[Federal Register: April 5, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 66)]
[Notices]
[Page 18099-18100]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05ap01-57]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health
Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing
AGENCY: National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service, DHHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The inventions listed below are owned by agencies of the U.S.
Government and are available for licensing in the U.S. in accordance
with 35 U.S.C. 207 to achieve expeditious commercialization of results
of federally-funded research and development. Foreign patent
applications are filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage
for companies and may also be available for licensing.
ADDRESSES: 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.
Methods and Compositions for Inhibiting HIV-Coreceptor Interactions
Oleg Chertov (NCI), Joost J. Oppenheim (NCI), Xin Chen (NCI), Connor
McGrath (NCI), Raymond C. Sowder II (NCI), Jacek Lubkowski (NCI),
Michele Wetzel (EM), and Thomas J. Rogers (EM)
DHHS Reference No. E-190-00/0 filed 15 Feb 2001
Licensing Contact: Sally Hu; 301/496-7056 ext. 265; e-mail:
hus@od.nih.gov
This invention provides peptides that might be potent inhibitors of
HIV replication, in both macrophages and T lymphocytes. Specifically,
the inventors have identified peptides, from the HIV-1 gp120 envelope
protein, that share structural similarities with chemokines and are
shown to block ``docking'' interactions between the HIV-1 envelope
protein gp120 and chemokine receptors that function as ``coreceptors''
for HIV entry on the surface of target cells (macrophages and T
lymphocytes). The inventors synthesized two peptides (designated 15K
and 15D) based on this information and showed that both were effective
in competing with chemokines for binding to CCR5- and CXCR4-expressing
cells. These peptides efficiently inhibited infection of human monocyte
derived macrophages and peripheral blood mononuclear cells by different
strains of HIV. The synthesized peptides also inhibited chemotaxis of
CCR5 expressing transfected cells stimulated by the chemokine RANTES.
Thus, these peptides and other molecules based on their structure can
be potentially used as inhibitors of HIV. Moreover, these peptides
could also have anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activity. Further, it
has been determined that these peptides are multi-tropic in their
effects (blocking HIV interactions with multiple co-receptors) for
blocking both T cell tropic (lymphotropic) and macrophage tropic (m-
tropic) HIV strains.
Identification of New Small RNAs and ORFs
Susan Gottesman (NCI), Gisela Storz (NICHD), Karen Wassarman (NICHD),
Francis Repoila (NCI), Carsten Rosenow (EM)
DHHS Reference No. E-072-01/0 filed 01 Feb 2001
Licensing Contact: Peter Soukas; 301/496-7056 ext. 268; e-mail:
soukasp@od.nih.gov
The inventors have isolated a number of previously unknown sRNAs
found in E. coli. Previous scientific publications by the inventors and
others regarding sRNAs have shown these sRNAs to serve important
regulatory roles in the cell, such as regulators of virulence and
survival in host cells. Prediction of the presence of genes encoding
sRNAs was accomplished by combining sequence information from highly
conserved intergenic regions with information about the expected
transcription of neighboring genes. Microarray analysis also was used
to identify likely candidates. Northern blot analyses were then carried
out to demonstrate the presence of the sRNAs. Three of the sRNAs
claimed in the invention regulate (candidates 12 and 14, negatively and
candidate 31, positively) expression of RpoS, a major transcription
factor in bacteria that is important in many pathogens because it
regulates (amongst other things) virulence. The inventors' data show
that these sRNAs are highly conserved among closely related bacterial
species, including Salmonella and Klebsiella presenting a unique
opportunity to develop both specific and broad-based antibiotic
therapeutics. The invention contemplates a number of uses for the
sRNAs, including, but not limited to, inhibition by antisense,
manipulation of gene expression, and possible vaccine candidates.
Decoding Algorithm for Neuronal Responses
Barry J. Richmond, Matthew C. Wiener (NIMH)
DHHS Reference No. E-038-01/0 filed 12 Jan 2001
Licensing Contact: Dale Berkley; 301/496-7735 ext. 223; e-mail:
berkleyd@od.nih.gov
The invention is a new algorithm for decoding neuronal responses
based on
[[Page 18100]]
the discovery that neuronal spike trains can be described using order
statistics. The device has applications in the direct control of
prosthetic limbs by neuronal signals originating from electrodes placed
in the brain. The method allows for decoding neuronal responses by
monitoring sequences of potentials from neurons while specific motor
tasks are carried out. The sequences are then characterized using the
innovative technique of applying order statistics to the spike train,
such that subsequent action potentials representing unidentified motor
tasks can be decoded to determine the unknown task. The invention is of
substantial importance because it appears to have achieved a closed
form interpretation of neuronal responses upon which a motor prosthetic
device might be based.
Expression Vectors Able to Elicit Improved Immune Response and
Methods of Using Same
Pavlakis et al. (NCI)
DHHS Reference No. E-308-00/0 filed 01 Nov 2000
Licensing Contact: Carol Salata; 301/496-7735 ext. 232; e-mail:
salatac@od.nih.gov
Cellular immune responses against human immunodeficiency virus type
1 (HIV-1) and the related simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) have been
shown to play an important role in controlling HIV-1 and SIV infection
and in delaying disease progression. This invention relates to nucleic
acids (such as DNA immunization plasmids), encoding fusion proteins
containing a destabilizing amino acid sequence which increases their
immunogenicity. In order to make HIV gag or env more immunogenic,
several signals for proteasomal degradation were selected and linked to
the proteins. One of these destabilizing amino acid sequences was found
to be particularly effective. The DNA construct expressing the HIV-1
gag fusion protein was more immunogenic in mice than the HIV gag
protein. Compared with gag alone, the DNA expressing the gag fusion
protein evoked much higher HIV-specific proliferative responses,
elevated CTL response and a high level of CD8+ IFNg-secreting cells.
Dated: March 28, 2001.
Jack Spiegel,
Director, Division of Technology Development and Transfer, Office of
Technology Transfer National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 01-8376 Filed 4-4-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P