Description of Invention:
Microarrays have wide applications in basic research and are used for the discovery of candidate genes as markers for disease and for therapeutic intervention. "NEIBANK", a new microarray research tool has been developed that allows researchers to compare expression levels of thousands of genes expressed in the eye. The technology comprises of a set of sequenced unamplified and normalized libraries derived from normal human eye tissues using a custom software, GRIST (Grouping and Identification of Sequence Tags). Using this technique, a non-redundant set of over 10,000 cDNA clones, potentially representing unique genes expressed in the human eye has been derived. This integrated technique of sequencing with bioinformatics led to the discovery of new genes and the novel splice forms of known genes. Thus, this technology can be used to examine processes of diseases, aging, normal and abnormal development in post-mortem or surgical eye samples and in cultured cell systems. Areas of particular interest for this array in eye research include, but are not limited to, retinal degeneration, age-related macular degeneration and cataract.
Inventors:
Dr. Graeme J. Wistow (NEI)
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-107-2001/0 -- Research Tool
Portfolios: Ophthalmology Gene Based Therapies
Gene Based Therapies -Diagnostics Ophthalmology-Diagnostics Ophthalmology-Research Materials
For Additional Information Please Contact: Tara L. Kirby Ph.D.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: (301)435-4426
Email: tarak@mail.nih.gov
Fax: (301)402-0220
