A Transgenic Mouse Expressing Reverse Tetracycline-Controlled Transactivator in Melanocytes
Description of Invention:
Available for licensing are transgenic mice that allow for specific and inducible expression of proteins in melanocytes. Melanocytes are difficult to study because of their paucity in mammalian skin, and these mice present a readily available source of these cells and model to study melanocyte diseases such as melanoma of the skin and eye. The mice can be crossed with transgenic mice that harbor the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene, resulting in melanocyte-specific GFP labeling. GFP labeling can aid in imaging and/or isolation of melanocytes via fluorescence activated cell sorting, and it can be used to study melanocytes at both the cellular and molecular level.
Applications:
Research tool to study melanocytes and melanocyte related diseases such as melanoma of the skin and eye.
Model to develop and test cosmetic dermatology products such as skin tanners.
Advantages:
Research tool to study melanocytes at the cellular and molecular level.
Melanocytes compose a minute fraction of mammalian skin. These mice present a significant advantage in labeling, imaging and isolating these cells.
Market:
An estimated 59,940 Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer in 2007.
An estimated 8,110 Americans will die of skin cancer in 2007.
Intraocular melanoma is a rare disease. For every 100,000 Americans, there are approximately 17.7 new cases of intraocular melanoma.
Cosmetic dermatology industry is worth billions of dollars.
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-308-2007/0 – Research Tool. Patent protection is not being sought for this technology.
Relevant Publication: Planned oral presentation at the Fourth International Congress on Melanoma in New York City, November 1-4, 2007. The technology is mentioned in the Abstract for this meeting.
Licensing Status: Available for non-exclusive licensing.
Collaborative Research Opportunity:
The Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics of the National Cancer Institute is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize use of transgenic mice that allow for specific and inducible expression of proteins in melanocytes. Please contact John D. Hewes, Ph.D. at 301-435-3121 or hewesj@mail.nih.gov for more information.
Portfolios: Miscellaneous Devices/Instrumentation Cancer
Cancer -Research Materials Cancer -Other Devices/Instrumentation-Research Materials
For Additional Information Please Contact: Jennifer Wong
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: (301)435-4633
Email: wongje@mail.nih.gov
Fax: (301)402-0220
