cannot distinguish between active or latent M. tuberculosis infections; nontuberculosis mycobacteria infections; and BCG vaccine exposure. Nor can skin testing positively identify M. tuberculosis infections in some immunosuppressed individuals. It is suspected that asymptomatic individuals may harbor latent M. tuberculosis bacilli within lung or lymph node granulomas. An in vitro granuloma model has been developed and four suspected latency genes have been identified. These gene products may be useful for differentiating between latent and active M. tuberculosis infections and for efficacy testing of drug regimens against latent infections. CDC Ref. #: I_003_00/0.
This invention improves user's comfort through two ergonomic handle design features. A handle orientation feature enables the user to pull the luggage while maintaining a natural and comfortable posture. The second feature relates to the adjustability of the handle length according to the height of the user, thus minimizing the lifting force needed when pulling the luggage. CDC Ref. #: I_004_00/0.
This model enables growth of bacterial biofilms in foley catheters for gene transfer and other experiments. It is comprised of 4 bladders in a heated water bath and mimics the action of a urinary tract. This device will enable us to determine microbial biofilm formation of urinary catheters and study methods to control this process. CDC Ref. #: I_005_00/0.
This invention reduces face seal leakage to increase respirator safety by forcing the outside seal to be flushed with clean air. CDC Ref. #: I_006_00/0.
We have sequenced the VirB virulence operon of B. henselae. This operon consists of 10 genes that could possibly play a role in the pathogensis of Bartonella infections. These genes would therefore be valuable as candidates for diagnostic tools and vaccines. One of the genes within this operon (virB4) encodes a protein of molecular weight 89.5 kDa. This size closely resembles the size (83 kDa) of an immunodominant antigen of B. henselae that has been shown to be reactive with sera from patients diagnosed with cat scratch disease. If these antigens represent the same protein, the 89.5 kDa (virB4) protein could be a viable candidate for developing a diagnostic tool because of the fact that it is a highly conserved, immunodominant antigen. In addition, the lack of cross reactivity of the 83 kDa antigen with other Bartonella species suggests that it would be useful as a candidate antigen for a species_specific diagnostic test to differentiate Bartonella species. CDC Ref. #: I_008_00/0.
This invention takes advantage of the attenuating mutations found in the nonstructural regions of a Dengue 2 virus (strain PDK_53). The inventors have created a Dengue 1/Dengue 2 chimera with the nonstructural genes of the avirulant DEN_2 vaccine strain and the structural genes of DEN_1 (strain16007). This recombination provides an attenuated vaccine_type virus which retains the immunogenic properties of DEN_1. New developments for this invention also include a chimeric DEN_2/DEN_3 and DEN_2/DEN_4 virus. These chimeric DEN_2/DEN_1, DEN_2/DEN_3, and DEN_2/DEN_4 viruses are possible components for a tetravalent vaccine to protect humans from all four serotypes of DEN virus. CDC Ref. #: I_009_00/0. U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 60/182,829
This electrical injury protection system protects electricians and other workers who work with or near energized low voltage (less than 600 volts) power lines by warning them if they come too close to the line and instantly turning off the power if they touch the bare power line. This system reduces the potential for severe injury or death from electrical shock. CDC Ref. #: I_010_00/0. U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 60/186,660
This invention provides a set of 17 primers and their sequences for use in one_tube multi_plex RT_PCR to detect 13 genetic clusters of Norwalk_like viruses (NLVs) and simultaneously determine the genetic type on the basis of sequences of the second open reading frame (ORF2) encoding the viral capsid protein. The availability of a rapid, broad, and sensitive detection test for NLVs should facilitate the testing of clinical, food, and environmental specimens to elucidate the modes of transmission of NLVs. CDC Ref. #: I_012_00/0.
This recombinant protein is being utilized as a diagnostic reagent in the development of immunoassays for the detection of anti_HEV activity in human sera. This protein may also have potential for use as a vaccine to prevent HEV infection. CDC Ref. #: I_013_00/0
An improved peptide construct consisting of a combination of antigenic epitopes of the PsaA (37 kDa) protein from Streptococcus pneumoniae. This construct is a possible vaccine candidate which may provide better immune stimulation over the previous invention (I_017_97/0) which was based on individual rather than combination epitopes. CDC Ref. #: I_014_00/0.
Currently, there are few standardized assays for the detection of Chlamydophilia pneumoniae infection of humans. This invention is a peptide sequence that specifically binds C. pneumoniae and is recognized by anti_C. pneumoniae antibodies. This peptide may be useful for improving diagnostic methods by reducing the variability and high backgrounds found with methods that rely on whole organisms for detection. This peptide may also be useful for production of peptide or DNA vaccines. CDC Ref. #: I_016_00/0
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major causative agent of parenterally transmitted non_A, non_B hepatitis worldwide and is now considered the major causative agent responsible for post_transfusion hepatitis in the United States. This invention uses recombinant proteins of HCV for the detection of antibodies to HCV in human samples. The assay is an immunogold based detection system which will provide accurate and sensitive results in 15 minutes. CDC Ref.#: I_017_00/0.
This invention is an improvement to the receiver included in the Mobile Machine Hazardous Working Zone Warning System (US Pat. #5,939,986). The receiver is designed to warn machine operators when they are entering dangerous areas (such as unsupported roofs, limited visibility, operating machinery, etc.) and to shut down the equipment if desired. The improved receiver has the additional ability to disable the machinery to prevent restarting and also has improved accuracy in determining distance by virtue of a special design which operates regardless of the orientation of the receiver. CDC Ref.#: I_018_00/0.
RSV is the single most important cause of lower respiratory tract disease in children. Many vaccination strategies have been attempted, but as of yet none have been successful. This invention relates to the discovery of functional motifs in the RSV G protein that may provide new insights into the past vaccine failures and may lead to immunogenic modifications that would provide a safe and efficient RSV vaccine. CDC Ref.#: I_022_00/0.
This invention comprises the full length sequence of the simian foamy virus SFVhu1. This virus may have potential as a noninfectious viral vector for gene therapy and vaccine delivery systems. CDC Ref.#: I_023_00/0.
The control of public health pests is critical for preventing numerous vector borne diseases throughout the world. New insecticidal compounds and application strategies are needed to protect both public health and the environment, and to combat chemical resistance. In this invention, biologically active fractions of essential oil of Alaska yellow cedar have been identified which are insecticidal and acaricidal. These natural compounds were found to be active for up to 11 weeks against the tick vector, Ixodes scapularis; the mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti; and the flea vector, Xenopsylla cheopsis. CDC Ref.#: I_024_00/0.
Burkholderia pseudomallei (previously called Pseudomonas pseudomallei) is a human bacterial pathogen which causes meliodosis, a disease which is endemic in southeast Asia. This discovery of a putative insecticidal protein expressed by B. pseudomallei may have dual functions. A primary application would allow for the development of serological tests for human infection using antibodies derived from the protein and PCR based detection methods derived from the gene sequence. A second possible application of this new protein could include the exploitation of its potential insecticidal properties. These applications might be similar to the methods used to produce a variety of transgenic crops incorporating the Bacillus thuriengensis toxin gene which has been used to create crops resistant to a variety of insect pests. CDC Ref.#: I_025_00/0.
The bacterial complex Nocardia asteroides is a serious threat to immunosuppressed individuals, especially those with organ transplants, lung disease, and AIDS. Nocardia farcinica is the most clinically significant species because it characteristically demonstrates resistance to multiple, extended spectrum antimicrobial agents. Traditional identification methods are time consuming and labor-intensive (up to 8 weeks for definitive results). This invention comprises a unique DNA sequence within the N. farcinica genome which allows for PCR_based diagnostics which are specific to the species and do not cross react with closely related species and genera. CDC Ref.#: I_027_00/0.
Some new laboratory facilities are being built without laboratory gas for safety reasons. Bacteriologists conducting classical bacteriology have occasional need for open flame sources in the lab. Portable butane systems are available, but lack stability in the base and are therefore easy to knock over. A laboratory stand has been developed which will provide a wider base and can be easily decontaminated. CDC Ref.#: I_028_00/0.
This device is designed to pick up and remove debris from grizzlies (rock screens) in mines and quarries, thus preventing debris from entering and plugging crushing equipment during the oversized rock breaking process. It consists of a hydraulically activated pincher arm which is attached to an impact hammer head. The advantage of this device is a reduction in the number of injuries associated with manual clearing of debris and a reduction in the amount of time needed to rake fine particles which cover debris and oversized rock. CDC Ref.#: I_029_00/0.
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